Wow 15 years for burning a gay rights flag but liberals can burn the American flag with zero penalties

https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/iowa-man-tore-burned-lgbtq-flag-imprisoned-67824683

NEVADA, Iowa -- A man has been sentenced to more than 15 years in prison for burning an LGBTQ flag that was flying at a church in central Iowa.
Adolfo Martinez, 30, of Ames, was sentenced Wednesday to 15 years for the hate crime of arson, as well as a year for the reckless use of explosives or fire, and 30 days for harassment. The sentences are to be served consecutively, Story County court records show.

A jury convicted Martinez in November. He was arrested in June.
Martinez said he tore down the flag that had been hanging from the United Church of Christ in Ames and burned it because he opposes homosexuality.

It was not his property. Still that seems like a lot.

Outrageous injustice.
Politics from a queer judge.
Despicable perversion of justice.

I can see trespass, if he went on private property to take the flag. I can see theft of the flag. I can see reckless use of fire if he burned it in an uncontrolled manner on public property or somebody else's property. But for the life of me, if your exercise of free speech by burning a partisan flag can get you convicted of a hate crime (a felony!), I am appalled. They let misguided idiots burn and trample the US flag with impunity! This is almost as outrageous as the Randy Weaver shooting, and the Janet Reno/David Koresh demolition. The Supreme Court should get this one and reverse it in no uncertain terms. Arrgh!

Iowa Episcopalians, might as well have shot up the local NY Mob owned restaurant.

Misdemeanor theft and vandalism does not equal even one month in jail.
A small fine and restitution of value of stolen property.

Hate crimes are serious crimes, but 15 years does seem a bit excessive.

He convicted himself with his own words when he was interviewed on camera.

Some of what he said is this:

He said: ‘It’s my honor. It is written. It is a judgment and it’s written to execute vengeance on the heathen and punishments on the people. ‘It’s my honor to do so. It was an honor to do that. It’s a blessing from the Lord.’ Asked if he was specifically targeting people because of their homosexuality. Martinez added: ‘Yes, yes, yes. Exactly. ‘I burned down their pride, plain and simple…I’m guilty as charged.’

Even Johnny Cochran couldn't fix that level of stupid.

What a world, what a world!! Wicked witch of the west

I’m going to bet his sentence will be reduced on appeal.

A queer Church of Christ?

Must be an Iowa thing.


might as well, they have female pastors up there too.

And theyre nuttin all over themselves for Mayor Buttgiggles.

UCC ain't been Christian for a long time

LGBTQ
Liquor
Guns
Bacon
Tatas
what does the "Q" stand for?????

Sounds like he has some priors, including fire-related priors. That probably had a lot to do with his sentencing.

I don't think he is much of a loss to society for a decade or two.

What makes a so called "hate crime" any worse than a "normal crime?"

A bit excessive? Was anyone killed or injured? Life's work destroyed?

Because it's missing that secret ingredient that makes normal crimes, normal; LOVE.

lol

This fugking insanity would be funny if it weren't true. Cats'll be barking before too long.

Quickie, of course!

in Quantity

Qpussy
Old Latin word. The Q is silent

Lennie: I witnessed "sentencing's" of criminals for 29 years professionally and this is WAY out of bounds for the crime that was committed.
I guess this is an example of a "politically INCORRECT" crime and punishment.
Sheesh.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Ridiculous sentence...more proof that liberalism is a mental disorder.

I had an attorney explain to me that every decade has it's crime. Drunk driving, whatever. I'd hate to land in court for anything against a queer right now!

20-25 years from now when many conservative boomers are slobbering on their hospital gown the commies will be torturing them for the things they said on 24hrcampfire .

Ol mike: Take this as gospel my naive little buddy - should a "commie" try to "torture" me he would be a dead commie!
Don't believe me - try it!
GO TRUMP
MAGA
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy