Too short for prison? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

MsOrange · 05-26-2006, 01:51 PM

wtf?
http://www.wyff4.com/news/9278862/detail.html#

James"Thunder"Early · 05-26-2006, 02:26 PM

That's ridiculous, what does height have to do with anything?

Chelsea · 05-26-2006, 02:34 PM

Did anyone actually look at the photo? 61/62 inches. That's 5'1"/5'2"

Seriously, I mean, COME ON

EmoJoe · 05-26-2006, 02:35 PM

what the heck? that's bull

Jaqui-Michel · 05-26-2006, 03:24 PM

I'm 4'11" and female - would I get the complete slap on the wrist?

Tuesday Weld · 05-26-2006, 04:04 PM

That is so stupid.

MsOrange · 05-26-2006, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seth

Did anyone actually look at the photo? 61/62 inches. That's 5'1"/5'2"

Seriously, I mean, COME ON

if the man is tall enough to molest children, he's tall enough to be someone's bitch in prison

TJL · 05-26-2006, 04:52 PM

Put him in a juvenile prison then!

Oh, wait...

MsOrange · 05-26-2006, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJL

Put him in a juvenile prison then!

Oh, wait...

Polniaczek033 · 05-26-2006, 05:37 PM

wow.
that's rediculous.

80sTrivia · 05-26-2006, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MsOrange

if the man is tall enough to molest children, he's tall enough to be someone's bitch in prison

My thoughts, exactly!!!

snl 70s show fan · 05-26-2006, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 80sTrivia

My thoughts, exactly!!!

mine too

bossradio93 · 05-26-2006, 08:49 PM

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060526/...tence_height_2

Sentence for short sex offender draws fire

By SCOTT BAUER, Associated Press Writer

Fri May 26, 10:50 AM ET

LINCOLN, Neb. - A judge's decision to sentence a 5-foot-1 man to probation instead of prison for sexually assaulting a child has angered crime victim advocates who say the punishment sends the wrong message.

But supporters of short people say it's about time someone recognizes the unique challenges they face.

Cheyenne County District Judge Kristine Cecava issued the sentence Tuesday. She told Richard W. Thompson that his crimes deserved a long prison sentence but that he was too small to survive in a state prison.

Though he could have been sentenced to 10 years behind bars, he ended up with 10 years of probation instead. On Thursday, the state's attorney general, Jon Bruning, promised to appeal within two weeks, calling the sentence far too lenient.

"I'm concerned about the message this sends to victims and perpetrators," said Marla Sohl with the Nebraska Domestic Violence Sexual Assault Coalition, adding that it shows more concern is being placed on the criminal and his safety in prison than the victim.

But Joe Mangano, secretary of the National Organization of Short Statured Adults, agreed with the judge's assessment that Thompson would face dangers while in prison because of his height.

"I'm assuming a short inmate would have a much more difficult time than a large inmate," said Mangano, who is 5 feet 4 inches tall. "It's good to see somebody looking out for someone who is a short person."

Thompson, 50, had sexual contact over a couple of months last year with a 12-year-old girl, said Sidney Police Chief Larry Cox. He was sentenced on two felony sexual assault charges.

As part of the probation, he will be electronically monitored for the first four months and was told never to be alone with someone under age 18 or date or live with a woman whose children were under 18. He was also ordered to get rid of his pornography.

Thompson's attorney, Donald Miller, had no comment on the ruling. Cheyenne County Attorney Paul Schaub, who prosecuted the case, did not return a call seeking comment. Cecava did not return a message seeking comment.

The judge's reasoning confounded Amy Miller, legal director for the Nebraska chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union.

"I have never heard of anything like this before," she said.

No one has ever come to the ACLU to complain of height discrimination, she said. And using Thompson's height as a reason to avoid sending him to prison is surprising, because neither the U.S. nor state constitution provides protections based on physical stature, she said.

A spokesman for the prison system said Thompson's height would not put him at risk among the state's 4,400 inmates. There are protections available in prison to help inmates who feel threatened, prison spokesman Steve King said, but to his knowledge, no one has ever taken advantage of them based on fears related to their height.

"He's not the shortest guy we have in prison," King said. "We've got some short guys that are as tough as nails. We've got people from all ages, physical stature of all sizes, in general population."

State Sen. Ernie Chambers, a longtime critic of judges, said he was baffled by the sentence.

"If shortness is an excuse and protection from going to prison, short people ought to rob banks and do everything else they would wind up going to prison for," Chambers said. "We're talking here about a crime committed against a child, and shortness is not a defense."

___

On the Net:

Nebraska Domestic Violence Sexual Assault Coalition:

http://www.ndvsac.org

National Organization of Short Statured Adults:

http://www.nossaonline.org/nossa.html

Short Support: http://shortsupport.org/index.html

Yahoo! News/AP-May 26, 2006

staypuftman2004 · 05-26-2006, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by evilNpunk

Holy... moley.
Us short people get away with everything.

James"Thunder"Early · 05-26-2006, 09:02 PM

What's just as bad, is the same judge sentenced a man to 5-8 years for stealing a cow.

