One state legislator plans to push a bill that’d force felons to stay in the courtroom to hear “victim impact statements.” Representative Chuck Larson, a republican from Cedar Rapids, is chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.Larson’s making the move because last month, a man convicted of murdering two women in Iowa City was allowed to leave the courtroom while family members read statements. After the defendant has been present for the sentencing, he can currently leave the courtroom without hearing the impact statement.Larson says if a crime victim wants to stand up in court and address the person who’s responsible, the criminal should be required by law to be there.
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