Tuesday, April 7, 1998

Sentence too low

On the recent trial of Christie Smart, who was accused of shaking her 10-month-old son to death: She ought to be counting her blessings that she didn't get more years in prison.

Why is she even given another day of liberty? She ought to go straight to jail and await her appeal there. The door is right open for her to flee and never have to do any days of incarceration.

The justice system is a little messed up. There are people going to prison for more than seven years for lesser crimes. This is a maximum crime that deserves a maximum sentence that Smart committed.

But I guess it all depends on the color of your skin and the amount of money involved. The state of Texas is known for the harshest sentences given, but not in all cases. Why is the crime rate still so high? Are the real criminals being let off? Are we incarcerating "those who can be rehabilitated"?

MARY SOTO

Abilene

Excessive jury duty

I recently received a summons for jury duty, which is the fifth in as many years. From these summonses, I served on one justice of the peace jury, on one grand jury that was one week a month for several months, was not selected on another jury, and in 1996 I served a week on a murder trial.

I don't mind doing my civic duty, but there is something terribly wrong with the system when I have to leave my duties so much while others are rarely called. I am 63 and work 8 1/2 hours a day and half a day on Saturday every other week.

I called the county clerk's office to inquire as to how I get summoned so often. The clerk said selection was made from voter registration and driver's licenses. She said about 200 people were chosen each time, but rarely enough people showed up to seat two 16-person jury panels.

I was under the impression that there was some law, such as contempt of court, for not answering a summons. But evidently the Taylor County sheriff's office chooses not to enforce it.

I don't know how many people register to vote, but if everyone driving a car in Taylor County has a license, there should be an abundance of people to serve on a jury.

I am sure there are unemployed and retired persons who would love to make the $7.50 a day wages. As for myself, no thanks. I already have a full-time job.

BENNY STALLO

Abilene

Guns and children

After watching people on TV agonize over the proper path to take regarding young people gunning down schoolmates in three schools recently, I would like to make some proposals. Since it seems the arguments boil down to accountability and appropriate punishment, let's consider the following.

-- No one who cannot be contracted under law (age 18) should be able to purchase a firearm.

-- No one who cannot be tried as an adult should be allowed to use a firearm except under direct parental supervision.

-- Anyone who fails to properly secure firearms so that they cannot be stolen shall be deemed an accessory to whatever crime occurs as result of such theft.

-- Establish rules regarding use of deadly weapons which are at least as strict as those in effect for driving a car.

-- Anyone found with a loaded weapon while intoxicated shall go to jail.

CHUCK WEBBER

Abilene

All the necessities

Fat-free potato chips and a new oldies station - Cool 92 - all in a month's time. Life is good!

SUZANNA HOSCH

Abilene