Free Shaquanda Cotton Protest!

[mc2]

i think that sentence is about right. if texas considers assault a class a offence, also i was reading that they do increase the sentencing if the crime is against a public official. I was reading somewhere, and i'll try to get links a little later, that class a offences in some states are punishable anywhere from 110-129 weeks of prison time. do your math and that comes out to be, a little over 2 years. but that's not with the public offical tack on, and it's texas for boot. More to come....

How can you honestly say that her sentence was justified? First of all she is only 14 years old, this was her first offense, and the teacher was not injured. I have seen cases where people convicted of DWI, and armed robbery did not get as harsh of a sentences as this child. I'm sure that the law you are referring to was created to specificaly protect law enforcement officers. This incident should have been handled at the school administrative level and should have never made it to the court system. The racist D.A. was out to get Ms. Cotton because her mother has been speaking out against other cases of racial injustice in that school district. He used the law to use the most severe punishment available for the "crime" in effect making this child a political prisoner for her mother.

Dont forget that this same judge sentenced a 14 year old white girl convicted of arson to 3 months of probation!!. Per Title 7, Chapter 28 of the Texas Penal Code, arson is a FELONY. I dont know if they actually convicted her of arson, but that show you that there are two sets of rules that that town goes by.. A more lenient set of rules for the whites and harsh rules against the blacks. Thats what we were protesting today!!!

I'm not saying that the girl is an angel, but the punishment does not fit the crime...

As for the attempted suicides... She is in prison with real criminals and she doesnt deserve to be there. I'd also rather die than be sentenced to hell in prison. What would you do if you were locked down with real criminals???



I'm sure your views would change if this was your child, or your sister.

I was out there today, and it opened my eyes to how a lot of these small towns operate. You could see these "public servants" in the court house mocking us, snickering, and even hear them laughing at our protest.

 

[datrep]

How can you honestly say that her sentence was justified? First of all she is only 14 years old, this was her first offense, and the teacher was not injured. .

Dont forget that this same judge sentenced a 14 year old white girl convicted of arson to 3 months of probation!!. Per Title 7, Chapter 28 of the Texas Penal Code, arson is a FELONY.

........

I was out there today, and it opened my eyes to how a lot of these small towns operate. You could see these "public servants" in the court house mocking us, snickering, and even hear them laughing at our protest.

1. the fact that the teacher was not injured is irrelevant. the FACT of the matter is, one human placed their hands on another. that other human, or employer decided to press charges to the fullest extent of the law (which is everyone's right).

2. there are different classes of felonies. the arson case you're talking about didn't involve another person. the assault did. as i said before, i couldn't find the texas chart for felonies, but in washington (and i doubt it's much different from texas) arson in the second is a class b felony and is punishable by as little as a $500 fine and only as much as 30 days in jail. we don't know what class felony the white girl was convicted of, probably because it makes a stronger point if the media doesn't say.

3. i'm from a town much like that. actually smaller and with a lesser percentage of blacks than paris has. i know exactly how those type white people act. i also have enough sense not to push one of them cause they say i can't come in the school. my parents gave me enough sense not to put my hands on anyone unjustly.

those are reasons that i can say that her sentence was PROBABLY justified. alot goes into a judge's sentencing rules, especially when it's left up to the judge to decide. your attitude in the courtroom can tack on extra weeks and months.

WE need to hear ALL of the facts, not just the skewed media reports. they only give us 5 lines of a 400 line story.

 

[mrjody]

This datrep character is very suspect.
How can you justify UP TO seven years for pushing someone,
and in the same paragraph say ARSON w/ thousands of dollars of property damage,
endangering the lives of public servants (fireman) and civilians and, thousands of dollars in wages (fireman again), and think that is "OK"

Its raicst pure and simple. How is it that you cannot see that?


You do remember that in Jasper Texas that James Byrd Jr was dragged behind a truck?
Remember that?
Dragged on a tow chain by three white dudes, till his head popped off.
Texas is tripping big time...

 

[AristotlesOwn]

We need to mobilize like this to get MORE shit straightened out in the community. We can be truly organized when we really want to be.

 

[xeon]

We need to mobilize like this to get MORE shit straightened out in the community. We can be truly organized when we really want to be.

Easier said than done when you have people second guessing your every move.

 

[Harbinger]

1. the fact that the teacher was not injured is irrelevant. the FACT of the matter is, one human placed their hands on another. that other human, or employer decided to press charges to the fullest extent of the law (which is everyone's right).

2. there are different classes of felonies. the arson case you're talking about didn't involve another person. the assault did. as i said before, i couldn't find the texas chart for felonies, but in washington (and i doubt it's much different from texas) arson in the second is a class b felony and is punishable by as little as a $500 fine and only as much as 30 days in jail. we don't know what class felony the white girl was convicted of, probably because it makes a stronger point if the media doesn't say.

