Talk:Thomas W. Ross

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[edit] Derek Twyman?

I'm restoring this content. This case has been gaining considerable attention in both North Carolinian and Canadian media. It has appeared as a topic of discussion at various university law faculties as well (one school has even apparently formed a 'Free Derek Twyman Campaign'). Criticism of Judge Ross has not been flattering (to say the least), but this addition to the article was made in a very NPOV manner. If you'd like additional sources, please request them. But, with all due respect, your lack of awareness about a pressing legal issue is hardly grounds for the removal of this content. Frank Pais (talk) 23:53, 26 March 2008 (UTC)

I'm removing this content but putting it here for ease of reference. This appears to be someone's pet cause, but as for it being "widely known," or having an "international movement" I've yet to see evidence of that. If someone has more knowledge of this being truly notable, please say so, but otherwise, I don't think this belongs in an article about Judge Ross. Awbeal (talk) 01:32, 24 March 2008 (UTC)

Ross is widely known for his controversial sentence of a non-violent offender to 160 years in prison. In 1989, Derek Twyman (a Canadian citizen living in North Carolina) was given four consecutive 40-year sentences on four convictions for minor property crimes, totalling 160 years in person. An international movement has since developed to free Twyman, and has said that the sentence given by Ross constitutes "cruel and unusual punishment", contrary to the 8th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.[1][2]