Two cases looking at the constitutionality of Missouri’s sexually violent predator law are being considered by the State Supreme Court. A public defender representing a man who is incarcerated indefinately because of fear he will commit the same or similar crimes in the future argues his client does not fit the description of a repeat offender because he can deal with his urges. Besides, he and other putlic defenders claim the law is unconstitutional. Assistant Attorney General Linda Lemke says the law is based on a Kansas law which has already been upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court, so it is constitutional. She says the only question a jury has to decide is whether an offender is likely to repeat. State attorneys and public defenders say they are hoping the Courtreaches speedy decisions on the two related cases.
