Sentencing in Mob Attack Was Justified

* I applaud the decision by the Orange County judge to sentence Russell Takeo Scarce and Derek Thomas Jones to 13-year terms for committing such a hateful act upon a fellow human (“2 Sentenced in Mob Attack on Rival Student,” April 1). It’s about time these criminals are treated fairly. Unfortunately, (Reuben Charles) Vaughan III was not.

There should be no tolerance to such vulgar acts of violence. It is tragic that there are people who still believe that their own is the superior race. The only superior race is that of humankind.

We, as a population, are slipping. We have not made progress. Our youth should be educated, but they’re just not getting it. The message must be stronger. We must try harder to teach equality and to show, by example, that we are all important and valuable pieces in the whole picture we call society. We all matter!

I’m sorry that Cathy Jensen (Scarce’s attorney), with her elaborate educational background, still believes that violent criminals can be rehabilitated. Since both men had prior assault and/or theft records and one was on probation, it seems to me that they were not rehabilitated. Am I missing something or do we need to be more realistic about what is happening in our society?

PAM BRANDE

Corona del Mar