Group rallies for pregnant victims' bill
Jennifer Nielson, seen in this picture with her husband and child, was murdered while eight-months pregnant.
MATTHEWS, N.C. -- An advocacy group that recently helped pass Jessica’s Law – a law regarding the punishment of sex offenders – is now getting behind a bill calling for tougher penalties for murderers who kill pregnant women.
Kevin Blaine is the father of Jennifer Nielson, who was murdered at the age of 22 last year in Raleigh. She was eight-months pregnant at the time.
Saturday, Blaine was at a rally with politicians in support of House Bill 263, which would charge killers in cases involving a pregnant victim with two counts of murder – one for the mother; the other for her unborn baby.
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"I believe if people knew we didn't have a law and they could change the law, everyone would stand up [in support of House Bill 263],” said Blaine.
For years, the bill has stalled out, never making it to a vote. One lawmaker says that the bill, if passed, would compromise current domestic violence legislation. There is also debate on whether the bill would infringe on abortion legislation.
Jeff Gerber, a former advocate for Jessica’s Law and now a backer of House Bill 263, says it has nothing to do with the abortion issue. Blaine agrees, noting that 36 states have already passed similar bills.
Members of the Justice for All Coalition – the same group that pushed for the passage of Jessica’s Law – say they plan to hold a rally in Raleigh at the end of November.