Comments on: Twins Accused of Heist Freed http://utcriminologyblog.com/2009/03/23/twins-accused-of-heist-freed/ Crime and Criminology Blog Fri, 23 Apr 2010 14:19:41 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Noelia Morales http://utcriminologyblog.com/2009/03/23/twins-accused-of-heist-freed/#comment-749 Noelia Morales Fri, 03 Apr 2009 16:31:44 +0000 http://utcriminologyblog.com/?p=148#comment-749 WOW! I definitely think this might be the perfect crime. As crazy and sick as it is. Twins are getting away with all types of crimes without worry due to their DNA. As impressive (and crazy) as that is, its an worrisome matter, because you have people getting away with serious crimes. Theft is bad, but rape and murder are even worse, and when you can't convict someone to something that's that serious, you can't help but fear what these results may have in store. Even if one of the twins was really a great person, how can you tell that he/she isn't helping their sibling? I definitely think that cases like this should be taken into great consideration and technology should start focusing on helping with these types of things. Wow, I'm still shocked. WOW! I definitely think this might be the perfect crime. As crazy and sick as it is. Twins are getting away with all types of crimes without worry due to their DNA. As impressive (and crazy) as that is, its an worrisome matter, because you have people getting away with serious crimes. Theft is bad, but rape and murder are even worse, and when you can’t convict someone to something that’s that serious, you can’t help but fear what these results may have in store. Even if one of the twins was really a great person, how can you tell that he/she isn’t helping their sibling? I definitely think that cases like this should be taken into great consideration and technology should start focusing on helping with these types of things. Wow, I’m still shocked.

]]> By: Eric Korytkowski http://utcriminologyblog.com/2009/03/23/twins-accused-of-heist-freed/#comment-738 Eric Korytkowski Wed, 01 Apr 2009 04:14:20 +0000 http://utcriminologyblog.com/?p=148#comment-738 I think this case is ridiculous. I have never heard such a story before. I can't imagine what the police officers are going through right now trying to prove which twin did the crime. Upon reading the first couple of paragraphs, it proved to be something that is talked about in chapter 7. That is labeling. For the rest of their lives these two twins will be labeled as theives becuase of their past. It is one of the reasons why they were caught, becuase they had a bad record. The founder of the labeling theory, Howard Becker would say that labeling offenders as criminals may have negative effects on people. Now these two may or may not be guilty and perhaps nobody will ever know. They were criminals in the past and may have committed this crime as well, but each case should be looked into on neutral terms. I think this case is ridiculous. I have never heard such a story before. I can’t imagine what the police officers are going through right now trying to prove which twin did the crime. Upon reading the first couple of paragraphs, it proved to be something that is talked about in chapter 7. That is labeling. For the rest of their lives these two twins will be labeled as theives becuase of their past. It is one of the reasons why they were caught, becuase they had a bad record. The founder of the labeling theory, Howard Becker would say that labeling offenders as criminals may have negative effects on people. Now these two may or may not be guilty and perhaps nobody will ever know. They were criminals in the past and may have committed this crime as well, but each case should be looked into on neutral terms.

]]> By: Heather Phillips http://utcriminologyblog.com/2009/03/23/twins-accused-of-heist-freed/#comment-646 Heather Phillips Wed, 25 Mar 2009 02:40:55 +0000 http://utcriminologyblog.com/?p=148#comment-646 It must be a horribly frustrating situation for police and those in the justice system involved with this case. They know that at least one of the twins were present at the robbery but they can't prove which one it was (or perhaps both of them were involved?) It's a matter of convicting an innocent man vs letting a guilty man walk free, neither are appealing options. The only option I can see for police in this case is to find the others involved in the robbery and get them to testify as to which twin was involved. However, given the overall lack of evidence in this case it is likely that all the perpetrators will walk free. It must be a horribly frustrating situation for police and those in the justice system involved with this case. They know that at least one of the twins were present at the robbery but they can’t prove which one it was (or perhaps both of them were involved?) It’s a matter of convicting an innocent man vs letting a guilty man walk free, neither are appealing options. The only option I can see for police in this case is to find the others involved in the robbery and get them to testify as to which twin was involved. However, given the overall lack of evidence in this case it is likely that all the perpetrators will walk free.

