Oregon Supreme Court to consider: Is it 'cruel and unusual' to imprison public masturbator for life?

[dariomax]

Source: The Oregonian

William Althouse is serving a life prison sentence -- but not because, like many in that situation, he killed someone.

Althouse, 69, has repeatedly exposed his genitals in public with sexual intent. In 2012, after a Marion County jury found him guilty of that conduct again, a judge sentenced him to life without any hope of being released.

The Oregon Supreme Court, however, announced Thursday that it will consider if that amounts to cruel and unusual punishment.

The sentence is disproportionate to the offense, said Daniel Carroll, the defense attorney who represented Althouse at trial, told The Oregonian/OregonLive on Friday. "No one died," he said.

Read more: http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2015/03/oregon_supreme_court_is_it_cru.html

---

How long do you think the courts should keep this jerk off the streets?

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

1. How long do you think the courts should keep this jerk off the streets?

I see what you did there

[jberryhill]

5. I'm surprised you didn't toss off one of your own

[RufusTFirefly]

17. That sentence was a stroke of genius. n/t

[snort]

66. He should be hung.

[lastlib]

73. Took balls to do what he did................

The penis sightier than the sword.............. I really think the judge was too hard on him. He was just giving everybody a preview of coming distractions...... (The jokes just write themselves, I'm only the messenger.......)

[longship]

2. I think the guy needs some help.

But I would not suppose to suggest a solution other than to say life imprisonment would not be among them.

[Yo_Mama]

95. He has a very serious sex offender history and focuses on children

Please read this and think a bit:
http://keizertimes.com/2010/06/30/wanted-sex-offender/

William Michael Althouse was convicted and served sentences totaling more than 12 years in prison for felony Sexual Abuse I, Burglary I and Sodomy I. These offenses require sex offender registration with law enforcement. Althouse’s criminal history places him in a classification level which reflects the potential to re-offend. He has a history of exhibition, and exposing himself, as well sexually offending minor children that are both known and unknown to him.

Althouse was granted supervision with the following restrictions: no contacts with minors (male or female), required participation in sexual offender treatment, no use of alcohol and submission to polygraph testing.

Althouse was on GPS monitoring, but he cut off his GPS ankle bracelet and failed to report to his Parole Officer. He is now wanted. His last known location was the area of Locust St. NE and Cherry Ave. in Salem around 12:30 pm on 06/29/10. Althouse is known to frequent wooded parks and likes to loiter around the riverfront area. He methodically plans his offending behaviors and should be considered a threat to minor children.

He wasn't sentenced to life for publicly masturbating. He was sentenced for violating terms of release and sexually reoffending.

And from the original article:

In Althouse's case, the state likely will point out that he isn't only a serial flasher -- his life sentence was meant to reflect a long and concerning history of sex offenses. His sex crime convictions include sexual abuse in 1982 and kidnapping, sodomy and sexual abuse in 1993.

So I'm sorry, to say that this man was sentenced to life in prison for public masturbation is just flat-out untrue. He was sentenced under this Oregon law:
http://www.oregonlaws.org/ors/137.719

He has way more than the counts needed, and they are serious crimes.

This sentence may still be unjust, but the law exists because of persons such as this who have a history of serious sexual offenses and keep reoffending.

[BainsBane]

171. An informative post

making key distinctions. It's unfortunate others haven't paid attention to it.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

174. thank you for this post. eom

[Geronimoe]

3. American exceptionalism - Line drawn in the sand

Americans are very tolerant of such things as war criminals, torture, aerial bombing, destroying the Gulf with careless oil exploration, contaminating aquifers with fracking or ruptured pipelines but, when it comes to sex, the line is drawn in the sand. Life for exposing of one's genitals.

[RKP5637]

7. It's insane, isn't it, peoples priorities and what they get excited above. Often I feel I

live in a sea of dumb asses.

[pnwmom]

20. Don't you think it would be smart to consider the whole story about this man?

Like one of the later paragraphs in the story:

"In Althouse's case, the state likely will point out that he isn't only a serial flasher -- his life sentence was meant to reflect a long and concerning history of sex offenses. His sex crime convictions include sexual abuse in 1982 and kidnapping, sodomy and sexual abuse in 1993."

I don't know what the solution should be, but I can see why the state is concerned about this man.

[elleng]

21. Concern, yes,

but the issue now is THIS offense.

Too bad they didn't keep him for longer periods before this.

[pnwmom]

30. But the issue is the possibility of the current offense escalating into something worse.

And he has already has a record of felonious assault, so if anyone's likely to escalate, it would be someone who appears to be backsliding.

[RKP5637]

42. Continuing on my response #40, that was in the back

of my mind, I forgot to mention but you did. "... it would be someone who appears to be backsliding." It well might led to something far worse. Prison, IMO, is the choice of last resort. ... maybe all other attempts to help him have failed.

[elehhhhna]

80. I'm with you. life is excessive tho. 55 yrs no parole sounds better.

[pnwmom]

82. Or a locked psychiatric facility. If they successfully treated him,

maybe he could get out someday.

[RKP5637]

40. I don't know the best solution either, but life imprisonment seems a, throw hands in

the air, we don't know what to do. Yes, I can certainly see why there is concern. Good points you brought up!

[Spider Jerusalem]

41. The solution is clearly a mental facility, not a prison.

Alternatively, he could be offered a deal: time served if he'll submit to surgical castration or Depo-Provera with routine mandatory checkups. There are ways of controlling and eliminating compulsive and obsessive sexual behaviour that don't involve long-term imprisonment.

[pnwmom]

49. He cut the GPS ankle bracelet off that they were using to monitor him,

so that option's out.

[Spider Jerusalem]

75. I don't think you actually read what I wrote

you certainly don't seem to be responding to it, anyway. I'm not sure what GPS anything has to do with a mental facility; nor am I sure what it has to do with castration (whether chemical or surgical)...which would, in all likelihood, remove the urges that cause the behaviour in the first place.

[pnwmom]

77. Since sexual assault is a crime of power, not passion, I'm not sure castration would

be a good solution.

[Spider Jerusalem]

78. You don't actually know what you're talking about, it's pretty clear:

Surgical castration reportedly produces definitive results, even in repeat pedophilic offenders, by reducing recidivism rates to 2% to 5% compared with expected rates of 50%.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3565125/

[pnwmom]

79. Well, he certainly couldn't be trusted taking a pill every day, since he could decide

he wanted a "vacation" from that, just like he did with the ankle bracelet.

And permanent surgical castration might be considered "cruel and unusual."

I wonder if they offered it to him, since it is supposedly so effective.

OTOH, castration won't do anything about his history of burglary and kidnapping.

[Spider Jerusalem]

83. they use long-lasting injections of Depo-Provera.

