Oregon State’s Luke Heimlich excused from playing but remains in uniform
Standout pitcher Luke Heimlich, who was identified as a registered sex offender by The Oregonian on Thursday, asked to be excused from playing while No. 1-ranked Oregon State plays for a berth in the College World Series.
In a statement released through his attorney, Stephen Ensor, the Oregon State ace stated that didn’t want to serve as a distraction. The request came hours before Oregon State defeated Vanderbilt 8-4 in the opening game of the best-of-three NCAA super regional.
This and countless other lives are ruined by the one size fits all application of the registry aka hit list. At this point it is not useful and just servers to publicly shame those on it with NO OTHER function at all.
It needs to go and if not totally, then there MUST be a way off of this damn thing. Whether that is individual assessment or simply a REASONABLE time frame with automatic eligibility for removal.
No one wants those who are truly a danger to others out on the streets. It they are a danger then they should be locked up and there is no need for a registry list.
If they are on probation then they are already closely watched so no need for a registry list.
Why should someone who had been crime free for years or decades continue to treated like a leper? WHY?
What good does it serve to ruin lives and in this young man’s case with most of it ahead of him. WHY?
Why are Americans so vindictive? When did “everyone deserves a second chance” stop in America? What happened?
Lee C,
Even if these RSO Laws went away tommr. so many i assume are like me, have no one and basically, lives in a cave and is afraid to leave their safe place very much. I been in this hermit mentally since 1998-2000 and the confinement has had a major mental effect onto myself. I do the best i can. If these laws would go away tommr. it would take years for me to reverse the mental damage done if ever and to enjoy life again would be virtually impossible as family and friends have abandoned me and i don’t trust people. this country will be suffering the conscientious of isolating people as we are starting to see that happing now and it will be getting worse as more people are in isolation and will continue to be.
I hope things work out for this young man. I wanted to say that this story brings to light a public mentality about RSOs that I have seen a couple times before. People that know him – the school, friends, fans etc. all talk about what a great guy he is (and I am sure he is) and they accept him with his label but unfortunately the general public never seems to make the leap that other RSOs are good people also.
This is an example of why SCOTUS must revisit Smith v. Doe 2003. This IS punishment and you cannot see it any other way.
I’m RSO at 27 years of age since I was 19.
Life is not worth living as RSO.
I know it feels that way but please don’t leave us. I am sure you have people who love you….please reach out to them
Heimlich went undrafted and won’t pitch for the College World Series. He hopes to return next year but lets be honest, you’ll never hear from him again unless he joins the anti-registry movement.