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Topic: Unequal Justice in 2 identical cases

Bacchus
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 4722

posted 30 July 2007 09:56 AM

CNN says "unequal justice"

Anyone notice the different economic and racial component to the 2 fathers?

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Michelle
Moderator
Babbler # 560

posted 30 July 2007 10:06 AM

That's for sure. Not surprising in the least.

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pookie
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 11357

posted 30 July 2007 10:13 AM

Well, ok, but another big difference is that the father who was actually prosecuted consciously left his daughter in the car, which he had done on previous occasions, but got caught up in horse racing and left her there for 45 minutes. The other father simply did not realize his son was in the car. In terms of legal fault, that's not an insignificant distinction.

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Bacchus
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 4722

posted 30 July 2007 10:34 AM

And the father prosecuted has a low IQ, and other learning issues, as stated in the article. Doesnt that normally factor in?

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Michelle
Moderator
Babbler # 560

posted 30 July 2007 10:38 AM

pookie, both of the fathers put their children in the car, so both of them knew the kid was there. Then both of them forgot about their kids because they were busy doing other stuff.

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Free_Radical
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 12633

posted 30 July 2007 10:50 AM

No.

The first father put their kid in the car to drive them to day care, and ultimately forgot about them.

The second father intentionally put their daughter in a parked car to avoid having to look after her. He checked on her a few times, and then forgot.

Did it merit 20 years and deportation? No. But he seems far more culpable for his actions then the first father.

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pookie
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 11357

posted 30 July 2007 10:54 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Michelle:
pookie, both of the fathers put their children in the car, so both of them knew the kid was there. Then both of them forgot about their kids because they were busy doing other stuff.

What matters is whether they knew the kid was there when they left the car. According to the story, the first father didn't. Assuming he's telling the truth, that makes a difference.

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pookie
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 11357

posted 30 July 2007 10:59 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Bacchus:
And the father prosecuted has a low IQ, and other learning issues, as stated in the article. Doesnt that normally factor in?

I don't see why that would figure into a decision to prosecute, though it certainly could be a mitigating factor at sentencing. If the disability is that serious, surely the person's ability to parent, period, becomes fair game?

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Michelle
Moderator
Babbler # 560

posted 30 July 2007 11:08 AM

I guess. I don't know. I think it was neglect in both cases. One guy did it out of forgetfulness and the other guy did it out of ignorance.

From: I've got a fever, and the only prescription is more cowbell. | Registered: May 2001 | IP: Logged

pookie
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 11357

posted 30 July 2007 11:39 AM

I should add that I think that father who was prosecuted has undergone a terrible ordeal and I think the severity of the punishment is inhumane. I just reject the idea that the cases are identical.

From: there's no "there" there | Registered: Dec 2005 | IP: Logged

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