Man Sentenced To Life In Prison For Shoplifting

Well, maybe we can all learn something from this. Don't steal. If he wasn't stealing, he wouldt be in prison.

reply to post by DCDAVECLARKE


very well said, looking down the threads i find that nothing has changed with the intelligence level on this sight nor america. this country is in one of the worst recessions ever, and the average joe has his eyes on the little guy stealing and acting like an ape, never mind looking above this measly lil rodent to the big fat rats that are stealing everyone blind and creating this mess to begin with -utter disbelief

[edit on 28-6-2010 by allprowolfy]

reply to post by PayMeh

Politically correct bias assumptions have ruined this country and "the system."

When you learn the REAL story instead of some imagined "system failure" you may be able to approach this rationally:

44-year-old Darnell Wilson will serve three life sentences in Mississippi, largely paying for crimes in Tennessee.

Tuesday, June 22, a DeSoto County judge issued Wilson three life sentences.

In August, 2009, Wilson was arrested after stealing $900 in merchandise from a Kohl’s department store in Southaven.

According to DeSoto County Assistant District Attorney, Smith Murphey, Wilson led police on a pursuit into Tennessee, injuring an officer in the process.

Murphey says, "It's not just shoplifting, the endangerment of hundreds of people on Goodman Road. Anybody who's driven down Goodman, at 5:00 on a Friday knows the traffic. And for anybody to go down that road at 80 miles an hour, it’s reckless. A willful disregard for the value of human life."
...

A DeSoto County jury convicted Wilson of three felonies; grand larceny, fleeing and assault on an officer.

In Mississippi, with two or more prior felonies, and at least one year in jail, a life sentence is actually mandatory by the court, unless a judge finds the sentence inappropriate.

www.myeyewitnessnews.com...

It's not "just a candy bar," or only "shoplifitng."

The punishment fits the crime as well as the criminal.

deny ignorance

jw

reply to post by jdub297


I agree that fleeing by car is very dangerous and does potentially injure or kill innocent people who do not deserve it.

Just saying that if I knew I was probably going to be sent down the river for the rest of my life I'd run like hell too.

And then, there would be no chase if the police didn't pursue. In my humble opinion, a police officer is foolish to risk other lives, including their own, in the pursuit of mere stolen property.

It is true that the police exist mostly to defend the property rights of the ruling classes, but if it were me and it was either my life or Kohl's merchandise I would let the store absorb their loss.


[edit on 28-6-2010 by Sestias]

Should have just chopped his hand off I bet he would stop stealing then. Sorry but I hate people that steal stuff. and even if he did continue to steal with one hand hed at least have a cool name. Youd read the paper and see HAND Solo strikes again! ha ha. Get it Hand Solo ok im lame.

reply to post by jdub297


It's still a sentence disproportionate to the crime. 3 life sentences, for crying out loud. People steal stuff, people run from the cops. It happens all the time and people are not given such sentences. Hell, watch an episode of Cops and 99% of the footage they show involve people doing this kind of stuff.

I suppose you'd like to see him charged with use of a deadly weapon in commission of a felony since he was driving recklessly. Might as well add a 4th charge and give him 4 life sentences.

Reckless behavior is just that. The fact that he "could have" killed someone is not the same as he "did" kill someone. It should not carry a sentence greater than that of a homicide or rape. All this man is officially guilty of is stealing $900 worth of merchandise and running from the cops.

If anything the cops used poor judgement chasing the man and exacerbated the situation. The cops were the ones who ultimately placed the public in mortal danger in order to catch a thief. So technically they risked civilian life for a $900 dollar shoplift. THEY DON"T EVEN ENGAGE ARMED BANK ROBBERS IN CONSIDERATION OF THE POSSIBLE COLLATERAL DAMAGE.

I'm not making excuses for the man, once again I'm simply stating that the punishment does not fit the crime. If you truly believe a habitual shoplifter deserves 3 life sentences then you might as well lump people who bounce checks in the same category, and while you're at it, throw in people who smoke pot in zero tolerance states like Nevada because we all know how dangerous and undeserving of life they are.

