An anti-stalking bill prompted by the murder of an Arkansas City woman last year is on Thursday’s agenda for consideration by the Kansas Senate. The compromise proposal was approved Monday by the House 125-0.
The Senate was to convene at 11 a.m. today. If the law passes the Senate, it goes to the governor’s desk.
Legislators returned to work Wednesday for the wrap-up session with a number of key issues to resolve, including abortion, budget spending and immigration.
The anti-stalking legislation was of primary interest to the local area because prosecutors, victims’ rights groups and law enforcement officials believe that 24-year-old Justin Thurber stalked young women for years before he allegedly kidnapped, assaulted and killed Jodi Sanderholm. The current law is difficult to enforce, advocates argue.
The state plans to seek the death penalty for Thurber. His trial was to begin June 24 but defense attorneys recently were granted a continuance. A new trial date has not been set nor as the presiding judge ruled whether the trial will have to be moved out of Cowley County for Thurber to receive a fair trial.