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After emotional testimony, committee unanimously advances "Aubrey's Law" to protect victims' chance to speak
Summary
Following wrenching testimony from multiple family members who said a convicted defendant declined to attend their victim-impact statements, the committee unanimously passed SB 9 to require convicted offenders be present for those statements at sentencing.
The committee unanimously approved SB 9, known in testimony as "Aubrey's Law," after family members of victims described being forced to deliver victim-impact statements to an empty chair.
Multiple relatives recounted the emotional harm they felt when the convicted individual chose not to be present during the sentencing-phase victim-impact statements. "When that opportunity came, it was taken away," said Justin Moore, whose granddaughter Aubrey was among four family members killed; he and other relatives testified the presence of the convicted person is a meaningful component of victims' restorative process and closure.
Sen. Brown moved an amendment to allow courts to proceed with sentencing even if a defendant has been tried in abstention; the committee took the amendment by consent and advanced the bill. Victims' advocates and the Indiana Coalition to End Sexual Assault supported the measure as a victims-rights reform.
Committee action: SB 9 passed out of committee on a 9-0 vote and will proceed to floor consideration.
