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Governor Charlie Crist’s three year quest to pass anti-murder legislation is nearing fruition. The measure will require judges to assess a parole violators potential for violence and allow the violators to be sent to prison. The bill has been blocked for the last two years over concerns of cost, but as Mike Vasilinda reports, lawmakers have no decided the cost of not acting is too great.

The quest for the so-called anti-murder legislation began with this videotaped kidnaping and subsequent murder of Carlie Brucia in Sarasota. Killer Joseph Smith had recently violated parole by testing positive for drugs.

Governor Charlie Crist began pursing the legislation shortly after the Brucia murder and while he was still attorney general. He was in the Senate Chamber when it became the first bill debated this year.

Sponsor Paula Dockery says the legislation will save lives. “Can we save everybody? Probably not. But you can go home tonight feeling very secure in the fact that you are going to save lives in the state of Florida… make it a better place to live.”

Several senators questioned potential costs to local governments, but none dared vote against the idea.  “40 yeas, 0 nays Mister President” says the reading clerk “So the bill passes”

The legislation is expected to clear the house this week and be on the governor’s desk by Friday. Afterward, the governor left no doubt he would sign the bill once he gets it.

“I mean, there was Sarah Lundy, there was Carlie Brucia, there was Jessica Lunsford… the Deltona Six. I mean, it became obvious to me that this is exactly what we had to do.” says Crist.

Once signed into law, at least 5 percent of the 150 thousand people on parole at any one time are expected to be sent back to prison.