OLYMPIA — After the slaying of four Lakewood police officers in November, state lawmakers from both parties promised changes aimed at stopping dangerous felons like Maurice Clemmons before they turn deadly.
But now a centerpiece of that effort — a constitutional amendment that would give judges more power to deny bail to potentially dangerous criminal defendants — is hung up in a political fight as the Legislature enters the final weeks of its 60-day session.
Senate leaders unveiled a bail proposal Thursday they touted as a careful balance between public safety and civil liberties.
But that plan was immediately trashed by House lawmakers, who prefer a version that would keep more defendants behind bars pending trial.
