Quote (Magicman657 @ 23 Oct 2017 05:09)
It really depends on which lens you are viewing the situation from. From the public's perspective, yeah, it's pretty awful that such a vile person wouldn't have to go to jail for his or her crimes. However, from the victim's perspective, I can totally understand how it'd be easier to move forward with 32 million dollars than it would be with 0 dollars and some guy you'll never see or hear from again in prison. Not everyone shares that opinion; some may say "fuck the money I want to see you in jail on principle", but there is definitely some value in letting the victim decide which outcome is going to emotionally benefit them more.
In England the court can order compensation paid in addition to jail time for the defendant. As we're talking hypotheticals I don't see why it shouldn't be, and admittedly don't know if it is, the same in the US.