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Now as far as his previous drug record, if during his life he had already caused the death of even one more person prior to him causing the death of his son, see that is where I would agree with this sentence.

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But a life sentence just seems extreme to me in this particular case.

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ORIGINAL: WesP

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Now as far as his previous drug record, if during his life he had already caused the death of even one more person prior to him causing the death of his son, see that is where I would agree with this sentence.

If he was allowed to continue down the path he chose, he very probably could have killed more people. He is non-repentant. Perhaps, he will change in time. Consider the HIV rates in drug users. Consider the wrecks that kill people that involve people driving under the influence of drugs. Consider any future children he might have had that would have been subjected to the same thing or worse. There are myriads of scenarios that he made possible and refused to change. 8 convictions shows total contempt for the law. Laws are in place to protect us, and he refused to adhere to our protection. He deserves what he got.

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See then why not just keep him in jail longer when he is on his 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th drug conviction? Why is it that he was even out in the public anyway?

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ORIGINAL: stamper_ben

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But a life sentence just seems extreme to me in this particular case.

Y'all are forgetting. This is Texas.

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ORIGINAL: Sophie11

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ORIGINAL: stamper_ben

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But a life sentence just seems extreme to me in this particular case.

Y'all are forgetting. This is Texas.

But I mean the same question applies here that I have just posted to Wes. Why is it that he gets a life sentence for an accidental death but he was never kept in prison after 8 drug convictions. And as far as I think I remember it was convictions, not accusations. He should have never been out of jail in the first place so soon after so many drug convictions!

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ORIGINAL: stamper_ben

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See then why not just keep him in jail longer when he is on his 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th drug conviction? Why is it that he was even out in the public anyway?

Because folks whine about the severity of "innocent" drug crimes sentences and how counseling is a much better approach to them.[8|]

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Why is it that he gets a life sentence for an accidental death

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ORIGINAL: Sophie11

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ORIGINAL: stamper_ben

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See then why not just keep him in jail longer when he is on his 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th drug conviction? Why is it that he was even out in the public anyway?

Because folks whine about the severity of "innocent" drug crimes sentences and how counseling is a much better approach to them.[8|]

Oops! I posted this question to you after this one! Didn't see you had already answered it!
Anyway, who cares about what people whine about though. If he ought to spend life in prison for the good of the community why not let him spend 10 years for his drug convictions? I mean I know you personally can't do anything about it, there is the law and all but I just don't quite think it makes sense.

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ORIGINAL: WesP

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ORIGINAL: Sophie11

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ORIGINAL: stamper_ben

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See then why not just keep him in jail longer when he is on his 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th drug conviction? Why is it that he was even out in the public anyway?

Because folks whine about the severity of "innocent" drug crimes sentences and how counseling is a much better approach to them.[8|]

Oops! I posted this question to you after this one! Didn't see you had already answered it!
Anyway, who cares about what people whine about though. If he ought to spend life in prison for the good of the community why not let him spend 10 years for his drug convictions? I mean I know you personally can't do anything about it, there is the law and all but I just don't quite think it makes sense.

Sophie,

You are absolutely right. It does not make sense. The legal system does not operate on the principle of logic. Non-violent crimes are almost always mandated to be early-release due to overcrowding, lack of funds, shortage of employees, etc. It goes on until people die. Sometimes it goes on until they realize that the released convict is serial.

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And while that may be true, Wes, the shortcomings of the system in no way absolve him from his responsibility in the death of his child.

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ORIGINAL: WesP

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And while that may be true, Wes, the shortcomings of the system in no way absolve him from his responsibility in the death of his child.

Oh no! I think he got what he deserved.

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ORIGINAL: Kat_D

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Why is it that he gets a life sentence for an accidental death

Obviously your definition of accidental and mine are completely different.

This man, whose helpless infant was left in his charge, smoked, snorted or shot up drugs knowing full well (after years of drug abuse) that he would slip into a drug induced stupor and would no longer be able to care for that baby properly...

That, my friend, is no accident.

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ORIGINAL: Kat_D

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ORIGINAL: WesP

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And while that may be true, Wes, the shortcomings of the system in no way absolve him from his responsibility in the death of his child.

Oh no! I think he got what he deserved.

I love your avy![sm=sidesmile.gif]

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ORIGINAL: Sophie11

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ORIGINAL: Kat_D

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Why is it that he gets a life sentence for an accidental death

Obviously your definition of accidental and mine are completely different.

This man, whose helpless infant was left in his charge, smoked, snorted or shot up drugs knowing full well (after years of drug abuse) that he would slip into a drug induced stupor and would no longer be able to care for that baby properly...

That, my friend, is no accident.

In your opinion, Kat, maybe it is not. In mine, it was not premeditated and should not be treated as such. I am certainly entitled to my opinion and you to yours.

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ORIGINAL: WesP

quote:

ORIGINAL: Sophie11

quote:

ORIGINAL: stamper_ben

quote:

See then why not just keep him in jail longer when he is on his 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th drug conviction? Why is it that he was even out in the public anyway?

