Marsy's Law makes sense for Montana
Supporters of Marsy’s Law are turning is more than 81,000 signatures to get the victims’ rights law on the Montana ballot in November. That is far more signatures than needed, and we suspect that the enthusiasm for this law guarantees it will be easily approved by voters when given the chance.
Actually the Marsy’s Law drive in Montana is a constitutional initiative that would establish a Crime Victims’ Bill of Rights in the Montana Constitution.
According to Marsy’s Law for Montana state director Chuck Denowh, the proposal would enumerate certain constitutional rights for victims of crime in Montana. Examples include the right to be notified of proceedings in the victim’s case, the right to appear and be heard at those proceedings, and the victim’s right to be notified of any changes in an offender’s custodial status. Marsy’s Law is named after Marsy Nicholas, who was a California college student stalked and murdered by an ex-boyfriend in 1983. A week after her death, Marsy’s murderer confronted her mother and brother in a grocery store — they had no idea he’d been let out of jail. The traumatic experience with Marsy’s murder led her brother, Henry Nicholas, to found the national group Marsy’s Law for All, which is dedicated to helping crime victims.
Opponents of the law have expressed their concern that because it applies to the victims of all crimes, it would unnecessarily burden prosecutorial staffs that are already stretched thin. That may be true, but if it proves to be unwieldy, it can be narrowed by legislative action later. The important thing though is first to acknowledge the rights of crime victims, something that is long overdue.
Osweiler’s date with destiny?
Kalispell’s Brock Osweiler didn’t get to play in the Super Bowl, but don’t count him out in the future.
Osweiler, the Denver Broncos’ backup quarterback, was on the sideline for Denver’s triumphant turn in the NFL’s finale. He didn’t take any snaps in the Super Bowl (Peyton Manning was not about to relinquish control) but Osweiler had a big hand in the team reaching the big game, since the Flathead High School graduate led the team to a 5-2 record in midseason when Manning was injured.
After establishing himself as a solid NFL quarterback, Osweiler is poised to reap rewards beyond the Super Bowl ring he will receive.
His contract is up, meaning either the Broncos or some other team likely will pony up millions of dollars to sign a battle-tested quarterback with four years of experience learning from the wisdom of Manning.
We wouldn’t be surprised to see Brock on stage raising the Lombardi Trophy some day.