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Show At Last, the Law's Due THE scene in the United States district court Saturday was eloquent in offering evidence that the confirmed evildoer is not the one who suffers for his misdeeds. The heartbreak, the crumbling of high hopes and crushing disappointment disap-pointment is the burden of mother and father. For them is punishment without dereliction. From the lips of the tortured father of Einar R. Johansen poured a plea for mercy and leniency s the kidnaper, robber and gunman stood up for sentence before Federal District Judge Till- erime, Harry T. Edwards, whose tearful mother also appealed for leniency, were declared by the court to be "bad men who never meant to be good," and were sentenced to 30 years each to be served at McNeil island. Some of the sentences sen-tences running concurrently, their Incarceration impends for only half that long. Tha sentences are anions' the heaviest ever imposed by the court. The two men had created creat-ed reign of terror here last summer. Setting aside the pleas made in their behalf be-half by parents and counsel. Judge Johnson said, "After all, it is up to the individual boy to make himself or destroy himself." The court's sentence was merciful to these antisocial young miscreants, considerate of the rights of society and mindful of the responsibilities responsibili-ties of judge. Beyond doubt, it is a severe and distasteful duty for a Judge of conscience to exact tha law's due in such cases, but an honest hon-est and upright judge, required to follow the lav and the testimony, casts sentimentality aside in the courageous and praiseworthy performance of the stern duty. IX more courts were similarly simi-larly swayed, they would compel respect for law, prove deterrent to the criminal Intentions of others and thus eerv a wholesome purpose in tha nation's present need the prevention of crime. On March 29, 1932 more than five years ago The Telegram voiced its opinion when this same Johansen was in the toils of the law. We aid: These who have a penchant for weighing tha tribulations of the evildoer against ths simple justice thai la due society and who usually lt their sympathies all go in the direction of the criminal should consider the case of Ed Little-ford Little-ford and Einar Johansen. These two youths they are both 20 ought to be In prison now on a previous conviction. Last September 6 they faced Judge William H. Bramel In the district court for sentence. The court recommended rec-ommended two years In the state prison, but on recommendation of District Attorney Van Cott their sentences were suspended. If these youths had been put In prison where they belong thty would not now be under arrest In connection with the robbery of a young woman. With two others they pleaded not guilty Monday In the city eourt and are awaiting their preliminary prelimi-nary hearing on the new charges. They should be put behind ths bars at the state prison Immediately. Then upon completion of their previous sentences, if they are found guilty under the charges which now lay against them they should be sent back. Between Judges who suspend sentences and the pardon board which cuts them short and turns the culprits looae prematurely, society is continually at the mercy of known criminals and the problems and cost of police protection are Increased In-creased through the necessity of arresting the same offenders time and again and cluttering up Jaila and courts while they are going through the mills of justice for their recurrent offenses. The Telegram can find no reason for revising revis-ing tha opinion expressed five years ago. Times without number there have been other criminals before tha courts concerning whom the same might have been said and the same might have been said abdut the attitudes of judges and prosecutors. prose-cutors. Unless the law is strictly and impartially impar-tially followed in our courts, where is society to look for security and protection of life and property, prop-erty, for wholesome example, for inculcation of respect for law and of the dignity of our system of Justice) and what becomes of the incentive to police agencies in the enforcement of law, often at great risk? |