Columbus – Dozens of sheriffs, police chiefs and county prosecutors across Ohio have endorsed State Issue 1, the equal rights for crime victims constitutional amendment known as Marsy’s Law.
The law-enforcement officials supporting State Issue 1 are part of a growing bipartisan coalition of more than 250 elected officials, faith leaders, community groups and victim rights advocates from every corner of the state.
“We appreciate the overwhelming support law enforcement has shown for State Issue 1,” said Trevor Vessels, Marsy’s Law for Ohio State Director. “These brave men and women protect the lives and rights of crime victims every day on our streets and in our courtrooms. Their recognition that crime victims deserve equal rights makes a powerful statement.”
Led by 20 county sheriffs and endorsed by the statewide Buckeye State Sheriff’s Association, a total of 52 law-enforcement officials support State Issue 1.
If voters approve the proposal bringing equal rights to crime victims this fall, State Issue 1 would grant a series of constitutional protections to crime victims and their immediate families for the first time in Ohio’s history.
Under the amendment, crime victims would have the right to notification of all proceedings as well as be guaranteed the right to be heard at every step of the process. Victims would also have the right to have input on all plea deals for offenders as well as the right to restitution resulting from the financial impact of the crime.
The effort to place State Issue 1 in the state constitution comes after similar ballot issues were approved in California, Illinois, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota.
The Marsy’s Law movement began in 1983, when a young woman named Marsy Nicholas was stalked and killed by her ex-boyfriend. Only a week after her murder, Marsy’s mother and brother, Henry T. Nicholas, walked into a grocery store where they saw the accused murderer. The family, who had just come from a visit to Marsy’s grave, had no idea the accused murderer had been released on bail.
Ohio law-enforcement officials endorsing State Issue 1 include:
20 Ohio Sheriffs
Buckeye State Sheriff’s Association
Allen County Matt Treglia
Athens County Rodney Smith
Belmont County David Lucas
Brown County Gordon Ellis
Clark County Deborah Burchette
Delaware County Russell Martin
Franklin County Dallas Baldwin
Jackson County Tedd Frazier
Lake County Daniel Dunlap
Licking County Randy Throp
Meigs County Keith Wood
Mercer County Jeff Gray
Miami County David Duchak
Muskingum Matt Lutz
Ottawa County Stephen Levorchick
Paulding County Jason Landers
Putnam County Brian Sieker
Sandusky County Christopher Hilton
Summit County Steve Barry
Washington County Larry Mincks
15 Local Police Chiefs
Anna Chief Scott Evans
Antwerp Chief George Clemens
Akron Chief James Nice
Barberton Chief Vince Morber
Botkins Chief Wayne Glass
Circleville Chief Shawn Baer
Fort Jennings Chief Michael Schleeter
Fremont Chief Dean Bliss
Jackson Center Chief Charles Wirick
Johnstown Chief Don Corbin
Marion Chief Bill Collins
Newark Chief Barry Connell
Perry Township Chief John Petrozzi
Pomeroy Chief Mark Proffitt
Reynoldsburg Chief Jim O’Neil
10 County Prosecutors
Athens County Prosecutor Keller Blackburn
Brown County Prosecutor Zac Corbin
Darke County Prosecutor Kelly Ormsby
Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien
Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters
Jackson County Prosecutor Justin Lovett
Licking County Prosecutor Bill Hayes
Meigs County Prosecutor James Stanley
Putnam County Prosecutor Gary Lammers
Summit County Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh
Eight other law-enforcement officials:
New Albany Law Director Mitch Banchefsky
New Albany Police Department Sgt. Garrett Fernandez
Paulding County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Jonathan Dyson
Paulding County Lt. Sheriff Brian Hanenkratt
Sandusky County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Edward Hastings
Wapakoneta Safety Service Director Chad Scott