3. i'm from a town much like that. actually smaller and with a lesser percentage of blacks than paris has. i know exactly how those type white people act. i also have enough sense not to push one of them cause they say i can't come in the school. my parents gave me enough sense not to put my hands on anyone unjustly.

those are reasons that i can say that her sentence was PROBABLY justified. alot goes into a judge's sentencing rules, especially when it's left up to the judge to decide. your attitude in the courtroom can tack on extra weeks and months.

WE need to hear ALL of the facts, not just the skewed media reports. they only give us 5 lines of a 400 line story.

Somewhere there is a village in search of it's idiot.

 

[Rebel-INS]

1. the fact that the teacher was not injured is irrelevant. the FACT of the matter is, one human placed their hands on another. that other human, or employer decided to press charges to the fullest extent of the law (which is everyone's right).

2. there are different classes of felonies. the arson case you're talking about didn't involve another person. the assault did. as i said before, i couldn't find the texas chart for felonies, but in washington (and i doubt it's much different from texas) arson in the second is a class b felony and is punishable by as little as a $500 fine and only as much as 30 days in jail. we don't know what class felony the white girl was convicted of, probably because it makes a stronger point if the media doesn't say.

3. i'm from a town much like that. actually smaller and with a lesser percentage of blacks than paris has. i know exactly how those type white people act. i also have enough sense not to push one of them cause they say i can't come in the school. my parents gave me enough sense not to put my hands on anyone unjustly.

those are reasons that i can say that her sentence was PROBABLY justified. alot goes into a judge's sentencing rules, especially when it's left up to the judge to decide. your attitude in the courtroom can tack on extra weeks and months.

WE need to hear ALL of the facts, not just the skewed media reports. they only give us 5 lines of a 400 line story.

You are a disgrace.

 

[streetdreamer]

You are a disgrace.

Actually, I feel that datrep has a point. This is a circumstance presented to a judge and he has to make a decision based on what the law allows.

The real racism is the prosecutor. The school and pressure from the school officials play a big role as to whether Mrs. Cotton was prosecuted or not. The prosecutor chooses the law that can apply. The CJS is a result oriented system for prosecutors, so seeking truth which is their motto is not a priority. Convictions that result in long sentences is the priority of prosecutors.

According to Mrs. Cotton she was assaulted first and she pushed back. She was required to report to the nurse for her medication. The Prosecutor could've charged the public servant with the same, but didn't. The school officials are the ones that set this up by pressuring the prosecution of Mrs. Cotton. A conviction would mean the judge has a limited amount of variables in which he could sentence her based on the law applied to the conviction.

 

[Blu Diablo]

mc2, any updates?

 

[sludem]

i sent this to evereyone on my msn an aim.we gotta get this kid out of jail this is some bullshit.they dont fuck around in the south man they give blacks some crazy jail time for simple shit like giving a nigga life in jail for stealing a candy bar... it never happend but im thinking whats next the way shit is going

 

[mc2]

1. the fact that the teacher was not injured is irrelevant. the FACT of the matter is, one human placed their hands on another. that other human, or employer decided to press charges to the fullest extent of the law (which is everyone's right).

2. there are different classes of felonies. the arson case you're talking about didn't involve another person. the assault did. as i said before, i couldn't find the texas chart for felonies, but in washington (and i doubt it's much different from texas) arson in the second is a class b felony and is punishable by as little as a $500 fine and only as much as 30 days in jail. we don't know what class felony the white girl was convicted of, probably because it makes a stronger point if the media doesn't say.

3. i'm from a town much like that. actually smaller and with a lesser percentage of blacks than paris has. i know exactly how those type white people act. i also have enough sense not to push one of them cause they say i can't come in the school. my parents gave me enough sense not to put my hands on anyone unjustly.

those are reasons that i can say that her sentence was PROBABLY justified. alot goes into a judge's sentencing rules, especially when it's left up to the judge to decide. your attitude in the courtroom can tack on extra weeks and months.

WE need to hear ALL of the facts, not just the skewed media reports. they only give us 5 lines of a 400 line story.

I still cant believe that you think the sentence for this child was justified . According to this precedent, everyone child and adult engaged in a shoving match, or fist fight should be locked up...

Your comment arson is hypocritical. You said that it was "irrelevant that no one was hurt by the shove" and then you go on to say that no one else was involved in the arson. An entire family home was burned and that put the lives of the family, and the firefighters at risk. You would also have to acknowledge that its also irrelevant that no one was hurt in the arson but that people could have been killed by her actions. In the state of Texas arson is a 1st 2nd or 3rd degree felony and the minimum punishment is 2 years in prison for 3rd degree. She must have been charged as a minor to get such a light sentence and again that’s the whole point of the outrage. The white girl gets a break while the black girl gets the book thrown at her from the same judge!!!!!

As for what went into the judge's ruling... Sentences given to minors are usually more lenient than those given to adults and the same leniency should have been granted to the child. Unfortunately this sentence was handed by a racist judge.

According to your reasoning, everyone child or adult involved in a shoving match, or fist fight should be locked up. Just think of how foolish that would be..

Again if you think the sentence was justified, I sincerely hope that nothing of this magnitude happens to you, or your children.

