Prosecutor shows little compassion in filing charges

To the editor:

I wish to commend the quick reporting of our prosecuting attorney's actions against a 16-year-old girl whose sister was tragically killed in a car accident. I suppose Morley Swingle would wish to keep such matters out of public view. Unfortunately for him and fortunately for us, such things are a matter of public record.

Certainly it is Swingle's job as our prosecutor to carry out the law, and I am sure that is what he perceives he is doing. However, our system of justice is one that is to be tempered with mercy. It appears our prosecutor has a problem understanding this commonsense approach.

What person in his right mind would want to expose his own lack of compassion, character and common sense to the public? And yet, that is precisely what he has done by bringing such ridiculous charges against the girl. To further threaten her with up to a year in jail is unconscionable.

Does our prosecuting attorney have so little to do that he has to seek out wounded and grieving families to harass and threaten? It has become apparent to me that we have at least one public servant who lacks the intellectual capacity and moral will to do the right thing in the midst of a great tragedy.

I will continue to minister to a grieving family, to help a traumatized young girl deal with the harsh realities of life (some of which are self-inflicted) and attempt to continue to shield her from evil, unprincipled -- at the very least, misguided -- men who would abuse our laws to inflict further pain.

WES WRIGHT

Cape Girardeau