Grassley, Ossoff Reintroduce Justice for Murder Victims Act

Grassley, Ossoff Reintroduce Justice for Murder Victims Act

Bipartisan proposal seeks to end archaic 'year-and-a-day' rule

WASHINGTON - Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) today reintroduced the Justice for Murder Victims Act. The bipartisan bill would strike down the "year-and-a-day" rule, a 13^th century legal precedent that prohibits a defendant from being prosecuted for murder if their victim dies more than a year-and-a-day after the date of their assault. The bill passed the Senate unanimously in the 118^th Congress.

"Murderous criminals shouldn't get off the hook because modern medicine prolonged the lifespan of their victim. Our bipartisan bill will eliminate the medieval "year-and-a-day" rule to ensure justice is served, violent criminals are held accountable and families get the closure they deserve," Grassley said.

"Murderers and violent criminals must be held accountable," Ossoff said.?"Senator Grassley and I are introducing bipartisan legislation to help secure justice for homicide victims and their families."

The Justice for Murder Victims Act is endorsed by the National District Attorney's Association, the Iowa County Attorney's Association, the National Organization of Parents of Murdered Children, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, the Major County Sheriffs of America, the Murder Accountability Project, the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys and the Major Cities Chiefs Association.

"NDAA is proud to support Senator Grassley and Senator Ossoff as they introduce the Justice for Murder Victims Act. This legislation updates an archaic rule that limits the ability of federal prosecutors to hold offenders accountable and provide justice for victims and their families. We look forward to moving this bipartisan proposal through Congress at a time when violent crime is plaguing communities across the country," said Nelson Bunn, Executive Director of the National District Attorneys Association.

"The MCCA proudly endorses the Justice for Murder Victims Act. The updates made by this legislation will help increase accountability throughout the criminal justice system by helping ensure violent offenders can be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. The MCCA thanks Sen. Grassley and Sen. Ossoff for introducing this bill," said Chief Mike Brown, Chairman of the Major Cities Chiefs Association.

"The timing of a victim's death should never stand in the way of justice. Families who have watched their loved ones fight courageously for survival should not have to endure the pain of losing them only to discover their attacker cannot be prosecuted. Advances in modern medicine now allow victims to survive longer, but outdated legal rules unintentionally penalize those who fight to stay alive. The Justice for Murder Victims Act ensures that justice is possible, regardless of when a victim succumbs to their injuries. FLEOA fully supports this critical legislation and commends Senator Grassley for his leadership in addressing this injustice," said Mathew Silverman, National President of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association.

Find bill text HERE.

Background:

The "year-and-a-day" rule is a legal principle that bars prosecution for homicide in cases where the victim dies more than 366 days after the attack. However, modern medicine and advances in life support technology have helped more victims of homicide live past the set 366-day mark. Many states have already abolished the antiquated rule due to modern developments. The Justice for Murder Victims Act would amend existing federal law to ensure there's no maximum prosecutorial time period between the assault and death of a victim.

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