Iowa man sentenced to 16 years for setting LGBTQ flag on fire

Martinez, 30, was convicted of felony robbery, drug and theft charges in Texas six years ago, court records show. ... The hate crime status bumped the arson charge from an aggravated misdemeanor to a felony, which carries a more severe sentence.
https://www.desmoinesregister.com/s...me-uproar-after-lgbtq-flag-burned/2713216001/

You are outdoing yourself on the fake news lately.

 

That's also stupid.

 

OK that makes one felony conviction where is the other one that makes this a third one and I'm all in for the enhanced sentencing.

 

I agree somewhat.
I understand the reasoning behind it but in practice it seems to cause more issues than it solves.
What do you believe should be done with people that commit numerous felonies and then threaten to burn down businesses?

 

The court cited “habitual offender” so the felony charge in Texas plus the one in Iowa may have been the justification. A jury decided he was guilty using the evidence provided to them which is much more than we will ever see.

“The arson as a hate crime charge carries a maximum prison sentence of five years. A year and a month is customary for the other two charges” according to the NY post. 7 years two months were off of this charge so the previous conviction effectively doubled it. I’ve seen others cite prior harassment charges.

After reading more about it it may not has been a three strikes issue as that is typically much more severe than 15 years.
I believe he is eligible for parole after just three years.

 

Found this

Iowa Code 321.555 – Habitual offender defined

1. Three or more of the following offenses, either singularly or in combination, within a six-year period:



a. Manslaughter resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle.
b. Operating a motor vehicle in violation of section 321J.2 or its predecessor statute.

Iowa Code 321J.2 – Operating while under the influence of alcohol or a drug or while having an alcohol concentration of .08 or

c. While any amount of a controlled substance is present in the person, as measured in the person’s blood or urine.

So with the one in Texas AJ claims to have found, he provided no link, and then this that makes three, so he gets the enhanced sentence.

https://www.lawserver.com/law/state/iowa/ia-code/iowa_code_321-555https://www.lawserver.com/law/state/iowa/ia-code/iowa_code_321j-2

 

Can't see the article because it's behind a pay wall, but I'll take your word for it. And I hope your approval of harsh prison sentences remains intact when we move on to other criminals.

 

At your second felony you get the maximum sentence for your crime. But the punishment should fit the crime not The previous crimes.

 

I have already said I believe the term was excessive but I understand the reasoning for it — if you changed the gay pride flag to a Christian cross you would probably understand it also.

We need prison reform in both sentencing as well as treatment.

 

I also think our prison system should focus more on rehabilitation rather than punishment.

 

I had never heard of that, DUI’s have taken way to many innocent lives though so I cannot say I disagree.
DUI plus drug / robbery plus arson (and terroristic threats). Something is definitely short circuited in this guys head.

Maybe he needs therapy over prison

 

Duplicate post

 

You really need to work on this fixation you have dude. Its really sad at this point. Why do you continuely want to have the same argument over and over again? You'll post the same stuff you always do. I'll post the same stuff I always do. Nobodies mind will change, and everyone else's time is wasted.

Get a new schtick.

 

The hate crime is 15 years. As per all thought crime convictions, one must ask, where is everyone else's equality under the law? We must end the fascist notion of hate crimes in America...

 

Maybe Martinez should've considered that before he burned the flag?

 

A gay flag is now important?

 

Gay Flag > American Flag

 

"Hate crime" is unconstitutional, but no one has the balls to challenge it to SCOTUS. Hate is a "thought" not an action.

 

Don't mess with the LGBTQ+.

The U.S. flag is okay to burn. Wow.

 

I asked you a simple question to back up your false claim that this Canadian government is moderate and you chose personal insults instead.

I'll take that as another surrender to the facts.