It isn't "a pill every day". And surgical castration if used would be voluntary. (It's used in California on a voluntary basis.) And if his other crimes are sexually motivated, then castration would do something about those as well.

[pnwmom]

86. Why would they trust him to show up for the injections? He's already proven

that a GPS device won't contain him.

[pnwmom]

32. Yeah, how shocking. They're trying to figure out how to keep a violent sex offender,

with attacks involving children, off the streets and out of people's homes (he's been convicted of burglary, too). And when he was wearing a GPS monitor, he cut it off and escaped.

So now they're thinking about locking him up. What has humanity come to?



http://www.katu.com/communities/salem/salem-sex-offender-who-cut-off-his-gps-bracelet-arrested-in-idaho-395840-195433801.html

BLACKFOOT, Idaho - A Salem sex offender who cut off his GPS monitor and left Salem last week has been arrested in Blackfoot, Idaho, police said. William Michael Althouse, 64, was taken into custody this morning at a roadside rest stop on Interstate 15 for missing his parole officer on June 29.


http://keizertimes.com/2010/06/30/wanted-sex-offender/

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office releases the following sexual offender information pursuant to ORS 181.507 & OAR 291-28-38. These statutes authorize the release of such information when it will enhance the public’s safety and protection.

William Michael Althouse was convicted and served sentences totaling more than 12 years in prison for felony Sexual Abuse I, Burglary I and Sodomy I. These offenses require sex offender registration with law enforcement. Althouse’s criminal history places him in a classification level which reflects the potential to re-offend. He has a history of exhibition, and exposing himself, as well sexually offending minor children that are both known and unknown to him.

Althouse was granted supervision with the following restrictions: no contacts with minors (male or female), required participation in sexual offender treatment, no use of alcohol and submission to polygraph testing.

Althouse was on GPS monitoring, but he cut off his GPS ankle bracelet and failed to report to his Parole Officer. He is now wanted. His last known location was the area of Locust St. NE and Cherry Ave. in Salem around 12:30 pm on 06/29/10. Althouse is known to frequent wooded parks and likes to loiter around the riverfront area. He methodically plans his offending behaviors and should be considered a threat to minor children.

[elehhhhna]

81. fuck him he's had many chances

[MADem]

115. Are you shitting me? You're apparently unclear on what this guy was charged with.

Children, incapable of consent, are not engaging in "sex." They are being ABUSED.

Your little friend "Geronimoe" apparently has little regard for kids, either, or he's talking without knowledge.

Here--this is just ONE of the offenses he was charged with and convicted of--still crying about "what humanity has come to" after reading this?

http://www.oregonlaws.org/ors/163.405

I'm sad, disgusted and pissed off that they let this asshole be a danger to OTHER little children.

[BlueJazz]

118. I thought I had deleted that post Sat.

Damn MADem...you get pissed off! I don't blame you though. I jumped the gun on that one. Saw my error and thought?? I had deleted it. My bad.

[MADem]

119. No prob. It really bugs me when people mess with little kids, that's why I get so annoyed.

Like Miss Whitney says, "I believe the children are our future...!"

I had a really good childhood, surrounded by adults who gave a shit and good family and friends. We didn't have a TV all the time, but we got to play outside until it got dark. We got a proper education, we learned right from wrong. I never had a reason to be afraid as a kid. I wish everyone could have had an upbringing that was at least as good as mine. I know I was lucky and I know that a lot of kids aren't so lucky.

We're cool, no worries, yeah?

[BlueJazz]

131. We're always cool MADem. :) I also was a free range kid. Summertime, I'd ride my bike..

...over to my friend's house (In Australia) and we'd explore the world and play all day...eat at his house...and I'd come home about 5:00. Damn, I miss those times so much. I would think often, in those times, "I don't have a care in the world". Now, I realize how wonderfully fortunate I was...or should I say WE were.

[treestar]

64. You are apparently tolerant of considering people guilty when they

have never been charged. And you have no real statistics to back this up. But this is one particular case in Oregon law. Why bring up all that other stuff?

[MADem]

107. The guy is a child RAPIST. Good grief, read the whole article and click on the links within it.

The full story is that this pervert abused KIDS. Lock. Him. UP. Toss the key.

It's not "just" a case of "exposing one's genitals." That's the clickbait headline.

[jberryhill]

4. Can he be treated?

Is he just masturbating in public, or is he being annoying about it?

[pnwmom]

11. His history is much worse. So there's a reason they're concerned.

I don't know what the solution is for people like this, but he's a creep.

"In Althouse's case, the state likely will point out that he isn't only a serial flasher -- his life sentence was meant to reflect a long and concerning history of sex offenses. His sex crime convictions include sexual abuse in 1982 and kidnapping, sodomy and sexual abuse in 1993."

[Maraya1969]

8. The mean and nasty America. He needs help but how about a psychiatric hospital?

Throw everyone in jail is the answer du jour. If it is a really bad problem and he is hurting people they can always give him that drug that prevents him from getting a hard on.

I pray for clarity of thought for this country.

[Chakaconcarne]

61. the cost to imprison someone...

In the state of oregon is about 8k per month. if he goes to the state hospital it jumps to 27k per month.

[pnwmom]

9. He's a creep with a history of multiple sexual felonies and kidnapping that isn't mentioned here.

From the article linked in the OP:

"In Althouse's case, the state likely will point out that he isn't only a serial flasher -- his life sentence was meant to reflect a long and concerning history of sex offenses. His sex crime convictions include sexual abuse in 1982 and kidnapping, sodomy and sexual abuse in 1993."

[alp227]

15. thanks for the info. had i taken the headline at face value

i would've said it's cruel & unusual to the Oregon taxpayers to foot the bill for caging that guy. now that i've seen the info you posted I withdraw from that opinion.

[smirkymonkey]

68. Ditto.

The headline made it sound like he was just a harmless wanker, but after considering his history and the potential danger he represents to minor children, I think he is best kept off the streets.

[MADem]

116. Read this, and you'll be even more appalled.

http://www.oregonlaws.org/ors/163.405

[Little Tich]

10. I think life w/o parole is too harsh.

I think life w/o parole is a sentence that could be given to unrepentant serial killers, but a serial masturbator?

[pnwmom]

13. He has had much more serious sexual offenses, and one involved kidnapping.

"In Althouse's case, the state likely will point out that he isn't only a serial flasher -- his life sentence was meant to reflect a long and concerning history of sex offenses. His sex crime convictions include sexual abuse in 1982 and kidnapping, sodomy and sexual abuse in 1993."

[Little Tich]

16. The serious offences are not recent, the latest are from 1993.

There was a link in the article to his profile, with mug shot and everything, and he seems to be a tad creepy. It’s still as he gets life for being a serial masturbator, and I think that’s just too much.

