Posted on 12/19/2019 7:51:53 AM PST by Oldeconomybuyer
NEVADA, Iowa -- A man has been imprisoned for burning an LGBTQ flag that was flying at a church in central Iowa.
Adolfo Martinez, 30, of Ames, was sentenced Wednesday to 15 years for the hate crime of arson and given a year for reckless use of explosives or fire and 30 days for harassment. The sentences are to be served consecutively, Story County court records said.
He's said he tore down the flag that had been hanging from the United Church of Christ in Ames and burned it because he opposes homosexuality.
(Excerpt) Read more at abcnews.go.com ...
If this person can be charged with arson and excessive use of explosives than a protester burning their own American flag can be charged with those same crimes.
“Adolfo Martinez, 30, of Ames, was sentenced Wednesday to 15 years for the hate crime of arson and given a year for reckless use of explosives or fire and 30 days for harassment. The sentences are to be served consecutively, Story County court records said.”
This will never stand up on appeal.. No way 15 years for burning a flag????
Seems like the sentencing is a hate crime.
He’s got two prior felony convictions. I’m not sure this guy is all that upstanding.
Now if some leftist or muzzie took a Vatican flag from a Catholic Church and burnt it does anyone think that individual would get 15 years in prison?
So does God.
He messed with preferred victims; ‘nuff said.
Spanish name; they’re not down with the whole Sodomite thing.
He destroyed private property. He should face the law.
That said, SURELY the 15 YEARS is wrong. This just can’t be. That is just absurd. Unless he was already on probation for something far worse.
This is a violation of his First Amendment rights. When did burning a flag become “arson” and why isn’t burning the American flag considered “arson”?
[[[The Arab guy who just tried to sabotage a plane to crash potentially killing hundreds (not a hate crime of course) got THREE.]]]
Yep up to 3 years so it could be time served.
Something is wrong here.
If it’s your flag, sure.
Fifteen years is excessive. Even charging him with “arson” was probably excessive, as I doubt he was trying to burn the church down. They should have just charged him with petty theft/destruction of property, but that wouldn’t satisfy our new queer masters.
I thought burning flags was “political” free speech. Or am I wrong again?
Not if the flag is somebody else's property.
If I am driving down a suburban street and see a rainbow flag flying up ahead, almost always there a church of some kind.
It is a religious symbol that cuts across denominational lines, as it might be the cross for Christians.
Had be purchased his very own rainbow flag, he could have burned it, he would not have been charged. But instead, he stole a flag that belonged to another party.
Boy, lots wrong with this situation. Yes, there should be no such thing as ‘hate’ crimes. Just crimes. Yes, 15 years is ridiculous for this particular infraction as compared to so many other serious crimes with lower penalties. That said, what a dumb-ass this guys is. If you want to use the free speech excuse, go buy and burn your own rainbow flag, not someone else’s, and certainly not a churches.
If it was the American flag he’d have gotten a pass since free speech and all that.
what is the fine for stealing a flag? $500 or less?
This is pure BS!
“15 years for the hate crime of arson”
Hate crime of arson for a flag? Talk about an overzealous prosecution. If I were the governer I would send the judge an ultimatum, either substantially reduce the sentence or a full pardon will be issued.
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