California appeals court upholds sentences for men who killed trans teenager

[Natasha]

California appeals court upholds sentences for men who killed trans teenager

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12487.html
Jessica Geen
5/18/09

California's First District Court of Appeal unanimously affirmed the second-degree murder convictions of two men who killed a 17-year-old trans woman.

Gwen Araujo, who was previously known as Eddie, was strangled and beaten by four men in 2002 in Newark after they discovered her trans status.

Michael Magidson and Jose Merel were found guilty of second-degree murder, while Jaron Nabors and Jason Cazares, took plea bargains to voluntary manslaughter.

[Witch of Hope]

I hope,they NEVER leave this prison, and see what it mean to be violated.

[tekla]

They are going to get out at some point, they don't have life sentences.

[Cindy]

There are lots of things in life I do not understand.
One of slight interest is the USA legal system. How come things can murder and get DS, others get fantastic (in every way to me) sentences. And this group of plagues can get away with it? Is it a state thing? I realise there may be legal arguement over level of involvement etc, But a corpse is a corpse. Someone has denied the only chance of that person to be a human being. I don't personally agree with the death penalty; I feel it too lenient. I'd rather see these slobs rot.

Sorry; time for bed, said Zebedee
(who can remember that?)

Cindy

[RebeccaFog]

If you're looking for sensible justice here, then you've come to the wrong place.

I read a story of a mother who overdosed her 5 year old on tranquilizers. The mother got a 2 year sentence.

[NicholeW.]

There are lots of things in life I do not understand.
One of slight interest is the USA legal system. How come things can murder and get DS, others get fantastic (in every way to me) sentences. And this group of plagues can get away with it? Is it a state thing? I realise there may be legal arguement over level of involvement etc, But a corpse is a corpse. Someone has denied the only chance of that person to be a human being. I don't personally agree with the death penalty; I feel it too lenient. I'd rather see these slobs rot.

Sorry; time for bed, said Zebedee
(who can remember that?)

Cindy

Yes, states each have differing laws and ways of carrying those through. States also have to handle their prisons as best they can.

When you've got as much of the population behind bars as do the states and the Feds making space to fit them all in and add extras is a huge and expensive job. We have laws against everything in USA.

But prison-building isn't an inexpensive affair. Thus, sentences often get shortened for "good behavior" and simply because the beds are required for the new arrivals. Thus sentences are seldom what they are originally made. Usually most states work n the 1/3 of a sentence being served and the rest deducted for "good behavior" etc.

N~

[RebeccaFog]

"good behavior" means you only raped other inmates. You didn't kill them.