Justice Served? Man Serving Life Sentence For Stealing TV

WRAL.com ^ | November 25, 2003 | Gerald Owens

[Russian Sage]

TILLERY, N.C. -- Does the punishment fit the crime? That is the underlying question in our legal system. The answer to that question has changed over time.

In 1970, a day laborer named Junior Allen was given a life sentence for a crime he would likely get probation for today.

[billorites]

Hell, I want people who misplace my remote to get the damn chair.

[dts32041]

It has to be said don't do the crime if you can't do the time.

Of course Johny Cochran wasn't his lawyer.

[DLfromthedesert]

My house was broken into recently, a few days after Halloween. All that was taken was my TV.

I figure it was kids; if I ever caught them, I wouldn't want them in jail. I'd want them to spend weekends feeding people at the Salvation Army, and I'd want to monitor their homework.

[Restorer]

Does seem somewhat disproportionate when the average murderer in FL serves 6 years.

[Mr. Mojo]

"I don't think I got no justice at all. Not no 33 years for a TV. A black and white TV,"

A black and white TV? I agree, life in prison bit harsh for that.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

They insist the reason he got such a harsh sentence was because he fought with the victim

Home invasion and assault. Why he is just a cuddly little innocent isn't he? It was all the victims fault for having the audacity to have a home and a TV set and then be so inconsiderate as to run his person into poor Allen's fists.

I wonder if this was a first offense. Something tells me that it wasn't.

[Rodney King]

"I don't think I got no justice at all.

So you did get at least some justice?

Not no 33 years for a TV.

What, is it only 32.5?

That being said, if I was the governor I would pardon him.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Oh and here is a little more about the crime.

Allen originally was sentenced to life in prison in 1970, when he broke into the unlocked house of Lessie Johnson, then 87, and stole her TV.

Now he is assaulting little old ladies.

This is just becoming more charming by the minute.

And Allen is not ready to lead a law-abiding life, Groomes added, mentioning that Allen has committed 63 infractions during his 33 years in jail.

Hmmmmm.

[the invisib1e hand]

how about that freaking monster in Germany getting 8 1/2 years because his cannibalism was ruled a 'mercy killing!'

Yeah, baby. Can't wait till he's on the streets again. I can certainly see why some people might like the idea of a 'world court.'

[mdittmar]

As for the woman who owned the television set, she was in her 80s at the time of the crime

They insist the reason he got such a harsh sentence was because he fought with the victim.

Let him rot.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

A jury convicted Allen of second-degree burglary for stealing a $140 television set from a home in Johnston County.

He did not steal a t.v. from a retail store, he entered someone's home to steal it. Glad they caught him.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

Hmmm, kids, or a crack addict, or a deranged maniac, or a common street thug...you have much kinder feelings than are warranted. Someone entered your home for god's sake.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

Yeah, right. Inmates in FL must serve 85% of their sentence.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

Did you actually read the article?

[DLfromthedesert]

OK; I'd smack 'em across the face first.

[Mr. Mojo]

Yeah, I read the article. What it my post leads you to believe I didn't? The guy stole a TV and got life in prison. What's your point?

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

He didn't just steal a tv, he entered someone's home and stole the t.v. It sounds as though he also fought with her. There is also no mention of his prior criminal record. I love how the article lists how much it costs to keep him in jail. If we get to a point where we can't incarcerate criminals, we have some big problems.

[PattonReincarnated]

Call me a compassionate conservative ... this sums up how I feel about someone who breaks the law. When I read the article and saw: "... when you consider that North Carolina's prison population is 30 percent over capacity, ..." I immediately thought why NC wasn't closing more prisons to save money. 30% over capacity sounds a tad bit comfortable in my book. Stack the scum on top of each other and warehouse them. Feed them gruel, once a day!

[Mr. Mojo]

If we get to a point where we can't incarcerate criminals, we have some big problems.

First of all, my original post was half in jest --- as if stealing a black and white tv is any different from stealing a color set.

Secondly, I agree with you that he should've received a stiff sentence -- just not life in prison.