This is NUTS!!!!

[sclcookie]

LAW OF THE LAND
Judge gives child-rapist
60-day sentence
No longer believes in punishment: 'Anger doesn't solve anything'

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted: January 6, 2006
1:00 a.m. Eastern



© 2006 WorldNetDaily.com

Claiming he no longer believes in punishment, a Vermont judge issued a 60-day sentence to a man who confessed to repeatedly raping a girl over a four-year period, beginning when she was 7 years old.

Judge Edward Cashman disagreed with prosecutors who thought Mark Hulett, 34, of Williston, Vt., deserved eight to 20 years in prison, reported WCAX-TV in Burlington, Vt.

Cashman said he's more concerned now about rehabilitation.

"The one message I want to get through is that anger doesn't solve anything. It just corrodes your soul," Cashman told a packed Burlington courtroom made up mostly of people related to the victim.

Prior to the decision, Chittenden Deputy Prosecutor Nicole Andreson argued punishment "is a valid purpose."

"The state recognizes that the court may not agree or subscribe to that method of sentencing but the state does," she said, according to the Burlington TV station. "The state thinks that it is a very important factor for the court to consider."

Cashman said he wants to make sure Hulett gets sex-offender treatment.

Under Department of Corrections classification, however, Hulett is considered a low-risk for re-offense, which means he doesn't qualify for in-prison treatment.

Cashman, therefore, issued a 60-day sentence and ordered Hulett to complete sex-treatment when he gets out or face a possible life sentence.

The judge said that when he began 25 years ago, he handed down tough sentences but now believes "it accomplishes nothing of value."

"It doesn't make anything better; it costs us a lot of money; we create a lot of expectation, and we feed on anger," Cashman explained to the people in the court, WCAX reported.

Members of the victim's family were outraged.

"I don't like it," the victim's mother told the TV station, in tears. "He should pay for what he did to my baby and stop it here. She's not even home with me and he can be home for all this time, and do what he did in my house."

source: www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=48219

[alias]

I agree with the mother. Make me pay for what he's done.

The judge should do the justice system a favor and hang me.

[Elaine]

They don't say what happened to the girl. Did he kill her? Journalism these days is a disgrace, nobody seems to be writing decent articles anymore, and by that I mean with all information in them.

Either way though, nuts seems to describe this judge quite well. Maybe it's time for him to resign, because it seems he feels like his job isn't changing anything.

[Mo-DAWG]

what the f*ck ... he repeatedly raped a child over a 4 year period and got 60 days? that is plain wrong ... he should have gotten much much more than that ... this verdict carries a message like it was ok to rape children and get away with it by serving a ridiculous sentence ... it like saying "yeah rape a child ... its nothing really bad to do it as you can see ... raping a child wont give you more than a 60 days sentence .."
this verdict is not only injustice but dangerous as a message to this guy and other child molestors ... sorry im rambling but this case is really pissing me off big time ... i better close this post now ...
Mo-DAWG

[judywaits4u]

Can, as the UK, the prosecution appeal this sentence?

Love and hugs,
Judy

[sdl]

Any other confirmation of this? I tend not to believe WorldNutDaily...

[abiraballari]

sclcookie said:

Judge Edward Cashman disagreed with prosecutors who thought Mark Hulett, 34, of Williston, Vt., deserved eight to 20 years in prison, reported WCAX-TV in Burlington, Vt.

Whoever lives in Vermont should get this around town and make sure this guy DOESN'T get re-elected to the judgeship or....have him impeached.

Originally quoted by WorldNetDaily
Under Department of Corrections classification, however, Hulett is considered a low-risk for re-offense,

Low risk for re-offense??? He only did it for FOUR YEARS!!!

Originally quoted by WorldNetDaily
The judge said that when he began 25 years ago, he handed down tough sentences but now believes "it accomplishes nothing of value."

Mmmmmmkay, I suppose the judge kept up with ALLLL the people he handed sentences down to...he knows for a FACT that every case he handled turned out bad??

