Commenting on the traffic death of young Seattle cop Joselito Barber - hit two days ago in a 80-mph "T-bone" crash by a drug-addicted repeat offender out of jail early under a state-approved "alternative sentencing" scheme - the Seattle P-I editorial board today comes down firmly against "poor driving decisions" and bravely exhorts "policymakers" to boost "safety measures and training." The Seattle Times reports today that Snohomish County prosecutors sought a one-year sentence for the suspect, Mary Jane Rivas, after Everett police confiscated crack cocaine from her in a traffic stop last September. She skipped out on a court hearing scheduled for two weeks later and wasn't collared until February, when she spent three months in jail awaiting sentencing. Then she served only two-and-a-half months on the crime before her early release, recommended by the State Department of Corrections and her public defender. At the time of the crash Rivas was wanted for prostitution, DUI, theft and malicious mischief; and had missed an Aug. 4 meeting with a parole officer. A P-I news article today notes Snohomish County Superior Court Judge James Allendoerferv ensured her early release, just 11 days before the fatal crash. Police told the P-I she had cocaine in her system when admitted to the hospital after the crash. She may face vehicular homicide charges. I hope another early release under "alternative sentencing" won't be in the offing.
Posted by Matt Rosenberg at August 15, 2006 09:50 AM | Email ThisBut, who cares if there's a -D after their name?
Posted by: Jefferson Paine on August 15, 2006 09:41 AMWhat liberals do KILLS PEOPLE!
Posted by: Steve on August 15, 2006 09:46 AMThis case shows it as well as any.
But please, don't make it all about the D's. The Evanites are just like them.
Posted by: Steve on August 15, 2006 09:48 AM--------------------
I hope and I'm sure that like me, you are digusted and disheartened by the tragic death of a Seattle police officer this past weekend. The driver of the vehicle is now known to be what any sensible person would consider a "career criminal." Justice has not been served by her lies, deceit, machinations and manipulation of the Washington State judicial system. Simply, THIS MUST STOP.
My co-workers and I discussed this morning how career criminals, because they never attain the level of felony crimes, just keep passing through the system, sometimes dozens, maybe even hundreds of times. This drain on our limited resources cannot go unchecked and the general welfare and safety of the public demands that it not.
Is there no cure that combat this social virus? I believe there is.
I propose that the financial burden of continually dealing with these people can and should be used as a measure against which they should be judged. That when a certain threshold (measured in dollars) has been crossed that a criminal convicted of multiple petty crimes can be said to be a threat to the public good and placed into lifetime incarceration. And I would say that such a threshold should be set at a level that demonstrates the willingness of the community to allow the convict to redeem themselves through whatever rehabilitation means are deemed appropriate (the cost of these rehabilitation programs would not be included in their tally). And I would throw out, just for a number to consider, the value of $500,000 as the level that once surpassed would activate the lifetime penalty. It's not cruel and it's not unusual. But it is fair and it is appropriate that no person be allowed to continually cost society for their crimes and chosen career.
I'd welcome your thoughts, opinions, and plans on how to address this situation.
Posted by: Jamie Walker on August 15, 2006 10:33 AMSteve you are right on... Liberals Kill!!!
Posted by: Pacific Grove Phlash on August 15, 2006 10:39 AMI hope she never sees the light of day again and that her drug withdrawal is extremely painful. We should also throw the "let the criminals go, they did nothing wrong" group in prison as accessories to the murder of that officer.
Posted by: Tyler on August 15, 2006 10:45 AMPacific Grove Phlash,
You should only go to Starbuck's in an emergency situation. That company gives a helluva lot of money to the Democratic Party and supports some pretty "granola" socialist ideas.
Do as I do: use the independent coffee shops versus Starbuck's.
Posted by: Libertarian on August 15, 2006 10:49 AMOne can't really blame Allendorfer when the public defendaer and the DOC recommended she be released.
By all accounts I have read, Allendorfer is an excellent and conservative judge. In a recent bench trial, he presided over a trial in which the City of Bellevue lost a property rights case that cost the city over $10 million.
