Lack of Consequences

[layoutshooter]

One of the contributing factors to high crime rates are the lack of meaningful consequences when people are convicted of crimes.

On April 2nd, 2014, Steve Utash was beaten within inches of his life by a street mob in Detroit.

Five "people" have pleaded guilty in this beating. Two have been sentenced to, for the most part, nothing.

A 24 year old was given ONE YEAR in jail, but may be released during the day for work. A 19 year old was given 6 MONTHS in jail.

They also get probation and have to do some "touchy feely" stuff like finish high school and get drug testing.

Is that REALLY the proper sentence for almost beating a man to death? Mr. Utash spent more than a month in the hospital due to this beating. He is facing massive medical bills. He is life has be dramatically, and negatively, altered by this mob action, and our "justice system" has failed, again, to do anything of value.

Wayne county prosecutors may appeal the sentences and made this "understatement" on the subject.


"A spokesperson for the Wayne County Prosecutor's office released a statement saying, "The low sentences do not reflect the seriousness of the crime."

[h=3]Judge: Detroit mob beating sentences will stand[/h]
Judge: Detroit mob beating sentences will stand - Fox 2 News Headlines

 

[muttly]

It looks like they got off lightly. Here is some more info on this case, and at least part of the judge's reasoning behind the light sentence: We've all been 19 years of age.
Judge Sentences Detroit Teen Who Beat Man To Six Months In Jail | The Daily Caller

 

[aquitted]

Nobody gets away with anything you know karma? or what goes around comes around? how bout you reap what you sow? Also your sins will seek you out!
I have personally found these words to be true in my own life.

 

[layoutshooter]

No, I don't believe in karma. Everyone who commits a crime, should be punished. They should be punished in relation to the severity of the crime that they CHOSE to commit.

The assault on this driver was DELIBERATE and they have damaged this man for life. THEIR lives should be DELIBERATELY negatively altered, for the same length of time that the man they attacked was.

They got off with nothing for a horrible, unprovoked attack. The judge should be impeached.

 

[aquitted]

No, I don't believe in karma. Everyone who commits a crime, should be punished. They should be punished in relation to the severity of the crime that they CHOSE to commit.

The assault on this driver was DELIBERATE and they have damaged this man for life. THEIR lives should be DELIBERATELY negatively altered, for the same length of time that the man they attacked was.

They got off with nothing for a horrible, unprovoked attack. The judge should be impeached.

Sorry you don't believe in karma or God's word but have a nice day OK?

 

[layoutshooter]

Sorry you don't believe in karma or God's word but have a nice day OK?

What happens on earth is "Caesar's" business. God never took away Man's punishments for crimes committed. Man has the right to punish those who offend. Those who offend deserve punishment that fits the severity of the crime.

This wanton attack was a choice, it was not an accident. Those who assault should be punished. These horrible individuals were not.

 

[Turtle]

No, I don't believe in karma.

You don't believe in Karma?

Do you have a refer?

 

[layoutshooter]

You don't believe in Karma?

Do you have a refer?

No, I don't have refer. I might refer someone to a site or a resource. I have been referred . I have NO idea how to "have" a refer.

(sorry, it was just too hard to resist)

 

[layoutshooter]

It looks like they got off lightly. Here is some more info on this case, and at least part of the judge's reasoning behind the light sentence: We've all been 19 years of age.
Judge Sentences Detroit Teen Who Beat Man To Six Months In Jail | The Daily Caller

Yeah, I too was once 19. I committed no crimes, went in the army when called, and never assaulted anyone.

19 years old is an adult. They made a choice, of their own free will, to wantonly attack a man for no good reason. They got off with nothing for the drastic, and negative, impact on an innocent man's life. Being 19 is NO valid excuse.

 

[LDB]

The judge says he was influenced by age and other factors.

Maybe it was age and senile dementia or maybe it was just good old "feeling" rather than judging. In any event the judge is a lousy judge.

 

[Ragman]

Being 19 is NO valid excuse.

True.

In any event the judge is a lousy judge.

True.

FWIW, The general public in the Detroit metro area is absolutely livid with this sentence.

 

[cheri1122]

Supreme irony: the same folks who generally approve of "instant karma" [aka vigilante justice] are appalled that the perpetrators of such street justice [who happened to be wrong in their assessment of the situation] are not being sufficiently punished for their crime.
I don't want to think it's because the perps in this case are black, and the victim of their mistaken zeal for retribution is white, but in trying to picture the situation reversed, I have to wonder: if the victim was a black man beaten by angry white men who believed he was responsible for injuring a neighborhood child, who would they be defending here?

 

[cheri1122]

Contrary to the perception of some, crime has decreased in the past decade, according to the Justice Dept and the FBI, and is lower than it's been in the past 4 decades. The contention that it's a dangerous world in the neighborhood is just a fantasy, in most neighborhoods.
That said, I agree that this judge is wrong to grant leniency in this case, but there are judges who err in the opposite direction, too.
One judge does not a judicial system make.

 

[LDB]

As most likely one of "the same folks" referenced, it has zero to do with race and everything to do with bad judging. It also has nothing to do with vigilante-ism. It has to do with what happened in the courtroom of a dumb judge, perhaps dumber than dirt, who completely blew it.

 

[muttly]

The black victim of course. BTW, since you are throwing out hypotheticals ,chew on a couple of these for a moment. If the victim was black, and the white thugs beat him to a pulp, but received a slap on the wrist penalty like the OP, would there be protests right now? What if Utash had a gun with him, decided to use it because he felt his life was in danger, and ended up killing someone. How likely would Utash be facing second degree murder right now? Curious if some 'folks' would be defending Utash's right to use deadly force to save his life?

 

[Ragman]

Why talk about what if's and what about.

None of that happened and is irrelevant.

 

[muttly]

Contrary to the perception of some, crime has decreased in the past decade, according to the Justice Dept and the FBI, and is lower than it's been in the past 4 decades. The contention that it's a dangerous world in the neighborhood is just a fantasy, in most neighborhoods.
That said, I agree that this judge is wrong to grant leniency in this case, but there are judges who err in the opposite direction, too.
One judge does not a judicial system make.

I guess it's just fantasy all the carjackings and robberies at gas stations and stores,(Detroit area)that are on the local news, on a daily basis.

 

[muttly]

Why talk about what if's and what about.


None of that happened and is irrelevant.

Agree. Cheri's post 12 and my post 15 are irrelevant. Never mind .

 

[cheri1122]

Speak for yourself, Barkley. I stand behind what I said in post 12: the same people who favor instant judge/jury decisions are angry now, because the consequences were too light. While I agree that the judge was wrong to be lenient, I can't help but wonder what prompted the change of heart in the descriptions of the street justice they have in the past approved of.
Some carry weapons because they pretty much expect to encounter a threat to themselves, or their neighbors, and they have little faith in the law to deal with it.
Isn't that sentiment what caused the current perps to beat a man, rather than call the cops?

 

[muttly]

Speak for yourself, Barkley. I stand behind what I said in post 12: the same people who favor instant judge/jury decisions are angry now, because the consequences were too light. While I agree that the judge was wrong to be lenient, I can't help but wonder what prompted the change of heart in the descriptions of the street justice they have in the past approved of.
Some carry weapons because they pretty much expect to encounter a threat to themselves, or their neighbors, and they have little faith in the law to deal with it.
Isn't that sentiment what caused the current perps to beat a man, rather than call the cops?

As Ragman said, why talk about what ifs? It didn't happen, so it's irrelevant.