Two assumptions that the police trying their best to protect the public and get some trash off the street beat him to death? I don't know the history there, but as someone who has been robbed twice, I'd at least give them the benefit of the doubt.

Upstanding citizen "Bocco" could well have had some dependency issues, cardio problems, or just been affraid of the dark. You don't know what happened any more than we do. Why the quick pass for the bad guy?

Certainly not condoning jail house beatings or "elevator rides" but you're wrong if you don't think things like this make real or potential criminals think twice before acting. It certainly isn't the threat of 5 days in jail or rehabilitation that keeps you from being beaten in an alley or your wife from being raped. Criminals aren't rational thinking people like you.