It seems to me all you have be is someone famous or coach at a private school to get judicial diversion in Hamilton County.

That's a small smack on the hand for a theft or a rapist. Get real here, folks. Drunk drivers who have been caught have to spend 48 hours in jail and pick up trash on the side of a road plus they have to wear an embarrassing vest stating, "I am a drunk driver."

School board member Janice Boydston should be made to stand in the parking lot of Wal-Mart with a bright orange vest stating "I stole from Wal-Mart" for three days - just like the drunk drivers.

Coach Willie Idlette had sex with a 16-year-old. He has to promise he won't teach school for five years - really tough sentence.

So is he coming back to Baylor after five years? I'm sure the rich people on Signal Mountain will keep him employed until he has served his time. Would you want him to live next to you without knowing his past? And have your teenage daughter jog around the neighborhood with this person watching her?

It must nice to have money to back you up. Wake up, Hamilton County. Get rid of judicial diversion for the rich.

Jeff Elliott
Soddy Daisy

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Being a , "lock'em up and throw away the key" guy, most of the time I would agree with Jeff Elliott's letter about the Baylor rape case. However as I have read the case, there are some mitigating circumstances , which would justify the sentencing.

1. It did appear that the sex was consensual. Though I believe any sex with a student is considered sexual assault, as the victim apparently did not report it.

2. The family seems happy with the verdict. The, "undisclosed" sum paid by Baylor might have something to do with that.

3. In the past there has appeared to be a difference in penalty for women teachers convicted of sexual relations with students as opposed to male teachers involved with female students. This verdict would appear to be in line with some of those.

If anything, Mr. Idlette should serve 5-10 years for stupidity. A handsome, former football star with a degree from Wake Forest and a promising teaching and coaching career, messing around with a high school student?

Hopefully he has learned his lesson as he heads into the future.

Douglas Jones
North Chattanooga

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I thought no one was going to notice and comment on these two cases. Business as usual in good ole Chatt-town. First, we have a judge conduct a private hearing in his chambers a few months ago and now these two cases. Surely you don't buy into the old adage "justice for all."

Ronnie "Rock" Land
rock@roadrashmag.com

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Regarding Mr. Elliott's opinion on the Idlette case. I didn't know that Willie Idlette was either rich or famous, but that's beside the point. I also thought that Mr. Idlette was pursuing other interests outside the state of Tennessee, not on Signal Mountain (plus I think there is a more monied crowd living on the other Mountain-not Signal).

I have two problems with this judgment; there was a "payoff" to the girl and her family and the light sentence. Consensual sex with an under-age minor where the other party is beyond the age of consent is against the law. Mr. Idlette was not 17 having sex with a 16-year old. If he were, we wouldn't be having this discussion.

I'm also pretty sure that Baylor or GPS wouldn't have Mr. Idlette on their payroll in 5, 10 or even 15 years. The punishment should fit the crime. If we are unhappy with a sitting judge who continually passes down "light" judgments, then we should act to vote him (or her) out of the office. Pretty simple theory, but it needs to be put into practice or it remains a theory.

Lady Walker
Signal Mountain