Did Freeing of Teen Killer Give Birth to a Bad Idea?

Prosecutors are distressed that a judge released a teen-ager convicted of second-degree murder after his defense attorney argued that the youth deserved to be with his girlfriend when she gave birth.

Carlos Armour, the deputy district attorney who supervises the juvenile division, said he was “shocked and surprised” by Judge Sheridan Reed’s decision to release the 17-year-old from Juvenile Hall before his sentencing next Wednesday.

“I’m worried about the image this portrays to the community: that you can take a human life and still have your freedom,” Armour said.

Reed’s decision involved a Vista youth convicted in the fatal stabbing of another teen-ager during a brawl at a dance Feb. 21. He could be sentenced to the California Youth Authority for eight years--until age 25.

Reed said she was persuaded by testimony and a psychological evaluation that the defendant is neither a flight risk nor a danger to commit further violence.

“There was a lot of testimony about his good behavior,” Reed said. “Testimony showed that the incident was not only situationally provoked but also out of character for him.”

Another factor, Reed said, was crowding at Juvenile Hall, which has a capacity of 219 but houses more than 400.

Armour replied that he could have given Reed a list of people convicted of lesser crimes than second-degree murder if she felt that crowding is critical.

Armour said he plans to talk to Reed “to make sure this isn’t a trend.” Reed said she can’t remember another case of having released a convicted murderer before sentencing.

She conceded that her decision may be hard for the public to accept, but added: “As a judge, you cannot be swayed in your decision-making by whether a decision will be popular.”

Bush Waffles on Cookies

Alert the media. President Bush is officially neutral on the question of whether the chocolate chip or the Oreo should be the national cookie.

We know this because Rosemary Pinet Hartner, a fifth-grade teacher at Santa

Fe-California Elementary in Vista, sent Bush letters from 21 of her students re Chip v. Oreo. Most were pro-chip.

Hartner asked Bush to decide. A return letter has now been received, on White House stationery and signed by him:

“How thoughtful of you to send me your essays on the national cookie. It is always a joy to see young citizens using their talents in a creative way. You can be proud of your work.”

The students’ joy at receiving a reply is tempered by the fact it was noncommittal.

Hartner explained to her charges that the President is a politician. That seemed to satisfy them.

Antisocial Hormones

It happened this week while the San Diego City Council was debating whether to ban semiautomatic weapons inside the city limits.

Councilman Bruce Henderson, who opposes such a ban, said he would rather see criminals who use guns locked up until they’re no longer a danger to society, regardless of how long it takes.

Henderson: “That may mean you’re dead, that may mean your testosterone level is down so far you can barely drag yourself out of bed.”

Henderson’s council colleagues commenced to giggle.

Henderson: “My colleagues are kidding me. That testosterone remark always gets a response.”

Colleagues: “Are you kidding?”

Henderson: “The truth is that it’s the testosterone level in a lot of males that causes all this criminal activity. It’s not the guns, except as a substitute, maybe.”

Deputy Mayor Judy McCarty, fumbling on her pronunciation: “Do you propose to regulate testosterone activity, Mr. Henderson?”

Councilman Wes Pratt: “Let’s see him propose that legislation.”

Henderson: “The concern that I have is that once again we’re focusing society’s energy in the wrong direction.”

There you have have it: Use a hormone, go to jail. Call it Henderson’s Law.