Assemblywoman Donna Ferrara (R,C-Westbury) recently said that Robert Williams, one of the five gunman who raped, sexually assaulted and shot customers at the Seacrest Diner in 1982, might not be on the street today if an Assembly Republican proposal for civil confinement of sexually violent predators had become law.

"Brutal rapist Robert Williams, released from prison on June 28, is a Level 3 sex offender - the highest risk to attack again," Ferrara said. "Williams took part in what has been called 'the most violent and obscene crime spree in the history of Nassau County.' If our proposal were law, he would not have been set free only 20 years after being convicted of such heinous crimes; he would be committed to a secure mental institution, where he belongs."

Assembly Republicans first introduced legislation in 1993 that would allow sexually violent predators to be involuntarily committed to a mental hospital after completion of their prison sentence if they are deemed a threat to society. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Jan. 2001 that civil confinement is constitutional and does not violate the rights of sexual predators.

The Assembly GOP bill is supported by Governor George Pataki, and the state Senate has passed similar legislation. Assembly Democrats have blocked the measure from coming to the floor for a vote, the lawmaker said.

"It's hard to imagine a more disgusting crime than what occurred at the Seacrest Diner. Our community is still reeling from this tragedy. This case is another example of why we need civil confinement in New York to keep our citizens safe," said Ferrara.