Traci Rhode fined, set free for murder [Jury convicts, sentences widow to 10 years probation]

[AngryAmish]

"Traci Rhode spent two days in jail and will pay $10,000 for the crime of murder.

The jury that convicted the Fort Madison, Iowa, native of killing her husband in their Brownsville home four years ago also set her free Thursday, to the delight of her lawyer and the dismay of local prosecutors.

“I am ecstatic with the jury’s assessment of probation,” said her lawyer, Ernesto Gamez.

“It literally legitimizes and justifies their verdict because deep down inside they had a very tough decision to make.” '

[aquart]

1. Is there something I'm missing here?

They agree that she murdered him for the insurance...but that's okay? Was she a friend of Cheney?

[rocktivity]

2. “Can you imagine the shock of being locked-up for two days

in a 4-by-8 (foot cell) with cement walls in isolation? What a culture shock,”... said her lawyer, Ernesto Gamez....

“We are obviously disappointed by the fact that a convicted murderer will be among us,” said...District Attorney Armando Villalobos...whose office recommended 60 years in prison for Rhodes. (He) pointed out that people convicted of “lesser” crimes, such as theft or robbery, often serve harsher sentences.

I'll tell you what shocks me--two days in jail, probation, and a fine for COLD BLOODED MURDER! I had to read the story twice to make sure that she HAD been convicted, and not of manslaughter or battered wife syndrome! JUNK JUSTICE!!! This needs to be looked into--if the judge was able to tack on a fine, he certainly could have tacked on SOME hard time.

rocknation
:wow:

[madinmaryland]

3. Wow!

:wtf:

I'm speechless.

[sinkingfeeling]

4. Is she a millionaire or something? How could a jury convict someone of murder and then release them?

[AngryAmish]

5. She is white and kinda hot

[Nevilledog]

6. WTF??

I know a lot of shit is said about Texas, yadda, yadda.... but I've got to believe that there is some error in this article or else Texas criminal laws are really bizarre. In Arizona if you're charged and convicted of murder you are NOT probation eligible... but more than that, a jury has no power to issue a sentence after a trial. In fact, the only time a jury has any input about punishment in any type of criminal case is to deliberate whether the death penalty should be applied. This story baffles me.