To: arno who wrote (7974 ) 5/11/2002 2:03:59 AM From: Augustus Gloop Respond to The fact that he is 18, while on the surface seems quite young for a life sentence without parole, is not the issue. This Mullins guy is a both a murderer and a rapist. Unlike most murders, Rape (to me) is a crime without motive or benefit to the criminal. It's not a desire for sex but rather desire for control over a woman. I believe the mindset of a rapist is so insidious and evil that, in cases where the evidence is rock solid (such as dna), society has the moral obligation to, AT VERY LEAST, throw away the key. The risks of turning a proven rapist loose are just plain unacceptable in my mind. So while the murder is enough for life in prison it's the rape IMO that clinches the no parole. I would normally be talking death penalty in a situation like this. However, if this guy is TRULY retarded I don't think that's an option - which means life without parole. At that point the issue becomes where to place him. Again, if the guy was TRULY retarded I think an institution is probably the place to send him. This leaves the final issue - THE BILL! As distasteful as it is, incarceration is a cost society must pay to protect itself against criminals when its unwilling to use the death penalty. While sticking the family with the bill sounds great in theory I think it would be tough to impose. No matter how bad the environment was the definition of a "dysfunctional family" is subjective and thus I'm not sure we could create a fair standard by which to judge.
