APPALLED PROHIBITIONIST

I was appalled to read Oct. 26 about the release of convicted drug dealer
and manufacturer of methamphetamine, Thomas Clasen of Maquoketa.

He not only did it in the presence of a toddler, it was next to or close to
a school. He served only four months of a 10-year sentence. What has become
of our justice system? What possibly could letters from his girlfriend
(Shelly Russell), his cousin, some neighbors and his boss be enough to get
him released? Am I missing something?

District Judge J. Hobart Darbyshire "reconsidered" his prison sentence.
That was nice of him. North Central Correctional Facility "indicated" he
(Clasen) after only four months made a "positive" adjustment.

What a crock. This is a mockery of what is left of our penal system. I can
hardly wait till next election to put a "no" next to Judge Darbyshire's
name. Shall these judges be retained for office, I truly believe, we the
people are due an explanation to this gross miscarriage of justice.

Elvin Kohler

Bettendorf