[pnwmom]

18. The ones he's been caught doing. n/t

[Little Tich]

27. I think it's important to give people that clearly don't deserve

it a thorough and fair hearing. If they are treated fairly in the courts, then we know that the judges aren't skimping on justice just because they don't like a particular person.

Just presuming he’s guilty doesn’t prove he’s guilty.

[pnwmom]

28. I'm not presuming he's guilty or even supporting a life sentence. I am saying

that the situation is more complicated, given his history of sexual felonies and kidnapping, than being a serial public masturbator. Men who carry out violent sexual assaults often turn out to have had minor offenses preceding them. But he's already had some serious convictions, and the new charge makes it appear that he could be backsliding.

They already tried using a GPS on him and he cut it off and escaped. And he had previous charges involving children. Do you really think someone like him should be on the loose?

[Little Tich]

36. I don't know if he should be let go free or not.

Life w/o parole is the harshest sentence a civilized country an offer, and there ought to be clear and compelling cause for giving out such a sentence. I can't see the compelling cause here, it's rather that the Oregon legal system is throwing the book at him just because they can, not because it's right.

Do you think the life sentence is appropriate?

[pnwmom]

37. I think he needs to be contained for life, given the fact that he's a repeat offender, has assaulted children,

and that he cut off the GPS bracelet and escaped. He has some serious felonies on his record and remains a threat.

Maybe a locked mental ward is the appropriate solution.



http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2015/03/oregon_supreme_court_is_it_cru.html

"In Althouse's case, the state likely will point out that he isn't only a serial flasher -- his life sentence was meant to reflect a long and concerning history of sex offenses. His sex crime convictions include sexual abuse in 1982 and kidnapping, sodomy and sexual abuse in 1993."


http://keizertimes.com/2010/06/30/wanted-sex-offender/

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office releases the following sexual offender information pursuant to ORS 181.507 & OAR 291-28-38. These statutes authorize the release of such information when it will enhance the public’s safety and protection.

William Michael Althouse was convicted and served sentences totaling more than 12 years in prison for felony Sexual Abuse I, Burglary I and Sodomy I. These offenses require sex offender registration with law enforcement. Althouse’s criminal history places him in a classification level which reflects the potential to re-offend. He has a history of exhibition, and exposing himself, as well sexually offending minor children that are both known and unknown to him.

Althouse was granted supervision with the following restrictions: no contacts with minors (male or female), required participation in sexual offender treatment, no use of alcohol and submission to polygraph testing.

Althouse was on GPS monitoring, but he cut off his GPS ankle bracelet and failed to report to his Parole Officer. He is now wanted. His last known location was the area of Locust St. NE and Cherry Ave. in Salem around 12:30 pm on 06/29/10. Althouse is known to frequent wooded parks and likes to loiter around the riverfront area. He methodically plans his offending behaviors and should be considered a threat to minor children.

[Little Tich]

39. We seem to disagree, and I think that disagreement will stand.

I've read the same article and the same description at the link, and we have come to different conclusions.

[d_r]

54. I agree with you

[christx30]

92. Would you want him living in your neighborhood?

Especially given his history of burglary and kidnapping?

[McCamy Taylor]

14. He is hurting no one. Just look away if you don't want to see it. We are such puritans.

[pnwmom]

19. Did you notice he has a history of violent sexual offenses and kidnapping, too?

These weren't his first and only offenses.

I don't think there's an obvious solution for handling people like this man.

From a later paragraph in the OP article:

"In Althouse's case, the state likely will point out that he isn't only a serial flasher -- his life sentence was meant to reflect a long and concerning history of sex offenses. His sex crime convictions include sexual abuse in 1982 and kidnapping, sodomy and sexual abuse in 1993.

[dencol]

22. He's probably already done time for those things.

I've seen people F**king in a parking lot before. Definitely not appropriate, but I was outside a night club and frankly didn't care. It wasn't even worth reporting. If kids were out at 11PM to see it, they have bigger problems to address.

[pnwmom]

23. True. But the people you've seen probably don't have records with kidnapping and assault. n/t

[dariomax]

33. Why didn't they give him life for kidnapping and assault? Nt

[foo_bar]

34. I think it's the "three strokes and you're out" principle

[dariomax]

38. Lol nt

[pnwmom]

35. I don't know. They had him on a GPS device that he cut off

because he said he wanted a "vacation."

[d_r]

53. done his time

And shown that he didn't change.
Pedophilia has high recidivism. I wish that we did a better job of treating people so what they could re enter society after paying for crime. But he has shown he is still a danger and can not participate in society.

[christx30]

93. The thing in the parking lot was consensual.

The burglary and kidnapping was not.
Would you want this guy living next door to you? I sure as hell wouldn't. He can't seem to control his sexual criminal tendencies. Put him somewhere for the rest of his life before he graduates to murder.

[alcibiades_mystery]

24. Life without parole is only not appopriate for any but the very worst repeat offenders

And even then, only very sparingly.

What the fuck is wrong with people?

Honestly. Get a hold of yourselves.

[MADem]

25. Kidnapping, sodomy, sexual abuse? That's what the "f" is wrong with people.

This guy isn't just a jerk who likes to fiddle with his bits--he's dangerous. Violent.

I'll spare my sympathies for those that merit it.

[dariomax]

94. In Oregon, having consensual oral or anal sex is sodomy

Did you know that? Is it then safe to say that by that definition many of us in this thread have commited "Oregon sodomy" in the past?

[MADem]

97. OK, now explain away "kidnapping" and "sexual abuse" why don't you? nt

[dariomax]

98. First, delete "sodomy" from the post above

Keep kidnapping and sexual assault. Just don't exaggerate.

[MADem]

104. No--I will not. It was in the charge sheet. And unless you were THERE, you've no idea

why that charge was pressed.

How odd that you would go to so much trouble to defend a predator.

Again, explain away "kidnapping" and "sexual abuse."

I'll wait....

http://keizertimes.com/2010/06/30/wanted-sex-offender/

William Michael Althouse was convicted and served sentences totaling more than 12 years in prison for felony Sexual Abuse I, Burglary I and Sodomy I. These offenses require sex offender registration with law enforcement. Althouse’s criminal history places him in a classification level which reflects the potential to re-offend. He has a history of exhibition, and exposing himself, as well sexually offending minor children that are both known and unknown to him.
Althouse was granted supervision with the following restrictions: no contacts with minors (male or female), required participation in sexual offender treatment, no use of alcohol and submission to polygraph testing.
Althouse was on GPS monitoring, but he cut off his GPS ankle bracelet and failed to report to his Parole Officer. He is now wanted. His last known location was the area of Locust St. NE and Cherry Ave. in Salem around 12:30 pm on 06/29/10. Althouse is known to frequent wooded parks and likes to loiter around the riverfront area. He methodically plans his offending behaviors and should be considered a threat to minor children.

