To the editor:

I am writing this letter to the editor to publicly invite another Lawrence citizen to submit a letter to the editor — specifically District Attorney Dakota Loomis. Mr. Loomis, please explain to the community your detailed rationale for your office’s recommendation of probation in the case of defendant William Pope. As detailed in the Journal-World article of Oct. 16, Mr. Pope was originally charged with attempted aggravated robbery and aggravated assault using a gun. Per the article, Mr. Pope already is a convicted felon many times over. So, Mr. Looms, why only probation? Why does the plea deal pretend a gun wasn’t used? Why drop the requirement for continued GPS monitoring? And, most importantly, where does the safety of the community figure into your priorities when dealing with criminals?

Walt Clogston.

Lawrence