Justice Denied
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Mark Daniels Mark Daniels's Weblog
- Published Mar 16, 2006
Witness yet another ridiculous judgment involving a known child molester. This time, the story comes from
But why, then, did that same judge sentence Selva, not to jail, but to house arrest? "Because [Selva] has a disease," that's why. "I don't know what prison would have helped, except for revenge, and revenge is not in the sentencing guidelines," says Connor. His perspective is eerily similar to--and equally arrogant as--the argument fowarded by Judge Edward Cashman—remember him? He's the
So--to help Judge Connor understand--what would a prison sentence for Terry Selva have helped? It would have helped a convicted child rapist understand that he doesn't have a disease--he's guilty of a heinous crime. It would have helped other child molesters understand that what they might still be doing is wrong, and that they need to stop it right now. Sending Terry Selva to prison would have helped children feel safer, and would have reminded their parents that society is looking out for them, too. But perhaps most importantly, punishing Terry Selva might have helped his victims start down the long road toward healing—a process they will likely never complete.
By his ruling, the judge in Selva's case says that the slim possibility of rehabilitation for this rapist—excuse me, this "sexual batterer"—outweighs the victims’ right to justice—"revenge," as Judge Connor sees it. Terry Selva gets a second chance...but his victims can never regain their lost innocence.