[dariomax]

109. I don't have to explain kidnapping or sexual abuse

Because I'm not defending him for doing that.

I'm just asking not to add sodomy to the list of thing you are outraged about because he could not have possibly have performed sodomy forcefully to anyone, since this would have been rape, and he was never charged with rape; therefore, he was charged with sodomy only because he had either anal or oral sex with an adult consensually.

Learn.

[MADem]

113. You're not defending him? Oh really?

Your comments on this thread suggest otherwise.

I put that on the list because he was charged with it. And his crimes were against CHILDREN who, as apparently you don't know, cannot give consent.

Good grief, listen to yourself. And there was no "consent" involved in what that asshole did:

http://www.oregonlaws.org/ors/163.405

He raped children.

[dariomax]

130. His sodomy crime was not against a child

Because if it had been, he would have been charged with rape. And since we know he was not charged with rape, we know that the sodomy was committed consensually with an adult.

I think the problem is that you have not read the Oregon laws regarding rape, sexual abuse, and sodomy.

Do you admit that you don't know the definition of those crimes in Oregon?

[MADem]

132. Again, you are wrong--see post 127. You haven't gotten one fact right, yet.

You're going to need to start providing links, otherwise don't be surprised if people start questioning your motives in this thread.

Rape is an included offense, which you'd know if you read the "liner notes" in the link I provided you.

I've provided you with a fucking LINK to the Oregon law that this guy was charged with--you'd better read it, and get correct, and cease this questionable baiting tactic. It's becoming more and more OBVIOUS what you're on about, and no one is fooled.

[pnwmom]

165. No, that is your problem. MADem posted the legal definition of Sodomy,

and it is clearly a crime of rape, even though the word "rape" isn't used.

And the crime of Sodomy in Oregon has nothing to do with consensual adult sex.

[pnwmom]

127. No. Rape is no longer the legal term for a penetrating sexual assault in Oregon. nt

[pnwmom]

126. Unfortunately, the same word used to apply to consensual adult relations. But that is no longer

the meaning of Sodomy 1 in Oregon. Gay adult men having consensual sex can no longer be charged with sodomy.

But people who sexually assault 10 year old boys or girls can be.

[pnwmom]

164. No, the legal definition of Sodomy in Oregon is NOT consensual oral or anal sex.

It is FORCED or non-consensual or incestuous oral or anal sex, or oral or anal sex with children.

People have repeatedly shown you the legal definition of Sodomy 1 in Oregon and you haven't once acknowledged it.

[lastlib]

74. "Get a hold of yourselves"

he did that, and that's what got him into trouble.

[Kalidurga]

26. He is a repeat violent offender

and a serial public masturbator. This is the type of offense that escalates. Since he has already proven to be violent escalation seems more likely. I say life in a mental hospital.

[pnwmom]

29. You're right. A mental hospital might be the best place for him. The aim would be contain him in the most

appropriate setting, and to give him therapy, while still keeping the public safe.

And if he showed improvement, he could be released.

Makes sense.

[pnwmom]

31. He has offended with CHILDREN. And while under GPS monitoring, cut off the bracelet

and escaped.

He shouldn't be the poster boy for this law, unless they're trying to prove the need for it. They can lock him up in a prison or in a mental ward. But they need to confine him somewhere, and GPS monitoring has already failed.

http://keizertimes.com/2010/06/30/wanted-sex-offender/

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office releases the following sexual offender information pursuant to ORS 181.507 & OAR 291-28-38. These statutes authorize the release of such information when it will enhance the public’s safety and protection.

William Michael Althouse was convicted and served sentences totaling more than 12 years in prison for felony Sexual Abuse I, Burglary I and Sodomy I. These offenses require sex offender registration with law enforcement. Althouse’s criminal history places him in a classification level which reflects the potential to re-offend. He has a history of exhibition, and exposing himself, as well sexually offending minor children that are both known and unknown to him.

Althouse was granted supervision with the following restrictions: no contacts with minors (male or female), required participation in sexual offender treatment, no use of alcohol and submission to polygraph testing.

Althouse was on GPS monitoring, but he cut off his GPS ankle bracelet and failed to report to his Parole Officer. He is now wanted. His last known location was the area of Locust St. NE and Cherry Ave. in Salem around 12:30 pm on 06/29/10. Althouse is known to frequent wooded parks and likes to loiter around the riverfront area. He methodically plans his offending behaviors and should be considered a threat to minor children.

[secondvariety]

43. Considering his criminal history,

this dung pile has been given enough second chances and has no place in society. The judge made the right call.

[NaturalHigh]

44. Agreed. This guy should never be on the streets again.

[geek tragedy]

45. Unrehabilitateable sexual predator.

Does the state need to wait for him to rape another child?

He should have been locked up for life in 1993.

[Trillo]

46. Did he also eat little children for breakfast, lunch, and dinner?

Fuck the assholes who keep this sodomy shit on the books, and in discussions on DU. Sodomy is legal in the U.S.

The guy in this case sounds like a predator, but hopefully his lawyer can review those past convictions. Since he sawed off his monitoring bracelet, it may not be worth much time to do so.

Christians developed fictions to justify their behaviour. A popular one was that their victims were so bestial that it was doubtful whether they were human at all. Sub-humans did not have souls, so it could not matter what was done to them. Such sub-humans might look fully human, but their true natures were given away by activities such as cannibalism and sodomy. Almost every society that Christians encountered was sooner or later accused of these practices and thus dehumanised (as were heretical sects within Christendom).

[pnwmom]

50. No, but he sexually assaulted children, whatever route he took to do that.

And that included children both known and unknown -- so multiple children, not just one.


http://keizertimes.com/2010/06/30/wanted-sex-offender/

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office releases the following sexual offender information pursuant to ORS 181.507 & OAR 291-28-38. These statutes authorize the release of such information when it will enhance the public’s safety and protection.

William Michael Althouse was convicted and served sentences totaling more than 12 years in prison for felony Sexual Abuse I, Burglary I and Sodomy I. These offenses require sex offender registration with law enforcement. Althouse’s criminal history places him in a classification level which reflects the potential to re-offend. He has a history of exhibition, and exposing himself, as well sexually offending minor children that are both known and unknown to him.

Althouse was granted supervision with the following restrictions: no contacts with minors (male or female), required participation in sexual offender treatment, no use of alcohol and submission to polygraph testing.

