A Fourth Judicial District judge has expressed in a succinct and understandable way some cherished American principles as they relate to individual and family peace, freedom and security.
Judge David Sam made his comments the other day in Duchesne County as he sentenced a defendant to prison for aggravated sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl.
The crime, he said, “defaces and makes light of all that true womanhood stands for” … and tarnishes a girl’s life “without regard for her wishes” and future happiness.
Shouldn’t parents, the judge asked, have the right to know that when they send their children to school, on errands, and to work or play, they will be safe from “one who would take by force” that which is most precious to them?
Judge Sam – one of the judges of the district comprising Utah, Wasatch, Duchesne, Daggett, Uintah and Juab Counties – cautioned that there can be no freedom for any of us “if we choose to take from others that which we have no right to take.”
Court attaches were impressed with Judge Sam’s message. Utah County Attorney Noall Wootton called the remarks to our attention. We subscribe to the statement and present it herewith to conclude this editorial:
“The crime which you committed is one that brings shame to the dignity of man. It defaces and makes light of all that true womanhood stands for. You have taken away by force under the threat of death something from a young girl which is only her right to give and then only to one who loves, cherishes and respects and is worthy of her love and affection. You have tarnished her life without regard for her wishes.
“I doubt that the passing of time will ever remove from her life the adverse effects of this experience. It may bar her from ever being happy or feeling secure in her relationship with others. I hope that this will not be the case. You have disregarded the authority of her parents and mocked their teachings and the teachings of decent, law abiding citizens in this as well as other communities. You have made our communities unsafe for peaceful living.
”Shouldn’t all parents have a right to know that when they send their child to school, on an errand, to work or to play, there will not be lurking around the corner one who would take by force their life or that which is most precious to them? Wouldn’t it be right and proper that when we left our property we could do so without placing it under lock and key knowing that when we returned it would be as we left it, safe and unmolested?
“Our founding fathers laid the foundations for a great nation that would provide for us freedoms enjoyed by no other people who have ever lived. One of the greatest responsibilities that we have under our system is to have respect for ourselves and others. There can be no freedom for any of us if we choose to take from others that which we have no right to take.
“This court cannot and will not overlook those things which I regard as most essential to the survival of a free society and the peace and order of our communities. And although I hope for your sake that you may be able to rehabilitate your-self from this crime and a course of conduct that will lead to your own destruction and loss of freedom, I feel that I cannot under the circumstances look upon the crime that you have committed with the least degree of allowance.”