# Bloke assaults woman on flight - now faces life in prison - is this excessive? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 19, 2018, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bloke-assaults-woman-on-flight-now-faces-life-in-prison-is-this-excessive/819872 "2018-08-19T15:32:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2018, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bloke-assaults-woman-on-flight-now-faces-life-in-prison-is-this-excessive/819872/21 "2018-08-20T05:03:29Z")
I wouldn’t object if the guy got life in prison. What he did was disgusting, and with his wife so near. She should get some kind of time too, for perjury, lying to help him. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2018, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bloke-assaults-woman-on-flight-now-faces-life-in-prison-is-this-excessive/819872/22 "2018-08-20T06:56:42Z")
> [@Nawth\_Chucka](#): > > Juries don’t decide sentence terms in the US, I don’t think. They do in some places, like Texas, which is where this happened: > [@PastTense](#): > > Naturally it’s different if you are a doctor: > > > [@](#): > > > > A Houston doctor who was convicted of raping a patient in her hospital bed while she was sedated was sentenced to 10 years probation but no jail time Friday. > > > > Dr, Shafeeq Sheikh, 46, an internal medical resident who was on call at Ben Taub Hospital that night, was charged with the assault in 2015. The Texas Medical Board revoked his license after the arrest. > > [Texas doctor will not serve jail time for raping patient in her hospital room in 2013](https://www.dallasnews.com/news/texas/2018/08/19/texas-doctor-will-not-serve-jail-time-raping-patient-hospital-room-2013) It was the jury that found Sheikh guilty, but recommended no prison time at all. I wonder if they were swayed by the perp’s lawyer, who said this during closing arguments: > [@](#): > > “He made a mistake, but he didn’t sexually assault her,” Andrews told jurors during her closing argument, the Chronicle reported. “Here we have this Latina woman with her fake boobs that came on to that little nerdy middle-aged guy and he lost his mind.” What a class act! ---
**Author:** ![mandala](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mandala/32/95_2.png) [@mandala](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mandala)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2018, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bloke-assaults-woman-on-flight-now-faces-life-in-prison-is-this-excessive/819872/23 "2018-08-23T00:53:43Z")
> [@Baker](#): > > I wouldn’t object if the guy got life in prison. What he did was disgusting, and with his wife so near. She should get some kind of time too, for perjury, lying to help him. IMVHO the lifer should be reserved for more heinous crimes. Though his act technically qualifies as rape, it was not violent or premeditated (do these qualify as mitigating factors?) Besides the taxpayers would have to feed him for the next 40 years. And he’s anyways going to get deported on completion of the sentence, so rehab is not a concern. Now if the victim were a minor I would totally agree a lifer is appropriate. I am wondering if the wife will also be sentenced - it is amazing she did not notice her husband’s naughty business seated right next to him. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2018, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bloke-assaults-woman-on-flight-now-faces-life-in-prison-is-this-excessive/819872/24 "2018-08-23T02:02:11Z")
Let’s compromise. Deport him and his lying wife halfway back to India. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2018, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bloke-assaults-woman-on-flight-now-faces-life-in-prison-is-this-excessive/819872/25 "2018-08-23T02:32:12Z")
> [@mandala](#): > > I am wondering if the wife will also be sentenced - it is amazing she did not notice her husband’s naughty business seated right next to him. How can she be sentenced? Nothing in the story even mentioned her being charged. You have to be charged with a crime, and convicted of a crime, before you can be sentenced. I’d add that this: > [@mandala](#): > > Though his act technically qualifies as rape, it was not violent or premeditated (do these qualify as mitigating factors?) is a rather problematic formulation. I think that unwanted sexual contact, including penetration, is violent by definition. We also have no real way of knowing the extent to which it was or was not premeditated. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2018, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bloke-assaults-woman-on-flight-now-faces-life-in-prison-is-this-excessive/819872/26 "2018-08-23T03:03:03Z")
> [@mandala](#): > > IMVHO the lifer should be reserved for more heinous crimes. Though his act technically qualifies as rape, it was not violent or premeditated (do these qualify as mitigating factors?) “Premeditation” does not require extensive planning or a long period of time. It only requires sufficient time to form intent, consider the consequences, and act. They sat together for a flight and he waited until she was asleep in hopes of getting away with it. That’s premeditated. > **[What is premeditated and deliberate conduct?](https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/what-premeditated-deliberate-conduct.html)** > > A Criminal Defense article by Leigh Segars. ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2018, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bloke-assaults-woman-on-flight-now-faces-life-in-prison-is-this-excessive/819872/27 "2018-08-23T11:33:28Z")
> [@mandala](#): > > IMVHO the lifer should be reserved for more heinous crimes. Though his act \*\*technically qualifies \*\*as rape, it was not violent or premeditated (do these qualify as mitigating factors?). [emphasis mine] He stuck something up her vagina without her consent. That’s rape. ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2018, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bloke-assaults-woman-on-flight-now-faces-life-in-prison-is-this-excessive/819872/28 "2018-08-23T12:13:23Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > But really, brown guy assaults white woman and gets overly harsh sentence. Is this really shocking news? Where did you read that she is white? ---
**Author:** ![Aspidistra](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspidistra/32/3894_2.png) [@Aspidistra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspidistra)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2018, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bloke-assaults-woman-on-flight-now-faces-life-in-prison-is-this-excessive/819872/29 "2018-08-23T12:33:35Z")
> [@mandala](#): > > I am wondering if the wife will also be sentenced - it is amazing she did not notice her husband’s naughty business seated right next to him. Do we know that she was awake? I mean, if he managed to get as far as he got before even the victim noticed, it doesn’t necessarily surprise me that the person on the other side of him could have been oblivious. Lying about it to cover up for him afterwards is obviously a pretty sorry act, of course ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2018, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bloke-assaults-woman-on-flight-now-faces-life-in-prison-is-this-excessive/819872/30 "2018-08-23T21:43:28Z")