Althouse was on GPS monitoring, but he cut off his GPS ankle bracelet and failed to report to his Parole Officer. He is now wanted. His last known location was the area of Locust St. NE and Cherry Ave. in Salem around 12:30 pm on 06/29/10. Althouse is known to frequent wooded parks and likes to loiter around the riverfront area. He methodically plans his offending behaviors and should be considered a threat to minor children.

[Trillo]

62. One condition of his past parole was probably a mistake.

The timeline of these offenses is unclear, but it seems he's had improvement, if you presume his past convictions were solid. Publicly masturbating, if the assertion is true, is not some huge offense like murder. My questions are, would he sexually assault another child? Would he rape an adult? I don't believe the article gives us anywhere near the insight to understand, I see red flags, like this guy is being targeted by a justice system that doesn't have enough armed robbers and murderers to target, perhaps because the biggest criminals are protected by our financial system.

I think some inpatient psychiatric care is more appropriate, and let the experts drug him (if they think drugs are appropriate) and counsel him for some time, and if experts think he won't reoffend, then maybe release him again, perhaps making sure he stays on drugs which lower sexual desire.

It seems one condition of his parole, not drinking alcohol, was a sentencing mistake, since it works as an anaphrodisiac.

[pnwmom]

70. I agree that a locked psychiatric unit might be the best place for him

unless and until thy are confident he won't reoffend.

The condition of not drinking alcohol might have been imposed because he carried out crimes while drunk. Yes, there aren't enough details to really know.

The problem with relying on a drug to reduce desire is that sexual assault isn't really about sex. It's about power. He could find other ways to direct that energy if he were given one of those drugs.

[rock]

47. If you do something often enough

It becomes usual (get out of the sewer please; I'm talking about the imprisonment). On the other hand life imprisonment is cruel no matter how you slice it. The interesting thing about cruel is it's absolute. It doesn't matter what we're punishing you for, it's still cruel. It would be even if we were punishing Hitler. Which, incidentally, in my opinion, is not nearly cruel enough.

[ileus]

48. I recommend the SOA approach.

[heaven05]

51. he needs help

not prison. America is such an hypocritical mish mash of ideologies and people in 'authority' willing to use draconian and antiquated measures to force morality on people. I hope he gets his program together. No he does not deserve life imprisonment. Period.

[Geronimoe]

52. As the comments prove Americans can't handle sex

I don't defend sexual predictors. Many Priests have done worse and were simply moved to another church.

However, we don't even know what the past crimes were, and they were a long time ago. Sodomy of the 70s could be anything and possibly even UN-Constitutional as found by SCOTUS. It could have been sex between two consenting adult males. Burglary, who knows? He could have stolen candy bar or not paid for a drink. Kidnapping, could have been a custody battle? It could be worse.

There are two instances where he was found guilty of exposing himself.

Now if he were an Ivy League bankster who destroyed families, making them homeless and stealing pensions, he wouldn't even be charged with a crime. The bankster might even be given a cabinet position in government. So it seems it is all about the sex, that gets everyone worked up.

If as a CEO you cook the books, you can become Vice President as Cheney did. If you raid people's pensions, you can run for Prsident as Romney did and get nearly half the votes. If as President you destroy another country with fake intel, commit war crimes, impeachment is off the table. However if you have oral sex as President, you can be impeached.

[geek tragedy]

55. He is a serial rapist.

We do know that.

Welcome to DU.

[Geronimoe]

60. The record doesn't show this

The record does not show that he was convicted of raping anyone.

He is possibly a serial flasher. A life-term for this seems extreme.

Put a nice suit on and graduate from Ivy League and you can dump toxic waste in chidren's water supply, likely causing them cancer. Not a single politician or judge will question this because it is legal.

[geek tragedy]

65. Derp.

In Althouse's case, the state likely will point out that he isn't only a serial flasher -- his life sentence was meant to reflect a long and concerning history of sex offenses. His sex crime convictions include sexual abuse in 1982 and kidnapping, sodomy and sexual abuse in 1993.

[Geronimoe]

69. Age

Given his age (69), he isn't going to be very sexually active. Anyone can simply run away from him.

Some years of some sort of help is called for. Perhaps check him for medical problem such as hormonal imbalance.

[pnwmom]

72. He lost his chance for less onerous options when he cut off his GPS bracelet

so he could have a "vacation" from his sex offender therapy and his meetings with his parole officer.

And plenty of men his age are still threats. Sexual assault is more about power than physical desire.

[ismnotwasm]

163. Are you fucking kidding me?

You think he's to decrepit to grab a 4 year old off the street? Really?

[pnwmom]

71. He was convicted of a felony sexual offense. Flashing isn't a felony. nt

[MADem]

117. Yes, it does.

Per Oregon law: http://www.oregonlaws.org/ors/163.405

What would you call sexual assault of a child who can't give consent?

[pnwmom]

56. Kidnapping, burglary, and sexual assault of children. This isn't about sex; he's a predator.

Some people have trouble distinguishing sex from assault. They aren't the same thing.

He was wearing a GPS device as part of his parole, but cut it off and escaped because he wanted a "vacation." He's proven he needs closer supervision, whether it's in prison or in a locked mental ward.


http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2015/03/oregon_supreme_court_is_it_cru.html

"In Althouse's case, the state likely will point out that he isn't only a serial flasher -- his life sentence was meant to reflect a long and concerning history of sex offenses. His sex crime convictions include sexual abuse in 1982 and kidnapping, sodomy and sexual abuse in 1993."


http://keizertimes.com/2010/06/30/wanted-sex-offender/

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office releases the following sexual offender information pursuant to ORS 181.507 & OAR 291-28-38. These statutes authorize the release of such information when it will enhance the public’s safety and protection.

William Michael Althouse was convicted and served sentences totaling more than 12 years in prison for felony Sexual Abuse I, Burglary I and Sodomy I. These offenses require sex offender registration with law enforcement. Althouse’s criminal history places him in a classification level which reflects the potential to re-offend. He has a history of exhibition, and exposing himself, as well sexually offending minor children that are both known and unknown to him.

Althouse was granted supervision with the following restrictions: no contacts with minors (male or female), required participation in sexual offender treatment, no use of alcohol and submission to polygraph testing.

Althouse was on GPS monitoring, but he cut off his GPS ankle bracelet and failed to report to his Parole Officer. He is now wanted. His last known location was the area of Locust St. NE and Cherry Ave. in Salem around 12:30 pm on 06/29/10. Althouse is known to frequent wooded parks and likes to loiter around the riverfront area. He methodically plans his offending behaviors and should be considered a threat to minor children.

[Throd]

59. Althouse can't handle sex.

[ismnotwasm]

161. You need to read the whole thing

Dude spent a total of 12 years in prison already.

