Florida Agrees To Kosher Food Demand
Florida has agreed to give Lawrence Seth Wayne kosher food, which apparently has opened the door for Israel to allow him to be extradited.
U.S. hit-and-run convict to receive kosher food in prison
Tomer Zarchin • Ha’aretz
A man who had been sentenced by a Florida court to 19 years in prison for a 1998 hit-and-run accident will be extradited from Israel to the United States after American authorities agreed he would be provided with kosher food in prison. The Americans said Wayne will be placed in a county jail where he can receive kosher food, until a decision is made where to place him, whether in a Florida state prison, in another state, or in a federal prison - which provide kosher food. Jerusalem District Court Judge Ben-Tzion Greenberger ruled last month that Lawrence Seth Wayne could not be extradited to a state that would violate his right to practice his religion. Florida state authorities had refused to allow Wayne to receive kosher food in a state prison even if he paid for it privately. If he was not assured kosher food, extraditing Wayne would constitute "a serious violation of his most basic rights."
Way to go Israel, "The Jewish State". A clear message that just because one is guilty of a crime does not mean that he forfeits all rights and freedoms, including the practice of religion.
Posted by: Sol | March 07, 2012 at 10:10 AM
Win - win
Posted by: rebitzman | March 07, 2012 at 10:15 AM
How can someone be sentenced to life in prison for an accident!?
What is wrong with our justice system?
Life in prison is supposed to be reserved for pre-meditated murder. Not negligence - even the most irresponsible kind - of a man impaired by alcohol.
The crime was committed when he got behind the wheel and turned the key. whatever happened afterwards is an unfortunate accident - which doesn't make his original crime more sinister.
The jail culture if America has gone too far.
Posted by: Jefferson | March 07, 2012 at 12:19 PM
You might want to read the facts of this case before opining on the sentence.
Posted by: Haimish McHorny | March 07, 2012 at 12:51 PM
Jefferson, you should go back to law school.
Posted by: Gevezener Chusid | March 07, 2012 at 02:02 PM
Posted by: Jefferson | March 07, 2012 at 12:19 PM
well it depends if he had a history of drunk driving then it is warranted
Posted by: seymour | March 07, 2012 at 02:40 PM
How can someone be sentenced to life in prison for an accident!?
How is 19 years "life"?
And the minute he got behind the wheel of a car drunk, it ceased to be an accident. The second he fled the scene, he doubled the sentence.
Or to put it another way - how many years do you think a life is worth?
Posted by: rebitzman | March 07, 2012 at 03:14 PM
He should stay in Israel with his tribe. It is an utter waste of this American's tax money to house him and give him special accommodations. Let him run around loose, drive drunk in Israel and kill his own people if he (and they) wish. That is a win-win situation.
Posted by: Gladys P. | March 08, 2012 at 04:48 AM
@Gladys
He's paying for the food, and prison is hardly what one could legitimately call "special accomodation".
as to "kill his own people" - could you expand here please? Are you saying it's OK for Jews to die?
Posted by: rebitzman | March 08, 2012 at 09:42 AM
" Let him run around loose, drive drunk in Israel and kill his own people if he (and they) wish. That is a win-win situation.
Posted by: Gladys P. | March 08, 2012 at 04:48 AM "
Careful Gladys P. Life is a boomerang!
Posted by: The Saint | March 08, 2012 at 12:34 PM
Send him to the Palestinians. They know how to properly treat him.
Posted by: chicago sam | March 09, 2012 at 08:01 AM