My Moral Sense Is Disproportionately Shocked!
Shocked at what I read in Thursday’s Journal Star:
Smolley, now 19, was only 15 when he was charged with the 2004 double murder of Kelly Houser and daughter Amy Allen outside a North Valley ATM. He argued that a life sentence was “cruel, degrading, and so wholly disproportionate to the offense committed that it should shock the moral sense of the community.”
Having a young punk shove a loaded gun in the open window of a car at an ATM resulting in the point blank murder of a Mother and her 14 year old daughter who withdrew $10 for ice cream is what shocks the moral sense of the community.
I have no sympathy for Martize Smolley.
August 2nd, 2007 at 7:44 pm
I am willing to bet he can’t even pronounce ‘disproportionate’, let alone know what it means. I think his life spent in prison is more than fair and better than what he deserves.
August 2nd, 2007 at 10:40 pm
I don’t think anybody is impressed. Defending the indefensible is about as appalling as it gets. I’ll bet you it’s some sleezebag, take-any-case defense attorney who made that statement on behalf of his client.
Life in prison over some unpaid parking tickets is wholly disproportionate to the offense committed. But for something as senselessly brutal and petty as what this kid did, a public execution doesn’t go far enough.
August 3rd, 2007 at 12:24 am
Yes his punishment for the crime is disproportionate, he lives, those he hurt do not, is this kid sure he wants a proportionate punishment for the crimes he committed?
I don’t think he does, he wants an even more disproportionate “get out of jail free” card for his lack of having a human conscious maybe even a lack of a shred of human decency.
August 3rd, 2007 at 8:00 am
PI, I read that comment, too, and it brought tears to my eyes. He really doesn’t get it, doesn’t get the impact of his actions at all. That comment, alone, made me think he definitely deserves the jail time he was given, as he obviously doesn’t value life.
Reno, I do think your attack of the defense attorney is unjustified. Despite his actions, he deserved to be represented in court.
August 3rd, 2007 at 8:31 am
The argument crafted by the Defense Attorney was poor and was the equivalant of ripping off a scab and pouring salt on a wound.
August 3rd, 2007 at 9:32 am
Reno: “Defending the indefensible is about as appalling as it gets.”
We are lucky to live in a nation of defense attorneys willing to take cases such as this. I’m glad I don’t live in your world.
August 3rd, 2007 at 11:12 am
Let me rephrase: “Making hollow excuses for murdering two people over a ten dollar bill and expecting anyone to have pity for you is about as appalling as it gets.”
Of course he deserves representation in court, just like any other American. Nobody is arguing that. But I still think that if his lawyer is behind the release of that statement, in spite of everything that’s happened, it’s pretty low-class.
As for my categorization of certain lawyers, we must admit that we’ve seen more than a few who fit the description.
August 7th, 2007 at 8:11 am
The defense attorney was appallingly tin-eared, but he *was* a kid when he did it. I hope to God 15-year-old felons can be rehabilitated and become productive members of society. I really, deeply do. If he achieves manhood, takes responsibility, and keeps his nose clean in prison, I do think he should have a second chance. (Not that it seems like from the reports that he’s really, well, done any of that.)
Of course, I think he has a much better chance of making excellent gang contacts in prison and learning how to be a better criminal. But at least in the theoretical, I do most sincerely hope for the rehabilitation of young criminals.
November 30th, 2007 at 6:18 pm
He was a cute murderer!!!
November 30th, 2007 at 6:19 pm
….but so dumb for killing that mother and her child. Although he probably didn’t intentionally do it….two innocent ladies were shot and killed. I just saw an episode like this story on the First 48.
August 18th, 2008 at 4:25 am
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September 21st, 2008 at 1:42 am
I can deeply empathize with those who have suffered this great loss. As we all know only GOD can judge us, and I pray that he has repented for his sins sincerely. Disproportionate means : not proportionate; out of proportion, as in size or number. Which makes me realize, and should make others realize that, no matter what we have done, or are doing, or will do, is also a sin. What seems to some people to be small things may be larger to others. So with that being said, no matter what we all do it may affect others in ways we may not know. No person is the same that’s why Jesus died for our sins and ask that GOD forgive us for those things that we do not know. Martize is a relative of mine and I do believe that he should be punished for his sins, as we all are. We come from the same family, and I say that I would not and will not do the things that he has done, because I have the Almighty Father in my heart. He didn’t have the blessing that a lot of have, with having GOD in our hearts, souls, and spirits. But he does have a chance to allow our Fathers’ knowledge to penetrate his heart, and to change his life for the better. Lets just all give him, ourselves, and everyone the pleasure to allow this blessing to be placed upon us. Everyone does things that we shouldn’t do at some point in our lives. I pray for the woman and child that was lost as I should. Please pray for him that he accepts responsiblity for what he has done, and knows that he has a chance to redeem himself, with GOD and those who have suffered the most. I still have hope for him, and I hope that everyone else does as GOD will. I love him, and pray for him as I should, because GOD has blessed me with the ability to forgive in my heart. I am totally against the death penalty, cause I know that our All Mighty Father is the only person that should decide whether life should be here on earth or in heaven.