Attacker Gets Probation For Setting Homeless Man On Fire

[matcom]

:grr:

<snip>

Albert Blanchard, a homeless man who was set on fire as he slept in downtown Nashville last year, spent more than six months in the hospital, has had eight surgeries and is facing more.

His sister, speaking in Criminal Court here during a sentencing hearing for Blanchard's attacker, said Blanchard has nightmares that either the man, Eric Erwin, or one of his friends will come back and finish him off.

''Mr. Erwin, as you approached my brother, what did you see?'' the sister, Dorothy Blanchard-Smith of Memphis, asked in court. ''Did you see a human being lying at your feet? Were you compelled by the disregard for human life or no regard for his? Could you not find an ounce of compassion for someone sleeping on (a) 20-degree slab of concrete?''

During the March 10 hearing, Blanchard-Smith said she wasn't interested in vengeance but expected justice to be served. She also wanted the maximum sentence allowed, which is three to six years in prison.

http://www.tennessean.com/local/archives/04/03/48765825.shtml?Element_ID=48765825

[havocmom]

1. Is punishment the same if you barbecue a CEO who stole millions?

just curious

[SheepyMcSheepster]

2. wow. that is crazy.

you can get probation for setting someone on fire?!

[smartass]

3. Another success story for compassionate Republicanism started under

Reagan. Put the mentally disabled etc. on the streets and let them fend for themselves. Brilliant and quite compassionate.

[GOPisEvil]

4. Probation?! What?!

:grr:

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

5. Same thing happened in Brasília years ago

It was a group of golden-spoon 20-something spoiled brats. They did get jail time, but woefully short. :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

Edit: in this case, the man did NOT survive. It was murder. It was patently clear the judge and prosecution were desperately looking for ways to get them off the hook because of their connections (politicians, businessmen etc). :argh:

[THUNDER HANDS]

6. that's sick

First they want to ban homosexuals, now they let homeless arsonists get away scot free.

What's up with Tennessee lately?

[gWbush is Mabus]

7. it's called Compassionate Conservatism

not

[xchrom]

8. bush america

grand ain't it.
do you think there is some way to get the sentiments of this thread e-mailed to the judge in this case?

[MountainLaurel]

9. Give him a call

There's someone by that name who pops up on a Yahoo! People Search living in Nashville.

And here's some info about the good judge:
http://www.nashville.gov/trcourt/judge_criminal.htm

I would guess that the person to contact is the criminal court clerk, who presumably is in charge of the entire operation.

[TXlib]

11. Don't blame the judge.

The prosecutor only filed charges for aggravated assuault, not attempted murder.

There was nothing the judge could do.

[Odallas]

10. bush America values

If you don't posses material wealth, you are WORTHLESS.

[undergroundpanther]

12. what if...

a homeless person catches a rich person on fire? Howabout a businessman or politician? Would he only get probation too like the rich kid setting homeless on fire?

[Mrs. Venation]

13. There Are Few Things That Make Me Angrier

than mistreatment of homeless people. I'd like to take the compassionless piece of trash who did this and set him on fire!

This jerk will get what's coming to him when he meets his maker.