1/27/08

In January 2008 Floyd Bingaman III received a 40 year sentence with 10 years suspended, 4 years probation upon his release (if he makes it that long in prison), and upon his release he is prohibited from having contact with any minor 12 years old and under. During sentencing, not once did Floyd Bingaman address our family. All we heard were his pleas to the judge for mercy in sentencing. We the family, believe that he should have received the First Degree Murder w/o parole but unfortunately the jury did not see fit. What Floyd Bingaman took from us will NEVER be replaced or erased from our memory. Justice will forever be remembered and never forgotten. Floyd has his life, our grandson does not and that is why we are here to fight for a change in the law for the State of Maryland. Please join and support us in our fight for Justice by signing our petition and please leave comments of your support because the comments have a great impact on lawmakers. Children are our future and we need to protect them. These innocent, defenseless children rely upon us to do just that. We must band together and put a STOP to this violence. We must band together to ensure the criminals stay behind bars for a VERY long time and away from our babies. Amen

This is in 2 parts ...
part 1 ..............................
You can read this part or click link below or copy and paste the link to see and hear Justice's parents ... And what is now going on.
http://www.herald-mail.com/?cmd=displaystory&story_id=184662&format=html
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01/30/2008
The family of Justice Christopher Calvin Myers-Cannon talks about how they would like to see stiffer child abuse laws. Their reaction follows the sentencing of Floyd Edward Bingaman III in the death of four-month-old Justice.

Fighting child abuse helps Justice’s family heal
Online petition asks for tougher penalties for offenders
By HEATHER KEELS -
HAGERSTOWN — Changing Maryland's child abuse penalties won't bring back Justice Christopher Calvin Myers-Cannon, the 4-month-old who died in January 2007 of head injuries inflicted by his mother's boyfriend.
But for Justice's family, fighting for tougher penalties for child abuse is a way of healing and bringing something positive out of a tragedy, his grandmother, Michelle Spessard, said Tuesday.
"I don't think we'll ever be healed completely, but we can have something to look forward to, finishing this law for our grandson," Spessard said.
The family has collected more than 1,200 signatures on an online petition for legislation toughening penalties for child abuse resulting in death. On weekends, family members have been handing out cards with the petition's address in malls and public places across the state, said Spessard, whose son, Christopher Cannon, is Justice's father.
Throughout the trial of Floyd Edward Bingaman III, family members were repeatedly told they had a strong case for first-degree murder, buoying their hopes for a sentence of death or life in prison, said Justice's grandfather, Bob Spessard.
Instead, Bingaman was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to 30 years.
Two days after the sentencing, the day Cannon was due to return to Louisiana, where he was stationed with the Air Force, he and Bob Spessard decided to get up early and speak to state delegates who were holding a public meeting at a local high school.
"It was just something Chris could do for his son, and nobody could take it away," Bob Spessard said.
The family heard back from Del. Christopher Shank within days, and then, within three weeks, the legislation was introduced.
"We're amazed at how fast it happened," Bob Spessard said.
Justice's Law would increase the penalty for child abuse resulting in death to life in prison, something the Spessards said was important to keep child abusers behind bars.
"I don't think it would have prevented what happened to Justice, but we're trying to keep these people off the streets," Michelle Spessard said. "Hopefully we can make a difference in some other people's lives."
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Part 2

After infant's death, family's push brings Annapolis bill
Del. Shank files bill in memory of baby killed by mother's boyfriend
ANNAPOLIS — Backing a family's cry to get tougher on child abuse, Del. Christopher B. Shank filed a bill in memory of a Washington County infant killed by his mother's former boyfriend.
If passed, "Justice's Law" would increase the maximum sentence for abuse that causes a child's death.
Currently, first-degree child abuse carries a maximum of 25 years in prison.
If the baby dies, the sentence can be up to 30 years. Shank's bill would raise the penalty to life in prison.
The name on the bill refers to 4-month-old Justice Christopher Calvin Myers-Cannon, who died Jan. 6, 2007.
Floyd Edward Bingaman III, 21, of Hagerstown, was found guilty in November of involuntary manslaughter, first-degree child abuse and second-degree assault in Justice's death.
The lead investigator in the case, Greg Alton of the Washington County Sheriff's Department, on Tuesday called it the worst case in his 13 years with the department, including 10 as a police officer.
Bingaman was sentenced Jan. 3 to 30 years in prison.
Two days later, Justice's grandfather, Bob Spessard, appeared at a public meeting with the Washington County delegation to the Maryland General Assembly. He urged legislators to make first-degree child abuse a crime that triggers a first-degree murder charge when the victim dies.
Shank, R-Washington, said Tuesday he considered that, but there were logistical problems. Instead, his bill, which he filed Monday, proposes changing the penalty for first-degree child abuse, although he's open to reshaping the bill further.
Recalling the day Spessard lobbied the delegation, Shank said, "It didn't take a whole lot of convincing that we need to make some changes here. If an innocent child is killed, the appropriate penalty ought to be life (in prison)."
Three other Republicans representing Washington County - LeRoy E. Myers Jr., Robert A. McKee and Richard B. Weldon Jr. - are co-sponsors.
"The penalty should be more severe," McKee said.
"Anything that keeps those types of individuals behind bars longer, I'll continue to support, no matter what it is ...," Myers said. "It just may protect that one person."
Spessard said he was prepared for the fight to change Maryland law to take five or 10 years and was surprised how quickly legislation was introduced.
"Mr. Shank jumped on it right away," he said.
Spessard is optimistic the bill will receive widespread support.
"Anybody who has children, who cares about children, should want this," he said. "It's making people who hurt children think, 'If I do this, I'm going away for a long time, and it's really not going to be a nice place.'"
Alton agreed with raising the maximum sentence.
"You don't get much worse than a crime against a child," he said.
He praised Shank for acting quickly and Justice's family for taking a stand.
"It shows the difference citizens can make when they get involved in the process," Alton said.
Staff writer Heather Keels contributed to this story