Beating An Infant Is Violence

Here's the crime stories making the news in Bell County this morning. There were a couple about the serial rapist plaguing Bell, Leon and Falls county over the past few months.

• Texas Rangers release profile of serial rapist targeting elderly women in Bell, Leon and Falls counties
• KWTX story on the release of the profile of the rapist

Here are a few other Bell County crime stories.

• Two teens arrested for Thanksgiving burglary in Killeen
• Court gives 50 year sentence for Killeen man who beat a two year old unconscious
• Court gives Temple felon 18 years for beating an infant and breaking nine bones

The disparity in sentencing between these two cases is interesting. While both men beat a small child causing severe injuries, one got 50 years and the other only 18.

The Killeen Daily Herald recorded some interesting quotes in covering the trial of the Temple child abuser.

Arismendez's father and sister took the witness stand on his behalf, and claimed that although he has prior convictions for burglary and lying about his identity, he is a good son and brother and not a violent man.

Arismendez has an assault charge pending involving the infant's mother.

When police interviewed Arismendez, he first told them his 3-year-old son was responsible for the injuries, and then that someone at the hospital did it.

"I think that the violence to the child was much too severe for any type of probation," prosecuting attorney Mike Waldman said.

I'm not sure the defendant's actions jibe with the assertion that he "is not a violent man". I think beating an infant to the point of breaking nine bones and then trying to blame someone else qualifies one for the "violent man" moniker.