A recent  contentious case has highlighted some glaring flaws in our criminal code. It is my understanding that with "not guilty by reason of insanity" (NGRI),  they are sent to a mental hospital where they are evaluated 40 days, 6 months and then every year thereafter. Once deemed safe to themselves and others, they are released, and receive no criminal record--even if they murdered children. I would like to see this replaced with "guilty but mentally ill". This verdict is an option in several states and recognizes the potential effect mental illness may play in the commitment of a crime, but also ensures the criminal receives punishment. Once they are deemed stable, they are released from the mental hospital to serve out the rest of their sentence in prison while also continuing to receive the mental healthcare they need. In this way, the victims receive their due justice.

MA also has no "Son of Sam" law, which prohibits a criminal from receiving financial benefit for their crime, along with their friends and family. It isn't right that someone could make a profit off of their crime, in essence benefiting from harming others. We all know the Netflix documentary is coming.

I'm writing this post to ask anyone that feels this is wrong, to sign this petition and ask the MA state legislature to put forward a bill making these changes. Anyone in MA I urge to write to their rep and senator asking them directly.

Our current code does not put the victims first, and it needs to be changed. Anyone who commits an evil act has no right to walk amongst us, no matter what mental illness they might've been suffering from. Objectively, I would hope that most of us would agree. 

https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator