Do you agree with the sentence giving to this teen? Do you think prison is the right place for the perpetrator that happens to be mentally retarded?
QUOTE |
PARIS, Texas - Attorneys and advocates are questioning why an 18-year-old East Texan with profound mental disabilities was sentenced to 100 years in prison in a child sex abuse case. They say the case of Aaron Hart was mishandled from start to finish and raises questions over how to deal with the mentally disabled when they encounter the criminal justice system. After a neighbor found Hart fondling her 6-year-old stepson in September, the East Texas teenager pleaded guilty to five counts, The Dallas Morning News reported Wednesday. Hart has an IQ of 47 and was diagnosed as mentally disabled as a child. He never learned to read or write and speaks unsteadily. Despite being a target of bullies, he was courteous, well-behaved and earned money by doing chores for neighbors, supporters said. His parents say he'd never acted out sexually. "He couldn't understand the seriousness of what he did," said his father, Robert Hart. "I never dreamed they would think about sending him to prison. When they said 100 years - it was terror, pure terror, to me." Aaron Hart pleaded guilty to charges including aggravated sexual assault and indecency by contact, and his case went to a jury for punishment. Jurors had the option of probation, former attorney Ben Massar told The Associated Press on Wednesday.... |
I have to say that in this case and this case alone I do not agree to the sentence that he received. I am sure that some one had put him up to this for some reason. I think it is that someone who is having a great laugh now. If he was dangerous like this he would have ended up in jail for this a long time ago.
This case is very strange. If you look at the sex offender registry online for your town, you will notice that most sex offenders don't get much time in prison. If a mentally handicap person commits a sex crime I think they should be punished but in a special way. If someone is mentally disabled they may not understand exactly what they are doing and should be taught and receive counseling and a small amount of jail time for this crime. One hundred years is a long time even for someone who is mentally competent. I'm sure with time the case will be looked at again and a shorter sentence will be decided on.