Mother Of Slain Pregnant Woman Pushes For Vote On Fetus Death Bill

Eyewitness News followed the clacking sounds of high heels on the marble floors of the Statehouse and the echoes of a victim's mother determined to get justice.

Gaston County native Michelle Dye held high a state bill and confronted the judiciary committee chair, Rep. Deborah Ross.

"And if you don't allow this to be voted on," Dye urged, "you have not seen the last of me. I will be your worst nightmare."

Dye is on a personal mission to pass a bill that would allow prosecutors to charge a person who knowingly kills a pregnant woman with two counts of murder, one for the death of the mother and one for the death of the unborn child. In the past few years, similar measures have died in the committee that Ross now heads. The latest bill was sent to that committee again.

Ross, who had just stepped out of a meeting, explained that she understood the bill Dye is fighting for, but Dye lifted a finger and said, "Let me finish." Pointing to the two parents standing next to her she continued, "All three of our daughters died."

Dye, a nurse, admits she is not a spokeswoman or lobbyist. She said she found her purpose this summer. Her daughter, Lucy Johnson, also a nurse and a mother of two, was shot twice in the back of the head. Her home outside of Gastonia was burned with her body inside.

Johnson was 15 weeks pregnant with her fiancé Mike Mead's son. Mead was charged with murder, but by law no one can be charged with murder in the death of a fetus unless the child is born and dies as a result of injuries suffered in the womb.

"My daughter's death won't be in vain," Dye said.

Early Wednesday, she joined Catawba County Rep. Mark Hilton and other parents of pregnant mothers who were killed and whose fetuses died. Hilton sponsored the bill. He said 35 other states have passed laws allowing a conviction for the murder of an unborn fetus.

"This is the only state in the Southeast that doesn't have this," Hilton said. "It's about justice."

Hilton said the bill hasn't come to a vote because of partisan politics. He said Democrats and supporters of pro-choice fear the measure would water down the woman's right to choose.

"The woman still has that right," he said.

He said the bill will punish those who try to take that right from her and will not impact anyone who decides to abort a pregnancy.

The measure would have to be passed in committee before it can be considered by the General Assembly.

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