In 2000, William Morgan brandishes a hammer. That's a misdemeanor. But he does it as part of a hate crime. Oops. That's a felony. He pleads guilty.
By 2008, Morgan has learned his lesson. He no longer brandishes a hammer. This time, he assaults the victime with a knife.
Oops. That's a felony too. Assault with a deadly weapon. It also doesn't help that he did this while on bail. We don't like that. Twelve years in prison.
By 2020, I assume Morgan will have learned his lesson again. And use a gun this time.
