Five years for theft

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

it is culturally significant

That's true, there probably should be a higher sentence due to the cultural factor. I suppose 5 years sends a message to others, especially teenage pranksters when they get bored of tagging, batting mailboxes, and stealing street signs on a Friday night. Don't mess with your history and heritage.

On the other hand, playing devil's advocate, there are Hawaiians on Maui & Oahu who might think the thief is just a couple hundred years too late in taking the spear from Kamehameha.

“What we take to be true is what we believe. What we believe is based upon our perceptions. What we perceive depends on what we look for. What we look for depends on what we think. What we think depends on what we perceive. What we perceive determines what we believe. What we believe determines what we take to be true. What we take to be true is our reality." -David Bohm

[randomq]

I don't think vandalism should go unpunished, just that it shouldn't be a higher priority and longer sentence than crimes that hurt or kill actual living people.

The life of even one miserable asshole is more important to me than any statue. (Looks at Kalakoa)

[bystander]

If you followed the story behind the statue vandalism, you would know that the person that stole the spear was offered a plea deal which would have avoided any prison time. He refused this offer which resulted in the trial and the sentence. He obviously is mentally ill or prefers prison to being homeless. This had nothing to do with culture.

[alaskyn66]

It's understandable he would prefer three hots and cot. But at the quarter million dollar price tag to the taxpayer.. it seems we are the ones getting punished..

I prefer Singapores method of punishment for these types of crimes.. public whippings with a cane.

[seekir]

I don't know all the facts about the case and can't easily access the linked TH story on dial-up, but on the face of it, I think a one year sentence for this violation would be severe. Five years for vandalism? I'd call that cruel, and most definitely unusual.

[Mr nice guy]

I prefer Singapores method of punishment for these types of crimes.. public whippings with a cane.


I admire the low-cost and deterrent value.

They are kind enough to not make the canings public.

Plenty of youtube action though.

[Mr nice guy]

I prefer Singapores method of punishment for these types of crimes.. public whippings with a cane.


I admire the low-cost and deterrent value.

They are kind enough to not make the canings public.

Plenty of youtube action though.

[birdmove]

Hard to figure out the sentencing and such here. Guy that threatens to take his shotgun and kill everyone in a housing development office is let go that day. This guy gets 5 years? Guess I don't have enough active brain cells to comprehend....

Jon in Keaau/HPP

[alaskyn66]

I think part of the problem is judges are appointed instead of elected.
Perhaps if they were elected and easily impeachable. They might be more receptive of how the public might feel about certain cases.

[kalakoa]

judges are appointed instead of elected

They also have to go before a review commission, both before taking the bench and again every time their term is renewed.