Dear Supporters, I want to provide you with your first official update regarding the Vincent Anthony Act — Senate Bill 679 and House Bill 1489. After careful review of the legislative record, it is important to share this update with full transparency and clarity: Both bills were withdrawn by their sponsors. You may see the final action listed as “WDR” (Withdrawn by Sponsor). This means the committees voted to accept the withdrawal, not to vote on the bill itself. The Vincent Anthony Act was not voted down. This distinction matters. Because it means: • The bill was not defeated on its merits • The legislature did not take a final vote on the policy • The issue of victim-centered accountability in homicide cases remains unresolved What This Process Revealed While the bill did not advance this session, it brought forward a critical issue in Maryland law. Under the Second Look Act (HB 853): • Individuals convicted of homicide may still be eligible for sentence reconsideration • While other serious offenses—such as life without parole cases, sex offenses, and crimes involving first responders—are excluded This raises a fundamental question: Why is the most serious and irreversible crime—taking a human life—still eligible for leniency? Where We Go From Here The #JustWhyMovement was never built on one bill alone. It was built to bring awareness, demand accountability, and create lasting legislative change. And that work continues—now with greater clarity and direction. We are moving forward by: • Re-engaging legislators with informed and focused advocacy • Strengthening future legislation to close this gap • Advocating for the exclusion of homicide from leniency provisions • Expanding awareness across Maryland communities This is not the end. This is the next phase. How You Can Continue to Support Your voice is more important than ever. Please continue to: ✍🏾 Sign and share this petition 📢 Educate others on current legislation 🗣 Speak up for victims and their families 🤝 Stay engaged as we prepare what comes next Our Commitment We will not be silent. We will not mislead. We will continue forward—with truth, purpose, and strength. Because the truth remains: Loss is permanent. Justice should be too. Lives over loopholes. No loved one left behind. With gratitude and determination, Divina Fisher Founder, The JUST WHY Movement Mother of Vincent Anthony Fisher III