Another Texas teenager is being inordinately punished for graffiti. 18-year-old Sebastian Perez was sentenced to 8 years in state prison after pleading guilty to three vandalism charges and one for pot possession.
Unlike fellow writer Ralph Mirabel, who was given eight years by another Corpus Christi judge in August, Perez must serve his entire sentence with no possibility of parole. Despite the defendant’s probation plea and promise “to finish high school, help clean up graffiti and find a job,” State District Judge Marisela Saldaña doled out an emotional lecture and the maximum possible sentence for what amounted to roughly $7,300 in damage, according to the Corpus Christi Caller-Times. But that’s small change compared to the more than $140,000 Texas taxpayers will shell out to keep Perez locked up so long.
Update: Judge Saldaña is forced to reduce the 8-year sentence
There can't be many people that think this is a good idea. Cruel and unusual? This is a great way to turn a kid into a career criminal.
This is disgusting. That judge should be disbarred without question. There are murderers out there that serve less time then this kid will.
The system isn't effective stopping violent crime, so they pick on harmless criminals to make it seem as if they are doing something. BOMB THE SYSTEM!
This is f*cking ridiculous…
thanx god that i live in brazil!
S H A M E called U S A.
Completely RIDICULOUS…
Graffiti is ART and the guy is only 18. 8 years in prision for doing art and smoking pot?!?!
Some people drive under alcohol influence and nothing happens (e.g. nicole richie) and this guy will be punished for painting in the street? Looks like a joke.
Sooooooo wrong. =/
Graffit is art until someone tags your door and you have to repaint it and then they tag it again and you repaint it again and then you chase them with a baseball bat (true story) and they never come back.
He is gonna make a fine prison bitch with that little pouty mouth of his.
Graffiti is NOT art. This kid tagged all over town and admitted it. The only reason he is sorry is because he got caught. I feel bad for him, but if this stops other asshat taggers from sharing their "art" then so be it. You do the crime, be prepared to do the time.
Cute assrape joke there, EJ. Because that's what someone deserves for doing $7300 worth of damage, right? This is total bullshit. Wasn't surprised to hear that there's an election coming up down there. Glad this judge can sleep at night knowing that she's turning an obnoxious but typical teenage boy into a career criminal for a shot at re-election.
More like mouthrape, actually.
letter from the father of a person who has appeared before her (from her site):
"Dear Judge Saldaña,
My wife and I wanted to extend to you this invitation to our son's graduation in hopes that you might realize the impact your judgment has had on ours and our son’s life. As a result of you giving him a second chance, he has successfully completed his senior year in high school, is graduating with honors, and has been named a Texas Scholar. Without your realization that at times teenagers make adult mistakes, our son would not be where he is today.
It is our hope that with your knowledge of these results, you may continue to make this type of decision that effect (sic) the lives of our city's young men and woman."
guess that didn't happen…
IT'S CALLED A FINE/DAMAGES, YOU SAVAGES. I hope that judge goes to hell. $7,000 is worth more to these moral idiots than 8 years of someone's life. I wonder how they sleep at night.
This young man will become a career criminal now thanks to this woman. They should look into whether or not she is getting kickbacks from the prison for making her quotas. That is what they were doing in PA.
this is tragic. 51.3% of Americans aged 18-25 have tried marijuana at least once. I'd hazard that a majority of those have additionally done something hazardous, criminal, or stupid while high or in possession. This may not be a good thing, though, it doesn't really seem that bad. Its certainly human. To throw this young man in prison for eight years is to give up on not only him, but on every other citizen that makes a bad choice. To throw discretion out the window so callously — knowing what the penal system does to young men in this country — serves absolutely no purpose — for the criminal or society as a whole. just tragic.
This judge should be disbarred. What an incredible joke. 8 YEARS for graffiti? Has this kid ever been to jail before? I would think 8 DAYS would likely scare him straight. The idea of putting a teenager away for 10 – 15% of his life for such a non-violent crime is abhorrent. And yes I hate graffiti and vandalism as much as the next person but get real. This will cost taxpayers tens if not hundreds of thousands of dollars and likely ruin this kid forever. If you think he's got trouble now, wait until he gets out of prison in eight years with no friends but fellow inmates, no job prospects and the warped mentality that will come from spending what will at the time of his release be nearly a third of his life in prison.
It's disgusting to watch a judge behave in such a totalitarian way.
To the people who say it is not "ART" please define "ART", Art is self an expression you cant tell anyone the way they are expressing themselves is not art everyone has there own views. I am not justifying in what this kid has done its wrong and its crime but 8 years is ridiculous. We spend more money on Jails then on schools and rebuilding our programs and we wonder why we are such shithole of a country cuz shit like this happens.