 

[datrep]

Again, you guys are jumping to conclusions while jumping over the facts. With the best information i had (washington's sentencing structure) i compared the assault on a public official to that. The sentencing that the texas judge gave the girl matches what washington state would have done too....(key words here people)....IF SHE WAS CONVICTED OF ASSAULT1 AND THEY CONSIDER IT IN TEXAS A CLASS A FELONY JUST AS WASHINGTON DOES. plus texas says they add on to the sentence if your crime is against a public offical....which it WAS.

The arson (again, going with washington as a guide since i can't find the texas sentences) DEPENDING on what she was charged with the girl could have gotten less that what she did (according to washington sentences) the first offence for arson can carry a $500 fine, or up to 30 days in jail MAX. This is the point i'm trying to make with this (key words) DEPENDING ON WHAT CLASS FELONY SHE WAS CONVICTED OF, THERE IS A LIMIT TO WHAT A JUDGE CAN SENTENCE FOR ARSON 3, ARSON 2, AND ARSON 1. For it to be arson 1 someone's life has to be threatend by the fire (from what i've read), i.e. if there was a boy inside and he suffered burns, or if a firefighter was injured putting out the fire.

And for my final point. I don't think every child fist fight should be procecuted in a court of law, BUT nobody should forget that assaulting someone is against the LAW!!! It is up to the person that was assaulted and his/her lawyer to procecute to the FULLEST EXTENT OF THE LAW if they choose. But in most cases, people say, kids will be kids and let them go with just school suspension. But in this case, they decided to curb this one childs behaviour, and hopefully hundreds to thousands more, by setting an example that you should KEEP YOUR HANDS TO YOURSELF!!!

READ THE FACTS PEOPLE, GATHER INFORMATION, LEAVE EMOTION OUT OF IT. THAT IS WHY WE DON'T FIND SUCCESS AS OFTEN AS WE SHOULD. BLACK PEOPLE ARE TOO BUSY LOOKING TO DEFEND SOMETHING THAT THEY THINK IS RACIST WITHOUT LOOKING AT THE FACTS BEHIND IT, OR WITHOUT CULTIVATING OUR CHILDREN TO ACT LIKE A RESPONSIBLE MEMBER OF SOCIETY.

 

[freaky_1]

Again, you guys are jumping to conclusions while jumping over the facts. With the best information i had (washington's sentencing structure) i compared the assault on a public official to that. The sentencing that the texas judge gave the girl matches what washington state would have done too....(key words here people)....IF SHE WAS CONVICTED OF ASSAULT1 AND THEY CONSIDER IT IN TEXAS A CLASS A FELONY JUST AS WASHINGTON DOES. plus texas says they add on to the sentence if your crime is against a public offical....which it WAS.

The arson (again, going with washington as a guide since i can't find the texas sentences) DEPENDING on what she was charged with the girl could have gotten less that what she did (according to washington sentences) the first offence for arson can carry a $500 fine, or up to 30 days in jail MAX. This is the point i'm trying to make with this (key words) DEPENDING ON WHAT CLASS FELONY SHE WAS CONVICTED OF, THERE IS A LIMIT TO WHAT A JUDGE CAN SENTENCE FOR ARSON 3, ARSON 2, AND ARSON 1. For it to be arson 1 someone's life has to be threatend by the fire (from what i've read), i.e. if there was a boy inside and he suffered burns, or if a firefighter was injured putting out the fire.

And for my final point. I don't think every child fist fight should be procecuted in a court of law, BUT nobody should forget that assaulting someone is against the LAW!!! It is up to the person that was assaulted and his/her lawyer to procecute to the FULLEST EXTENT OF THE LAW if they choose. But in most cases, people say, kids will be kids and let them go with just school suspension. But in this case, they decided to curb this one childs behaviour, and hopefully hundreds to thousands more, by setting an example that you should KEEP YOUR HANDS TO YOURSELF!!!

READ THE FACTS PEOPLE, GATHER INFORMATION, LEAVE EMOTION OUT OF IT. THAT IS WHY WE DON'T FIND SUCCESS AS OFTEN AS WE SHOULD. BLACK PEOPLE ARE TOO BUSY LOOKING TO DEFEND SOMETHING THAT THEY THINK IS RACIST WITHOUT LOOKING AT THE FACTS BEHIND IT, OR WITHOUT CULTIVATING OUR CHILDREN TO ACT LIKE A RESPONSIBLE MEMBER OF SOCIETY.

Yessuh Massah boss suh

 

[datrep]

Yessuh Massah boss suh

you guys are so ignorant and scared. Hiding behind racisim expecting it to save you from the reality of life.

 

[Password]

Again, you guys are jumping to conclusions while jumping over the facts. With the best information i had (washington's sentencing structure) i compared the assault on a public official to that. The sentencing that the texas judge gave the girl matches what washington state would have done too....(key words here people)....IF SHE WAS CONVICTED OF ASSAULT1 AND THEY CONSIDER IT IN TEXAS A CLASS A FELONY JUST AS WASHINGTON DOES. plus texas says they add on to the sentence if your crime is against a public offical....which it WAS.

