Monday, November 30, 2009

Crimes against women are crimes, too

Maurice Clemmons, the man suspected of murdering four Seattle-area police officers yesterday morning, was out on bail on a charge of raping a 12-year-old girl. Clemmons, a multiple-felon with a previous rape on his record (for which then-Governor Mike Huckabee granted him clemency in 2000), had a $15,000 bond.

In October, a short walk from my house, a man who had assaulted two different women murdered Sgt. Mickey Hutchens and wounded another officer when they responded to a call from his ex-wife. Monte Denard Evans had convictions for robbery, in addition to the assault charges for which he apparently served no time.

Is is time to finally admit that, if we start taking seriously violent crimes against women and girls, that MAYBE we'll protect the wider community (including law enforcement) as well?

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