Wednesday, November 14, 2007

15 Years for Killing Baby is Unforgivable

This is a travesty of justice. 

Craig C. Tolonen, convicted of causing the death of six-month old Serenitee Halbert in August 2006, was sentenced to 15 years in prison and 15 years of extended supervision in Washington County Circuit Court on Tuesday. 

Tolonen, 23, of Allenton was convicted by a Washington County jury in September of first-degree reckless homicide. The maximum sentence for that offense is 60 years. Judge Andy Gonring said Tolonen was basically a product of a family – all of whom had appeared before him in separate criminal cases – who were “poster children” of the effects of drug and alcohol abuse. 

In passing sentence, Gonring rejected the state’s recommendation of 35 years of initial confinement, saying the incident was not unlike a young mother or daycare worker who becomes frustrated with a crying child and “snaps.”

So basically, he got a lighter sentence because he’s a dirtbag.  Newsflash: most murderers are dirtbags.  And a baby is still dead.  

Circuit Court Judges are elected.  Gonring needs to be tossed out.

(3) Comments
Posted by Owen at 1939 hrs
Law + Politics + Politics - Wisconsin

  1. Actually, this is one of the higher sentences of killing a baby.  Can you imagine if the mom killed the baby?  She’s probably get probation.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on November 15, 2007 at 0442 hrs


  2. Judges are in there own little world doing there own little thing…I think I recall stories of other Washington County judges giving light sentences…maybe its because it helped the lawyer…maybe its because it helps to keep the legal industry busy…whatever the reason its not right…I liked Gonring probably best of all…but now he has me guessing about why he’s made such a decision…our courts need much more public scruitiny than what they’ve been given…

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on November 15, 2007 at 0720 hrs


  3. Killing babies is a crime?  Dubya does it every day!

    What’s the big deal?

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on November 15, 2007 at 1614 hrs


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