LETTER: Calling out Sen. Coghill for blocking ‘Bree’s Law’

To the editor:

Senator John Coghill, I AM CALLING YOU OUT. On behalf of all Alaskans I am asking you to explain yourself Sir.

Who am I, you may be wondering? My name is Bradley Miller. I am a United States Marine, I retired in 2010. My wife Sherry Miller and I lost our 19 year old daughter Linda Bower in September 2014 when she was strangled in an act of Domestic Violence.

In following recent events it has come to our attention the bill, (HB-214) requesting to name a recent Alaska Statute “Bree’s Law” is being blocked by you. This bill is not changing a law, it is not promising to save any money, it is not advocating for more expenditures of the state’s budget. Its sole purpose is to put a name on the statute (AS 14.30.356 – Alaska Safe Children’s Act). HB-214, has involved 60 legislators and 40 co-sponsors in support. You Sir, in your capacity as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee have refused to have a hearing in committee on HB-214. This makes you the sole opposition. WE WANT TO KNOW WHY?

HB-214 Naming Bree’s law. Such a small thing, yet you have denied a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Bree’s law puts a personally identifiable name onto the statute. It gives something for the public to grasp, and in this case for the average school age citizen, something to identify with. Much like the nationwide Amber Alert system (named for 9 year Amber Hagerman, not named for a color).

What do you think is easier to remember and pay attention to? “AS 14.30.356 – Alaska Safe Children’s Act” –or- “Bree’s Law”?

We know you represent the Senate District for North Pole and Fairbanks, however, let me remind you, your position as Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee represents all Alaskans throughout the entire state; not just the constituents from your district.

There are similarities between the murder of our daughter and the murder of Bree Moore. They were both very close in age. Both murders happened in 2014 (less than three months apart). They were both violently murdered in acts of domestic violence. Both murderers had known pasts which were either covered up or softly handled by the justice system. It is impossible to say for sure, but probably a safe gamble to say that both girls would still be alive had Bree’s law been enacted 10 years earlier. Perhaps even, it is possible to hypothesize that both Bree’s and Linda’s murderers may not have even committed the crimes they did, had they been exposed to Bree’s law. One factor is almost inarguable. Had the justice system been tough on crime and provided for harder penalties, both girls would most likely be alive today. Both men were manipulators. I can say our daughters’ murderer, David Thomas, was especially adept. He had a previous record of incarceration from a crime stemming from Domestic Violence. He was paroled after serving less than half his sentence and a good portion of his parole/probation dismissed because he was able to manipulate those charged with his rehabilitation and supervision by doing and saying whatever was necessary while under that supervision. I am sure during your work with prison ministries, you have talked to and worked with many inmates who were able to put on the “righteous, turning a new leaf persona” in order to manipulate people and the system into getting special favors or early outs.

We know several letters have been written to “request a hearing” in committee for HB-214, one of which came from me. With exception to an answer from one representative, those letters have gone unanswered and unseen by the members of the Judiciary Committee. We want to know WHY? Please explain Sir, why are these letters not being seen or answered?

One explanation we have been given is the letters are blocked from being seen by the committee unless there is a hearing already scheduled (the hearing you refused to schedule). Kind of a Catch 22, a letter to request a hearing cannot be seen unless there is a hearing scheduled. But, if there were a hearing scheduled, there would be no need for a letter to request a hearing…. Is this by your design? Care to answer this one?

I AM CALLING YOU OUT SIR. In December 2016, my wife and I were interviewed by the news regarding a change of plea hearing. In that interview we touched on how your “soft on crime” bill SB-91 had a direct and dire effect on us as victims regarding the discretionary parole. When we saw the news story later in the day, we noted the reporter stated they had reached out to you and you stated the information we had on SB-91 was incorrect and that your office had reached out to us in an attempt to clarify the information. This is a LIE, Good Sir. WE HAVE NEVER HEARD A PEEP FROM YOU OR YOUR OFFICE. In the past year, we have attended and provided testimony of several town halls, and committee meetings. Some of which had you listed as attending, yet, when we looked around the room, you were nowhere to be seen. It almost seems like anytime there is a bill or meeting which is in opposition or confrontational to your position you refuse to show, or refuse to give a comment and on the rare occasion you do give a comment, there is no follow through. WHY?

Respectfully Submitted,

Bradley Miller

Gunnery Sergeant, USMC (Retired)

Linda’s Dad