Why exactly? Because he spanks his kid with a switch? Maybe the 4 year old doesn't listen to reason. Maybe when you put him in time out, he just gets up and does what he wants. I don't spank my son, but there are kids who will push anyone to their limits. Experts can say that parents shouldn't do this or that when you raise your kids, but what do they know about my kids? You can't lump all these kids into one group. They're individuals and they all respond differently to discipline. There are no easy answers when it comes to raising kids. My son likes to try to climb into the oven when I'm baking something. I put one of my stepsons in time out, he sat down for 15 seconds then threw a Wii remote through a flat screen tv. You do the best you can, and if you're a good man, you're going to do all right. But you're going to be tested and you're going to make mistakes.
Now, hitting with a switch is too far. But that's how he was raised. I don't think he needs to be locked up for it.
I have no issue with him spanking his kid, etc....this country has turned into a bunch of liberal PC pussies when it comes to stuff like that.
But when you take, essentially, a weapon and beat him to the point where he did in this case, that's different.
I agree the intent wasn't to do this but the intent here doesn't override the result.
This is a 4 year old child. 4!
If you don't think he should be locked up, I assume you don't think Rice should, right?