ALSO
Dear Friends,
On Friday, April 9th, the government issued a sentencing memorandum urging the court to impose a life sentence on Sholom Rubashkin. This recommendation comes despite the fact that Mr. Rubashkin is a non-violent first time offender, who made timely interest payments to the lender bank until his plant was raided and who did not intend to cause loss to the bank. All the immigration charges were dropped, and the only other charge unrelated to bank fraud was that his payment to cattle owners occasionally came late.
The life-sentence recommendation disregards entirely Mr. Rubashkin's exceptional record of charity and good deeds and that he is the father of ten children, including a severely autistic 16-year-old son, all of whom depend on him greatly.
In their sentencing memorandum, Mr. Rubashkin's defense counsel pointed out, that in a recent bank-fraud case in St. Louis involving a similar loss to the same bank (US v. Mark Turkcan), the imposed sentence was one year and a day.
Mr. Rubashkin's sentencing is scheduled for April 28th and 29th before District Court Judge Reade. In addition to praying on his behalf (Sholom Mordechai Halevi Ben Rivkah), community leaders are urging concerned individuals to help in the following manner:
1. Raising Awareness in the Legal Communities. It is important that Judge Reade and the prosecutor learn that the legal and judicial communities are aware of this travesty and are concerned about the upcoming sentencing. Professor Paul Cassell, a former federal judge, has drafted a letter to Judge Reade detailing how a lengthy sentence would be disproportionate and unreasonable. Several retired judges, law professors and former prosecutors have drafted a similar letter to Judge Read. Please e-mail dearjudge@justiceforsholom.orgor call 888-614-6996 ex. 1, if you are aware of any former prosecutors, retired judges or current law professors who may be inclined to sign such letters.
2. Raising Public Awareness. If you have connections with journalists, talk show hosts, potential op-ed writers, blog managers, etc., please email media@justiceforsholom.org
or call 888-614-6996 x 2.
3. Join the Equal and Fair Justice For Sholom Campaign. To volunteer, please visit www.justiceforsholom.orgor call toll Free Number: 1-866-614-6996.
In their sentencing memorandum, Mr. Rubashkin's defense counsel pointed out, that in a recent bank-fraud case in St. Louis involving a similar loss to the same bank (US v. Mark Turkcan), the imposed sentence was one year and a day.
Mr. Rubashkin's sentencing is scheduled for April 28th and 29th before District Court Judge Reade. In addition to praying on his behalf (Sholom Mordechai Halevi Ben Rivkah), community leaders are urging concerned individuals to help in the following manner:
1. Raising Awareness in the Legal Communities. It is important that Judge Reade and the prosecutor learn that the legal and judicial communities are aware of this travesty and are concerned about the upcoming sentencing. Professor Paul Cassell, a former federal judge, has drafted a letter to Judge Reade detailing how a lengthy sentence would be disproportionate and unreasonable. Several retired judges, law professors and former prosecutors have drafted a similar letter to Judge Read. Please e-mail dearjudge@justiceforsholom.org
2. Raising Public Awareness. If you have connections with journalists, talk show hosts, potential op-ed writers, blog managers, etc., please email media@justiceforsholom.org
3. Join the Equal and Fair Justice For Sholom Campaign. To volunteer, please visit www.justiceforsholom.org
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