For this, and other reasons, the Seattle Times may want to cast him in an unfavorable light; even if it is unjustified.
Posted by: Don on August 15, 2006 10:57 AM1. Don, excellent observation on Judge Allendorfer. One should always be suspicious of the Times. I think we all know that for the left, *everything* is political, even (or especially) the death of a police officer.
2. Phlash, this isn't Willie Horton, it's Valdez Stewart. Remember him? Very similar circumstances. He's the offender who should have been incarcerated but who was allowed to violate the terms of his realease over 100 times by the DOC and almost exactly nine years ago sped through a red light in Tacoma, broadsiding a woman driving to work and killing her. Her family sued the state (one guess who was AG) resulting in the largest ever judgement against the state. The victim happened to be my cousin.
Posted by: Ron on August 15, 2006 11:38 AManalogy--this happens when some unsuspecting guy buys a 'hot' or poisoned (polluted) parcel of real estate--EPA, and everyone looks to HIM for remedies; he didnt cause it, yet is responsible; a liberal concept; why not lawyers held to same standard for 'inheriting' loser clients?
watch how fast this repeat-offender shyt dries up when some counsel's personal house is up for sale for bankruptcy or to cover costs of HIS OWN liability litigation; WALK THE TALK !!
Posted by: Jimmie-howya-doin on August 15, 2006 12:33 PM(This is off the top of my head, so it might not be accurate in every minute detail. Just a rant/rave I need to get off my chest.)
-Criminal: Has a choice to commit the crime.
+Victim: Has no choice.
-Criminal: Ignores gun laws (and laws in general).
+Victim: Has to abide by ever-toughening gun laws intended to prevent criminals from using guns (and laws in general).
-Criminal: At their whim, can perpetrate violence on victim at any time.
+Victim: Has to walk on eggs when defending his/her property and/or loved ones against criminals, and live in fear of a lawsuit from the criminal and/or the criminal's relatives should they choose to defend themselves.
-Criminal: Provided with armed security after the commission of a violent felony (murder, rape, etc.) to protect them.
+Victim: Must protect themselves from the criminal, and be careful to not use too much force while doing so.
-Criminal: Free to destroy victim's private property at their leisure.
+Victim: Has to actively seek compensation for property loss (how many convicted felons do you think actually pay the victim back?).
-Criminal: Provided free medical treatment if needed after the crime is committed (assuming they are apprehended immediately).
+Victim: Has to pay for own medical costs (or sue the convicted felon to recover costs - that's a laugh).
-Criminal: Provided with free legal representation if needed (How many convicted felons provide their own attorney?)
+Victim: Must provide their own legal representation if needed for civil action to get compensated for losses due to the crime (the state takes that role in the criminal proceedings).
-Criminal: Provided with free room and board, including TV, billiards, computers, exercise equipment, continuing education programs, free treatment (unless ordered by the court to reimburse the state), all at the expense of the hard working, law abiding tax payer (that's you, me, and the victim).
+Victim: Has to make their own honest living (which is exactly what they were doing before the criminal came along and victimized them in the first place).
I submit to you that the Criminal Justice System has become a giant welfare state for sociopaths.
I support the right for anyone to defend their property and/or loved ones, against criminals, using whatever force necessary. And, no, I don't support vigilantism, although that's what we might end up with if things don't change soon.
People everywhere are fed up with the criminals running rampant, with the help of a gutless legal system. It's time we cracked down on criminals, and really make it so "crime doesn't pay".
http://www.komotv.com/news/story.asp?ID=39789
Posted by TrueSoldier at August 15, 2006 01:01 PM
Posted by: TrueSoldier on August 15, 2006 01:04 PMOh, the poor, poor victim, how could she be expected to be responsible, she's had a hard life, and the best thing we can do is to continue to appease and excuse her bad behavior.
And then she kills someone while high on cocaine and speeding.
As for Starbucks, $1.50 and up for a cup of coffee? P.T. Barnum haad it right. Where's the value add? I suppose Starbucks feels that the "The Way I See It" campaign with liberal bromides printed on each cup makes up the difference in cost between the 50 cents or so that a cup of coffee is actually worth.
