Fangelsi, trúarbrögð og endurhæfing

Decision to free felon haunts jurors

For two grueling weeks, the 12 jurors heard conflicting opinions about Curtis Shane Thompson.

Was Thompson still a vicious serial rapist who should be locked up indefinitely to prevent him from striking again? Or was he a felon who deserved another chance after finding religion and serving 17 years in prison?

The jury's answer on Oct. 3, 2003, stunned King County prosecutors.

Jurors unanimously refused to commit Thompson, the first jury in the state to take such action since Washington's sexually violent predator law took effect in 1990. Only three other sex offenders facing commitment have been freed, all by judges.

Thompson's second chance was short-lived. Five months ago, he was charged with 14 felonies, including attacking two women in a University District elevator last August and raping a woman after breaking into her Eastlake apartment. He is in jail awaiting trial.

Sýnir best hvað felst mikil endurhæfing í fangelsisvist og trúarbrögðum.