Lenient sentences for homicide

I have just seen the news and there was an article about a man who got a 4 1/2 years prison sentence for homicide. In this case he wanted to enter a pub but was denied, so in a petulant manner he lobbed a beer bottle in through an open door. The bottle hit a woman, as it did so it somehow managed to slash her neck and she died. The complete ignorance of this man led to an innocent woman's death. But his ignorance paid off because of the leniency of the sentence. This compares to another case which has passed sentencing recently.

A woman queuing up in a supermarket was verbally abused by a teenager, in her upset state she made a phone call to her boyfriend who was sitting outside in the car. He came into the supermarket to console his girlfriend and asked her who it was who had been so obnoxious. She then pointed over towards a que where the teenager had just been served by the checkout staff. The boyfriend, also a body building, strode to the que and hit a man waiting there, the man collapsed and his head struck the floor. It was the wrong person, a completely innocent shopper. The result was homicide, the sentence a mere 4 years. The girlfriend also got sentenced to 18 months.

I can only fathom the judge in each case has decided the deaths were accidental in nature so thought the sentences should be lenient. However, in both cases there was an element of purposefulness. One for revenge of not being let into the pub, the other for revenge of having his girlfriend verbally harassed. Yet someone died, someone who had a family, friends and a useful life. They were murdered by their assailants ignorance. I can't help feel these are examples of excessive leniency. I ask should homicide whether intentional or unintentional begin with the maximum sentence for which murder in the first degree can be given? Then as the case unravels different sentencing regimes become available. We have to ask the question if you intend to hit someone do you understand this act of violence could result in their death? Saying I didn't think he would die has no excuse, understanding people die from head injuries should go without saying. When a man throws an empty bottle into a crowd or enclosed space, you have to ask does he conceivably understand the bottle could actually maim or kill someone if it hits them? If the answer is yes then it is murder. These are cases of ignorance and murder.

Perhaps what the judges did was a bit of mental arithmetic in the accidental murder case, in reality playing a statistical chances. Calculating what is the chance of someone dieing when punched or having a bottle hit them? In addition they would of considered intention and premeditation. I am sure the defence for both accused cases said it was a freak accident and there was no intention to kill, there was no motivation, the murderers didn't know their victims and were not actually gaining from their action. In each case they were insulted and sort action to calm their grievances. So because of their ill feelings an Innocent person dies. Yet we all lose it at times and all manage to contain the monster, or alternatively let out aggression in some other way without committing homicide. Of course with these prison sentences their lives will never be the same, if employed they'd of lost their jobs. They will lose their liberty for a short period and live in a austere environment. But at least they are alive.

The victims will never see their loved ones again, see a sunset, or every have the chance to hug, kiss and love those they so do love. No chance was given to say goodbye. The question is, were the sentences too short and too lenient?

What would your answer be?

25 years on after the miners strike

It has been now 25 years since the miners went on strike, when the most evil of all prime minsters to rule the UK was in power. She was Thatcher, and she took on Scargill resulting in the nation losing badly. Neither personality could contemplate a compromise, neither were prepared to talk. For Scargill it was a matter of keeping every mine open and every miner in a job as this was something which had carried on for eons. Mad Thatcher who had a blue streak the size of a six lane motorway down her spine was motivated by one intention. To break the unions, and in so doing symbolically break her political opponents beyond anything a politician could expect. She was not going to compromise, she was The Woman, doing a job no other woman had done before. Her gender was irrespective, as indeed was her motivation. It was common knowledge no member of her cabinet was able to deter her mind, in her usual style she would bully anyone who stood in her way.

This episode was a demonstration of bloody mindedness and power. It cost the nation sorely. It didn't actually help either Thatcher or Scargill. True politics would of been coming to a compromise, true politics would of meant meeting and talking. Eventually Thatcher's very obdurate attitude to leadership became her downfall. Since her comeuppance the Blue party have never been the same, and as though some divine intervention has now taken place as the Labour party have been ruling longer than any Tory ever has.

The lesson is, listening and compromise are things politicians should take notice of rather than their own personal agenda.

