So are you against three strikes laws in general?
I am opposed to a non-violent crime counting as a third strike, but beating a cocker spaniel to death with a hammer is clearly a violent act.
You said — So are you against three strikes laws in general?
—
No, not “in general” but “in the specific” — when it comes down to a stolen pizza leading to life in prison... :-)
And, as for dogs — and cats or any animals — no, I wouldn’t count them any more than I would count beating a hole in the sheetrock at a house, or busting out the car windows or breaking up a piece of equipment as being equated to something on the level of a “person”...
If I was on a jury, and that’s what came before me, and I knew that pizza or a dog or whatever like that would lead to life in prison — that would generate a “not guilty” verdict from me... “if” they are going to maintain that kind of law...
Take a look at ...
Fully Informed Jury Association
http://www.fija.org/
If the laws are not right, and you see an outcome that is not just, and you are on the jury, then you can act to correct it, and all jurors can continue to act in that manner, until the legislature corrects the problem.
It’s kind of scary what this guy may have done.
I would not trust someone like that around any person who was not very defense oriented and practiced.