July 19, 2012 (FALMOUTH) House lawmakers have passed an overhaul of the state's criminal sentencing laws.

It would bar parole for three-time violent offenders while reducing some mandatory minimum sentences for drug offenders.
            
The so-called "three strikes" provision has been championed by Les Gosule. His daughter Melissa Gosule was murdered in 1999 by Michael Gentile of falmouth.  

Gentile offered Gosule a ride after her car broke down near the Cape Cod Canal -- then raped and killed her.
 
Critics of the habitual offender measure argue it will disproportionately target minority groups.