Was his punishment severe enough for stealing grave markers from veterans graves?

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 May 2015 12:33:24 -0400

He was stealing grave markers and flag holder to scrap. What punishment would be fair and acceptable for his crimes?

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/05/15/man-sentenced-for-stealing-454-veterans-grave-markers-sold-them-for-scrap-to/?intcmp=latestnews

New York man sentenced for stealing 454 markers from veterans' graves

A 35-year-old man has been sentenced to weekends in jail and must pay restitution to cover the cost of 454 bronze markers and flag-holders he stole from the graves of veterans in western New York.

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made May 15 at 2015 12:38 PM

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Fri, 15 May 2015 12:38:03 -0400

Hell no!!!

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made May 15 at 2015 12:38 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 May 2015 12:38:52 -0400

no. Sick puppies need medical care.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 15 at 2015 12:46 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 May 2015 12:46:29 -0400

Wow.....legally I guess is punishment is just......emotionally I'm not sure having him drawn and quartered would be enough.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made May 15 at 2015 1:01 PM

SGT Ben Keen — Fri, 15 May 2015 13:01:02 -0400

While the Veteran side of me wants to see him serve more time for the disrespect shown to our fallen brothers and sisters-in-arms, the civilian side of me sort of understands why the punishment was what it is.

There are some questions we must consider before passing judgment. Was this the first time this guy was involved (or caught) stealing things? Was there some sort of deal worked out to allow him to only serve on the weekends and to pay the $17,000 fine?

While most of us will be upset seeing that he targeted the bronze markers and flag holders that mark the graves of those whom served, sadly, the courts really don't put any weight into that fact when passing judgement.

Response by SFC(P) Aaron Fore made May 15 at 2015 1:02 PM

SFC(P) Aaron Fore — Fri, 15 May 2015 13:02:36 -0400

If this guy was trying to feed, clothe or house his family, maybe this would be enough. This theif however, is selfishly supporting his drug habit at the expense of the veterans, tax payers and family members of the fallen.

He should spend more time in jail to clense himself of the drugs and then spend some community service working for veterans so that maybe he can learn a skill other than drugs.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 15 at 2015 2:35 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 May 2015 14:35:40 -0400

Should have added that before he presents himself for his weekend visits to jail, he need to pay a visit to 5 of the families until all families have been begged forgiveness from (in which the family chooses the penance)