Girl's Murder Inspires Domestic Violence Bill

The death of a 17-year-old high school student has inspired a new bill focusing on domestic violence.

Kaitlyn Sudberry was gunned down by her boyfriend in January of 2008, and now her mother is making a plea to state lawmakers. She's saying change the law, before something like this happens again.

Some relationships do not meet the state law's definition of domestic violence. Domestic violence must involve people who are married, have a child, or are related by blood.

In Kaity's case, her mother couldn't get an order of protection for her.

When Kaity broke off her first love with Daniel Byrd, he harassed her at school. Police told Kaity's mom Bobbi that Daniel threatened to kill Kaity and himself.

"Kaity was beautiful and intelligent and a loving young lady with her whole life ahead of her," said Bobbi Sudberry. "He had put a bullet behind her left ear."

A few days after Bobbi filled out an injunction against the harassment, Daniel shot and killed Kaity and committed suicide.

A new bill called Kaity's Law would add romantic and sexual relationships to the definition of domestic violence.

"Had it been in law in January of 2008, it may well have played a key part in preventing the murder of my daughter. Daniel would have been taken into custody and quite possibly could have been stopped from murdering Kaity."

Bobbi hopes the change would help protect younger people in relationships.