Is There Justice?

I was shocked to read the headline in Jeff Coen’s article, “He Killed 14 People. He got 12 Years,” from the March 27th in Chicago Tribune. Nicholas Calabrese, a mob hit man, killed 14 people over the years and because he is cooperating with police officials will only receive a 12 year sentence. In fact, since he has been in jail since 2002, he will only have about 4 more years to serve. Families of the victims were outraged. However, without Calabrese’s testimony, mob bosses such as Joseph Lombardo and James Marcello and their “enforcers” Paul Schiro and Anthony “Twan” Doyle would be free. In a companion article by John Kass, “Leniency to Calabrese vs. mob and its justice,” Kass suggests that the “fear” or the mob getting back at him for informing on them will be punishment enough.

What do you think should be the policy on murderers who cooperate with officials? Should they get a lighter sentence in order to encourage others to come forward and cooperate? Is the “Fear” of retribution enough of a punishment?