The Emporia Gazette

Engle sentenced on reduced charge

Part of the concern as I read and heard on the news is that the families of these victims worried about more damage to their children should they testify. If parents don't allow their child to testify, then as distastful as it sounds, what is the prosecuter going to do? Bring a case with no witnesses and allow this predetor to go free when the jury hasn't enough evidence for conviction?
A sentence of that length may keep him away long enough considering his age. Better some sentence then no sentence.
No one can force these people to make their child testify...As a parent I can sympathize with their feelings and commend those who chose to respect them.

April 22, 2010 at 4:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Charges filed against Swafford

Has anyone checked the police records to see how many calls were made from this residence to report the assults. Not one. Ever. If someone entered your home and assulted you, you might think it advisable to call the police. No one in this forum has all the facts. No one here knows what goes on behind the doors of anyone elses home. Assults can only be charged when one notifies the authorities that they have been assulted.

July 14, 2008 at 4:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Charges filed against Swafford

It would be nice if people would wait to hear the whole story before rushing to judgement on any party. Just because charges are filed does not mean that they can't be dropped.
The law is the law is the law. If people don't agree with the law, then the steps are to change it, not judge the people who are sworn to uphold it. That would include the entire law, not just the parts that are popular. It seems to me there are a lot of unanswered questions. And before anyone, including the son, is judged, accused or convicted, the whole case should come out. People who are so quick to convict on such a short account without all investigations in, might want to think twice. Things are not always as they seem. Just food for thought.

July 12, 2008 at 12:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Guilty

First and foremost, my heart goes out to the Arndt family. Having children, I cannot begin to know how their hearts must ache. I respect and am humbled by the example of Christian love shown by the family in Mr. Arndt's willingness to extend forgiveness.

Having said that, one must understand and have the knowledge to back up, their ideas that ballistic information is as readily available as the TV shows, (CSI etc.) make it out to be. It is far more likely that true matches are not conclusive as was this case. It would be so easy for a jury, for the prosecution and for law enforcement, if every scene had some fingerprints, DNA, blood, and a wonderfully marked bullet to match. This is not the reality.

More often, law enforcement has to work and work and follow up leads to find information. And contrary to what some may see as the function of the prosecution, they are sworn to uphold justice. This does not mean if a case lacks sufficient evidence, they file charges on the popular suspect. They have to sift through what law enforcement brings and then request more or other evidence as necessary.

Finally, the jury has to vow to look at the totality of the evidence and use common sense to apply to test of reasonable doubt.

I am grateful that in my humble opinion, all of these pieces worked together to bring justice to Lyon County. It will never bring back a fine young man, but as all before me have said, perhaps it can prevent further unnessecary tragedies.

June 30, 2008 at 5:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Hiring to help

This is what makes America truly great. We need more people who look past the bottom line. God bless you, Mr. Smoots.

February 8, 2008 at 8:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

‘Censorship — plain and simple’

I am not for censorship, but I am not sure your realize who listens to this music. It is young kids. Yes, perhaps the parents are to blame, but I can tell you that a lot of these children have no structure. They come home from school, babysit, perhaps mom or dad, if there is one is off for the 2nd or 3rd shift work. Sometimes the parent(s) is doing their very best to get food on the table and not what the child is listening to. I suppose that adults are ok listening to talk about "raping the ho's, killing the bi--h, f---ing the cops etc." However, I can't believe that anyone thinks that a child of 12 will of their own free will turn the channel, station or whatever. Nor can I believe that anyone believes this is healthy or okay for young teens to listen to. How many of you know what is on your kids MP3 or IPod??
Just food for thought........................

January 23, 2008 at 8:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Help us pick our top sports stories of 2007!

The top story has to be between the EHS football victory over Junction and/or the determination shown by the EHS boys Cross Country team and Michala (sp) Reynolds come back to take first again after a sickness her Jr year sidetracker her 3-peat. Go Spartans!!

December 14, 2007 at 8:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )