Man in jail for violating a restraining order was let out of jail to see Red Sox game

Updated: Thursday, 24 Sep 2009, 5:38 PM EDT
Published : Thursday, 24 Sep 2009, 6:07 AM EDT

A resident of Red Sox nation got sprung by an Iowa judge to see his favorite team.

Iowa resident Randy Barker asked Judge Benny Waggoner to let him out of jail for a day to drive four hours to Kansas City to see the Sox play last night.

MARK OCKERBLOOM'S BLOG
"I say too bad...you do the crime, you do the time! This is like Otis the Drunk letting himself in and out of jail on the Andy Griffith Show!"

Barker was in the middle of his 20-day sentence for violating a protective order. The judge agreed and let Barker go with his father and brother to the game.

His attorney, Margaret King, successfully argued that Barker should get the release.

Barker was arrested for violating a protective order and attempted to run and then wrestle with the officer before being taken into custody.

His lawyer argued "These ball games are among the few pleasures the defendant has in life. He had been looking forward eagerly to attending this game with his family" say court documents.

Folks a horrible crime was committed in Michigan. A man raped a 3 month old girl, left her brain damaged and 17 broken bones the man was allowed to plea down to only attempted child abuse. We wrote to the Michigan atty general to see why he was allowed to plea bargain with such obvious injuries etc. Below is my response to their response. Do you think they even read complaints? Do they even care about their citizens?

The news article

JACKSON, Mich. - An Iraq war veteran who was accused of raping a 3-month-old girl in Jackson County has been sentenced to'at least 40 months in prison on a lesser charge.

Circuit Court Judge John McBain sentenced Kirk Coleman Thursday to 40 to 60 months in prison, exceeding the state's sentencing guideline.

The 27-year-old former Army paratrooper pleaded guilty in May to attempted child abuse in a plea deal with prosecutors.

He originally faced life in prison on charges of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and child abuse.

Authorities say Coleman attacked the baby Sept. 14 in her home in Blackman Township, about 65 miles west of Detroit. She suffered brain damage and 17 broken bones.

Defense attorney Dennis Hurst says his client will appeal the sentence.

He pled guilty to get a light sentence and he has the right to appeal his verdict.
WE ASK

He plead to attempted child abuse, what is attempted child abuse?

Did he fail to abuse==she was raped, she has brain damage she has 17 broken bones or is that just imaginary? Is this attempted child abuse or real abuse?

--- On Thu, 7/24/08, AGCriminal .. wrote:

From: AGCriminal ..
Subject: Citizen Inquiry AG# 2008-3020712
To: defendchildren@yahoo.com
Date: Thursday, July 24, 2008, 1:16 PM

July 24, 2008

defendchildren@yahoo.com

Citizen Inquiry AG# 2008-3020712

Attorney General Cox has asked that the Criminal Division reply to your e-mail in which you expressed your concerns regarding the charging decision made by your local Prosecutor's Office. We apologize for not responding sooner. However, this office receives hundreds of letters and e-mails each week and some delays are inevitable.

The primary responsibility for the enforcement of our criminal laws rests with the chief law enforcement officer of each county, the prosecutor. The decision to prosecute a criminal offense is a delicate and sometimes difficult one calling for the exercise of a broad discretion which involves not only actual guilt or innocence, but also whether there is enough admissible evidence available to prove the crime in court. As Michigan's chief law enforcement officer, the Attorney General may intervene if it is clear that the prosecutor abused his/her discretion or if a conflict of interest exists.

Upon review of the facts presented, we cannot conclude that either condition exists. Therefore, we suggest that you continue to work with your attorney and your county prosecutor's office in pressing your complaint.

We sincerely regret our inability to provide assistance at this time.

Donna L. Pendergast

First Assistant Attorney General

Criminal Division

We responded

Donna L. Pendergast

First Assistant Attorney General

Criminal Division

I do not have a case going on. I wrote as a child advocate about a recent ruling in Michigan which is extremely disturbing. Apparantly you did not read my inquiry.

The question is why when a 3 month old is raped and has 17 broken bones and brain injury is the abuser allowed to plea down to simply attempted child abuse. Surely this would be unacceptible in any other state.

Michigan has failed so many children. Is it not the Attorney General's responsibilty to investigate why their prosecutors are not protecting the children?

Are you saying that this was handled correctly? Are you saying that Michigan did right by this infant in allowing Kirk Coleman to simple plea to attempted child abuse and even than be allowed to appeal that sentence he plead to? Are you proud of the way the world views Michigan?

Prehaps you simply are sending us a prewritten letter which you send to anyone inquiring about the attrocities in Michigan.

We assume that you have no problem with the public viewing your response or should we say blatant lack of response.

Michigan children in our opinion deserve much better than what Michigan gives them.