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Right Or Wrong, Former Teacher's Case Just Won't Go Away

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 8, 2007

Officer Was Overzealous

Regarding "Chats With Teen Girl Get Lafave Arrested" (Metro, Dec. 5):

The insistence of Debra Lafave's probation officer that she go to jail for her conversations with a 17-year-old co-worker surely hides some kind of personal, petty agenda. By all accounts Lafave has handled her house arrest in strict compliance; in fact, according to what we read, she is a rare success, having complied with every restriction.

I would suggest the appropriate authority examine closely the small-minded, petty, vindictive attitude of her probation officer. This smacks of a personal vendetta. If an investigation into her behavior is conducted, I would suggest an even more penetrating investigation of this probation officer.

S.L. MOYER

Oldsmar

Making Plea In Public

How much longer are we going to have to be subjected to the plight of Debra Lafave? She pleaded guilty to a crime and is now on probation. She violated her probation and is now in trouble again. It's a shame that her attorney, John Fitzgibbons, uses every opportunity to whine to the media how his client is a misunderstood person and deserves a break. Does a judge's order mean nothing to him?

I guess she can pick and chose which conditions of her probation she can follow. I'm sure if lawyer Fitzgibbons was in the shoes of the victim's family he would have a different tune. It's a shame he is trying to garner support in the media rather than argue it in the courtroom. Maybe that's what is wrong with this country.

JIM BRADFORD

Valrico

Give Her A Chance

I know that rules are made and must be kept to stay within the guidelines of the system, but who knows for sure if Debra Lafave or the teenage girl started the small talk that got Lafave into trouble. By all accounts in the Tribune, Lafave has worked hard to keep out of more trouble in her life. I feel that the system should give her a decent chance to become a good citizen again. She should not have to face the possibility of serving a sentence in jail. That would be a punishment and not a cure and healing.

GEORGE LACK

Brandon

A Clear Violation

Clearly Debra Lafave violated the terms of her house arrest. With her being on house arrest, I cannot see how she was able to check in and out of jail within a three- to four-hour period while Jessica Sierra, who is only on probation, is being held without bond for her violation of probation.

As a mother I cannot understand how a teacher who molested a 14-year-student can prance in and out of jail while an addict must sit there without bond. I don't see the justice in any of this. Lafave should be sent to a prison that houses sexual predators, for she has been an embarrassment to the state of Florida for her actions.

And let us not forget Jennifer Porter. I have trouble figuring out why her whole family was not charged with covering up her crimes and she is still out there. I guess the judges these days in Hillsborough County care more about one's appearance than the crimes they got themselves into - once again making the Tampa Bay area the laughingstock over the revolving door of justice.

LYNDA M. JACKO

Land O' Lakes

Justice Denied

Regarding "Cases Are Different" (Letters, Dec. 5):

Yes, Jennifer Porter did commit a crime and was given a walk for it. Would John Feeney think differently if those had been his children? Yes, he would! Porter and her parents should have gone to jail. That's Florida justice for you!

Hit and run is a crime in all 50 of our great states.

BOBBY McGILL

Valrico

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