This is a printer friendly version of an article from
www.goupstate.com
To print this article open the file menu and choose
Print.
Back
Article published Jul 29, 2004
Reformed parole hearings give victims in S.C. a
break
BRUCE SMITH
Associated
Press
CHARLESTON -- In 1988, Joanna Katz, then 19, endured the
horror of being 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 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 to
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 don't 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 will never have to oppose parole more than once
every two years.Victims also will be able to testify for parole hearings via
closed-circuit television. 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."Joanna deserves a
tremendous amount of credit because this bill is being signed into law not only
because of her determination, but also because of the way she chose to make good
of evil," the governor said.The bill was officially signed earlier and took
effect last month.