Tracking violent offenders after they get out of prison

Tracking violent criminals is no longer just a good idea, it's a state law. The law went into effect one year ago this month, so the News on 6 decided to find out how well it's working. The answer

Thursday, November 17th 2005, 6:23 am

By: News On 6

Tracking violent criminals is no longer just a good idea, it's a state law. The law went into effect one year ago this month, so the News on 6 decided to find out how well it's working. The answer may surprise you.

News on 6 crime reporter Lori Fullbright says court and police records all indicate the same thing; Glenn Starr is a violent man who has committed a long list of crimes, including second degree murder.

Records show he and his brother, killed Ethan Johnson in Montgomery County, Kansas. Johnson was a football player at Coffeyville Community College. Starr went to a Kansas prison. Tulsa Police Sgt John Adams: "Even when Mr. Starr was in prison, he served 12 years, he was charged with twice, inciting a riot, lewd acts and assault and battery on fellow prisoners."

When Starr got out, he moved to Tulsa and was supposed to register, but he never did. Even after a judge told him to back in August, he never did.

Tulsa Police would've never known Starr lived here had his Kansas parole officer not notified the state. Now, Starr is accused of committing new crimes in Tulsa, including domestic assault and battery and assault on a police officer. They plan to once again charge him with failing to register.

Since the violent offender registration law took effect a year ago, only two people have registered. Sgt John Adams: "We should have well over 100."
Lori Fullbright: "Are you surprised they're not racing in here?"
Sgt John Adams: "No, not at all."

Ironically, during this interview, a man showed up to register as a violent offender, that makes three in one year. Dan Fuller; "Do you have some people I can call if I can't find you before I do an affadavit?" This man served time in Kansas for a first degree murder he committed in 1980, now, he lives here. At least Tulsa Police know where he lives, the rest, they have no idea and no time to find out.

Sgt John Adams: "We're back to a manpower issue. Are violent offenders a priority? No. We have no manpower to get on it."

The people who are supposed to register are those who committed these crimes, murder, manslaughter, shooting with intent to kill, assault and battery with a deadly weapon, assault with intent to kill and bombing or explosives violations, but for now, unless they register, we'll never know they're living next-door.