[anna]

Oh Gosh Suzanne this is awful! Thanks for the information! We have to make some noise about this.

In Germany where i live there was a horrible case recently, where a 3 old girl was cruelly tortured to death and the sadist only got 10 years. A lot of public outrage motivated the prosecutor to appeal, which they can in Germany if they feel the sentence was too light.

The sentence of 10 years against the predator Mehmet A. has been struck down by an appeal that the prosecutors made, who will seek a life sentence against the murderer of this child murderer. Karolina C., age 3, was systematically tortured, beaten, burned, her hair shaven off and in every conceivable way cruelly degraded and brutalised. The predator claimed he was outraged because Karolina wasn't his child. Karolina was abandonned by the predator, mortally wounded in a public bathroom, and died a few hours after being found. The police took a picture of Karolina to try to identify her. The predator who did this to her should never live in freedom again. I'm encouraged that the German judical system is coming closer to this opinion at least in this horrific case.
img12.imageshack.us/img12/5638/145x200karolinapropertybild1zv.jpg
img526.imageshack.us/img526/2518/karolina8qj.png
Sorry, i can only find German newslink on this cruel event.
focus.msn.de/hps/fol/newsausgabe/newsausgabe.htm?id=22534
www.bild.t-online.de/BTO/news/2005/03/15/karolina__prozess__beginn/karolina__prozess__beginn.html www.abendblatt.de/daten/2005/04/22/424839.html

[anna]

I hope prosecutors in Vermont can also appeal for a tougher sentence.
°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
As far the case Suzanne presents legislation may be passed soon to require a minimum 25 year sentence for child rapists and thus prevent such outrages as a 60 day "time off".
www.timesargus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060107/NEWS/601070332/1002 Quote:
Rape sentence fuels move to set minimum penalties

January 7, 2006

By Louis Porter Vermont Press Bureau

MONTPELIER — The sentencing of a sex offender to serve as little as 60 days in prison has helped to prompt Republican lawmakers to push for minimum jail terms in such cases.

Members of the Senate and House called for 25-year minimum sentences for sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault and second or subsequent convictions of lewd and lascivious conduct with a child.

Sen. Wendy Wilton, R-Rutland, said that if Vermont does not make its sex crime sentences tougher, sex offenders may move to the state.

"We will become a very attractive place for sex offenders to come and reside," Wilton said.

Sen. George Coppenrath, R-Caledonia, along with Rep. Thomas DePoy, R-Rutland, and other lawmakers are joining Wilton in introducing a version of Jessica's Law, first passed in Florida.

"We do not want to be known as tough on business and soft on pedophiles," Coppenrath said.

The announcement of the new legislation was partly a response to the sentencing of Mark Hulett by Judge Edward Cashman in Burlington District Court this week.

Hulett, who pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a young girl over a four-year period, was given a sentence of three years to life, with all but 60 days of the prison time suspended if he entered treatment and abided by other terms of his sentence.

According to news reports, Cashman said at the sentencing that Hulett would be more likely to receive treatment with the short sentence because of how such programs are administered by the state.

Court officials said Friday that the judge would not comment on the case at least until a sentence review period ended next week.

Rep. David Sunderland, R-Rutland Town, called the Cashman decision "outrageous and incomprehensible" and "an affront to our criminal justice system."

Lawmakers and state officials said Cashman's decision neglected the fact that punishment is as much a part of prison sentences as rehabilitation.

"What we have forgotten in this state … is the consequences and the cost to the children who are victimized," said Rep. Duncan Kilmartin, R-Newport.

Sen. Richard Sears, D-Bennington, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said he will look at the bill.

"We are determined to take another look at mandatory minimums," he said.

Sen. Vincent Illuzzi, R-Essex/Orleans, said he understands the call for such minimum sentences, but he does not think they are practical.

"It's well-intended," said Illuzzi, who is also the Essex County prosecutor. But "in the real world it just doesn't pan out the way you would like."

