Politics & Government

Is 'Three Strikes' Right for Massachusetts?

The governor has said he will sign off on the bill.

Gov. Deval Patrick on Tuesday ended speculation that he might kill the mandatory sentencing bill he had objected to but the Legislature supported.

Calling the bill "a good start," Patrick said he would sign it but that he wants to see changes made to it in the next legislative session.

As it stands, the so-called "three strikes" bill, also dubbed "Melissa's Law" after a Jamaica Plain woman who was killed by a serial criminal, eliminates parole for someone convicted three times of one of 40 or so violent crimes, with at least one conviction having carried a minimum three-year prison term.

Find out what's happening in Medfordfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

What do you think? Is a "Three Strikes" law right for Massachusetts? 

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.