Will County Gazette

Adam Beaty, the Republican nominee for the 80th House District, called for the repeal of the SAFE-T Act in a Facebook post this week. He is set to challenge incumbent Democrat Anthony DeLuca in the forthcoming general election.

"While we acknowledge the presumption persons accused of crimes are “innocent until proven guilty,” the safety of the public must be paramount," said Beaty, Candidate, according to Facebook. "The other two suspects in this case were ordered held, however due to err by counsel, lack of scope as seen by the judge, or a combination of the two, this suspect is ordered released. This is another instance that proves the SAFE-T Act does not have sufficient safeguards and needs to be repealed."

In his social media post, Beaty cited an article from the Rockford Register Star and used it to spotlight the case of a Rockford man. The man, suspected of being involved in a gang-related murder in 2023, would be released under the Pretrial Fairness Act.

Screenshot of Adam Beaty for State Representative March 28 Facebook post | Adam Beaty for State Represntative Facebook page

According to MyStateline.com, Marcus Copeland Jr., 25, is charged with first-degree murder following the death of Joshua Ewing. Authorities issued a warrant for Copeland's arrest on March 12, and he was apprehended ten days later. On March 25, Judge Debra Schafer granted Copeland's request for release during a pretrial fairness hearing. His arraignment is scheduled for April 24.

Joshua Ewing, aged 26 at his death, was shot and killed on February 9, 2023. WREX.com reports that witnesses saw a passenger in a white SUV firing out of the window towards Ewing's car at the intersection of 1st Ave and Charles Street on that day.

In an article published by WREX.com on February 10, 2023, Charles Ewing spoke about his son Joshua. "He was an awesome son, loving brother, and incredible father. He loved his kids dearly. He would do anything for them, and not just them. Josh would do anything for anybody. He would give you the shirt off his back and not ask you a question about it," said Charles Ewing about his son's character.

The SAFE-T Act or House Bill 3653 was approved in 2021 and has since been amended multiple times. According to an article explaining the Act on NBC5, the bill introduced a range of changes to police training and accountability, as well as the rights of detainees and prisoners. The Act included the elimination of cash bail and mandated that police officers wear body cameras by 2025. It also allows courts to deviate from mandatory minimum sentencing and shortens mandatory supervised release periods for specific crimes.