Monday, January 02, 2006



WHY DID THIS GUY GET JAILED AT ALL? IT WAS CLEARLY SELF-DEFENCE

The report below says the sentence was too light! The fact that both guys were scum is irrelevant. Definitely strange doings in Alabama

Alabama's law enforcement agencies say they are committed to putting violent criminals away for long periods of time. But today, in Montgomery County, a mixed message. A 25-year-old man who pleaded guilty to murder will serve just two years in prison. Victims rights groups call it a miscarriage of justice.

It was just over two years ago when Chris Postma and Jason Barco collided inside Moody's Sports Bar on the Eastern Bypass. Witnesses said the situation got very violent very quickly. "They were separated by security at the sports bar, who sprayed them both including some the patrons with mace, then threw them out of the bar," said Daryl Bailey, Montgomery County's Chief Assistant District Attorney.

They threw them out of the bar and into the parking lot, where Barco got into his car. But before he could leave, Chris Postma made the last mistake of his life. He went after Barco. Bailey explained what happened next. "The victim came after him, chasing him, and that is when the defendant shoots him," he said.

When police finally caught Barco, they charged him with capital murder and with it a possible death penalty. But the grand jury downgraded the charge to murder, and Barco cut a deal to plead guilty. Bailey outlined the sentence prosecutors agreed to. "He has to serve two years incarceration and then will be put on a period of probation," said Bailey.

What makes that sentence so disturbing is that police knew Barco. His arrest record shows attempted murder, assault, and harassment charges, but police never convicted him. Officers knew Postma, too. They charged him with rape and assault a year before his death. Even without that information, one victim rights group is calling foul.

Shelly Linderman, Director of VOCAL's Angel House issued the following statement: "Two years is not adequate justice for murder. This is not justice for the victim, whatever his circumstance, and it represents a failure in the system," she wrote....

Officially, Jason Barco got what is called a split sentence, meaning, on paper he got 15 years, but will serve only two. He also got credit for any time he served in jail while awaiting trial.

More here



(And don't forget your ration of Wicked Thoughts for today)

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