"The Marion County Sheriff’s Office releases the following sexual offender information pursuant to ORS 181.507 & OAR 291-28-38. These statutes authorize the release of such information when it will enhance the public’s safety and protection.

William Michael Althouse was convicted and served sentences totaling more than 12 years in prison for felony Sexual Abuse I, Burglary I and Sodomy I. These offenses require sex offender registration with law enforcement. Althouse’s criminal history places him in a classification level which reflects the potential to re-offend. He has a history of exhibition, and exposing himself, as well sexually offending minor children that are both known and unknown to him.
Althouse was granted supervision with the following restrictions: no contacts with minors (male or female), required participation in sexual offender treatment, no use of alcohol and submission to polygraph testing.

Althouse was on GPS monitoring, but he cut off his GPS ankle bracelet and failed to report to his Parole Officer. He is now wanted. His last known location was the area of Locust St. NE and Cherry Ave. in Salem around 12:30 pm on 06/29/10. Althouse is known to frequent wooded parks and likes to loiter around the riverfront area. He methodically plans his offending behaviors and should be considered a threat to minor children."

[JTFrog]

173. How the hell do you conflate "can't handle sex" with kidnapping, rape and

sexual assualt?

Unfucking believably disgusting commentary.

And what the fuck are "sexual predictors" and why in the fuck would anyone defend them?

[magical thyme]

57. why was somebody guilty of kidnapping and sexual abuse walking the streets?

He should have gotten a life sentence back in '92 instead allowed to walk the streets for 23 years. Ridiculous.

[treestar]

63. First time offender gets counseling

This guy has done it over and over again. So he's never going to learn or stop doing this. But one would think a psychiatric facility might be more appropriate. I'm surprised their law doesn't lead to this.

[olddad56]

67. at least provide them a penthouse magazine.

[Scairp]

76. Unbelievable

Dick Cheney walks around a free man and this dude goes to prison for life. Lovely country we live in.







#mikepenceisacoward

[pnwmom]

84. The headline is misleading. This guy has a history of sexual assault, burglary, and kidnapping.

And he has multiple convictions for offending with children.

[Scairp]

87. Is anyone dead?

[geek tragedy]

89. So child molestation is no biggie then

because no one died?

Jesus. Some of the responses in this thread.

[pnwmom]

90. Some little souls might have been crushed.

There can be lifelong effects of sexual assault, especially when it happens to children.

But who cares about that?

[Scairp]

99. Me

I care. Still, life without? From a constitutional standpoint it seems excessive.

[pnwmom]

100. I would be fine with him being in a locked mental institution

until he's demonstrated that he's not a threat to others.

But I'm more concerned about him hurting more children than I am about his punishment being excessive -- not since he decided to remove the GPS bracelet, skip his required treatment and his parole officer meetings, and take a "vacation."

[Scairp]

103. You know what?

Fuck it, I am WRONG, you guys are right. Throw away the key.

[Yo_Mama]

96. Kidnapping, sodomy, sexual molestation.

You know, if you are randy enough to wank off in public knowing the consequences, even at 69 you are a danger to children. People saying that this guy just needs counseling are, IMO, nuts.

[MADem]

105. I have to say, some of the comments in this thread are surprising for an ostensibly progressive

forum.

I don't think much of people who rape little kids, and I don't think mitigation of their behavior is terribly appropriate. I can't believe there'd be any discussion on this score, frankly--particularly when the offenses are clarified!

[brett_jv]

85. I would definitely like to know the details of the past offenses ...

To everybody that's reading these charges:

"felony Sexual Abuse I, Burglary I and Sodomy I"

and flipping the hell out?

Consider that this could mean anything from a truly 'worst case scenario' (which seems to be what everyone here seems convinced MUST have happened) ... to an instance where the guy lifted the purse or wallet from a 16 year old prostitute he mistakenly solicited and got oral pleasure from (which is 'sodomy' per many state laws) ... without knowing their age.

It doesn't necessarily 'take much' ... to get convicted of those three particular charges. I mean, maybe it WAS 'worst case', I dunno. But maybe it wasn't. And it was also a LONG time ago.

As an aside, I personally don't 'believe' in the general practice of continuing to punish people who've 'done their time' ... just because a crime was 'sexual in nature' ... when we DON'T do the same thing for crimes that are drug-related, robbery-related, even murder-related.

[geek tragedy]

88. He is a twice-convicted rapist.

And you think maybe he is just a normal guy. Because sexual assault is sometimes okay?





Two convictions for sex abuse in the first degree:

http://www.oregonlaws.org/ors/163.427

(1) A person commits the crime of sexual abuse in the first degree when that person:
(a) Subjects another person to sexual contact and:
(A) The victim is less than 14 years of age;
(B) The victim is subjected to forcible compulsion by the actor; or
(C) The victim is incapable of consent by reason of being mentally defective, mentally incapacitated or physically helpless; or
(b) Intentionally causes a person under 18 years of age to touch or contact the mouth, anus or sex organs of an animal for the purpose of arousing or gratifying the sexual desire of a person.

Go ahead and explain which of those offenses isn't "much"

You may also want to learn what burglary is.

http://www.oregonlaws.org/ors/164.225

§ 164.225¹
Burglary in the first degree
(1) A person commits the crime of burglary in the first degree if the person violates ORS 164.215 (Burglary in the second degree) and the building is a dwelling, or if in effecting entry or while in a building or in immediate flight therefrom the person:
(a) Is armed with a burglary tool or theft device as defined in ORS 164.235 (Possession of a burglary tool or theft device) or a deadly weapon;
(b) Causes or attempts to cause physical injury to any person; or
(c) Uses or threatens to use a dangerous weapon.
(2) Burglary in the first degree is a Class A felony. [1971 c.743 §137; 2003 c.577 §10]

[dariomax]

111. You called him convicted rapist, but

You didnt post info about the definition of rape. You posted the definition of sexual assault. Why?

[geek tragedy]

112. Okay, twice-convicted sexual assault/child molestation

offender, along with burglary.

Which means, by the way, he broke into someone's home so he could sexually assault someone inside.

P-R-E-D-A-T-OR

[pnwmom]

121. Most states, including Oregon, no longer use the word "rape" as a legal term,

which decades ago only applied to females.

Now gender-neutral, and orifice-neutral terms are used, like "sexual assault." And the level of sexual assault he was convicted of is equivalent to what would have been called "rape" in decades past.

[pnwmom]

122. Thank you. This is very important information to this thread.

It is disgusting how some people are determined to minimize this.

[pnwmom]

91. His offenses were also against at least one child he KNEW. So that child wasn't a prostitute.

And he knew the child's age.

Wow. I can't believe the lengths some people will go to blame the victim, even to calling the victim a prostitute.

