Sometimes, justice works

[digitaldiscipline]

I'm going to cite flemco  again here, since he is quick with the links, and adroit with the commentary:

"Religious extremist made careful plans to commit terrorist act."

Kudos to the jury for only taking 37 minutes to reject the plea for a reduced sentence (Voluntary manslaughter, rather than Murder 1). As was pointed out else-web, one can hope that setting the precedent that "I killed this person to prevent them from doing things I find morally objectionable" will dissuade further religious terrorists from doing the same.

Make no mistake; had Mr. Roeder been anything but a Christianist Soldier doing, in his misguided way, what he believed to be his God's Work, he wouldn't have gotten nearly as much support from some quarters. As with Pat Robertson, the widespread criticism and "that's not the Christianity I believe in" rebukes of  the anti-Christian words and deeds perpetrated in the name of religion is very welcome from those of us outside the faith, but until such acts receive nothing but universal approbrium as the horrible, hateful, and small-minded acts of the deluded they are, and stir the support of what is still a very large, vocal, and influential religious group in the country, I will not rest easy.

Comments

[sestree.livejournal.com]

Actually the jury didn't reject the lesser of the two, the judge did after hearing the entire proceeding. He ruled and informed the jury they could only consider murder 1, not the lesser of voluntary manslaughter.

I'm actually a bit surprised (pleasantly though) that it only took them around 40 minutes to render a guilty verdict. That is the heart of the bible belt and if nothing else, the sentiments about Dr. Tiller were pretty passionate.

[etcet.livejournal.com]

Ah, you're right. Thanks for the catch.

[sestree.livejournal.com]

No problem sweetie - I'm (originally) from a town about 60 miles southeast of Wichita and have been following this trial very closely.

I remember the Summer of Mercy when Dr. Tiller's clinic was actively protested. Sad thing is, he really was a very nice man.

[etcet.livejournal.com]

I grew up in Buffalo, and one of my sisters had been to Bernard Slepian's clinic for other stuff, so when that went down, it hit close to home.

The Dead Kennedys singing "Fuck Operation Rescue" at my college's Springfest was much appreciated.

[zymergist.livejournal.com]

Many of the most heinous acts ever performed have been in the name of one God or another....

It is nice to see that reason CAN overcome religion though, at least in the justice system.

[etcet.livejournal.com]

*nods*

[la-trombonista.livejournal.com]

HELL YES.

[cheez-ball.livejournal.com]

I imagine deliberations took 37 minutes because of a bathroom break or two.