House of Horror offenders and my take

There are many things that make me wonder about the justice system and how we can or can not raise our children. First off, I would like to say that I agree with the defence attorney in that the "assaults were simply legal punishment for corrective measures." Everytime that you raise your hand to spank your child you are guilty, technically if you take the definition of assault literally, of a battery charge. As for the assault, we have all been guilty of some form of assault in moments of rage. I mean, how many people out there can honestly and truely say that they have never uttered the words "I will kill you if you come one step closer" or "if you dont step back I will knock your teeeth down your throat" or any other form of threat to another person that is pushing you one step over the edge? There is a moment in every persons life that you have said that. Now you may not have followed through with it, but you did threaten it, and I am sure at the moment of rage, you actually meant it that you could do that to the person if they pushed you one more step farther. So, who is to say that a spank on the bottom is over the top when disciplining a child? what about spanking a bare bottom? what about spanking with a wooden spoon? can we honestly say that beating them with a tire iron is wrong, but a wooden spoon is acceptable, and a baseball bat is debateable and in the middle ground?

So the judges decision to charge the parents with "assault with a weapon, assault causing bodily harm, common assault, unlawful confinement, uttering threats of bodily harm" is an unfair tragedy of justice. But, the charges of "possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking and proceeds of crime" were all justified crimes that should be punished. Drugs are becoming a menace to society and should be taken off the streets and by getting the traffickers and not the addicts, you are helping to clean up the streets.

What would I have done if I were the judge? Simple. I would have dropped the charge on the whole assault, even turned a blind eye to the sexual assault, but given them at least 10 years in maximum security for the drug charges. Lenient you say? well, consider this. If the defense attorney suggested that handcuffing, beating and sexually assaulting this little girl was justified punishment for any crime in the house that a 4 year old could do, and let's face it, what could a 4 year old do in a house for a punishment? talk back to mommy? spill the milk? All of these would be considered minor crimes compared to the horrible crime of drug trafficking. Now, who would know better on how to handle punishments like beatings, sexual assaults, handcuffs and other forms of disciplinary actions than those individuals that are in prison themselves? Since this poor girl didn't have police, guards or wardens to over see the punishment to say if it had gone too far or administer medical aide in the case of problems, I say take away the guards and the wardens in the maximum prison that these drug trafficking monsters are held. I am sure that after 10 years of getting anal raped in the shower, raped with notched broom sticks, beaten every night, teeth knocked out so they can't bite down on anythings shoved in their mouths and even give the disciplinary people ropes/binders/handcuffs to help restrain during disciplinary action, these drug traffickers will learn not to do it.

Best thing, since a lawyer suggests that handcuffing and beating a child is "legal punishment for corrective measures", then this is totally legal and acceptable behavior for us to give to the adult criminals of today. Don't you just love it when the law agrees with torture?

'King of castle' guilty
Judge convicts man on multiple charges of sex assault and torture of little girl
By TONY BLAIS, COURT BUREAU

A judge ruled yesterday an Edmonton man accused of torturing a four-year-old girl in a so-called "house of horror" was both the "king of the castle" and the dirty rascal.

Darcy Bannert, 25, was yesterday convicted of sexually abusing the little girl as well as assaulting her by both handcuffing her in the basement and tormenting the liquid-deprived child by spraying her with a water bottle.

The girl's 22-year-old mother, who cannot be named to protect the identity of her daughter, was also found guilty of assault for punching and slapping the girl and for causing the child to be in need of protective services.

Court of Queen's Bench Justice Darlene Acton ruled the girl, who is now five and in the care of Alberta Child and Family Services, was the victim of systemic abuse in a home where Bannert was not only growing and selling pot, but dealing in a twisted form of discipline.

"The evidence is clear that Mr. Bannert was the king of this castle and he ruled over this household with an iron fist," said Acton in a lengthy ruling.

She found Bannert "controlled everything in the home," including the spray bottle and handcuffs used to "torment" the girl "for his own amusement," and said the child's mother was "submissive" and scared of him.

"Everyone who lived in that home was afraid of Mr. Bannert," said Acton.

The judge rejected defence arguments that the assaults were simply legal punishment for corrective measures.

"It can only be described as abusive and an outrage to the standards of decency," said Acton.
As the ruling went on and the convictions mounted, both Bannert and the girl's mother sank lower in the prisoner's box, slumping forward with their heads bowed.

In total, Bannert was found guilty of sexual assault, sexual interference, assault with a weapon, assault causing bodily harm, common assault, unlawful confinement, uttering threats of bodily harm, possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking and proceeds of crime.

After the judgment, the girl's mother, who remains free on bail, left the courtroom quickly. A sentencing date is slated to be set on June 25.

At trial, court heard the victim made spontaneous disclosures to a foster mom revealing Bannert had sexually assaulted her in the bathtub, handcuffed her by her feet in a dark basement and locked her to an iron grate.

Court has heard the girl has been diagnosed as suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Eyewitnesses testified seeing the girl being handcuffed to a box and made to stand on it, being punched and slapped and being deprived of water.

One witness said the girl was so desperate for something to drink that she once drank a mixture of Miracle-Gro liquid fertilizer and water used for the Christmas tree.

There was also evidence of the girl drinking her own urine, being forced to sit with Bannert on the couch while he watched porn, and dancing "like a stripper."

In her closing argument, Crown prosecutor Shelley Bykewich described the home as a "house of horror" where the child lived in a "state of constant terror."