Delaware Senator Brian Pettyjohn Gets Probation On Loaded Weapon Charges
On 6-22-17 SBYNews broke the story that this Senator had been arrested for carrying a loaded weapon onto a plane in Salisbury Maryland. We're told his case was held yesterday and he got probation, go figure. Sheriff Mike Lewis has not published a press release on this matter.
Interesting turnabout: From USA Today article; https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/local/2016/01/15/prosecutors-gun-charges-dont-matter-much-convictions/78428440/
Pettyjohn's comments: The case is an example of what some gun advocates say is wrong with gun laws – too many of them are not prosecuted.
Sen. Brian Pettyjohn, R-Georgetown, who has been tracking the number of weapons charges dropped in Delaware, said he would like to see more of these offenses prosecuted.
"I know there are plea deals that are done to get those charges dropped, but the question is, are we dropping the right charges," Pettyjohn asked.
He said that part of the reason for tracking these charges was to see if state lawmakers could help the Attorney General's Office better prosecute them. And while he understands that some charges will be dismissed, Pettyjohn said the system seems to be set up to have these cases plea bargained.
What stands out to Pettyjohn are the number of charges dropped when a person is accused of carrying a weapon during the commission of a felony. According to the 2012-2014 report by the Delaware Criminal Justice Council, of the more than 5,300 charges involving a gun or other weapon during the commission of a felony, 80 percent were not prosecuted in those three years.
"I don't think a weapons charge should be dropped," he said. "I think that we can drop some other charges, but if they're committing a felony with a weapon, whether its a knife or a hammer, ... I think we should be prosecuting for that. That would send a very strong message that the Attorney General's Office is very serious about prosecuting these crimes."
Not prosecuting gun charges makes him question why new gun laws are needed.
"I think we've got enough and I think we really need to start prosecuting the crimes that we have now," he said.
Hope he's aware, probation for that charge makes you a PROHIBITED person in MD.
ReplyDeleteOnly while on Probation
DeleteNo--he got a PBJ
ReplyDeleteAnyone else would of gotten at least 10 yrs in jail wth crooks
ReplyDeleteDo as I say not as I do, slap on the wrist Justice
ReplyDeleteThis was a foregone conclusion.
ReplyDeletePlease ID the judge that is complicit in this outrage.
ReplyDeleteIt was in the Wicomico County Circuit Court. Don't know which judge.
ReplyDeleteTWO SETS OF LAWS.
ReplyDeleteYou or I would be trying to get an appeal (from our prison cell).
Keep cheering!
Interesting turnabout: From USA Today article; https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/local/2016/01/15/prosecutors-gun-charges-dont-matter-much-convictions/78428440/
ReplyDeletePettyjohn's comments: The case is an example of what some gun advocates say is wrong with gun laws – too many of them are not prosecuted.
Sen. Brian Pettyjohn, R-Georgetown, who has been tracking the number of weapons charges dropped in Delaware, said he would like to see more of these offenses prosecuted.
"I know there are plea deals that are done to get those charges dropped, but the question is, are we dropping the right charges," Pettyjohn asked.
He said that part of the reason for tracking these charges was to see if state lawmakers could help the Attorney General's Office better prosecute them. And while he understands that some charges will be dismissed, Pettyjohn said the system seems to be set up to have these cases plea bargained.
What stands out to Pettyjohn are the number of charges dropped when a person is accused of carrying a weapon during the commission of a felony. According to the 2012-2014 report by the Delaware Criminal Justice Council, of the more than 5,300 charges involving a gun or other weapon during the commission of a felony, 80 percent were not prosecuted in those three years.
"I don't think a weapons charge should be dropped," he said. "I think that we can drop some other charges, but if they're committing a felony with a weapon, whether its a knife or a hammer, ... I think we should be prosecuting for that. That would send a very strong message that the Attorney General's Office is very serious about prosecuting these crimes."
Not prosecuting gun charges makes him question why new gun laws are needed.
"I think we've got enough and I think we really need to start prosecuting the crimes that we have now," he said.