09-29-2013, 12:21 PM
I think 30 days is a joke as well.
But, I don't think Cherice's suicide should have been a consideration in determining the sentencing. He didn't kill her or have any expectation that she'd kill herself years later. I don't know her mental and emotional state before her sexual encounters with the asshole Rambold; only know what her understandably devastated mother feels about it.
At 14, Cherice wasn't legally able to consent - it's statutory rape and that's what he pleaded guilty to. From what I've read, there's no contention that Cherice was physically forced or spending time with Rambold unwillingly. It's still rape and still deserves some jail time, IMO - especially considering that he didn't complete the sex offenders program which was part of his probation agreement.
Debra Lafave pleaded guilty to having a sexual relationship with her 14 year old male student. Her sentence was very similar to Rambold's: no jail time, house arrest & probation, an offender's program, registration as a sex offender, no unsupervised/unreported contact with minors... If her victim commits suicide next year, it won't change her (too light, IMO) sentence.
And then there are other teachers who have had the book thrown at them in similar situations.
I'd like to see a standard minimum of 3 years for statutory rape, for example, for adults (regardless of gender) in positions of authority who engage in sex with minors (regardless of gender) under their charters - no matter what the circumstances. Maybe, that would serve as a deterrent. Maybe. I see stories in the crime news about male and female teachers having sex with their students every week. Perhaps psychological screening in the hiring process could help keep cradle-robbers out of schools, churches, etc... in the first place. IDK.
But, I don't think Cherice's suicide should have been a consideration in determining the sentencing. He didn't kill her or have any expectation that she'd kill herself years later. I don't know her mental and emotional state before her sexual encounters with the asshole Rambold; only know what her understandably devastated mother feels about it.
At 14, Cherice wasn't legally able to consent - it's statutory rape and that's what he pleaded guilty to. From what I've read, there's no contention that Cherice was physically forced or spending time with Rambold unwillingly. It's still rape and still deserves some jail time, IMO - especially considering that he didn't complete the sex offenders program which was part of his probation agreement.
Debra Lafave pleaded guilty to having a sexual relationship with her 14 year old male student. Her sentence was very similar to Rambold's: no jail time, house arrest & probation, an offender's program, registration as a sex offender, no unsupervised/unreported contact with minors... If her victim commits suicide next year, it won't change her (too light, IMO) sentence.
And then there are other teachers who have had the book thrown at them in similar situations.
I'd like to see a standard minimum of 3 years for statutory rape, for example, for adults (regardless of gender) in positions of authority who engage in sex with minors (regardless of gender) under their charters - no matter what the circumstances. Maybe, that would serve as a deterrent. Maybe. I see stories in the crime news about male and female teachers having sex with their students every week. Perhaps psychological screening in the hiring process could help keep cradle-robbers out of schools, churches, etc... in the first place. IDK.