Gang members convicted of violent crimes against children would have to serve
their full sentences, getting no time off for good behavior, under a bill introduced in honor of Ben Doran. There
already are harsher penalties for those convicted of crimes to benefit a gang, but "Benny's Law" would lower
the threshold so that prosecutors only need to prove the perpetrator was a member of a gang and not that the crime was committed
to benefit the gang. Calling crimes perpetrated against innocent children the most heinous of offenses, the bill's
chief sponsor, Rep. John Lesch, DFL-St. Paul, said gang members don't deserve credit
for good behavior while in prison. "We believe when you commit a crime like this, there is no good time.
You need to serve at least the entire sentence," said Lesch, who represents the North End of St. Paul. Sen. Ellen
Anderson, DFL-St. Paul, is sponsoring the bill in the Senate. The Public Safety Policy and Finance Committee members
didn't react to the bill, only to inquire about the additional costs of having gang members convicted under the proposed
law serve their full sentence. The bill may be included in the final public safety bill. "Every single day
in Minnesota, good kids, great kids like Benny, are victimized by gang members and other violent offenders," Rep.
Lesch said at a news conference announcing the measure. "The goal here is to send a strong message to gang
members and other violent offenders that we are going to protect our children." In response to concerns the law
will not deter crime, law enforcement officials said the fear of longer sentences for gang members often causes alleged offenders
to strike a plea agreement, getting them off the street. Lesch said the longer sentences under "Benny's
Law" mean offenders won't get out sooner to victimize others.
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