Law aids victims of violent crime

CHARLESTON - In 1988, Joanna Katz, then 19, was abducted at gunpoint by five men, then being raped, beaten and tortured.

After that, the nightmare just seemed to continue.

The men were convicted and sentenced to up to 35 years in prison.

But when they later became eligible for parole, Katz was forced to relive the horror several times a year and travel hundreds of miles to Columbia each year to keep the perpetrators behind bars.

"After the conviction, it is not over - it is not the end of the story," said Katz, who on Wednesday sat next to Gov. Mark Sanford as he held a public signing ceremony for the law making it easier for victims of violent crime to give testimony at parole hearings.

The law requires parole hearings be held the same day if there is more than one perpetrator convicted of a crime against the same victim. It also will allow victims to provide testimony over closed-circuit television, so they do not have to make multiple trips to Columbia for parole hearings.

"I know now that in the United States, we now have one state that has stepped up to the plate, stepped forward and said we will do something about it," said Katz, who helped push for the changes in state law.

Katz' story was chronicled earlier this year in the documentary film "Sentencing the Victim," which was telecast as part of the Independent Lens series on the Public Broadcasting System.

It described the crime and the anguish Katz suffered opposing parole for the five men.

Under the old law, Katz and others opposing parole in similar situations were required to relive the trauma several times a year and travel to Columbia to attend hearings.

"For all of you who kept telling me how important it was I come forward and tell my story - and as hard as it had been - I appreciate all of the kind words, thoughts and encouragement," she said.

The new law means victims never will have to oppose parole more than once every two years.

Trident Technical College will be the first of three sites that will offer the teleconferencing technology.

"We're here today because of Joanna Katz," Sanford said. "This bill to me is all about Joanna Katz and her personal determination in carrying this through."

The governor said the measure in part is about making government more efficient and more responsive to victims. But, he said, there is also a deeper purpose.

The bill was signed officially earlier and took effect last month.