The good people of Colorado deserve every opportunity to feel safe and secure. This month we can celebrate the implementation of an important new law that will help us bring violent criminals to justice, solve cold cases, and protect the innocent from wrongful prosecution.

Senate Bill 241, which I co-sponsored, simply mandates the collection of DNA evidence by oral swab from felons upon arrest by law enforcement agencies.

“Katie’s Law” honors Katie Sepich, a 22-year-old murdered in New Mexico in 2003. Katie’s killer was convicted three years after her death on the basis of DNA found at the murder scene.

The killer had been arrested just three months after the murder for aggravated burglary, but no DNA sample was taken. Freed on bail, he disappeared and was recaptured in August, 2005. His DNA was finally taken and matched to the evidence in 2006. He was convicted in May of 2007 and is now serving 69 years without parole.

Senate Bill 241 will give our law enforcement agencies timely evidence to prosecute or exonerate suspects, and reduce the trauma to victims and the cost of lengthy investigations. In the event a case is dismissed, or resulted in acquittal or conviction of a non-felony offense, the sample will be destroyed upon request.

In today’s tough economic environment, I would also note that funding is accomplished by levying a $2.50 fee on every criminal action resulting in a conviction or deferred sentence or judgment, including felonies, misdemeanors or misdemeanor traffic offenses. Those who violate our laws will fund an important tool for justice in our state.

With 28 years of violent crime investigation and law enforcement experience, I can say without a doubt that this legislation will clear more cold cases and ongoing violent crimes cases against women and children than any other legislation in the history of Colorado.

State Rep. Steve King
Grand Junction

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