General Assembly; support revocation of State's consent to transfer of Jens Soering. (SJ149)
Introduced By
Progress
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Introduced |
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Passed Committee |
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Passed House |
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Passed Senate |
Description
Revocation of transfer of Jens Soering. Expresses support of the revocation of the Commonwealths consent to the transfer of Jens Soering to the Federal Republic of Germany. Read the Bill »
Status
03/14/2010: Passed the Senate
History
Date | Action |
---|---|
01/27/2010 | Unanimous consent to introduce |
01/27/2010 | Presented and ordered printed 10104697D |
01/27/2010 | Referred to Committee on Rules |
02/01/2010 | Assigned Rules sub: #1 |
02/12/2010 | Reported from Rules |
02/15/2010 | Reading waived (40-Y 0-N) (see vote tally) |
02/16/2010 | Read second time and engrossed |
02/16/2010 | Reading waived (40-Y 0-N) (see vote tally) |
02/16/2010 | Agreed to by Senate by voice vote |
02/18/2010 | Placed on Calendar |
02/18/2010 | Read first time |
02/18/2010 | Referred to Committee on Rules |
03/04/2010 | Reported from Rules (15-Y 0-N) (see vote tally) |
03/09/2010 | Taken up |
03/09/2010 | Agreed to by House (97-Y 0-N) |
03/09/2010 | VOTE: --- ADOPTION (97-Y 0-N) (see vote tally) |
03/14/2010 | Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ149ER) |
Map
This bill mentions Bedford, University of Virginia, Charlottesville.
Comments
So how is this different from a pardon that any Gov can do without legislative oversight? Did Kaine ever give any reason why this guy should go to Germany other than he's German? It would be one thing if he was held there for life. Quite another if he would be released any time soon.
I am a Deacon in the Diocese of Richmond VA and I have been making pastoral visits to Jens Soering at least monthly, for the past four and one-half years. I have also testified before the parole board on his behalf on five separate occasions, twice with Gail Marshall, former Virginia Deputy Attorney General, and twice with Bishop Emeritus Sullivan.
During my pastoral visits it has been apparent to me that Mr. Soering’s lengthy incarceration in the United States, without benefit of a stable, loving, and supportive family to rely on and seek counsel from, coupled with the death of his mother and grandmother, has had significant psychological and spiritual impact.
I believe that during his twenty-two plus years behind bars Mr. Soering has matured, undergone redemption, and been transformed. Mr. Soering’s ability to adjust to the culture of the U. S. prison environment without any opportunity to routinely communicate with people in his native language is remarkable and to accomplish this without any infractions is even further testimony to his self-discipline and respect for authority. He has demonstrated his maturity and his remorse for the crimes for which he was incarcerated.
I have written to all of the members of the Senate Rules committee urging them not to support this mean spirited resolution.
The Commonwealth's consent to the transfer was neither frivolous nor merely based on wealth or privilege. Former Virginia Deputy AG Gail Marshall has noted that Jens Soering is one of only two persons in her entire career whom she believes were in fact innocent of the crime for which convicted. The actions of the outgoing governor need to be examined objectively, against a wealth of readily available information. He may have acted with courage, and his detractors may be seeking easy political points at the expense of the facts of the matter.