Today, I hate people.

[gridlore]

People are making it really hard to be a progressive today. In response to the Derek Chauvin sentencing, I was seeing any number of people screaming "It should have been life!" or "Give him the death penalty!"

Never mind that neither of these things was ever an option based on the crimes he was convicted of. 40 years was the maximum, 30 is what the prosecutor asked for, and the defense asked for probation. The sentence of 22.5 years, or which Chauvin has to serve at least 15 before he can get parole, is quite fair and in the interests of justice.

But the same people who march in the streets demanding equal application of the law literally said that drawing and quartering were not out of line. I've been blocked and muted several times on Twitter because I refuse to join in the bloodlust. A cop not only was arrest and convicted of murder, but he's also going to be behind bars until at least 2036.

People need to learn how to take a win.

Comments

Musing on this -

[murphymom]

I read somewhere that the sentence, because it was more than the defense asked for but less the prosecution recommended, removes one possible grounds for an appeal. That's a good thing. I also understand (after so many years married to a lawyer) that it's important to ask for what you know you have a reasonable chance of achieving, which is rarely what you believe you're entitled to. I do wish that ALL murder convictions came "without possibility of parole" but I'd settle for "without possibility...until the minimum has been served."

Kind of like trump - I'd love to see him tried and convicted of Crimes Against Humanity and given the appropriate sentence. But if they can get him for tax evasion, I'll take it.

[kevin_standlee]

I'm with you. The fact that he got any sentence other than a slap on the wrist should not be, but is, a great relief. And I rather expect that the rest of his life is ruined, which it should be. I mean, it's not one of my loved ones who was murdered, but it still seems like justice was done within the bounds of the law.