by Sarah Hunt

On May 25, 2007, Karen Ertell was brutally raped and murdered in her home in Ewa Beach.  Karen Ertell was the only real mother that her foster daughter, Malanie McLellan had ever known. She described Karen Ertell as a giving, loving person who saw the best in people, and who was a vibrant woman whose life was very full.  Melanie was nine months pregnant with Karen's grandson.  Her senseless murder also left behind her loving partner – Kevin Callahan, her heart-broken mother and family, and hundreds of friends and business associates.  

Thanks to you, Karen’s Law will finally be heard on the House Floor tomorrow. HB819, Karen’s Law, will move onto the Senate if it is passed out on the floor tomorrow. We urge you to mass email all of the State Representatives tonight. There is an address below to send your testimony to (reps@Capitol.hawaii.gov).

We know it is such short notice, but we got word that a select few members will be trying to kill the bill. It is imperative that we act now to make sure a good bill passes this legislative session. With the crime rate going up and the recent murder in Ewa Beach, we need to make sure bills that prevent and protect victim’s are passed. We need to focus on crime prevention as well as updating the justice system here in Hawaii.  HB819HD1, introduced by Representative Kym Pine (R-Ewa) and Representative John Mizuno (D-Kalihi), would mandate that juveniles, 15-17 years of age charged with first or second degree murder, be automatically tried as an adult.

Please send in your testimonies in support of HB819 tonight. Do not hesitate to call the office of Rep Pine at 586-9730 if you may have any questions or concerns.