JUSTICE AWRY: Katrina Looters Make Easy Prey

[IcyPatriot]

I'll be the first to say that we need a stricter judicial system with more mandatory santencing. When i read this story today...the first thing that came to my mind was Brett Myers...the Philidelphia Phillies pitcher who publicly abused his wife recently.

http://story.scout.com/a.z?s=228&p=2&c=542053

Anyways...this judgement seems excessive beyond belief. Community service would have been a much better sentence based upon the situation that existed at that time. Not to stick up for the looters or any looters. But this will teach nothing and just create greater division between the have's and the have nots in that area.

The intent of the law is obvious...I'm just saying who will remember this case when the next major storm hits? A five year suspended sentence with 5 years of community service would have had a greater effect.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/LAW/06/29/lo....ap/index.html

KENNER, Louisiana (AP) -- Three people convicted of hauling away liquor, wine and beer from a grocery store after Hurricane Katrina were sentenced Wednesday to 15 years in prison.

The judge said he wanted to send a message that looting would not be tolerated when he gave the maximum sentence to Coralnelle Little, 36, Rhonda McGowen, 42, and Paul C. Pearson, 36, all of Kenner.

A jury convicted the trio May 2 on a portion of the state's looting law that took effect two weeks before the Aug. 29 storm. The amended law set a three-year minimum sentence, and a maximum of 15 years in prison, for looting during a declared state of emergency.

They were convicted of attempting to leave the grocery with 27 bottles of liquor and wine, six cases of beer and one case of wine coolers, six days after Katrina made landfall.

Little, McGowen and Pearson each testified that they were not looting, but they offered conflicting accounts of matters such as who drove to the store.

So a guy who could have killed his wife with a whack to the temple or if she fell on her head just right can go home. Some poor blacks that wanted some booze to pass their misery away go to jail for 15 years. The public wonders where the hate comes from...uhhh DUHH...take a good look.

[FreeTedWilliams]

Originally Posted by F.B.N.

I'll be the first to say that we need a stricter judicial system with more mandatory santencing. When i read this story today...the first thing that came to my mind was Brett Myers...the Philidelphia Phillies pitcher who publicly abused his wife recently.

http://story.scout.com/a.z?s=228&p=2&c=542053

Anyways...this judgement seems excessive beyond belief. Community service would have been a much better sentence based upon the situation that existed at that time. Not to stick up for the looters or any looters. But this will teach nothing and just create greater division between the have's and the have nots in that area.

The intent of the law is obvious...I'm just saying who will remember this case when the next major storm hits? A five year suspended sentence with 5 years of community service would have had a greater effect.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/LAW/06/29/lo....ap/index.html



So a guy who could have killed his wife with a whack to the temple or if she fell on her head just right can go home. Some poor blacks that wanted some booze to pass their misery away go to jail for 15 years. The public wonders where the hate comes from...uhhh DUHH...take a good look.

That because the guy who whacked his wife had the sense enough to do it in Massachusetts! If he had done it in Louisiana, he would be in jail too.

[IcyPatriot]

Originally Posted by FreeTedWilliams

That because the guy who whacked his wife had the sense enough to do it in Massachusetts! If he had done it in Louisiana, he would be in jail too.

That is wrong...way wrong
Gonna have to report you to the Moderators.

[363839]

The fact that they were looting for non survival type stuff and not food
and medicine is what loses my symphathy toward them.
I'm surprised, FBN. I've read you're posts. This seems inconsistent with what you usually write.

[PATSNUTme]

Come on, give FBN a break. He probably broken up because Starr Jones left The View.

[IcyPatriot]

Originally Posted by 363839

The fact that they were looting for non survival type stuff and not food
and medicine is what loses my symphathy toward them.
I'm surprised, FBN. I've read you're posts. This seems inconsistent with what you usually write.

You're right...but I mean we're talking about booze...it doesn't make sense. Cops were watching people loot in New Orleans.

[363839]

So, you're saying that because it was booze and not merchandise that these people may have been alcoholics and leniency may be warranted?

[IcyPatriot]

Originally Posted by 363839

So, you're saying that because it was booze and not merchandise that these people may have been alcoholics and leniency may be warranted?

15 years for stealing booze. Wife beaters get off left and right. white collar criminals go to the Federal Pens for a few years. Drug dealers will get caught about 10-15 times before they do more than a year or two. These people get 15 years....no harm done physically...just seems wrong compared to others who have done way worse.

[363839]

Now I see your point. The sentence is excessive.

There's the state playing hardball to deter looters from steeling booze.

Nobody, NOBODY steals our booze!

[IcyPatriot]

Originally Posted by 363839

Now I see your point. The sentence is excessive.

There's the state playing hardball to deter looters from steeling booze.

Nobody, NOBODY steals our booze!

Highly taxable item.