51 is not old! They said so on another thread!
Posted on 09/08/2006 1:54:47 PM PDT by Drew68
A home burglar got a stern lecture and a 32-month prison sentence Wednesday from a judge who said the community is "sick and tired" of drug users stealing their hard-earned possessions.
Lane County Circuit Judge Gregory Foote also reminded 20-year-old Michael Scott Wrighthouse that Oregon law allows residents to use deadly force when they encounter a burglar inside an occupied dwelling.
"They have guns in their houses because of people like you. They are prepared to blow you away. You will go out of there in a body bag, and nobody will care," Foote told Wrighthouse.
"Do I condone that behavior? I understand it," the judge said. "The community is sick and tired of people like you."
Sheriff's investigators said Wrighthouse created a "mini crime wave" with at least seven Veneta area thefts and burglaries of homes where residents left windows and doors ajar during July's hot weather. He stole wallets, purses and two cars. A woman caught him red-handed inside her home and he fled, a sheriff's spokesman said.
Deputies got a tip on his identity when a car theft victim saw Wrighthouse driving the victim's stolen car in Veneta. Wrighthouse, who has lived in Springfield and Veneta, was arrested at the home of an aunt and uncle.
He pleaded guilty to two counts each of burglary and car theft. Other charges were dropped in the plea deal. He has a minor criminal record.
Defense lawyer Sara Collins said Wrighthouse is a high school dropout who began using meth- amphetamine at age 16.
He was under the drug's influence and "had been up for days" when he did the crimes, she said.
One of his victims, who spoke in court Wednesday but asked not to be identified, said Wrighthouse showed total disregard for others when he broke into a home that had a wheelchair ramp and stole $400 worth of vital medications from a disabled person.
Wrighthouse also stole a car containing hundreds of dollars worth of tools and important papers that was parked at the residence. The car has not been recovered, leaving the owner without the tools of his occupation and without transportation.
"I can't afford another car," the owner told the judge.
Foote invited Wrighthouse to take as much methamphetamine as possible so that he might die from the drug sooner than later, and cease being a problem for others.
"People like you are just a nightmare for the rest of us," Foote told him. "If you think there's a better plan for your life, now is the time to make that choice."
just dang... wow, was this really in Oregon??
Judge should've allowed each of the victims to give him a punch in the stomache.
"Foote invited Wrighthouse to take as much methamphetamine as possible so that he might die from the drug sooner than later, and cease being a problem for others."
Drug warriors, on the other hand, will see to it that remains illegal.
Bravo, Judge Foote!
This is ABSOLUTELY NOT TRUE!!!! We here at FreeRepublic celebrate everytime one of the scumbags gets offed!
Agreed. Ten bucks should get you a shopping cart load of the stuff.
Of course, if there were no obscene profits to be made in the drug trade, there wouldn't be any of these drugs.....except that which grows with minimal trouble and is easy to process.
From what I have learned, making meth is even more trouble than running a whiskey still.
It's good to hear some common sense grilling, but I'd rather see the perp put away for longer. The numerous charges would seem to justify it. 32 months - time off for 'good behavior'.
You will go out of there in a body bag, and nobody will care," Foote told Wrighthouse.
This is ABSOLUTELY NOT TRUE!!!! We here at FreeRepublic celebrate everytime one of the scumbags gets offed!
HA But then they will interview anyone who every knew him while he was growing up and we will hear about how he was "a good boy", "just getting his life turned around", was even thinking about getting his GED and a job.
Don't get too used to your cell, Wrighthouse, because you won't be there for long.
32 months is probably about right for burglary. Give the kid some time to think about a different career path while he's still young.
When he leaves prison --probably after about 20 long months, he'll be 22 and have two roads he can take...
Sadly, he probably was a "good boy" until he discovered meth. That stuff is pretty insidious.
You're tipping your age there 'snagglepuss' :)
Methamphetamine screws with the brain structure. Some people are permanently altered after a few doses. I think it would be a public service to provide the stuff by the truck load to the segment of the population that will never recover but it is a horible thing for kids to have access.
The only problem with the drug war is we are fighting it like we are fighting in Iraq. If it is a war, shouldn't we be seeing the bad guys in body bags?
Providing an unlimitted supply of meth to users would be like carpet bombing Faluja. It would solve alot of problems but I would sure like to get the women and children out of the way.
"Heavens to mergatroid" preceded snagglepuss.
Don't forget that one of the stolen cars with the owners tools in it still has not been recovered. Under the circumstances, no plea deal should have been allowed.
Please send the judge a note for his good work -- debbie.wescott@ojd.state.or.us
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