]]> By: Maria http://utcriminologyblog.com/2009/03/23/twins-accused-of-heist-freed/#comment-644 Maria Wed, 25 Mar 2009 02:38:19 +0000 http://utcriminologyblog.com/?p=148#comment-644 Come on, who leaves evidence behind? The gloves laying beside the ladder used to get to the ground floor. The second I read the title it was predictable that these pair of twins would accomplish the perfect crime. It reminded my of my 4 year old, identical twin brothers. They spent only a month in preschool and seemed to outsmart their teacher instantly with their identity. Matthew said he was William, and Willliam said he was Matthew. It was quite genuis that at their age they know they are identical and could do such a thing. I think it was brave to let the brothers go, and quite a hard thing to say but seems very just, "“The law doesn’t allow us to detain someone indefinitely just because he is suspected of a crime. This may be different elsewhere. But I’d rather live in a country where someone guilty is not convicted for lack of conclusive evidence than in a place where innocent people are locked up.” Come on, who leaves evidence behind? The gloves laying beside the ladder used to get to the ground floor. The second I read the title it was predictable that these pair of twins would accomplish the perfect crime.

It reminded my of my 4 year old, identical twin brothers. They spent only a month in preschool and seemed to outsmart their teacher instantly with their identity. Matthew said he was William, and Willliam said he was Matthew. It was quite genuis that at their age they know they are identical and could do such a thing.

I think it was brave to let the brothers go, and quite a hard thing to say but seems very just, ““The law doesn’t allow us to detain someone indefinitely just because he is suspected of a crime. This may be different elsewhere. But I’d rather live in a country where someone guilty is not convicted for lack of conclusive evidence than in a place where innocent people are locked up.”

]]> By: Aubrey Sheehan http://utcriminologyblog.com/2009/03/23/twins-accused-of-heist-freed/#comment-643 Aubrey Sheehan Wed, 25 Mar 2009 01:33:12 +0000 http://utcriminologyblog.com/?p=148#comment-643 I found this article to be very interesting. I had no idea that DNA in twins was a 99% match, that is amazing. Knowing that both of the brothers have past charges on them for fraud and theft must make it even harder for the police to let both of them go. In my eyes chances are that if one was there the other one was as well. Knowing that there was three people and that the two brothers seem to be pretty close, living together, and both have criminal records. I'm interested to see if in the future we will be able to have the proper technology to figure this out. As for now i think it's a good thing that they let both the boys off not knowing who was to blame, however i do not think they should let them off the hook completely they should still try and keep as close as an eye as possible on them. I found this article to be very interesting. I had no idea that DNA in twins was a 99% match, that is amazing. Knowing that both of the brothers have past charges on them for fraud and theft must make it even harder for the police to let both of them go. In my eyes chances are that if one was there the other one was as well. Knowing that there was three people and that the two brothers seem to be pretty close, living together, and both have criminal records. I’m interested to see if in the future we will be able to have the proper technology to figure this out. As for now i think it’s a good thing that they let both the boys off not knowing who was to blame, however i do not think they should let them off the hook completely they should still try and keep as close as an eye as possible on them.

]]> By: Marissa Huber http://utcriminologyblog.com/2009/03/23/twins-accused-of-heist-freed/#comment-637 Marissa Huber Tue, 24 Mar 2009 18:25:11 +0000 http://utcriminologyblog.com/?p=148#comment-637 I have to agree with Krista; I, too, did not know that the DNA in twins are a 99.9% match. Unfortunately, as this article presents, this can be a major issue in the criminal justice system. It is scary to think that just because two people have identical DNA, this means that it is possible that neither will be charged with a specific crime. It is almost as though the message here is that the crimnial justice system will just turn a blind eye to any crime scene with DNA evidence that is identical to two people. Hopefully with our growing technology we will be able to find away to surpass this loophole someday. I have to agree with Krista; I, too, did not know that the DNA in twins are a 99.9% match. Unfortunately, as this article presents, this can be a major issue in the criminal justice system. It is scary to think that just because two people have identical DNA, this means that it is possible that neither will be charged with a specific crime. It is almost as though the message here is that the crimnial justice system will just turn a blind eye to any crime scene with DNA evidence that is identical to two people. Hopefully with our growing technology we will be able to find away to surpass this loophole someday.

]]> By: Krista Hamann http://utcriminologyblog.com/2009/03/23/twins-accused-of-heist-freed/#comment-633 Krista Hamann Tue, 24 Mar 2009 16:02:34 +0000 http://utcriminologyblog.com/?p=148#comment-633 My initial response to this article was shock and amazement. I had no idea that DNA in twins were 99.9% a match. Something like that is very interesting in the criminal justice world. As interesting as it is, hopefully somewhere down the line we'll be able to find a way to get over that bump in the road, so justice can be served to everyone. What i think should happen is to separate the twins and try to break them that way, see who confesses. If that doesn't work then I agree with the legal system to just let them go if you can't have enough evidence to find them guilty; just keep a close eye on the two of them. I would like to know if there is any way possible to get around this loop hole that has been found in the justice system without breaking any laws. I'm hoping that there is but we just haven't gotten up to that point that. My initial response to this article was shock and amazement. I had no idea that DNA in twins were 99.9% a match. Something like that is very interesting in the criminal justice world. As interesting as it is, hopefully somewhere down the line we’ll be able to find a way to get over that bump in the road, so justice can be served to everyone.
What i think should happen is to separate the twins and try to break them that way, see who confesses. If that doesn’t work then I agree with the legal system to just let them go if you can’t have enough evidence to find them guilty; just keep a close eye on the two of them.
I would like to know if there is any way possible to get around this loop hole that has been found in the justice system without breaking any laws. I’m hoping that there is but we just haven’t gotten up to that point that.

