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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
Posted on 03/25/2002 6:17:48 PM PST by wimpycat
Edited on 04/13/2004 2:55:42 AM PDT by Jim Robinson.
[history]
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.
(Excerpt) Read more at wral.com ...
TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Front Page News; News/Current Events; US: North Carolina
KEYWORDS: bureaucracy; clericalerrors; crime; kidnapping; rape
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.
1
posted on
03/25/2002 6:17:48 PM PST
by
wimpycat
To: Constitution Day
I'm surprised you didn't post this newsworthy item from NC earlier today!
2
posted on
03/25/2002 6:19:01 PM PST
by
wimpycat
To: one_particular_harbour
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.
3
posted on
03/25/2002 6:22:41 PM PST
by
wimpycat
To: wimpycat
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.
4
posted on
03/25/2002 6:28:58 PM PST
by
Ronin
To: wimpycat
This guy needs his nuts cut. He's just begging to be made an example of.
To: wimpycat
What has being white got to do with anything?
6
posted on
03/25/2002 7:02:55 PM PST
by
gcruse
To: wimpycat
Hang him--and fire those responsible for the so-called "error," too!
To: gcruse
8
posted on
03/26/2002 3:51:12 AM PST
by
wimpycat
Comment #9 Removed by Moderator
To: Ronin
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.
10
posted on
03/26/2002 3:56:39 AM PST
by
wimpycat
To: wimpycat
I vote for giving the woman that was kidnapped and molested a baseball bat -- and five minutes alone with the judge.
11
posted on
03/26/2002 4:04:10 PM PST
by
Ronin
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