The numbers are there in the article $140g's on taxpayer money to put someone in jail crazy many we have child molesters and rapist out after 2 fucking years man we have to use common sense to determine what crime is bigger than another raping a child or spray painting a damn building.
This kid has no chance anymore 8 years of his life is gone, he gets out of jail now will be worst situation and prob be next person robbin her bitch ass for puttin him in jail and everyone else also who believes this judge is right
a guy send 30000 soldiers in Afghanistan and same time became a nobel prize for peace… a guy became 3 years for send a shoe in the direction of the most patethic president ever…
welcome in a world of dumbass! :)
ps. 8 years is a "Dutch Joke"…
years ago, when our forefathers lived in caves, we decorated these caves as prove of our existence. It means i am here. a tag is the first step to create ur persona as a writer. graffiti is art. its an art movement! a tag turns into a piece and a piece will turn into a mural. those murals that decorate your backyard home depots with nice cartoon characters for children that you barely notice… it takes a writer years and years of practice to understand can control and layering of paint. (people that don't vandalize, will never understand) there is advertisement everywhere- who gets these billboards? do i want to see them? no! i DO NOT want to see ads for painkillers and sales across my house, i deal with it. so people deal with me painting and vandalizing (not churches and peoples homes). I write, therefore I am! If you haven't done it, pick up a marker and draw your name on the bus that you ride to work. who's bus is it? the publics- so it is… kinda yours…
It's bullshit but what do you expect coming from Texas? Pathetic. This 'judge' has her priorities all fucked up. You're fired.
I say we chip in and buy some plane tix for Revok and BNE. A weekend in Corpus Christi and that shithole of a town will look like a grenade hit the paint section in a Home Depot.
People are selling guns (T.I.) and fighting dogs (micheal Vick) and getting only a year in prison this kid creats art in the public eye and gets 8 years with no parol…BULL SH*T what is this about there are child molesters on the street keep them in jail an extra 2 years so that this F*CKING stupid over the top Shinanagans do go on in a court, this judge is a peice of Sh*T.
If you think this is fair punishment you're a damned fool. Manslaughter in Texas will get you 4 years in Texas btw.
Also, here's all of Judge Whore's personal information:
Marisela Saldana
15357 Key Largo Ct
Corpus Christi, TX 78418
(361) 949-2799
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/votejudgesaldana
Twitter: http://twitter.com/JudgeSaldana
Email: votejudgesaldana@aol.com
sick to my stomach after reading this shit. how the f**k dose that nasty littil trany go to sleep at night after puting a young kid behind bars for simply writeing his name. what the f**k is happing to our society i know catz who have dont less time for armed robery and drug trafficking. unreal i hope all who are responsible for smashing this young kids life to peaces die in some horible accident.
This is absolutely ridiculous and an embarrassment to the Corpus Christi community.
This judge did not exercise an ounce of compassion. She had the discretion to grant probation. She had the discretion to stack his sentences. He could have paid restitution.
This poor child has lost 8 years of his life.
damn thats sad! but the kid must of had a shitty lawyer…I mean how can he do 8 years without parole for writing his fucking name, when some rapists, and crooked cops and pedophiles do one or two years or dont do time at all cause they got a "status"… unbelievable
fuck that bitch!
I'm a start tagging fuck Marisela Saldaña
Join the movement!!
This is simply ludicrous. This is a harsher sentence than someone would get in Singapore! The punishment does not fit the crime. Thank God I don't live in the South, especially Texas. Way to go…take away the chance for this kid to have a decent life and probably make him a career criminal. The Texas right wing is as scary as the California left wing.
he definitely deserves to be punished for the crimes he has committed, 8 years though is way too long and will hopefully be reduced on appeal. 12 to 18 months sounds about just right to me..
fu/k'n tagg on u awsome lil' artists!!! its a favorite past time of mine to enjoy all your tricked out!! BADASS!! taggs every time i hit the freewayz!! @ night n outta sight my tagg'n/talented friends!!!!!!
wow…she should be put in jail. 8 years…..8 YEARS!!! wow, in texas, where Bush comes from, a mass murderer, and he gets 8 years for graffiti…..THINK!
The US is one fudged up country. No wonder its in such bad shape. This kind of reasoning is just mental. What a total nutter.
