Diplomatic Immunity For The Taliban?

In an incredible turn of events, the Vermont Supreme Court overturned the felony domestic assault conviction and habitual offender status of Michael Brillon, a Bennington man, because the case took too long. What was equally disturbing was the stated reasoning of the court which appeared to be a veiled threat that, unless Vermont received more funding for it's criminal justice system, Vermont could look forward to more of these types of decisions. In the majority opinion it was stated, "To the extent that what happened in this case is not an aberration but rather the result of a lack of funding to support the criminal justice system in this state, we encourage the legislature to examine any unfulfilled needs and address the problem." It is clear that this statement was meant to twist the arm of the Legislature and this case may have been selected because it involved domestic violence against a woman. As such, this case may have been viewed, by the Court, as one of the more minor cases that could have been used to send their message to the Legislature.

In the dissenting, minority opinion, Chief Justice Paul Reiber stated, "Today the majority frees a convicted woman beater and habitual offender, not because of any infirmity in the evidence or unfair prejudice in the trial by which a jury found him guilty, but because the defendant delayed the proceedings for almost twenty-two months."

Apparently Sharia Law and the concept of second class citizenship for women is, slowly, creeping into the Vermont Criminal Justice System. What's next, Diplomatic Immunity status for the Taliban in Vermont?

Article from the Rutland Herald, Rutland, Vermont.