A woman under police watch following a crash that killed a rookie officer had been released from prison 10 days earlier,... King5.
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot!!!
How in the name of anything civilized does someone with 4 warrants get released?
Did someone in corrections screw the pooch and not check before kicking her drug addicted ass out he door?
Is the loop hole in the RCW and WAC codes that big? That a 4 warrant habitual criminal can walk?
Either way if the Corrections department doesn't come out with a fix in hours, heads should roll. If not a house and mansion cleaning in Oly are due.
Remember this one come Nov. folks.
I hope for the sake of the owner of her weapon (Tahoe) she stole the thing, otherwise the owner should go down as accessory to murder.
Posted by: JCM on August 15, 2006 01:14 PMSorry to hear about the loss of your cousin.
If I recall correctly, the state was liable for the death of your cousin because the state was negligent in supervising the parolee and did not seek a warrant for his arrest when he failed to comply with the terms of his parole.
Don't remember the name of the case, but I read the appellate decision on it. At least I think the state appealed.
If the state was negligent in any after release supervision of this woman, the officer's family could have a good case against the state. I don't think the mere early release from jail would be sufficient to assign liabity to the state, unless there was some irregularity surrounding the early release, such as non-ompliance with any rehab treatment or couselling.
If she was ordered to undergo substance abuse counselling and missed several appointments, the state is open to some pretty serious damages.
Posted by: Don on August 15, 2006 04:37 PMShe has repeatedly proven her worthlessness, selfishness, and total inability to function in society.
This piece of flesh will likely be given methadone, Tiagabine and similar “treatment drugs,” at no cost to her, while incarcerated. She’ll have a public defender or “panel” defense attorney at no cost to her.
She epitomizes how certain people who contribute the least to society take the most from society - for as long as they can.
Just re-read the article and links. The state might as well just open up its checkbook. The statutes and case law makes them liable. The only question is the amount of damages.
Posted by: Don on August 15, 2006 04:41 PMhttp://www.king5.com/localnews/stories/NW_081506WABsusan_west_pleaSW.251c757.html
MAK
Posted by: MAK on August 15, 2006 05:48 PMI suspect Ms West wishes she was sentenced last week.
Posted by: Don on August 15, 2006 06:42 PMThis woman should never see the outside of a prison again. But then again, she shouldn't have been out of prison in the first place.
Posted by: Mike H on August 15, 2006 07:55 PMYou are right, I do remember the story, but I had forgotten the details, sorry. Thank You for reminding me and everyone else.
After doing some homework and a call to the Tacoma Police Dept. I found out that Ms. Rivas,was known to the Tacoma Police and had been arrested at least 10 times in the last 10 years. She was convicted of everything from Malicious Mischief, Prostitution, Drug"s and Auto Theft to Convicted Felon Caring a Gun.
Libertarian...
At six in the morning sometimes your thought process is dull...I promise I will never set foot in a Starbucks again...or for that matter buy Ben & Jerry's ice cream!!!
Thank You
I guess the SUV did it.
Posted by: swassociates on August 16, 2006 07:16 AMName: James H. Allendoerfer, Judge
Organization: Snohomish County: Superior Court
Address: 3000 Rockefeller Ave, MS 502
Everett, WA 98201-4046
Phone: 425-388-3777
Email: judge@co.snohomish.wa.us
And, yes, our judges need to be held accountable for letting miscreants like this woman out of jail.
Posted by: bulldozer on August 16, 2006 07:29 AMThe judge simply followed the recommendation of the prosecutor, a liberal democrat, the public defender and the DOC. When the woman failed to apear for an appointment with her parole officer, they should have had her arrested right away.
Can't blame the judge for this one.
Posted by: Don on August 16, 2006 09:32 AMnow-i re-think it and say--screw them--keep them locked up & away from me to protect ME & my loved ones! yep--i'll now gladly pay for lockups; just not frikkin palaces--make them stark, cold, gray & basic but uncomfortable! not a hell hole, but close; this isn't a lifestyle--it's punishment for YOUR CHOICES against us!
Posted by: Jimmie-howya-doin on August 17, 2006 08:20 PM