Wednesday, May 09, 2007

Sick, sick, sick

I always knew *something* was not right with these people. But to let it get to this? Words can't capture my thoughts.

To what am I talking about? Read on...

Vegan Couple Gets Life in Prison After Baby Dies of Starvation

Wednesday, May 09, 2007
ATLANTA – A vegan couple were sentenced Wednesday to life in prison for the death of their malnourished 6-week-old baby boy, who was fed a diet largely consisting of soy milk and apple juice.


Superior Court Judge L.A. McConnell imposed the mandatory sentences on Jade Sanders, 27, and Lamont Thomas, 31. Their son, Crown Shakur, weighed just 3 1/2 pounds when he died of starvation on April 25, 2004.

The couple were found guilty May 2 of malice murder, felony murder, involuntary manslaughter and cruelty to children. A jury deliberated about seven hours before returning the guilty verdicts.

Defense lawyers said the first-time parents did the best they could while adhering to the lifestyle of vegans, who typically use no animal products. They said Sanders and Thomas did not realize the baby, who was born at home, was in danger until minutes before he died.

But prosecutors said the couple intentionally neglected their child and refused to take him to the doctor even as the baby's body wasted away.

"No matter how many times they want to say, 'We're vegans, we're vegetarians,' that's not the issue in this case," said prosecutor Chuck Boring. "The child died because he was not fed. Period."

Although the life sentences were automatic, Sanders and Thomas begged for leniency before sentencing. Sanders urged the judge to look past his "perception" of the couple.

"I loved my son — and I did not starve him," she said.

When the judge told the defendants they could ask for a new trial, Thomas hung his head low."I'm dying every day in there," he said, "and that could take three years."



And that's about all of that I can handle... So this is to give us a laugh:


2 comments:

kate kiya said...

People are such idiots! Wow, that was a really sad story...I'm all for making people pass extensive testing before they are allowed to have children.... :)

Allison said...

Isn't it funny that in some areas (VA to be specific) you have to have a license to own a dog or cat, but not to have a child! Yea right they didn't know anything was wrong with a 3 1/2 pound baby! I am glad they got life. Some people are so stupid!!!