Man Facing 26 Years for Lying Wins Hearing

Reuters ^ | 3-7-2005

[odoso]

Rules are rules, and in America - That doesn't mean squat anymore! Why have them at all? >Sarcasm<

[jdege]

He knew full well that he was subject to the three-strikes provisions, yet he chose to offend for a third time.

I have no sympathy for him, whatsoever.

[river rat]

Hell, It sounds like "Three Strikes" is really WORKING...

If the bastard didn't learn from two slaps in the head for being a crook ---- the third swing should remove the bastard from society....

Semper Fi

[Carry_Okie]

That's a heavier sentence than many people get for murder.

There has to be more to this. It's as if these judges are trying to create justification to rid themselves of the Three Strikes law.

[Mr. K]

I would be for a modified version of "three strikes" law.

I call it the "sentence multiplier" law. If you are convicted of a crime, your sentence is multiplied by the number of previous convictions.

If you were convicted twice for burglary, then you commit a petty crime you get 3 times the sentence for the petty crime - NOT life in prison.

We could lower the 'first crime' sentence length- and keep the repeat offenders in longer.

[JoeSixPack1]

Oh for crying out loud, eliminate the three strikes law already.

Institute the 4 strikes law. 4 strikes = lethal injection!

Next.

[SWAMPSNIPER]

How many habitual liars do We know? Lock'em all up!

[theDentist]

This is one of those cases where I think a judge should be able to use some restraint and give a more appropriate sentence. However, they tend to use that latitude stupidly and give ridiculous sentences for violent crimes as well, which is why the 3 Strikes law was created. Sorry dude, but in you go.

[LexBaird]

And just what do people think a twice-convicted felon is going to do with a forged identity?

He's not going to prison for lying. He's going to prison for a continuing history of felonious behavior.

[yarddog]

While I agree the judge should have a tiny bit of discretion, this guy was not sentenced for lying.

He was sentenced for two other crimes plus lying. Yes I know he may have already paid for those, but this is part of that payment for those previous crimes.

[yarddog]

Well you beat me to it. Same idea.

[bdfromlv]

spell check should be (lawyers)

[Logophile]

"Reyes does not present an 'extraordinary' rare case; he is a career criminal," Richard Tallman wrote. "Between 1981 and 1997, he committed six crimes and spent almost seven years behind bars, five of which were passed in state prison."

"His criminal history reflects the very type and degree of recidivism the Supreme Court recognizes Three Strikes laws were properly intended to address."

I am inlcined to agree with Judge Tallman on this one.

[Logophile]

Make that "inclined".

[YankeeinOkieville]

Another deceptive title to a newspaper article designed to promote outrage at the system and sympathy for the innocent outlaw. Further reading - way into the article - shows a hint at what's really going on with loser #36549810.

Anyone surprised?

Anyone at all?

[TChris]

Hell, It sounds like "Three Strikes" is really WORKING...

...which is precisely why the bleeding-heart libs are screeching about how unfair it is!

[evolved_rage]

Ypu'd think Libs would want more people in jail, as it increases the proportion of homo-normative behavior.

[aimhigh]

Convicted of burglary in 1981 and armed robbery in 1987

Just imagine how many crimes he got away with. I heard somewhere that only 2% of all crimes result in a conviction.

[Fish Hunter]

Genius, shear genius ...