This is the pit so I guess staying on topic isn’t too big of a deal, but I would like to stay on topic somewhat, so let’s not have this turn into a religious debate.
I just follow my interpretations of scripture, and that leads me to understand everyone is entitled to salvation (and I truly believe and wish everyone could get said salvation) and from that same scripture I understand that one shouldn’t taint oneself with hatred simply because of the terrible actions of another person.
I want to second this. The pizza guy wasn’t a mandated reporter, he wasn’t a teacher or a school nurse or anything like that, but he saw something that wasn’t right and he took the time to report it, rather than assuming someone else would take care of it or rationalizing it away. People like this balance out bastards like Padilla.
Broomstick
Somehow I had a feeling I’d get a reply from you.
Anyway, you stated:
“[Leopold’s] conduct in prison was extraordinary. And I also mentioned I didn’t completely condone giving him parole. I was raising the point that he was an extremely unusual individual and that in his particular case an alteration in sentence 33 years after it was handed down may have been called for.”
Too bad Bobby Franks (the 14 year old murder victim) never had a chance to show what an exceptional person he might have been.
Well, in Texas certain serious offenses (called “3g” offenses) aren’t eligible for parole until a goodly amount of time is served, at least 40 years for capital murder and 30 for other sentences over 60 years. It looks like his capital murder and his aggravated sexual assault cases were stacked, so he’ll have to serve 70 years before being eligible. So he’ll most likely die in prison.
I have to agree with Windwalker here. I think the guy may have some serious issues with right and wrong. Remember the (for lack of a better word) “mother” who left her kids in the car to roast while she got her hair done? She had all kinds of excuses and lies about how it happened and wasn’t her fault. This guy just took her to the hospital and admitted what he did.
I guess I’m rambling, but I don’t think he’s evil. Just a sociopath with no sense of what is right and wrong. Either way he should be kept far, far away from other people.
True. That is WHY the two men were convicted of a crime…
I should also point out that if you continue to be a badass, out-of-control monster in prison your sentence can be INCREASED, and additional punishments like solitary confinement added to the original sentence. So it’s not like the original sentence for any crime is some sort inviolate, never-changing thing. One’s conduct in prison DOES count, even when sentenced to life.
Loeb died in prision because he got involved in fights (stabbed to death in a bathroom, wasn’t he?) and continued to be a violent, anti-social person. Leopold lived out his natural lifespan because he didn’t provoke others or continue to use violence.
As for the OP - yes, it’s utterly horrific, but I don’t think it was as much a matter of premeditated murder or intent to harm as much as this man was so fucking ignorant of what constitutes being a parent that he was a danger to any child in the vicinity. That does not excuse his actions, but while what he did was vile it’s not quite in the same league as a pedophile who kidnaps children and delibrately tortures them to death.
Broomstick
I think we have both raised some interesting points and maybe it is time to call an end to this “debate within a debate”. (Heck, I started the darned thing). Actually, our views on this issue seem to be somewhat similar but I’ll admit I’m much more vindictive and unforgiving.
??? They are? Sorry, I don’t agree on that point. Just ask a victim, I think they’re right up there with this guy.
At any rate, I totally disagree with the death penalty, NOT from any bleeding heart BS, but because then the criminals are getting off too easy. It’s a great thing when they have to think about what they’ve done, for the rest of their lives. And it doesn’t exactly break my heart that other inmates “remind” them of their crimes from time to time.
The article did say that there was evidence of sexual assault. And yes, no matter how bad a crime is, there’s always something worse. That treads no water with me.