Decision not to try Pickton on 20 more charges outrages families
I believe this to be a worthy decision; as policy, I don't see where you could responsibly come to any other conclusion. . He's never going to see parole. Trying him again would only be a symbolic gesture, at a cost of millions to taxpayers. If the people feel that justice has been served, then let that stand. It is not the victims or their representatives that get to mete out what they deem justice.
If it were me? Sure, I'd be mad as hell. But, just as sure as you can't raise the dead, you can't punish Willie Pickton any more than he's been punished.
posted by John Allore @ 2/27/2008 08:09:00 AM
5 comments
5 Comments:
I'd have to side with the families on this one. Their loved one was murdered and they want the person responsible to be named for the record. Pickton can be punished more--it's just that our justice system doesn't allow for anything more than the sentence he was given. (He's still technically eligible for parole in 25 years.) As far as the Crown saying cost was not a factor in taking the other 20 cases trial, I don't buy it. Pickton should be held accountable on every single one of those murders.
Now how often does this happen?
A serial killer is tried and convicted to the maximum sentence before he is tried for every one of his counts.
I'm torn on this one. Millions of dollars have already been spent on this case, so it seems practical to put on the brakes. It can easily be argued that if he is already given a life sentence, how can his sentence be added to?
But the problem here is the needs of the families of the victims, who have not yet been heard. We can't just ignore that, can we?
The only solution I can see is to increase the maximum sentence. I seriously doubt he will ever get parole, even he is eligible to apply. So what's beyond life without parole? I'd like to suggest impalement, but I'm afraid they don't do that anymore.
Did they say second degree murder? Why is that? What counts as first degree murder these days?
Here's something interesting I've read since that last comment.
Jeffrey Dahmer was sentenced to 15 consecutive life terms, a total of 957 years in prison.
He was killed by a prison inmate.
It seems longer sentences for serial killers is not a new idea.
Bill, you wouldn't be trying to give inmates in BC any ideas now would you?
Anon - Anything I can do to help...
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