RICHMOND — Sen. Steve Newman, R-Lynchburg, is asking the General Assembly to pass a resolution opposing the transfer of convicted murderer Jens Soering to a prison in his native Germany.
Newman introduced the resolution Wednesday in the Senate, with the senators’ unanimous consent.
The resolution asks the U.S. Department of Justice to deny a transfer request that former Gov. Timothy M. Kaine sent to Washington on Soering’s behalf during his final week in office.
Gov. Bob McDonnell has sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder declaring that he wishes to rescind Kaine’s request.
Newman also said he was asking other senators to sign a letter asking Holder to deny the transfer request. Last week, members of the House of Delegates signed a similar letter at the urging of Del. Rob Bell, R-Charlottesville.
Newman said he didn’t know how much effect the letters and resolution would have in Washington.
“I’ve been told that 30 days is the amount of time we have in this matter,” Newman said on the Senate floor.
Soering was convicted in 1990 of murdering Derek and Nancy Haysom in their Boonsboro home. The Haysoms’ daughter, Elizabeth, Soering’s girlfriend, was also convicted in the case.
Relatives of the Haysoms “have shared incredible stories of how they have been devastated” by the transfer request, Newman said.
Bedford County law enforcement officials also have protested.
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