In the 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 $1000 fine and is subject to a lifetime licence suspension.

In what way is the principle of stare decisis at work here, if at all?