Spousal Abuse Abetted by Judge

I just finished reading “‘She Was Terrified of Him’” (March 19), on Jose Delacruz, who was released to “get his financial business in order.” Now a woman and her small children are missing. I don’t understand how a Superior Court judge can look at the history of Delacruz and not take the family into consideration. He had just been convicted of spousal abuse!

What about that poor woman who was brave enough to leave him and go to a shelter to save herself and her children? I wonder if she had time to get her business in order? How could Judge Melvin Sandvig give this man such an opportunity to go out and do this? I’m just baffled and saddened to think that Delacruz was convicted--and allowed to go free, even if it was supposed to be for a couple of weeks.

It doesn’t take a genius to know that his wife was at great risk. I hope other convicted spousal abusers do not get to Sandvig’s court, or this may happen again.

Irene Gorey

Pasadena