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Patrick Signs Mass. Crime Bill In Private Ceremony

Gov. Deval Patrick has signed into law a crime bill with a so-called "three strikes" provision barring parole for repeat violent offenders.

A spokeswoman for the governor said Patrick signed the bill Thursday morning in a private ceremony in his State House office. The signing was not listed on his schedule and there was no public announcement prior to the event.

Among those present for the signing, according to the spokeswoman, was Les Gosule, whose daughter was raped and murdered in 1999 by a man with 27 prior convictions. Gosule has advocated for the three strikes provision for the past 13 years.

The bill passed by the Legislature in the final days of the session also reduces some mandatory minimum sentences for non-violent drug offenders.

This program aired on August 2, 2012. The audio for this program is not available.

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