Evelyn Border And Tina Griekspoor Enjoy Some Public Shaming
November 4, 2009 by Morbid
BEDFORD, Pennsylvania - Fifty-six-year-old Evelyn Border and her 35-year-old daughter, Tina Griekspoor, stole two Wal-mart gift cards from a 9-year-old girl who had set them down while an employee helped her. One was for $50, the other for $30. They then attempted to use them twice before being caught. Their punishment for their crime? They had to stand outside the courthouse for 4 1/2 hours Tuesday each holding signs that read: “I stole from a 9-year-old girl on her birthday! Don’t steal or this could happen to you!” Because they did this, Bedford County District Attorney Bill Higgins says he’ll ask for probation instead of jail when they plead guilty to the theft.
I know some people are out there right now spouting that the punishment doesn’t fit the crime. That humiliation is cruel and unusual and that these people were obviously desperate. I say so fucking what? A lot of people on hard times right now not out stealing from other people. Besides, I think a bit of public shaming goes a long way and is a much better deterrent than 30 days in jail or some probation. Assistant District Attorney Travis W. Livengood, is the one who suggested the punishment. “Such shameful conduct deserves to be met by equally shameful punishment,” he said.
I like what Livengood is selling. But then again, if I had it my way – downtown streets would still have stockades full of petty criminals with buckets of soft, squishy tomatoes for law-abiding citizens to toss. Besides, it keeps the jails and prisons full of people who deserve to be there. Border says she knows what they did was a mistake and that she agreed to the sign holding because it meant she would avoid jail. She didn’t have the money to fight it anyway she says. Griekspoor (ironic) added “I have a family I’m supporting. My husband is laid off.”
Since having a family with a laid of husband does not get you out of having to pay for getting caught stealing, I think this punishment is perfect. Throwing her in jail would just compound the problem. Anyway, the mother of the little girl said she planned on driving her daughter by the two women so that she can see what happens to people who take things that do not belong to them.
So, what do you think? Does the punishment fit the crime?
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10:15 am on November 4th, 2009
I think it’s perfect. And should happen more often.
10:15 am on November 4th, 2009
I love it! I think as adults, we usually do not have to truly face shame as a motivating factor NOT to do the wrong thing. It’s something that works wonders for children–remember how shameful it used to be to be called to the principal’s office? I think this is a great idea–these woman are not bloodthirsty criminals and I’m sick of hearing overcrowding excuses for the reasons that truly violent assholes are NOT imprisoned.
Perfect punishment and they deserve every moment IMO.
10:28 am on November 4th, 2009
I think this is appropriate and I like the throwing tomatos idea as well. I saw this on the news this morning but I didn’t see the pics of them. For some reason I was thinking these two individuals were much, much younger. They ought to be ashamed of themselves. I’d stand in the middle of an intersection with a sign that says “will work for food” before I’d freaking steal from a 9 YO.
10:31 am on November 4th, 2009
They stole from a 9 year old girl. I think buckets of ninja stars would be appropriate.
11:34 am on November 4th, 2009
I don’t think there is anyone who would think this punishment was inappropriate.
11:41 am on November 4th, 2009
Absolutely!
I love this:) Public shaming can go a long way. I’d like to see more of it. Save jail for rapists, murderers, child-molesters and the like. Public shaming for petty criminals. I also like the tomato throwing idea, as long as the tomatoes are no longer fit for human consumption. If they were still edible, that would be a waste of food.
I know these are hard economic times and it’s rough to support a family when pay is being cut, people are being laid off, city governments are coming up with extra taxes to try to raise revenue and prices continue to rise. That’s no excuse to steal and I’ve no sympathy for these crooks. There are other ways to have your needs met than stealing, especially from a child! Cut back on nonessentials. Budget what resources you do have a little better. Apply for government aid. It’s there for a reason and there is no shame in accepting it. We’ve all paid into it in case we ever need it.
11:47 am on November 4th, 2009
You’d be surprised. In fact, I think I even saw some articles questioning the punishment.
