Matthew Brent Richmond, the 12-year-old developmentally disabled boy who died earlier this month after his mother's boyfriend allegedly held him in a tub of scalding water, could be the catalyst for a change in state law.
Supported by Hamilton County Prosecutor Joseph Deters, two area legislators have introduced a bill that would make it a death-penalty crime to kill a child under 13.
''I'm very optimistic that this will help us protect children,'' Mr. Deters said Thursday. ''I think it'll be a deterrent to people if they know that Ohio will give the severest penalty if you abuse and kill children.''
The bill, co-sponsored by Republicans Cheryl Winkler of Monfort Heights and Patricia Clancy of Colerain Township, has the support of House Speaker Jo Ann Davidson, Senate President Richard Finan and Gov. George Voinovich.
Mrs. Winkler is scheduled to give testimony in support of the bill Tuesday before the House's Judiciary and Criminal Justice Committee, her aide said.
Mr. Deters began promoting the change in law after Matthew died Jan. 13 from burns suffered New Year's Day.
Richard Joseph Klein is charged with murder, involuntary manslaughter, felonious assault and child endangering. Prosecutors say the 34-year-old Westwood man intentionally held Matthew down in a tub of 140-degree water to punish him for soiling his pants.
Mr. Deters said he was frustrated that he was unable - under current Ohio law - to seek the death penalty for Mr. Klein.
With few exceptions, a case can be a capital crime only if there were aggravating circumstances - such as rape, robbery or kidnapping - surrounding the death.
If the newly introduced bill becomes law, the age of the victim would be considered an aggravating circumstance that would allow prosecutors to seek the death penalty for someone who purposefully killed a child.
Previous stories
BOYFRIEND FACES MURDER CHARGE Jan. 15, 1997
BOY SCALDED IN TUB DIES Jan. 14, 1997
PULFER COLUMN: The short, valuable life of one child
Jan. 14, 1997
PULFER COLUMN: Scalded boy belongs to all of us Jan. 14, 1997
