Pubdate: Mon, 09 Apr 2001
Source: Roanoke Times (VA)
Copyright: 2001 Roanoke Times
Contact:  http://www.roanoke.com/roatimes/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/368
Authors: Karen Snell, Kim Washington

SENTENCING DISPARITIES SHOCK AND OUTRAGE

WE KNOW that we're not the only ones who see the injustice in the 
Virginia court system. We, along with our co-workers, have been 
discussing April 4 news articles with a lot of disbelief and anger.

How could a woman who murders a 13-month-old baby receive a five-year 
sentence ("Baby sitter sentenced to 1 year in slaying"), only to 
serve one year at most in prison, while someone gets 10 years for 
growing marijuana ("Jury in pot case convicts man, urges 10-year 
term")?

Is this sending a message to society that it's OK to kill our 
children but not to smoke marijuana? We don't condone the use of 
illegal drugs, but we don't see how this compares in the least with 
the cold-blooded murder of a baby.

Karen Snell, Roanoke
Kim Washington, Rocky Mount
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MAP posted-by: Josh Sutcliffe