COMMENTARY: Why Was Shamal Thompson on the Streets?

Editor's note: This is a commentary piece from the site's editor, Dave Thomas. If you would like to respond, feel free to send us a comment.

As a memorial service was being held today for slain cancer researcher Dr. Eugenia Calle, her alleged killer sits in jail.

Calle was discovered dead a week ago today by her fiance in her high-rise condo in the Aqua Midtown building in Midtown Atlanta. According to authorities, Calle's death was the result of a fatal blow to the back of the head.

Police believe that Shamal Thompson, 22, posed as an interested buyer in Calle's condo, which the 57-year-old had up for sale so that she could move in with her future husband. After reportedly going up to her 20th floor condo to view it, Thompson allegedly tried to rob Calle. The two reportedly struggled and Calle was hit in the head.

In an interview with police, Thompson reportedly claims he pushed Calle, but she hit her head on a counter and he moved her body into a kitchen pantry.

What makes Calle's death even more shocking is that Thompson reportedly returned to her condo the next day in an attempt to take some more items from the unit. A security guard became suspicious and took down the license plate of the vehicle Thompson was operating.

When he was captured last Thursday, Thompson reportedly had used one of the victim's credit cards to purchase items that included clothing, shoes and a watch. Calle's engagement ring was also reportedly stolen from her hand after her death.

Thompson's arrest last Thursday was not his first run-in with the law.

Records from several area counties show that at only 22 years old, Thompson had already been arrested for burglary, and theft by taking and theft by receiving involving a stolen car. The burglary charges were in DeKalb County, and Thompson was sentenced to a decade in prison, with six months to serve.

As it turns out, Thompson was credited with approximately two months' time served and his sentenced was dropped down to time served.

The prosecution in that case wanted Thompson to serve one year in jail, but DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Cynthia Becker sentenced him to six months as noted above, but then suspended that sentence and set him free since he had been held for nearly two months. The bottom line is this individual should not have been out on the streets in the first place, given his past criminal record.

Many of us are all for giving someone who deserves a second chance just that.

Clearly, Shamal Thompson deserves only one thing at this point if found guilty by a jury of his peers.

As for Judge Becker, while none of us can predict what will happen when we let criminals out on the streets, hopefully this preventable crime will serve as a wake up call to her and other judges who believe in the unfortunate slap on the wrist mentality when it comes to dealing with criminals.