Whitney Bennett
MARYLAND - Two mothers of murder victims in Worcester and Wicomico Counties, are fighting for more jail time for those who aid a murderer.
The bill called the "Sheddy-Bennett Act" would increase the maximum penalty for those acting as an accessory, after the fact, to murder in the first and second degree. Christine Sheddy and Whitney Bennett were brutally murdered, and their killers had help hiding their bodies, but the accomplices only got five years in prison.
"Covering up the crime and making sure the actual murderer doesn't get brought to justice, that's really what this is punishing. Five years is not enough time, when a loved one or family member is out there wondering day after day, month after month, what happened to my loved one," said Matt Maciarello, Wicomico County State's Attorney.
The bill now moves to the senate. If approved, offenders would serve a maximum of 10 years in prison.