Monday, July 09, 2007

The "Only Ones" Happy it's Over Enough

Once upon a time, all free citizens of the United States were afforded equal protection under the law. That was the intent of the founders, and a purpose of our bill of rights. News articles such as this lead me to believe that all free citizens are equal, but some free citizens are more equal than others. Orwell would be at least some what amused.

From the Roanoke Times:

By Mike Gangloff


A five-minute hearing in federal court this afternoon opened the way for former Henry County Sheriff's Deputy Jason Allen Burton to clear the charges against him and perhaps someday return to law enforcement.

Caught up in last year's corruption scandal that has so far resulted in guilty pleas from 17 defendants, including former Sheriff Frank Cassell and nine of his officers, Burton was accused of possessing an illegal machine gun. But in court today, Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Bassford said an arrangement had been reached that if Burton stayed out of trouble for a year, the charges would be dismissed.
It only takes a five minute hearing to clear an "only one" of one of the more serious firearm related charges on the books? Five whole minutes?

"It's a slightly unusual step for the United States to agree to such a step," Bassford said.

"It is," agreed U.S. District Court Senior Judge James Turk, laughing.
Why in the world would they even think of dropping the charges?

Bassford said his office agreed to drop the charges because Burton was immediately helpful once the investigation of the sheriff's office began, because of his youth, and because there was nothing to suggest he was tied in with the drug-dealing, theft and other charges against other members of the department.

"Call it foolishness or stupidity or just bad judgement," Bassford said.

"I'm happy to approve it," Turk said, moments later kidding Bassford, "You're getting soft in your old age."

And as for the title of the post:

Burton was smiling as he left court, saying, "I'm just happy it's over."
Not quite the same justice afforded Wayne Fincher is it? Wayne has been sentenced to 6 1/2 years in federal prison for possessing fully automatic firearms. Wayne Fincher was not a drug dealer, thief, rapist, burglar or any other type of violent individual. Wayne Fincher is a leader of the Militia of Washington County, Arkansas. Wayne Fincher was not even allowed to plead his case based on Second Amendment principles. Wayne Fincher is in prison, and this corrupt LEO is on the street.

For more on Wayne Fincher, go here and here. And if you are interested in getting to the heart of the matter, you should read The Silver Bullet.

2 comments:

John R said...

The more I think on this, the angrier I get.

Wayne Fincher was not even allowed to use the constitution to defend himself in a court of law, and this crooked ass cop gets sent out of the court with a handshake and a smile.

This is a slap in the face to all firearms owners who follow the rules.

This is a slap in the face to those of us who pay a tax, undergo the background checks, and beg the .gov’s permission to carry a means of self protection in public.

This is a slap in the face to those of us who patiently stand across the counter, waiting for the NICS phone call to be complete and receive our official blessing from some bureaucrat so we can walk out of the store with a new firearm.

It is especially a slap in the fact to those who have jumped through all the hoops, paid the tax, received Chief LEO permission, passed background checks and paid a very inflated price for Class 3 (Title II) firearms.

The “The law is for thee, not for me” attitude that is becoming more and more prevalent amongst the “only ones” has got to stop.

Fits said...

I try not to get any angrier than I usually am concerning law enforcements anointment as very-special-persons. Lets face it, its a good old boys club that we pay the dues for. It isn't changing anytime soon. Maybe, just maybe if we keep plugging away the usually clueless talk radio hosts will mention it like they finally did with illegal immigrants and mad-moslems.