So, let's say, f'rinstance, that tomorrow night you decide, completely out of the blue, to get on the subway and start, stay with me here, randomly stabbing another passenger, until he dies. What do you think the courts will do to you? I'm willing to bet you don't think they're going to sentence you to six years in jail:
Ontario Superior Court Justice Eugene Ewaschuk called the slaying a random, unprovoked attack on an unarmed stranger "peacefully riding a TTC subway train, minding his own business."
But in sentencing John Paul Vallon to 10 years – less four years and four months for pre-trial credit – the judge noted that he has no criminal record and a good work history.
Right. He didn't have a criminal record, but oddly now he does - perhaps the latter fact should trump the former? Or am I just being wacky again?
I like this part:
In the early hours of April 13, 2007, Vallon, then 26, cut and stabbed Brown more than 14 times as they rode an almost empty eastbound subway car. He exited at Victoria Park station, leaving the 21-year-old victim bleeding on the floor of the subway car.
Brown suffered a fractured skull and breastbone in the attack. But it was a cut to his left thigh that proved fatal, causing him to bleed to death.
The judge blamed Vallon's "stupidity" in carrying a knife. "That's what brought it all on. He got the knife and he was looking for trouble."
Ah. "Stupidity". It was merely "stupidity" which caused him to, I don't know - accidentally?, stab someone "more than 14 times". Not maliciousness, not depravity, nothing so verboten as simply being evil - just "stupidity". What were the immortal words of Eddie Greenspan?
I am frequently told Canada is soft on crime. I think that is a myth.
Indeed.
I'm with you. 'nuff said. I'm still reeling from Buffy's free pass:
http://drdawgsblawg.blogspot.com/2009/06/sado-politics-my-temptation.html
Posted by: Dr.Dawg | June 25, 2009 at 04:15 PM
Well, if he'd decapitated him and cannibalized the remain, then we'd impose a meaningful punishment..
What? You mean...
Never mind
Posted by: dcardno | June 25, 2009 at 07:49 PM