"VELURE'S COMPASSION"

In case anyone didn't see it, this letter appeared in the November 2nd edition of the Eugene Weekly.

VELURE'S COMPASSION

I've just learned of a compassionate side to Judge Lyle Velure I wasn't aware of. The Register-Guard (10/25) reported that in Velure's sentencing of Zachariah Keith Wells for attempted murder and kidnapping, Velure considered taking "a big-picture view of the financial and personal costs of crime, inquired about the estimated cost of the investigation and legal defense" and "pondered whether society might be better served by investing in education and drug prevention for young people rather than prosecution and incarceration for them later in life."

Maybe his compassion stems from the realization that "Wells started using drugs as a 12-year-old." Reportedly, "Wells' 13-year-three-month sentence will cost taxpayers more than $326,000 — without calculating for inflation." The County Adult Corrections website says Shawn Jeffrey Whipple, the shooter, was sentenced to 15 years for attempted murder.

Concern that methamphetamine creates criminals and choosing education and drug prevention over expensive, unproductive prison terms is so progressive. Yet, six years ago Velure sentenced Jeff Luers to 22 years, eight months for a politically motivated crime — burning three SUVs to draw attention to environmental destruction; Luers refused to plea bargain. Clearly, Velure based his decision on Luers' politics, not on the crime of arson.

In 2000, Velure coldly sentenced Luers to an unreasonable period. Does he suddenly embrace proportional sentencing? Or, are attempted murder and kidnapping less egregious crimes than arson? Has Velure grown a heart, or does he simply want Measure 20-114 to pass?

Bess Seta, Eugene