The recent kidnapping and murder of 10-year-old Hailey Owens has touched my heart, as well as the hearts of many Americans. The suspect in this case, Craig Michael Wood, has pleaded ‘not guilty,’ even though little Hailey’s body was found in Wood’s home, shot with a .22 caliber rifle in the back of the head, and discarded in a plastic tub like common trash. This type of crime seems to be increasing throughout the nation, given the headlines in the news lately.

Many perpetrators in crimes of this type are sentenced to death, yet sit on death row for decades before justice is served, often many years longer than their victim was allowed to live on this planet. I feel it is time to change this situation, both to bring closure to the families and to honor the victims of these heinous crimes.

This week, I introduced SB 945, which seeks to streamline the process by which a condemned killer is brought to final justice. This bill, also known as the “Timely Justice Act,” will not interfere with the due process of the court, the appeals process, or other legal routes that may arise. It simply makes the process timelier, requiring penalties to be served more expeditiously. The bill applies specifically to kidnappers who take the life of their victim.

Last year, the Florida legislature passed a similar bill, and I decided that Missouri should also send a message to those who commit such crimes that our state will not let these criminals languish in prison a moment longer than is absolutely necessary.

I have been a veterinarian, a state representative, and now a state senator, but the title I hold most dear is that of dad and papaw. I can’t imagine the horror this poor little girl suffered at the hands of her kidnapper, nor can I begin to perceive the pain her family is going through. This legislation is long overdue, and already several of my fellow legislators have signed on to this bill. I feel it is a step in the right direction.

Always feel free to contact me throughout the year with any comments, questions, or issues by calling my office at (573) 751-5713 or by visiting my website at www.senate.mo.gov/brown.

Thank you for reading this and for your participation in state government.