How much time should Anderson serve?

[Caged Great]

Great news.

[squiggs96]

Originally Posted by 19Yzerman19

I agree he shouldn't be imprisoned but it doesn't sit right with me that he simply got away with a crime. Seems to me that community service would have been a good way to go.

One main purpose of prison is to rehabilitate the offendor. It seems like society was able to do that. He's married, raised three of his own kids and one step child, operated three construction businesses that helped employ others and contributed to the economic well being of his community, coached his kids' football team, and ran the video operation at his church.

It sounds to me like he's already done a lot of good to the community, but yeah, let's put an orange vest on him and make him go pick up garbage.

[FlamesAddiction]

I noticed the story is actually dated May 6th. I think the judge made the right decision.

[19Yzerman19]

Originally Posted by squiggs96

One main purpose of prison is to rehabilitate the offendor.

"One of". Not the only purpose.

[Huntingwhale]

He got a 13 year sentence and during that time from 2000-2013 he lived an exemplary life. If he would have continued being a risk to the public during that time then yeah, make him serve out his punishment as he obviously didn't learn his lesson. In this case, he did. Glad he's free.

[activeStick]

Good decision. Prison time should be for rehabilitation and as others have said, it seems pretty clear he figured things out on his own.

Throwing him in jail now would likely increase the chances that his three kids see some time in the correctional system.

[Handsome B. Wonderful]

Married twice? He's been punished enough.

[Oil Stain]

Originally Posted by 19Yzerman19

I agree he shouldn't be imprisoned but it doesn't sit right with me that he simply got away with a crime. Seems to me that community service would have been a good way to go.

He did actually serve 5+ months in prison with the thought of 13 years looming over his head.

So he really didn't get away with it scot-free.

[Bill Bumface]

If you could 100% predict any criminal would not reoffend, this would be what my ideal justice system would look like anyway.

Scenario 1: He goes to jail
-Costs a buttload to incarcerate
-He likely comes out a criminal
-His kids (if any were pre-prison) grow up with a high risk of being offenders
-He doesn't pay taxes
-He doesn't employ anyone

Scenario 2: What actually happened
-He pays taxes
-He starts a couple businesses and employs people
-He sets a good example for a bunch of children

It's pretty ideal.

[rd_aaron]

Originally Posted by 19Yzerman19

I agree he shouldn't be imprisoned but it doesn't sit right with me that he simply got away with a crime. Seems to me that community service would have been a good way to go.

I guess it's how you look at the prison system.

If you look at it as a deterrent and a rehabilitation system, then there was probably no need for him to serve any time/do community service as he's been an exemplary citizen for the past 13 years.

If you look at the system as punishment vehicle, then perhaps he never received any kind of punishment and deserves community service, or similar.

If the crime was more severe (murder, for example) I'm sure some opinions would change a bit. In this specific case, I lean towards the judge made the right decision.

[CaptainCrunch]

Statistically this is probably the rare situation where something bad didn't happen, and they should hold this individual up in every single way as a feel good story.

But we could be reading just as easily about an individual that fell through the cracks and kept committing crimes.

[Vulcan]

Living for so many years in hiding had to have been stressful. That's a pretty strong punishment where you can never be certain when the axe will fall.

[Reaper]

Originally Posted by 19Yzerman19

I agree he shouldn't be imprisoned but it doesn't sit right with me that he simply got away with a crime. Seems to me that community service would have been a good way to go.

He didn't "get away with a crime." He was tried, convicted and served some time for said crime. He was released by the state in error.

Despite what some people think the length of sentence should not be the only definition on whether or not a debt has been paid to society.

[YYC in LAX]

Wow, this guy is lucky as ####. I have nothing to contribute to the debate but...wow. So lucky.