COMMENT | FROM READERS
NOt is frustrating SECOND CHANCES WARRANTED to read stories about so-called “criminal justice” today as
I
shown by the article concerning Vy Thang (“Another Chance,” 9/17/15). At 17, he kicked an 85-year-old woman to death while committing a burglary because “he didn’t know what to do.” He could have run away. You could have printed some facts about the victim, her family, her friends and the impact the murder had on the community, but of course, you didn’t. Go figure. He needs to be resentenced because of a U.S. Supreme Court case mandating that juveniles’ sentences for LETTERS someone under 18 be reconsidered Send comments to with the judge taking into consideditor@inlander.com. eration any mitigating factors. As a result of the case, Washington state passed a statute setting out what should be done. Of course, as par for the course in our now criminal defendant’s system, the statute makes no mention of any consideration for aggravating factors. All this is based on scientific evidence that the brain doesn’t mature until long after the age of 18, in some cases scientists argue until the age of 25. I guess this means we will no longer be able to allow our 18-25 year-olds to enlist in the military because they obviously cannot maturely make a decision for themselves of the risks that they may not return home after being in battle. We will also have to change the laws and not allow young people to drive at 16, vote at 18, drink or use marijuana legally until 21. We better start on these changes right away because otherwise we are risk for endangering those tender lives we presently put at risk and the mistakes they may make until they “grow up.” DON BROCKETT, former Spokane County Prosecuting Attorney (1969-1994) Spokane, Wash.
Reactions to a blog post (9/18/15) examining data on police officer deaths that doesn’t support the notion there’s a “war on police.”
JOHN O’BRIEN JR.: Well, when the sheriff says “we have been providing our own oversight,” you have to wonder. I support the police doing their job (protecting the public) but if they are truly interested in maintaining the trust of citizens, they should embrace independent oversight. I doubt jailers would think prisoners should provide their own oversight. GABRIEL HANSON: So after reading this it’s not really pointing that there isn’t a war on police, but rather that police are able to handle these escalated situations better. There is still just as high as an assault rate, but the injury rate and death rate is decreased and better dealt with. Could be from training, advancements in equipment or both. MARK DAVIS: These facts coupled with the fact that cops kill more citizens than ever is reason for serious change in policing policies. LOUIS MORNINGSTAR: Maybe the guys in blue should stop boohooing and do the job they signed up for! The late night 7-Eleven clerk faces just as much potential danger in their job without weapons, body armor and special training, yet I don’t see them complain about how they feel like targets in a war!
SEPTEMBER 24, 2015 INLANDER 11 NQ_Conquest_092415_12V_CPW.tif