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Massena woman outraged by sentence issued in rape case

Posted 5/18/12

To the Editor I would like to know by what definition of judicial authority and judgment did Judge Jerome Richards guideline himself when he sentenced a Gouverneur man convicted of raping a 12 …

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Massena woman outraged by sentence issued in rape case

Posted

To the Editor

I would like to know by what definition of judicial authority and judgment did Judge Jerome Richards guideline himself when he sentenced a Gouverneur man convicted of raping a 12 year-old girl to merely five years in prison with eight years of post-release supervision?

I am completely outraged, shocked, and appalled, and a few other words I cannot utter in this forum. This is not only a travesty of justice, but I also submit very well potentially a judicial misconduct, and I will also be forwarding my concerns in this matter to the NYS Attorney General’s Office.

As a parent of four girls, and as someone whom has also immersed and educated himself fluently on the topic of sexual predators over the past four years, with all due respect, Judge Richards, this sentence is just the absolute height of judicial ignorance, if not stupidity.

I suggest that our local judges educate themselves on sexual predators, their twisted mindset and thought process, how they operate and maneuver to manipulate, seduce, and victimize their victims, and what the lifelong effects are on their victims, prior to making a decision on sentencing in child rape cases. These type of offenders, by their nature, are not able to be rehabilitated. Not by five years, not by fifty.

And to the young victim and her family, I am very sorry for what has happened to you. The system failed you. And I hope you realize that it was not your fault, and there are people out there who care about you.

Leland Farnsworth, Massena