June 18, 2009

Markell Signs Legislation to Encourage Witness Testimony

Wilmington – Today, the Delaware Attorney General’s office announced that it will now be easier to secure witness testimony under legislation drafted by the Delaware Department of Justice and signed into law by Governor Markell.  This new law provides incentives for those with information to offer testimony during a criminal investigation and trial.
 
 “Witness testimony is often a critical element in solving crimes and obtaining convictions,” said State Prosecutor Richard Andrews.  “This new law gives prosecutors new tools to secure testimony and evidence from witnesses and others so that we can hold offenders accountable.”
 
House Bill 109 allows the Attorney General’s office to seek to modify, reduce or suspend the sentence, including a minimum mandatory sentence, of a person convicted of a state crime who provides “substantial assistance” in the identification, arrest, or prosecution of another person for state or federal offenses.  The new statute replaces a substantial assistance provision that was limited to drug trafficking offenses.
 
This legislation was sponsored by Representative John L. “Larry” Mitchell Jr., and co-sponsored by Senator Brian J. Bushweller.