Letters | PARENTS IN PIER 34 CASE HAVE SOME QUESTIONS
WE'RE STILL upset over Judge Woods-Skipper's sentence in the Pier 34 collapse. She sentenced the two men responsible for the death of three young women to house arrest, probation and community service. Just before the sentencing, Mayor Street, among others, wrote to her asking that defendant Michael Asbell not get jail time. In spite of her reassuring words, we think she just went along with the mayor's request.
WE'RE STILL upset over Judge Woods-Skipper's sentence in the Pier 34 collapse.
She sentenced the two men responsible for the death of three young women to house arrest, probation and community service. Just before the sentencing, Mayor Street, among others, wrote to her asking that defendant Michael Asbell not get jail time. In spite of her reassuring words, we think she just went along with the mayor's request.
We also believe she missed some ethical issues in the support letters (published on the Internet in support of Mr. Asbell).
For example, the mayor and city councilmen used their official titles and letterhead. Since their request was for a friend, we believe it should have been a personal letter - or were they implying that they were representing their constituencies? Is it ethical for them to continue their friendship/business relationships while they are conducting official city business?
Some of the letters supporting Mr. Asbell's integrity and character from industry, banking and law firms were the same way. Were they speaking for their boards of directors, employees, depositors, etc.?
And is it proper for a Philadelphia judge to farm out these criminals to their suburban homes? Will my Cherry Hill taxes have to go up to monitor Mr. Karetny? Will Mr. Asbell's town have to do the same?
John & Eileen Ferraro
Cherry Hill
Editor's note: The writers are the parents of Jean Marie Ferraro, one of the victims of the Pier 34 collapse.