Nebraska Judge Rules Man Too Short For Jail

[FUZO]

TweetThis undated photo provided by the Cheyenne County Sheriff Dept. shows the booking shot of 5-foot, 1-inch tall Richard W. Thompson.




Height should have nothing to do with justice, Nebraska's top law enforcement officer said on Thursday.

District Judge Kristine Cecava of Cheyenne County on Tuesday sentenced Richard Thompson, 50, on two counts of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl. He was given 10 years of probation by a judge who said the man was too small to survive prison. His sentence to intensive supervision probation means he'll be electronically monitored for 120 days, he cannot be alone with anyone under 18 and he can't date or live with anyone whose children are under 18.

On Thursday, Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning said he'll appeal the decision.

"I don't care if he's 3 feet tall," Bruning said. "It's an abomination. My office will appeal it. If you abuse a child, you're going to pay a price."

During the sentencing, Cecava told Thompson that he should serve time, but she said his height makes him a potential victim in jail.

Rape victim advocates, including Mary Larsen of the YWCA, said that puts Thompson's safety above the community's.

"I imagine the perpetrator didn't check the height of the victim as he was choosing his victim. He chose his victim by their vulnerability and accessibility, not by their height," Larsen said.

Are people of Thompson's height at risk in jail? Carol Durham, with the Pottawattamie County, Iowa, Jail, said Thompson may face trouble behind bars, but not because he's short.

"Due to his size, I really don't think so. Due to his crime, probably," Durham said.

Durham said other inmates so sometimes target child molesters. Nebraska State Corrections head Steve King agreed.

"We have individuals that are small that have functioned very well in general population, and they've done that for years without any kinds of problems, and they're smaller than 5-foot-1," King said.

Both facilities said they actually have very few inmate-versus-inmate assaults every year.

At least one group said Cecava was right to take Thompson's height into consideration during the sentencing. The National Organization of Short-Statured Adults said it agrees with her assessment that Thompson faces potential dangers in jail. The New York-based group strives to combat a prejudice they call "heightism."

Bruning said he plans to file his appeal in the next two weeks.

[TestRip7]

TweetI saw that on the news this afternoon. The judge apperently said too that the main reason that she gave him the 10 years of intensive probation was that he was somewhat mentally retarded. But none the less he still committed the crime I think its sick.

[FUZO]

Tweetthis puke molested this girl and is let go on probation.wtf is this world coming to.

[TestRip7]

Tweet^^^
Seriously, I dont even have kids and it just makes me sick.

[NATE]

Tweeta pic sure would be nice....

[FUZO]

TweetSHORT

[kite]

TweetYeah, I saw him on the news. Judges do some phuqed up shit but this is absolutely rediculous.

[SlinShady]

Tweetwhat the **** man....that is just ****ed up - - your height should have nothing to do with your perverted inclinations or ability to defend yourself. im sure the 13 year old couldnt defend herself against him, so why should he be allowed the opportunity to avoid some swole up brutha banging the doggshiot out of hit wrinkly ass up in the clink ?

[SMILEY FACE]

TweetUGLY MF

[NATE]

TweetI wonder if he's too short to take a bullet between the eyes?

[TestRip7]

Tweet

I wonder if he's too short to take a bullet between the eyes?

No one who does what he did is too short to take a bullet in the head!!

[BigDawg]

TweetDoes that mean if i'm busted for possesion of hormones there's a chance i won't have to go to jail ???? SWEEEEEEEET !!!