‘Madman’ Miller deserves shot at compassionate release

 ‘Madman’ Miller deserves shot at compassionate release

In his younger days, 65 year old Randall Miller lived up to his moniker ‘Madman.’ He was a long time enforcer of the fearsome Outlaws Motorcycle Club, whose job description included murder and mayhem that landed him a life sentence in 2000. His worst documented crimes include the 1993 grisly murder of a couple in Richmond, IL during a burglary, and that of a fellow bad guy over a load of marijuana.

Miller now seeks compassionate release from prison due to his worsening health that has put him in a prison medical center for the rest of his life sentence. He’s wheelchair bound after a leg amputation and suffers from a variety of ailments that have put his ‘Un-Easy Rider’ days in the distant past. If released Miller would live with a brother in Texas.

U.S. District Judge J.P. Stadtmueller, turned down Miller’s request with the bizarre, made up argument that his 27 years in the joint, during which he became an invalid, “is still not enough time for the community’s hurt to be outweighed by his time in prison, his age and medical conditions or his rehabilitation.”

That is utter nonsense. Stadtmueller’s ‘hanging judge’ mentality is responsible for taxpayers spending billions to house decaying prisoners who are no longer a threat to society, and whose further incarceration will have no deterrent effect on potential lawbreakers. The community has long moved on. Even Gregg Gauger, a son of the slain couple, has dropped his opposition to Miller being released. His change was triggered upon hearing Miller finally admitted he killed Gregg’s parents and apologized to the family.

Life sentences, particularly life without parole, are nearly as much of an abomination as the death penalty. While 23 states have sensibly abolished capital punishment, only Alaska prohibits life without parole. Life is far more utilized than death. Lifers outnumber death row inmates 56,000 to 2,500. Most of the former will likely die not knowing who they even are while we taxpayers foot the bill.

Back in that federal prison medical center, Madman Miller may no longer be a madman…but he sure is mad. So should us taxpayers.