BTW I'm done with this thread and this will be my last post here. If this is the sentiment of the majority living in the US, then we are all in a very bad predicament.

First off, the title of this thread should not read ''Man Sentenced To Life In Prison For Shoplifting'' because that's not true, it's the kind of sensationalist headline/title that the gutter press spout just to get people to read and the ATS standard should be above tabloid rubbish.

Also, this makes my blood boil, yes the guy should be severely punished for putting people in danger but a life sentence is ridiculous, especially when you see the same judges giving child molesters 12 months for their inhuman acts, it makes me wonder if half the judges are pedo's themselves with some of the sentences I've seen given out to this vile scum.

He only has himself to blame for repeat-offending many times. I would give him the option of deportation if he does not want to go to prison.

Originally posted by PayMeh
reply to post by jdub297

 

People steal stuff, people run from the cops. It happens all the time and people are not given such sentences.

...

If this is the sentiment of the majority living in the US, then we are all in a very bad predicament.

I've edited your post to more accurately reflect your dangerously passive, politically correct state of mind.

Whatever happened to "the higher standard" of conduct we should expect from each other?

When we are willing to tolerate repeated, unrepentent disrespect for others' lives and safety, property, and the law, we get exactly the country and society we deserve.

Lower your standards much further and you've reached the bottom.

jw

Originally posted by Hitotsumami
reply to post by Sestias

 

Thanks for the thread!

In my opinion, the punishment should equal the crime. However, it seems he has repeated this felony ten previous times. For this case, I have to agree with ThaLoccster.

Looking at his record, it was obvious he was never going to change. Why lock him up for one year so he can get out and potentially kill someone robbing them.

He has had many chances to redeem himself already.

Kind regards

And you will pay the bill.
About 2 million dollars.

And you forced him to steal.
If drugs were legal he would have been
doing them instead of stealing.

Originally posted by allprowolfy
reply to post by DCDAVECLARKE

 

very well said, looking down the threads i find that nothing has changed with the intelligence level on this sight nor america. this country is in one of the worst recessions ever, and the average joe has his eyes on the little guy stealing and acting like an ape, never mind looking above this measly lil rodent to the big fat rats that are stealing everyone blind and creating this mess to begin with -utter disbelief

[edit on 28-6-2010 by allprowolfy]

I know what yea mean man!

[edit on 28-6-2010 by DCDAVECLARKE]

Originally posted by IvanObanion
maybe if we met him in person it'd be more obvious why they're being so harsh. some people jsut exude that winning personality.

it's possible the judge gave him the life sentence with parole options. i doubt they'll keep him forever? he'll probably get a hearing in a few years. sounds like he just really pissed the judge off.

leaving one state because of such a terrible history then showing up in a new state and bringing your crime with you. that'd piss off quite a few people i'd imagine.

Its disturbing that you think someone's personality and how courteous they are to the judge should determine the punishment for a crime. Sadly, people with such nonsensical positions seem to be judges and police men these days.

At first I was a little aggravated by the headline but, after reading his prior convictions, I have no love loss for him. Shoplifting is NOT a victimless crime. It affects each and every honest consumer.

If after that many arrests and convictions, he does not want to be a productive member of society, than he should not be allowed to be our society.

Now, I do disagree with imprisoning him and wasting our tax dollars on him. I am, and always will be a firm believer that if people repeatedly show that they do not want to be an honest and positive contributing factor to society, we should start ostracizing them. Lets build an island and send those people there. Let them start their own civilization with what ever laws they deem adequate.

Originally posted by mr-lizard
Jeez... It's a victimless crime, i'm not excusing it - but when you hear about rapists getting 5 years and murderers getting 6 years, you gotta realise there's something massively wrong with society and the law.

Maybe the guy had Kleptomania or was funding a habit or was poor.

