Editorial “A tough sentence” states in part:
“When Lancaster teacher Christy Smith stepped into Courtroom No. 8 in the Lancaster County Courthouse Wednesday, she faced a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison for having had sex with two students.
“She wound up with what is believed to be the toughest sentence given to a teacher for a sex crime in this county — 20 to 40 years.
“The sentence sends a message to teachers and to school districts that sex between teachers and students is far more punishable than the mere loss of a teaching certificate. Indeed, Reinaker scolded school officials for what he termed their “inappropriate response” to the situation. Even though other teachers notified administrators that Smith was becoming too close to the students with whom she ultimately engaged in sex, administrators failed to intervene.
“A quick check of the Internet finds that, in some jurisdictions, teachers who have had sexual relations with students have received far lesser sentences. In some cases, they have received no jail time at all.
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“In Ohio this year, teacher Constance Yacobozzi, 29, received no jail time for having had sex with a student.” …
WATCHDOG: Two wags of the tail. The editors did a tap dance to show deference to the gravity of the offense (not all would agree). But judges should not victimize a person in order to “send a message” to others.
Judge Dennis Reinaker should modify the sentence.
