HARSH JUSTICE PUTS LIVES IN THE BALANCE (1 of 3)

To the Editor:

In "Justice Kennedy Speaks Out" (editorial, Aug. 12), we read that Justice
Anthony Kennedy believes in sentencing guidelines in principle but that the
inflexible minimum sentences required by some laws are not necessary or
wise. Why, then, did he cast the deciding vote upholding California's
"three strikes" law?

In "U.S. Judge Sees Growing Signs That Innocent Are Executed" (news
article, Aug. 12), we read that Mark L. Wolf, a federal judge, saw mounting
evidence that innocent people were being executed, but he declined to rule
the death penalty unconstitutional.

Why don't the votes of a Supreme Court justice and a federal judge in
Boston reflect their thinking?

MARY WRAY
Grafton, Mass.,
Aug, 13, 2003