Pleading guilty to 3 charges of vandalism = 8 years in jail? WTF is the judge thinking. The kid will come out more fcuked up than he went in
The Judge is only human and clearly made a mistake as all judges do who. Was the judge having a bad day???? How could the judge 'mis-rule' and the sentence forced to be reduced? I say return to law school my dear and stop ripping apart these poor families lives. Jail time fails everyone, but murderers! Rehabilitation corrects and fixes the real issues, WHATEVER they are. Additionally, courts were originally designed for outlaws, murderers and such, but rulings have created an umbrella effect for criminal, civil, and family court issues to all have the same kind of outcome! What community votes is she looking to get? Was this a fair ruling? If I were an attorney I would fight this case to the MAX and get this kid into drug rehab, (if needed), into a Pre-Trial Intervention program (if he has no criminal background), and community service. Britanny Spears has children and is a drug offender, yet her popularity was more important, was able to keep her children (as a drug offender, criminal offense), and did not service ANY jail time. She wrecklessly put her children in danger over and over again. BUT she's a rich blonde-girl who's growing up, right? So 2-3 years later after her drug abuse ordeal she's all better now, kept her pride, status, and the kids. Yet Michael Vick an all time NFL hero goes to jail… yes for doggie fights for 2 years. I anticipate a petition over this nonsense.
I bet you would say different if he had ruined your property. He is only remorseful because he was caught.
My places have been vandalized and it costs money and time, not to mention make the home look like crap. The need to do this more.
All most all of you sound like the same person. Ahhh, poor guy, he didn't mean it….
Funny, I feel no remorse for the kid. Should have known better, the moron. I can comprehend the fact that the sentence is excessive too.
The judge should be investigated. I can't help but wonder if they are just trying to fill up newly built prisons, which are a growing industry. Can't we think of more creative ideas to fight crime? Look at the amount of money it costs taxpayers to incarcerate versus the cost of cleanup, and community service. Make him work and take 50% of his paycheck for the next five years. Use the money to fight graffiti and open up a mural arts program for kids with an artistic appetite. You are taking a non-violent criminal and putting him into one of the most violent places in the world. In 8 years he will get out, will be more violent and could possible turn to crime when he finds out a felony on his record will severely limit job prospects.
The US seems to be full of short thinking idiots. We keep treating the symptoms and not the disease. Lets just keep building prisons as we continue to create crime through poor solutions. Seriously, look at this failed drug war. Google marijuana any day of the year and see how many tons are getting caught at the border ( Probably a tenth of what gets through). Look at the 9/11, The Shoe-bomber, and the latest terrorist jackass. They always get through security, because they adapt and we are the ones that have to throw out our toothpaste and suntan lotion etc or take off our shoes to meet 8 year old guidelines.
In the meantime we keep paying for all of it and taxes continue to rise.
God bless America… His home sweet home… What a joke.
This is the most disgusting thing ive heard in awhile if this kid is not released im sure you have brought our great country just a bit farther to another armed conflict. There are allready 2% of our population in prison/jail or on probation. How much more will we take? How many more of our friends and family have to be carted off to some prison to live with murderers and rapists. Disturbing and DISGUSTING. Whats it going to take America 3%?5?10????
This kid is probably paying for a decade of vandalism made by a whole community of graff artis down in Crapus Christi. Only problem is he got caught.
And like someone said before he had a shitty lawyer. Once the angry mob had their "perp" they unleashed the fury of the community.
Lets just say you dont want to be caught with your pants down in Texas or youll prolly be called a rapist. Sad thing is his tag still sucks. Now he has time to practice. He should ask his tagging buddies to go cover the street with APPEAL.
Teenagers are like pack animals – cruel beyond belief, not getting any messages, unless that message is delivered by a baseball bat. BTW, brazilian police routinely kills them en masse, like rats (that's to that brazilian lollipop sucker to dared to say something about us)
So, I guess the working people of that town just got enough of that "art" crap. The sucker himself is worth some pity, true, but the important thing is the message has been sent out – people are tired of this b.s.
I have never done a single graffiti thing in my life, and never wanted to. And I don't think I'm unique. So, I'm sure they can live without messing with other people's property, and if they can't, well, too bad.
Whats shameful could be the blinders you have about. There is no rationale God and Science might exist together, it not on nor the opposite. Open your eyes and maybe you’ll learn something.
Great beat ! I would like to apprentice while you amend your website, how can i subscribe for a blog website? The account aided me a acceptable deal. I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered bright clear idea.
GRAFFITI WILL NEVER STOP BITCHES, WRITE ALL OVE YOUR SHIT. SUCK IT SQUARES
i say we fucking bomb every fucking thing, federal buildings, police cars, police stations…
resource grabs zero cost kick start… from a social exercise ensemble
Uggs Cyber Monday Sales,Buy Ugg Black Friday Outlet Deals http://www.petersearles.com/