That is because stiff minimum sentences remove the incentive for plea bargains, he said. "Every case will go to trial."

That would mean a huge burden on the courts, investigators and ultimately the prison system, Illuzzi said.

"I think Judge Cashman is probably one of the finest district court judges we have seen in recent history," Illuzzi said. "He has a good sense about the strength and weakness of cases and a good track record of predicting whether defendants will succeed with programming."

A sentence like the one by Cashman gives an offender the best incentive to quickly enter and successfully complete a treatment program, because they remain under the authority of the parole system even if they are released, Illuzzi said.

Rep. William Lippert, D-Hinesburg, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, said he's glad Republicans are looking beyond their civil commitment proposal to address sex crimes comprehensively. Under civil commitment, opposed by many Democrats, some offenders could be held by the state after completing their sentences.

"I am glad that the comprehensive approach is finally being looked at," Lippert said.

DePoy said the minimum sentencing proposal is in part a reaction to critics of civil commitment, who said sentencing guidelines should be fixed instead.

Lippert said sex offender treatment should begin earlier when offenders go into prison and be more comprehensive.

But Corrections Commissioner Robert Hofmann said his staffers who work in those programs know that longer treatment does not mean better treatment. And they have also found that treatment is often more effective if it is administered before an offender is released, he said, rather than at the beginning of their sentence.

"There is some indication … that there is a finite amount of time that is optimal," Hofmann said.

He said it's important to note that in the vast majority of sex crimes, including the case Cashman dealt with, the victim knows the perpetrator. In general Vermont is a very safe state, he said.

"As parents we need to be on guard," Hofmann said.

In the Hulett case, the Department of Corrections asked for a prison term of three to 25 years, the commissioner said.

As for a 25-year minimum sentence, Hofmann said he has just begun to look at the proposal.

"We have dealt with some cases where the minimums have been short," he said. At the same time "we do have a pronounced overcrowding problem in the state."

The proposed legislation would also restrict sex offenders who remain under the supervision of the Department of Corrections from living within 250 yards of schools and other places where children are.

There are about 500 sex offenders in prison in Vermont and about 700 who have been released.

[kathy]

Anna I think you get off on this crap. Must you always post the gory details??? We get the picture without the picture.

[Mo-DAWG]

anna said:

Oh Gosh Suzanne this is awful! Thanks for the information! We have to make some noise about this.

In Germany where i live there was a horrible case recently, where a 3 old girl was cruelly tortured to death and the sadist only got 10 years. A lot of public outrage motivated the prosecutor to appeal, which they can in Germany if they feel the sentence was too light.

The sentence of 10 years against the predator Mehmet A. has been struck down by an appeal that the prosecutors made, who will seek a life sentence against the murderer of this child murderer. Karolina C., age 3, was systematically tortured, beaten, burned, her hair shaven off and in every conceivable way cruelly degraded and brutalised. The predator claimed he was outraged because Karolina wasn't his child. Karolina was abandonned by the predator, mortally wounded in a public bathroom, and died a few hours after being found. The police took a picture of Karolina to try to identify her. The predator who did this to her should never live in freedom again. I'm encouraged that the German judical system is coming closer to this opinion at least in this horrific case.
img12.imageshack.us/img12/5638/145x200karolinapropertybild1zv.jpg
img526.imageshack.us/img526/2518/karolina8qj.png
Sorry, i can only find German newslink on this cruel event.
focus.msn.de/hps/fol/newsausgabe/newsausgabe.htm?id=22534
www.bild.t-online.de/BTO/news/2005/03/15/karolina__prozess__beginn/karolina__prozess__beginn.html www.abendblatt.de/daten/2005/04/22/424839.htm

oh god yes i remember carolinas case .. it was one of the saddest cases in europe and left all of us in helpless anger... her moms drug addict boyfriend hated that little girl and her mom obeyed him like a dog and joined torturing this little girl .. i ll never understand why she didnt protect her child and left that guy .. the entire case was so heart-wrenching when all the details came out ... may carolina rest in peace ... shes a lil angel in heaven now ...
Mo-DAWG

