Mother advocates changing juvenile criminal law too prevent suicide's like her son's
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Mother advocates changing juvenile criminal law too prevent suicide's like her son's

Date: February 11, 2013
By: Brendan Cullerton
State Capitol Bureau
Links: SB36

Intro: 
A state senator has proposed a measure to keep kids out of adult prisons longer.
RunTime:  0:39
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Republican Senator Wayne Wallingford's bill would require judges to consider giving minors a juvenile sentence, and requiring an explanation why if the do not.

The bill would be known as Jonathan's law, in remembrance of Jonathan McClard, who committed suicide in prison at the age of 17--fearing he would be moved to an adult facility.

Jonathan's mother says this bill could prevent future tragedies like what happened to her son. 

Actuality:  MCLARD.WAV
Run Time:  00:08
Description: "It took less than 6 months for the state of Missouri to take my son's life, and it did not have to end this way"

Nobody opposed the measure at the Senate hearing.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Brendan Cullerton