Snively Killer Receives Life in Prison

Starr legislation created more tools for prosecuting such crimes

Salem, OR – When Senator Bruce Starr (R-Hillsboro) heard news of the tragic murder of Heather Snively and unborn son John Stephen last year, he immediately introduced legislation to increase the penalties for such a crime. With the help of the Snively family, that legislation eventually became law. Wednesday Snively’s killer Korena Roberts was sentenced to life in prison without possibility of parole.

“Those that knew and loved Heather Snively will always grieve her absence and the absence of her son,” said Starr. “Though this sentence makes a strong statement about how we value human life, it is only a small measure of justice. It will never heal the wounds inflicted by this crime.”

On June 5, 2009 Heather Snively, a 21-year-old woman 7 months pregnant, found Korena Roberts on Craiglist and met to exchange used baby clothes. Roberts killed Snively by cutting her open and taking her unborn son John Stephen from her womb. Starr drafted legislation four days later. The concept eventually became law in the form of House Bill 3505. The bill creates the crime of aggravated murder for anyone convicted of murdering a woman whom the killer knows to be pregnant. The crime would carry the minimum of a life sentence without parole or parole only after thirty years has been served.

“I drafted this bill to give law enforcement one more tool to use in the fight against these senseless crimes,” said Starr. “Hopefully with changes like this we can make our most vulnerable safer and more secure.”

Starr’s public safety record includes a commitment to justice, tough sentences, and a strong police force with the goal of keeping families safe in their homes, neighborhoods and on the street.

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