This title by Reason seems unreasonable. The man was convicted of "tampering with evidence". In other circumstances, it would have been perfectly legal for him to transport these pamphlets.

As it turns out, when someone (your wife) gets arrested and tells you to do "whatever you need to do" and "move whatever you need to move at the house", it is highly illegal to then proceed to do so.

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Hugsbox 17 hours ago | parent | next [-]

I totally appreciate this point, but 30 years????

Convicted murderers often get lighter sentences

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gordian-mind 15 hours ago | parent [-]

By tampering he becomes an accessory, which in some juridictions are punished on the same level as the principals. In this case, the principals have been convicted on terrorism charges.

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voxic11 14 hours ago | parent [-]

fwiw he wasn't charged as an accessory in this case. He was charged with "corruptly concealing a document or record" and "conspiracy to conceal documents".

In fact federal law provides that accessorys can't be sentenced to more than 15 years if the principal crime is punishable by life imprisonment (like terrorism is).

> or if the principal is punishable by life imprisonment or death, the accessory shall be imprisoned not more than 15 years.

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/3

	▲	gordian-mind 13 hours ago \| parent [-]
		Thanks for the precision.

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benterix 16 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

> As it turns out, when someone (your wife) gets arrested and tells you to do "whatever you need to do" and "move whatever you need to move at the house", it is highly illegal to then proceed to do so.

If it was my wife, I'd probably do my best to save her.

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gordian-mind 14 hours ago | parent [-]

This didn't save his wife. You are free to help your wife in non-illegal ways.

	▲	snypher 3 hours ago \| parent [-]
		I'm free to help my wife by any means necessary, thanks.