A Georgia congresswoman wants to eliminate a rule that lets accused killers escape murder charges if their victims survive longer than a year.
⚖️ What’s Happening: Georgia Representative Lucy McBath introduced legislation to remove the “year-and-a-day” rule. This federal rule currently blocks prosecutors from filing murder charges when victims die more than 366 days after an attack.
👥 The Local Connection: McBath, who represents parts of metro Atlanta, wants to eliminate this time limit. Her own experience as the mother of a murdered son drives her mission to remove barriers for victims’ families.
🔍 Why It Matters: “Justice has no expiration date,” McBath said. Modern medical care helps assault victims live longer, but the current rule can shield attackers from murder charges even when doctors prove the attack caused the death.
🤝 Building Support: Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff introduced matching legislation in the Senate. Eight major law enforcement groups back the change.
⏳ What’s Next: Congress will review the proposal. A similar bill to remove the time limit passed the Senate last year with full support.
B.T. Clark
B.T. Clark is an award-winning journalist and the Publisher of The Georgia Sun. He has 25 years of experience in journalism and served as Managing Editor of Neighbor Newspapers in metro Atlanta for 15 years and Digital Director at Times-Journal Inc. for 8 years. His work has appeared in several newspapers throughout the state including Neighbor Newspapers, The Cherokee Tribune and The Marietta Daily Journal. He is a Georgia native and a fifth-generation Georgian.
