Killers Go Free Twisting the law opens cell doors

New York Daily News ^ | 11/27/2005 | THOMAS ZAMBITO

[CAWats]

Convicted killers are walking out of state prisons, thanks to a series of controversial rulings by judges who decided the jailbirds were charged with the wrong type of murder.

In bizarre cases of justice gone wild, the Daily News has found that even murderers who meant to kill their victims are being put back on the streets.

In a typical case, lawyers for Brooklyn chef David Policano, 47, admitted he was guilty of intentional murder, a second-degree murder rap.

But then they argued he should be freed because he was convicted of a different type of second-degree murder, depraved indifference to human life.

[clee1]

The Law is an ass, but it's still the law.

[coconutt2000]

We need a law that prevents the release of murderers who were convicted of a lesser or equal crime, but who may confess after the conviction to being guilty of an equal or greater crime.

[The Red Zone]

So when will the legislature get off their hineys and fix it.

[webboy45]

Only left leaning idiots could screw up the law like this. What's wrong with having a single charge: murder. Add the circumstances not as variations of murder, but as sentencing guidelines.

[ApplegateRanch]

"The court says: 'You're the prosecutor. You had all the evidence. Get it right, and if you can't get it right, you'll the Public'll bear the consequences,' " he said.

That fixed it.

Our betters need to quit thinking that 'the justice business' is just a game between prosecutors, judges, and defense attorneys, with the citizenry picking up the tab in return for the 'entertainment' provided.

[gr8eman]

If your "betters" are the likes of Hillary Clinton, you better get used to it. I feel no sorrow for people who elect blatant criminals over and over again...

[WasDougsLamb]

Convicted killers are walking out of state prisons......


-----To kill again

[joe fonebone]

I firmly believe the public CAN fix it........It is called vigilante justice.......

[JusticeTalion]

Okay. California now has a contender for Most F**ked-Up State. This is absolutely insane!

And..."Payne's role in legal history began unfolding on April 27, 1998, when he grabbed a 12-gauge shotgun and stomped over to neighbor Curtis Cook's home. This much is not in dispute: Payne lifted the 12-gauge elephant gun..."
Is it just me or does the idea of hunting elephants with a shotgun sound ludicrous?

This is just absolutely disturbing...""Right now, I'm building a deck and I have my country music playing and I'm living a beautiful life." — Kenneth Payne, convicted of the shotgun murder of his neighbor, about his release from prison

[BlackVeil]

This is just absolutely disturbing...""Right now, I'm building a deck and I have my country music playing and I'm living a beautiful life." — Kenneth Payne, convicted of the shotgun murder of his neighbor, about his release from prison ...

Yes, it is very disturbing.

Eventually, the community will pay for these lax standards of justice. A man who could commit a brutal murder like that is a bomb waiting to go off.