The arson (again, going with washington as a guide since i can't find the texas sentences) DEPENDING on what she was charged with the girl could have gotten less that what she did (according to washington sentences) the first offence for arson can carry a $500 fine, or up to 30 days in jail MAX. This is the point i'm trying to make with this (key words) DEPENDING ON WHAT CLASS FELONY SHE WAS CONVICTED OF, THERE IS A LIMIT TO WHAT A JUDGE CAN SENTENCE FOR ARSON 3, ARSON 2, AND ARSON 1. For it to be arson 1 someone's life has to be threatend by the fire (from what i've read), i.e. if there was a boy inside and he suffered burns, or if a firefighter was injured putting out the fire.

And for my final point. I don't think every child fist fight should be procecuted in a court of law, BUT nobody should forget that assaulting someone is against the LAW!!! It is up to the person that was assaulted and his/her lawyer to procecute to the FULLEST EXTENT OF THE LAW if they choose. But in most cases, people say, kids will be kids and let them go with just school suspension. But in this case, they decided to curb this one childs behaviour, and hopefully hundreds to thousands more, by setting an example that you should KEEP YOUR HANDS TO YOURSELF!!!

READ THE FACTS PEOPLE, GATHER INFORMATION, LEAVE EMOTION OUT OF IT. THAT IS WHY WE DON'T FIND SUCCESS AS OFTEN AS WE SHOULD. BLACK PEOPLE ARE TOO BUSY LOOKING TO DEFEND SOMETHING THAT THEY THINK IS RACIST WITHOUT LOOKING AT THE FACTS BEHIND IT, OR WITHOUT CULTIVATING OUR CHILDREN TO ACT LIKE A RESPONSIBLE MEMBER OF SOCIETY.

You have a well-written argument here, but I just have one question for you....

If it was your daughter, niece or sister would you still be ok with them getting "up to" seven years for pushing a "public official".

 

[TaylrMayd]

First off.......

Prison time is too harsh.

Expulsion would have fit her transgression perfectly.

I agree with this to a point...

How hard was the push and what are my past experiences with this child. If she is constantly a disrespectful and physically threatening, I probably would have pressed charges, but not up to 7 years (honestly, as a teacher you shouldn't want to see any students put in jail, especially on this such transgression).

Next.......

Hiding behind racisim expecting it to save you from the reality of life.

I hear what you saying man. This is a true statement and you have a point here, but.........

Lastly...

You have a well-written argument here, but I just have one question for you....

If it was your daughter, niece or sister would you still be ok with them getting "up to" seven years for pushing a "public official".

As well written and as datrep's argument was, this ^^^^^ is the truest thing of all.

Datrep, more than about the rule of law, racism, and right or wrong. It's really about EMPATHY.

Not many people on this board would argue that if this girl had physically beat a teacher that the book should not be thrown at her with the fullest extent possible, but a push man. C'mon......

Was the girl wrong....YES.

However...

Does the punishment fit the crime.....I won't give you the answer you already know!

 

[TaylrMayd]

Bumped

 

[mc2]

Again, you guys are jumping to conclusions while jumping over the facts. With the best information i had (washington's sentencing structure) i compared the assault on a public official to that. The sentencing that the texas judge gave the girl matches what washington state would have done too....(key words here people)....IF SHE WAS CONVICTED OF ASSAULT1 AND THEY CONSIDER IT IN TEXAS A CLASS A FELONY JUST AS WASHINGTON DOES. plus texas says they add on to the sentence if your crime is against a public offical....which it WAS.

The arson (again, going with washington as a guide since i can't find the texas sentences) DEPENDING on what she was charged with the girl could have gotten less that what she did (according to washington sentences) the first offence for arson can carry a $500 fine, or up to 30 days in jail MAX. This is the point i'm trying to make with this (key words) DEPENDING ON WHAT CLASS FELONY SHE WAS CONVICTED OF, THERE IS A LIMIT TO WHAT A JUDGE CAN SENTENCE FOR ARSON 3, ARSON 2, AND ARSON 1. For it to be arson 1 someone's life has to be threatend by the fire (from what i've read), i.e. if there was a boy inside and he suffered burns, or if a firefighter was injured putting out the fire.

And for my final point. I don't think every child fist fight should be procecuted in a court of law, BUT nobody should forget that assaulting someone is against the LAW!!! It is up to the person that was assaulted and his/her lawyer to procecute to the FULLEST EXTENT OF THE LAW if they choose. But in most cases, people say, kids will be kids and let them go with just school suspension. But in this case, they decided to curb this one childs behaviour, and hopefully hundreds to thousands more, by setting an example that you should KEEP YOUR HANDS TO YOURSELF!!!

