Legal Commentary

Judge Rejects Maximum Sentence for Latin Kings Gang Leader

By Jeralyn

A federal judge in Chicago has rejected the Gang Tax. Prosecutors sought a 45 year sentence for Fernando King, also known as "the Supreme Inca", saying it would send a zero tolerance message to street gangs. King was the #2 leader of the Latin King street gang.

While acknowledging that Fernando King, 38, was the leader of a gang responsible for narcotics trafficking and murder, U.S. District Judge David Coar said King could be sentenced only for the crimes for which he was convicted and not the broader destruction caused by the gang.

"He was a leader of (the gang) and for that morally he is accountable," said Coar. "Legally, he is accountable for what he was convicted of - two drug counts."

It sounds like the Government was engaging in a bit of grandstanding with the Judge: [More...]

[King] also alleged that prosecutors offered him a sentence of about 9 years in prison if he helped nab Augustin Zambrano, the Latin King's reputed No. 1 leader. King said he refused the deal.

So, what they are really seeking is zero tolerance for gang members who don't cooperate and rat out others. For those that do, they have no problem with early release back to the streets. What kind of message does that send?

Good for Judge Coar for applying the law and rejecting the phony deterrence meme.

Full post as published by TalkLeft on April 03, 2009 (boomark / email).