UNION TOWNSHIP, Pa. — The tragic death of an 8-year-old is inspiring change.
Mark Mason, 8, was allegedly stabbed to death by his mother’s boyfriend – who was a convicted murderer just out on parole.
[ PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 8-year-old's murder could change way parole cases are handled in Pa. ]
On July 8, just three months out on the street after serving the minimum sentence – 20 years, for a 1999 murder conviction – parolee Keith Burley killed again, police said, stabbing Mason to death inside a Union Township home.
State Rep. Aaron Bernstine said after hearing of this tragic story, he had to step in.
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“I have a 4-year-old son. I can’t imagine what they are going through. We had to do something,” he said.
With the support of the Lawrence County district attorney, Bernstine called Markie’s Law “a way to make sure violent offenders stay behind bars.”
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