WTF?
The criminal justice system in this state is really messed up. I just want to know if there is any rhyme or reason to what our justice system does - and I use the word justice loosely.
Here is the charming story of Kyle Berthiaume, a 17-year old young man, who repeatedly raped a 7-year old girl in the care of his mother's home daycare, at least 15 times over the period of two years. He will serve not a day behind bars because the victim forgives him.
The mother of the victim says, "The more that we hold onto the anger in us, then the more it's going to hurt us and keep us in bondage. So we needed to just let go and forgive and keep our focus on getting Kyle the help that he needs."
Umm, yeah. That's a great attitude for you and your daughter's healing. Good for you. Now the state needs to step up and do its job. (That would be punishing people who commit horrendous crimes against innocent little girls.)
If this guy had raped 15 different girls, instead of the same girl 15+ times, he would be considered a serial rapist. Yet, since his single victim forgives him, there is no punitive component to his sentence.
I was almost forgot to blog about this until I read this story. Here you have the story of Melanie Hackett, a 24-year old teacher's aid, who had sex with a 13-year old student. Setting aside the question of why on earth a grown woman would want to have sex with a 13-year old, I have to ask, what gives? The judge wouldn't give her a 6-month sentence, even though the victim and his family wanted it.
Is it wrong to want some consistency in our justice system?
I guess my real outrage is at the sentence that 17-year old received. The teacher's aid probably should serve more than 6 months. While they are at it, get her some therapy, too. I just can't understand how 6 months can be viewed as too little by the same system that decided this guy should serve no time at all.
Oddly enough, Berthiaume was a student and Hackett an aid at Missisquoi Valley Union High School. There must be something in the water up there.
5 comments:
It's the fluoride or maybe the chloramine
Justice and forgiveness are two separate things.
Many women do not emotionally deal with childhood sexual abuse until they hit their 30s.
You are right, Charity. This is crazy and heartbreaking to other potential victums out there. It is like not putting in a stop light at a dangerous intersection until a few lives are lost.
While inconsistency is definitely a problem, I believe this state's system is working to reduce crime and help victims by investigating new approaches rather than using the centuries old and largely ineffective jail strategy. Through alternative court and treatment systems as well as parallel justice to help the victims, VT is getting a great return on its investment by avoiding the high cost of jail, reducing the chance re-offending, and improving the quality of life for victims and offenders alike. There is plenty of research to support this, Seven Days has written recently and google has lots more.
How about something on this story:
Mom: Worker in shooting teased over size
Note the last line of the story: "Federal law does not specifically prohibit mentally ill people from buy guns." [AP typo]
Fox News covered the story the Bennington Banner wouldn't: a sex offender who victumized a four year goes through a sex offender treatment program and by-passes jail. Why can't they do this great treatment program in jail and not put more children in jeapody during their process???
Post a Comment