1:08 pm on November 4th, 2009
Love this, works on several levels.
But it irks me that they are still making excuses for stealing. I’m betting it wasn’t the first time for either of them, just first time they were caught.
These two “ladies” are more than lucky that they are not doing real time. Wonder if they really appreciate it?
1:16 pm on November 4th, 2009
Bedford County ADA goes DD on perps whole stole from child – priceless!
1:16 pm on November 4th, 2009
I totally agree. Adults tend to forget what shame feels like. Being forced to hold up a sign like that might make even the formerly shameless think twice next time, if only because they don’t want to be humiliated again. I don’t really give a shit why they stop, as long as they keep their fucking hands off other people’s property. I hate thieves with a passion.
1:20 pm on November 4th, 2009
Hardee Har Har! Love the pic of the 35 yo.
1:32 pm on November 4th, 2009
If they’re drug addicts, shame will have no real effect on them. Especially if they’re tweekers.
1:39 pm on November 4th, 2009
True. Nothing makes you lose your shame faster than crack or meth.
1:41 pm on November 4th, 2009
If that were the case, no punishment (at least for this crime) would work. At least this way I have a story with a funny picture.
Or, maybe it would be a nice deterrent for other tweekers out there who would rather not be sitting outside of a courthouse holding a sign.
1:52 pm on November 4th, 2009
I love it! I hope all their friends and neighbors drove by pointing and laughing.
1:56 pm on November 4th, 2009
I bet if they knew they would have had to do that punishment for that crime-they would not have stolen those gifts cards. Yes this was the right punishment. good job D.A. Livengood
2:35 pm on November 4th, 2009
If nothing else, I hate their excuse. How do they know the people they still from aren’t having their own rough times. Oh wait, they don’t and they don’t care either. Shame em all!
3:02 pm on November 4th, 2009
I think publicly shaming someone, no matter what the crime, is a hell of a better deterrent than jail. Having every single person that walks by you know exactly what kind of a scum bag you are would probably make someone think 2 or 3 times before doing something again. Most people who are selfish enough to do crimes like this think much more highly of themselves than of their victims. Public shaming is the best punishment.
3:23 pm on November 4th, 2009
You’re absolutely right on the first count. If they stole due to a drug habit, no punishment will reform them.
But punishment has to be pretty fuckin’ severe to act as a deterrent, especially in regard to a class of individual that commits crime under the pretense that they won’t get caught and is driven by a compelling addiction.
So, yeah – at least we have a funny picture.
4:31 pm on November 4th, 2009
[...] – Twee Amerikaanse vrouwen kregen van de rechter een opmerkelijke straf. Evelyn Border (56) en haar dochter Tina Griekspoor (35) hadden een cadeaubon van een 9-jarig meisje [...]
5:20 pm on November 4th, 2009
I think this was great. I think there should be more creative punishments dolled out for these types of crimes. They should of made the one bitch stand up though and the other take her hood off, but I’m laughing pretty good right now. Hee hee
6:57 pm on November 4th, 2009
People who are so concerned about making sure criminals have more rights and rewards than the victims ought to have their own shame forced on them. Maybe it would help them see what idiots they are.
7:56 pm on November 4th, 2009
I agree, what a couple of losers. When they ripped off a nine year old girl they lost any rights they may have had. I hope they get robbed while standing there like the POS’s they are.
5:47 pm on November 5th, 2009
Perfect! I love this ! This makes me giggle…… a lot.They both got exactly what they deserve! I agree with the others who think this sort of public shaming may serve better than placing some people in jails that are already overcrowded.
2:09 pm on November 6th, 2009
That’s what they do around here when people are caught stealing from stores. I remember the first time I saw one when I was still in HS some 9 years ago. There was a lady who’d tried steal from Goody’s. They wouldn’t let her just sit or stand, though. She had to march in front of the stores along that strip with the sign. I was with a group of my friends, and as I mentioned, we were in high school. So, you know that meant much heckling for her.
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