[Vision2020] Sarah Parks and Justice

[Art Deco]

Below is a poignant letter from Trish Bechtel about Sarah Parks and justice in Latah County.


Murderer and body burner Silas Parks is to be sentenced on Tuesday, June 8 at 1:30pm at the Latah County Court House.

There is more at stake here than justice for the murdered and torched pregnant Sarah Parks.  The question will be:  Will PA William Thompson arouse himself from his usual lackadaisical slumbers enough to thoroughly prepare for an aggressive cross-examination of demonstrated liar Silas Park and his story of how he came to murder his wife and burn her body.  Will PA Thompson aggressively and with conviction and persuasion argue for the longest possible determinate term in prison for Park's incredibly monstrous deeds despite a sweetheart plea bargain*?

Not only will Silas Parks be on trial but Thompson and Judge Brudie also.  Concerned citizens may want to attend this hearing.  Please help spread the word by email, conversation, telephone, etc.

Wayne A. Fox
1009 Karen Lane
PO Box 9421
Moscow, ID  83843

waf at moscow.com
208 882-7975

*The plea bargain did not include a sentencing proscription except the hard to understand capitulation by PA Thompson to have whatever sentences given for the dual manslaughter charges to be served concurrently.  There is nothing in the plea bargain to prevent Judge Brudie from retaining jurisdiction, sending Silas Parks to Cottonwood for six months, then turning him loose.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: June 4  [Moscow-Pullman Daly News]
Posted on: Friday, June 04, 2010

Plea bargain is not justice

The day after Silas Parks agreed to a plea bargain, the Moscow-Pullman Daily News reported Prosecutor Bill Thompson as saying he was "unaware of any public criticism from local residents regarding the agreement." Thompson's comment came before the public was aware of the prior day's agreement. Many people have since expressed outrage at the plea bargain.

Where is justice when Judge Brudie set Parks' bail at $200,000, so Parks presently lives a comfortable life in his parents' home? Where in the world does that happen? Parks doesn't cooperate with his defense attorney, so he gets a new one. Parks gets a plea bargain reducing double murder charges to voluntary manslaughter. Parks will likely spend more time in prison for setting his apartment building on fire than for killing his wife and unborn child.

No, I have not studied Idaho law. However, I do know that the killing of Sarah Parks, a third-grade teacher at Moscow Charter School, has twisted and torn forever the lives of more than 150 children and their parents. Our community has suffered and will continue to suffer many years from this heinous crime. As an educator and fellow human being, I would be negligent to not speak out to Mr. Thompson, Judge Brudie, and others involved in this case. As you sentence Silas Parks on June 8, consider the impact his actions have had and begin to restore your legitimacy in the eyes of the community you serve.

There will be a community candlelight vigil to honor Sarah and her unborn child at 7 p.m. June 6 in Moscow's Friendship Square. Community members are encouraged to bring candles or flashlights.

Trish Bechtel, former principal of Moscow Charter School, Moscow
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