When children have been sexually assaulted, the PTSD is often a life-time sentence. I'm not going to assume, as you are, that these charges weren't serious.

[MADem]

120. I've posted the legal definition of "sodomy 1" elsewhere in this thread.

It's essentially forcible rape of a child. That "prostitute" you are speculating about would have to be UNDER 16 and a relative, otherwise we're talking unrelated children UNDER 12.

Still think he's a poor victim?

[rladdi]

101. omg, JERKING OFF on across this world, millions daily. It should never be a crime.

Why are people commenting like it is a sin? He should be given professional help and maybe there are mental issue involved too. Our states love to put people in prison. Those actions support the private prisons of which there should be none.

[pnwmom]

125. Read the posts. He's been convicted of felonious sexual assault -- in other words, rape. Of CHILDREN

Also kidnapping and burglary.

When he was out on parole, he cut off his GPS anklet and stopped going to treatment and meeting with his parole officer. Instead, he took off on a "vacation."

He needs to be somewhere where he can be contained until he is proven to no longer be a threat.

[rladdi]

102. I have to comment: The State of Idaho elected a 2 time rapist to the state senate. Yes, he is a

Republican. If this rapist can get elected to represent the people of the state and make laws then JO in a non issue. Also this rapist senator was able to purchase and carry guns since he was a senator. All state laws don't apply to state law makers.

[pnwmom]

123. He wasn't elected AS a rapist. n/t

[ZombieHorde]

106. I don't think he should serve a single day in jail.

I think he should get the help he needs.

[MADem]

108. He raped KIDS.

I can't agree with your assessment. He is a danger to society, and he can get psychiatric help and medication in a jail setting--where he belongs.

[dariomax]

110. That's false

He did not rape kids. Rape is a crime in Oregon, and he was not charged with rape, ever.

[MADem]

114. You keep crying about sodomy but you didn't look up what "sodomy I" was in Oregon.

You should have--because it's all about LACK OF CONSENT, and this sounds like rape to me:

1) A person who engages in deviate sexual intercourse with another person or causes another to engage in deviate sexual intercourse commits the crime of sodomy in the first degree if:
(a) The victim is subjected to forcible compulsion by the actor;
(b) The victim is under 12 years of age;
(c) The victim is under 16 years of age and is the actors brother or sister, of the whole or half blood, the son or daughter of the actor or the son or daughter of the actors spouse; or
(d) The victim is incapable of consent by reason of mental defect, mental incapacitation or physical helplessness.
(2) Sodomy in the first degree is a Class A felony. 1971 c.743 §114; 1989 c.359 §4

http://www.oregonlaws.org/ors/163.405

We're not talking about "consenting adults" here and the Big Bad Police busting down the door. We're talking about the OPPOSITE of consent. We're talking about an asshole assaulting little kids.

Stop defending indefensible conduct.

[pnwmom]

124. No one in Oregon is charged with rape anymore. Rape is no longer the legal term there or in most states.

Instead, the Oregon law defines degrees of Sexual Assault.

But what he was charged with is the same crime that non-legal people call rape.

Read MADem's post just above mine. What he was charged with WAS rape, just by a different name.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laws_regarding_rape

There is no national rape law in the United States, due to the United States v. Morrison ruling that parts of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 were unconstitutional. Each state has its own laws concerning sexual aggression. Nor is there any national standard in the US for defining and reporting male-male or female-perpetrated rapes. State laws vary considerably, and in most states the term "rape" is no longer used, and the offense has been replaced by crimes such as "sexual assault", "criminal sexual conduct", "sexual abuse", "sexual battery" etc. The US laws on sexual violence are complex, with states having numerous sex offenses, dealing with different situations. The laws on sex crimes have been changed and modernized significantly during the last decades and they continue to change.

[pnwmom]

136. First degree sexual assault in Oregon INCLUDES the crime of rape.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexual_assault

Sexual assault is any involuntary sexual act in which a person is coerced or physically forced to engage against their will, or any non-consensual sexual touching of a person. Sexual assault is a form of sexual violence, and it includes rape (such as forced vaginal, anal or oral penetration or drug facilitated sexual assault), groping, forced kissing, child sexual abuse, or the torture of the person in a sexual manner.

[pnwmom]

143. Sodomy 1, the crime he was convicted of, is oral or anal rape -- not forced kissing. n/t

[pnwmom]

158. That is a broad definition of sexual assault, not the specific Oregon definition of Sodomy in the

first degree, the crime of which he was convicted.

You are saying that forced oral or anal penetration isn't equivalent to vaginal rape, simply because the state of Oregon classifies it as Sodomy in the first degree and doesn't use the specific word "rape."

Use your common sense and don't be sexist. Forced penetration orally, anally, or vaginally, is rape, no matter what orifice the rapist uses.

To argue otherwise is to say that boys and men cannot be raped. If that is your position you couldn't be more wrong. They can most certainly be raped; but in Oregon, their rapist will be charged with Sodomy -- forced oral or anal sex.

[pnwmom]

138. Why are you so determined to minimize the crimes of a rapist?

The sodomy law he was convicted of breaking has nothing to do with adult consensual sex. It is legally equivalent to rape.

Being guilty of Sodomy in the first degree means he either forcibly engaged a person in oral or anal sex
Or he engaged in oral or anal sexual activity with a child under the age of 12.
Or he engaged in oral or anal incest with a victim under 16
Or he engaged in oral or anal sex with an adult who was incompetent to give consent.

ALL of these crimes constitute rape -- sexual penetration without consent.

163.405¹
Sodomy in the first degree
(1) A person who engages in deviate sexual intercourse with another person or causes another to engage in deviate sexual intercourse commits the crime of sodomy in the first degree if:
(a) The victim is subjected to forcible compulsion by the actor;
(b) The victim is under 12 years of age;
(c) The victim is under 16 years of age and is the actors brother or sister, of the whole or half blood, the son or daughter of the actor or the son or daughter of the actors spouse; or
(d) The victim is incapable of consent by reason of mental defect, mental incapacitation or physical helplessness.
(2) Sodomy in the first degree is a Class A felony. [1971 c.743 §114; 1989 c.359 §4]

[pnwmom]

142. I made a small mistake -- they can be charged with vaginal rape. But his crime was oral or anal rape

which is called Sodomy 1 under Oregon's law.

I'll delete my post once you acknowledge that the crime he was convicted of is equivalent to rape -- not adult consensual sex.

[pnwmom]

145. Are you saying that males have vaginas? That's news to me.

I'll explain it again. In Oregon, the crime of forced sexual intercourse involving a vagina is called rape.

The crime of forced anal or oral penetration, or such penetration without consent, or with a minor under 12, or incest under 16, is called Sodomy 1 -- and is the legal equivalent of rape.

