Second 'Maranda's Law' Proposed In State House

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- A South Carolina state representative has proposed a second law in the name of Maranda Williams.

Rep. Gloria Haskins introduced a bill in the state House Thursday. "Maranda's Law" would move cases involving a second offense of criminal domestic violence from the magistrate's court to a sessions court.

Haskins said cases in the magistrate's court don't usually issue the full penalty of the offense.

"When you come before a judge in a courtroom, instead of a magistrate's office, in my opinion, it has the severity that it should have," Haskins said.

Investigators said Maranda Williams was held hostage by her ex-boyfriend at a Greenville County grocery store for two hours before killing her. Charles Williams, 20, is charged in connection with her death. He was in court two months earlier for allegedly assaulting Williams in the parking lot of the grocery store.

"And yet he was basically given a slap on the wrist, and basically said, 'Come back, we're gonna give you another date'," Haskins told WYFF News 4's Tim Waller. "In my opinion, he should've been arrested. He should've been put behind bars."

A previous law bearing Maranda's name was introduced by Haskins last year. That bill made criminal domestic violence a felony.

Previous Stories:

• September 16, 2003: State Lawmaker Will Propose 'Maranda's Law'; Solicitor Will Seek Dealth Penalty
• September 9, 2003: Judge Speaks About Maranda Williams' Murder
• September 5, 2003: Co-Workers, Friends Remember Murder Victim