May 20, 2009

Governor Riley Signs Law Stopping Murderers from Making Money Off Creative Works

MONTGOMERY -- Governor Bob Riley on Wednesday signed into law a bill that stops capital murderers from earning money off paintings, drawings or writings they create in prison. Instead, any money made from the sale of such items will go to their victims’ families.

The bill was passed in response to Alabama death row inmates who had made grotesque sketches of mutilated bodies or body parts that were for sale on the Internet.

“This is a common sense bill and I thank legislators for passing it. Murderers shouldn’t be able to make money off the pain they’ve caused,” said Governor Riley.

The bill was sponsored in the House by Representative Cam Ward and in the Senate by Senator Zeb Little.