While I don’t agree with everything Bill O’Reilly says, he is spot on in his indignation at the state of our justice system, especially as regards perpetrators of violent crimes on children. From his latest column, “To Punish or Not To Punish“:

Here’s the state of American justice right now:

- Andrew Selva, 46, confesses to raping two young boys in Ohio and is sentenced to probation by Judge John Connor who believes Selva has a curable “disease.”

- Debra LaFave admits to having sex with a 14-year-old boy in Florida but does not receive prison time. The 25-year-old LaFave was a teacher at the school she seduced the student.

- Andrea Yates murdered her five children by drowning them one by one. A Texas jury found her sane and very guilty. She was sentenced to life in prison. But the conviction was overturned because an expert witness falsely testified about a TV program that had little to do with the crime.

Despite that, The Houston Chronicle is calling for “enlightened justice” in the case. The paper wants Ms. Yates sent to a mental hospital instead of prison.

The Yates situation is bad enough. Who will speak up for her children, if not the state? (A jury tried to.) But as regards LaFave and especially Selva, the matter goes well beyond intra-family crime. O’Reilly continues:

In Ohio, it is far worse. Andrew Selva admitted everything. He confessed to the court he sexually abused two young boys. One of the boys told me on television, Selva physically forced him to perform a sexual act. But Judge Connor, who has two D-U-I convictions himself, was unmoved. Casually, he issued this stunning statement to the court: “he (Selva) has a disease, like I have a disease.”

Selva nodded and then went home to serve his probation. Connor’s incredible sentence was supported by most newspapers in Ohio and the largest legal group in the state.

I’ve got two little girls, the most precious things in the world to me and my wife. The thought that, in he heartland of Ohio, or my (unfortunately) blue state, or any place in this nation, a confessed sexual predator could get off essentially scott-free is repulsive and horrifying. O’Reilly concludes:

Something is desperately wrong in America. The doctrine of “moral relativism” where judgments are not made about even dastardly behavior is taking root, just as it has in Western Europe. There is nothing “enlightened’ about allowing violent criminals to escape punishment; It is flat out dangerous for society.

Selva, Yates, and LaFave are just the beginning. There will be more of these kinds of stories coming. Count on it.

Rapists and sex offenders usually face the full force of the law when the victims are adults. Not necessarily so with child victims. The question is: How do we reverse this abject denial of true justice for those who would rape or kill our most precious, innocent members of society? I applaud O’Reilly for taking a firm stand and pressing this issue week after week. Who else in the media has really joined him? If not, why not?

Originally posted at TMH’s Bacon Bits

Said The MaryHunter @ 3:00 pm | Permalink   

1. I wrote Gov. Taft about this and he sent me a press release. If you like TMH, I’ll email it to you.

   Comment by Gribbit — 3/28/2006 @ 4:07 pm

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2. The Yates debacle disgusts me. Obviously she is severely mentally ill.

   And the judge on the Selva case, comparing being a drunk with diddling little boys. Sick.

   Comment by Jenn — 3/28/2006 @ 7:58 pm

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3. Selva was not convicted of rape. The prosecutor did not feel he had enough evidence to win a conviction so he agreed to a plea bargain for two counts of sexual battery. Unfortunately probabtion for sexual battery is common. His actual sentence was one year house arrest, five years probation, mandatory cousneling and he has to register as a sexual predator. Yeah I agree it sounds light to me to but statistics show that the sentence was not out of line with what the norm is for such cases.

   The Lefave woman was charged in two counties for the same crime. She still faces charges in one county. I would rather have “older” women have sex with tennage boys than have those teenage boys go after teenage girls, who are much more vulnerable.

   Andrea Yates, now that is a sad case. I do not believe that woman is evil. I think something inside her went horribly awry like a cat that eats its kittens. She will probably eventually kill herself.

   Don’t be so quick to applaud Mr. O’Reilly. He omits facts, twists others in short he does whatever it takes to “entertain” us with his sensationalist news/cause of the week.

   Comment by Carol — 3/28/2006 @ 9:31 pm

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4. Carol, don’t be so quick to be an apologist for the indefensible. You.miss.the.point.here.

   If sentences and court actions like the above are “the norm” then there’s a damn serious problem here! WTF does this nation care about its children? It already kills, what, 10-15 million a year through abortion at least!

   Comment by The MaryHunter — 3/29/2006 @ 6:29 am

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5. Who’s apologizing? Women have always known that sentences for sex crimes are ridiculously light, but that is probably because victims of sex crimes are mainly female. I am dismayed that you had to “learn” this shocking truth through the likes of Bill O’Reilly. And note how two of the three examples you cited involve women when statistics show that men are the primary perpetrators of both sex crimes and violence. Then tag on to that your gross misrepresentation of abortion statistics-evil women again. There are approximately 1.3 million abortions performed in the US yearly. I am assuming of course that the figure you quoted applies to the US since you said “nation.” Actually the life of children has improved in this country since abortion was legalized.

   Comment by Carol — 3/29/2006 @ 7:20 pm

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6. I am a neighbor of Andrew Selva and one of the voices that started this whole commuity awareness. We want the people to know that Judge John Connor will be done soon. The fact that he can relate to these people says enough. He lacks the ability to be impartial when judging and our community cannot afford to have him for 4 more years. If you live in this area and want to help, please email me. Can anyone volunteer printing etc. This is not over!

   Comment by Ronda — 4/4/2006 @ 10:08 am

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7. Andrea Yates deserves a bullet between her ears. Likewise, Andrew Selva should be put to death by the state. Yates and Selva are threats to the lives of the most helpless among us. For that reason Selva and Yates should have been executed. Carol, I really don’t care what you think about my comments. Anyone who rapes and/or murders children needs to be put to a very quick end, and if you whiny, self-important, sanctimonious liberals don’t like it then go get yourselves some Kleenex.

   Comment by Rob Adcox — 4/26/2006 @ 6:38 pm

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