Reader Comments: Re the Letter: "Flores’ comments appalling."

Re the Letter: "Flores’ comments appalling."

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Tom Garrett 11 months, 3 weeks ago

If you haven't read the letter, you should.

I won't quote from it except for one thing:

"I was especially appalled at Flores’ comment that 'the vast majority of offenders who possess child pornography have also committed a hands-on offense.'”

I too find that statement appalling.

Each conviction, and each sentencing, must be based on concrete evidence proving what the accused did, not on speculation based on what others may have done.

Speculation has no place in a court of law. When no evidence can be presented against the accused, and there isn't even the slightest suggestion that such evidence even exists, then that's that.

The standard in American jurisprudence is, "Beyond a reasonable doubt."

When we stray from that standard we no longer are providing justice; we are punishing people based on assumptions.

I do not condone what the man did. But we do not help the situation when we ignore the most fundamental precepts of our justice system.