Keep Killer in Prison

I’m writing this letter to make known my feelings over the Kevin Kolodziej trial now that it’s finally over and he has been officially sentenced (“Killer Receives 16 Years to Life in Psychiatric Prison Facility,” Oct. 14).

The verdict Superior Court Judge James McNally rendered was a just and fair one, given the defense of “insanity.” Kevin has many problems, but I feel the root of his problems is multiple substance abuse. At a young age he used marijuana, some cocaine and later a drug called ecstasy. I firmly believe that this is why Kevin is the way he is.

The trial was very hard and very sad for me to sit through day after day. But there is an organization called A.M.I. (Alliance for the Mentally Ill), also there every day, who felt Kevin should not be punished for what he did. At first they were quiet during the penalty phase but things changed during the sanity phase. Some of them would laugh out loud when the prosecuting attorney would say something about Kevin they didn’t like. I saw nothing funny in any of it--in fact, I could only see sadness throughout the whole trial.

Kevin will go to prison now and I will be there for every parole hearing to see he stays in. Society is never ready for him again. He has to be locked up for his protection and ours.

I’m sorry my mom had to pay for the mistakes that were made on Jan. 17, 1992. It was all so preventable. What a terrible waste.

Mom will soon be forgotten and us too. But she will live in our hearts forever. I’m sorry, Mom. I love you, Mom.

JACKIE THETFORD

Ventura

Jackie Thetford is the daughter of the late Velasta Johnson, who was killed by Kolodziej.