Rioters Could Face Life in Prison for Mischief Charges

“If you play with fire you get burnt” this is the case with rioters in Utah who were charged with possible life sentences in Utah.

BLM rioters stormed the District Attorney’s office and vandalized it with paint and broke several windows.

A life sentence could be the wake-up call to these entitled rioters who think they can do whatever they want without receiving a consequence.

HARD TIME: BLM Protesters Could Face ‘LIFE IN PRISON’ for Attacking DA’s Office in Utah https://t.co/Zfgfhh067m

— Sean Hannity 🇺🇸 (@seanhannity) August 7, 2020

Some Black Lives Matter demonstrators could face up to life in prison if they’re convicted of splashing red paint and smashing windows during a protest https://t.co/MPY1YbRgSZ

— KTLA (@KTLA) August 7, 2020

https://twitter.com/AdamMilstein/status/1292121640776728581

Fox News had this to say about the rioters possibly receiving life sentences:

SALT LAKE CITY – Some Black Lives Matter protesters in Salt Lake City could face up to life in prison if they’re convicted of splashing red paint and smashing windows during a protest, a potential punishment that stands out among demonstrators arrested around the country and one that critics say doesn’t fit the alleged crime.

The felony criminal mischief charges are more serious because they carry a gang enhancement. Prosecutors said Wednesday that’s justified because the protesters worked together to cause thousands of dollars in damage, but watchdogs called the use of the 1990s-era law troubling, especially in the context of criminal justice reform and minority communities.

“This is so far beyond just the enforcement of the law, it feels retaliatory,” said Madalena McNeil, who is facing a potential life sentence over felony criminal mischief and riot charges. Charging documents say she bought red paint at a Home Depot before the July 9 demonstration sparked by a fatal police shooting ruling. She later yelled at and shifted her weight as if to slam into police during the demonstration, charges state. “It’s really frustrating and scary … I just feel so much concern for what this means for the right to protest in general.”

The charges have Democratic leaders at odds in Salt Lake City, the liberal-leaning capital of conservative Utah, with the top county prosecutor arguing vandalism crossed a line and the mayor calling the charges too extreme.

The potential life sentence stands out as harsh punishment even among other people facing felony charges stemming from protests around the country. In Portland, Oregon, for instance, a 32-year-old man is facing up to 20 years on an arson charge alleging he broke into a building that houses the police headquarters and set an office on fire.

The Utah demonstrators are unlikely to serve prison time, said Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill. Though they’d get at least five years if convicted as charged, criminal cases often end with a plea to lesser counts.

Black Lives Matters protesters could face life sentence for mischief charges in Utah https://t.co/E0fdKUF83P pic.twitter.com/ava4kT5llb

— The Hill (@thehill) August 7, 2020

CBS News had this to say about the BLM rioters charges:

Black Lives Matter protesters in Salt Lake City have been accused of splashing paint on a road and smashing the windows of the district attorney’s building at a July protest — and now, the charges they face carry a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Prosecutors charged multiple protesters with the crimes on Wednesday, The Associated Press reported. The charges have more severe consequences because Salt Lake City District Attorney Sim Gill upgraded them with a “gang enhancement,” which increases the penalties for “offenses committed in concert with two or more person or in relation to a criminal street gang,” according to state code.

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With the enhancement, second-degree felony charges, which usually have a sentence of 1 to 15 years, can be upgraded to life in prison.

Prosecutors said that these charges are justified because protesters worked together to cause thousands of dollars in damage, the AP said.

What do you think? Do you think they’re throwing the book at these BLM rioters or are they giving the community justice by charging them with a tough sentence?