Let’s face it, rock stars (and their kids) live by a different set of rules than us commoners. Speck Mellencamp, John’s son, is serving a four day jail sentence this month for the severe beating he gave to a 19 year old in Bloomington back in 2013. A pummeling so severe that is was thought the teen might need plastic surgery! But get this, Speck will only be locked up in the Monroe County jail from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and allowed to go home to sleep, because he suffers from a panic disorder. Would the average person be given the same consideration? If you believe that, you really are thinking like someone from a “Small Town”. Speck Mellencamp did plead guilty to the battery charge that was reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor. Look, I understand panic disorders can be severe, but as the saying goes, “if you can’t do the time, don’t do the crime”. Speck learned that if you have the right last name, you’re given certain consideration in life, plain and simple. John Mellencamp has been very good to the Bloomington community, especially Indiana University, so you’d be foolish to think that he doesn’t have a fair amount of clout in southern Indiana. Speck made some horrible decisions on that fateful night back in 2013, and I imagine he regrets them. We’ve all been young and foolish, but the only difference is that you and I probably have paid a heavier price for our mistakes than say a famous Hoosier rock star’s children. And if Speck does indeed suffer from panic disorders, he knows what it’s like to be fearful for his life, just the same way that 19 year old possibly felt as he was kicked and punched. Had I worn the judge’s robe, I would not have sentenced young Speck to time in jail. I would have punished him by having him pick up trash by the side of the road, or other some other community service that would have been far more productive than sitting for 12 hours. Maybe a little public humiliation would have caused the Mellencamps to realize they are just like you and me, and that your actions have consequences.
Here’s a link to the news story from our partners at CBS4: http://cbs4indy.com/2015/08/11/speck-mellencamp-to-serve-4-day-sentence-in-12-hour-stints/
