Jetton disappointing to prosecutors

To the editor:On behalf of the Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, we were disappointed to learn of House Speaker Rod Jetton's decision to remove state Rep. Scott Lipke as chair of the House Crime Prevention and Public Safety Committee.

Our association awarded Lipke the first honorary membership after the close of the 2006 legislative session not only for his outstanding work to pass Jessica's Law, but for his tireless efforts to improve many criminal laws during the past several sessions.

We are particularly disappointed that Jetton would question Lipke's trustworthiness. The language that was in Jessica's Law that Jetton is concerned about is absolutely unenforceable because of a 2003 U.S. Supreme Court decision.

The removal of the unconstitutional provision was plainly included in drafts that were circulated widely. In fact, Lipke sent an e-mail to nearly every prosecutor in Missouri that contained the change Jetton now objects to. Lipke's actions hardly seem to be those of someone tyring to hide anything.

In our opinion, Lipke is a superb legislator of the highest intellectual and ethical standards. We are sorry to hear that the removal of an unconstitutional provision of Missouri law has cost him his chairmanship.

MICHAEL B. HAZEL, President, Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, Caruthersville, Mo.