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President Biden signed a bipartisan cold case investigation bill into law this week that establishes federal rights for the relatives of people killed in unsolved murders. The Homicide Victims’ Families Rights Act provides family members of cold case victims a way to officially request federal investigators review their case with the latest available technology – and it…
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August 10, 2022 Every April, OVC leads communities throughout the country in their annual observances of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW). NCVRW offers us a chance to honor crime victims and survivors, recognize the professionals and volunteers who provide critical services to victims of crime, and raise awareness about crime victims’ rights and services.…
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Published: Sep. 05, 2022, 7:00 a.m. Defunding law enforcement? Alabama sheriffs, county commission association sound alarm over drop in gun permit applications – al.com By: John Sharp | [email protected] Alabama sheriffs and the head of the state’s county commission association are sounding alarms about the financial implications of removing concealed carry permit revenues from their budgets. The…
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By Jonathan Grass Published: Sep. 15, 2022 at 9:13 PM CDT|Updated: Sep. 15, 2022 at 9:15 PM CDT MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) – CJ Robinson is stepping into his new role as district attorney for the 19th Judicial Circuit a bit early. After winning the Republican primary in May, Robinson was heading into the job anyway, as no Democratic…
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Published: Sep. 26, 2022, 4:17 p.m. By John Sharp | [email protected] A 20-year-old-man out on bond on a murder charge from April was re-arrested on Friday for shooting at an occupied dwelling. Brandon Ely was arrested and booked into Mobile Metro Jail on a charge of shooting into an occupied dwelling for an incident that occurred at…
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By Julia Avant Published: Oct. 27, 2022 at 9:18 PM CDT MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) – In 1982, Alabama had no laws in the books to support crime victims in the state. That changed because of one woman, Miriam Shehane. She founded the Montgomery organization, Victims of Crime and Leniency (VOCAL), which is celebrating its 40th anniversary. “I…
Read Morehttps://www.al.com/news/2023/01/birminghams-deadliest-year-in-decades-these-are-the-144-homicide-victims-of-2022.html
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By The year 2022 was one of bloodshed for Birmingham with mothers, fathers, sons, daughters and even grandparents losing their lives to violence. The youngest victim was a 3-year-old boy who died alongside his grandmother at the hands of his father, according to police. The oldest was an 83-year-old veteran beaten to death during a Pratt City burglary.…
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AL new guidelines for prisons allow inmates to get released earlier based on behavior Alabama Gov. Ivey announces new rules for prison ‘good time’ incentives | Fox News On Monday, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey announced new rules for prison “good time” incentives that allow some inmates to shorten their prison stays based on their behavior. Ivey signed…
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By Bud McLaughlin February 6, 2023 Yellow Hammer News Thomas Govan announced he is seeking the Republican Party nomination for Place 2 on the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals in the March 2024 primary. The seat is held by Judge Chris McCool, who recently announced his candidacy for the Alabama Supreme Court. “As a lifelong…
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EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 716 Imposing a Temporary Moratorium on Early Parole Hearings and Requiring the Submission and Implementation of a Corrective Action Plan for the Board of Pardons and Paroles.
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Attorney General Steve Marshall Hails Alabama Senate Passage of Legislation to Reform State’s Badly Broken Pardons and Paroles Board (MONTGOMERY) — Attorney General Steve Marshall hailed the passage of legislation today by the Alabama Senate to reform the badly broken Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles. House Bill 380, sponsored by Representative Connie Rowe, R-Jasper,…
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(MONTGOMERY)—Attorney General Steve Marshall announced that the State of Alabama would pay the maximum damages that may be awarded under state law—$1 million*—to the families of Jimmy O’Neal Spencer’s three alleged murder victims. The families allege that the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles wrongfully paroled and failed to supervise Spencer, resulting in the deaths…
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MONTGOMERY — Victims of Crime and Leniency (VOCAL), the State’s largest victims’ advocacy coalition, on Tuesday expressed the organization’s full support and the urgent need for legislation reforming the Board of Pardons and Paroles. The legislation has already passed the Alabama House of Representatives. “We sincerely hope that the Alabama Senate will make this legislation…
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VOCAL hosts an annual golf tournament, where patrons can donate to help support our organization and be sponsored for these events. View the brochure of our most recent tournament here, as well as details on sponsorships. 2021 brochure
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By STEVE FLOWERS Alabama Political Reporter Legendary state Senator Jimmy Holley has decided to not seek reelection to the state Senate next year after 44 years in the Legislature. He will be missed in the state Senate. For the past decade, Holley has become a mentor and confidante for incoming state senators, especially the members…
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The bill would delay fines and fees for the recently released for 180 days. he Alabama Senate on Wednesday quickly passed numerous largely non-controversial bills, and among them was legislation that would give those released from custody extra time before having to pay fines and fees. During the 180-day period after a person is released…
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Governor Kay Ivey on Wednesday signed House Bill 143, which is named in honor of Sheffield K-9 Sgt. Nick Risner, who was murdered in October 2021 by a man previously convicted of manslaughter. The Nick Risner Act, which is sponsored by Rep. Phillip Pettus, prevents convicts who used a deadly weapon to kill someone from…
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