Attack on Guerrette Family Is Further Evidence That Statutory Laws Are Inadequate
The horrific, near-deadly machete attack on the Guerrette family in Pittston in 2008 might have been avoided. Had Marsy’s Law for Maine been in place, with the constitutional requirement that the Guerrette family be notified that the men who robbed them 6 months prior were not behind bars, they could have taken precautions to protect themselves. Instead, these men broke into their home again in the middle of the night, attacking Mr. Guerrette and his 10-year old daughter. The physical effects from the attack are lifelong. The emotional trauma is too.
People like the Guerrettes are the reason why we are fighting for Marsy’s Law to become constitutional law in Maine. Statutory law is not enough to protect victims. It lacks the enforceability and guarantees that a constitutional amendment will afford.
During this week – National Crime Victims’ Rights Week -- we stand with the Guerrette family, and the thousands of other Maine people who are victimized each year, but do not have rights in their cases that are equal to those of the accused and convicted. This is unacceptable, and we will do all we can to right this wrong.
We honor and remember Maine crime victims every day, but especially this week during which we will reflect on the work that needs to be done to make sure Maine crime victims in every community have the services and support they need, access to resources that will help them heal, and the long-overdue equal rights in Maine’s criminal justice system they deserve.