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Not all news has a happy side — take this horror story, for example
I just read one of the most horrible accounts of senseless violence I've heard of in a long time. The story is from an Illinois town withing 200-225 of where I live.
It seems a 29-year-old mentally challenged pregnant woman was tortured to death in Alton, Illinois, and police have charged two adults, three teenagers, and a 12-year-old child with the death. I'm not really going to discuss the story at length here. You're capable of going to the link and reading as much as you can stomach of this vile business. Or perhaps it's already been on the TV news, I haven't watched any television yet today and don't know.
What I would say about the whole business is this: If the facts stated in that article are true, this bunch of people really needs to be put away where they'll never be a danger to another human being. I certainly hope they go to trail quickly. I wish for them what I wish for anyone accused of a crime -- a fair and just trial.
And if they are convicted, they simply should be given life without the possibility of parole.
Which brings me to another point that I feel very passionate about. Why is there so much inconsistency and injustice in our court systems regarding sentencing? I have heard or read stories about people holding up convenience stores and getting 5-10 year prison sentences -- while drunken drivers have killed entire families and gotten away with little more than time served and parole. I have heard, and I am sure you have, too, of states with those ridiculous "three strikes" laws sentencing street people to life for a third petty theft -- and in the same states people have killed others and gotten a few years prison time with early parole for good behavior.
Killing is killing. I do not advocate the death penalty, personally, but I do feel very strongly that murder, certain sexual crimes, and other crimes of violence deserve a mandatory sentence of life without parole.
So, anyway. There's my little rant for today about our criminal injustice system.
May God have mercy on anyone who would commit such horrible, heartless crimes as that committed against this woman in Illinois, her unborn child, and her 1-year-old. It's certainly hard for me to feel any mercy toward them.
But, anyway, go out there today and join me in trying to make this a better place for all of us as we really take time for living.
*End of post -- without anymore mini-sermons.*
Technorati Tags: torture killing in Illinois, woman's death, Illinois murder case, take time for living
