Tuesday, April 22, 2003

Justice in America

Love this one:

Three men beaten as they left a gay pride party last year are angry after their attacker was sentenced to two years of house arrest followed by four-years probation.

Devin Scott Angus, 21, had faced up to 30 years in prison. He pleaded guilty earlier this month to charges of aggravated battery and battery with evidence of prejudice, a hate crime.

Prosecutor John Terry asked the judge to give Angus a four-year prison sentence. Angus's attorney, Tim Taylor, asked the judge to give Angus two years in prison.

Instead, Hillsborough Circuit Judge Chet Tharpe sentenced Angus to house arrest, probation and 500 hours of community service.

Tharpe told Angus that he worried sending him to prison may make him worse.