County citizens urged to get involved, ask some questions

To the Editor:

I recently read an editorial in your paper, ridiculing the prosecution and judicial system in Lincoln County. I usually do not place much emphasis in editorials that criticize the system. However this one caught my attention and may warrant further questions.

In another issue of your paper I read an article that stated a plea agreement had been made in reference to a man who had stolen a vehicle and caused a pursuit with law enforcement which ended up with an innocent teenage motorist being killed. The article stated that the most serious charge was being dropped so this murderer could plea to a lesser charge. Why? Why plea to anything but the full extent of the law in this case. Is it because this is the easy way out for the prosecutor, or is there another legitimate reason to let this degenerate off lightly. If it is, they should have mentioned that in the article.

I would like to see a reply from the prosecutors and judges as to why these criminals are treated with kid gloves. Is it because law enforcement is building bad cases? Is it because the laws are inept? Or is it because it is the easy thing to do.

If they use the excuse that it is not cost effective, I say "bull." I continually see the same names in the Sheriff's Report section of the paper. I can not help but think that if these people were held responsible and accountable for their actions they would be less likely to re-offend. I would be extremely interested to know why a judge's son, who has been arrested twice in a short period for driving under the influence has managed to get both cases dismissed. This, along with some of the other statements made by Mr. Johnz in his letter to the editor have peaked my attention.

I do not have access to the public records, but I would encourage anyone who does to see if Mr. Johnz' statistic of only three criminal cases being prosecuted in 2004 is true. If this is the case then something is wrong or Lincoln County has the lowest crime rate in the nation.

I encourage you to find out what is happening for yourself. Don't sit idly by and watch officials that you elected neglect their responsibilities to you. If I were a victim of a crime I would be extremely insistent that everything possible was being done to bring the perpetrator to justice and would not be content with a slap on the hand for them.

Citizens of Lincoln County, ask some questions, get involved. Asbestos is not the only issue affecting your lifestyle.

Jeffery Dale

Sandpoint