Because folks whine about the severity of "innocent" drug crimes sentences and how counseling is a much better approach to them.[8|]

Oops! I posted this question to you after this one! Didn't see you had already answered it!
Anyway, who cares about what people whine about though. If he ought to spend life in prison for the good of the community why not let him spend 10 years for his drug convictions? I mean I know you personally can't do anything about it, there is the law and all but I just don't quite think it makes sense.

Sophie,

You are absolutely right. It does not make sense. The legal system does not operate on the principle of logic. Non-violent crimes are almost always mandated to be early-release due to overcrowding, lack of funds, shortage of employees, etc. It goes on until people die. Sometimes it goes on until they realize that the released convict is serial.

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ORIGINAL: WesP

quote:

ORIGINAL: Sophie11

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ORIGINAL: Kat_D

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Why is it that he gets a life sentence for an accidental death

Obviously your definition of accidental and mine are completely different.

This man, whose helpless infant was left in his charge, smoked, snorted or shot up drugs knowing full well (after years of drug abuse) that he would slip into a drug induced stupor and would no longer be able to care for that baby properly...

That, my friend, is no accident.

In your opinion, Kat, maybe it is not. In mine, it was not premeditated and should not be treated as such. I am certainly entitled to my opinion and you to yours.

Whether you view it as intentional or a completely avoidable accident, the end result was justified. If it was intentional, he should have gotten the death penalty. Even done without cognizance does not negate responsibility. Using that argument, a drunk driver is not responsible for killing someone else in a wreck. While he may not have intended harm to his child, he certainly did nothing to protect the child either. He has to be held to some level of accountability. What if he killed your child in the same manner? What should his punishment be? Do you see my point? I am not trying to antagonize or make an emotional ploy. I am just trying to clarify his part in the death.

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If I have to say I BELIEVE HIM TO BE GUILTY OF THIS CRIME one more time I think I'm gonna scream!!!!!

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Well, I suppose maybe I might be just a little too soft on people who have drug addictions, being that I have lived it firsthand with a member of my family for the last 8 years,

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ORIGINAL: Kat_D

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Well, I suppose maybe I might be just a little too soft on people who have drug addictions, being that I have lived it firsthand with a member of my family for the last 8 years,

Well, being that I abused drugs before I knew the Lord, I would be the first to say that had I hurt or killed someone while I was under the influence, I would have deserved any punishment I got!

There, but for the grace of God, go I and many others...but I wouldn't have had any sympathy for myself had I done what this guy did, and I don't have any sympathy for him. Again, my sympathies are with the baby.

I do pray that he finds the Lord and His forgiveness while he is in prison.

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ORIGINAL: Sophie11

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ORIGINAL: Kat_D

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Well, I suppose maybe I might be just a little too soft on people who have drug addictions, being that I have lived it firsthand with a member of my family for the last 8 years,

Well, being that I abused drugs before I knew the Lord, I would be the first to say that had I hurt or killed someone while I was under the influence, I would have deserved any punishment I got!

There, but for the grace of God, go I and many others...but I wouldn't have had any sympathy for myself had I done what this guy did, and I don't have any sympathy for him. Again, my sympathies are with the baby.

I do pray that he finds the Lord and His forgiveness while he is in prison.

Well, maybe we will just have to agree to disagree on this one then.

BTW, I am sorry if any of my posts to you since I have joined have been rude or snappy. I kind of think I got off on the wrong foot with you, Kat, and I hope we can continue to simply have civil disagreeances in the future! [:)]

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ORIGINAL: Kat_D

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ORIGINAL: Sophie11

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ORIGINAL: Kat_D

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Well, I suppose maybe I might be just a little too soft on people who have drug addictions, being that I have lived it firsthand with a member of my family for the last 8 years,

Well, being that I abused drugs before I knew the Lord, I would be the first to say that had I hurt or killed someone while I was under the influence, I would have deserved any punishment I got!

There, but for the grace of God, go I and many others...but I wouldn't have had any sympathy for myself had I done what this guy did, and I don't have any sympathy for him. Again, my sympathies are with the baby.

I do pray that he finds the Lord and His forgiveness while he is in prison.

Well, maybe we will just have to agree to disagree on this one then.

BTW, I am sorry if any of my posts to you since I have joined have been rude or snappy. I kind of think I got off on the wrong foot with you, Kat, and I hope we can continue to simply have civil disagreeances in the future! [:)]

No snappiness or rudeness noted, Sophie. Just because we don't agree on this or other topics, does not mean I am not listening to you or that I am closed to learning something from you.

(((((Sophie)))))

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ORIGINAL: Kat_D

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My point is not about whether or not he is guilty, it is about whether or not a life sentence should have been given in this instance. I don't think it should have been, given what I know about the case.

This is what I know about the case:

1) A healthy baby was left in its father's care.

2) The father chose to get stoned out of his mind and either fed or let the baby lick his fingers that were covered with cocaine.

3) The baby came out of that babysitting session dead.

4) The father was given a life sentence.

5) Nicely done, judge and jury!

6) Amen!