Orchard Park's Town Board members passed a resolution called "Justice for Rachael" in honor of a victim of domestic violence.
This is another small victory for Rachael Wierzbicki's family: the "Justice for Rachael" Act was also passed in West Seneca on Monday.
This resolution is sponsored by Assemblyman Patrick Burke, who was at the meeting to explain why Orchard Park board members should pass it.
Wierzbicki, who was 22 years old, was allegedly killed by her ex-boyfriend Shane Casado in November 2018.
Casado was released after spending only nine days in jail, because he made his $175,000 bond.
However, Casado's bond was revoked by a Supreme Court judge in March 2019.
Burke and Racahel's family wanted to make sure no other family had to see their child's alleged murderer not be held in jail, which is why "Justice for Rachael" was created.
Burke said he worked on multiple versions of this bill and his team settled on "dangerousness hearings," which gives judge bail discretion.
"Prosecutors could request a dangerousness hearing and have a separate process for determining whether someone is a danger to the community. Because right now in New York state, we just consider ‘flight risk,’" explained Burke.
As for a timeline, Burke says the resolutions are being passed in towns to help put pressure on the state and to build momentum behind his legislation in the Assembly.