> [@mandala](#): > > IMVHO the lifer should be reserved for more heinous crimes. Though his act technically qualifies as rape, it was not violent or premeditated (do these qualify as mitigating factors?) I _was_ premeditated. It _was_ rape. This is precisely the kind of crime that deserves harsh punishment and long sentences. You seem to be as oblivious as this criminal’s wife in understanding that it is wrong to stick your finger in people uninvited–even if that other person is a second-class citizen, like a women. Your thread title should be, “Bloke rapes sleeping passenger on flight…” Life in prison is not excessive. ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2018, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bloke-assaults-woman-on-flight-now-faces-life-in-prison-is-this-excessive/819872/31 "2018-08-23T22:19:03Z")
Yes, it is excessive. By far. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2018, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bloke-assaults-woman-on-flight-now-faces-life-in-prison-is-this-excessive/819872/32 "2018-08-23T22:33:11Z")
For all those who think the this rapist should get less than life I want to ask, how many times have you been raped? Either by threat of violence, or when you were asleep or drugged? ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2018, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bloke-assaults-woman-on-flight-now-faces-life-in-prison-is-this-excessive/819872/33 "2018-08-23T23:11:12Z")
> [@clairobscur](#): > > Yes, it is excessive. By far. What is a more reasonable sentence for rape, in your opinion? ---
**Author:** ![begbert2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/begbert2/32/3357_2.png) [@begbert2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/begbert2)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2018, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bloke-assaults-woman-on-flight-now-faces-life-in-prison-is-this-excessive/819872/34 "2018-08-23T23:25:43Z")
I’ll just wait until the guy is actually sentenced before failing to be outraged at his sentence, thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2018, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bloke-assaults-woman-on-flight-now-faces-life-in-prison-is-this-excessive/819872/35 "2018-08-23T23:30:24Z")
> [@mandala](#): > > So this guy [sexually assaults](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/dr-gridlock/wp/2018/08/18/jury-convicts-man-for-sexually-assaulting-a-woman-on-a-plane-as-his-wife-sat-next-to-him/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.94bc1a980473) a young woman on a Spirit Airlines flight. He gets convicted for it, and while sentencing has not happened yet, it is possible this guy is sentenced to life in prison. The article is behind a paywall for me but in principle I have no objection to this. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2018, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bloke-assaults-woman-on-flight-now-faces-life-in-prison-is-this-excessive/819872/36 "2018-08-23T23:36:58Z")
He’s not going to get a life sentence, reportorial hype not withstanding. ---
**Author:** ![Nawth\_Chucka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c57346/32.png) [@Nawth\_Chucka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nawth_Chucka)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2018, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bloke-assaults-woman-on-flight-now-faces-life-in-prison-is-this-excessive/819872/37 "2018-08-23T23:37:07Z")
> [@begbert2](#): > > I’ll just wait until the guy is actually sentenced before failing to be outraged at his sentence, thanks. This deserves a flow chart. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2018, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bloke-assaults-woman-on-flight-now-faces-life-in-prison-is-this-excessive/819872/38 "2018-08-24T00:25:36Z")
> [@Baker](#): > > For all those who think the this rapist should get less than life I want to ask, how many times have you been raped? Either by threat of violence, or when you were asleep or drugged? Once. Some might say twice. > [@Bear\_Nenno](#): > > What is a more reasonable sentence for rape, in your opinion? Five to twenty years, in general. Rape is assault, not murder, and the sooner we stop aggrandizing it because it involves genitalia, it easier it will be for prosecutors to get convictions and victims to recover emotionally. I’ve been assaulted a couple of times, too. Pain for pain, rape is worse. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2018, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bloke-assaults-woman-on-flight-now-faces-life-in-prison-is-this-excessive/819872/39 "2018-08-24T05:44:10Z")
> [@Banquet\_Bear](#): > > …there are people in America serving [life](https://edition.cnn.com/2014/09/02/opinion/vanita-gupta-marijuana-life-sentence/index.html)-[in](https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/14/opinion/outrageous-sentences-for-marijuana.html)-[prison](https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2015/07/life-sentence-marijuana-pot-prison-commuted/) for much-much less than this. The whole system is just plain fucked up. Not disagreeing that the sentencing might be overly harsh but there is one sure-fire way to avoid it. Don’t break laws where the possible sentence is life. ---
**Author:** ![Banquet\_Bear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banquet_bear/32/373_2.png) [@Banquet\_Bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banquet_Bear)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2018, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bloke-assaults-woman-on-flight-now-faces-life-in-prison-is-this-excessive/819872/40 "2018-08-24T07:17:22Z")
> [@Lucas\_Jackson](#): > > Not disagreeing that the sentencing might be overly harsh but there is one sure-fire way to avoid it. Don’t break laws where the possible sentence is life. …an even better solution: don’t have laws on the books that make it mandatory to put somebody behind bars for the rest of their natural life for growing three dozen marijuana plants in their backyard. Because any country that does allow that to happen is all sorts of fucked up. And its even more fucked up that it happens and nobody seems to care. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bloke-assaults-woman-on-flight-now-faces-life-in-prison-is-this-excessive/819872.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bloke-assaults-woman-on-flight-now-faces-life-in-prison-is-this-excessive/819872.md?page=3)