Quick Note: If You're Rich Enough, Lady Justice's Blindfold is for Sale

This news item literally made me sick to my stomach.

In 2009, Robert H. Richards IV, one of the heirs to the du Pont fortune, was convicted of raping his 3 year-old daughter...and received NO JAIL TIME.  Mr. Richards admitted that he went into his daughter's room on multiple occasions and penetrated her with his fingers while he masturbated. 

The unemployed Mr. Richards lives on a trust fund, a fund generous enough for him to be able to hire one of Delaware's top law firms for his defense.  He was indicted on two counts of second-degree child rape for the abuse against his daughter.  Each case carried a mandatory sentence of 10 years; but Delaware prosecutors offered him a plea deal allowing him to plead guilty to fourth-degree rape--a charge normally reserved only for statutory rape cases.

While the fact that the prosecutor would offer such a cushy deal in this case is upsetting enough, the Judge's actions are far worse.

At his sentencing, Superior Court Judge Jan Jurden fined Mr. Richards $4395.00 and sentenced him to eight years in prison--then SUSPENDED THE SENTENCE and put him on probation instead, where he was ordered to attend a sex offender rehabilitation program.  In her decision, Judge Jurden wrote "Defendent would not fare well in Level 5 setting."

And I should feel bad about that?  He penetrated a BABY!  Whatever would or would not happen to him in prison is not something anyone should weep over.  If this case had been brought against Mr. John Doe from Main St. U.S.A., he would have been wearing prison underwear before the ink was even dry on the deal...in fact, there probably wouldn't have even been a deal.

This miscarriage of justice is back in the news because of a recent suit filed by Mrs. Richards. 
Her suit alleges that, while he was on probation, he admitted to additional abuse against his 19 month-old son.  The suit cites reports from two different probation offices who notified the Courts in 2010 and again in 2012 about that suspected abuse.

And his probation wasn't rescinded?! 

Mr. Richards was asked to take a polygraph.  During that test, he told the examiner he was concerned that "something" had happened to his son but that he had repressed the memories. "Whatever I did to my son, I will never do it again." 

I'm sick all over again.  And angry...really, really, really angry.