LANSING, Mich. (WOOD) — A state representative is working with the family of murder victim Rebekah Bletsch to make sure that criminals will be required to listen to victim impact statements at sentencing.
“What is the point of an impact statement if I cannot speak it to the person who has impacted me?” Bletsch’s sister, Jessica Josephson, wondered.
Bletsch was gunned down while jogging near her Dalton Township home in June 2014. Nearly two years later, Jeffrey Willis was charged with her murder. In November 2017, a jury convicted him. In December, before the family could address Willis during his sentencing hearing, he asked to leave court and the judge allowed it. Adding insult to injury, Willis blew a kiss as he walked out — he later told Target 8 it was directed at the prosecutor, not Blestch’s family.
“Personally, I was disgusted when I heard about this,” state Rep. Holly Hughes, R-Montague, said.
She decided to take action and introduced House Bill 5407, which would require defendants to hear the victim impact statements.
Bletsch’s mother and one of her sisters testified as the first hearing for the bill was held Tuesday.
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