READ THE FACTS PEOPLE, GATHER INFORMATION, LEAVE EMOTION OUT OF IT. THAT IS WHY WE DON'T FIND SUCCESS AS OFTEN AS WE SHOULD. BLACK PEOPLE ARE TOO BUSY LOOKING TO DEFEND SOMETHING THAT THEY THINK IS RACIST WITHOUT LOOKING AT THE FACTS BEHIND IT, OR WITHOUT CULTIVATING OUR CHILDREN TO ACT LIKE A RESPONSIBLE MEMBER OF SOCIETY.

Here is Texas Penal descripton of Arson and the punishments. Read it for yourself. The 14 year old white girl should also be locked up. Just as you shouldn't put your hands on people, you also shouldn't go around burning people's houses down!!!!



§ 28.02. ARSON[0]. (a) A person commits an offense if the
person starts a fire, regardless of whether the fire continues
after ignition, or causes an explosion with intent to destroy or
damage:
(1) any vegetation, fence, or structure on open-space
land; or
(2) any building, habitation, or vehicle:
(A) knowing that it is within the limits of an
incorporated city or town;
(B) knowing that it is insured against damage or
destruction;
(C) knowing that it is subject to a mortgage or
other security interest;
(D) knowing that it is located on property
belonging to another;
(E) knowing that it has located within it
property belonging to another; or
(F) when the person is reckless about whether the
burning or explosion will endanger the life of some individual or
the safety of the property of another.
(a-1) A person commits an offense if the person recklessly
starts a fire or causes an explosion while manufacturing or
attempting to manufacture a controlled substance and the fire or
explosion damages any building, habitation, or vehicle.
(b) It is an exception to the application of Subsection
(a)(1) that the fire or explosion was a part of the controlled
burning of open-space land.
(c) It is a defense to prosecution under Subsection
(a)(2)(A) that prior to starting the fire or causing the explosion,
the actor obtained a permit or other written authorization granted
in accordance with a city ordinance, if any, regulating fires and
explosions.
(d) An offense under Subsection (a) is a felony of the
second degree, except that the offense is a felony of the first
degree if it is shown on the trial of the offense that:
(1) bodily injury or death was suffered by any person
by reason of the commission of the offense; or
(2) the property intended to be damaged or destroyed
by the actor was a habitation or a place of assembly or worship.
(e) An offense under Subsection (a-1) is a state jail
felony, except that the offense is a felony of the third degree if
it is shown on the trial of the offense that bodily injury or death
was suffered by any person by reason of the commission of the
offense.
(f) It is a felony of the third degree if a person commits an
offense under Subsection (a)(2) of this section and the person
intentionally starts a fire in or on a building, habitation, or
vehicle, with intent to damage or destroy property belonging to
another, or with intent to injure any person, and in so doing,
recklessly causes damage to the building, habitation, or vehicle.
(g) If conduct that constitutes an offense under Subsection
(a-1) or that constitutes an offense under Subsection (f) also
constitutes an offense under another subsection of this section or
another section of this code, the actor may be prosecuted under
Subsection (a-1) or Subsection (f), under the other subsection of
this section, or under the other section of this code.

 

[datrep]

Here is Texas Penal descripton of Arson and the punishments. Read it for yourself.



§ 28.02. ARSON[0]. (a) A person commits an offense if the
person starts a fire, regardless of whether the fire continues
after ignition, or causes an explosion with intent to destroy or
damage:

(a-1) A person commits an offense if the person recklessly
starts a fire or causes an explosion while manufacturing or
attempting to manufacture a controlled substance and the fire or
explosion damages any building, habitation, or vehicle.

(d) An offense under Subsection (a) is a felony of the
SECOND DEGREE, except that the offense is a felony of the first
degree if it is shown on the trial of the offense that:
(1) bodily injury or death was suffered by any person
by reason of the commission of the offense; or
(2) the property intended to be damaged or destroyed
by the actor was a habitation or a place of assembly or worship.
.

Ok, this is the part that applies to the white girl, now we need the sentencing guidelines for a Arson 2, offence. Provide links to it also.

If it was your daughter, niece or sister would you still be ok with them getting "up to" seven years for pushing a "public official".

If after i looked at the incident report, and the law and sentencing requirements, and her formal charges against her, and after I beat her so she'll know that her actions were not justified....if after all that, i see that it is within the LAW for her to be punished for up to 7 years, then I would be totaly ok with the court's decision. Of course i would go through the appeals process, and try to get her out early on good behavior if that didn't work, etc. but calling for nationwide protests by people that don't know me, my daughter, nor do they know ALL of the facts of the case, that is just silly.

 

[3sacrowd]

There are a lot of unknown factors in this case!!
But, in Texas a plain assault causing "bodily injury" is
a class A misdemeanor, carrying probation to up to 12
months in county jail for an adult; but typically 6-12 mos
juvenile probation for a 14 year old kid).

This could be raised to a 3rd degree felony if the victim is
a public servant which carries possible probation or 2 - 10
years in prison for an adult. But for a child, it could mean
probation or up to 10 years confinement if the conditions
are met to give the child a "determinate sentence." Under
normal conditions, the child could only be sent to Texas
Youth Commission ("TYC", juvenile prison) until she turns 21.

