‘Judy’s Bill’ passes 33- 0 on day after her death
One day after she died from a horrific attack two years earlier, Judy Malinowski was honored Wednesday with a moment of silence by the full Senate chamber, which then unanimously passed legislation in her name aimed at preventing similar attacks.
She was given just days to live after her ex-boyfriend, Michael W. Slager, doused her with gasoline and set her ablaze Aug 2, 2015, following an argument in a Gahanna bank parking lot. But the former Miss New Albany survived for nearly two years, long enough to see Slager sentenced to prison for the maximum 11 years.
That’s not enough, lawmakers decided.
“For a situation like that, where an accelerant is used and it’s extremely painful, her life the next two years was beyond miserable in terms of the pain and anguish,” said Sen. Kevin Bacon, R-Minerva. “The question is, is 11 years sufficient? Most people and myself would say no, not even close.”
Under the bill, sponsored by Rep. Jim Hughes, R-Upper Arlington, a person convicted of felonious assault would get a mandatory additional six years in prison if an accelerant was used and the victim suffered permanent, serious disfigurement or incapacity.
Her mother and stepfather have said they are proud of the legislation, named Judy’s Law.
“That she tried to push for something that could positively impact other people during this horrible time is an amazing accomplishment,” Bacon said.
With Malinowski’s death, Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien said his office has begun building a homicide case against Slager.
House Bill 63, now heads to Gov. John Kasich for his signature.