That sort of logic is what allows our flawed judicial system to continue with arbitrary and/or discriminatory sentencing. Yes, the Steubenville Rapists were under-penalized. And yes, this student was over-penalized.
To me, this seems like both data points illustrate the lack of true equality under the law (in the United States, at the very least).
Guns and bombs threaten the state monopoly on power, violence and punishment
And this is a good thing as long as citizens have control of the state. In fact, it's one of the chief functions of the state.
It's when citizens get lazy and allow themselves to be manipulated that this goes bad.
But here there's another irony. The state is crying about a personnel shortage in STEM, yet simultaneously threatening ridiculous punishment for the very same characteristics that lead to excellence in STEM.
To me, this seems like both data points illustrate the lack of true equality under the law (in the United States, at the very least).