Joe Brucia joins a Web site in calling for violent criminals to be kept behind bars longer.
By CURTIS KRUEGER
Published March 18, 2004
Joe Brucia, the still-grieving father of 11-year-old Carlie Brucia, has joined forces with a Web site in calling for judges and lawmakers to keep violent criminals behind bars longer.
Saying the justice system "failed miserably in protecting my daughter, Carlie," Brucia recently released a statement to the CodeAmber.org Web site. It says sexual predators and other criminals must stay behind bars longer because, "We cannot allow another family to endure this unspeakable tragedy."
Carlie was walking home to her mother and stepfather's house last month in Sarasota when she was abducted. The abduction was captured on a surveillance video as she walked behind a car wash. Her body was found a few days later.
Joseph P. Smith, an auto mechanic with a history of arrests, has been charged in connection with her slaying. Smith, who has entered a not guilty plea, was on probation for drug possession at the time of Carlie's abduction.
While on probation, Smith tested positive for cocaine use, but his probation was not revoked because he had gone back into drug treatment. Smith did not pay court fees, but a judge said he could not legally revoke Smith's probation unless he saw evidence Smith "willfully" refused to pay.
"When he violated his parole, in my opinion, not enough care went into studying the violations and his pattern, his criminal behavior," Brucia said in a telephone interview.
The Florida Legislature is considering a measure to stiffen penalties for violent criminals who violate the terms of their probation.
The CodeAmber Web site, which sends electronic alerts about abducted children to people via computer, is monitoring that and other legislation and will advocate for measures that keep career criminals and sexual offenders locked up longer, spokeswoman Linda Spagnoli said.
"We're giving (Joe Brucia) the backing of an organization that's already in place. We are extremely visible," she said.
Brucia said he's not sure of the specifics of what legislation would most help prevent a repeat offender. "I'm not an expert in these matters. I never looked into them until just recently. It's not my line of work," he said.
But he said he feels strongly that something must be done.
"I think they need to keep these guys behind bars."
Smith should not have been treated "as though all he had was a drug problem," Brucia said, because he had a previous record of violence. Smith was convicted of aggravated battery for hitting a 21-year-old woman in the head with his motorcycle helmet in 1993. He once was arrested for trying to abduct a Manatee County woman, but a jury acquitted him.
"I don't think it takes a highly educated or prudent man to see that this guy obviously doesn't belong on the streets," Brucia said.
Brucia is a construction superintendent who lives in New York.
