Replies

Pollard’s sentence was clearly out of line, though allowable. The circumstances of his sentencing are suspect, and the government certainly seems to have violated his plea agreement. When the facts eventually come out, his case won’t stand as a shining example of American jurisprudence.

Speaking for myself, though, the reason I don’t complain about his circumstances isn’t ignorance of the facts.

He betrayed his country, violated his induction oath, and I just don’t lose a lot of sleep seeing him spend his life in prison.

IMO the real problem lies in the outrageously lenient sentences normally handed out for the same crime.

Pollard?s sentence was clearly out of line, though allowable.

I think it is fair to remark that others have gotten off with less time in jail.

The circumstances of his sentencing are suspect, and the government certainly seems to have violated his plea agreement

I have seen this argument a lot. The government did not violate the plea agreement. The judge is not a part of any agreement, and does not have to follow the reccomendation of the prosecutor. I know this first-hand. When I was 18 I was arrested in a fraternity scavenger hunt sort of thing. I had a plea with the prosecutor that I would pay a 500 dollar fine. The judge took one look at the plea agreement and said "This is crazy, I'm not going to let this kid's Dad pay a fine for him. 100 hours of community service. Dismissed."

So judges not agreeing to plea agreements is not totally uncommon.

IMO the real problem lies in the outrageously lenient sentences normally handed out for the same crime.

If all spies were indeed treated with the same severity as Pollard, the charge of hypocrisy in this case would not exist.