Judge James Roberts letter

Sun,

Apr 17, 2011 at 3:03 PM

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' daughter of Doyle and Virginia Harris&f Amory, Mississippi, Since my" parents havenrved through the trauma of a horrible crime, stili suffer from the physical results of the crimes. and deeply fear that anyone related to their attempted murder might be "on the streets" again, I felt it important to write you. During my drive to Mississippi that terrible night, I believed that at least one of my parents had died, I later cleaned their blood off my Amory home's floors and walls, and I believe strongfy in rny message below. Your recent letter to Judge Roberts on behalf of John Daniel Rodgers has come to my attention. Your choice to make this a political issue by writing it on State letterhead and signing it in official title leads me to believe that you want to use the power of your office's influence in this issue, even though you frame your letter as a personal matter. Since you are making this a political influence matter, we would like to know if anyone has called you to ask that you intervene on Mr. Rodgers behalf, and if there were any favors, contributions, or other matters of influence related to this political intervention. We are aware from your letter that (you) "I have asked John's father if I could write you"- Your constituents have a right to know if this is how you intend to use your political position and why. I am amazed that you would write this letter as a Representative of Monroe County, but I am further appalled that you would attempt to minimize the severity of the participation and the crimes in the words of your letter. A "harmful assault and burglary" was as you are probably aware, an attempted murder by beating two helpless seniors with deadly weapons to- the point where I believed on my drive to Mississippi that night that my parents' odds of survival were low. You also made an attempt to minimize the involvement in the crime by saying "John remained in the vehicle and did not enter the home and take part in the actual crimes". John not only made the crimes possible by providing the transportation before, but also during the crimes when he did not go for help, and* afterwards when he chose not to disengage and report that two people had been left to bleed to death on their floor. The most important statement as to his character took place after the crimes. He knew his friends had nearly beaten two people to death with his help, but he did not have enough character or remorse to go to the authorities and make sure that these dangerous criminals did not remain on the street to do something tike this again. You may not be aware that some of the most horrible criminals of all time when apprehended, have left shocked neighbors who described them in much the same way you described John Rodgers in your letter. John clearly demonstrated where his feelings really were by choosing sides after the crime, and until his apprehension. I am sure his father was at home during at least some of this time. The very inference that a man's parent(s) need to be home, to keep him at home, so that he won't go out and commit horrible crimes, confirms the verdict of the court that this young man needs to be incarcerated to protect society. Children need to be taught right and wrong, not that a parent has to be around or they can be influenced by peers to commit terrible crimes. You also referred to John as a special education class student with "unique challenges". I consider this an excuse and an insult to all the incredible good special education students who strive every day of their lives to better themselves. John Rodgers participated in high school, qualified to play football, learned football piays, tested successfully for a driver's license, etc. Unless you area professional psychologist ana knov :- = extent of his "challenges", you should not discriminate against the entire class of speciaf education sn.oe-~:s by implying that such a condition might be a factor in this hideous crimeGood people in the court system thought this punishment was necessary and appropriate, as do ;
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