Karlsson caseshows disparity of justice

For those of us who follow current events and read our daily newspapers, we are cognizant of the disparity in the justice system which allows those with means one set of rules and the rest of us a different set, but never has it been so glaringly thrown in our faces as with former UMaine basketball coach Kathy Karlsson getting off scot-free. Sad day for equal justice under the law … Right!

Jean D. Pierce

Old Town

Ex-UMaine coach gets ‘celebrity justice’

I wish I could express just how upset I was when I read in the Bangor Daily News about the sweet deal that former UMaine coach Kathy Karlsson was given by District Court Judge Robert E. “Buddy” Murray.

In passing down his sentence to her, he stated that her blood alcohol level reading has a margin of error. Even though, considering the error in blood level, she was still legally driving under the influence.

Under the law first-time offenders with a blood alcohol level of .15 or more are to be sentenced to 48 hours in jail, pay a fine of $500 and have their license suspended for at least 90 days.

If we are all equal under the law and celebrity justice does not exist as a special entity and high-priced lawyers do not command more lenient sentences for their clients, where is the equality of her sentence? Does our district attorney, who ran on a platform of clamping down on drunk drivers, have “get out of jail free” cards for high profile offenders.

Would someone who lives from paycheck to paycheck and is charged with drunken driving be advised of the fallacies of the blood alcohol determination or offered alternatives to jail time or be excused from expensive programs and counseling at prohibitive rates?

Would the same leniency as was shown to a university team coach be extended to a university student? I think not! Where are the voices of the spokespersons for M.A.D.D. in all of this?

All I am really asking is, Can all citizens expect the same justice regardless of their social status or financial means or luck of the draw in judicial choice?

Charlene R. Bjorn

Dedham

Yankees may qualify for league of their own

What we need in pro baseball is another league. Let’s call this new league the “Busch League.”

A team qualifies when a runner tries to steal third base late in the contest, while leading 9-3, and cries like a baby when he fails. … Or when a member of the unit is guilty of offensive interference. Say “Hi” to A-Rod! Last, but not least, a team qualifies when their pitcher throws a 90-plus-mph fastball, head high, at the best hitter on the other team.

This takes place in less than a week. Would you think any different? Would it be fair to put the New York Yankees in this league?

Walter Whitney

Hampden

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