Assemblyman Steve Labriola has announced he is sponsoring legislation that will bar convicted felons from legally changing their names and identities.

"Convicted felons should not be granted privileged rights they clearly do not deserve," said Labriola. The public has an absolute right to know the true identity of convicted felons, whether locked up or residing in our communities."

Labriola said the legislation is in response to a petition by a State Supreme Court justice in Clinton County allowing convicted felon Mark John Christie to change his name to "Randy MacPherson." Christie is currently serving a 25 years to life sentence for abducting a 4-year-old girl in front of her home and then later strangling her to death.

"Several years ago we voted to implement Megan's law, which set up a statewide system for monitoring convicted child molesters and sex offenders," said Labriola. "Yet, in evidence of this recent court decision, a child killer has the ability to seek and receive a name change, cover his tracks and potentially strike again. Criminals should not be given this type of opportunity."

Labriola said Christie was seeking anonymity due to the high notoriety of his case.