Life redefined defies common sense

It’s been said many times that we are a nation of laws and not men. Sometimes, however, we need to be a nation of common sense.

Gov. Bev Perdue is considering bucking a ruling by the N.C. Supreme Court next week that could land her in contempt. Here’s hoping she does exactly that.

The court ruled recently that 20 violent offenders who had received life sentences are eligible for release because of good behavior. The term “violent offender” is almost an understatement, compared to the rapes and murders for which these men were convicted and put away.

One of the prisoners sued the state, contending that in 1970 when he was sentenced to life, the state legally defined the term as 80 years. With credits his lawyers say were rewarded for good behavior, Bobby Bowden and 19 other prisoners have been granted an Oct. 29 release.

The ruling flies in the face of logic, justice and the safety of all North Carolina citizens. Life should mean life. Anyone who receives such a sentence should serve exactly that, and leniency should never be applied to offenders who have committed crimes as vile as the 20 who now are scheduled to go free.

Perdue recognizes that and to her credit vows to fight the ruling even in the face of a possible contempt of court charge that could land her in jail.

As the governor told The Associated Press: “I cannot imagine that our system of laws work in such a way that people who are in prison for a life sentence for rape or murder, now we’re being told that there’s nothing that we can do and that I have to let them out. I just refuse that kind of discussion.”

Perdue has had a rocky start to her term, but in this case, she’s exactly right. Any ruling that can free such offenders needs to be re-examined. And any court that can allow such a proceeding needs a shake-up.

Here’s hoping Perdue sticks to her guns on this.