Vermont’s Judge Cashman Painted Into A Corner

I certainly don’t envy Vermont’s Judge Cashman.  Thursday morning he will hear arguments both for and against re-sentencing confessed child rapist Mark Hulett.

For Judge Cashman it will not be a very pleasant day.  His decision to give Hulett what amounts to a ridiculously light sentence for his crimes will be under intense scrutiny.  The way I see it, Judge Cashman is in a “Lose-Lose” situation.

Either Judge Cashman will stand by his original sentence, which has outraged our nation or he will bow to the pressure and adjust Hulett’s sentence, in essence admitting he was wrong.  Either way, Judge Cashman will not escape unscathed.

Judge Cashman decided to make child rapist Mark Hulett his soapbox, from which he could make a stand for treatment over punishment.  Cashman made a very poor choice, one for which he will inevitably pay a high price.  I hear the grumbling of people who are trying to defend the Judge, pointing to the fact that the sentence is really longer than 60 days and that Hulett must attend treatment and comply with a number of restrictions…all true.  But the Judge also ensured that if Hulett complies with these conditions he would only spend 60 days in jail.

I agree, that in the long term, it is critical that Hulett receive treatment to attempt to repair and/or modify his behavior.  But the Judge’s decision does nothing to address the need for the victim and public to see justice be done and Hulett punished for his crimes.  It also potentially jeopardizes other children by allowing Hulett to be free while he is undergoing treatment.  Hulett poses a very real and proven threat to children and it beyond my comprehension that Judge Cashman would elect to experiment with Hulett as a subject, when the innocence and lives of other children are at stake.

Like it or not, Cashman has painted himself into this corner, not Bill O’Reilly, not conservatives, not republicans and not some holy roller religious organization as some who are defending Cashman would have you believe.  Hulett may be the criminal here but Judge Cashman is the one who has thrown himself in front of a speeding train of Cashman’s own making. 

Even the noblest of intentions cannot save him now.  It is shameful that Judge Cashman had the opportunity to stop and limit the damage done by Hulett. Instead Cashman’s decision will ensure he is also a victim of Hulett as Cashman will forever be linked in our minds with child rapist, Mark Hulett.

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