Gov. Patrick to sign Melissa's Bill - Boston News, Weather, Sports | FOX 25 | MyFoxBoston

BOSTON (FOX 25 / MyFoxBoston.com) - Gov. Deval Patrick announced on Tuesday that he will sign the crime bill, also known as Melissa's Bill, which would bar parole for individuals convicted of three serious violent crimes.

Les Gosule reacts to passage of Melissa's Bill

In a statement released on Tuesday, Gov. Patrick said, "I asked for a balanced bill and, after many twists and turns, the Legislature has given me one. Because of the balance between strict sentences for the worst offenders and more common sense approaches for those who pose little threat to public safety, I have said that this is a good bill. I will sign this bill."

The bill also reduces mandatory minimum sentences for some non-violent drug offenders.

The governor had originally proposed an amendment to the bill; however, the state Legislature soundly rejected the proposal on Monday saying the governor's safety valve amendment which would have given judges the final say over sentencing defeated the original purpose of the crime bill.

Les Gosule, whose daughter Melissa was raped and killed in 1999 by a man who had 27 previous convictions, spoke with Gov. Patrick on Monday night shortly after the Senate defeated the measure. 

Gosule told FOX 25 that he respected the governor's decision whatever it may be; however, he believed that at the end of the day the governor was going to come out with the right answer.

Gov. Patrick agrees with legislators and Gosule that the bill "contains important parole reforms for those convicted of the worst crimes."  However, the governor went on to say in the statement that the Commonwealth's work is not complete.

He still believes that there is a necessary role for judicial discretion when it comes to sentencing and many of the advocates of this bill have pledged to support that next year.

"The Senate President and the Speaker have pledged to return to the subject of mandatory minimum sentencing early in the next session. I take them at their word. When we do, I trust the decisions we make will be based on data about the costs and trade-offs inherent in the choices we make. I have asked the Special Commission to Study the Commonwealth's Criminal Justice System to give us a thorough analysis by year-end. I have also asked the Parole Board to give priority review to the supervised release of non-violent drug offenders, consistent with the terms of this bill."

Aside from the last minute approval, Gov. Patrick believes the bill is a good start, and he looks forward to finishing the work in the next session.

Les Gosule reacts to passage of Melissa's Bill