Sure lock him up, teach him a lesson or send him into rehab, but don't lock him away for life.

Our society and laws are sad isn't it?

It reminds me of the west memphis three where were innocently charged of murder even though evidence was shown they didn't do the crime. It was the father of the child that did it.

en.wikipedia.org...


Shop lifting for life in prison is just as sad as the WM3.





[edit on 28-6-2010 by dragnet53]

reply to post by RRokkyy

And you forced him to steal.
If drugs were legal he would have been
doing them instead of stealing.

Oh my dear Lord i hope you're being sarcastic.

If drugs were LEGAL? As if legality every stopped someone from doing drugs

reply to post by truthquest

Its disturbing that you think someone's personality and how courteous they are to the judge should determine the punishment for a crime. Sadly, people with such nonsensical positions seem to be judges and police men these days.

Why is it disturbing? Respect goes a long way. If you are truly remorseful for what you've done, it says something in the way of "i wont ever do this again". Remorseful people aren't loud mouthed pricks cursing & swearing in a court room.

If you're disrespectful and obnoxious then chances are you feel you're above the law and need to be taught a lesson.

I agree, 100% with it. And i laugh every time someone pathetically stands up for a convicted criminal.

Every single time.

I really cannot believe the posts from some people on here.This man is a career criminal that has numerous felony convictions and obviously that has not stop him from breaking the law. If you know that there may be a chance that you will end up in prison for life yet you still continue to break the law then you get what you deserve. I have no sympathy for this man as he knew the consequences of his actions before he did it. You may look at this as being harsh but when you get by with that many felonies without having to do alot of prison time you get the I won't get caught syndrome and think since I got away with it before I will get away with it again.
The question here is what would he have done next maybe a more serious crime. I can tell you from experience that the laws in this country may be harsher with people then other countries but if you are going to do the crime be prepared to do the time. I had a situation 10 years ago that in all honesty was my fault but the sentence was rediculous. I was sentenced to 90 days confinement and 10 years probation for a felony drug offfense and this is my only felony I ever had. Yet I know people that have had worse criminal records then me and were going to do less time for more serious crimes.So yes the penal system is not perfect but it is and should deter people from commiting crimes. This individual knew what could happen if he was caught and yet he did the crime anyways. So to that he gets what he deserved,and trust me if you break the law in different states that record will be with you and it doesn't stop at the border if you go to a state that has a 3 strike law and you have a lengthy felony record the best thing to do is stay out of trouble or say bye to all your family and friends and tell them you will see them on visitors day. He knew what his consequences would be and he still did the crime so he desreves what was given to him.

reply to post by Sestias


The question is no why are so many people in jail... thats simple. Alot of people commit offences time after time , and many find making an honest living impossible. Im not suprised either, since the large majority of job oppertunities available in any western society are dead end, pay next to nothing, and cannot keep a man in food and beer, let alone feed a family of four comfortably.
This particular case seems to be the very text book case of a career thief , getting the just reward for his life of crime. Sure, the individual offence might not be serious on the face of it, but look at the facts.
He had many prior convictions , and lead the police on a chase, which is NEVER a safe thing to do, its tantamount to reckless endangerment of a whole community . When chases like that go bad, people die, or at least recieve serious and permanently scarified injuries, both physicaly and mentaly .
The dude has obviously been a scumbag for a long time, racking up offence after offence with little or no regard to the consequences, including but not limited to the danger he put the public in on this particular occasion... how can you justify anything other than locking him up for the saftey of the community ?

Let me PREPHASE by saying ...

"I'm just saying"

If we would have chopped one of his hands off after the first theft ... he might have never stolen again, after the second theft he would have for sure never stolen again, being as we would have chopped his second and final hand off, saving him life in PRISONMENT.

Can we please take a lesson from history ... CAUSE AND EFFECT PEOPLE CAUSE AND EFFECT !!! Come on ... Come on !!! Rediculous.