Re: Very Sad..., Clearing up some facts

[johnt@meaddata.com (John Townsend)]

In article <1994Apr14.210503.21651@gallant.apple.com>, David A Lyons <dlyons@apple.com> writes:
|> While we're still waiting for the longer informational post that is
|> coming, I must clarify four things:
|> 
|> (1) Only ONE minor was involved.  Let's NOT start carelessly saying
|> "kids" and "children".

An investigation is still in progress.

|> (2) No assault charges are involved; no charges or allegations imply
|> that any force was used (and Matt states that none was).

That depends on whether you believe a minor can give consent, and evidently
the law doesn't.  Force comes in a variety of forms.

|> (3) Matt entered a "no contest" plea on April 6, which was immediately
|> followed by a "guilty" judgement.  Sentencing is scheduled for May 3,
|> and information is coming soon on how you can write letters expressing
|> your opinion of Matt's character, which may have a large bearing on
|> the sentencing.  The -maximum- sentence is 4 years 4 months; it could
|> be much less.

Not likely; "Donald Deatherage" even made Time magazine this week.  He picked
a lousy time to get caught, too, with all the uproar over lenient sentences
in the U.S. after this caning thing in Singapore.

|> (4) I don't see any reason to consider Matt "lost" from the computing
|> world.  He will likely be absent for a time, but I assume that after
|> he has paid his debt to society, almost everyone will have enough
|> respect for the justice system to let him get on with his life and
|> career.

Speaking strictly as an Apple II user, I wish him luck.  Most parents,
however, won't be so kind.  Unfortunately, I am both.

-- 
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