IT'S TIME FOR JUDGE SHABAZ TO RETIRE

We were friends of Susan Lampert, whose tragic death in federal
prison was ably reported on Sunday by State Journal columnist Susan
Lampert Smith, who has a similar name but is not related.

Regarding Lampert's minor role in a Columbia County marijuana
operation, we were among those who wrote in vain to Judge John Shabaz
to plead for leniency, in light of Lampert's minimal culpability and
obvious frail health. Many of her friends doubted she would live long
enough to serve out her sentence. They were proven right after a few weeks.

At what point does this kind of brain-dead, rigid sentencing -
especially since the conviction was quickly overturned on appeal -
amount to gross misfeasance by a federal judge? It's past time for
Shabaz to retire.

- - Frances and Jeremy Crane

Madison