Actions

It's a popular cause, but victims' rights faces new backlash

Posted at
and last updated

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- California billionaire Henry Nicholas became a fierce advocate for the rights of crime victims after his sister was slain and his mother ran into the accused killer in a grocery store.

He donated millions from his fortune as co-founder of tech giant Broadcom to create a so-called "crime victims' bill of rights," dubbed Marsy's Law. It was added to California's constitution in 2008.

Now Nicholas is taking his crusade nationwide, with lobbyists, public relations firms and high-powered political strategists converging on state capitols for a similar push.

Montana approved it in 2016, but the state's Supreme Court recently tossed it out. It will appear on Oklahoma's ballot in 2018.

Standing up for crime victims is an easy sell politically, but complaints are mounting that the initiative is a testament to the danger of unintended consequences.

Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere.

Download our free app for Apple and Android and Kindle devices.

Sign up for newsletters emailed to your inbox. Select from these options: Breaking News, Severe Weather, School Closings, Daily Headlines and Daily Forecasts.

Follow us on Twitter

Like us on Facebook