Last September, two San Diego women were terrified as they resisted the attack of Namir Anthony Jones, 22. Jones' rampage started at a hospital parking lot in the Hillcrest neighborhood. He attacked a woman at knife-point as she was exiting her vehicle. The woman narrowly escaped the attack by throwing her hot coffee in Jones' face.
Two hours later, Jones was at it again. His second attack occurred near the University of San Diego. He told a female jogger that he needed help, then grabbed her headphones, and attempted to subdue her by grabbing her arms. The woman ran and was picked up by a passing motorist.
Finally, the law caught up with Jones, and he was arrested. What sentence awaited this defendant who, in addition to the two attacks, was also found guilty of trying to steal a car in August? Wait for it folks-- ONE year in prison, and 3 years probation.
This sentence is outrageous. Every time a young woman in Southern California is murdered by a repeat offender, people get outraged for about a month or two, feel-good, specially-named, "stringent" laws are passed, and people tune into the next hot topic. When people like Jones are given comically short sentences for such grievous offenses, we spit in the face of his victims.
Imagine the relief his second victim must have felt when she saw a good Samaritan stopping to rescue her. She must have thought to herself, "I'm gonna get him. I'm going to stop him." Well, it would appear the joke is on her. Jones has been given a time out but, apparently, has not fouled out of the game. Meanwhile, it remains virtually impossible for law-abiding citizens to obtain concealed carry permits in the city. Fear not folks, the judge also ordered that Jones has to attend drug treatment before starting probation. Gee, wonder who's footing the bill for this act of largess? Can you imagine the delight of the other people in the treatment program? Or of the some who are there because they started using after being the victim of a crime?
Who is the genius behind this act of "justice"? Honestly, it's impossible to know. Is it Judge Charles G. Rogers? It seems like it would have been within his discretion to sentence Jones to more time. Was it the prosecutor? Jones performed multiple criminal acts, but it doesn't seem like he was charged with all of them. From the story, it appears he was only charged with one count of attempted carjacking but that he had intended to carjack both a Payless Employee in August and the first woman he attacked.
The media? I can't even find a picture of Namir Anthony Jones online after spending a good bit of time searching. The people of San Diego? There were no comments on this story on CBS 8. Most of the people I know here don't even keep up with the local news. I encourage all Southern Californians to overcome this apathy and take a moment to contact the media and demand to know more about this story. In a year, this man will be walking the streets among your wives, daughters, mothers, grandmothers, sisters, and friends. Wouldn't you at least like to have access to a picture of the guy?
Namir Anthony Jones pleads not guilty
Namir Anthony Jones sentenced
This freak hunts in my neighborhood! I would definitely support a proposition or state law that holds judges at least financially liable for damages caused by offenders who at the time of the crime would otherwise be in prison but for an ultra-lenient sentence from the judge.
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