MARRERO, La. (WGNO) — A bill that would place stiffer penalties on carjackings is gaining momentum in the legislature.
The minimum sentence for a carjacking would be increased to five years. If the carjacking caused a bodily injury, the minimum sentence would be 20 years.
Carjacking victims and their families, including the family of Linda Frickey, who died in a brutal carjacking nearly two years ago, attended the committee hearing on the bill on Tuesday, Feb. 20.
“I was ecstatic that it went through so fast,” said Frickey’s sister Jinny Lynn Griffin. “We needed it to go through real fast. There needs to be harsher punishments for carjackings. I think the harsher punishments will deter people from wanting to carjack.”
Some opposing the bill argue harsher sentences won’t decrease carjackings and that it doesn’t address the harm inflicted upon the victims and their relatives.
The Frickey family disagrees.
“At the end of the day, we want less carjackings, and if there is an alternative, then I would like to hear it other than just this won’t work,” said Frickey’s niece Danielle Duffourc.
Although the Frickey family agrees stricter punishment is needed, they do believe early intervention is key as they recall the details of how Frickey died.
“Oh, what if it had been raining that day? Linda would have had her window up. He couldn’t open the door. Well, what if he had been in school? This wouldn’t have happened,” said Frickey’s sister-in-law Kathy Richard. “I think we need to have a truancy division at every school.”
The bill now heads to the full state house for a vote.
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