Posted on 03/10/2003 10:28:22 PM PST by JohnHuang2
Edited on 07/12/2004 4:01:25 PM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]
One of the few things we know about crime is that past predation is a reasonably reliable earmark of prospective criminality; and, that while career criminals are incarcerated countless gruesome crimes are prevented.
From this wisdom was born three-strikes laws that punish incorrigible felons with life imprisonment. Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court held in Ewing vs. California (March 5, 2003) that the Eighth Amendment's prohibition of cruel and unusual punishments is undisturbed by terms of imprisonment that put an end to careers in criminality. What astonishes is not the majority decision, but that four justices dissented and that the case sparked controversy.
(Excerpt) Read more at washtimes.com ...
The 6th parole hearing for my Jeremy's killer is tomorrow. click here
Frank G. Carrington, "Neither Cruel Nor Unusual Punishment":
Year ----Executions -----Number of homicides
1955----76----7,000+
1960----56----8,000+
1966----1----10,000+
1972----0----18,000+
1975----0----20,000+
1993----38----24,562 BJS
1994----31----23,305 BJS
1995----56----20,347 BJS
1996----45----19,645 BJS
1997----74----18,209 BJS
1998----68----16,914 BJS
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