In the name of social justice, lawmakers implemented a “zero bail policy” to allow some criminals a second shot at freedom. However, shortly after his release, police say one of the parolees did just as they feared.
Police say that 51-year-old Troy Davis, who was a “homeless” transient, brutally raped and tortured 61-year-old Mary Kate Tibbits in her home before murdering her and her two dogs. The suspect is also accused of setting her house on fire in order to destroy any evidence left behind, according to KOVR-TV.
The community is reeling in the wake of the violent convict’s heinous crime spree. However, residents of the Sacramento suburb are reserving some of their outrage for the California politicians, whose actions made it directly possible for Davis to carry out these horrors.
Perhaps the most disturbing aspect of the sexual assault and murder was that it was entirely preventable. In fact, had it not been for the state’s “zero bail policy,” Davis would’ve been behind bars instead of stalking his next victim. Authorities confirmed that Davis was already in violation of his parole should have been in custody during the time of the murder.
Police say that the suspect was captured masturbating on a neighbor’s security camera the day before Tibbitts was murdered, the California Globe reports. Davis, aka Troy Davies, had been paroled due to the lawmakers’ policy, despite stealing a car and having an extensive record of violent crimes that should have kept him in jail.
Authorities suspect that Davis is one of at least 76,000 felons released from prison early “for good behavior,” which is another policy hailed by lawmakers. He served just around half his time, despite his violent criminal record. Disturbingly, Davis should have served at least 80-percent of his sentence to qualify for early release, which is the requirement for a violent felony.
Understandably, the community is outraged. District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert admitted that the state is suffering from a “tsunami” of violent crimes all because of the policy.
“The public, I think, would be shocked to learn about this, ‘what do you mean we’re going to let this person out on zero bail?'” she said.
Davis’ criminal history includes assault with a deadly weapon as well as robbery. He had a warrant out for his arrest for receiving a known stolen vehicle, theft and unlawful driving or taking of a vehicle, possession of narcotics, and possession of narcotic paraphernalia. He has since been charged with murder, assault with intent to commit rape, arson of an inhabited structure or property, and burglary, all of which are felonies.
Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg and Councilmember Katie Valenzuela condemned the “zero bail policy” and demanded changes to the law in response to Tibbitts’ heinous murder.
“We cannot simply release people from jail onto the streets without working harder to ensure that they are getting the treatment and services they desperately need to prevent them from harming themselves or others,” Steinberg and Valenzuela wrote. “We understand the profound anxiety and grief that this brutal killing has caused. Our system is broken.”
Yes, the system is broken. However, it’s not broken randomly. It’s broken because our elected officials are implementing policies that benefit criminals and burden civilians.
The political elites aren’t suffering the consequences of their own policies like the public is. It’s time to start holding them accountable for their decisions, starting with the voting ballot.