But with a determinate sentence, she could spend time
in TYC until she's 21, then be transferred to the adult prison
(Texas Dept of Criminal Justice) to finish her time. With a
7 year sentence, they wanted her to be locked up with TYC
only.

This girl should have gotten probation!!

One small silver lining in this case is that she'll be sent to
TYC, and likely be released back home on parole in a year or less.

 

[datrep]

There are a lot of unknown factors in this case!!
But, in Texas a plain assault causing "bodily injury" is
a class A misdemeanor, carrying probation to up to 12
months in county jail for an adult; but typically 6-12 mos
juvenile probation for a 14 year old kid).

This could be raised to a 3rd degree felony if the victim is
a public servant which carries possible probation or 2 - 10
years in prison for an adult. But for a child, it could mean
probation or up to 10 years confinement if the conditions
are met to give the child a "determinate sentence." Under
normal conditions, the child could only be sent to Texas
Youth Commission ("TYC", juvenile prison) until she turns 21.

But with a determinate sentence, she could spend time
in TYC until she's 21, then be transferred to the adult prison
(Texas Dept of Criminal Justice) to finish her time. With a
7 year sentence, they wanted her to be locked up with TYC
only.

This girl should have gotten probation!!

One small silver lining in this case is that she'll be sent to
TYC, and likely be released back home on parole in a year or less.

Thanks for shedding a little more light on this matter. Maybe this will calm down some of these RACISM screamers out there. although a little evidence will back up your statement that much more, since i'm sure someone will say something against it soon.

 

[PEACE1]

Again, you guys are jumping to conclusions while jumping over the facts. With the best information i had (washington's sentencing structure) i compared the assault on a public official to that. The sentencing that the texas judge gave the girl matches what washington state would have done too....(key words here people)....IF SHE WAS CONVICTED OF ASSAULT1 AND THEY CONSIDER IT IN TEXAS A CLASS A FELONY JUST AS WASHINGTON DOES. plus texas says they add on to the sentence if your crime is against a public offical....which it WAS.

The arson (again, going with washington as a guide since i can't find the texas sentences) DEPENDING on what she was charged with the girl could have gotten less that what she did (according to washington sentences) the first offence for arson can carry a $500 fine, or up to 30 days in jail MAX. This is the point i'm trying to make with this (key words) DEPENDING ON WHAT CLASS FELONY SHE WAS CONVICTED OF, THERE IS A LIMIT TO WHAT A JUDGE CAN SENTENCE FOR ARSON 3, ARSON 2, AND ARSON 1. For it to be arson 1 someone's life has to be threatend by the fire (from what i've read), i.e. if there was a boy inside and he suffered burns, or if a firefighter was injured putting out the fire.

And for my final point. I don't think every child fist fight should be procecuted in a court of law, BUT nobody should forget that assaulting someone is against the LAW!!! It is up to the person that was assaulted and his/her lawyer to procecute to the FULLEST EXTENT OF THE LAW if they choose. But in most cases, people say, kids will be kids and let them go with just school suspension. But in this case, they decided to curb this one childs behaviour, and hopefully hundreds to thousands more, by setting an example that you should KEEP YOUR HANDS TO YOURSELF!!!

READ THE FACTS PEOPLE, GATHER INFORMATION, LEAVE EMOTION OUT OF IT. THAT IS WHY WE DON'T FIND SUCCESS AS OFTEN AS WE SHOULD. BLACK PEOPLE ARE TOO BUSY LOOKING TO DEFEND SOMETHING THAT THEY THINK IS RACIST WITHOUT LOOKING AT THE FACTS BEHIND IT, OR WITHOUT CULTIVATING OUR CHILDREN TO ACT LIKE A RESPONSIBLE MEMBER OF SOCIETY.

You're someone that's basically brainwashed and who is absent of compassion and human decency for a child. Fuck what a law says. Since you like to research so much there are plenty of laws that are unjust and just plain silly. Stressing semantics and "THEIR" litigation practices is foolish. Blacks are trapped everyday, behind underhanded litigation, so you can save it. Locking a 14 year old girl up for shoving, is cruel and unusual punishment. Cracka's haven't made just laws since the Constitution, and even that did not apply to "US". Bottom line is, this is bullshit.

 

[PEACE1]

Thanks for shedding a little more light on this matter. Maybe this will calm down some of these RACISM screamers out there. although a little evidence will back up your statement that much more, since i'm sure someone will say something against it soon.

You're sick seriously. Hypocrite.

 

[freaky_1]

This dude talking about the law this and that but who makes the law in the first place? Not us.

 

[mc2]

There are a lot of unknown factors in this case!!
But, in Texas a plain assault causing "bodily injury" is
a class A misdemeanor, carrying probation to up to 12
months in county jail for an adult; but typically 6-12 mos
juvenile probation for a 14 year old kid).

The lady was not hurt by being pushed!

