A Wise Man

HERO OF THE DAY

We often rag on judges who sentence child pornographers and molesters to probation or ridiculously low sentences and then justify their actions with inanities. From time to time, however, there are judges who exhibit decency and respect for law, the victims and their families.

Circuit Court Judge Robert McGinnis sentenced Crystal Wells, a 33-year-old math teacher and the married mother of two daughters, to five years in prison on each of six counts of unlawful transaction with a minor for having sex with a 15-year-old male student. The sentences will run concurrently. However, he was clear about the need.

After her attorney argued for probation, saying that it would do no good to anyone, the judge was unmoved.

McGinnis disagreed, citing the impact statements and facts of the case, with the boy's mother and supporters of the victims' family, and Wells family and church members present, McGinnis formally sentenced Wells to five years on each count to be served concurrently.

If Wells' offense had been a single incident; if she had ceased contact with the victim after a confrontation by the boy's family; if she had not been a teacher, the offense may have warranted probation, McGinnis said."I have to treat this the same as I would a male teacher and a female student," McGinnis said. "I am not sure anyone benefits from jail."

Citing the reduced charge from the original charges in the guilty plea and concessions already made by the commonwealth, the judge said there would be no probation at the time being. Wells is also shielded from prosecution from possible criminal charges in Nicholas County involving the same victim."A significant break has already been cut with the plea," McGinnis said. "Probation is denied ... you are in custody."

For his respect for children and their parents in his service to law and decency, we applaud him.

The function of wisdom is to discriminate between good and evil. - Cicero