Dear Source:
I want to add my voice to those expressing outrage that poor Laquina Hennis could not be protected from a known predator. I read in The Daily News that Judge Kendall asserts he had to let the perpetrator out on his own recognizance because of the Federal guidelines he is compelled to follow. Assuming that the Judge's statement is accurate, I ask the following questions: Is the VI required to follow the federal guidelines because of some prohibition against the VI having our own sentencing guidelines in matters such as these? If the prohibition is related to the Revised Organic Act and the need for a Constitution, then shouldn't this spur us on to enacting a Constitution which permits us to enact laws, including those involving sentencing in all matters currently covered by the Federal law? This situation is beyond outrageous. There just aren't words to express my grief over the loss of this child and my disgust with how little we can apparently do to protect us all from known dangerous persons pending trial. Sadly,
Dena Langdon
St. Thomas
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