KELLEHER SEEKS SUPPORT FOR RAPE PENALTY.(Main)

Byline: Neil W. Kelleher

I noted with interest your well-timed editorial noting the problems of sentencing rapists in our state. While pointing to the problem of lenient sentencing for rapists and the propensity of these offenders to repeat their crimes, you called attention to the severity of this violent offense. You also indicated that raising the penalty for rape would dissuade juries from reaching a guilty verdict, because many juries would not feel the penalty was appropriate to the crime.

I agree that judges should be given some latitude in initial sentencing, to ensure that punishment relates to the circumstances of the offense. However, as …