Punishment to Fit the Crime

Long-time residents of mid-Missouri will surely remember the tragic murder of 9-year-old Elizabeth Olten in 2009. The Cole County child was lured to the woods, where she was brutally killed by a 15-year-old neighbor who later confessed she wanted to know what it felt like to kill someone. Originally indicted for first degree murder, Elizabeth’s killer eventually pled guilty to the lessor charge of second-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison.

In 2021, the General Assembly passed a comprehensive public safety bill that included a provision making youthful offenders eligible for parole after serving 15 years of their sentence. Only offenders convicted of first degree murder would not be eligible for parole. One unintended consequence of the new law is that Elizabeth Otlen’s killer could be released from prison as early as 2027.

This year, I sponsored Senate Bill 22 to make minors convicted of second degree murder ineligible for early release. The bill passed out of the Senate this week and has been sent to the House of Representatives for its consideration. It’s my hope the House will pass SB 22 and send it on to the governor’s desk, ensuring murderers receive the punishment they deserve and families of victims won’t have to see their loved one’s killer go free.

In other legislative action this week, I presented Senate Bill 395 to the Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment Committee. This bill extends the sunset date for various programs related to natural resources. The legislation renews the fee-setting authority of state commissions with oversight over drinking water, air quality, mining and Missouri’s oil and gas producers, among others. Also this week, the Agriculture, Food Production and Outdoor Resources Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 471. This legislation allows animal chiropractic practitioners to care for animals without being licensed or regulated as a veterinarian.

The General Laws Committee, which I chair, held hearings this week on several bills. Two of the bills presented to the committee involved routine transfers of state property. We also heard Senate Joint Resolution 46, which would put a ballot question related to salaries for law enforcement officers before voters.

As always, it is an honor to serve the 6th Senatorial District. If my office can be service to you, please feel free to contact us at 573-751-2076. For information about my committee assignments or sponsored legislation, please visit my official Missouri Senate website at senate.mo.gov/Bernskoetter.