Committee Approves Amelia’s Law

Amelia Keown was killed in an car crash by a man who had a lengthy criminal record. (The Herald/ Archived Photo)

The Senate Judiciary Committee approved legislation sponsored by Senator Doug Overbey (R-Maryville) that would have tightened the operations of the Board of Probation and Parole in regards to the granting of parole for certain crimes.

The bill is named “Amelia Keown’s Law” for the 16-year-old William Blount High School junior who was killed in a fatal car crash at the hands of a John Charles Perkins, who had a lengthy criminal record.

Perkins, who had numerous traffic citations and automobile crashes on his record, was on parole at the time of the accident. A Tennessee Bureau of Investigation toxicology report showed he had methamphetamine and oxycodone in his system when his vehicle crossed the center line and struck Keown’s vehicle killing her.

“There is a great need for this bill,” said Overbey.  “We need to keep those who pose a threat to public safety behind bars and this legislation is a step in the right direction to accomplish that purpose.  I am pleased it passed the Senate Judiciary Committee.”