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The judge issued the punishment at their sole discretion. The legislature sets the laws often without any input from the constituency.

Meanwhile a sizable campaign has materialized around this case and many people do feel he has done enough time and should be free without any restrictions

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That almost sounds like what commutation is for.

It's certainly not what pardons are for.

> many people do feel he has done enough time and should be free without any restrictions

This could be said for any number of people rightfully detained by the US for crimes of incredible magnitude.

Which is why "jury nullification" still exists. Just because a law exists does not mean the public good is automatically improved by blithely enforcing it with zero tolerance.

Jury nullification isn’t granted existence. It’s not an express power, it’s just a natural consequence of the jury system.

It’s not possible to make it not exist.

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