Jake Robel - Part 3

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Jake’s Law gathering momentum

Posted March 10, 2000

Bedrock values, which are the hallmark of the Midwest, are adding a redeeming aspect to the Jake Robel drama. Two women with children of their own – Kim Thomason and Gina Gerdes – have launched a nation-wide campaign to enact "Jakes’ Law," a law designed to prevent a repeat of the type of crime which cost young Jake Robel his life.

While the principal suspect is behind bars, one cannot help but conclude that both the Independence (Mo.) Police Department and Carroll County (Mo.) Jail were also culpable in this heinous crime for having failed to check that the suspect had outstanding warrants and, in the case of Independence Police, of having all-but-delivered the suspect to the scene of the crime. However, if Jake’s Law is enacted, such municipal negligence will not escape punishment in the future.

On Monday, March 6, Ms. Thomason and Ms. Gerdes conducted a town hall in Independence with U.S. Congresswoman Karen McCarthy and the Kansas City media (including www.milum.net) in attendance. By Wednesday, March 8, Missouri State Representatives Dennis Bonner (D-Independence), Connie Cierpiot (R-Independence), Don Lograsso (R-Blue Springs), Ralph Monaco (D-Raytown), and Carson Ross (R-Blue Springs) were coming together in a bipartisan fashion to introduce a modified version of Jake’s Law as proposed legislation in the Missouri State House.

When asked by KCTV-5 why such legislation was necessary, www.milum.net’s Vince Milum responded, "Right now, we don’t have accountability!"

A key provision of House Bill 2110 creates a class A misdemeanor for correctional facility officers who fail to perform the kind of records check which would have prevented the release of Jake Robel’s accused murderer.

State Senator Ronnie DePasco (D-Kansas City) has promised that he will introduce the modified Jake’s Law to the Missouri Senate.

Stay tuned for continuing coverage. In the meantime, please view all our links for the Jake Robel story.