Theraputic Nanny State or Police State? You Decide

King, Tyson have contrasting styles, plans for AG's office

By GARRY MITCHELL
Associated Press Writer
From The Montgomery Advertiser

MOBILE, Ala. (AP) -- In the race for Alabama attorney general, Republican incumbent Troy King and Democrat John Tyson Jr. have contrasting styles and plans for making the state safer.

Tyson, a former state school board member and Mobile County's district attorney since 1994, says voters have a choice: "experience or no experience."

King, appointed to the post after serving as Gov. Bob Riley's legal adviser, says he has successfully pushed for tough new laws holding sex and drug offenders accountable for crimes and won a conviction in a capital murder case removed from Tyson's office.

While King has a "get-tough-on-crime" platform, Tyson promotes a plan for keeping criminals out of prison: Tackle their bad behavior early, such as targeting poor school attendance, and assign a "multidisciplinary team" to steer them away from crime.

That type of intervention is being used in Mobile County. When a teacher notices behavior that could lead to criminal offenses, for example, the DA's office writes a letter to the child's parents.

Eventually, other members of the team, including church leaders and child protection agencies, get involved.

Tyson believes it's an idea that could reduce inmate ranks in each county.

King, however, said it's not the attorney general's job to be a "social engineer," who uses the streets as a "social laboratory."

"It's his job to make our state safe," King told a convention of county commissioners Wednesday. King and Tyson addressed the convention in separate appearances at Orange Beach.

King, 37, was appointed attorney general by Riley in March 2004 to fill the seat vacated when Bill Pryor became a federal appeals court judge.

Tyson, 53, who earlier served four terms on the State Board of Education, cites his record as being involved in more than 25,000 felony convictions. He said all he hears from Montgomery is get "tough on crime" while the prison population soars.

"We have nearly every jail in Alabama full," Tyson said.

He said it's "better to stop the crime from happening in the first place."

The county officials appeared responsive to a plan to reduce their jail populations.

But King said prosecuting criminals is just one of several ways he favors to keep the state safe.

He cited death sentences in cases handled by his office for Westley Devon Harris in rural Crenshaw County, who was convicted in the shotgun murders of six members of a family at their farm in August 2002; and serial killer Jeremy Jones, who killed Lisa Nichols of Mobile County in 2004 and tried to burn her body.

"When the family couldn't get justice from the district attorney's office, we stepped in," King said, a jab at Tyson.

The Jones case remains a sore point with Tyson. The victim's family wrote King asking that state prosecutors take over the case, citing delays in bringing Jones to justice.

King also reminded the county officials of tough new laws approved during his tenure that target sex offenders and meth dealers.

"You hold accountable those who hurt the people of this state," King said.

And he said it's not enough just to prosecute. He said he has pursued convicted criminals through their appeals and bids for parole.
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I am unable to decide which candidate for Alabama Attorney General I find more vile and disgusting or whether I would rather have a theraputic/nanny state as Mr. Tyson proposes or the continuation of a police state as is the custom of his majesty Mr. King.

Truth be told THEY BOTH SUCK!!!

John Tyson: "While King has a "get-tough-on-crime" platform, Tyson promotes a plan for keeping criminals out of prison: Tackle their bad behavior early, such as targeting poor school attendance, and assign a "multidisciplinary team" to steer them away from crime.

That type of intervention is being used in Mobile County. When a teacher notices behavior that could lead to criminal offenses, for example, the DA's office writes a letter to the child's parents."

The DA's office writes a letter to the childs parents? Why is the DA involved in the actions of school children? Don't they have enough REAL CRIME in Mobile? Reading the papers one would think that truancy and playground squabbles would be at the very bottom of the list. I guess all public school children are being viewed as pre-criminal now.

Troy King: King, however, said it's not the attorney general's job to be a "social engineer," who uses the streets as a "social laboratory."

I agree with King on that but I have to point out that the drug war is social engineering that uses the streets as a social laboratory so all I can really say to King is PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH HYPOCRITE!!!!

I am going to go vomit now. Looks like I won't be casting a vote for AG on Nov. 7.
Regardless of who we get what we get will not be justice. The lesser of two evils (if one could actually make such a decision between these two choices) means the only thing you will get for certain is EVIL!