HAMILTON COUNTY, Tennessee — Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed a bill on Tuesday that would require courts to order domestic violence offenders to wear GPS tracking devices.
Both convicted and accused offenders must wear the device until they no longer pose a danger to their victim or the public.
The law also requires that the victim be provided with a device that alerts them when the perpetrator is nearby.
“This creates a culture that shows that we are serious. And that has consequences. Because right now it seems like the whole thing is a joke,” says April Lamothe.
It was only 6 months ago that April Lamothe received the news about her sister…
“They found her beaten, naked and lying under her Christmas tree in our own house. Under a no contact order. The guy called 911 from a place he wasn't supposed to be,” says Lamothe.
She says if Lawrence Goodine, a former Chattanooga police officer, had been wearing a GPS tracker the night her sister died, she might still be alive.
“She could call us because she would know: 'He's coming, he's very close. I'm scared,'” says Lamothe.
A new law in the state of Tennessee would require a court to order people experiencing domestic violence to wear a GPS device while in the state.
This also allows the victim of domestic violence to recognize when an attacker is nearby.
“We are consistently among the top 10 states with the most women murdered by men,” says Jennifer Escue.
Jennifer Escue, executive director of the Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic & Sexual Violence, says this will give victims a greater sense of security.
“You don't have to see them, be face to face with them, to call the police. You can tell them, 'Hey, he's standing at my door right now,'” Escue says.
The bill is sponsored by Representative Clay Doggett, who says the GPS tracking device would only be required as a condition of bail for the suspect in cases of aggravated assault (not simple assault).
“I would like the law to include a wording that says there is no room for discretion and that there are the same reactions and consequences for everyone. Anyone who violates this will be arrested,” says Lamothe.
By law, the accused must pay for the tracking device. If he is unable to do so, the responsibility falls to the local government.
As for Lawrence Goodine, his case is still awaiting trial by the grand jury.
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text “BEGIN” to 88788.
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