Reported by Eve Tannery
DOVER --Lawmakers race to keep scores of dangerous convicts off Delaware streets. The House and Senate have voted to block a state supreme court ruling that could have freed up to 200 violent prison inmates as early as this week.
It's not often lawmakers try to change a high court ruling. In fact Battle Robinson, legislative attorney for the Houes of Representatives, told WBOC it's the first time she can ever remember lawmakers trying to essentially override a court ruling.
But some lawmakers say drastic times call for drastic measures. They say they have an obligation to keep the public safe.
"I think we have an obligation to get to the bottom of this and see what can be resolved. This bill will basically make their decision null and void," said Senator James Vaughn (D).
The bill stopping those killers, rapists, and kidnappers from getting out of prison early now goes to the governor. Her spokesman says she will take a few days to look it over before deciding what to do. There is controversy over whether it's legal for lawmakers to basically throw out a court decision on their own.
The high court ruling basically makes a life sentence in Delaware equal to 45 years before June 30, 1990. And inmates who got sentenced to life with the possibility of parole before that time would be eligible for release soon.
