Rally participants call for 'three strikes' law
By Zenaida Serrano Espanol
Advertiser Staff Writer
The brother of a police officer fatally shot while trying to arrest a repeat offender spoke in favor of a "three strikes" sentencing proposal at a rally yesterday at the State Capitol.
But Greig Gaspar, whose brother Glen was shot March 4 while on duty in Kapolei, also urged lawmakers not to act in haste or use his brother's death for political gain.
"Basically I'm in agreement with it," Greig Gaspar said. "I just don't think it should be done so haphazardly."
The bill would call for longer sentences for a third felony conviction. Shane Mark, charged with first-degree murder in the death of Glen Gaspar, had four felony convictions, including auto theft and burglary convictions.
Rep. Bud Stonebraker, R-17th (Hawai'i Kai, Kalama Valley), who organized yesterday's rally, said Republicans want to push for legislation for a "three-strikes" law in Hawai'i, prompted by a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on March 5 that upheld California's "three strikes" law as constitutional.
It would have to be added to an existing bill, since no "three strikes" bill was introduced at the start of the legislative session in January.
"If we can pass an amendment, it can go to committee, we can talk about it, have a rigorous debate and open this up to the public," Stonebraker said. "Rather than putting this off till next year, an entire year, we want to talk about it right now."
But House Majority Leader Scott Saiki, D-22nd (McCully, Pawa'a), said that the Gaspar family should be given time to grieve and that now is not the time to push for such legislation.
Before the rally yesterday, Gov. Linda Lingle said she supports the concept of a "three strikes" law.
"People who commit violent crimes as a regular part of their existence, when they repeat it, should be treated very harshly," Lingle said.
Advertiser staff writer Treena Shapiro contributed to this report.
Reach Zenaida Serrano Espanol at zespanol@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8174.
