Reasons We As a Society Are Doomed, #467
It's not the criminal this time...it's the "justice system."
Judge Sentences Man To 60 Days For Sexual Assault On Girl
BURLINGTON, Vt. -- A Williston man who admitted to repeatedly raping a young girl will spend two months behind bars.
Mark Hulett, 34, will spend 60 days in prison for sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl for the last four years. [TBL sez: Shoot him. Shoot him NOW.]
When he pleaded guilty in August to two counts of aggravated sexual assault and one charge of lewd and lascivious conduct with a child, Hulett faced up to life in prison on the charges. But the state Corrections Department determined that Hulett was a low risk for committing a similar crime, and determined it would not offer sex-offender treatment while he was in prison.
Judge Edward Cashman defended his sentence, saying it was the only way to provide counseling for the Hulett. Cashman's sentence could incarcerate Hulett for the rest of his life if he fails to obtain counseling once he is freed in 60 days.
The victim's family said the sentence is just a slap on the wrist.
4 rejoinders:
FOR THE JUDGE TO HANDDOWN SUCH A SMALL PUNISHMENT FOR SUCH A SERIOUS CRIME IS RIDICULOUS. THE JUDGE SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF HIMSELF. EVERYONE KNOWS THAT THIS MAN ONCE RELEASED WILL COMMITT THE SAME CRIME AGAIN. I THINK THE JUDGE NEEDS TO SERVE TIME IN JAIL FOR LETTING THIS MAN GET AWAY WITH WHAT HE DID. THIS JUST SHOWS HOW BAD OUR JUSTICE SYSTEMS HAS BECAME. THAT A PIECE OF TRASH LIKE THIS CAN GET AWAY WITH RAPE WHILE AN INNOCENT LITTLE GIRL HAS TO SUFFER THE REST KNOWING THAT THE MAN THAT DID THIS TO HER IS FREE. SHAME ON THE JUDGE WHO LET HIM GO FREE. MAY GOD HAVE MERCY ON YOUR SOUL.
FOR THE JUDGE TO HANDDOWN SUCH A SMALL PUNISHMENT FOR SUCH A SERIOUS CRIME IS RIDICULOUS. THE JUDGE SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF HIMSELF. EVERYONE KNOWS THAT THIS MAN ONCE RELEASED WILL COMMITT THE SAME CRIME AGAIN. I THINK THE JUDGE NEEDS TO SERVE TIME IN JAIL FOR LETTING THIS MAN GET AWAY WITH WHAT HE DID. THIS JUST SHOWS HOW BAD OUR JUSTICE SYSTEMS HAS BECAME. THAT A PIECE OF TRASH LIKE THIS CAN GET AWAY WITH RAPE WHILE AN INNOCENT LITTLE GIRL HAS TO SUFFER THE REST OF HER LIFE KNOWING THAT THE MAN THAT DID THIS TO HER IS FREE. SHAME ON THE JUDGE WHO LET HIM GO FREE. MAY GOD HAVE MERCY ON YOUR SOUL.
We are not alone: the governor's office there has recieved 20,000 complaints.
I don't know the whole story here, so I can't comment specifically about it. But, I do know this. A lot of times what happens is that when a sex offender is released from prison he is civilly committed to a psychiatric hospital for treatment. These civil commitments are of indefinite length. I don't know that this particular offender will ever go free, but I would believe that was the intention of the judge -- get him into a psychiatric facility. There is usually no treatment available for these offenders during their incarceration, it is only after they serve their sentence that they are provided with treatment.
It would make more sense to provide treatment for people while they are incarcerated, but the system doesn't work that way. The civil commitment process also provides the state a way to detain offenders after they have fulfilled their sentence, no matter how long it may be.
I doubt that this character will be roaming the streets anytime soon.
The particularly galling thing about the Alberto Rodriguez/Dru Sjodin case was that A-Rod had served his sentence and was let go (or not committed, I'm not sure which) from the civil commitment process. It is my understanding that part of the reason why was because of a lack of funding from the state for that program. Don't quote me on that.
Anyway, before judgment is passed on the judge's actions, the entire fact situation should be explored, including whether the offender will be civilly committed and if so, is the commitment for an indefinite amount of time. That can be forever.
Go On, Spit It Out