]]> By: Javier Salaverria http://utcriminologyblog.com/2009/03/23/twins-accused-of-heist-freed/#comment-630 Javier Salaverria Tue, 24 Mar 2009 15:37:27 +0000 http://utcriminologyblog.com/?p=148#comment-630 WOW!!!!! i never would of thought having a twin would actually be this good if both were burglars. There must be a way to determine who did it though, or at least eventually someone will figure out how to genetically tell apart a twin. for now they should of kept them both for basically being the same genetic combination, for having already a record of theft, and for having evidence that at least one of them was there. But instead of just holding them in a cell, officials should be questioning them about their participation in that jewelry theft. WOW!!!!! i never would of thought having a twin would actually be this good if both were burglars. There must be a way to determine who did it though, or at least eventually someone will figure out how to genetically tell apart a twin. for now they should of kept them both for basically being the same genetic combination, for having already a record of theft, and for having evidence that at least one of them was there. But instead of just holding them in a cell, officials should be questioning them about their participation in that jewelry theft.

]]> By: Renate Hinds http://utcriminologyblog.com/2009/03/23/twins-accused-of-heist-freed/#comment-620 Renate Hinds Tue, 24 Mar 2009 13:11:42 +0000 http://utcriminologyblog.com/?p=148#comment-620 After reading the article I wondered why one of the suspects could not be held and taken to trial. I mean they do have evidence that it is one of the twin brothers from the DNA found on the glove so let the brothers decide which one it is and let him serve the time for his crime. If there was no evidence at all I could see how this case could be difficult but it is one of them we know this, we have the proof. The criminal justice system both of the USA and other countries sometimes puzzle me. I dont see how this criminal case could not be solved. All that has to be done is to question both twins on their location and activity during the time of the robbery. Find the flawed story get witnessed and that should lead one to which one it is. They already have one of their DNA, so one of them has to be taken to prison for the crime. 6800,000 dollars worth of jwellery stolen and you gonna let two possible suspects get a way because their twins and the DNA found doesnot distinguish which one it is? This is just disturbing. After reading the article I wondered why one of the suspects could not be held and taken to trial. I mean they do have evidence that it is one of the twin brothers from the DNA found on the glove so let the brothers decide which one it is and let him serve the time for his crime. If there was no evidence at all I could see how this case could be difficult but it is one of them we know this, we have the proof. The criminal justice system both of the USA and other countries sometimes puzzle me. I dont see how this criminal case could not be solved. All that has to be done is to question both twins on their location and activity during the time of the robbery. Find the flawed story get witnessed and that should lead one to which one it is. They already have one of their DNA, so one of them has to be taken to prison for the crime. 6800,000 dollars worth of jwellery stolen and you gonna let two possible suspects get a way because their twins and the DNA found doesnot distinguish which one it is? This is just disturbing.

]]> By: Kent http://utcriminologyblog.com/2009/03/23/twins-accused-of-heist-freed/#comment-618 Kent Tue, 24 Mar 2009 12:41:42 +0000 http://utcriminologyblog.com/?p=148#comment-618 This story reminds me of movies where the police acted too soon and the criminal was allowed to go free for lack of evidence. At least they know who to watch for a slip-up. I think these guys should be watched for a while since they cannot go to jail. Obviously if they slip-up and show the jewelry, they should both go to jail, they probably both did the crime. If only one of them did it, it is better that the one not be wrongfully accused. I would like to hear what happens with this. All of that jewelry is going to be sold, they will slip up. This story reminds me of movies where the police acted too soon and the criminal was allowed to go free for lack of evidence. At least they know who to watch for a slip-up. I think these guys should be watched for a while since they cannot go to jail. Obviously if they slip-up and show the jewelry, they should both go to jail, they probably both did the crime. If only one of them did it, it is better that the one not be wrongfully accused. I would like to hear what happens with this. All of that jewelry is going to be sold, they will slip up.

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