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Family Members of Unborn Victims Go to Washington to
Help Pass Bill
The Unborn Victims of Violence Act (H.R. 1997) carried the alternative title of "Laci and Conner's Law," at the request of the family of Laci Peterson and her unborn son Conner, who were killed together in California in December, 2002. The State of California is preparing to place Laci's husband, Scott Peterson, on trial for two counts of murder. Sharon Rocha, the mother of Laci and grandmother of Conner, played a key role in enactment of the bill, as did Laci's stepfather, Ron Grantski. Both came to Washington to meet with senators during the days
before the Senate took up the bill on March 25, and both were present when
President Bush signed the bill on April 1. * Tracy Marciniak Seavers, whose unborn son Zachariah was killed in an assault during the ninth month. Zachariah was not recognized as a victim under Wisconsin law at that time (1992), but his mother survived and worked with Wisconsin Right to Life to win successful enactment of a fetal homicide bill in 1998. In testimony before the U.S. House Judiciary Constitution Subcommittee on July 8, 2003, Seavers challenged lawmakers to view a photograph of her cradling the body of her slain son, which is posted on the NRLC website at . She suggested that those who believe the photograph shows only a single victim should vote for the "single-victim" bill, but those who believe the photo shows two victims should vote for the Unborn Victims of Violence Act. * Carol and Buford Lyons, whose 18-year-old daughter Ashley Lyons and unborn grandson Landon (fifth month), were murdered in Scott County, Kentucky, on January 7, 2004. A detailed account, "Remember Their Names," appeared in the February edition of NRL News. That article and an ultrasound video of Landon, made only hours before the killings, are posted here. The Kentucky legislature enacted a fetal homicide law in February, partly in response to this case. Carol Lyons said at a March 25 Capitol Hill press conference, "I'm appalled that Senator Kerry voted the wrong way. He's running for president of the United States, and he doesn't believe there are two victims. . . . I know my grandbaby was real. . . . I have two victims."
*
Stephanie Alberts, of South Charleston, West Virginia, whose
daughter Christina Renee Alberts and unborn granddaughter Ashley Nichole
(ninth month) were killed together in a home-robbery execution in Kanawha
County, West Virginia, on December 10, 1998. A photo of Christina and
Ashley together in a coffin at their funeral was shown by Senator Sam
Brownback (R-Ks.) during the Senate debate. [WARNING: Click
here to see that photo.
Stephanie Alberts wishes this photo to be viewed by anyone who wants to
understand why she believes this crime had two victims.] * Cynthia Warner, of Minnetonka, Minnesota, whose daughter
Heather Fliegelman and unborn grandson Jonah (ninth month) were killed on
January 4, 2003, in Bangor, Maine. Heather's husband, Roscoe B. Sargent,
stabbed Heather at least 47 times, for which he was convicted of murder on
March 19, 2004.
[WARNING: Click
here to view a photo taken at
Jonah's autopsy, as shown on the U.S. Senate floor by Sen. Sam Brownback
during the March 25, 2004 debate. Cynthia Warner wishes this photo to
be viewed by anyone who wants to understand why she believes this crime
had two victims.]
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