LEONARDTOWN, MD – In a significant legislative push, Maryland lawmakers are considering a bill substantially increasing penalties for manslaughter by vehicle or vessel. This initiative, known as Senate Bill 26 or "Jamari's Law," is named after Jamari Duckett, a victim of vehicular homicide, and aims to extend the maximum penalty from ten to twenty years, with even harsher sentences for subsequent convictions.
St. Mary's County State's Attorney Jaymi Sterling, a prominent advocate for the bill, recently testified before the Maryland Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee. Sterling's testimony, delivered on January 24, 2024, emphasized the urgent need for more stringent laws to address what she described as an "absolute failure in our system." The proposed legislation seeks to redefine the consequences of vehicular manslaughter, which is currently considered a nonviolent crime in Maryland, allowing offenders to be eligible for parole after serving a fraction of their sentence.
The bill is a response to the tragic death of Jamari Duckett. In 2022, Duckett, an 18-year-old high school graduate from Great Mills, Maryland, with aspirations in mechanical engineering, was killed by an intoxicated driver. The driver, traveling 91 miles per hour in a 40-mile zone, was sentenced to the maximum penalty of ten years but will be eligible for parole after serving just two and a half years.
During the hearing, Sterling passionately stated, "I'm a prosecutor … a justice seeker. Part of seeking justice is to come before you [the legislature] when there's a problem." She highlighted the inadequacy of the current ten-year maximum penalty, equating it to the sentence for passing a bad check, and urged the committee to consider raising the penalties.
The testimony was not only Sterling's voice but also echoed the sentiments of Jamari's parents, Shownda Greenwell and John Duckett, and other family members of vehicular homicide victims. They collectively advocated for the legislative change, which they believe will serve as a deterrent, provide adequate punishment, and honor the lives lost to such preventable tragedies.
The push for Jamari's Law will continue on February 7, 2024, when it is scheduled to be heard before the House Judiciary Committee. Sterling, alongside Delegate Brian Crosby, the sponsor of House Bill 264, the cross-file of Senate Bill 26, will testify again to support the bill. Senator Jack Bailey's sponsorship of the Senate version of the bill has been instrumental in bringing this issue to the forefront.
Community members have been urged to participate in the legislative process by providing testimony in person, via Zoom, or through written submissions. The Maryland General Assembly website is accepting registrations for witnesses for House Bill 264 until February 5, 2024.
This bill represents a crucial step towards justice for victims like Jamari Duckett and their families. It symbolizes a collective effort to redefine the legal consequences of vehicular manslaughter, emphasizing the value of human life and the need for appropriate legal recourse in the wake of such tragedies. State's Attorney Sterling, along with lawmakers and affected families, remains committed to seeing this change through, hoping to create a safer and more just society.
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