Wow! Tough justice! 15yrs for $100!

[DubiousComforts]

Again, that's a perfect example of the miscarriages of justice that go on in this country. And it's not even a racial thing, it's more economic than anything. If you have the money you're going to skate. Which is a racial thing because a majority of black people are kept on the lower rungs of the economic scale while the good ol' boys keep the wealth amongst themselves. Ironically, only the gangsta rappahs, the athletes and the gangstah athletes get the chance to skate, and the worst of them belong in prison.

[Tricky]

He wont do it again thats for sure!well,hopefully anyway..

[darth los]

To quote Discharge... "Does the system work?" It obviously doesn't. We constantly see cases where inexplicable things occur. The sentencing guildlines are all screwed up as well. Neil gave an example earlier in the thread. How messed up is that? What kind of system do we have when a rapist gets 7 years and a person found with half a kilo gets 15 to life? So.... ya...

[Mike70]

So how did he manage to get 15 years? Maybe because he couldn't afford to pay the fine? because of the way the united states works is the real answer. the penalty that DC quoted was a federal law that covers crimes committed on federal property (like the post office for example) and doesn't supercede a state's right to set harsher or lesser penalties for the same offense. for example, let's take another case: weed laws. federal weed laws are pretty harsh. simple possession can net you up to a year in jail and $1,000 fine. in ohio, where i live (and has some of the most lenient drug laws in the US), possession of less than 100g is a simple payout ticket of $100. no arrest, no court, no jail. it is like getting a speeding ticket, except you don't get points on your drivers license.

[SRP76]

It doesn't matter that "it was only $100". He robbed a bank. That's a big no-no. You either commit a robbery, or you do not commit a robbery. You don't "commit a little bit of robbery". If he had robbed a convenience store instead, he'd have got off a lot lighter. He just chose the wrong target.

[MaximusIncredulous]

He robbed a bank. That's a big no-no. A pity the banks don't get the same treatment for robbing the American people for billions.

[Chic Freak]

It doesn't matter that "it was only $100". He robbed a bank. That's a big no-no. You either commit a robbery, or you do not commit a robbery. You don't "commit a little bit of robbery". Strongly disagree. Have you ever been a victim of theft? How much is taken makes an enormous difference.

[kortick]

It seems harsh but the laws here get real ugly when a gun is involved in the commison of a crime. a robbery where u just stuff something in your pocket will get you one sentence but to have or imply u have a gun and steal the same item moves the penalty way up. believe me I know. But, in all reality he will never serve 15 years. thats what he was sentenced to. I had a friend get 5 years on a gun charge and he was out in 3 months.

[MikePizzoff]

If he had robbed a convenience store instead, he'd have got off a lot lighter. He just chose the wrong target. Perhaps he chose the right target, though; at convenience stores you get "heroes".

[Trencher]

Judges are like priests, its a tempting job for evil people who crave power over others. I think this judge and others like him does what he does for his own sadistic amusement.

[EvilNed]

Sounds like the Romanovs are back in business to me...

[Marie]

I think POSSIBLY most of us are looking at this wrong. It could be that the judge knew that the parole board would release the felon but gave him enough time so he could get three hots and a cot through the winter. Just a thought, M_

[Edison Carter]

This story made Sir Bernard Madoff shed tears from uncontrolled spasmodic laughter at his luxurious penthouse "confinement".

[DubiousComforts]

I think POSSIBLY most of us are looking at this wrong. I think it's MOST LIKELY that I'm looking at it the right way. It's a wasteful and idiotic sentence. Having this guy in jail for 15 years will cost taxpayers so much more than putting him in a shelter or detox clinic. Better yet, just send him to church. Isn't the Church supposed to be all about charity and forgiveness? Kenneth Lay's family pastor sure argued damn hard on behalf of a criminal that should have never been allowed to see daylight again. Oh wait a sec, his pastor is Methodist...

[Eyebiter]

The article doesn't mention if the man has a history of being in trouble with the law. If he does many states have mandatory sentences for a habitual offender. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_strikes_law