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Man mistakenly released from prison asks judge to reduce his 98-year sentence
- Thread starter Dalek
- Start date
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Pizza con salsiccia
Banned
No chance, Obama does not care about stuff like this.
I don't want to derail discussion too much because the focus should be on the grossly inflated sentence this man received, but this is an interesting question.
In most Western countries, violent crime is defined as either the use of force or threat of force, though I think judges can take factors like not loading the gun when sentencing.
Mammoth Jones
Member
The entire point of jail is to rehabitate. If that's been achieved he should go in peace. Doubly so if no one was harmed.
But don't get it twisted...armed robbery ain't no fucking joke. He fucked up his life for sure with that nonsense.
But don't get it twisted...armed robbery ain't no fucking joke. He fucked up his life for sure with that nonsense.
Obama caring to do it or not doesn't matter in this case. Its not a federal crime, its a state crime, so the state Governor would be the one to pardon him.
He was on parole when he left prison. That's the doubly messed up part.
It's not like the state didn't know where he was or what he was doing that whole time.
Only for Federal crimes.
Maybe you should do some basic research before making a drive-by shitpost. Obama literally can't pardon someone for a state conviction.
But hey, facts don't matter when you can make a partisan dig, amirite?
Emerson
May contain jokes =>
Armed robbery is a violent crime. The threat of murder is clearly violence. Have you ever had a gun pointed in your face? Even if the gun was unloaded (I see no evidence it was, just his claim which is not especially reliable), this doesn't make any difference to the victim who never knew that.
The sentence still seems completely excessive.
The sentence still seems completely excessive.
Angry Grimace
Two cannibals are eating a clown. One turns to the other and says "does something taste funny to you?"
If I got mistakenly released from a sentence like that, I'd first check with a lawyer to see if they screwed up, and then my ass would drive straight to Mexico.
My first thought. The judicial system in America is fucked up, and this is pre-Trump.
This was my main takeaway from this, it's an impressive feat and the best case scenario for someone getting out of jail, it's what you'd ideally want a released felon to accomplish after rehabilitation, a new chance at life.
Frozenprince
Banned
They are gonna lock him back up and ensure he never sniffs freedom again for the rest of his life.
Mark it down now.
Mark it down now.
ClosingADoor
Member
God damn. I'm mostly in favor of harsh punishment and think people here get off too easily a lot of times. But 98 years?! For a robbery where nobody got hurt? Surely that is just like 5 years max.
Similar case happened in Missouri. In his case he never went to prison and 13 years later the state realized the error and locked him up. He never committed a crime during that 13 years and the judge agreed (along with the victim).
http://www.riverfronttimes.com/stlouis/an-oversight-allowed-a-convicted-man-to-walk-free-for-thirteen-years-now-the-justice-system-wants-to-restart-the-clock/Content?oid=2506702
Edit: to show how messed up sentencing is, this case was also armed robbery and he received 13 years
http://www.riverfronttimes.com/stlouis/an-oversight-allowed-a-convicted-man-to-walk-free-for-thirteen-years-now-the-justice-system-wants-to-restart-the-clock/Content?oid=2506702
Edit: to show how messed up sentencing is, this case was also armed robbery and he received 13 years
Barack Lesnar
Banned
The part that stuck out for me while reading this was about his spotless record for 5 years while on parole. This fellow started at the bottom of the totem pole when he got out with a minimum wage job... worked his arse off to get a union job with better pay and benefits. Then he got married, bought a house(!!!!), and had kids.... 5 years spotless record. This man is rehabilitated and served enough time for his mistake when he was still a teen... AND you have proof that he wouldn't cause more trouble... 5 years spotless record, a good job, a house, a family...
this should be an open and shut thing...
The only conflict is there were 2 other perpetrators? What would happen to them? I'm sensing that could be the hold up.
this should be an open and shut thing...