Thanks for shedding a little more light on this matter. Maybe this will calm down some of these RACISM screamers out there. although a little evidence will back up your statement that much more, since i'm sure someone will say something against it soon

Its racisim when the Judge and D.A use the laws to punish blacks in a more severe way than whites..

I guess the only way you'll see that is when it happens to you.

 

[THE DRIZZY]

you guys are so ignorant and scared. Hiding behind racisim expecting it to save you from the reality of life.

I hear your "Legality" comment but bullshit is bullshit. Let that be your kid(s) that ends up getting locked up 7 years for some bullshit non-life threatening situation at school. All sentencing should be scrutinized. The punishment really needs to fit the crime. Not being at the mercy of which charges some prosecuter and D A choose to apply. Fuck the Americkkklan Injustice System. A fair punishement would have been expulsion.

On a side note. Her people should get a full investigation from the school. There need to be witnesses and documented history of incident reports on Shaquanda (Are there any, was she in trouble often for behavior???). I smell civil suit and case overturned.

 

[datrep]

You are totally missing the point. The fact of the matter is, don't put your hands on another person if you don't want to suffer the consequences.

You guys are basically saying that a white person has no right to fully pursue a crime that was commited by a black person.

Saying, don't worry about it, it's just a dvd she stole. But later when she steals your car, you wonder were the system went wrong. Last year this girl pushed a hall monitor (little or no respect for authority), what would she be doing 10 years from now if she got a slap on the wrist, what other laws will she break because she thinks the system can't touch her.

White person in Oregon gets sent to a juvinile detention center for throwing a desk at a teacher(not hitting him/her) the world is quiet. But lord forbid a black person get locked up for physically assaulting someone. There must be these people that watch all black peoples movements, and when they see something that can be skewed to look racially bias they press an alarm that screams out for national attention.

You ever think that she won't get her case overturned because the system will think that black people thinks uprisings work and in every black conviction there will be an uprising for the black convict to get released. Hell, look what it did for tookie....nothing.

 

[streetdreamer]

You are totally missing the point. The fact of the matter is, don't put your hands on another person if you don't want to suffer the consequences.

You guys are basically saying that a white person has no right to fully pursue a crime that was commited by a black person.

Saying, don't worry about it, it's just a dvd she stole. But later when she steals your car, you wonder were the system went wrong. Last year this girl pushed a hall monitor (little or no respect for authority), what would she be doing 10 years from now if she got a slap on the wrist, what other laws will she break because she thinks the system can't touch her.

White person in Oregon gets sent to a juvinile detention center for throwing a desk at a teacher(not hitting him/her) the world is quiet. But lord forbid a black person get locked up for physically assaulting someone. There must be these people that watch all black peoples movements, and when they see something that can be skewed to look racially bias they press an alarm that screams out for national attention.

You ever think that she won't get her case overturned because the system will think that black people thinks uprisings work and in every black conviction there will be an uprising for the black convict to get released. Hell, look what it did for tookie....nothing.

Ok, you've carried this far enough. Its cruel and unusual to get 7yrs for a 14yr old. What people are referring too is the preferential treatment that whites get in this matter. Face it. Why doesn't this happen to white children. Why dont hear about 7yr sentences for these type of charges.

What I definately have a problem with is the claim that Mrs. Cotton made about being assaulted first. Why wouldn't the hall moniter receive the same sentence or even be prosecuted. The fact that the school would call the police, insist on prosecution, and serve a role as a witness in sending a child to prison for 7yrs. Thats where the racism is. Its not the judge IMO. Black or white 14yr old is a CHILD.

You say an assault but its clear to me that this was provoked and the intent was to get by and not to harm the public servant. This really is a minor occurance that we all may be guilty of one time or another as kids.

 

[coolie569]

i would really like to know what kind of history Shaquanda had at the school. Does she have a history of bad, or violent behavior, what kind of grades did she get? Not that any of that would justify the judges sentence but it would shed some light on why the school would push so hard to prosecute her instead of handling it in house.

 

[datrep]

this blog has alot of info and opinions that haven't been expressed here. This one was interesting:

Tom Moore Says:

March 27th, 2007 at 9:22 am

"
This is just another case of a newspaper sensationalizing a story to sell papers. The Chicago Tribune published only the detail of the story that would attract attention. They didn’t mention that the hall monitor had to go to the hospital. They didn’t mention that Shaquanda was offered a “deal” but insisted on a jury trial. The judge had little choice under Texas law once the case came to trial and she was found guilty. They didn’t make clear that she was given an indeterminate sentance not 7 years. The juvenile system in Texas is designed to focus on rehabilitation and the amount of time served is based on admitting criminal actions and cooperating with athorities, neither of which Shaqanda has been willing to do. The NAACP has asked that she be released but has carefully stayed away from the facts of the case because they know she was guilty.
The youth prison system is broken in Texas but that is a seperate problem from the Paris Independent school district which in every case investigated by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights that has been ruled on was found not to practice discrimination "


And this is an article from a Paris, Texas newspaper that has some of the Judge's Quotes:

By Mary Madewell The Paris News

Published March 25, 2007

County Judge Chuck Superville says he fears for the community’s safety and is calling for the national media and other organizations to investigate the facts before drawing conclusions about the Shaquanda Cotton case.

