To wait and try to prosecute a guy who’s 82 years old after forty years is wrong. I am a strong supporter of law enforcement officers, when it is justified, or condemnation isn’t fully justified, but this is beyond the pale.
An 82 year old guy isn’t capable of fully defending himself against charges dating back 40 years.
I’d also like to point out that Hays (the 82 year old perp), was left a paraplegic, which in and of itself is a terrible penalty to pay for his actions.
I am sorry the officer sustained this type of injury, and that Hays was not prosecuted in the day.
I’m pretty sure why he wasn’t. He was probably severely compromised and it would have been very hard for him to attend trial. Further, had he been convicted at that point, it would have been a real burden on the state to incarcerate and care for him.
One further point.
The likelihood of Hay’s committing other crimes?
Zero.
From the incident, he was out of commission.
He chose his own punishment in a way.
And what’s the objective, to lock up an 82 year old paraplegic and give him free medical care for his remaining days?
If the wounds left him a paraplegic, how did he manage to end up behind bars twice more?
Just curious.