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1995 SESSION

LD3342126
HOUSE BILL NO. 1578
Offered January 11, 1995
A BILL for the relief of Barbara Jacobs.
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Patrons--Barlow; Senator: Quayle
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Referred to Committee on Claims
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Whereas, on February 2, 1990, Barbara Jacobs’ husband, Mike Jacobs, was murdered by a man named Midgette whom Mike Jacobs supervised, after Midgette lured Mike Jacobs to a remote construction site in Chesapeake; and

Whereas, during the course of the murder trial in the fall of 1991, Barbara Jacobs learned for the first time that both she and her husband were on a hit list prepared by Midgette; and

Whereas, Midgette was found not guilty of the murder charge by reason of insanity and sent to Central State Hospital, near Petersburg; and

Whereas, on April 23, 1994, Midgette escaped from Central State Hospital; and

Whereas, shortly after his escape, Barbara Jacobs became aware that the State Police had learned of Midgette’s hit list approximately two weeks before her husband was murdered and had failed to notify either Barbara or Mike Jacobs of their potential danger, so that they might take great precautions to protect themselves; and

Whereas, after consulting with the State Police, Barbara Jacobs, her daughter Lisa Jacobs Noel, and Lisa’s husband, Gregory Noel, were forced to partially or fully stop working and flee their home due to fear that Midgette would return to kill Barbara Jacobs; and

Whereas, Barbara Jacobs and her family remained on the road, staying at a different home each night, until Midgette was recaptured on June 1, 1994; and

Whereas, concerned with the circumstances surrounding the matter, Governor George Allen met with Barbara Jacobs and her family in mid-July 1994; and

Whereas, although Barbara Jacobs has contacted numerous attorneys throughout the state to represent her in her claim against the Commonwealth, all declined to represent her; and

Whereas, because of the State Police’s failure to notify the Jacobses of the serious danger Midgette posed to them, and the subsequent negligence of Central State Hospital in providing adequate security, Barbara Jacobs has suffered tremendous personal and financial loss; and

Whereas, Barbara Jacobs has no other means to obtain relief except by action of this body; now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. § 1. That there is hereby appropriated from the general fund of the state treasury, the sum of $500,000 for the relief of Barbara Jacobs to be paid by check issued by the State Treasurer on warrant of the Comptroller to Barbara Jacobs upon a release by her of all claims against the Commonwealth and its political subdivisions, agencies, instrumentalities, officers, or employees in connection with, or arising out of, the aforesaid occurrence.