I have practiced law in Minnesota and Wisconsin for over 33 years. I was in court in Duluth at the time of the sentencing of Matthew Amiot (“ Man sentenced for setting fire at local synagogue ,” Oct. 26). I was not an attorney of record for the case.
Strangely, the defendant appeared to be coddled during the hearing, and his sentence was a paltry 90 days in jail — not prison. With time served, he will only serve 24 days. It was almost as if the system was apologizing for the inconvenience to him, and I had worry the sanction would only be probationary.
I know this was not an arson case, but the charge he faced for both counts had a max sentence of four years in prison. Considering the conduct in question, the max sentence should have been advocated by the state. It was not.
This is not a criticism of the sentencing judge, whom I respect. But the prosecuting authority should provide the public with an explanation of what happened. The result is an outrage.
Michael B. Padden
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Lake Elmo, Minn.
