Posted on 12/04/2006 2:25:37 PM PST by kiriath_jearim
WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court on Monday let stand a mandatory 55-year prison sentence, condemned as excessive by the federal judge who imposed it, for a man convicted of carrying a handgun during three marijuana deals.
Record producer Weldon Angelos received the minimum sentence under the law -- a harsher sentence than a child rapist or a terrorist who detonates a bomb aboard an aircraft would receive, according to his attorneys. The justices, without comment, left the prison term undisturbed.
Angelos was convicted of 16 counts of violating federal firearms, drug and money laundering laws in 2003. The charges stemmed from his sale of three 8-ounce bags of marijuana to an undercover informant.
He had a gun but never brandished or used it. Nevertheless, the three counts of possession of a firearm in a drug transaction required the mandatory minimum sentence.
Four former attorneys general and 145 former prosecutors and judges wrote in support of a lighter sentence for Angelos. Even the sentencing judge, U.S. District Judge Paul Cassell, an appointee of President Bush, called the sentence "unjust, cruel and irrational." But he said the law left him no choice.
Prosecutors said the sentence was appropriate and an appeals court agreed.
The case is Angelos v. U.S., 06-26.
(Excerpt) Read more at newsday.com ...
Well he had a gun and guns are bad. So are drugs. It's for the children. Ya know?
Then the solution is to increase the sentence for murderers, not reduce sentences for armed drug dealers
Tyranny, plain and simple.
In the world of Kingpins, this guy pulled a Munson.
The sentence should should be in proportion to the crime. This sentence clearly is not. Unjust sentencing like unjust laws foster disrespect for the law.
If he was selling or dealing or manufacturing meth or coke, I'd agree with you but pot???
I agree. It is outrageous how judges in several states have given a pass to violent pedophiles. There should be mandatory minimum sentences.
The gun was not shown or used, and was irrelevant to the actual crime committed.
Do you favor harsher sentences for speeders who carry a gun? Embezelling accountants who carry a gun? Tax evaders who carry a gun?
Mandatory minimum sentance/Zero Tolerance = Feeble "Justice" for Morons and People to Lazy to vote
Mandatory minimum sentance/Zero Tolerance = Feeble "Justice" for Morons and People to Lazy to vote
Mandatory minimum sentance/Zero Tolerance = Feeble "Justice" for Morons and People to Lazy to vote
If the gun was not shown or used, no one would know he had it. The gun was not pulled. The gun was used to show what a tough guy the punk is to his customers. I'm not going to lose any sleep over the sentence.
Thanks for not answering the questions.
the court disagreed, as do I.
Not only "unjust" laws, but too damn many laws. It seems that we're all criminals, but the state just hasn't had the time yet to lock us all up. But when they decide to focus on you...
This from another article:
The evidence presented by the government at trial clearly established that Angelos was a known gang member who had long used and sold illicit drugs. Further, the government's evidence established that, at the time of his arrest, Angelos was a mid-to-high drug dealer who purchased and in turn sold large quantities of marijuana. In addition, the government's evidence established that Angelos possessed and used a number of firearms, some stolen, to facilitate his drug-dealing activities.
If the people don't like the federal law then they should seek to have it redressed thru their congressmen and senators. I know, that is a losing cause. However, every sentence that is handed down can be disputed as being to harsh or not harsh enough. Would those who are opposed to this sentence willing to welcome this guy into their neighborhood or be their next door neighbor? I doubt it.
Yes, if they are carrying illegally.
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