Bredesen signs bill on police notification of campus rapes, deaths

Called the “Robert ‘Robbie’ Nottingham Campus Crime Scene Investigation Act of 2004,” the bill is named in honor of an East Tennessee State University student found dead a year ago on the sidewalk in front of his on-campus apartment.

Campus police determined Nottingham committed suicide by jumping from a second-story balcony. His parents believe foul play was involved and say campus authorities botched their investigation into his death.

“It’s a wonderful day,” Robert Nottingham’s father, Jim Nottingham of Kingsport, said after the signing. “A tragic event, but a wonderful day.

“Hopefully — though time will tell — this will make college campuses safer.”

The Nottinghams made several trips from their Kingsport home to Nashville lobbying for the legislation, which was approved unanimously last month by the House and Senate.

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On the Net:

Read Senate Bill 2797/House Bill 2753: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us