Post: #1

Some dude in prison wrote a letter to Gizmodo that he acknowledges, "could be my final statement on earth." I think it is worth your time...Link here

Post: #2

The link seems wrong? It leads to something about a pen tattoo instead of the full letter text?

Post: #3

Here ya go: http://gawker.com/a-letter-from-ray-jasp...1536073598

Post: #4

(03-04-2014 05:07 PM)Suits Wrote:  Here ya go: http://gawker.com/a-letter-from-ray-jasp...1536073598

Thanks man.. I've updated the link though....My bad...

Post: #5

(03-04-2014 05:05 PM)Handsome Creepy Eel Wrote:  The link seems wrong? It leads to something about a pen tattoo instead of the full letter text?

Sorry.. I've corrected my mistake.. Thanks for the tip...

Post: #6

TLDR version? How is being in prison for robbery and murder "slavery?"

Post: #7

(03-04-2014 05:12 PM)megatron Wrote:  TLDR version? How is being in prison for robbery and murder "slavery?"

Great question! I skimmed the whole article, saw no hint of anything that could be called remorse or self reflection, just some pseudo-philosophical ramblings that reframe himself as a victim whenever possible.

Steal someone's money and kill them; the only thing wrong with this picture is that he gets the release of being executed, when he should have to spend the rest of his natural life in the can.

Behave like a piece of shit, and you'll end up in the toilet of society. Rightly so.

Post: #8

I read it all. He says that he was convicted as an accomplice in a crime where someone else killed the person, whereas he didn't do anything, and points out all the possible ways judgement can go wrong. He also writes a lot about people actually being sentenced for other felonies, not murders themselves, as well as on the prison-industrial complex and its utter disconnect with fixing people through prison instead of milking them for money.

Even if his account of his own deeds is not true (and it does seem to not be true, even though I am doing my best to stick to the in doubt, judge in favor of the accused principle), I have to admit that he does make a lot of good points.

Still, I can't say that I pity him at all. As Menace quotes below, he remorselessly killed a man in cold blood over a soundboard. It's very hard to feel any sympathy for that kind of person.

Post: #9

He has some valid points, but see Ray Jasper (Appellant) v. The State of Texas (http://www.cca.courts.state.tx.us/opinions/73817.htm)

He was involved in a conspiracy to murder someone...hell, he thought it all up. I think this is what he means by the "law of parties," but this is the law in every state.

Quote:David Alejandro owned and operated a music recording studio where musicians could have their music professionally recorded for a fee. This business required the use of various pieces of electronic equipment such as computers, soundboards and microphones. Appellant and some of his friends frequently recorded their rap music at the studio. At some point, appellant decided to steal Alejandro's equipment in order to make money from its sale. Aware that Alejandro would be able to identify him, appellant also decided to kill Alejandro so that there would be no witnesses. He enlisted the help of two friends to assist in removing the heavy equipment from the studio.

On November 21, 1998, appellant purchased large bags from an Academy store. A week later, he and his accomplices drove two vans to Alejandro's studio. Appellant and one accomplice carried concealed knives. The three had made an appointment at the studio and spent about two hours there while Alejandro recorded their music before they decided it was time to kill him. Appellant slashed Alejandro's throat from ear to ear, but did not kill him. Appellant and one accomplice continued to attack Alejandro until he died as a result of multiple stab wounds to his chest and abdomen. Appellant covered the body with a sheet taken earlier from appellant's bed, and the group began loading equipment into the vans. Appellant fled on foot when an off-duty police officer arrived to investigate the scene, but was apprehended days later outside his home.

Post: #10

Jails are only vestibules of slavery if the judiciary turns a profit. Last time I checked, jails cost the tax-payers money.

Post: #11

(03-04-2014 05:12 PM)megatron Wrote:  TLDR version? How is being in prison for robbery and murder "slavery?"

There are more blacks in for-profit prisons today than there were black slaves in the 1800s.

Most men in prison are there for being black and having weed (or other illicit substances) on them. Non-violent offenders. Why do you think the US is #1 in the world for prison population. I hate when cultural marxists whine about "white privilege," but I gotta admit I would not choose to be a black dude in a Western country simply because law enforcement is unabashedly racist.

Post: #12

He is right about slavery actually:

13th Amendment, Section 1: Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.

It is a little crazy when you think about it, but there it is.

There are definitely lots of injustices in the American criminal justice system, including racism. The for-profit prison industry creates an incentive to have more prisoners. Unfortunately, Ray is not the best spokesman for his cause.

Post: #13

(03-04-2014 05:21 PM)Tobias Funke Wrote:  

(03-04-2014 05:12 PM)megatron Wrote:  TLDR version? How is being in prison for robbery and murder "slavery?"

There are more blacks in for-profit prisons today than there were black slaves in the 1800s.

