Current:Home > NewsHarmony Montgomery case spurs bill to require defendants’ appearance in court-InfoLens
Harmony Montgomery case spurs bill to require defendants’ appearance in court
View Date:2024-12-23 14:30:42
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Spurred to act by a recent murder case, the New Hampshire House voted Thursday to require those charged with serious crimes to be present when they learn their fate.
Under the federal rules of criminal procedure, defendants are allowed to be absent from the courtroom in non-capital cases if they so choose after a trial has begun. Adam Montgomery took that option last month when he was convicted of killing his 5-year-old daughter, Harmony. While prosecutors are seeking an order requiring him to appear for sentencing, nothing in current law compels it.
That would change for future cases under a bill the House sent to the Senate. As originally drafted, the bill would have required defendants charged with crimes punishable by incarceration of at least 15 years to appear in court for their entire trials as well as sentencing hearings. But opponents argued that only those who have been convicted should be required to appear.
“This could be used to weaponize the court process for someone who’s been accused of a crime but not found guilty,” said Rep. J.R. Hoell, a Republican from Dunbarton.
The amended version of the bill would require defendants to be present for the reading of verdicts and at sentencing hearings.
“If the jury spends the time to hear this case, the defendant should take the time to go in to respect that jury and hear their verdict. And he darn sure should show up for his sentencing,” said Rep. Terry Roy, a Republican from Deerfield.
Roy cosponsored the legislation with Rep. Steve Shurtleff, a Democrat from Penacook, who spoke about the Montgomery case at a public hearing earlier this month. Montgomery, who was convicted of second- degree murder, abuse of a corpse and other charges, was accused of killing Harmony in 2019 and then hiding and moving her body for months. Her remains have not been found.
Prosecutors have asked a judge to require Montgomery to appear at his sentencing hearing in May to face the girl’s family and loved ones, Shurtleff said.
“And when I hear that phrase, Harmony Montgomery’s loved ones, I feel that includes all of us, too, the citizens of New Hampshire,” he said.
veryGood! (3838)
Related
- Shaboozey to headline halftime show of Lions-Bears game on Thanksgiving
- Operator dies and more than a dozen passengers hurt as New Jersey commuter train hits tree
- Alex Bowman eliminated from NASCAR playoffs after car fails inspection at Charlotte
- New York Liberty stars put on a show for college coaches in Game 2 of WNBA Finals
- These Michael Kors’ Designer Handbags Are All Under $150 With an Extra 22% off for Singles’ Day
- Kansas tops AP Top 25 preseason men’s basketball poll ahead of Alabama, defending champion UConn
- This week's full hunter's moon is also a supermoon!
- Sold! What did Sammy Hagar's custom Ferrari LaFerrari sell for at Arizona auction?
- Subway rider who helped restrain man in NYC chokehold death says he wanted ex-Marine to ‘let go’
- Deion Sanders, Colorado lose more than a game: `That took a lot out of us'
Ranking
- Caitlin Clark shanks tee shot, nearly hits fans at LPGA's The Annika pro-am
- Members of the Kennedy family gather for funeral of Ethel Kennedy
- Forget the hot takes: MLB's new playoff system is working out just fine
- Urban Outfitters Apologizes for High Prices and Lowers Costs on 100 Styles
- Glen Powell responds to rumor that he could replace Tom Cruise in 'Mission: Impossible'
- Mike Evans injury update: Buccaneers WR injured in game vs. Saints
- Bath & Body Works candle removed from stores when some say it looks like KKK hood
- Ariana Grande Brings Back Impressions of Céline Dion, Jennifer Coolidge and More on SNL
Recommendation
-
Tennessee fugitive accused of killing a man and lying about a bear chase is caught in South Carolina
-
New York Liberty stars put on a show for college coaches in Game 2 of WNBA Finals
-
Did Donald Trump rape his wife Ivana? What's fact, fiction in 'Apprentice' movie
-
Opinion: Harris has adapted to changing media reality. It's time journalism does the same.
-
Diamond Sports Group will offer single-game pricing to stream NBA and NHL games starting next month
-
Who are the last three on 'Big Brother'? Season 26 finale date, cast, where to watch
-
'The Penguin' star Cristin Milioti loved her stay in Arkham Asylum: 'I want some blood'
-
Not exactly smooth sailing at the 52nd Albuquerque balloon fiesta after 4 incidents