This doesn't seem right...

**cycloneworld** · 09-04-2008, 12:04 PM

Remember the guy that got caught setting fires to buildings on the UNI campus? He pleaded guilty in October 2007 and was sentence to 30 years in prison and order to pay $2 million in restitution to the State.

Well after serving 10 months of the 30 year sentence, he is being released.

Man convicted in UNI fires released after 10 months | DesMoinesRegister.com | The Des Moines Register

He has also paid $65 towards the $2 million restitution bill.

The judge released him and put him on probation for 2-5 years.

His attorney? Yep, Alfredo Parrish.

**cloneu** · 09-04-2008, 12:10 PM

Alfredo Parrish must be a genius.

**cycloneG** · 09-04-2008, 12:13 PM

Did he use the Chewbacca defense at his parole hearing?

**Flag Guy** · 09-04-2008, 12:13 PM

Paying down this debt is one reason Lessmeier's attorney gave the judge for releasing his client from prison.
"The defendant has a significant amount of restitution to pay and he is hopeful to be released from prison to commence not only his further rehabilitation, but also seeks to contribute to the expenses of the repair and restoration of the buildings that were damaged," wrote defense attorney Carter Stevens in a motion supporting release.

Yeah right I'm sure thats whats on his mind right now

**06_CY** · 09-04-2008, 12:14 PM

That's some bogus crap right there...

Note to self: If ever get in deep trouble with the law, call Mr. Parish...

**st8phan** · 09-04-2008, 12:15 PM

What a joke... I work @ UNI and TONS of employees were displaced for almost three years!! This is a disgrace! That's our legal system... Do the crime, and pay the time; or well, how about just some of the time... let's say, maybe 3% of it.

Terrible!!

**DJK15** · 09-04-2008, 12:18 PM

Does he still have to pay the restitution?

I agree though...if I'm ever in deep crap I'm calling Parish. That guy can work the system.

**Cyclonick182** · 09-04-2008, 12:19 PM

Being at UNI for the past years and seeing the hard work that has been done, thats just disgusting to hear. How 10 months and 65 bucks seems equal to the judge is mind boggling.

**Phaedrus** · 09-04-2008, 05:12 PM

Originally Posted by Cyclonick182

Being at UNI for the past years and seeing the hard work that has been done, thats just disgusting to hear. How 10 months and 65 bucks seems equal to the judge is mind boggling.

That's because the judge used to be a lawyer, too.

The problem with the US legal system, is that it's dominated by lawyers. Unfortunately, there is not a satisfactory alternative.

**06Panther** · 09-04-2008, 05:27 PM

The building that was burned the worst literally just opened up last week, three years after the fact.

**Cyclonepride** · 09-04-2008, 05:29 PM

You would think there would be a mandatory minimum for crimes such as these. Unfortunately, you will never get full restitution from a deadbeat like that.

**Cyclone_Grav** · 09-04-2008, 05:36 PM

Alfredo Parrish is a rich man because he is the best at what he does. He doesnt get people completely off per say but when it comes to plea deals, its almost a guarantee your going to get a break.

**LindenCy** · 09-04-2008, 06:03 PM

[quote=Phaedrus;611901]That's because the judge used to be a lawyer, too.

The problem with the US legal system, is that it's dominated by lawyers. Unfortunately, there is not a satisfactory alternative.[/quote

A huge point! I don't see how lawyers becoming judges is the best thing for anyone, partly because in order to become a judge you might have to work the system to get noticed. The flip side is that if you have a judge that does not know the law then you have other problems.

**joefrog** · 09-04-2008, 06:20 PM

Why is it that most things that stink in this state can be traced back to the same source:

Judge Fister received a bachelor's degree from the University of Iowa in 1967 and a law degree from University of Iowa Law School in 1971. Judge Fister was appointed to the bench in 1993

Burn buildings, do millions of dollars of damage, no biggie. Also, he earlier ruled that using marijuana did not equal a probation violation. No wonder people over there think that potential sexual assault, as well as administrative cover-ups are no big deal.

**ISUAlum2002** · 09-04-2008, 06:24 PM

Fister, eh? Could make a comment right now, but will refrain.

10 months of a 30 year sentence. Un-freaking-believable. Why even have a justice system? Seriously, we taxpayers spend a lot of money to keep the justice system going here in this state/city, and this is the kind of crap we get for it? Freaking please.