Posted on 07/26/2013 10:46:01 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
Guilt or innocence was never really the big question at hand in the bizarre and sickening case of Ariel Castro, the Ohio-area man who kidnapped three women, imprisoned them in his home, repeatedly raped them, and starved and beat one victim into having multiple miscarriages. Shortly after the three women were finally returned to freedom back in May, however, the big question that arose was whether Castro could face the death penalty for deliberately killing the victim’s children in the womb. In Ohio, causing “the unlawful termination of anothers pregnancy” against her will constitutes aggravated murder, and the death penalty is an available punishment — but after negotiations with the prosecution this week, the dirtbag went for a guilty plea specifically to avoid the possibility and ergo will not go through the trial originally scheduled for August 5th. Via Fox News:
The Cleveland man accused of holding three women captive in his home for about a decade agreed to plead guilty in a deal to avoid the death penalty.
In exchange, prosecutors said 53-year-old Ariel Castro would be sentenced to life without parole plus 1,000 years.
Castro had been charged in a 977-count indictment. He had been scheduled for trial Aug. 5 on allegations that include repeatedly restraining the women and punching and starving one woman until she had a miscarriage. The former school bus driver also was charged with hundreds of counts of kidnapping and rape, plus assault and other counts.
Castro was in court Friday morning to enter the guilty plea. When asked if he understood he would never be released from prison, Castro said: “I do understand that, your honor.”
He added, “I knew I was pretty much going to get the book thrown at me.”
Oh gee, he anticipated that he was “going to get the book thrown” at him? Man, the heart bleeds. Not.
Sorry, I keep answering the same sorts of questions, so I’m going to link you to another reply.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/3047659/posts?page=39#39
Obama will probably pardon him and put him on his personal staff.
Thank you for the mention. I addressed this several times up thread. I admit to having mixed thoughts on that.
He’s playing to every prosecutor’s weakness: Fear of going to trial. The deal - some version of it - will fly, and judge, prosecutor and defense will all claim a victory.
Plea bargains were devised to please the courtroom triumvirate noted above, and the victim, as well as the people, completely shut out, because, in reality, they don’t count as far as those three are concerned. Empty dockets and win/loss records are all that matter.
The system is corrupt. How many times have you heard of plea bargains where the criminal (oops, alleged criminal) pleads guilty to a ‘lesser charge’ which is not even the crime he committed, just something from the books that “sorta fits”.
We accept this corruption by saying “good” in such cases, by approving this dirty deal, because of the costs, the length of the trial followed by the length of time it takes to bring the case to trial, the endless appeals, all things that in a better system should not happen, and would never happen in the Wild West.
Ohio Ping
The women victims said they were relieved he will not be released...I think they agreed with the plea deal so they won’t have to go through the trauma again in a trial.
God Bless them.
I disagree with you.
These women have already paid the price...And what makes you think anyone like this scum would be influenced by someone being executed for a similar crime???
He STILL doesn’t think he did anything wrong. the death penalty as deterrant only works for anyone that is rational and has a conscience.
LOL
Or, more Spanishly, Ariel Castrato.
Long ago and far away, boys with gorgeous voices were castrated so they could sing women's parts in operas. They were known as the castrati. It was sort of an honor back then, before women were allowed on stage. But I digress.
Perhaps we should have public castrations for disgustoids like Castro, the way we once held public hangings.
I’ve had my two cents worth, so I’ll let your comments stand.
I do agree there are two fairly strong points to be made here, one on each side. It’s not important to me that my side prevail, but I do want it presented.
Thanks for the response.
And thank you for your reasoned and considerate response.
No problem. Have a good one...
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