To the Editor:

In response to “Equal Time For Equal Crime” which ran in the May 14-20 edition:

While, on basic principal I agree with Nancy Kimble, there are certainly a number of unknown factors involved in the discrepancy of punishment for Amanda Matott and Pierre Bond.

However, after a few minutes of info-seeking, as informed citizens we should be aware of this: Mrs. Matott was charged with second-degree rape and second-degree sexual assault and pleaded guilty to third-degree rape (not first-degree as Mrs. Kimble state.) Mr. Bond was charged with first-degree rape and pleaded guilty to first-degree criminal sexual act.

Sexual assault statutes are very specific about ages and a first-degree sexual assault act carries a minimum of five-year sentence. There are no minimum sentences for second or third degree assaults from what I have found. Mr. Bond, 55, assaulted a nine year-old girl. Mrs. Matott, 23, assaulted a 13 year-old boy. Assault of any child under the age of 11 receives a much greater sentence.

If you don’t agree with the statutes of the laws speak to your state representative. I would urge anyone looking to make a public issue of something to educate yourself before making your argument.

Jared Carey

Potsdam