Right at the outset of Justin K. Hastings’ trial, the former Greene County, Missouri, jailer admitted he’d urinated. He insisted, however, that no inmates were singled out to be urinated on. It was just chance.

According to testimony, Hastings was showing a new jailer around the prison when nature called. He decided to pee through a grate above a prisoner’s recreation area. He heard a basketball bouncing, but “was unsure where anyone was standing.” Just the same, Hastings pleaded guilty to four counts of misdemeanour assault.

Though the four peed-on inmates each received $25,000 (U.S.) in compensation, and Hastings is deeply apologetic, the prosecution is pushing for 15 days of jail time to make sure the right message is sent.

“Nelson Mandela said the true measure of a society is in the way it treats its prisoners,” said Assistant Greene County Prosecutor Cynthia Rushefsky, adding, “All men are created in God’s image, and you don’t piss on it.”

» Scott Saxon