The only conflict is there were 2 other perpetrators? What would happen to them? I'm sensing that could be the hold up.
The fuck dude?
LucidMomentum
Member
Hopefully people care a bout that, but with how the justice system is in the U.S., I doubt it.
CountAntonius
Member
This is fucking ridiculous.
Obliterator
Member
He should absolutely be released. The original sentence he was given is WAY too severe. When I saw the sentence my first thought was it had to be murder.
Yeah I'm honestly surprised he didn't bail out of the country instantly
Yeah I'm honestly surprised he didn't bail out of the country instantly
Rentahamster
Rodent Whores
Our criminal justice system is really stupid sometimes in how it emphasizes punishment over rehabilitation. I'm sure Jesus would approve.
Yeah pretty much this.
There's no reason from what I've read that the other people should be serving essentially life in prison for this.
starchild excalibur
Member
This is clearly a case where the guy has turned his life around (not to mention how excessive his original sentencing was). Whether he's forced to go back and resume his original sentencing in full speaks loudly about whether our justice system exists to rehabilitate criminals or merely to punish them for our own satisfaction.
Who am I kidding? There are many people who would proudly endorse the latter type of system.
Who am I kidding? There are many people who would proudly endorse the latter type of system.
I've been robbed at gunpoint before; I was not struck or injured.. but to me it was a violent crime. People pointing guns in your face are also likely loudly threatening you; it's an assault by most law definitions (just not battery.)
People have nightmares and anxiety issues after such incidents.
Having said all that 98 years is ridiculous.
People have nightmares and anxiety issues after such incidents.
Having said all that 98 years is ridiculous.
Is there some sort of "snooze and you loose " law. Like, they let him out because someone somewhere didn't dot their i's or cross their T's correctly. So, he's out of jail and clearly rehabilitated , why not keep him there. If anything he's an example of the prison system doing what it's supposed to do - rehabilitate an individual for re-entry into society.
For the record, maybe his former partner in crime should be put on parole too. I mean, I'd change my tune if their robbery had resulted in loss of life but it didn't. Scared the shit out of some poor clerks sure but you can't really make up for big mistakes like that being stuck in prison for 100 years.
For the record, maybe his former partner in crime should be put on parole too. I mean, I'd change my tune if their robbery had resulted in loss of life but it didn't. Scared the shit out of some poor clerks sure but you can't really make up for big mistakes like that being stuck in prison for 100 years.
foxuzamaki
Doesn't read OPs, especially not his own
He robbed some stores and didn't hurt anybody while doing it? And was given a life sentence?!
starchild excalibur
Member
Absolutely. Regardless of whether the gun was empty or not, it was still a violent crime. But yeah, the sentencing is still egregious especially when you have cases like these where they get off scot-free.
98 years for a couple of non-violent robberies by a dumb 19 year old, bloody hell. The US "justice" system really is a mess, huh? And I imagine there will be plenty of other convictions that have been made that are just as ridiculous. The 10 he served is already a long time imo. He then came out, stayed out of trouble, and got a steady job and started a family. Sounds like a successful case of rehabilitation. One that they want to completely throw away not in the name of justice, or public safety. But to severely punish, to incite fear into the public, and at a great cost. Just straight up cruel and unnecessary.
gutter_trash
Banned
well said
CornBurrito
Member
Hint: Prisons are profitable.
RustyNails
Member
If you're a black male, the american court system adds a 30x multiplier to your sentence.
bobbychalkers
Member
The judicial system continues to be aint shit
Monocle
Member
Sadistic bullshit. It should be illegal to steal away someone's life like that.
Even better if they're innocent, I say. Gotta keep the plebs in line!
Bear in mind, it was Jesus who said: "Let he who is without sin take up that bushel of rocks over there and rain on a motherfucker."
Hierophant
Banned
Lol you could straight up ice someone on the street and get less
Monocle
Member
If you're orange enough and lie loudly enough, you could get nothing at all!
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