05-26-2006, 01:51 PM	#1
MsOrange Bringin' Sexy Back Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 27, 2004 Posts: 6,133	Too short for prison? wtf? http://www.wyff4.com/news/9278862/detail.html#

05-26-2006, 02:26 PM	#2
James"Thunder"Early Whoever's In New England Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 23, 2004 Location: The Apollo Posts: 7,088	That's ridiculous, what does height have to do with anything?
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05-26-2006, 02:34 PM	#3
Chelsea Semi-retired Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 07, 2001 Location: Washington Posts: 5,727	Did anyone actually look at the photo? 61/62 inches. That's 5'1"/5'2" Seriously, I mean, COME ON
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05-26-2006, 02:35 PM	#4
EmoJoe Cool cool cool Forum Addict Join Date: Apr 23, 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 71,478	what the heck? that's bull
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05-26-2006, 03:24 PM	#5
Jaqui-Michel Brick City Citizen Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 22, 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 355	I'm 4'11" and female - would I get the complete slap on the wrist?
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05-26-2006, 04:04 PM	#6
Tuesday Weld I missed you all. hugs Forum Celebrity Join Date: Feb 02, 2003 Location: Having a great time. Posts: 22,285	That is so stupid.
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05-26-2006, 04:52 PM	#8
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,588	Put him in a juvenile prison then! Oh, wait...
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05-26-2006, 05:37 PM	#10
Polniaczek033 believe. Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 26, 2002 Location: edinboro. Posts: 4,634	wow. that's rediculous.
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05-26-2006, 08:49 PM	#13
bossradio93 Game Show Fanatic! Senior Member Join Date: Nov 01, 2004 Location: Bellflower, California Posts: 2,392	Sentence for short sex offender draws fire http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060526/...tence_height_2 Sentence for short sex offender draws fire By SCOTT BAUER, Associated Press Writer Fri May 26, 10:50 AM ET LINCOLN, Neb. - A judge's decision to sentence a 5-foot-1 man to probation instead of prison for sexually assaulting a child has angered crime victim advocates who say the punishment sends the wrong message. But supporters of short people say it's about time someone recognizes the unique challenges they face. Cheyenne County District Judge Kristine Cecava issued the sentence Tuesday. She told Richard W. Thompson that his crimes deserved a long prison sentence but that he was too small to survive in a state prison. Though he could have been sentenced to 10 years behind bars, he ended up with 10 years of probation instead. On Thursday, the state's attorney general, Jon Bruning, promised to appeal within two weeks, calling the sentence far too lenient. "I'm concerned about the message this sends to victims and perpetrators," said Marla Sohl with the Nebraska Domestic Violence Sexual Assault Coalition, adding that it shows more concern is being placed on the criminal and his safety in prison than the victim. But Joe Mangano, secretary of the National Organization of Short Statured Adults, agreed with the judge's assessment that Thompson would face dangers while in prison because of his height. "I'm assuming a short inmate would have a much more difficult time than a large inmate," said Mangano, who is 5 feet 4 inches tall. "It's good to see somebody looking out for someone who is a short person." Thompson, 50, had sexual contact over a couple of months last year with a 12-year-old girl, said Sidney Police Chief Larry Cox. He was sentenced on two felony sexual assault charges. As part of the probation, he will be electronically monitored for the first four months and was told never to be alone with someone under age 18 or date or live with a woman whose children were under 18. He was also ordered to get rid of his pornography. Thompson's attorney, Donald Miller, had no comment on the ruling. Cheyenne County Attorney Paul Schaub, who prosecuted the case, did not return a call seeking comment. Cecava did not return a message seeking comment. The judge's reasoning confounded Amy Miller, legal director for the Nebraska chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union. "I have never heard of anything like this before," she said. No one has ever come to the ACLU to complain of height discrimination, she said. And using Thompson's height as a reason to avoid sending him to prison is surprising, because neither the U.S. nor state constitution provides protections based on physical stature, she said. A spokesman for the prison system said Thompson's height would not put him at risk among the state's 4,400 inmates. There are protections available in prison to help inmates who feel threatened, prison spokesman Steve King said, but to his knowledge, no one has ever taken advantage of them based on fears related to their height. "He's not the shortest guy we have in prison," King said. "We've got some short guys that are as tough as nails. We've got people from all ages, physical stature of all sizes, in general population." State Sen. Ernie Chambers, a longtime critic of judges, said he was baffled by the sentence. "If shortness is an excuse and protection from going to prison, short people ought to rob banks and do everything else they would wind up going to prison for," Chambers said. "We're talking here about a crime committed against a child, and shortness is not a defense." ___ On the Net: Nebraska Domestic Violence Sexual Assault Coalition: http://www.ndvsac.org National Organization of Short Statured Adults: http://www.nossaonline.org/nossa.html Short Support: http://shortsupport.org/index.html Yahoo! News/AP-May 26, 2006
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05-26-2006, 09:02 PM	#15
James"Thunder"Early Whoever's In New England Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 23, 2004 Location: The Apollo Posts: 7,088	What's just as bad, is the same judge sentenced a man to 5-8 years for stealing a cow.