The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of Sentencing of Sex Offender Cases

Sentencing of sex offenders in different states has run the gambit from less than a slap on the wrist to making sure they never see the light of day. Of course the latter is preferred so that no individual needs to be “the next victim” as sex offender escalate their crimes. How judges have dealt with “sex offenders” has become quite an issue.

Here are some recent dealing with sex offenders in the courts, The Good …The Bad and The Ugly.

Note, the “Ugly” more refers to the most heinous nature of what this predator did and the number of victims. 800 year sentence is more than good … Its GREAT!!!

The People’s Republic of Vermont to Ban All Driver Distractions … What about Jessica’s Law?

With the recent efforts of numerous states to ban talking on a cell phone while driving, Vermont has upped the ante. The People’s Republic of Vermont will now attempt to ban all activities that distract drivers. When will legislators understand that you cannot outlaw ignorance? Nor can you legislate personal responsibility. One would ask the law makers of The People’s Republic of Vermont why they make this an issue and not Jessica’s Law?

Emboldened by the passage of cell phone bans for drivers in some communities, states are turning their attention to other things that drive motorists to distraction.

Vermont lawmakers are considering a measure that would ban eating, drinking, smoking, reading, writing, personal grooming, playing an instrument, “interacting with pets or cargo,” talking on a cell phone or using any other personal communication device while driving. The punishment: a fine of up to $600. (AP)

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Matthew Wendland Arrested on Child Porn … Goofy & The Beast Busted … Its Not Such a Wonderful World at Disney

What is going on lately with those that play the role of the Beast from Beauty and the Beast? Previously, Broadway star James Bardour was charged with five counts of criminal sex acts and sexual abuse against the teen back in 2001.   

Now 20 year old Matthew Wendland who dresses as Disney characters “Goofy” and “The Beast” was arrested on 51 counts of child pornography. With a much recently publicised Tigger slap of a teenager and now this one would think that Disney may want to tighten up their background checks and constantly evaluate their help. Its not like the the Disney characters are not around children 99.9% of the time.

Roommates of Matthew Wendland, 20, tipped police to images in Wendland’s room of children in sexual poses, according to an Orange County Sheriff’s report. A search turned up a half-dozen printed computer pictures of children under 18 performing sex acts or in sexual poses and at least another 45 images on a CD, the report stated.

Wendland, who has worked for Disney since July, was arrested Thursday on 51 counts of child pornography. (AP)

California Seeks Extradition of Joseph Edward Duncan for Murder of 10 Year old Anthony Martinez in 1997

Joseph Edward Duncan III, who was charged in Idaho with kidnapping and killing 9-year-old Dylan Groene and kidnapping his sister Shasta Groene as well as serving time for the murders of  Brenda Groene, Mark McKenzie and 13-year-old Slade Groene is now wanted by California. Duncan is suspected of killing 10 year old Anthony Martinez in 1997.

On April 4, 1997, Anthony Martinez, 10, was forced into a car in Beaumont, Calif. A forest ranger found the boy’s nude, bound body 16 days later about 70 miles east. The killing was unsolved until Duncan’s 2005 arrest in Idaho, after which California investigators found the man’s partial fingerprint on tape used to bind the boy.

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Alfonso Rodriguez Jr Sentenced to Death for Murder of Dru Sjodin

Habitual rapist, kidnapper and now murderer, Alfonso Rodriguez Jr. was sentenced to death today by US Distric Judge Ralph Erickson for the murder of 22 year old University of North Dakota student Dru Sjodin.

Before Sjodin’s slaying, Rodriguez had served more than 20 years for offences that included rape and attempted kidnapping. He got out of prison about six months before the killing.

North Dakota and Minnesota have since toughened their laws against sex offenders, including life without parole for the most serious offences and stricter supervision of offenders after they leave prison. (AP)

U.S District Judge Ralph Erickson also rejected a motion for a new trial and gave a tearful summation as he pronounced the sentence. Rodriguez will die by injection at a federal prison in Terre Haute, Indians. Frankly, it can’t happen soon enough.

“I would gladly lay down my own life to have had this whole ordeal avoided, to have Dru Sjodin back with her family, to have never heard of you, Mr. Rodriguez,” Erickson said. “The life of one federal judge more or less pales in comparison to the pain that this crime has inflicted on so many people.”