We live in a society where the political fallout for executing an innocent person is less consequential than the fallout for appearing “soft on crime.”
100% agreed. Much better to err on the side of caution. Sadly, 4 hours later, on BB:
Ozment had already served 10 years of a 40-year sentence for robbing churches, but was let out early. “It never should have happened,” said McLennan County Sheriff Parnell McNamara. "He served approximately 10 years, was paroled out and then committed this horrible crime. He never should have gotten out, but he did.
Now, of course, there’s the obvious difference between these two defendants that I’m sure is the key explanation for difference in treatment here. But in general, what would it take for us to focus on “make fewer errors” instead of the ridiculous “don’t look soft” dynamic?
