On Election Day, I read the Review-Journal article, “2-5 years prison for ex-teacher.” It left me wondering in what universe I am living. A former fourth-grade teacher “admitted to touching a student’s genitals in class.” Turns out defendant pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual conduct, not one count.
Makes one wonder how many more contacts have gone unreported.
According to the article, Judge Mary Kay Holthus stated, “The only reason I’m going along with this is because he’s at least acknowledged what he did.” What an appalling reason to accept a plea bargain. I wonder if the children involved will be affected for only two to five years.
When will real punishment for crimes, especially against children, return to our judicial system? Far too often we read where judges substitute real punishment in favor of offenders who say they are sorry. One can be sorry and still serve harsh punishment for their crime in prison.
As I attempted to decide which judges should receive my vote, I found it difficult to get sufficient information on which to evaluate them. We are left electing judges without adequate information, and then we wonder why such plea bargains are becoming the norm. Shame on us.
