Guy Blows Teammate Away and Only Get 35 Years?

MylesKnight · 06-15-2005, 02:58 PM

Dotson gets 35 years

Well, I normally stay away from any sort of serious conversation when it comes to FOFC (this is my fun site), but I had to say something about this..

How is it that someone can shoot somebody in cold blood, claim they were having mental issues, and not end up either in the gas chamber or in prison for the rest of their life?

35 years? This guy will be living amongst the rest of us some day down the road? Geez.

Whatever happened to an eye for an eye? (or something even remotely similar to that).

miami_fan · 06-15-2005, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MylesKnight

Dotson gets 35 years

Well, I normally stay away from any sort of serious conversation when it comes to FOFC (this is my fun site), but I had to say something about this..

How is it that someone can shoot somebody in cold blood, claim they were having mental issues, and not end up either in the gas chamber or in prison for the rest of their life?

35 years? This guy will be living amongst the rest of us some day down the road? Geez.

Whatever happened to an eye for an eye? (or something even remotely similar to that).

Plea bargin?

Samdari · 06-15-2005, 03:07 PM

FYI - 35 years in prison is generally regarded as severe punishment.

Ksyrup · 06-15-2005, 03:10 PM

Since he pleaded, he had to get something in exchange for not going to trial, didn't he? And I've seen far lesser sentences for something similar, so it's not like he's getting off lightly.

MylesKnight · 06-15-2005, 03:11 PM

I'm going to say this and then I will leave it alone...

IMHO, if you do that kind of thing to someone you don't deserve to ever see the light of day again as a free human being.

Why should he live and have a chance in life? The kid that he did that do surely won't have that opportunity.

Murder is a pretty darn serious thing and should be handled accordingly.

cartman · 06-15-2005, 03:13 PM

I'm not 100% certain, but I think he was charged with 2nd degree murder, not 1st degree murder. I am certain that there wasn't a plea bargain, he volunteered to plead guilty without first trying to get a deal from the prosecution.

Ksyrup · 06-15-2005, 03:14 PM

You take a risk by going to trial, though. What if the jury somehow found that he acted in self-defense and let him off? Then what? 35 years would look pretty damn good, wouldn't it? It's not like the prosecution had the iron-clad choice of 35 years versus life in prison/death row and just decided to take the 35 years because they didn't feel like going to court. Nothing is a sure thing.

Ksyrup · 06-15-2005, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cartman

I'm not 100% certain, but I think he was charged with 2nd degree murder, not 1st degree murder. I am certain that there wasn't a plea bargain, he volunteered to plead guilty without first trying to get a deal from the prosecution.

And if that's the case, you take what you can get. They obviously didn't feel like they had enough evidence to charge him with 1st degree murder.

Raiders Army · 06-15-2005, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MylesKnight

I'm going to say this and then I will leave it alone...

IMHO, if you do that kind of thing to someone you don't deserve to ever see the light of day again as a free human being.

Why should he live and have a chance in life? The kid that he did that do surely won't have that opportunity.

Murder is a pretty darn serious thing and should be handled accordingly.

I agree, but I don't think I would be all-inclusive. What if it were a man who killed someone who raped his daughter? Or what if that someone killed his daughter?

BigJohn&TheLions · 06-15-2005, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raiders Army

I agree, but I don't think I would be all-inclusive. What if it were a man who killed someone who raped his daughter? Or what if that someone killed his daughter?

Well, if that person was a famous freak he would be found not guilty, then the jury could get their cd's signed!

Samdari · 06-15-2005, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MylesKnight

I'm going to say this and then I will leave it alone...

IMHO, if you do that kind of thing to someone you don't deserve to ever see the light of day again as a free human being.

Why should he live and have a chance in life? The kid that he did that do surely won't have that opportunity.

Murder is a pretty darn serious thing and should be handled accordingly.

If everyone who was convicted of murder in the country got the death penalty, the legal fees would cripple the country.

Joe · 06-15-2005, 03:44 PM

I was expecting 10 years max.

panerd · 06-15-2005, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MylesKnight

Dotson gets 35 years

Well, I normally stay away from any sort of serious conversation when it comes to FOFC (this is my fun site), but I had to say something about this..

How is it that someone can shoot somebody in cold blood, claim they were having mental issues, and not end up either in the gas chamber or in prison for the rest of their life?

35 years? This guy will be living amongst the rest of us some day down the road? Geez.

Whatever happened to an eye for an eye? (or something even remotely similar to that).

If it was a federal case, then it might be because they need room to hold the man the sentenced to 55 years for selling marijuana last winter. But that crime probably is 157% worse than murder.

JonInMiddleGA · 06-15-2005, 03:58 PM

Although I'm open to somone finding better/more current statistics, it appears that this guy actually got slammed pretty hard.

According to this report from the DOJ
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/pub/pdf/scscf02.pdf
State Court Sentencing of Convicted Felons, 2002 -- Statistical Tables (Table 1.2)

The mean sentence for murder (incl. negligent homicide) in state courts across the US was 225 months, a bit under 20 years.

MylesKnight · 06-15-2005, 05:35 PM

In this particular circumstance, the murderer seemed to have killed in cold blood. That is what I am getting at. And if you kill someone in that way, do you deserve to ever be free again? I don't believe so...

How our justice system works (and I use that word very loosely) is almost comical. Hell, this guy may end up doing less time than the black man who stole the old white lady's tv in N.C. did. Now that's justice.

judicial clerk · 06-15-2005, 06:26 PM

Are you saying that the Texas criminal justice system is too easy on convicts?

Joe · 06-15-2005, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by judicial clerk

Are you saying that the Texas criminal justice system is too easy on convicts?

