When the punishment does not fit the crime - Wow

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 3:30pm

3 people died in an arson fire at Seton Hall, and the two who were responsible get 5 years. I just don't get it.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/26/nyregion/26cnd-seton.html?hp&ex=1169874000&en=56b5dcc8864bb4b5&ei=5094&partner=homepage

[DayDreamer]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 3:35pm

Even more stinging with the Genarlow Wilson thread... 10 years for consensual oral sex vs 5 years and could be eligible for parole after 16 months for this.

Man.

Something is truly wrong in this country.

[WalkOn]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 3:39pm

I was truly shocked when I heard the sentence was only 5 years. And how much of that time are they actually going to serve?

[Anakela]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 3:52pm

I can't decide which part is the worst: the eligible for parole in 16 months for killing three people, the charges of obstruction, witness tampering and lying to investigators that were dropped against the relatives/friends of these men who were (allegedly) doing just that, the charges of murder that were dropped against the men themselves, etc.

But I think the worst of the bunch might be this statement from their lawyers, when requesting to have limitations on what those injured in this fire, and the relatives of those killed in this fire, limitations on what they were and were not allowed to say in court before the sentencing:

"The plea placed on the record was carefully tailored to avoid an implication defendants' actions resulted in any injury or death," the lawyers wrote. "To allow people who were injured or suffered a loss to cast blame upon defendants for injuries or death never contemplated within the plea would confuse the process and severely prejudice defendants."

Yep, since they 'only' pled guilty to arson, that means that they didn't really kill or injure anyone in this fire that killed three people and injured 54 others. How dare the court allow those who were injured or suffered a loss in this fire to say that they were injured or suffered a loss? The nerve! (/sarcasm off)
Judge asked to limit victims' comments

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 4:33pm

Good god... I am so disappointed in our court system.