Pa. Lawmaker Says He'll Rewrite 'Mental Anguish' Law, If Necessary

By Tony Romeo

HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) -- The sponsor of a Pennsylvania law aimed at preventing offenders from causing mental anguish to crime victims and their loved ones says he'll write a new bill, if necessary, now that a federal judge has ruled that the law violates free speech.

The law was enacted last year quickly after Mumia Abu-Jamal gave a recorded commencement address to a Vermont college. A federal judge has now sided with opponents who challenged the law, saying it was overly broad and that legislators "fell woefully short of the mark." The lawmaker who sponsored the legislation, Montgomery County House Republican Mike Vereb, says he'll rewrite the measure if necessary.

"With a decision by the judge and an opinion so broad," Vereb says, "we have to pick through the pieces and try to redraft, if necessary."

(Romeo): "Do you think you can do that successfully, though, if you have to?"

"I absolutely am very confident that we can be successful for our victims," Vereb says, "rewrite a law that will meet constitutional muster in the terms of the judge's opinion."

In the meantime, Vereb will wait to see if Attorney General Kathleen Kane will appeal the ruling. Her spokesman says Kane is reviewing the judge's opinion.