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<DIV><FONT size=2>Below is a poignant letter from Trish Bechtel about Sarah
Parks and justice in Latah County.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Murderer and body burner Silas Parks is to be sentenced on
Tuesday, June 8 at 1:30pm at the Latah County Court House.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>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*?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>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.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Wayne A. Fox<BR>1009 Karen Lane<BR>PO Box 9421<BR>Moscow,
ID 83843</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2><A href="mailto:waf@moscow.com">waf@moscow.com</A><BR>208
882-7975</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>*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
<STRONG>concurrently</STRONG>. 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.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>
<H1>LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: June 4 [<EM>Moscow-Pullman Daly News</EM>]</H1>
<P id=storydate>Posted on: Friday, June 04, 2010</P></FONT></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=storybody><STRONG>Plea bargain is not justice</STRONG></P>
<P class=storybody>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.</P>
<P class=storybody>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.</P>
<P class=storybody>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.</P>
<P class=storybody><STRONG><FONT color=#ff0000>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.</FONT></STRONG></P>
<P class=storybody><STRONG>Trish Bechtel</STRONG>, former principal of Moscow
Charter School, Moscow</P></DIV></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>