Supporters of “Chelsea’s Law” stormed the California state capitol supporting legislation aimed at preventing other cases like the killing of San Diego-area teenager Chelsea King, reports the San Diego Union-Tribune. “We need to close the loopholes so child predators don't get a second chance,” said Lois Fong-Sakai, whose daughter was a friend of Chelsea. “Even losing one child is a travesty.” Chelsea was allegedly raped and killed by John Gardner III, a convicted sex offender who had been discharged from parole in 2008.
Assembly Speaker John Perez endorsed new legislation and steered $250,000 to the state's Sex Offender Management Board to develop better training for parole and probation officers. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger urged life behind bars without the possibility of parole for those convicted of sex crimes against children. Schwarzenegger dismissed critics who argue that residency laws barring sex offenders from living near parks and schools are too strict. “You know something? We have to keep it strict because the fact of the matter is, I don't want a rapist living around a school. I don't want a rapist living around a park where children play,” Schwarzenegger said. Chelsea's Law would increase sentences and require lifetime parole with GPS monitoring for less serious, but still violent, sex offenses against children. Those on parole would be barred from entering parks unless they have prior permission of authorities.