he year 1555, Maxwell was drunk, lost control of

his horse and killed a child. He was executed for his

crime. In the year 1955, Sharon was sober, lost control

of her car and killed a child. She was given a suspended

sentence and ordered to pay a $100 fine. In the year

2005, Karl was drunk, lost control of his car and killed

a child. He was given one year imprisonment, a $1,000

fine and is subject to a lifetime licence suspension.

In what way is the principle of stare decisis at

work here, if at all?