Nincompoop Rejects Plea Deal Gets 40 For Smashing Bird Cage

[maskedmelon]

Raymond Lindsey Jr. may thank a lack of self control and subsequent religious convictions for his free ride when he finally exits Montgomery County Penitentiary at the age of 86.

When it became evident that the violent man's extensive out of state criminal record would increase minimum sentences for the alleged minor offenses of assaulting an officer and destruction of property, prosecutors exercised great benevolence in the form of a plea deal that would had allowed him to walk free with another chance at life.

Needless to say, prosecutors were blown away by the man's indomitable devotion to Providence when he rejected their offer citing his belief that "no man should judge another."

His defense attorney was unabashed in his irreverence, openly questioning the man's sanity.

Source (http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/man-gets-40-years-in-jail-after-rejecting-plea-deal-that-would-have-freed-him-immediately/ar-AAimqom?li=BBnb7Kz)

[bdastomper58]

there are four lights

but seriously its real fucked up how the courts punish people for forcing a trial - this is considered a waste of the courts time

[Cecily]

40 years for refusing plea deal.

[Spyder73]

Only in Houston would this sh!t happen. If Texas was a person, Houston would most certainly be the a$$hole

[AzzarTheGod]

there are four lights

but seriously its real fucked up how the courts punish people for forcing a trial - this is considered a waste of the courts time

Good post. The plea bargain system needs some revising. If they offer it, it should count towards a recommendation at sentencing after the trial, not just before a trial.

[AzzarTheGod]

When has the judge acting unilaterally and blindly ever been considered a good thing. It's due for an overhaul.

Leave his power to act unilaterally during sentencing in tact for circumstances where it's called for (violent crime with real victims), but stop him from acting blind after a guilty verdict when he applies the law and suddenly he completely ignores the prior recommendations of the court.

[AzzarTheGod]

These superpredators don't need any additional help escaping justice.

Current system amounts to extortion. Japan is the only criminal justice system that behaves similarly to the US in this regard except in Japan you don't have the option not to confess fully, whereas in the US we have options where admission of guilt is taken out of the "sentencing" agreement..in Japan you don't confess, Japan confess you.

Same as cutting taxes as part of your campaign platform, which also amounts to extortion. I cut taxes if you vote for me. But that's a whole nother thread. Point is too many angry "tyrants" for this system to change.

O well another super predator off the streets!

[Nihilist_santa]

Did anyone read the story? This guy had serious violent priors in other states. Had been incarcerated 2-3 times already. They didnt give him 40 years for refusing a plea. The sentence was handed down because Texas has the 3 strikes rule.

[AzzarTheGod]

Violent offender with priors threatens police, resists arrest and smashes bird cage with a bird in it -- could have walked free.

The dude either wants to be institutionalized or needs to be. Might as well give him a lifetime pass rather than forcing him to murder somebody to get those 3 squares.

knowledge