The BBC and not supporting DEF

I heard what can only be described as an embarrassing interview as a chief at the BBC was questioned on a serious morning radio show, also on the BBC as to why they were not going to broadcast the address of the Disaster Emergency Fund for donations. This is in respect of Israeli's bombing of the Gaza strip. Where it is said 1300 Palestinians died and 13 Israelis. The reason for not making this broadcast was the belief it would compromise the BBC's impartiality. This is complete and utter tosh. To date there have been 10,000 complaints to the BBC about this issue. Now the fiasco has become such a nightmare if they were to back down it would be considered bowing to political pressure. So they have to maintain the same stance no matter what, they are committed to a grave error of judgement.

I am personally in a mind whether I should complain to them myself. There is a nasty taste left in my mouth over this issue and I can only think some complete idiot made this decision. The Disaster Fund was set up to help innocent people who are the victim's of unforeseen circumstances, it is a collection of various reputable charities who have no political incentive. By the very act of this fund requesting monies to help these people it means many civilians are in a desperate situation. Politically the world knows Israel has gone way too far with their military actions, the extreme disproportionate attacks and the witness statements of their soldiers killing civilians amounts to a war crime. In the same way the BBC is committing a crime, which is not representative of the ordinary people of this country.

Someone deserves to be sacked.

Mugabe rigs election

It appears with some surprise (not) the election is being rigged in Zimbabwe. Or has been rigged. If the result were yet known. Which we all do know, but officially hasn't been released. An emergency summit of South African nations is taking place in Zambia. This will be where other lackadaisical African presidents wonder if they have got enough gumption to comment on the matter. Lets certainly not consider action, which would be far from their abilities. Nope, especially as the UK has been brandished so Imperialistic. We may have been 200 years ago, but now the only thing nationalistic is our own currency.

I am in the process of reading a book titled "Blood River" it is the story of a reporter who decided to take time out from writing about wars and travel the route Stanley took through what is now known as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). One of the conclusions I constantly come across is the potential of Africa. If the various countries were able to act like real countries should do rather than have constant internal strife then the African continent would be the richest in the world. It's deposits of rare metals and precious stones are unique. Indeed the Uranium used in the Atom bombs dropped on Japan in the second World War came from the DRC. It is with awe when I read of Nigeria (from the web) which has over 250 ethnic groupings.

On paper African states should rule the world but in reality they are suffering extreme poverty. This is something to get real crazy about. Too often famine is associated with one African state or another, too often scheming and corrupt politicians and worse still the ever increasing death toll of ordinary citizens.

Mugabe should go and then face trial

I heard with disappointment as the president for South Africa stated the world should wait patently for Zimbabwe's election results. When the real truth is the results are known, it's just Mugabe doesn't want to let the world know. Yet in another radio broadcast Mugabe was being compared to Hitler and Mussolini. Except Mugabe and the Zanu PF did not have 99 % rule of Zimbabwe only a mere 75%. Although this put him squarely into the brackets of dictator some how Zimbabwe is still considered a democracy. It makes me wonder what Thabo Mbeki owes to Mugabe, Mbeki I read will likely be kicked out of government in the 2009 South African elections. Exactly why are African rulers dissuaded from making negative comments about power crazy megalomaniacs like Mugabe? Are they scared?

Mugabe's hit squads are now lose on the streets of Zimbabwe and seeking to emphasise they are still in power. Elections and democracies have no place here. In a country which needs stability, food and a drastic reduction in crime which now look inevitably to continue. More starvation, more genocide, ridiculous inflation and death.

