In August 1999, English farmer Tony Martin shot dead a burglar who had

broken into the isolated farmhouse where Martin lived. Martin was convicted

of murder, later reduced to manslaughter. His bid for parole was just

turned down. The parole board gave the following reasons for turning down

Martin’s request. (1) He is “a danger to burglars.” (2) He is “not up to

speed with the 21st century” and thinks that “things were better 40 years

ago.” (3) He has refused to feign remorse. I have not made this up.