The judge said a March 12 story in The Chicago Tribune unfairly painted the community as racist and a recent protest as well as the threat of future protests by organized groups with national media coverage could “spin this thing out of control.”

Superville said he has refrained from commenting until now because of his position as the judge in the Cotton case, but that he believes he has a higher duty as county judge to maintain order in the community.

“I call on the media and others involved to go to the public record to get the facts of the case before they rush to judgment,” Superville said Saturday.

Superville said after a three-day jury trial, which found that Cotton committed an act of juvenile delinquency — namely assault causing bodily injury against a public servant — he determined the best place for her would be Texas Youth Commission.

“If Shaquanda had been white, the outcome would have been the same,” Superville said. “My decision was based on facts and law and I am confident this was the correct decision based on the facts I was presented.”

The March 2006 case is on appeal with the Texarkana Court of Appeals. The court conducted a 10-hour hearing in August 2006 to consider a request that Cotton be released on bond.

The judge said Cotton could have been released at that time but would not speculate why the appellate court did not grant the bond. The judge said he presented the facts of the case and that attorneys for both the prosecution and for Cotton presented arguments.

Superville said he gave the 14-year old an indeterminate sentence up to seven years — her 21st birthday.

“Once I set the indeterminate sentence, Shaquanda holds the key to her jail cell,” Superville said. “It is up to the child and TYC.”

In explaining the juvenile process, Superville said after a jury makes it’s finding, the judge determines the disposition.

“I am bound by law to ask lawyers whether or not reasonable effort has been made to prevent or eliminate the need for the child to be removed from her home,” Superville said.

“I also must determine whether or not there is enough family support to assist the child in successfully completing terms and conditions of probation,” Superville said.

“Thirdly, I must determine whether or not it is in the child’s best interest to be removed from the home,” the judge said.

“Both lawyers presented evidence on those points,” Superville explained. “The county attorney put on a substantial amount of evidence that Shaquanda had been a persistent behavior problem at school and that the mother failed to cooperate at every turn.”

“I asked if there was anything that could be done that had not already been done and the repeated answer was ‘no,’” Superville said.

Superville said reports from Lamar County Juvenile Probation Department also weighed on his decision. Before a juvenile trial which could result in probation, the probation department conducts a fact-finding survey.

“The juvenile officer said the mother refused to cooperate and said he had no reason to believe the mother would cooperate if Shaquanda received probation,” Superville said.

“That theme was repeated witness after witness—that the mother made it impossible to help Shaquanda,” Superville said. “She blamed everyone except the child for misbehavior.”

 

[Password]

this blog has alot of info and opinions that haven't been expressed here.
...
“That theme was repeated witness after witness—that the mother made it impossible to help Shaquanda,” Superville said. “She blamed everyone except the child for misbehavior.”

It's good to see the whole story and not just the one side we had before....

Where did you get this from?

 

[datrep]

oh, i thought i posted the link....

http://donklephant.com/2007/03/26/update-on-the-shaquanda-cotton-case/

 

[DaleMabry]

Thanks for shedding a little more light on this matter. Maybe this will calm down some of these RACISM screamers out there. although a little evidence will back up your statement that much more, since i'm sure someone will say something against it soon.

Another house nigga gone wild. Goddamn shame. You a Republican by any chance, Stepin "Datrep" Fechit?

 

[peterlongshort]

Fact: She is not in jail/prison, she's in juvie. There is a BIG difference.

Fact: She is not sentenced to 7 years. Her sentence says '...She is to remain at the facility until she either meets State rehabilitation standards or she reaches her 21st birthday.'
State Rehabilitation standards require her to meet academic, behavioral, and correctional goals. 1 year later she has not met these goals.

Fact: They offered her probation if she plead guilty. She rejected the plea and was found guilty and to this day maintains that she did not push the teacher.

Some say the sentence is too harsh. That's a reasonable point. Harsh is a subjective term. But I see this shit in court everyday, when you plead not guilty and go to trial you are gambling with your life, there are serious consequences and shit ain't gonna be sweet.

Not tryin to shit on ya'l movement, just thought I'd share some facts.

And for the record, if that was my daughter I would be the one in jail for whooping her ass if she ever raised her hand toward a school official.

 

[yelabonegeta]

Not tryin to shit on ya'l movement, just thought I'd share some facts.

OK, let me get as real as I can about this.........7yrs is ridiculous. If she is in juvi then thats cool becuase she should not have pushed that hall monitor. If 1 year in juvi is what it takes, it's better than 7. BUT IF IT WAS PROVOKED THEN WHAT DID THE HALL MONITOR DO 2 HER? If she pushed her then I see why the girl pushed back. Even though if someone pushes you in school you should tell someone...... she probably knew wasn't shit gonna happen to the lady because of the town she lived in. So she pushed that bitch back. I would have done the same thing.