Technically he didn't have anything to do with it. His crime was that he learned of the plot and didn't tell anyone.
Tough call in these cases, but spending 8 years in prison and three more on parole probably is a fair sentence for someone who wasn't actually involved in the bombing plot. He's not a threat to society, just an idiot who put his loyalty to his friends above the safety of the public.
Still, I wouldn't cry over him if he had an accident, and I'm sure that if one of my kids had been in the daycare, I'd be plotting ways to get at this guy right now.
BTW, he has been in prison since August 1995. Here are some more comments from surviving victims/families in today's Daily Oklahoman (snipped):
http://newsok.com/article/1736169/
....
“I’m not pleased,” said widow Donna Hawthorne, whose husband, tire worker Thomas Hawthorne, 52, died visiting the Social Security Administration office in the federal building.
“I hope he learned in jail to have better choices,” said Hawthorne, 63, of Choctaw. “He could have saved a lot of lives but choose not to. That’s not very much time, compared to like my husband, who is dead forever.”
....
Michael Fortier has been held at an undisclosed location for the last part of his sentence. The Federal Bureau of Prisons told victims in the form letter that Fortier will be under supervision for three years after his release.
Victims were not told where Fortier intends to go upon his release. His attorney, Michael McGuire of Tulsa, also would not say.
....
Some victims called The Oklahoman to complain about his release.
“He should have gotten life in prison, like Terry Nichols did. He really should have,” said Jannie Coverdale of Oklahoma City whose grandsons, Aaron, 5, and Elijah, 2, died in the day-care center inside the federal building. “I’m just upset.”
"Technically he didn't have anything to do with it. His crime was that he learned of the plot and didn't tell anyone."
I guess this logic is sorta like:
Terrorist: "Hey Bin Laden, we are going to blow up the London Subway."
Bin Laden: "Wow, seriously?"
Terrorist: "Yeah, its gonna be great."
Bin Laden: "I see. Well,...don't get caught."