Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Louima cop wants sentence commuted

One of the former New York policemen convicted in the infamous Abner Louima (image) sodomy case is seeking a reduced sentence.

Justin Volpe was convicted of torturing the Haitian immigrant in 1997 and was sentenced to thirty years in prison. He has spent nearly 12 years in jail without parole and recently petitioned the Justice Department for a reduced sentence.

Along with Volpe’s petition were notes sent by family and friends on his behalf. Yet his crime outraged New Yorkers and shined a light on police abuse during the Giuliani administration:
One officer, Justin A. Volpe, admitted in court in May 1999 that he had rammed a broken broomstick into Mr. Louima’s rectum and then thrust it in his face. He said he had mistakenly believed that Mr. Louima had punched him in the head during a street brawl outside a nightclub in Flatbush, but he acknowledged that he had also intended to humiliate the handcuffed immigrant. He left the force and was later sentenced to 30 years in prison.
Image- CNN
Sources- Gothamist, NY1, newsday.com, City Room

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I believe that Justin is very remorseful for his crime against Louima, I beleive that he deserves a second chance and a reduced sentence, 30 years is to excessive.. I will pray for him

Anonymous said...

people make mistakes especially in the heat of the moment, I believe that Justin Volpe deserves a second chance and should have a reduced sentence..