Editor, Times-Union: May 15, 2009, my friend Rita passed away due to a drug overdose. During the investigation I admitted to giving her five methadone pills. November 2009, I was arrested for a Class B felony, dealing a schedule 1, 2, 3 or 4 controlled substance. You can receive six to 20 years for this level of felony. April 29, 2010, I accepted a plea bargain of six years, per the advice of my then attorney, Michael Reed. Due to findings during my pre-sentence investigation, then judge Rex Reed added four years to that plea. The judge has the option to add time to any sentence in which you plea. May 17, 2010, I was transferred to Rockville Correctional Facility (RCF) where I spent 38 months. I was released on probation June 24, 2013. I was discharged from probation 16 months later, Nov. 7, 2014. I spent 54 months (4-1/2 years) under D.O.C. supervision. Today on the front page of the Times-Union I read the sentence of a woman that stirred many emotions. At first I thought I was angry. That was secondary to pain and regret. I miss my friend. Don’t get me wrong I am angry. I take full responsibility for the crime in which I was charged. By Indiana statute I’m guilty. I just can’t/don’t understand how I could receive such a harsh sentence for giving someone some pills when someone who recklessly allows their child to die can receive so little time. Is that justice? In my opinion the justice system has many flaws and needs to be revamped, so to say. I have a question for Judge Michael Reed. What changed in this county, and in you, in the last six years that a murderer, per say, is only going to spend two years in the county jail? In 2010 you were all for me spending at least six years for much less than that. JoDean Marie Neher Akron, via email
