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Kevin Weber is spending 29 years in jail for stealing a cookie, thanks to California Lawyer-Judge Jean Rheinheimer and Political Prosecuter James Hicks

Kevin Weber has had problems with staying out of trouble. He was convicted of a burglary and assault with a firearm. He went to jail and served his time. Now, Kevin has done the unspeakable. He stole four chocolate chip cookies from a restaurant and California Judge Jean Rheinheimer determined must serve 26 years to life in prison under the state's ``three strikes'' law. The well off judge-lawyer firmly stated `"I just see no reason to say Mr. Weber is anything other than the three-strikes defendant the people and the Legislature had in mind when they enacted this law''. I wonder if she has seen the play, or read, Les Miserables?

Three-strikes laws are popular with politicians who pass them to assure voters they are "tough on crime," even though they mandate tough -- and inhumane -- punishments after a third conviction for anything.  Politician-lawyer  prosecutor James Hicks said Weber, who fled the scene after an alarm sounded, deserved a life sentence despite stealing only cookies.  Hicks was sure Kevin would have "probably (had money stuffed in his pockets,'' if he hadn't been scared away by an alarm. Weber's attorney -- possibly an underpaid and overworked public defender, argued without success for leniency, pointing out the crime itself carries a maximum three-year sentence.