SORNA Hearing: Tidbits to think about - Revelations?

3-23-2009 National:

I'll be reviewing the testimony of folks who testified at the SORNA Hearing in Congress on March 10, 2009. As I review testimony I will be making notes of points that seem to -jump out at me- or -are questionable- and will attempt explaining why the point is relevant. For each person I will also review their comments made during the Q&A period which went beyond written testimony.

My review will not follow any special order, and I will update this post as I move along, so stop back to see what is new from the last time you were here. Also, if someone wants to point something out for review please do so. Bear with me as this is a long task...


Mark Lundsford, father of Jessica Lundsford:

Written testimony:
1) Mr. Lundsford mentions that the crime occurred on "Feb 24 about 2-3 AM." Also that "on February 25, 26 and the 28, police received tips from people who said that John Couey was a sex offender who was living across the street from Jessica. They even identified his address."

Mr. Lundsford also mentions "John Couey was on probation his probation officer didn't even know he was a convicted sex offender. The sheriff was advised by the AG office 3 months before the kidnapping to round up the absconded sex offenders, John Couey was on that list."

Was the Sheriff's office sleeping? Seems to me that alone would have been enough for the sheriff to get a search warrant -ON FEB 25- for the home where John Couey was allegedly living and where the crime ultimately occurred. A crime scene 450 feet from a home where a RSO absconder from probation was reported to be living, and sex offenders were the target of the investigation at the time. I find this very disturbing.

2) Mr. Lundsford "So we need better notification for the public. We must know where every John Couey is so that we can take the necessary steps to protect our children."

Previously Mr. Lundsford mentioned Couey was on probation, and here he wants better community notifcation of when "probationers" reside or move, which he feels will better protect children. Clearly he is not asking to include other RSOs who are not on probation or I'd assume parole in his thought.

We must remember that, as Mr. Lundsford travels around the country he has suggested for greater punishments WHEN an offender is FIRST convicted. Again showing he does not feel other RSOs should be so handled.

Question and Answer Period:
Coming...

More to follow...

Other Written Testimony:

Laura Rogers' testimony
Previous Director of the Department of Justice SMART Office, Washington, DC

Emma J. Devillier's testimony
Emma J. Devillier, Asst. Attorney General, Criminal Division, Office of the Attorney General of LA, Chief Sexual Predator Unit, Baton Rouge, LA

Madeline Carter's testimony
Madeline Carter, PrincipalCenter for Sex Offender Management, Center for Effective Public Policy, Silver Spring, MD

Ernie Allen's testimony
Ernie Allen, President & Chief Executive Officer, National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, Alexandria, VA

Robert Shilling's testimony
Det. Robert Shilling, Seattle Police Department, Sex and Kidnapping Offender Detail
Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Unit, Seattle, WA

Amy Borror's testimony
Amy Borror, Public Information Officer, Office of the Ohio Public Defender, Columbus, OH