Lieutenant Governor Earle-Sears Breaks First Tie of Her Term

Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears cast her first tie-breaking vote in the Senate on Thursday. Senator Jeremy McPike (D-Prince William) voted with Republicans against SB 137, a bill that would allow defendants in most felony cases to appeal a judge’s discretionary sentence if the judge does not provide a “written explanation that adequately explains the sentence imposed[.]” When the 20-20 vote result was clear, Earle-Sears asked bill patron Senator John Edwards (D-Roanoke) and opponent Senator Mark Obenshain (R-Rockingham) to come to the dais, where they discussed the bill. Then, Earle-Sears voted against the bill.

“What I wanted to do was to give the patron an opportunity to talk to me about the bill in a way that I may not have, you know, heard before. And then I also wanted to hear the opposing view. I always want to give people the opportunity so that they can make their case. And as I was listening to all sides, what appeared to me was that the bill unfortunately is poorly written,” she told The Virginia Star.

Sears said the bill doesn’t define “adequately explain,” leaving it open to interpretation. She said that will lead to more people appealing, which will slow down the appeals process and result in people being incarcerated longer.

“In helping one it then takes away from another group of prisoners. So we can’t have that,” she said.

Sears cited her experience in prison ministry…. (Excerpts from the Virginia Star)