Michigan Policeman Shot Five Times, Tells Off Sentencing Judge

A highly decorated police officer who was shot five times last year delivered a harsh message Tuesday to a Wayne Circuit judge.  The judge handed down what the officer called an "insulting" and "lenient" sentence to the convicted 25-year-old man who shot him.

Detroit Police Officer Arthur Matthews, was shot May 6, 2011, while off-duty during a robbery attempt at a Marathon gas station on Michigan Avenue and 11th Street.

The shooter, Christopher Proctor, pleaded guilty to two counts of assault with intent to commit murder, which each carry up to a life sentence. But Wayne Circuit Judge Ulysses Boykin on Tuesday sentenced Proctor to 14-25 years in prison.

Matthews still uses a cane as a result of his injuries from the shooting incident, stood up in the courtroom and called the judge's sentence "insulting."

Mathews told the judge, "This is the message you send to police officers when we try to do our jobs?"  "I don't expect any remorse from the defendant, but I did expect justice from this court."

Boykin explained that he came to his sentencing decision after receiving "numerous letters from Mr. Proctor's family."

"While this is a heinous offense, and Officer Matthews has suffered an injury that will probably never heal ... we've got guidelines that are very lenient."

After the hearing, Matthews scoffed at Boykin's statement. "The guidelines aren't lenient," the officer said. "The judge was lenient."

After the hearing, Boykin declined to discuss his sentencing decision.

This story comes from Policeone.com and is hard to believe, but even harder to swallow for those living in Police families.  Read more about it here.