Re:Motive IS relevant to every crime (Score 1)

I agree that motivation needs to be considered in any murder case. After all, it is called the "justice system." Of course any form of terrorism is deplorable and I consider hate crimes as being a form of terrorism. A violent act against a group or person based on predjudice is despicable. There are a few points that muddy this issue though. There is room for assumption and circumstantial condemnation unless it is obviously a blatent "hate crime." From another point of view, if I were the mother of a man that got robbed and murdered for his wallet, I would feel that my sons' murderer should recieve as much time as any other murderer. I can't say I would really care why someone killed him, he is now dead. What about child molesters, do they fall in the category of hate criminals? They terrorize and devastate children and their families, sometimes murdering the children after they are done torturing them. I would call this a hate crime. What about men that abuse their wives? Beat, rape and terrorize them, sometimes murdering them. They direct their hate towards women, is this a hate crime? I see murder as hate, all murder. Where is the line drawn?