'Megan's Law' Killer Jesse Timmendequas' Death Penalty Sentence Reduced to Life in Prison

New Jersey's Legislation to abolish the Death Penalty has been a hot debated item. It would make the toughest sentence in the state life in prison without the possibility of parole. This has been a sore subject for many in the state including the family of Megan Kanka, who was murdered, raped and beaten by convicted child rapist, Jesse Timmendequas, in 1994.

Megan's family fought hard to get legislation passed in her honor to help protect other children. This law is commonly called 'Megan's Law' and it requires anyone convicted of sexual crimes to register with police. This information is then made public record so that the public can be aware of possible dangers in their neighborhoods. If this law was around in 1994 it could have spared the life of Megan Kanka.

On December 17th, 2007 New Jersey Governor Corzine signed a bill that would abolish the death penalty in the state of New Jersey. This bill would grant the 8 men currently on death row a life sentence without the possibility of parole. In a statement released by the Governor's office, Corzine stated, "Today New Jersey evolves. This is a day of progress for us and for the millions of people across our nation and around the globe who reject the death penalty as a moral or practical response to the grievous, even heinous, crime of murder." Corzine went on to say, "I have been moved by the passionate views on both sides of this issue, and I firmly believe that replacing the death penalty with life in prison without parole best captures our State's highest values and reflects our best efforts to search for true justice."

This bill was introduced to the Assembly and Senate during the lame duck session. It was quickly debated and voted on, passing in the Assembly with a vote of 44-36 and then passing in the Senate with a vote of 21-16 before heading to the Governor to sign it into law. A committee to explore the abolishment of Capital Punishment was established in 1996.

Senate President Richard J. Codey said in the release from the Governor's office, "We can't logically argue the deterrent factor of the death penalty when, in fact, we never use it. The best thing we can do for the residents of New Jersey is to enact a measure that will speak to the truth of what the real sentence is and help victim's families put this painful chapter in their life behind them more quickly."

Family members of victim's fought against this legislation said, "I will never forget how I've been abused by a state and a governor that was supposed to protect the innocent and enforce the laws." This statement comes from Marilyn Flax in a interview with the Associated Press. Her husband Irvin Flax was beaten and killed by death row inmate John Martini in 1989.

In an interview with the Associated Press, Richard Kanka, father of 7 year old Megan Kanka who was raped, beaten and murdered by convicted sex offender Jesse Timmendequas in 1994 said that it was, "Just another slap in the face to the victims." Kanka went on to state that Governor Corzine signed the bill into law exactly 15 years to date of the murder of Kristen Huggins, who was kidnapped, raped and murdered by death row inmate Ambrose Harris. Huggins was just 22 years old at the time of her death.

For the time being the 8 men who are currently on death row will remain in isolated confinement until a decision is made as to where they should be housed. The inmates must also make an appeal for the life in prison without parole within 60 days. Though it is likely if that appeal is not made they still will never see the inside of an execution chamber.

Governor Jon S. Corzine, "12-07-07 Governor Corzine Signs Legislation Eliminating Death Penalty in New Jersey" Governor's Office
TOM HESTER Jr.Associated Press, "New Jersey Bans Death Penalty", Foxnews.com