Billy Flynn: Should he be paroled early?

[Nadme]

I did search to find a previous mention of this case.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/01/25/smart.gunman.ap/index.html

William "Billy" Flynn is seeking early parole. He's spent the past 16 years in prison.

Murdered Greg Smart in 1990, at the age of 16. Flynn killed Smart at the behest of Smart's wife, Pam, with whom Flynn was having a sexual affair (she was 22 at the time).

I think Mr. Flynn is genuinely sorry and remorseful; I believe he was remorseful immediately after the murder - when he realized he'd been seduced, manipulated and duped by a sexually mature woman who had him wrapped around her little finger.

Smart's father accepts Flynn's apology and forgives him, but wants Flynn to remain imprisoned until age 40 (7 years hence).

I agree with one of the attorneys who said Flynn has met all requirements of imprisonment and release, including rehabilitation.

[01101001]

No.

Next case?

[Neverfly]

Many felons that started at such a young age in prison have a very hard time making it in society after release.

It's not unusual for felons of worse crimes and repeat offenders to get early parole, especially when the prisons are crowded.
Flynns problem in this case is the media.

[HenrikOlsen]

Is Pam Smart out yet?

[Doodler]

No.

Next case?

Coming from a board known for rational thought, this is an epic fail for you, 011.

I'd be partial to giving him a shot. Lets face it, he was 16, raging hormones and someone leading him by the genitals. She had him wrapped around her little finger. I wouldn't let him walk without monitoring, but I'm pretty sure this is one where a repeat offense isn't likely.

After all, I haven't seen Amy Fisher blasting anyone, recently.

[jrkeller]

Is Pam Smart out yet?

Nope. She's still in.

[01101001]

I'd be partial to giving him a shot.

As if we have a say in it...

[Larry Jacks]

I'd be partial to giving him a shot.

He wasn't eligible for capital punishment in this case.

Lets face it, he was 16, raging hormones and someone leading him by the genitals. She had him wrapped around her little finger. I wouldn't let him walk without monitoring, but I'm pretty sure this is one where a repeat offense isn't likely.

He pled guilty to 2nd degree murder to avoid a life sentence. It was a deliberate premeditated murder. Even at 16 with raging hormones, he had to know that was wrong. His sentence is 28 years to life. Why should he get out early?

[Ronald Brak]

He pled guilty to 2nd degree murder to avoid a life sentence. It was a deliberate premeditated murder. Even at 16 with raging hormones, he had to know that was wrong. His sentence is 28 years to life. Why should he get out early?

So he won't have to stay in prison.

[Larry Jacks]

Why should he not have to stay in prison? He murdered someone.

[Ronald Brak]

Why should he not have to stay in prison? He murdered someone.

I don't know why he should not have to stay in prison, but the point of letting him out early is so he won't have to stay in prison.

[closetgeek]

This is exactly the reason why, all these cases now, of female teachers having affairs with male students is just as dangerous as the reverse. A male teacher would get a minimum of 5yrs and the female student is the victim in desperate need of psychiatric evaluation, whereas a female teacher gets parole and the male student is practically high fived.
Looking back on teenage mentality, does any male out there think they had an accurate perception of the real world at 16? I would doubt anyone who says yes. While a 16yr old may have an accurate understanding of right and wrong, their idealistic view of self martyrism and sacrifice for the greater good can be dramatically altered. I may be remembering the case wrong but didn't she have him convinced that her husband was abusive and he deserved death?
In any case, a young mind can be easily manipulated by any position of perceived authority and this case falls way too far out of the black and white issue of right and wrong. I felt very bad for him, even at the time, and still do.
Coming from a board known for rational thought, this is an epic fail for you, 011.

I'd be partial to giving him a shot. Lets face it, he was 16, raging hormones and someone leading him by the genitals. She had him wrapped around her little finger. I wouldn't let him walk without monitoring, but I'm pretty sure this is one where a repeat offense isn't likely.

After all, I haven't seen Amy Fisher blasting anyone, recently.