Assemblyman Dave McDonough (R,C,I-Merrick) joined family members of crime victims, legislative colleagues and members of law enforcement from around the state at a press conference today held by Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay (R,C,I,Ref-Pulaski) to call for changes to the state’s new bail reform laws.

Sadly, lives are being taken each day by repeat offenders that judges must release from custody, according to new bail reform changes passed by Assembly Majority. Meer days ago, Jordan Randolph was struck and killed by a three-time drunk driver with six total felony convictions on Long Island. The man has since been released from jail.

“Bail reform might be the most serious public safety crisis our state has faced in some time,” McDonough said. “Lives are being lost and the public at large is in danger because Assembly Majority politicians are insistent on catering to the radical members of their party. The most troubling part is that the Majority has tied the hands of judges and removed their discretion to remand suspects in many instances, no matter how egregious their past criminal records.”

Joining lawmakers at the press conference today was Jennifer Payne, mother of Sarah Tombs who was shot and killed in April 2019 by her live-in boyfriend. The individual was released from custody last week under the new bail reform laws.

“I am calling on Speaker Heastie and the Assembly Majority to come to their senses and make changes to bail reform immediately before any more atrocities occur. This is not social justice, this is a partisan crusade with deadly consequences and the Assembly Majority owns it.”