"Russia jails historian for 12.5 years for grisly murder" Topic

A Russian court sentenced a distinguished historian known for re-enacting Napoleonic battle scenes to 12.5 years in jail on Friday after convicting him of the murder of his young student lover, whom he dismembered…

link

Twelve and a half years for murder. I guess other countries are as screwed up as we are when it comes to dealing with crimes.

That seems rather harsh comparatively of late, since our country has been releasing murderers and those committing sex crimes and other heinous deeds against law-abiding citizens here, left and right, sadly.

I agree though, back in the olde days, which were better, many would not, and should not ever get out of prison.

Those being released early here are very likely to, and in many cases have repeated their same crimes again, frequently just within hours or days of regaining freedom.

Judges releasing them should be held accountable for that, since they are knowingly aiding and abetting criminals themselves.

Judges releasing them should be held accountable for that, since they are knowingly aiding and abetting criminals themselves.

The judges have a very limited discretion: they are just applying the law and sentencing guidelines made by others. It's the politicians who make the rules but, as so often, they dodge the blame. Then the judges then get branded "enemies of the people", etc., by the popular press. Well, I can only comment on the UK (where the Parole Board rather than judges make decisions on release) but I suspect it's the same the world over.

The defense seems to have argued that he was provoked, so it was a crime of passion. However, since we only know one side of the story, I would not have given that much credence.

The Russians used to give you 12 years for stealing a few potatoes, now they give you 12 years for murdering someone and cutting them into pieces.

The prosecutor demanded fifteen years in prison.
For domestic nekorystnoe murder of professor could get eight years in prison, if not an attempt to cover up their crime. The punishment is severe, but well deserved, alas.
And the French government, long before the court's decision, deprived Professor Sokolov of the award – the Order of the Legion of Honor for his outstanding contribution to the study of French history.

I have to say this does seem a little light – even in liberal Canada that sort of crime gets you 25 years before parole can be considered

Hardly worthy of this venue, except in a decade when someone asks…, whatever happened to…?

He will either become a pampered pet, or else wont last another 5 years anyway… who knows?
The victim didn't deserve to lose her life, but the curious are attracted to the curiouser…

"The judges have a very limited discretion: they are just applying the law and sentencing guidelines made by others."

I would disagree somewhat with this statement, at least here in the US. The current fad is to get rid of sentencing guidelines and give judges more discretion so they can show 'compassion' where it is warranted. Predictably in areas with judges appointed by more liberal legislatures/voters it has led to lighter sentences and more repeat offenders.

Not nearly enough punishment for the crime.

SHaT1984 and Bobgnar said it.

This does not belong here. We should report this to the editor, as inappropriate, and he should send the author to the dawghouse.

Ah, that might be a problem

Yeah right! Put yer glasses on old man!

??>> give judges more discretion

Yeah we've seen that.
White collar crims get a soft sentence, while virtually non-societal crimes get incarceration or supplemental convictions of irrelevance, just because 'we think you did it'.