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Maryland girl murdered by registered sex offender

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Registering a sex offender does not work and is pointless - - this is proof!

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victim who was 16 or 17

Very hard case facts in this report.

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Very sad news for Christmas.

Also, a slightly irresponsible headline. Odds are that he is the culprit, but I believe the headlines usually say something like "suspect arrested". Yes, I know its boring, but trial by media is bad enough as it is.

And rather than label him as a registered sex offender, I think we could just call him an all around bad apple. Rape, assault, and burglary. Sounds like the guy is just a problem in general. But the thing is that the press wants to put "girl" "murder" and "sex" all in one headline whenever remotely possible.

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"Leggs has been uncooperative and "of no assistance to our investigators"

May I please have three minutes with him?

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Sar; Great post buddy. I like your style.

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We need another Jack Ruby

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Unlike many other crimes, it is astonishing how often people who are sexually attracted to minors are so often caught in the same crime even after having been severely punished. What could possibly account for this? Anyone like Leggs who preys on little girls and boys for their sexual gratification are pretty disgusting people. It's bad enough for the children that are killed, but those living through such an experience will live a difficult life of constanting trying to overcome the experience.

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The continuing spate of these kinds of incidents is a clear indicator that society is not doing near enough to learn and take resulting actions.

The impulse to commit these types of crimes doesn't just happen one day out of the blue. If we look at the history of Mr. Leggs going back to childhood, there is certain to be a clear pattern that emerges. Cruelty to animals and other expressions of violence are almost certain to be evident. This is the "learning" aspect.

The next question is once faced with this kind of pattern, what kind of actions must be taken by people to limit the risk of harm that can be done by the deviant acting out his (usually it's a man) impulses. Failure by society to take proper action assures more victims like poor Sarah Foxell. May her family somehow find the strength to recover from this heinous, preventable act.

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In my previous post, I misspelled the name of Sarah Foxwell. I regret the error.

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Wolfpack: It's bad enough for the children that are killed, but those living through such an experience will live a difficult life of constanting trying to overcome the experience.

Agreed. Those killed have difficulty trying to overcome the experience. At last we agree on something!

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yabits: The continuing spate of these kinds of incidents is a clear indicator that society is not doing near enough to learn and take resulting actions.

I am inclined to believe that some societies may actually be doing too much Yabits. If the first rape charge was actually consensual but statutory rape, and he was put on a sex offender list for that, imagine living with the stigma and trying to get a date. If his motive was sexual, he may have considered her the only score he was going to get. Then he decided to get rid of the evidence or face a heavy sentence. I know people don't like to hear it, but recall the case that comes right on the heels of this one: the 12 year old prostitute and the repeat offender in Japan arrested just a couple days ago. It seems she is alive and well, and may well be because the guy did not feel he was facing a massive sentence, and you know he was not going to get the life sentence of the sex offender list. If you grip a glass to loosely, it slips from your fingers. But that does not mean its better to grip it with all your might. The result of that will be even worse than dropping the glass.

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Why the heck was this guy walking the streets? He had already been convicted of assault, burglary and rape! And what the heck was the aunt and guardian of this girl doing with a registered sex offender? Horrendous!

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A “juvenile witness” awoke during the night Tuesday and saw Sarah leave the bedroom with “Tommy,” and said he was wearing blue jeans, an orange jacket and white sneakers, the charging document says.

How did this guy get this close? I hope they discover this, but that's one of the first thoughts that I got.

This is such a terrible crime. I know how I feel about my daughters and if this happen..... oh gosh I'd be berserk.

Such a tragedy. My prayers are extended. < :-)

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Tragic and really messed up

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sex offenders should have thier crime tattoed across the forehead.

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cliffworks: sex offenders should have thier crime tattoed across the forehead.

The problem is that if his prior sex offense was statutory rape, he might have been within the law in another state because 16 is the age of consent in some states, and also because of Romeo and Juliet laws. There was only a four or five year age difference between the two.

As I said in my last post here, such ideas and attitudes may well be making things worse. Punish people so hard who did nothing or only very little wrong, then don't be surprised when they act like hardened criminals.

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Grasping at straws there Numbskull. Registered sex offenses can range from what you have stated as minor offenses, to sexual assault, rape, etc. Depending on the offense the offender may or may not have to register every month or more. They may get dropped off the sexual offense registry after 3-6 months especially if it was minor.

The law enforcement here is actually enforced, and not some weak slap on the wrist case that you seem to expect like some parent that doesn't have enough will power to discipline their child. Thats usually reserved for minors under 18, and only if it doesn't involve murder, and intentional severe assault. Leggs is an adult and knows when he's doing something wrong.

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HonestDictator: Leggs is an adult and knows when he's doing something wrong.

Leggs has not been found guilty yet.

Grasping at straws there Numbskull. Registered sex offenses can range from what you have stated as minor offenses, to sexual assault, rape, etc.

So first you say that I am grasping at straws but then you say that what I said is entirely possible? Ooooookie doki.

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Oh he is presumed innocent until proven guilty in this case thats always the rights he has. But it is for the DA and police department to build their case on him. So far the odds are stacked against him pretty hard. As for the sex offense he was penned for in 2001 he was still over between 20-21, which makes him no longer a minor, and considered responsible for his actions. A concept you seem to want to ignore. 2nd do you know for a fact that his previous offense was just a statutory rape case or considered sexual assault? Considering his sexual offense risk is listed as "High" not "low" or "medium" shows he did something pretty extreme the first time around, not that he went to prison and came out more hardcore. Simple fact for those who have brains. If you don't want to go to prison don't put yourself in a position to go there. He did, and there are always consequences for doing something wrong like this.

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HonestDictator: As for the sex offense he was penned for in 2001 he was still over between 20-21, which makes him no longer a minor, and considered responsible for his actions.

Look dude, I don't mind people being held responsible for their actions. In fact, what I am pointing to is the idea that society also has to take responsibility for ITS actions. If society makes love a crime, there will be bad results. My trouble with you is, you think only one person should be held responsible for that.

Considering his sexual offense risk is listed as "High" not "low" or "medium" shows he did something pretty extreme the first time around,

Most probably true. And if so I would have had no problem with a life sentence for him. Seriously, I have no problem with people taking responsibility. I have a problem with what you expect people to be fairly punished for. I would rather all statutory so-called "rapists" of teenagers were free to walk, and all hardcore real rapists sat in prison for life regarless of age. Seriously.

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Its not what I expect people to be fairly punished for, the justice system in this country is whats making that decision not me and enforcing the laws like they're supposed to. This system was put in place by the American people, to protect not just themselves, but their rights even to the extent when they do something wrong.

The majority of the time the law is pretty fair depending on the degree of the crime. You're the one thats making it sound like the justice system is too harsh and its the system of punishment that was the cause for this mans current behaviour and as you put it "Punish people so hard who did nothing or only very little wrong, then don't be surprised when they act like hardened criminals."

Doesn't sound like you want to find fault with the person that initiated the criminal acts, it sounds like you're trying to derail it and blame the consequences for his most recent criminal behaviour. It never did say anything in this article that he commited statutory rape in his previous offenses, it just said rape.

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