Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Family and friends of Amanda Thompson are seeking justice after she was murdered last month at the hands of her former boyfriend. They joined State Republican lawmakers in pushing for a repeal of bail reform in New York.
Thompson, a young mother of four, was killed on July 17, allegedly, by her ex-boyfriend, who had been released without bail after violating an order of protection. Her family, community members, and Republican officials stood together to call on Albany to make meaningful changes to protect vulnerable victims and ensure something like this never happens again.
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Thompson's mother, Muril Hadden, has one question for New York Gov. Kathy Hochul when it comes to bail reform.
"I'd ask her how she sleeps at night, because we don't," Hadden said on Wednesday. "I just think changes have to be made, and she's the only one with the power to do it."
She's heard people make comments that this issue is political.
"My daughter was Democratic, and so was I. And I'm sorry, but even Democrats disagree with [bail] reform," Hadden said. "Drastic measures have to be made before there's another mother and children standing up here talking about how they lost their family member. It has to stop."
Thompson's alleged killer, Rickey Crouch, was a convicted killer, and was still released on bail after being caught with two loaded handguns.
"It makes no sense to me," Hadden said. "When he was caught with those loaded guns, he should have been kept in right then, not to mention he had beaten [Thompson's son] before that happened, and no charges were ever pressed."
She adds that her daughter was scared to death of Crouch.
"She did everything she could to try to stay on the good side of him until they finally took him to court, or until he went to court on the gun charges. And it never happened. She was dead before it happened," Hadden said.
"My friend, Amanda, should still be here today," added Danielle Kijania, a friend of Thompson's at Wednesday's rally. "She did everything right, she sought an order of protection, she tried to keep herself safe, but the system failed her. Families like ours deserve action, not excuses. We cannot allow more lives to be lost before lawmakers finally fix these laws."
Among the notable Republican lawmakers joining the Thompson family on Wednesday included:
Republican candidate for Mayor of Buffalo, James Gardner: "First and foremost, my heart goes out to Amanda’s family. I want to thank the Buffalo Police Department for their continued dedication to keeping our community safe in the face of laws that too often make their jobs harder. As mayor, I will make it my mission to demand action on public safety so no family has to suffer the kind of heartbreak that Amanda’s family has endured."
State Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt: "Amanda’s death is a tragedy that never should have happened. New York’s reckless bail laws continue to put victims of domestic violence and entire communities at risk, while giving repeat offenders a free pass. This is not justice. We owe it to Amanda, her family, and every victim across this state to fix these laws now. As Leader of the Senate Republican Conference, I will not stop fighting until Albany restores common sense and protects New Yorkers."
State Assemblyman Patrick Chludzinski: "We are heartbroken for the family and friends of Amanda Thompson, and all the victims of domestic violence who have been failed by a system that prioritizes violent felons over law-abiding citizens. If this administration in Albany, and the majority in the legislature, won’t listen to my Republican colleagues, and they won’t listen to someone who fought these crimes and witnessed firsthand how dangerous their policies are, then I beg them to listen to Amanda Thompson’s family here today and join us in making New Yorker’s safe again."
State Assemblyman Angelo Morinello: "Amanda Thompson's death is a heartbreaking reminder that our laws must protect victims, not empower abusers. New York's failure to consider the unique dynamic of domestic violence's basic premise is power and control over a victim. Judges need the full ability to take power and control from the abuser, and display that the Judge now has power and control over the abusers to protect the victims."