Goth mindlessly killed by drunk teenage boys

In the last few days the sentencing of two teenage boys has been in the press. They had savagely kicked to death a 20 year old goth girl in August 2007. At the time they began their attack on her she was cradling the head of her boyfriend who had already been subjected to a gang kicking. The two teenage boys were the ring leaders and the murderers. The girl was Sophie Lancaster. Sophie and her boyfriend Robert Maltby, both were put into hospital and it took 2 weeks for Sophie to die. As one article I've just read put it:

"Stephen Herbert, 16, and Brendan Harris, 15, repeatedly stamped upon Sophie Lancaster's head as she lay semi-conscious in a suburban park"

Lets consider this was in a public park (Bacup Park), the teenagers were intoxicated, they were part of a gang which normally number 20 plus. The goths looked different, didn't fit in and so to this degree they would of been the typical focal point for bullies. At first the gang had chatted to Robert and Sophie and then led them into the park. Once there the murder took place. Ryan Herbert and Brendan Harris had also 4 months earlier been found guilty of a similar attack on a 14 year old boy and were given a mere 4 months community service. With the alcohol and the mindset of a crowd of peers the murder became an evening's entertainment. Whether it was their intention to kill Sophie is not noted in the press. However, the ignorance and lack of remorse of these attackers is apparent in a comment made by one of the police officers:

"The only thing these lads think they have done wrong is to be caught. It was almost as though they were laughing and joking about what they had done".

Herbert's and Harris's parents were equally condemned in the press because of their attitude, they had lied to the police to prevent their sons being caught, and in their catastrophic parenting skills they saw nothing wrong in letting their sons get drunk, and terrorise the community. Indeed they share the blame.

A person I know said to me, the teenager murderers who did this should be subjected to the same punishment they dealt out against Sophie and Robert. In this act of retribution these teenage boy murderers would then lose their lives. The manner and savagery of their unprovoked attack on Sophie and Robert certainly does initiate such thoughts, and the question of why should they be allowed to live the remainder of their lives although a number years in prison also comes to mind.

At the time this view was passed on to me I hadn't read about this murder. My thoughts were it was a stupid act, one which they will regret for the rest of their lives and equally paying with life does not mean a wrong senseless act is rectified. But when I consider if this were to happen to anyone I loved, I do know how I'd feel about it and my feelings would likely be to seek a settling of the score. The thing is, if a relative of a victim were to in turn kill a murderer it would be pre meditated. Perhaps even considered worse. However, the motive or revenge rather than entertainment would be justice. Of course the chances of catching a murderer are exceedingly high in the UK. From what I understand is over 95%. If murder could be justified by a revenge attack then it's likely the culprit would be caught as well. Subsequently they would spend years in prison and miss the growing up of their loved ones.

The only punishment Herbert and Harris can have which will effect them is their own conscience, but a long period of their freedom deprived will satisfy the Law. I hope during their spell in prison they think over what they have done and understand it's stupidity. Their remorse haunts them, and especially their ignorance, an ignorance which many teenagers wear like a medal. I have no doubt the young lives of Harris and Herbert were insular and depressive. Yet they made the decision to kill and in making this choice had become adults and murderers. Life is such a precious thing and should not be taken in such a way by anyone, you're a long time dead and only a short time alive.

Zimbarbwe and Mugabe

I just heard this morning on the radio about the elections in Zimbabwe. Mugabe is yet again putting his henchmen to work in fiddling the election results. Of persons still alive and classed as Evil, Mugabwe must be on the list. He has been in a continual process of destroying his own country. I hear inflation is running at 100,000 % per year. Ever since the re-repatriation of land from White farmers to the indigenous population food has been in shortage. Zanu PF, are feared for the terror they bring. Mugabe has said he intends to be in power until he is 100 years old. He's presently 83. The famine and destitution of his country is equivalent to a Chinese water torture of genocide. This is one man in my opinion who is rich in his own self worth.

The current elections are officially said to be so close as the electorate has not voted a clear 51% winner. Yet on the radio 4 Today program a spokes man for the opposition party said Mugabe had lost as he'd only won 42% of seats. Of course it is well known elections under Mugabe's rule have been rigged. With deceased voters suddenly turning up on voting lists. Or empty fields being registered as places where thousands of voters live. The BBC have been banned from reporting inside of Zimbabwe. No doubt because Mugabe see them as part of a white imperialist society. I can only hope when the courts convene on acts of genocide or terror to humanity an arrest warrant is issued on Mugabe. He does not deserve his freedom let alone the status to rule a country.