I've said some good things recently about good opinions and good people. So lest I fall totally into an always-feel-good frame of mind, I thought I'd remind myself of some of the other things I see in the various appellate opinions.
Man o' man.
"In 1972, Field convinced a five year-old
boy that was playing outside to follow Field inside his home. Once inside, Field
molested him. Field was convicted of violating Penal Code section 288."
Molesting a five-year old child. Bad deal. In the modern era, you'd be put away for a long, long time.
But that was back in '72. Different times. So . . .
"The following year, Field married a woman named Patricia and lived with her and
her three sons, whom he adopted."
You can probably figure out what happens next, right?
"From around 1974 to 1981, Field molested his adopted
son Joseph. Joseph was about five years old at the time Field started molesting him.
Field would fondle and orally copulate Joseph and then force Joseph to fondle him."
Bad enough. But is that all? Not even close.
"During this time, Field also was regularly molesting one of his other sons, Eric. Field
molested Eric over the course of several years, starting when Eric was around four years
old. Field forced Eric to submit to and perform oral copulation. During this same time period, Field also molested a nine-year-old cousin of Joseph
and Eric."
Crickey.
At least now the authorities take it seriously.
"Field was convicted of violating Penal Code section 288 for his offenses
against Eric. He subsequently was committed to a state hospital for treatment as a
mentally disordered sex offender. However, he was kicked out of treatment and sent
back to prison because he disregarded the hospital's rules and was 'unamenable to
treatment.'"
So I guess he's going to be in prison, or treatment, essentially forever then, right?
Nope. It's no longer the '70s, but it's still the '80s.
"After Field was released, Field moved to Montana with his wife and Eric."
Yes. That Eric.
But I'm sure everything will be fine.
"In
1986, Field was convicted of molesting his young neighbor, who was nine or 10 years old
at the time, after he kissed the boy all over his genital area and body. He was sentenced
to 16 years in prison with eight years suspended."
Third time molesting young boys. Total recidivism. Eight total years. Seems about right. (Sarcasm alert)
"After Field was released for this offense, for the next eight years, Field would have
sex with teenage boys in an attempt to 'change his sexual attraction' from young boys.
The boys were reported to be between 15 and 18 years old. Field claimed they were all
over the age of 16."
Yeah. That's just what the doctor ordered, I'm sure. Shift to teenagers. No worries there.
"Field became a long haul truck driver so that he could reduce his contact with
children. While on the road as a truck driver, Field had sex with prostitutes, both male
and female, but stated they were all above the age of consent."
Oh. Okay. Problem solved then. (Note: Sarcasm continues.)
"Also, while working as a truck driver Field was at a truck stop when he saw two
young children by themselves. He bought them food and gave them money to play video
games. When the manager came by and saw Field with the children, he asked Field if he
was related to the children. When Field said no, the manager told the children to leave.
In 1991, Field wrote a letter to Joseph and said that if he had the opportunity, he
would molest Joseph's three-year-old son.
During this time, Field was vocal about his sexual attraction to children."
Geeze. Seriously.
"In 2006, Field was arrested for possession of amphetamine and controlled
substance paraphernalia."
Now that's a good idea. You've got a serious pedophilia problem, so getting high on amphetamines is probably a great idea. I'm sure it makes you awesome driving that long-distance truck as well.
"While he was in custody, Field started rubbing the leg and
genital area of an inmate he was handcuffed to, despite the man's attempts to stop him.
The inmate was a young man in his early 20's."
Oh my.
"Field has been housed at Coalinga State Hospital since 2009. He has not
participated in treatment there. Between 2012 and 2013, there were three incidents
involving Field at the hospital. Field grabbed the hand of another patient and put it on his
crotch. Field also gave another patient an enema after the patient asked for one. A nurse
was present outside the open door while Field gave the patient an enema. Finally, Field
kissed the forehead of a demented, older male patient and put his arm around him."
To be honest, I'm not that worried about that last thing. At least in isolation. Kissing the forehead of a demented old man to comfort him doesn't sound like the worst thing in the universe. But the other stuff? Yikes. So say that there's a lack of control here seems a huge understatement. And the fact that Mr. Field consistently refuses treatment pretty much says everything you need to know.
One last thing. "At the time of his trial, Field was 63 years old. He planned to return to work as a
truck driver if released."
Wow.
