The case of Melissa Alexander in Florida is a mess. This is due to a number of different factors, one of which is neither Alexander or her husband are keeping their stories straight. It seems every time they open their mouths something contradicts something that was previously said. This only makes the work of the court far more difficult. 2. The relationship between Alexander and her husband is more complex than either her supporters or detractors care to admit. This includes an incident shortly after the court ordered the two not to contact one another, only for Mrs. Alexander to go to his house and get into another altercation and then flee the scene before the police arrive. So we have major credibility issues with both the wife and the husband. As for the legal proceeding and state matters. The case once showcases the insanity of Floridas judicial rules and statutes. Its harsh 10-20-Life sent sentencing guideline goes way overboard with punishing crimes, and under the guidelines it wouldve been more advantageous for Mrs. Alexander to have the gun she fired actually hit someone, because apparently manslaughter doesnt have to strictly follow the guidelines. I detest mandatory minimums and want punishments to be decided by the facts of the case and by the decision of judicially experienced judges. Finally, we have Stand Your Ground. I have firmly opposed Stand Your Ground laws precisely because of situations like this, where the law is badly written and gives some luckless defendant bad ideas to forgo negotiation in favor of a complex and messy trial thinking the badly written statute would protect them. SYGs are bad because it creates a dangerous climate where the law can endorse risky and reckless behavior by potential hotheads and emotional people. The prosecutor also overreacted by pressing further charges of more than 60 years over a non rape domestic dispute where no one was killed or injured. That is way disproportionate to the crime in the event Alexander actually is guilty. So here we have a perfect storm of a messy trial with unreliable defendants, abusers and witnesses, unclear and harsh laws and guidelines. Once again Florida proves how bad it is at administering justice.
Posted on: Fri, 21 Mar 2014 06:49:27 +0000
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