Charles Keating Jr.

During the last few days, there were two separate cases that shed some light on American society and criminal justice.

In Florida, a 42-year-old homeless habitual offender, who had a long list of arrests for petty theft, was sentenced to 40 years in prison for stealing 22 rolls of toilet paper from a waste management yard (Sept. 29). The prosecutor demanded harsh punishment in order to protect “hard-working people” from repeated thefts.

In Tucson, Charles H. Keating, the most notorious figure of the savings and loan scandals of the late 1980s, was released from prison while he awaits a hearing on a new federal trial, because of technicalities involved with his previous trial (Oct. 4). He has so far served 4 1/2 years.

His fraudulent activities resulted in a $285-million loss for thousands of elderly clients of his corporation and in an estimated $3 billion to American taxpayers. His attorney declared: “I think he has been in prison long enough, and (this case) should be brought to an end.”

I believe that no additional comments are necessary.

DAVID SHICHOR

Fullerton

The idea that Keating is again a free man is just too hard to stomach, even if they do grant him a new trial and send him back to jail. What kind of justice is this for the thousands he has ruined financially and emotionally?

It was said before the trial that this man had funneled millions of dollars to various members of his family and sent other millions overseas. If this is so, why do we, the American taxpayers, have to pay his legal expenses?

R.L. HUTTON

Burbank