An 82-year-old child molester, Tommy George, has been given a sentence of PROBATION by a jury here in Waco, Texas. (Read all about it here). How can this happen? A friend and colleague at Baylor offers an answer: "This is a Texas-Jury: `This is a guy we all like from the community; we know his kids; we can't lock him up.'"
Here's what one courtroom witness wrote online after the sentence of probation was handed down last October:
I was in the courtroom when the jury handed down the sentence of probation for Tommy George. After the decision was read, all of the lawyers and Tommy George went into the judges chambers for a few minutes. As he strolled out of the judges chambers, Tommy grinned and gave his family an energetic two thumbs up.No jail time. Just a little money, a few days in court, and one night a year with the other perverts at the Halloween Pervert Party. Unbelievable.
Bill O'Reilly should know about this.
Comments (10)
I wonder if they were influenced by the supposed "crowding" of prisons. If so, we have to do something about that.
Posted by Lydia | January 10, 2008 6:59 PM
Now
are you ready to give Texas back to the Mexicans?Posted by Rodak | January 10, 2008 9:05 PM
This is very sad. Children are a treasure and to let someone walk out after find out he is guilty of child molestation is simply wrong.
Go Mexico!
Posted by E. I. Sanchez | January 10, 2008 11:51 PM
Well.....it is true the conventional punishment (i.e., jail) will be foregone, but his name will go on the convicted child molester databases and the entire community will be wary of him.
Moreover, this leads the door open for the follow-on civil lawsuit for the victim(s) to claim all that the man has left.
In short, his life will never be the same again. Likewise, neighborhood parents are on-guard, so the chance of a repeat offense are minimized.
As for the community, they will be "punished" for their leniency, just watch the property values.
Posted by Royale | January 11, 2008 10:06 AM
My wife went to a talk by an man who handles these types of cases. He told a story about a man that was a neighborhood favorite who was accused of molesting children. They went to arrest him and apparently could not on some technicality so they went back to get their ducks in a row to pick him up the next day. That night he committed suicide. The local residents became irate and blamed the police despite the overwhelming evidence against him. They just refused to believe that such a loved person could commit such crimes. He mentioned that all too often the most difficult process is fighting with friends and family who refuse to believe the truth about these perpetrators. It also points out, sadly, how the testimony of a child is hardly considered credible. It also further underscores how on guard we have to be with our children. As my wife likes to say "I bet even Hitler was 'nice'"
Posted by Ggoose | January 11, 2008 11:11 AM
With a conviction, the neighborhood parents shouldn't have to be 'on guard' any more than they should be 'on guard' in the first place. The fact they still have to worry means the justice system has failed that community in this case.
Of course it does raise the question as to why, in this sometimes backwards state, a jury can recommend a 10 year probation when the sentence is for 10 years behind bars. That's quite a leap. And to top it off, the judge 'has to' honor it 'by law' -- not really a recommendation at that point.
Posted by Todd | January 11, 2008 11:19 AM
Were I feeling cynical, I'd contend that it appears that this jury was intent upon fashioning an implicit argument for the private administration of justice.
Posted by Maximos | January 11, 2008 11:22 AM
I wonder if they were influenced by the supposed "crowding" of prisons. If so, we have to do something about that.
And to think there are those who loathe Capital Punishment.
Posted by Aristocles | January 11, 2008 12:55 PM
As a followup to this, the man and his wife have will be moving into a $450,000 house in a neighborhood full of kids this weekend. The new neighbors are very upset.
http://www.wacotrib.com/news/content/news/stories/2008/02/15/02152008wacgeorgerelocation.html
The jury really hurt a lot of people with their decision to give this man probation.
Posted by k | February 15, 2008 9:36 AM
No jail time , a little money and one night a year with other "perverts".
How about moving from his home of the past 20 + years, giving up hunting because he would be with guns, cannot go out on Lake Waco due to the proximity of parks, can no longer usher in his church due to the narrow mindedness of a parish priest.Evertime a letter to the Trib was written, his mug shot appeared along side the letter.
All because a jury fell for the sobbing tale of a sixteen year old who could remember when this alleged molestation happened..... was she ten , eleven or was it when she was twelve. Where did it take place , in the George home during a birthday party with guests wandering in and out of the house. Did Matt Johnson have the jury visit the home to see the traffic flow where this incident supposedly took place?
I think not ...... we , the citizens of Waco call this man a judge?
How many tries did it take to get him elected?
Who all of you saw the jury that convicted this gentleman?
I only hope if I were ever brought to trial , I would have a more educated group of peers decide my guilt or innocence.
Posted by Gary Merritt | February 25, 2008 5:59 PM