Readers React: Life in prison for picking up a baton? That’s not justice.

To the editor: There is a telling contrast in two stories, printed side-by side on the front page of The Times on Friday, depicting not only questionable police tactics when dealing with women of color but also the way we mete out “justice.” (“At emotional hearing, LAPD officer gets 36 months in jail in assault caught on video,” July 23, and “Homeless woman’s case sharpens focus on justice system and mentally ill,” July 23)

Alesia Thomas, a black woman in South L.A., died after a police officer ignored her cries for help. The offending (white) officer was sentenced to 36 months in jail, but might serve only five months with good behavior.

Meanwhile, Trishawn Cardessa Carey, another black woman — homeless and with a history of schizoaffective disorder — faces 25 years to life in prison for merely picking up a police baton that she never used or even directly threatened to use.

Yes, each case is a bit more complex than my overview describes. But whom our system protects and whom — as well as to what extent — we prosecute leaves me wondering, “This is justice?”

Kathy Landis, Laguna Woods

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To the editor: Carey’s story is yet another one involving a zealous prosecutor looking to score political points on the back of some unfortunate person. How many stories must we read of district attorneys aggressively pursuing over-blown charges or, worse, refusing to back down from a wrongful conviction?

There should be a process to review and revoke law licenses for these hyper-aggressive attorneys who have no compassion for the lives they ruin to build their careers.

David W. Higgins, Los Angeles

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