WASHINGTON, DC — On February 25, Representative Rob Bresnahan, Jr. (PA-08) introduced Eric’s Law, legislation designed to strengthen protections for the nation’s correctional officers by making it easier to execute those who commit violence against them. 

Eric's Law is named for Officer Eric Williams, a federal correctional officer who was brutally murdered by an inmate at the U.S. Penitentiary Canaan in Wayne County, Pennsylvania on this day in 2013. At the time of his murder, the inmate was already serving a life sentence for murder. Following a trial, the inmate was found guilty and received a second life sentence, despite 11 out of 12 jurors voting in favor of the death penalty.

Current law requires a unanimous decision by the jury to impose the death penalty. This bill permits prosecutors to impanel a second jury for sentencing if the first jury in a federal death penalty case fails to reach a unanimous decision on a sentence.

“Eric’s Law is a necessary step to ensure justice is not denied due to a single juror’s bias,” said Rep. Bresnahan. “The tragic murder of Officer Eric Williams highlights the extreme risks our correctional officers face every day. This bill will give prosecutors the ability to seek a second jury to ensure those who commit heinous crimes against law enforcement can be brought to justice. On the anniversary of his death, I am proud to honor Officer Eric Williams’ sacrifice and ensure the safety of those who serve our country in the line of duty.”

“I will never forget the judge repeatedly reminding the jury during the trial of my son’s murderer that ‘it only takes one vote against death penalty and the accused will automatically get a life sentence,’” said Don Williams, Father of Fallen Federal Corrections Officer Eric Williams. “And so the inmate who was already doing life for murder got another life sentence for killing my son. One person having the power to override eleven other jurors totally defeats the purpose of a jury. My family and I are grateful to Congressman Rob Bresnahan for introducing Eric’s Law which corrects that glitch in the law. Eric’s Law is not about the death penalty but is a bill for sentencing reform with emphasis on victims’ rights.”