Of course it is! Texas should have at least twice the executions they have now.

Raven Hawk · 06-15-2005, 10:49 PM

Everytime I skim the threads, this one catches may attention:

"Guy Blows Teammate . . . "

And I think WTF? And have to read it.

I've said my peace. Go about your business.

cthomer5000 · 06-15-2005, 10:55 PM

Exact opposite with me. I think this is the first time in ten tries i didn't stop reading after seeing "Guy Blows Teammate."

Deattribution · 06-15-2005, 11:23 PM

Tell him he got off lightly in about 25-30 years and see what his answer is... That's alotta time.

timmynausea · 06-15-2005, 11:57 PM

The Guy Blows Teammate thing threw me as well. I thought 35 years was pretty steep for that.

ISiddiqui · 06-15-2005, 11:59 PM

Well it IS Texas.

06-15-2005, 03:07 PM	#3
Samdari Roster Filler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Cicero	FYI - 35 years in prison is generally regarded as severe punishment. __________________ http://www.nateandellie.net Now featuring twice the babies for the same low price!

06-15-2005, 03:10 PM	#4
Ksyrup This guy has posted so much, his fingers are about to fall off. Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: In Absentia	Since he pleaded, he had to get something in exchange for not going to trial, didn't he? And I've seen far lesser sentences for something similar, so it's not like he's getting off lightly. __________________ M's pitcher Miguel Batista: "Now, I feel like I've had everything. I've talked pitching with Sandy Koufax, had Kenny G play for me. Maybe if I could have an interview with God, then I'd be served. I'd be complete."

06-15-2005, 03:11 PM	#5
MylesKnight College Benchwarmer Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Neptune Beach, Florida	I'm going to say this and then I will leave it alone... IMHO, if you do that kind of thing to someone you don't deserve to ever see the light of day again as a free human being. Why should he live and have a chance in life? The kid that he did that do surely won't have that opportunity. Murder is a pretty darn serious thing and should be handled accordingly. __________________ IT'S ALL ABOUT THE BLACK & GOLD!!

06-15-2005, 03:13 PM	#6
cartman Death Herald Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Le stelle la notte sono grandi e luminose nel cuore profondo del Texas	I'm not 100% certain, but I think he was charged with 2nd degree murder, not 1st degree murder. I am certain that there wasn't a plea bargain, he volunteered to plead guilty without first trying to get a deal from the prosecution. __________________ Thinkin' of a master plan 'Cuz ain't nuthin' but sweat inside my hand So I dig into my pocket, all my money is spent So I dig deeper but still comin' up with lint Last edited by cartman : 06-15-2005 at 03:14 PM.

06-15-2005, 03:14 PM	#7
Ksyrup This guy has posted so much, his fingers are about to fall off. Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: In Absentia	You take a risk by going to trial, though. What if the jury somehow found that he acted in self-defense and let him off? Then what? 35 years would look pretty damn good, wouldn't it? It's not like the prosecution had the iron-clad choice of 35 years versus life in prison/death row and just decided to take the 35 years because they didn't feel like going to court. Nothing is a sure thing. __________________ M's pitcher Miguel Batista: "Now, I feel like I've had everything. I've talked pitching with Sandy Koufax, had Kenny G play for me. Maybe if I could have an interview with God, then I'd be served. I'd be complete." Last edited by Ksyrup : 06-15-2005 at 03:14 PM.

06-15-2005, 03:44 PM	#12
Joe Pro Starter Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Minneapolis	I was expecting 10 years max.

06-15-2005, 03:58 PM	#14
JonInMiddleGA Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Behind Enemy Lines in Athens, GA	Although I'm open to somone finding better/more current statistics, it appears that this guy actually got slammed pretty hard. According to this report from the DOJ http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/pub/pdf/scscf02.pdf State Court Sentencing of Convicted Felons, 2002 -- Statistical Tables (Table 1.2) The mean sentence for murder (incl. negligent homicide) in state courts across the US was 225 months, a bit under 20 years. __________________ "I lit another cigarette. Unless I specifically inform you to the contrary, I am always lighting another cigarette." - from a novel by Martin Amis

06-15-2005, 05:35 PM	#15
MylesKnight College Benchwarmer Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Neptune Beach, Florida	In this particular circumstance, the murderer seemed to have killed in cold blood. That is what I am getting at. And if you kill someone in that way, do you deserve to ever be free again? I don't believe so... How our justice system works (and I use that word very loosely) is almost comical. Hell, this guy may end up doing less time than the black man who stole the old white lady's tv in N.C. did. Now that's justice. __________________ IT'S ALL ABOUT THE BLACK & GOLD!!

06-15-2005, 06:26 PM	#16
judicial clerk College Benchwarmer Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Portland, OR	Are you saying that the Texas criminal justice system is too easy on convicts?

06-15-2005, 10:49 PM	#18
Raven Hawk College Starter Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Thunderdome	Everytime I skim the threads, this one catches may attention: "Guy Blows Teammate . . . " And I think WTF? And have to read it. I've said my peace. Go about your business. __________________ Owner of The Shreveport Pride in The CFL

06-15-2005, 11:23 PM	#20
Deattribution College Benchwarmer Join Date: Oct 2003	Tell him he got off lightly in about 25-30 years and see what his answer is... That's alotta time.

06-15-2005, 11:57 PM	#21
timmynausea College Starter Join Date: Dec 2002	The Guy Blows Teammate thing threw me as well. I thought 35 years was pretty steep for that.

06-15-2005, 11:59 PM	#22
ISiddiqui Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Decatur, GA	Well it IS Texas. __________________ "A prayer for the wild at heart, kept in cages" -Tennessee Williams

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