[Vision2020] The Parks Case

[Ron Force]

It would seem to indicate from the penalties that the Idaho Legislature places a greater value on property than people.  I think they've proved that on a number of occasions.

Ron Force
Moscow Idaho USA




________________________________
From: Sue Hovey <suehovey at moscow.com>
To: Ron Force <rforce2003 at yahoo.com>; vision2020 at moscow.com
Sent: Fri, April 2, 2010 12:17:59 PM
Subject: Re: [Vision2020] The Parks Case

 
Of course all you write is 
true.  One would think a defense attorney would make those arguments, 
and the cost of a trial, is I suppose, a mitigating factor; but from all 
that was known about his history of abuse, and regardless of the ruling 
from Judge Brudie, citizens of Latah County should wonder why any 
prosecutor, police officer, or other member of the court, would be 
"satisfied" that a man who killed his wife may go to prison for that act 
for 15 years, and get an additional 25 years for setting fire to the 
building in which they lived.   If a prison sentence and the 
seriousness of the act have any relationship, is it not at least ironic the 
taking of her life when she was pregnant with his child, appears to be less 
a reason to punish Parks, than his act of arson to their apartment?  
 
One can talk about mitigating 
circumstances all they want, but the result of this case would tend to support a 
legal contention that wives and children are merely chattel.  
 
Sue Hovey


From: Ron Force 
Sent: Tuesday, March 30, 2010 2:09 PM
To: vision2020 at moscow.com 
Subject: Re: [Vision2020] (Vision 2020) Say 
What?????

With all due consideration to the justifiable outrage, we really don't know 
the circumstances of the crime, as the perpetrator was the only witness. A 
defense attorney could argue that her death was the result of a domestic 
argument, her killing was in a moment of rage (second degree),  and his 
subsequent actions were done in a panic.  The minimum penalty for second 
degree homicide is less than the maximum for voluntary manslaughter:

>From 
the Idaho Code on Criminal Penalties:

  1.  Voluntary--by a fine of not more than fifteen thousand dollars
($15,000), or by a sentence to the custody of the state board of correction
not exceeding fifteen (15) years, or by both such fine and imprisonment.If 
a jury, or
the court if a jury is waived, does not find a statutory 
aggravating
circumstance beyond a reasonable doubt or if the death penalty is 
not sought,
the court shall impose a life sentence with a minimum period of 
confinement of
not less than ten (10) years during which period of 
confinement the offender
shall not be eligible for parole or discharge or 
credit or reduction of
sentence for good conduct, except for meritorious 
service. Every person guilty
of murder of the second degree is punishable by 
imprisonment not less than ten
(10) years and the imprisonment may extend to 
life.

By adding the maximum sentences for the lesser crimes, he may serve 
more time than if convicted of first degree murder.

The prosecutor has to 
balance the likely outcome of a trial with the cost to the county's 
budget.  If he can get a plea that imposes an equivalent punishment without 
the cost of a trial, he may think it a desirable outcome.
Murder trials are 
expensive, and the Idaho public, while desirous of harsh justice, does not seem 
to wish to tax themselves in a manner to achieve it.

Ron Force
Moscow, 
ID USA



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