Local mom on a mission to change a state law in memory of her only son

LANSING, Mich. ( wxyz) - Shawn D'Annunzio is hoping to change a Michigan law in memory of her son Brandon.

It's all about the statute of limitations on the crime of manslaughter.

Brandon D'Annunzio was assaulted outside a bar in East Lansing more than 11 years ago. He hit his head on concrete and died in the hospital days later.

Last year police got a solid tip about the person who did it but there was a problem. Ten years had passed, the statute of limitations had expired, and no one could be arrested.

Shawn, with the help of Senator Rick Jones is trying to change the statute. 

She testified before a Senate committee and Senator Jones says he thinks a law will pass that will up the statute of limitations from 10 years to 20 for manslaughter, kidnapping and attempted murder.

It could pass by the end of the year.

Shawn says while it won't change things for her, she hopes to spare others the pain she has been feeling, the heartache she has been going through for more than 11 years.

Shawn says she is proud that she is doing this for Brandon but knows it won't bring him back. Still she says "when the law passes, when the Governor signs it, it's going to be one of the happiest days of my life."