Most men in prison are there for being black and having weed (or other illicit substances) on them. Non-violent offenders. Why do you think the US is #1 in the world for prison population. I hate when cultural marxists whine about "white privilege," but I gotta admit I would not choose to be a black dude in a Western country simply because law enforcement is unabashedly racist.

That's because black disadvantage does not equal white privilege.

There are for profit prisons, but aren't those run by private companies that get paid per inmate?

I can't imagine a prison being able to make a profit based on inmate labour alone.

Post: #14

A psychopath able to bamboozle gullible suckers into thinking he is a victim? That's a first!

Post: #15

(03-04-2014 05:21 PM)Suits Wrote:  Jails are only vestibules of slavery if the judiciary turns a profit. Last time I checked, jails cost the tax-payers money.

Unfortunately with the introduction of For-Profit-prisons the possibility of jail system being abused has already occurred.

http://gawker.com/5830101/completely-evi...ng-to-jail

Post: #16

(03-04-2014 05:28 PM)Suits Wrote:  There are for profit prisons, but aren't those run by private companies that get paid per inmate?

Didn't we have a thread on this before? If I remember correctly, one of the for profit prisons was in or around Seal Beach, California.

Post: #17

Hell, it's not just corporate prisons making money. The local sheriff was bragging in the paper how his Huber Center was making money.

Explains the over the top law enforcement in my area.

Post: #18

He killed a man in cold blood, and now before they kill him he's talking about empathy, where was the empathy for his victim, and the victim's family.

Post: #19

I didn't fixate on any of the crime content. I was more interested in the fact that someone who was locked up at 19 can write eloquently using a typewriter (no spell check) and reference the bible, american history and classic Philosophy. In my head I contrasted this with the average person I know who has a university degree, he makes them look like rock biting cave-men.

Post: #20

"That's because black disadvantage does not equal white privilege"


Oh really ???

Post: #21

(03-04-2014 08:35 PM)kdolo Wrote:  "That's because black disadvantage does not equal white privilege"


Oh really ???

Post: #22

(03-04-2014 05:21 PM)Tobias Funke Wrote:  

(03-04-2014 05:12 PM)megatron Wrote:  TLDR version? How is being in prison for robbery and murder "slavery?"

There are more blacks in for-profit prisons today than there were black slaves in the 1800s.

Most men in prison are there for being black and having weed (or other illicit substances) on them. Non-violent offenders. Why do you think the US is #1 in the world for prison population. I hate when cultural marxists whine about "white privilege," but I gotta admit I would not choose to be a black dude in a Western country simply because law enforcement is unabashedly racist.

I've asked this before, but what the hell, I'll ask it again:

Is this really true? Are a large percentage of US inmates, of whatever race, really there for possessing weed? And an extended question: Are there many people in jail for possessing only small amounts for personal use?

Now, for what it matters I think weed, and most other drugs, should be legalised. But in a society were they are illegal people found with dealable quantities are going to get into trouble. There really isn't a way around it. If there were no consequences it would de-facto be legal.

Don't get me wrong, I don't think non-violent drug offenders, whether dealers or users, belong in prison. But short of changing the law (to legalise drug use) I don't see a different outcome. And if it were legalised the dealers business is down the tubes anyway.

Post: #23

Bad Hussar Wrote:Is this really true? Are a large percentage of US inmates, of whatever race, really there for possessing weed? And an extended question: Are there many people in jail for possessing only small amounts for personal use?

I'm interested in this too. Anyone has some data on this?

Post: #24

(03-06-2014 09:59 AM)Handsome Creepy Eel Wrote:  

Bad Hussar Wrote:Is this really true? Are a large percentage of US inmates, of whatever race, really there for possessing weed? And an extended question: Are there many people in jail for possessing only small amounts for personal use?

I'm interested in this too. Anyone has some data on this?

I was a criminal defense lawyer before I joined the military so I can shed some light on this topic. The short answer is no. Very few people go to jail for simple possession of marijuana or narcotics.

The vast majority of people in jail and prison have been convicted of violent crimes or drug trafficking crimes. You have to consider that most of the time someone is convicted of possession or aggravated possession, it is actually because they plead down to that charge from distribution or intent to distribute. Often times weapons are involved.

The idea that hordes of non-violent drug offenders being sent to prisons is preposterous.

Post: #25

........ actually because they plead down to that charge from distribution or intent to distribute. Often times weapons are involved.

The idea that hordes of non-violent drug offenders being sent to prisons is preposterous.
[/quote]

1. distribution or intent to distribute: what ???? - substances that should not be illegal in the first place - like alcohol or tobacco.


2. often time weapons are involved: you mean guns ??? - I thought that the right to bear arms was a fundamental right ????

so in a way yes, hordes of people are being imprisoned for essentially a racket.