Ohio Law Enforcement Officials Unite Behind State Issue 1 Columbus – Dozens of sheriffs, police chiefs and county prosecutors across Ohio have endorsed State Issue 1, the equal rights for crime victims constitutional amendment known as Marsy’s Law. The law-enforcement officials supporting State Issue 1 are part of a growing bipartisan coalition of more than 250 elected officials, faith leaders, community groups and victim rights advocates from every corner of the state. “We appreciate the overwhelming support law enforcement has shown for State Issue 1,” said Trevor Vessels, Marsy’s Law for Ohio State Director. “These brave men and women protect the lives and rights of crime victims every day on our streets and in our courtrooms. Their recognition that crime victims deserve equal rights makes a powerful statement.” Led by 20 county sheriffs and endorsed by the statewide Buckeye State Sheriff’s Association, a total of 52 law-enforcement officials support State Issue 1. If voters approve the proposal bringing equal rights to crime victims this fall, State Issue 1 would grant a series of constitutional protections to crime victims and their immediate families for the first time in Ohio’s history. Under the amendment, crime victims would have the right to notification of all proceedings as well as be guaranteed the right to be heard at every step of the process. Victims would also have the right to have input on all plea deals for offenders as well as the right to restitution resulting from the financial impact of the crime. The effort to place State Issue 1 in the state constitution comes after similar ballot issues were approved in California, Illinois, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota and Montana. The Marsy’s Law movement began in 1983, when a young woman named Marsy Nicholas was stalked and killed by her ex-boyfriend. Only a week after her murder, Marsy’s mother and brother, Henry T. Nicholas, walked into a grocery store where they saw the accused murderer. The family, who had just come from a visit to Marsy’s grave, had no idea the accused murderer had been released on bail. Ohio law-enforcement officials endorsing State Issue 1 include: 20 Ohio Sheriffs Buckeye State Sheriff’s Association Allen County Matt Treglia Athens County Rodney Smith Belmont County David Lucas Brown County Gordon Ellis Clark County Deborah Burchette Delaware County Russell Martin Franklin County Dallas Baldwin Jackson County Tedd Frazier Lake County Daniel Dunlap Licking County Randy Throp Meigs County Keith Wood Mercer County Jeff Gray Miami County David Duchak Muskingum Matt Lutz Ottawa County Stephen Levorchick Paulding County Jason Landers Putnam County Brian Sieker Sandusky County Christopher Hilton Summit County Steve Barry Washington County Larry Mincks 15 Local Police Chiefs Anna Chief Scott Evans Antwerp Chief George Clemens Akron Chief James Nice Barberton Chief Vince Morber Botkins Chief Wayne Glass Circleville Chief Shawn Baer Fort Jennings Chief Michael Schleeter Fremont Chief Dean Bliss Jackson Center Chief Charles Wirick Johnstown Chief Don Corbin Marion Chief Bill Collins Newark Chief Barry Connell Perry Township Chief John Petrozzi Pomeroy Chief Mark Proffitt Reynoldsburg Chief Jim O’Neil Nine County Prosecutors Athens County Prosecutor Keller Blackburn Brown County Prosecutor Zac Corbin Darke County Prosecutor Kelly Ormsby Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters Jackson County Prosecutor Justin Lovett Licking County Prosecutor Bill Hayes Meigs County Prosecutor James Stanley Putnam County Prosecutor Gary Lammers Summit County Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh Eight other law-enforcement officials: New Albany Law Director Mitch Banchefsky New Albany Police Department Sgt. Garrett Fernandez Paulding County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Jonathan Dyson Paulding County Lt. Sheriff Brian Hanenkratt Sandusky County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Edward Hastings Wapakoneta Safety Service Director Chad Scott | 
Marsy’s Law is named after Marsalee “Marsy” Nicholas. Marsy was stalked and killed by her ex-boyfriend in 1983.
Dr. Nicholas has made it his mission to give victims and their families across the country constitutional protections.