alt Hacker NewsI mean daily we have responses and posts based on feels, but anyway I would state mine is based on fact.
Firstly, The sentence for running the exact same website, was 5 years.
https://www.vice.com/en/article/silk-road-2-founder-dread-pi...
The two life sentences and 35 years extra that were given to Ross were most certainly abnormal and used to make an example of. I have yet to see this comparison made although if anyone could provide valid reasons in the difference I would be open to listening.
Secondly, the sheer number of posts on this site stating didn't he hire a hitman. No, and there was no conviction of that.
Replies
Did the judge conclude, as part of sentencing, that hiring a hit (or two?) was likely?
What reasoning did the judge give for the sentencing? They might involve similar websites but the crimes can be much different. Two people can run the same drug cartel at different times, but that doesn't mean their crimes are the same.
I think one can say the sentences were too severe and still think some sentence was fine.
Your link says that was a court in England. England generally has different sentencing standards than the US.
I distinctly remember listening to recordings of him hiring a hitman. It's been a long time and my memory is certainly prone to error, but that sort of thing does stick with you. I especially remember the irony because he also preached about non-violence at some point, obviously until someone's continued existence became inconvenient for him.