This latest shooting - along with other recent tragic events - calls attention to Tennessee's outdated, soft-on-crime policies. Kelly was a previously convicted, known danger to society, and yet the judicial system let him loose. This only affirms the need for Tennessee's "Truth in Sentencing" bill, which will go a long way to addressing a broken justice system.
Politicians are using this tragedy to push their political agenda and call for policy change in what is not only a disrespectful lack of regard for the victims, but also ill-informed rhetoric. The "Truth in Sentencing" bill would have required Kelly to serve 85% of his sentence, which means he still would have been out in time to commit this crime even if it had been in effect.
© 2025 Improve the News Foundation.
All rights reserved.
Version 6.20.0