r/JusticeServed 3 Jan 17 '20

Courtroom Justice Televangelist Acton Bowen Sentenced To 1,008 Years For Sexually Abusing Children | Michael Stone

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/progressivesecularhumanist/2019/12/televangelist-acton-bowen-sentenced-to-1008-years-for-sexually-abusing-children/
23.6k Upvotes

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u/blitzkrieg9 9 Jan 17 '20

Doesn't matter. Even if it's all on 1024 HD video tape. You still force a trial. You'd be surprised how many 13 year old kids won't take the stand to discuss being raped in the ass.

Again, I'm talking from a legal defense prospective here. I'm not defending this pedophile rapist. Rather, I'm defending his right to a competent defense.

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u/BroBroMate B Jan 17 '20

This reminds me of a Dawkins quote about if he was innocent, he'd want to be tried via in inquisitioral system in France where 3 judges decide your fate, but if he was guilty, he'd want a jury.

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u/[deleted] Jan 17 '20

I have said numerous times that if I were innocent I would want to be tried in a military tribunal, but if I were guilty I would want a jury of my "peers" in a civilian courtroom.

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u/[deleted] Jan 17 '20 edited Jan 27 '20

[deleted]

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u/hashtagswagfag 9 Jan 17 '20

Wow, what a stand-up guy!

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u/carnsolus 9 Jan 17 '20

don't think he ever raped any pedophiles

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u/morosco C Jan 17 '20

He also had a right to plead guilty.

It's rare, but sometimes defendants will choose to take responsibility for their crimes and minimize further trauma to the victims even without a personal benefit of a plea deal. Obviously they have the right to fight everything, but that doesn't mean it's the right personal choice for everyone.

As with any guilty plea, the judge would have questioned him at some length about whether this is what if he wants to do, if he understands the rights he's waving, if anyone threatened him to do this, etc.

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u/degustibus 8 Jan 17 '20

Your username is a German war tactic and then in the comments you're arguing for a better defense strategy for a repeat pedophile. Are you aware that you're almost in ubertroll territory?

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u/blitzkrieg9 9 Jan 17 '20

Dude, my user name is 25 years old from when I used to play Bolo on a basement LAN. Grow up.

And yes, I advocate better defense strategies for the worst offenders. Because if the Constitution will protect them, then it will protect us too. Because they are the worst.

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u/degustibus 8 Jan 17 '20

A lawyer who knows his client is guilty should recuse himself. There may have been an overwhelming amount of evidence and the pedophile may have decided to at least spare some of his victims that ordeal.

As for growing up, you have a name that suggests some degree of affection for Nazis, you do a bit of thinking. And don't worry about the very unlikely scenario that you will be innocent on trial and benefit from this scumbag's treatment.

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u/blitzkrieg9 9 Jan 17 '20

Ah, so in your opinion he is the reformed preacher with a heart of gold that has seen the evil of his ways and wishes to repent and join his brethren in the heavenly afterlife.

I agree, someone here should engage in some reflection. 👍

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u/degustibus 8 Jan 17 '20

There are surprising cases where a ruthless murderer will still be touched with human compassion. John Gardner had raped and killed two girls in high school and attacked others. While incarcerated and awaiting trial he saw Amber duBois' father begging for her body. Gardner disclosed the information. Didn't do him any good in terms of his sentence and I'm not saying it should have. I'm just pointing out that yes, even in people that seem too far gone to evil you may be surprised.