Misjudged

Re “Ex-Maywood police officer is sentenced,” Oct. 18

What a travesty of justice. Judge Marcelita V. Haynes felt jail time was necessary to send a message to officers in positions of power.

Sentencing should be applied based on the nature of the offense. To throw the book at someone just to “send a message” is a blatant abuse of power and reeks of a lack of understanding of basic sentencing guidelines. It seems the judge lost it and allowed her personal feelings to influence her decision to dish out not what Michael Singleton deserved but a much harsher sentence to teach others a lesson. Just as celebrities should not receive lighter sentences, this officer certainly should not have received a heavier sentence simply because he was a cop.

Terry Cates

El Cajon