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H 21°, L 6°Last week, local police alerted the public that a convicted sex offender was granted release from prison after finishing his sentence, and we too would like to encourage all Madison-area residents to err on the side of caution.
Lindon Knutson has admitted to raping 10 women — nine of whom were juveniles — and has a history of sexual assault that goes as far back as the Vietnam War, when he raped a female prisoner. After becoming a registered sex offender in Wisconsin, he was categorized as a "sexually violent person." In addition, he spent time in a mental health institution while serving his prison term.
While we applaud the MPD's decision to publicize Mr. Knutson's release, we can't help but question the merits of a legal system in which such a dangerous perpetrator is allowed to roam the streets in the first place.
Mr. Knutson is clearly a troubled individual, to say the least, and we question whether the conditions of his release will do enough to prevent him from attacking again. Measures such as 24-hour electronic monitoring and supervision at a halfway house on Odana Road where Mr. Knutson will reside are not enough to guarantee he will not strike again.
Because of lax sentencing for sex offenders at the time of Mr. Knutson's conviction, his prison term was far too short. Jessica's Law was signed into law by Gov. Jim Doyle in May 2006, and it mandates sex offenders serve at least 25 years in prison for the sexual assault of a child. Had the law been on the books at the time of Mr. Knutson's most recent conviction, it is likely he would still be behind bars. It is a shame some of the assaults Mr. Knutson committed could have been prevented if Jessica's Law would have been in place sooner.
Unfortunately, public safety is in jeopardy due to old laws, and Madison residents must be now mindful of the release of such a dangerous felon.
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So, be terrified until further notice?
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I adamantly disagree with the publication of this article. What kind of society are we living in where a man commits a crime, serves his time, and upon his release, is still treated with the hatred and intolerance so openly displayed in this article? If you think his punishment was too lenient (according to your uninformed non-professional opinion), then petition for changes in the legal system, don't take it out on him.
Yes, there are certain crimes such as rape, murder, and torture that make us sick to our stomachs. But there is a difference between justice and revenge. According to the laws at the time of his conviction, justice has now been served. Instead of continuing to blackball ex-convicts, shouldn't they be given the chance to redeem themselves?
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No. A serial rapist should not a be given a chance to redeem himself.
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I don’t think revenge is the issue. The issue is protecting law abiding citizens. Allowing this person to see the light of day after admitting to raping 10 women is the only injustice here.
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Remember that Doyle just stripped funding and guidelined for GPS monitoring of these predators. Remember that the Democrats continue to weaken all legislation dealing with tougher sentences for habitual sex offenders and sexually violent persons.
WAKE UP. These pervs cannot be cured. They WILL reoffend.
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Kumar: Do you have any comments on this? Can we arrange some position for him @ UW? That’d be a swell idea.
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I adamantly disagree with the person who said that it is unfair to publicize the release of such a criminal after they have done their time…they should not be given a second chance and the public has every right to know that their is some scumbag walking among them. Rapists ruin people’s lives…by publicizing their release, we are possibly preventing another young woman’s life from being turned upside down. You use the word “intolerance” in your post…do you honestly think people should be tolerant of him regardless of whether or not he served his time? You have got to be kidding me? Go ask his victims that and see what they think.
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You know what they do to sex offenders in prison. He’s probably had daily beatings and just about every object in the universe shoved up his ass, and that’s justice enough for me.