Pubdate: Tue, 04 Apr 2006
Source: Wisconsin State Journal (WI)
Copyright: 2006 Madison Newspapers, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.madison.com/wsj/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/506
Author: Frances and Jeremy Crane
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

IT'S TIME FOR JUDGE SHABAZ TO RETIRE

We were friends of Susan Lampert, whose tragic death in federal 
prison was ably reported on Sunday by State Journal columnist Susan 
Lampert Smith, who has a similar name but is not related.

Regarding Lampert's minor role in a Columbia County marijuana 
operation, we were among those who wrote in vain to Judge John Shabaz 
to plead for leniency, in light of Lampert's minimal culpability and 
obvious frail health. Many of her friends doubted she would live long 
enough to serve out her sentence. They were proven right after a few weeks.

At what point does this kind of brain-dead, rigid sentencing - 
especially since the conviction was quickly overturned on appeal - 
amount to gross misfeasance by a federal judge? It's past time for 
Shabaz to retire.

- - Frances and Jeremy Crane

Madison 
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