You are the one who decided to put your credibility on the line defending a child rapist. Nice work, dariomax.

[pnwmom]

149. No,we're witnessing deliberate obtuseness on your part. Look at the definition of Sodomy 1,

the crime he was convicted of. It is the legal equivalent of rape, with the same penalty as rape. it means forceable anal or oral sex, or anal or oral sex without consent. Just because the sexual assault is anal or oral doesn't mean it isn't legally equivalent to rape.

I ask you again. Why are you so intent to distract from the real issue -- you're bent on defending a rapist who has assaulted multiple children?

[pnwmom]

160. Where is your evidence that in Oregon the word "rape" is used in legal charges

when a person has been forcibly penetrated anally or orally but not vaginally? Please show me cases where people have been charged with rape for sexually assaulting a male.

I provided Oregon's definition of Sodomy, which covers this situation exactly, whether for males or females.

[pnwmom]

167. Okay, fine. Men can be victims both of rape and Sodomy -- defined as forced anal or oral sex.

I don't know what the difference would be but it doesn't matter. Anyone who commits the legally defined term of Sodomy in the First Degree is a rapist, whether that word is used in the legal definition or not.

[ismnotwasm]

150. How about this? And why are you defending this guy anyway?

"The Marion County Sheriff’s Office releases the following sexual offender information pursuant to ORS 181.507 & OAR 291-28-38. These statutes authorize the release of such information when it will enhance the public’s safety and protection.

William Michael Althouse was convicted and served sentences totaling more than 12 years in prison for felony Sexual Abuse I, Burglary I and Sodomy I. These offenses require sex offender registration with law enforcement. Althouse’s criminal history places him in a classification level which reflects the potential to re-offend. He has a history of exhibition, and exposing himself, as well sexually offending minor children that are both known and unknown to him.
Althouse was granted supervision with the following restrictions: no contacts with minors (male or female), required participation in sexual offender treatment, no use of alcohol and submission to polygraph testing.

Althouse was on GPS monitoring, but he cut off his GPS ankle bracelet and failed to report to his Parole Officer. He is now wanted. His last known location was the area of Locust St. NE and Cherry Ave. in Salem around 12:30 pm on 06/29/10. Althouse is known to frequent wooded parks and likes to loiter around the riverfront area. He methodically plans his offending behaviors and should be considered a threat to minor children."

[ismnotwasm]

159. What are you talking about?

Of course males can be raped. Are, In fact, on a daily basis. That a ridiculous misconstruing of the point. What does "sexually offending" children mean to you, exactly? Pissing them off?

I'm not pulling out a Oregon legal term glossary, you can do it yourself. This is a completely disingenuous argument you are making as well as an completely inadequate attempt to redefine legal terms to suit whatever point you're actually trying to make.

The table needs to be cleared and wiped down

[ismnotwasm]

170. Cool story bro

And I know it ends

[pnwmom]

162. I did NOT say there can be no rape of males. I said that the legal term used in Oregon for male

victims isn't "rape" and that the crime equivalent to rape in Oregon is "Sodomy," which, as defined in Oregon law, covers forcible sexual oral or anal penetration, or oral or anal sex with children or with others unable to give consent.

But all this is completely beside the point. The man is a rapist, whether he forced himself on little boys or little girls or both.

[pnwmom]

128. He was getting treatment and decided to cut off his GPS monitor and take a "vacation."

The only other option I'd accept is a locked psychiatric unit, till he's proven to no longer be a threat to children. He's already raped at least twice, and kidnapped, and burglarized.

He's a violent predator.

[get the red out]

129. I believe the sentence is too long

This is a sentence murders get.

[MosheFeingold]

133. Well, he's a child rapist

In some ways, that's worse than murder.

[pnwmom]

168. Sodomy 1 in Oregon is a sexual assault equivalent in evil to rape even if another term is used.n/t

[Xithras]

134. I don't like "three strikes laws". This is a tough one, but he shouldn't get life.

Yes, I know he's a rapist who doesn't deserve sympathy, but the difference between a principle and a talking point is your willingness to apply it in a tough situation.

The guy has committed heinous crimes. That's awful, but he served his time for them and was released.

This sentence was for public exposure or masturbation. He wasn't being tried for child rape, or for burglary, or for kidnapping, or for any of the other things he may have done before. He was tried for playing with his dick on a jogging trail. That crime doesn't qualify him for life in prison.


If you want to have a debate about whether child rapists should be let out of prison in the first place, I'm willing to have it, but as someone who was the victim of a violent predator as a child, you can imagine which side I'll be on. Irregardless of my feelings on child predators, however, I keep coming back to one basic truth: He was sentenced to prison for his offense, served his time, and was released. The life sentence for masturbation is basically the application of a second punishment for the first crime. I just can't bring myself to go along with that, no matter how much the guy disgusts me.

[pnwmom]

139. He served time for the crimes and was released. And then, while out on parole,

he cut off his GPS anklet, stopped going to required treatment sessions, stopped meeting with his parole officer, and instead took off for a "vacation."

He needs to be contained somewhere until he is no longer a threat to the public. A locked psychiatric unit would be fine. But he needs to be contained because he's proven that he can't be trusted on his own.

[Xithras]

146. So revoke his parole.

I have no problem with that. When you're on parole, it means that you're being let out early in exchange for agreeing to follow certain rules. Since he violated his parole, he should be sent back to prison to serve out the remainder of his original sentence. I have absolutely NO PROBLEM with that. Revoking his parole would protect the public from his behavior.

For what it's worth, I do agree that there should be mental health facilities capable of detaining this guy and treating him in order to protect the public. Sentencing him to life in prison for masturbating on a trail isn't the answer though, and isn't something I can support. It's double punishment for a previous crime.

At its root, this is really just another facet of a major problem that many people have complained about for decades. America's mental health system is a joke, and we often prefer to lock people away in cages instead of actually treating whatever mental health issues they are suffering from. This guy probably SHOULD be detained in a psychiatric ward because he's clearly got some serious problems, but our society isn't willing to invest in the infrastructure that we'd need to do that.

[Recursion]

156. I'm not a shrink, but ...

... there seems to pretty clearly be a mental health issue here, which the justice system just isn't addressing.

[Agnosticsherbet]

151. If he insists on exposing himelf for sexual gratification to peple who do not ask.

then he needs to be off the public streets.

The real question is what do we do with someone who does not change when he is punished for a sex crime.

I think he should be committed for life if its is possible. I don't think jail, in his case, is the right answer.

[seabeyond]

172. for all those feeling sad at the words, life, for all the fuckin shit he did in a lifetime to other

INNOCENTS. then consider it a 10, 20 30 yr sentence that he SUREDLY deserves.

right people?