66 prior convictions?!

[LikaNui]

The most recent example that makes me think we do need a 3-strike law is this Breaking News item that I just found on the Advertiser's website:

Kahala jewelry theft suspect has 66 prior convictions

Charges are pending against a Waimanalo man in connection with the theft of more than $22,600 worth of jewelry from a Kahala Mall department store.
The man, 48, was arrested for first-degree theft after a traffic stop by East Honolulu police yesterday on Kalaniana'ole Highway at 5:15 p.m. He was taken to The Queen's Medical Center for medical attention unrelated to the arrest, police said.
According to Hawai'i Criminal Justice Data Center records, the suspect has been convicted of 66 criminal offenses between July 1981 and October 2007. He has been arrested 153 times.
The man's most recent convictions were Oct. 8 for felony second-degree theft and misdemeanor third-degree theft. He was sentenced to one-year jail terms to run concurrently for both crimes.
(...)

I want to know what the hell this man is doing out on the streets! (Well, we know what he's doing. ) Obviously what I mean is why the hell he hasn't been in prison for the last two decades.
153 arrests. 66 convictions. And he's still free?!?? Folks, the man has been convicted of crimes almost 3 times a year... each and every year... for the past gosh-darned 26 years!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our judicial system is a frickin' disaster.

[Zovo]

Re: 66 prior convictions?!

Our judicial system is a frickin' disaster.

Quoted for truth.

[LikaNui]

Re: 66 prior convictions?!

Quoted for truth.

Thanks for that. And my feeling is that every law-abiding citizen of Hawaii should be screaming about that story -- letters to the editor(s), complaints to our legislators/mayor/governor, and much more.
I want to know why the judges who keep releasing this cretin are still serving on the bench!
I want to know why the DA's office has let this happen!
Quit coddling the damned repeat offenders. If I was king of the world, here's the rule -- Three felony convictions, and throw away the key.

[helen]

Re: 66 prior convictions?!

153 arrests. 66 convictions.

What kind of crimes? Was it minor kind like spitting on the sidewalk, littering, or shopliffting candy from a store?

Or was there any major or violent crimes in this person's background?

[TuNnL]

Re: 66 prior convictions?!

What kind of crimes? Was it minor kind like spitting on the sidewalk, littering, or shopliffting candy from a store?

Certainly, if these were the case, it would explain why he was out and about. It makes perfect sense. Nothing is wrong with our judicial system. But perhaps we need harsher penalties, like Singapore. Some suggestions: cut off the perpetrator’s tongue if he spits on the sidewalk. Cut off his finger if he shoplifts.

[1stwahine]

Re: 66 prior convictions?!

Certainly, if these were the case, it would explain why he was out and about. It makes perfect sense. Nothing is wrong with our judicial system. But perhaps we need harsher penalties, like Singapore. Some suggestions: cut off the perpetrator’s tongue if he spits on the sidewalk. Cut off his finger if he shoplifts.

Send um to Auntie Pupule foa some mighty Whack Whacks!

[Leo Lakio]

Re: 66 prior convictions?!

The part I can't figure out is this combination:

The man's most recent convictions were Oct. 8 for felony second-degree theft and misdemeanor third-degree theft. He was sentenced to one-year jail terms to run concurrently for both crimes.
--- --- ---
The man, 48, was arrested for first-degree theft after a traffic stop by East Honolulu police yesterday on Kalaniana'ole Highway at 5:15 p.m.

If he was convicted and sentenced to a year in jail less than two months ago, how did he end up back out on the streets?

[joshuatree]

Re: 66 prior convictions?!

The part I can't figure out is this combination:If he was convicted and sentenced to a year in jail less than two months ago, how did he end up back out on the streets?

The same way Paris Hilton served a few days or Michelle Rodriguez served a day, overcrowding of the system and a failed system to begin with.

[TuNnL]

Re: 66 prior convictions?!

The same way Paris Hilton served a few days or Michelle Rodriguez served a day, overcrowding of the system and a failed system to begin with.

A good guess, I suppose, but pure speculation. We would need to know more before we point the finger at either the judicial system, the prison system, or the parole board.

[joshuatree]

Re: 66 prior convictions?!

A good guess, I suppose, but pure speculation. We would need to know more before we point the finger at either the judicial system, the prison system, or the parole board.

Yes, just a guess at this point but somehow, I don't think I'm too far off the mark. You really think there is nothing wrong with our judicial system? I sincerely hope you never have to use this system.

[helen]

Re: 66 prior convictions?!

I am also wondering too if any of the convictions that this person only had fines and no jail time.

[Zovo]

Re: 66 prior convictions?!

regardless of what the convictions were, it's pretty evident that this man has no respect for the law of the land and he should be punished on that account alone.

Not to mention that he has no respect for the rights of other people to their property. The fact that this guy has 66 convictions under his belt is indication enough for me that he is and will continue to be a menace to society and he should be taken off the streets.

Would you want a man with nearly 70 speeding/reckless driving violations screaming past grade schools at 90 miles an hour?

[Leo Lakio]

Re: 66 prior convictions?!

I am also wondering too if any of the convictions that this person only had fines and no jail time.

The initial story LikaNui quoted said he had been sentenced to jail time, for convictions handed down Oct. 8, 2007.

[helen]

Re: 66 prior convictions?!

True, the latest one did get him in jail. I am just wondering about the other eariler ones that this person got convicted on.

[zztype]

Re: 66 prior convictions?!

The latest one netted him two concurrent one year terms. Yet he's on the street 30 days later? Come ON!