Bill 3544

                    Current Status

Introducing Body:               House
Bill Number:                    3544
Primary Sponsor:                Wright
Type of Legislation:            CR
Subject:                        American citizen murdered
                                abroad
Date Bill Passed both Bodies:   Apr 30, 1991
Computer Document Number:       JIC/5371.HC
Introduced Date:                Feb 20, 1991
Last History Body:              House
Last History Date:              Apr 30, 1991
Last History Type:              Received from Senate
Scope of Legislation:           Statewide
All Sponsors:                   Wright
Type of Legislation:            Concurrent
                                Resolution

 Bill  Body    Date          Action Description              CMN
 ----  ------  ------------  ------------------------------  ---
 3544  House   Apr 30, 1991  Received from Senate
 3544  Senate  Apr 25, 1991  Adopted, returned with
                             concurrence
 3544  Senate  Apr 24, 1991  Committee Report: Favorable     11
 3544  Senate  Mar 21, 1991  Introduced, referred to         11
                             Committee
 3544  House   Mar 20, 1991  Adopted, sent to Senate
 3544  House   Mar 06, 1991  Committee Report: Favorable     24
 3544  House   Feb 20, 1991  Introduced, referred to         24
                             Committee

COMMITTEE REPORT

April 24, 1991

H. 3544

S. Printed 4/24/91--S.

Read the first time March 21, 1991.

To whom was referred a Concurrent Resolution (H. 3544), memorializing Congress to enact Legislation granting Jurisdiction to the Federal Courts in cases where an American Citizen is charged, etc., respectfully

That they have duly and carefully considered the same, and recommend that the same do pass:

ADDISON G. WILSON, for Committee.

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

MEMORIALIZING CONGRESS TO ENACT LEGISLATION GRANTING JURISDICTION TO THE FEDERAL COURTS IN CASES WHERE AN AMERICAN CITIZEN IS CHARGED WITH THE MURDER OF AN AMERICAN CITIZEN COMMITTED WHILE ABROAD.

Whereas, the members of the General Assembly learned through the tragedy of Dr. Francis L. Abel of Columbia, South Carolina, of the loophole in the jurisdiction of the federal courts in which a murder of an American citizen by another American citizen when committed abroad is not triable in federal court; and

Whereas, Dr. Abel's daughter, Carolyn J. Abel, was murdered in Seoul, Korea, in December, 1988, and the suspected murderer, an American citizen, returned to the United States; and

Whereas, in the absence of an extradition treaty with Korea, no charges may be brought against the suspect in the United States; and

Whereas, in an era when international travel is commonplace and extradition treaties are not always in place with respect to countries that American citizens visit, it is appropriate that the federal courts be armed with jurisdiction in these cases similar to the jurisdiction that they may now exercise when the victim is a "protected person". Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the members of the General Assembly memorialize Congress to enact legislation granting jurisdiction to the federal courts in cases where an American citizen is charged with the murder of an American citizen committed while abroad.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President of the Senate, and each member of South Carolina's congressional delegation.