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To the editor:
On March 10, 2024, Nadia Vitela entered her new home on East 31 Street in Manhattan. She would not get to enjoy it as two squatters,19-year-old Kensley Alston and 18-year-old Halley Tejada, immediately attacked and beat her over the head with a pan until she was dead.
This past June 26, they were allowed to plea-bargain to second-degree murder and were sentenced to 20-years-to-life. Even if they serve 20 years, that will not be enough. Furthermore, the victim's son pointed out that Alston will be eligible for parole at age 35.
Despite the heinous nature of this crime, the law does not allow the killers to be put away for life. The killers would steal from the home only after the murder. If they had been caught burglarizing the home by the victim and then they killed her, they could have been charged with first-degree murder. That would be felony murder, which is a murder committed during the commission of another felony. How's that for a legal technicality?
But while first-degree murder qualifies for a sentence of life without parole, it's not mandatory. The minimum sentence is 20 to 25 years to life. I guess that's how cop-killers get paroled.
Another case that demonstrates the leniency of our "justice" system occurred on June 21. In the Bronx, a suspected car thief hit an NYPD Sgt. with a car and was shot by police. He was out on bail after being arrested for a shooting.
There are those who claim there are people incarcerated who are not a danger to the public. Release them. But put those in jail who belong there.
Richard Warrren
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Valete
To my delight, Richard Warren has shed light on the absurd leniency of our criminal justice system.
Mr. Warren’s straightforward and honest essay is free from political spin. I hope to read more essays of this caliber from Mr. Warren in the future.
Friday, July 3 Report this
Admin
All my essays are free of political spin, unlike Word Man's defenses and support of Trump.
Wednesday, July 8 Report this