Short People…..

Posted by Tammy on May 27, 2006 in Uncategorized | 5 comments

I thought I was seeing things when I read this story. A man in Nebraska was convicted of sexually assaulting a child and got probation…because he’s too short to survive in prison. What kind of crap is that?!!?

From Fox News

LINCOLN, Neb. — A judge’s decision to sentence a 5-foot-1 man to probation instead of prison for sexually assaulting a child has angered crime victim advocates who say the punishment sends the wrong message.

But supporters of short people say it’s about time someone recognizes the unique challenges they face.

Cheyenne County District Judge Kristine Cecava issued the sentence Tuesday. She told Richard W. Thompson that his crimes deserved a long prison sentence but that he was too small to survive in a state prison.

And did you know there’s a special organization to watch out for those short people?!

But Joe Mangano, secretary of the National Organization of Short Statured Adults, agreed with the judge’s assessment that Thompson would face dangers while in prison because of his height.

“I’m assuming a short inmate would have a much more difficult time than a large inmate,” said Mangano, who is 5 feet 4 inches tall. “It’s good to see somebody looking out for someone who is a short person.”

Is it just me, or is that totally insane? I’m with this guy, myself.

State Sen. Ernie Chambers, a longtime critic of judges, said he was baffled by the sentence.

“If shortness is an excuse and protection from going to prison, short people ought to rob banks and do everything else they would wind up going to prison for,” Chambers said. “We’re talking here about a crime committed against a child, and shortness is not a defense.”

Bill O’Reilly needs to jump on this one, don’t you think?