Posted on 06/19/2004 12:30:11 AM PDT by freebilly
ALBANY, N.Y. -- "Son of Sam" killer David Berkowitz told a parole board hearing last week that he does not want to be released because he doesn't deserve to be and because he has a "lot of good goals" in prison.
(Excerpt) Read more at newsday.com ...
There are things that make sense in life. Releasing him does not.
But he obviously doesn't care any more for them than he did for the thirteen people he killed or wounded, for fun.
Parole hearings are mandatory, whether he or we want them or not.
If they're even considering paroling SOS why is Sirhan Sirhan still in jail. It's been 36 years since he, at the age of 21, commited murder in the heat of anger. Maybe he should be freed. Do yout think he's still locked up because he killed a Kennedy?
"Berkowitz is serving six consecutive 25-years-to-life sentences."
Although I think Mr.Berkowitz shows more brains than the parole board, why is he even being considered for parole? He's one of the most infamous serial killers in the history of NY, I assume he hasn't petitioned for parole (since he's rejecting the idea), and this just gives me great qualms about the entire system.
If you get 25 to life are you automatically considered for parole after the inital 25 year term, even if you're the Son of Sam?
What about other murderers, who aren't famous, or crazy, but may in fact be just as violent?
There seem to be certain people in our society (those would be the liberals) who think it's a great thing for us to have killers, rapists, and other criminals amoung us at all times. They don't want to execute them, and they can't even stand the thought of keeping them in jail.
When the crime rate goes down, they want to let these villains out of jail, I guess so the crime rate can go back up. They don't want people to have the right, or the equipment, to defend themselves.
They are a sick, sick, group. At least Mr. Berkowitz grasps that what he did was wrong. I'll be there are many liberals who think society deserved the "punishment" inflicted on it by Son of Sam.
It's all in the name of diversity.
the same psalm hit me squarely between the eyes when I was lost
no parole though
It seems that he was found to be demonic possesed. This came out by some investigative process among a group who looked into his case. remember the dog...and the voices he said were controlling him?
This group arranged to have a series of excorcisms for SoS. It was after this, that he began to study the Bile, the works of the Lord and began his acceptance of Christ.
pardon me, sticky keyboard...That would be "...study the Bible..."
Six consecutive (end to end), not con-current (served at the same time), sentences should be 150 years!!! So why is he even appearing before a parole board before at least 1/3 of his sentence has been performed, which would be 50 years!!!
The SYSTEM is really messed up!!! At least the crimminal recognizes this.
Heaven help the rest of society cause we're going to need it
"Six consecutive (end to end), not con-current (served at the same time), sentences should be 150 years!!!"
EXACTLY! Or why bother making them CONSECUTIVE sentances? Just tell the guy: we're going to put you in prison for a while, we'll figure out for how long later!
Ha! Very good! :) Were you here when he was on the loose? Not a fun time...
He also knows that there's no way he could survive out in the real world again.
He the devil. And if you lived through his terror you would know. We were shocked to find out he lived about 6 miles from our house in Yonkers. We were afraid to sit out at night that summer and I will never forget the blackout of 77 it was a nightmare knowing this demon was stalking the streets. He should have been executed he is the devil.
No wonder NY State is such a hellhole for spending tax dollars. The dude said he didn't want to be paroled, but the state parole board still had a hearing for him. DUH!
True. I'd go even further and say that God's grace doesn't make a whole lot of sense to those of us who *have* experienced it. His inexplicable love just expands my awe-ful worship of him, expands my sense of wonder at his kindness towards an undeserving sinner like me.
It *is* unfair that God has apparently forgiven him and given him new life. That's what grace is -- giving good things to those who do not deserve good things.
God is in the business of giving a second chance (and a 3rd chance, and a 4th chance, etc.) to even the most undeserving devil of a man.
I'm not saying you're wrong to be angry at this man for killing people and for causing a nightmare for many many many people.... Have you read any interviews with him?
"I actually believe that God is using him for a purpose. I don't excuse him for what he did, but he does seem sincerely repentant...."
One of the staff psychologist of "Focus On The Family" did an interview with Berkowitz that
resulted in a three-part airing this spring.
I've got mixed emotions. In a rational world, Berkowitz should have at least gotten the needle
by now. But the interview (and the testimony of others) reveals that a virtual sub-human
animal can now at least comport himself in the controlled environment of the prison.
Maybe G-d kept him alive (via the NY State legal system and through the one jail-house
attack that almost killed him) so that he can give psychologists a picture of the factors
(environmental/spiritual) that can result in a criminal rampage.
And, IIRC, during the interview, Berkowitz read a letter refusing parole.
In the interest of fair-play, I will mention that John Douglas, the former FBI profiler,
has reacted fairly cynically about Berkowitz's conversion. Douglas thinks this is almost
a predictable outcome as many serial killers he has interviewed express the wish that
their had gone into law enforcement, the ministry or other occupations in which a fair
amount of control can be had over others.
For those interested, here's a link to the Focus On The Family interview with Berkowitz
(I don't know if the audio links are still functional)
http://www.family.org/fmedia/broadcast/a0030452.cfm
And here's an interview with Berkowitz:
http://www.cbn.com/scottross/interviews/sonofsam.asp
It's quite an encouraging and powerful testimony of God's kindness to a sick and sinful man.
And too healthy to suit me.
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