First of all, I would really like to know the back story on this case:
A young boy who raped a nine-year-old girl has been sentenced to 30 months detention.
Kyle Abdo, who was 11 at the time of the offence, is one of the youngest children ever to be have been convicted of such an offence in this country.
Sentencing Abdo, who is now aged 12, Judge Gerald Clifton said the boy raped the girl during a game of hide and seek.
He told the boy: "This was a bad offence. You hurt the girl in many ways and you have shown no remorse. You must be punished to reinforce the fact that this sort of behaviour is not accepted by decent people." He ordered that Abdo register as a sex offender for life and he lifted an order which had previously banned his identity from being published."
I am of the belief that havin' to register for life is a violation of the Cruel and Unusual Punishment Clause of the US Constitution, but this case was not in the US so our Constitution does not apply. However, being labeled for life in any situation is a life sentence whether you are incarcerated or not.
I do find this case very appalling and wonder what factors occurred that created this little monster. I don't think monsters like this are created in a vacuum. I am totally in agreement that 30 months detention is definitely merited.
I found the link on 2 Stupid 4 Words, a nice blog that does not utilize permalinks.** Too bad, because there is a another very entertaining' account of a grave situation the grumpy bunny faced in her past. I was mindful when readin' the account that had I been overhearin' that tale as one gal was tellin' another, I most likely would have shut it out. I almost did that while readin' it, but I am almost 50, and I really don't know all that much about those things. After readin' it, I am immensely glad of such.
I found 2 Stupid 4 Words through Lisa [Just a Girl].
Lisa also sent me*** to Geoffrey's post about the type of advertisements that are not allowed durin' the Super Bowl. Eric will likely be glad that they have decided to allow no "spin", yellow journalism, muckraking, use of roorback, etc. during commercials playin' during the game. Hooray!
*I use the term "crap" loosely here.
**A possible future member of the munu universe?
***although I would have stumbled across it eventually goin' through my blogroll. ;)
Posted by notGeorge at January 17, 2004 01:23 PMSex offenders are a different breed, in my book. From what I've read, they are more likely than not to repeat the crimes. This makes them a constant threat, and I feel they should have to register for life. Not as punishment, but for the protection of law abiding citizens and children.
Posted by: Geoffrey at January 17, 2004 01:32 PMI firmly believe in sex offender registration, and even believe it might be necessary for some to have to register for their whole lifetime, but what I do not agree with is the inflexibility of mandatory lifetime registration for all sexual offenders. Under our laws, a 20 year old having a loving consensual physical relationship with a mature 16 year old is guilty of a sexual offense and is required to register as a sexual offender for life. I believe there should be a system of regular review. Otherwise, let's make all sexual offenses capital offenses and kill the bastards.
When you start drawing moral lines about what type of activity merits what type of punishment, the lines get fuzzy. Innocent people get caught in the web. It is all a viscious circle and the more mandatory things added to sentences, the less people matter.
Posted by: Tiger at January 17, 2004 02:28 PM