Sex Offender "Too Short for Prison"??!!

[Jeff Higgins]

Absolutely amazing story. The guy molests a 12 year old girl over a period of time and gets probation instead of prison. It seems the judge was worried about how he may be treated in the big house.

LINCOLN, Nebraska (AP) -- A judge's decision to sentence a 5-foot-1 man to probation instead of prison for sexually assaulting a child has angered crime victim advocates who say the punishment sends the wrong message.

But supporters of short people say it's about time someone recognizes the unique challenges they face.

Cheyenne County District Judge Kristine Cecava issued the sentence Tuesday. She told Richard W. Thompson that his crimes deserved a long prison sentence but that he was too small to survive in a state prison.



http://www.cnn.com/2006/LAW/05/26/judge.flap.ap/index.html

[legion]

So the likelihood that this man will be subjected to the same kind of behavior he perpetrated on children is too much for the judge?

[kach22i]

I read this yesterday and was shocked.

If this were a problem (his shortness) it would be something the prison system should address and not a judge.

They often keep child molesters and former cops seperate as possible so they will not be mistreated, abused or punished above their intended sentences. They (the prison system) could always do the same for a 5'-1" person I assume.

This judge would have to give specific examples where one's height put their life at risk in the prison system to justify this decision, right? Something like sentencing cannot be based on a "feeling", right?

[bryanthompson]

It will be appealed, and he will get a longer sentence, as it should be.

I think this judge's record needs to be looked at... you don't just make such a ridiculous ruling out of nowhere.

[jyl]

I never knew there was an organization such as

"But Joe Mangano, secretary of the National Organization of Short Statured Adults, agreed with the judge's assessment that Thompson would face dangers while in prison because of his height."

I think the ACLU has it right here

"The judge's reasoning confounded Amy Miller, legal director for the Nebraska chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union.

"I have never heard of anything like this before," she said.

No one has ever come to the ACLU to complain of height discrimination, she said. And using Thompson's height as a reason to avoid sending him to prison is surprising, because neither the U.S. nor state constitution provides protections based on physical stature, she said."

[legion]

Hey Bryan...you're short, live in Lincoln, Nebraska, and have the last name Thompson...coincidence?

[1967 R50/2]

Originally posted by Jeff Higgins

But supporters of short people say it's about time someone recognizes the unique challenges they face.

Astounding.

I am far from tall, but I can't imagine anyone picking this particular occasion as an opportunity to enumerate their "challenges".

[bryanthompson]

Originally posted by legion
Hey Bryan...you're short, live in Lincoln, Nebraska, and have the last name Thompson...coincidence?

If I'm not mistaken, this happened in Sidney, NE... clear on the other side of the state.

[oldE]

I have the solution. Put the f#cker on the rack for a week before incarcerating him. Then pull his teeth.

Les

[Jeff Higgins]

Short People by Randy Newman


Short People got no reason
Short People got no reason
Short People got no reason
To live

They got little hands
Little eyes
They walk around
Tellin' great big lies
They got little noses
And tiny little teeth
They wear platform shoes
On their nasty little feet

Well, I don't want no Short People
Don't want no Short People
Don't want no Short People
`Round here

Short People are just the same
As you and I
(A Fool Such As I)
All men are brothers
Until the day they die
(It's A Wonderful World)

Short People got nobody
Short People got nobody
Short People got nobody
To love

They got little baby legs
That stand so low
You got to pick 'em up
Just to say hello
They got little cars
That go beep, beep, beep
They got little voices
Goin' peep, peep, peep
They got grubby little fingers
And dirty little minds
They're gonna get you every time
Well, I don't want no Short People
Don't want no Short People
Don't want no Short People
'Round here

[Rot 911]

Originally posted by bryanthompson
It will be appealed, and he will get a longer sentence, as it should be.

No it won't. The state can't appeal a judge's sentence, only the defendant can and I bet he won't be appealling.

[widebody911]

Originally posted by Kurt V
No it won't. The state can't appeal a judge's sentence, only the defendant can and I bet he won't be appealling.

Correct - he won't be taking this to a "higher" court...