Overcoming Tragedy - Remembering Heather Snively

On the evening of Friday, June 5th, 21-year-old Heather Snively’s life was taken in a tragic and horrifying way. And if this burden of sorrow weren’t already enough for Heather’s family and fiancé, they must also grieve the loss of her unborn child, John Stephen, who was eight months along in her womb. Korena Roberts, the alleged killer, met Heather through Craigslist. She had just recently moved to Oregon from the east coast with her fiancé, Chris Popp. Having a mutual interest in baby items, the two women agreed to meet. Neither Heather nor her baby John Stephen survived the casual meeting. Korena Roberts stands as a prime example of the vast shortfall in Oregon law on fetal homicide. She will only be held accountable for the death of Heather Snively, and John Stephen, who was growing strong and on all accounts at a normal rate, will never see a moment of justice in Oregon’s court of law.

The Snively family, along with Chris Popp, while already grappling with the murder of Heather, have cried out on John Stephen’s behalf. There were clearly two lives taken that day, and Ms. Roberts should face the consequences for knowingly killing both Heather and John Stephen.

Senator Starr responded immediately upon hearing news of the incident and introduced legislation to remedy Oregon’s law. Thirty-six other states in the U.S. recognize “maternal homicide” as a prosecutable crime, and although this issue has come before the Oregon Senate before, Starr had hoped Heather’s recent case would be a voice to the bill. Pro-choice advocates have long been a strong voice against recognition of “maternal homicide” in Oregon, arguing this puts our state on a slippery slope that validates a fetus as a human with rights. Even with a clear exemption clause for cases of abortion, the pro-choice lobby’s influence in the capitol building remains thick.

House Bill 3505 and SB 982, have not yet been granted hearings and are up against the impending close of the 2009 session this month, would addresses Oregon's lack of opinion on “maternal homicide.” It is up to the leadership in the Legislature to decide whether or not its time for our state to stop turning a blind eye to cases like Heather Snively’s. Let’s start by giving HB 3505 or SB 982 a hearing.

The media has responded to this case and Senator Starr’s legislation in unprecedented proportions. Click here to read just one of the many articles published by the Oregonian.