Bill O'Reilly is once again fuming about Vermont's lack of sufficient justice when little kids are molested and sodomized. Here is why he is right.
Last year, Judge Edward Cashman in Vermont delivered a sentence of only 60 days in prison to a man who sodomized a 6-year old girl over 4 years! 60 days behind bars for mentally and physically scarring an innocent girl, possibly for life. Would you rest peacefully if this was your daughter or relative? - knowing in just 2 months' time the perpetrator would be out on the loose again - living life? Of course not. Neither did most Americans.
When the news broke about this blatant injustice, mounting pressure forced Judge Cashman to up the sentence to 3 years - an improvement, but nonetheless far too lenient when you consider the repeated crime that was committed against this little girl.
Flash forward now to Judge David Howard, again from Vermont. This Judge has recently sentenced a man who molested a 4-year old boy - at least 10 times - to "probation and mandatory treatment". This child molester already had a violent criminal history and was previously sentenced to prison for only 30 days for using a screwdriver in an attack on his own wife - in plain view of his own kids.
Sadly, this child molester is now "free" to do as he pleases - with no prison time. Thanks to Judge Howard and Prosecutor Andrew Costello - who cut a deal with the child molester so he could plead "guilty" to the charge and receive the "watered-down" sentence. There was so much "water" involved that it is hard to believe no one drowned!
Both Vermont and Minnesota practise what is known as "restorative justice" - meaning that it is better for society when both the accuser and the accused is "healed". Well what about "punishment should fit the crime"? Why has that been conveniently left out? Is "probation" the proper punishment for molesting an innocent 4-year old boy - at least 10 times? The phrase "restorative justice" should really be cut down to a single word - "restorative" - because there is NO justice done for those who have been violated and scarred for life.
Needless to say, Vermont has NOT approved "Jessica's Law" - which was passed in Florida in 2005 and ensures first-time child sex predators are sentenced to prison for a minimum of 25 years and a maximum of life.
Until all states pass a version of Jessica's Law and get really serious about putting away child molesters for a long time - your children remain in harm's way.
Last year, Judge Edward Cashman in Vermont delivered a sentence of only 60 days in prison to a man who sodomized a 6-year old girl over 4 years! 60 days behind bars for mentally and physically scarring an innocent girl, possibly for life. Would you rest peacefully if this was your daughter or relative? - knowing in just 2 months' time the perpetrator would be out on the loose again - living life? Of course not. Neither did most Americans.
When the news broke about this blatant injustice, mounting pressure forced Judge Cashman to up the sentence to 3 years - an improvement, but nonetheless far too lenient when you consider the repeated crime that was committed against this little girl.
Flash forward now to Judge David Howard, again from Vermont. This Judge has recently sentenced a man who molested a 4-year old boy - at least 10 times - to "probation and mandatory treatment". This child molester already had a violent criminal history and was previously sentenced to prison for only 30 days for using a screwdriver in an attack on his own wife - in plain view of his own kids.
Sadly, this child molester is now "free" to do as he pleases - with no prison time. Thanks to Judge Howard and Prosecutor Andrew Costello - who cut a deal with the child molester so he could plead "guilty" to the charge and receive the "watered-down" sentence. There was so much "water" involved that it is hard to believe no one drowned!
Both Vermont and Minnesota practise what is known as "restorative justice" - meaning that it is better for society when both the accuser and the accused is "healed". Well what about "punishment should fit the crime"? Why has that been conveniently left out? Is "probation" the proper punishment for molesting an innocent 4-year old boy - at least 10 times? The phrase "restorative justice" should really be cut down to a single word - "restorative" - because there is NO justice done for those who have been violated and scarred for life.
Needless to say, Vermont has NOT approved "Jessica's Law" - which was passed in Florida in 2005 and ensures first-time child sex predators are sentenced to prison for a minimum of 25 years and a maximum of life.
Until all states pass a version of Jessica's Law and get really serious about putting away child molesters for a long time - your children remain in harm's way.