[anna]

Bless you Mo-Dawg for caring! Yes Karolina is a little angel in that better world now. We have to remember Karolina to protect our little angels here who are with us on earth. I do have reservations about posting Karolina's image after she was murdered, but without this image i'm sure that the initial 10 year sentence of her tormentor would have been uncontested as has often been the case in Germany. I have a thread on the pro-site at tinyurl.com/bag95 with a lot of other horrible cases and the light sentences that predators often receive in Germany!

Rest in peace Karolina! Our love and thoughts are with you!

[Mo-DAWG]

anna said:

Bless you Mo-Dawg for caring! Yes Karolina is a little angel in that better world now. We have to remember Karolina to protect our little angels here who are with us on earth. I do have reservations about posting Karolina's image after she was murdered, but without this image i'm sure that the initial 10 year sentence of her tormentor would have been uncontested as has often been the case in Germany. I have a thread on the pro-site at tinyurl.com/bag95 with a lot of other horrible cases and the light sentences that predators often receive in Germany!

Rest in peace Karolina! Our love and thoughts are with you!

yes i know german justice is a joke when it comes to child killers ... i mean gimme a break .. 10 years is nothing .. he should have gotten life for it ... i know you post a lot about child killers but i refuse to read cases with children involved .. (besides i refuse to read on chars board .. its just not my world).. .. cases with chilren involved just really get me started and to be honest i cant take/deal with cases with children involved ...

..weak? ... yes maybe ...

Mo-DAWG

[judywaits4u]

Judge slammed for molester's 60-day sentence
'People believe he has flipped his lid'

Tuesday, January 10, 2006; Posted: 8:47 p.m. EST (01:47 GMT)

BURLINGTON, Vermont (AP) -- A judge is under fire for sentencing a man to 60 days in prison for molesting a girl beginning when she was 6 years old.

Judge Edward Cashman said he did not require Mark Hulett, 34, to serve more time because Hulett could not receive sex offender treatment while in prison.

"The court viewed the defendant as a dangerous man, likely to engage in future crime unless he has proper and timely treatment," the judge said in court documents filed Tuesday.

Once released, Hulett must undergo treatment and will be under state supervision. If he fails to abide by the terms, he could be sent back to prison for up to 10 years for aggravated sexual assault.

If he serves that time, Hulett would also face a potential life sentence for a second sexual assault count.

Victim's family is outraged
The victim's family, who have not been identified publicly, were outraged by the decision, handed down January 4.

Gov. James Douglas condemned the sentence and House Republicans introduced a resolution calling on Cashman to resign. A state senator is urging his impeachment.

"This guy has got to go," state Sen. Wendy Wilton, a Republican, said in a television appearance. "People believe he has flipped his lid."

For his part, Cashman said he was aware of the criticism his decision had prompted, stating that the "negative comments sting."

"I owe it to the judiciary and to my own conscience to maintain a stand that I believe is the best possible option in a very difficult situation," he said.

Hulett was family friend
Hulett pleaded guilty last summer to charges that he sexually assaulted the victim on at least three occasions over a four-year period.

Hulett was a friend of the victim's family and frequently stayed in her home. The victim's parents were aware that Hulett had an interest in the girl and that the two, on some occasions, slept in the same bed, court documents said.

The Department of Correction's sex offender treatment team argued Hulett's risk to re-offend was low. Under Corrections Department policy low-risk sex offenders can only be treated in the community.

But Cashman disagreed with those assessments. He wrote that Hulett had the emotional maturity of a 12- to 14-year old and did not understand why others were so upset by his actions.

Cashman said he was concerned that delaying Hulett's treatment while he served a longer sentence would cause more harm and increase the long-term risk he presented to the community.

Copyright 2006 The Associated Press.