Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2003 | 8:58 a.m.
After reading Sun reporter Erica Johnson's Aug. 14 story about judges who deny victims the right to make statements at sentencings, and after reading the statement by the assistant public defender, I am sure the system is failing. It is giving in to the rights of the defendants rather than the rights of the victims.
The system claims overcrowded conditions and the need to expeditiously move the defendant through the channels so as not to cause any bottlenecks. The rights of the victims are placed on the back burner and disregarded with impunity.
The victim impact statements are the only time during these sometimes horrific proceedings that the victim has the right to express to the defendant and the court the devastation this crime has had on their lives. For the victim, it's always a life sentence.
If the judges we have now are incapable of rendering a fair decision or at least an equal decision, then it is time for the public to review and vote accordingly.
HESTER BENITEZ
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