Court Opinion

ID: 9730827
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 15:25:32.024863+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:26:09.726035
License: Public Domain

LARSEN, Justice,
concurring.
I join in the majority opinion. I would like to point out that this defendant is the type of individual who, because of his behavior (intentionally discharging a shotgun in the face of the victim), should have received a long jail term. But, instead, he got a “break” from a misguided trial judge who probably meant well but obviously misjudged the defendant. He is, now, in this appeal trying to worm his way out of paying the restitution. Now that we have affirmed the trial judge’s imposition of a condition ($25.00 per week) of probation, I strongly urge the lower court to monitor this case and if the defendant fails to meet any condition of probation, then his probation should be revoked and a long jail term imposed.
Meantime, the victim and witnesses to the crime have to concern themselves with what this violent criminal may do in the future. Trial judges should realize that jails serve a function of putting a criminal in a position of not being able to do violence to the free citizens of this Commonwealth. As to the trial judge’s attempted “rehabilitation” and “slight atonement” . . . nonobtained ideal ... I will opt for the citizen’s safety.