The shooter killed five and injured more than a dozen others at an LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado Springs, Colorado,

Five people were killed in the attack on the LGBTQ bar.

The shooter who killed five and injured over a dozen more at an LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado Springs, Colorado, in 2022 accepted a plea deal Tuesday in connection with federal hate crimes charges and was given 55 concurrent life sentences.

Anderson Lee Aldrich pleaded guilty to each of the 74 charges of violating provisions of the Matthew Shepard And James Byrd, Jr., Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009 as well as gun crimes in the Club Q shooting. Aldrich initially pleaded not guilty.

United States District Judge Charlotte N. Sweeney accepted the plea agreement, sentencing Aldrich to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, to be followed by a 190-year sentence of imprisonment.

  • half_built_pyramids@lemmy.world
    122·
    6 months ago

    This is the guy who’s dad – upon hearing that his son shot up a gay club – immediately thought that his son might be gay and was worried about that, but then was relieved that the son had only killed gays.

      • Evkob@lemmy.ca
        58·
        6 months ago

        https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/nov/24/colorado-springs-shooting-father-interview

        In a series of interviews, Aaron Brink told San Diego’s CBS8 that when he first received a telephone call from his child’s public defender, his first reaction was to question why his child was in the club.

        “And then I go on to find out it’s a gay bar. I said, ‘God, is he gay?’ I got scared, ‘Shit, is he gay?’ And he’s not gay, so I said, ‘Phew …’”

        • lennybird@lemmy.worldEnglish
          371·
          6 months ago

          I thought, surely this is out of context right? the next quote:

          Brink, a mixed martial arts coach, told CBS8 that he had taught his child to fight, saying he had offered praise “for violent behavior really early. I told him it works. It is instant and you’ll get immediate results.”

          Took my daughter to Inside Out 2 the other day. I really appreciate all these films and shows that put such an emphasis on feelings and kindness.

          I feel so bad for the children out there with such shitty parents. The Oxford shooter’s parents come to mind.

  • Telodzrum@lemmy.world
    371·
    6 months ago

    Good. This was an unconscionable crime and the defendant has not demonstrated significant contrition (the allocution phase of the plea agreement must have been interesting); however, capital punishment is barbaric and has no place in society.

      • suchwin@lemmy.world
        15·
        6 months ago

        This is an interesting point I haven’t seen before. I think I agree, but only after suicide for medical patients is legal. And also, what about people not in a life sentence (whether a shorter sentence or someone not incarcerated)? Should they have any legal outlet?

        Is there a difference between wanting to kill yourself and not wanting to live through a life sentence?

        • notabot@lemm.ee
          6·
          6 months ago

          This is an approach to life sentences I’ve considered before; I would suggest the prisoner could only petition for execution after being incarcerated for a significant period (20 years or so maybe?) and having exhausted all possible legal appeals. The delay is there to ensure it’s not a decision taken in desperation and haste. By that point, if any new evidence to exonerate them is going to turn up, it probably has, although I acknowledge that’s not always the case.

          I’m not sure I’d equate it to voluntary euthenasia as the prisoner isn’t leaving jail alive either way. On the other hand, I can see why linking the two makes sense too.

          • kent_eh@lemmy.caEnglish
            51·
            6 months ago

            I would suggest the prisoner could only petition for execution after being incarcerated for a significant period (20 years or so maybe?) and having exhausted all possible legal appeals.

            And having to have lived with the consequences of their actions for a signifigant period of time.

            No taking “the easy way out” of their punishment.

      • FauxReal@sh.itjust.works
        16·
        6 months ago

        If only our justice system was about rehabilitation and making amends instead of about vengful punishment that ends up harboring a cycle of abuse that finds its way back into society.

        • cannibalkitteh@lemmy.blahaj.zone
          6·
          6 months ago

          Honestly, I think I’m just fatigued. Retribution isn’t going to bring back the dead or curb hate crimes in the future. Ultimately, I hope those that are guests of the carceral system are treated well because they’re being made to cede their freedom to the state.

    • numberfour002@lemmy.worldEnglish
      17·
      6 months ago

      It saves the government and courts (and by extension tax payers) a whole lot of time and money. There’s no need for a normal trial and all the extra crap that comes of that (like appeals). It also removes/reduces the risk(s) of a death penalty sentence (much more expensive than a life sentence), further trauma for the victims as well as their friends and families, and avoids the extremely unlikely but still possible chance that the accused is found not guilty or uses some other legal maneuver to avoid real consequences.

    • homura1650@lemm.ee
      7·
      6 months ago

      Life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus 190 years, and the defendent waves almost all of his appeal rights. All of that without needing to go through the efforst, expense, and trauma of a trial. The prosecutors were only able to get this deal because the case against them was so strong.