Dr. Henry T. Nicholas III Calls for National Campaign to Put Marsy`s Law Victims` Rights in the U.S. Constitution

Dr. Nicholas and Mrs. Marcella Leach, the brother and mother of murder victim
Marsy Nicholas, will participate today in the Annual Victims` March on the
California Capitol
SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(Business Wire)--
The Victims` Rights advocate who was the principle leader behind the passage of
an amendment to the California Constitution guaranteeing the rights of victims
of violent crime, said today that he will lend his support to an effort to amend
victims` rights into the U.S. Constitution.

Dr. Henry "Nick" Nicholas, co-founder of Broadcom Corp., was the key backer and
proponent of Marsy`s Law, which California voters passed last November by a 54%
margin.

"As the family of every victim of a violent crime knows only too well -
especially those who have lost a loved one - you never really get over that
loss. Nevertheless, it is somewhat gratifying - if any good can come of
something this horrible -- that the loss of my sister, Marsy, and the losses of
other families of crime victims could be a catalyst for change," Dr. Nicholas
said. "Marsy`s Law will provide for a more compassionate justice system for
crime victims in California and make that a constitutional guarantee."

"Now the momentum can be put behind a U.S. Constitutional Amendment so that the
rights of all crime victims, anywhere in America, can be protected," he added.

When it passed last November, Marsy`s Law put California at the forefront of the
national victims` rights movement. It guarantees victims and their families the
rights to safety, privacy, restitution, and the right to participate in key
court proceedings against the accused.

"This is a national movement already," said Dr. Nicholas. "There are hundreds of
marches across the country for National Crime Victim`s Week. We need to harness
that energy to ensure victims` rights for every American."

Last Friday, President Obama proclaimed April 26 through May 2, 2009, as
National Crime Victims' Rights Week and called upon all Americans to observe the
week by participating in events that raise awareness of victims' rights.

"Presumption of innocence and due process for the defendant do not have to mean
silence and suffering for the victim. We can and must have both," Attorney
General Eric H. Holder, Jr., said Friday at the National Crime Victims` Rights
Week Awards Ceremony.

Dr. Nicholas` remarks came as Victims` Rights Advocates from across California,
including Dr. Nicholas and Mrs. Leach, were preparing to participate in the 20th
Annual Victims` March on the Capitol Wednesday in Sacramento.

Wednesday`s Victims` March on the Capitol is one of many rallies, candlelight
vigils, and a host of commemorative activities held across the country as part
of National Victims` Rights Week, which promotes victims' rights, honors crime
victims and those who advocate on their behalf.

Following the Victim`s March on the Capitol, Dr. Nicholas will host a
celebration for supporters of Marsy`s Law and show an information video telling
the story behind the Marsy`s Law campaign and providing guidelines for the
implementation of Marsy`s Law.

The video features interviews with former Governor Pete Wilson, Collene
Campbell, and other leading victims` rights advocates.

The media are welcome at the 1:30 pm luncheon at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in
Sacramento.

WHAT: Victims March on the Capitol

WHEN: Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Information Booths open at 10AM
Program starts at 11:30am

WHERE: California State Capitol
West Steps - 10th Street
Sacramento, CA

Followed By:

WHAT: Marsy`s Law Celebration and Informational Video

WHEN: Wednesday, April 29 at 1:30 p.m

WHERE: Sheraton Grand Hotel, 1230 J Street, Sacramento

FACT SHEET

"Presumption of innocence and due process for the defendant do not have to mean
silence and suffering for the victim. We can and must have both." -- Attorney
General Eric H. Holder, Jr., April 24, 2009

MARSY`S LAW HAS PUT ENFORCEABLE VICTIM RIGHTS INTO THE CALIFORNIA CONSTITUTION

* Dr. Henry "Nick" Nicholas, co-founder of Broadcom Corp., submitted The
Victims` Bill of Rights Act of 2008: Marsy`s Law ballot measure to the
California Secretary of State in December 2007.
* His mother, Marcella Leach, Executive Director of Justice for Homicide
Victims, Inc., and LaWanda Hawkins, chief executive of Justice for Murdered
Children were co-signers.
* Dr. Nicholas, whose sister Marsalee (Marsy) Nicholas was murdered in 1983, has
dedicated the last 25 years of his life to victims rights.
* His family`s story is typical of the pain and suffering family members of
murder victims have endured.
* Only a week after Marsy was stalked and killed by her ex-boyfriend, Mrs. Leach
walked into a grocery store and saw the accused. She had no idea that he had
been released on bail.
* When it passed last November as Proposition 9, Marsy`s Law, became the
strongest and most comprehensive Constitutional victims` rights law in the U.S.
and put California at the forefront of the national victims` rights movement.
* It was opposed by every major newspaper in the state and yet the people of
California passed the measure with 54% of the vote. The message was quite clear
- Californians want violent crime victims and their families to have guaranteed
rights.
* Dr. Nicholas is now calling for a national movement to seek an amendment to
include victims` rights in the U.S. Constitution.
* Dr. Nicholas, Mrs, Leach, Mrs.Hawkins are available for interviews.

Marsy`s Law mandates the following:

* Increases from 5 to 15 years the maximum period for the state to deny parole
to prisoners serving potential life terms.
* Restricts state and local officials` ability to release inmates early from
prisons and jails because of overcrowding.
* Allows unlimited numbers of victims` relatives to testify uninterrupted at
parole hearings without being questioned by inmates.
* Eliminates state-paid lawyers for accused parole violators and increases from
35 to 45 days the period they can be held in custody before a parole revocation
hearing.
* Grants victims a Constitutional right to be notified and consulted in criminal
cases and strengthens victim rights restitution statutes.

Victims` Rights is not about the crime. It`s about how the surviving family
members are treated in the criminal justice system. The PSA and five-minute
video at this link --http://ovc.ncjrs.gov/ncvrw2009/themedvd.html -- frame the
problems faced by the surviving loved ones -- the people the criminal justice
system ignores.

Tony Knight, 818-903-3049
Tammy Taylor, 310-788-2850

Copyright Business Wire 2009