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pulling the trigger.”
Gilbert’s second bill to survive the House aims to make the murder of a corroborating witness a capital offense. It was inspired by the slaying of Brenda Paz, a pregnant 17year-old who was working with federal authorities investigating a murder committed by her boyfriend. Denis Rivera, a member of the MS13 gang, called out a hit from behind bars.
, “He, from his jail cell, issued an edict that she should be killed so that she would not testify at his trial,” Gilbert said.
People who come forth to testify are often scared and reluctant to come forth and deserve safety, Gilbert said. His legislation, House Bill 1311, would give local prosecutors the same options that federal prosecutors have.
“The protection of witnesses really speaks to the fundamental integrity of the criminal justice system,” Gilbert said. “I thought it was necessary to protect witnesses to the extent possible from retaliation or retribution from those that would benefit from the witness being silenced.”
The House this month voted 89-9 in favor of HB 1311.
Both of Gilbert’s proposals are awaiting a hearing in the Senate Committee for Courts of Justice.
Sen. Mark Obenshain, RHarrisonburg, is optimistic that the Senate will pass both bills. Obenshain is co-sponsoring the bill to eliminate the triggerman rule.
“Last year Governor [Mark] Warner included the
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