"Cruel and [Usual] Punishment"

It's a well-established legal principle that the law -- be it statutes, rules or regulations -- must not be interpreted so as to render a result that is absurd, oppressive or outrageous. This comes to mind in the case of a homeless woman in Connecticut  who is being charged with larceny for having improperly enrolled her son in a school outside her district, and now the city contends that she misappropriated the corresponding public funds, some $17,000 or so. The real concern here is that, if found guilty, she faces up to 20 years in prison. In spite of the public outcry over this obvious violation of the principle against cruel and unusual punishments, the city continues to press charges.

But, then again, what's so unusual about this case, when you consider that the woman is black?

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