i don't know if it's the air or the water but there is something seriously wrong with Florida.

Florida woman sentenced to 20 years in controversial warning shot case

Saying he had no discretion under state law, a judge sentenced a Jacksonville, Florida, woman to 20 years in prison Friday for firing a warning shot in an effort to scare off her abusive husband.

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"Success isn't about how much money you make. It is about the difference you make in people's lives."--Michelle Obama

So, she would have gotten off if she "stood her ground" and shot the husband?

=wr=

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graylocks
i don't know if it's the air or the water but there is something seriously wrong with Florida.

You're just coming to this realization now?

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Live from Berserkeley, California | Originally from the City of Brotherly Freakin' Love

"""So, she would have gotten off if she "stood her ground" and shot the husband?"""

It would seem the error, error. error was . . . she did not unload that weapon on her husband.

No good deed goes unpunished *(:>*

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“Stay Hungry Stay Foolish"
"There are only two mantras yummm and yuk "
"There is a fine line between a rut and a groove"
"The quality of Congress is not strained. It droppeth like a fetid cow patty from a bovine cloaca." cbelt
"I got to that part and I knew there was going to be some weapons grade stupid to follow"Lux Interior
"When all the trees have been cut down, when all the animals have been hunted,
when all the waters are polluted, when all the air is unsafe to breathe, only then
will you discover you cannot eat money."
~ Cree Prophecy

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wave rider
So, she would have gotten off if she "stood her ground" and shot the husband?

=wr=

But a previous judge in the case rejected the request, saying Alexander's decision to go back into the house was not consistent with someone in fear for her safety, according to the Florida Times Union newspaper.

She said she escaped and ran to the garage, intending to drive away. But, she said, she forgot her keys, so she picked up her gun and went back into the house.

She didn't forget her keys because she wasn't going anywhere.


20 years for escalated domestic violence seems a bit over the top, kids in the house or not.

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graylocks
i don't know if it's the air or the water but there is something seriously wrong with Florida.

A a resident of Florida I can confirm your suspicion.

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Comedy Central: Best news channel that isn't a news channel.

Fox News: Best comedy channel that isn't a comedy channel.

As another resident of Florida, Spock is speaking logically.

This place is seriously off center.

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You can tell a lot about a woman by her hands...
- For example, if they are wrapped around your throat she's probably slightly upset.

If the panhandle would officially secede and join their cousins in Georgia and Alabama, the rest of the State might become somewhat functional.

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RgrF
If the panhandle would officially secede and join their cousins in Georgia and Alabama, the rest of the State might become somewhat functional.

Nice try.
But no.

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Live from Berserkeley, California | Originally from the City of Brotherly Freakin' Love

I keep thinking that there must be more to this story. It can't be that going back in to get keys and firing a warning shots gets you 20. Even if she didn't forget her keys on purpose she fired a warning shot.

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Pam
I keep thinking that there must be more to this story. It can't be that going back in to get keys and firing a warning shots gets you 20. Even if she didn't forget her keys on purpose she fired a warning shot.

My guess is that she's probably got a good appeal based upon inadequate counsel.

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RgrF
If the panhandle would officially secede and join their cousins in Georgia and Alabama, the rest of the State might become somewhat functional.

Not if it's anything like it is portrayed in Carl Hiaasen books.

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Chakravartin

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Pam
I keep thinking that there must be more to this story. It can't be that going back in to get keys and firing a warning shots gets you 20. Even if she didn't forget her keys on purpose she fired a warning shot.

My guess is that she's probably got a good appeal based upon inadequate counsel.

I'm hoping the appeal process will straighten this out. It is just an insane sentence.

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"Stop thinking about art works as objects, and start thinking about them as triggers for experiences." ~ Brian Eno

The judge said his hands were tied. I think the appeal will be the same - that is, unless it is clear that there is a strictly legal reason for a reversal, all of the goodwill, soft-heartedness, and common sense in the world won't help her.

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$tevie

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Chakravartin

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Pam
I keep thinking that there must be more to this story. It can't be that going back in to get keys and firing a warning shots gets you 20. Even if she didn't forget her keys on purpose she fired a warning shot.

My guess is that she's probably got a good appeal based upon inadequate counsel.

I'm hoping the appeal process will straighten this out. It is just an insane sentence.

Until you get to the federal level, he appeal process can only correct judicial error, not overturn established law.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/15/2012 12:12AM by RgrF.

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RgrF

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$tevie

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Chakravartin

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Pam
I keep thinking that there must be more to this story. It can't be that going back in to get keys and firing a warning shots gets you 20. Even if she didn't forget her keys on purpose she fired a warning shot.

My guess is that she's probably got a good appeal based upon inadequate counsel.

I'm hoping the appeal process will straighten this out. It is just an insane sentence.

Until you get to the federal level, he appeal process can only correct judicial error, not overturn established law.

That's not true. State courts can rule state laws unconstitutional.

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rj
AKA
Vreemac, Moth of the Future

She discharged a firearm and the DA charged her with Felony Aggravated Assault.

The two together equal 20 year sentence.

This is one of those get tough on crime laws - fire a gun, go to jail.

The DA offered 3 years in a plea bargain.

Sounds like firing a warning shot is practically the definition of aggravated assault.