Criminals who choose their victims based on hate will receive stiffer sentences if a Senate bill passes. Karyn Dest reports from Jefferson City.
The bill, which would establish a criminal intimidation statute, moved one step closer to a final Senate vote Tuesday. Under the statute, criminals would receive harsher sentences if prosecutors could prove they targeted their victim because of race, sexual orientation, or disability.
St. Louis Democratic Senator William Clay sponsored the bill. He says criminals should pay if hate motivates the crime.
Clay says the final vote on the bill should come later this week. In Jefferson City, I'm Karyn Dest.