I’m writing this letter with pure emotion. After finding out the sentencing on James Sanders (News-Times, May 4), I am stunned. Make that angry! I’m sitting here trying to understand the logic of the sentence, but I just don’t get.

These were his words. Do you think he could spare them?

“An unforgivable and horrible mistake”

“He would accept any punishment and promised that he will think about Sepulveda every day of his life.”

“I know no matter how many times I apologize,” he said. “It will not bring Elaine Sepulveda back.”

How many murderers have uttered those words? Turned away and never thought about their victims, not even on their deathbeds.

I certainly hope James Sanders remembers these words more than anything for the rest of his life:

“You can’t even image how many lives you ruined by what you did to our daughter, Elaine…” she said (Elaine’s mother Mary Jimenez). “The decision you made to bury her and put trash over her like she was nobody is unthinkable.”

“Sometimes I feel I can’t go on living, and sometimes I have to remember to breathe,” …  

“Instead of vengeance,” she said, “I ask God to give you a conscience so you can feel how much pain you caused.”

“Mary said she was so worried that James’ mother will not be able to visit him.” …

Maybe James should be thinking about this instead: 

Elaine will never see 20, never experience her 16th birthday, never wed, never be able to rock her own babes in her arms, never give her mother her grandchildren to love and many more nevers. 

James will be 27 or so when he gets out of prison with his life in front of him. He can do all of these things. He will continue to live and breathe and enjoy some of those pleasures in life. Will he truly remember Elaine and her family?

Makes you wonder if there is truly justice for all. Where is the justice for Elaine and her family?

God bless Mary and Juan, their grieving families and her father Carlos. Their dreams were stolen; their lives devastated. Where is their justice?

I pray none of my children never meets someone so callous as this young man, and that no one steal their lives and dreams from them or our family.

Lisa Urista 

Oak Harbor