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JVM on Penn State: A two-tiered system of justice

NEED TO KNOW
  • Jane Velez-Mitchell speaks out on Penn State scandal
  • JVM says she's outraged at preferential treatment of the rich

The more I learn about the horrific events alleged in the Penn State child sex abuse scandal, the list of people who knew something keeps growing. Coaches, school officials, University Police all knew about at least one alleged incident and did nothing to stop it. Penn State is once again asking the faculty to stay quiet. Don’t they understand that keeping quiet is what allowed these children to be allegedly raped on their watch?
 
One thing that is spotlighted in all of this is the two-tiered system of justice that exists in this country. If you are connected or have money you are treated differently from everyone else. You receive warnings when other people are handcuffed. And you ALWAYS get the benefit of the doubt.
 
Even now, after all of this has come to light, the special treatment continues. Judge Leslie Dutchcot allowed former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky to walk out of court on bail. Prosecutors wanted an ankle monitor placed on Sandusky’s leg but the judge refused. It turns out that Dutchcot volunteered for Second Mile, the charity that Sandusky started.

Are you kidding me? Attorneys from across the country are shocked that Sandusky could walk free with this type of deal considering the charges against him. It just goes to show: If you are connected, you don’t suffer. However, if you get caught with crack-cocaine, you go away for years and years.

I feel like I report on these stories everyday. If you have money, are connected, maybe have some fame, it seems like it is almost impossible to get sent to jail. They say money can’t buy you happiness, but it certainly seems like it can buy you freedom.

Watch Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell, weeknights at 7 p.m. ET, only on HLN.

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