Inmate Who Was Mistakenly Released Sent Back to Jail (After Being Arrested Again for Attempted Rape)

WRAL-TV.com (AP) ^ | March 25, 2002 | Associated Press

[wimpycat]

DURHAM, NC -- A man mistakenly released from prison because of a clerical error in his court paperwork has since been charged with attempted rape in Durham.

The clerical error occurred last July when Steven Earl Riggs was given two back-to-back prison sentences of 11 to 14 months each for spitting on police officers, stealing cars and committing drug-related crimes.

[wimpycat]

I was listening to the news on the radio on my drive home this afternoon when I heard about this. The prosecutor who originally had him convicted was completely dumbfounded when she heard of his arrest for attempted rape and kidnapping. She thought he was still in jail. It turns out the wrong check box was checked on his paperwork. "Concurrent" was checked instead of "Consecutive". It sure didn't take him long to commit yet more heinous crimes.

The judge who signed off on the paperwork that contained the error said he was ultimately responsible, but that even when you do the best you can, mistakes will happen, or words to that effect.

[wimpycat]

I'm surprised you didn't post this newsworthy item from NC earlier today!

[wimpycat]

Dontcha just love "clerical errors"? Especially when they allow scumsucking, career criminal white trash menaces to society out to kidnap and attempt to rape women.

[Ronin]

I hear ya wimpy. This is the kind of crap that makes you want to break down in tears. But, on the other hand, people screw up.

At least the judge who made the mistake has the courage to stand up and admit it rather than point fingers at someone else.

More to the point, give thanks that the judge was not some bleeding-heart liberal who would have INTENTIONALLY allowed the sentences to run concurrently.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

This guy needs his nuts cut. He's just begging to be made an example of.

[gcruse]

What has being white got to do with anything?

[Standing Wolf]

Hang him--and fire those responsible for the so-called "error," too!

[wimpycat]

Click here to view his criminal history

Sections framed in blue are offenses for which he was incarcerated. Green sections did not involved incarceration.

[wimpycat]

Yeah, I agree with you. It's certainly not the fault of the jail for releasing him, because as far as they knew, he was serving concurrent sentences. The clerk checked the wrong box and the judge signed off on it.

I wonder how often this type of thing happens and what consequences the judge will face. I don't feel like hanging the judge, but something has to happen to him--I mean, if it wasn't for this "error", the woman would not have been kidnapped and molested.

[Ronin]

I vote for giving the woman that was kidnapped and molested a baseball bat -- and five minutes alone with the judge.