MA: Our view – SJC ruling makes sex offenders ‘invisible’ to the public

____ had already served a lengthy prison sentence for rape when, police say, he posted a fake apartment listing on Craigslist earlier this month, luring a woman to his Swampscott apartment, where he beat and sexually assaulted her.

The victim of ‘_’_’s alleged May 3 attack should have been able to learn of his criminal past before meeting him. And his neighbors in Swampscott deserved to know a sexual predator was living nearby. However, thanks to a highly questionable ruling two years ago by the Supreme Judicial Court, no one outside of the police officers who dealt with him knew of his background. Full Article

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Ugh….yet another fear mongering “journalist” trying to infer the crime wouldn’t have been committed if the person was on the registry.

Complete garbage. First, the woman most likely wouldn’t have looked him up before meeting, and second, he probably wouldn’t use his real name if he was on the registry.

At least it sounds like Massachusetts moved in the right direction by requiring people actually be deemed a threat of future crimes by a trial before being stuck on the public registry. I didn’t know any state made this type of progress! Are there others?

imagine that the goid ol’ clear and convincing evidence standards, it seems like I’ve heard someone saying that for a while now..hmmmmmm

Typical fear-mongering. Use a rare worst-case example to drum up fear and rage toward the other 95+% of law- abiding registrants who are just trying to get on with life in peace.

And Chris F, I have to disagree with you on one point: having a trial to determine one’s future risk is akin to being put on trial for a crime one might commit in the future. I don’t think that’s necessarily progress. I don’t believe it is the government’s (or anyone’s) job to “predict” what someone might do in the future.

I had two Judges and my evaluator all state that I’m not a danger to society.
Wish California was more fair about who they do and don’t deem a threat.
Nope! Throw em All to the Lions!

I love the witch at the top of the paper. Pretty much tells you everything you need to know about Salem. Last time I checked those guys pretty much invented the witch hunt. Classic.

“When people in power invent their own facts and attack those who question them, it can mark the beginning of the end of a free society,” said Clinton. “That is not hyperbole. It is what authoritarian regimes throughout history have done. They attempt to control reality, not just our laws and our rights and our budgets, but our thoughts and beliefs,” said Clinton.

Me…. Yeah I can totally relate.