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Letters: Chao's sentence too severe

It's never pleasant to have to speak out on behalf of a person guilty of a crime. This is especially true when the crime has been committed by the son-in-law of a lame duck president, Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁), who has been the object of severe media criticism since 2000.

Nevertheless, even Chao Chien-ming (趙建銘), who has been portrayed as arrogant, greedy and corrupt by the media, should be treated equally and humanely by the law.

An appeal court just sentenced Chao and his father to seven years and nine years and six months respectively, and fined them each almost US$1 million.

By comparison, in the US, celebrity homemaker Martha Stewart received a sentence of five months in prison and five months of house arrest for lying to the government about a stock sale.

Chao's unusual and severe punishment for insider trading is unheard of. Chao did not receive a fair and proportionate sentence.

His association with Chen and the pan-blue camps' hatred toward the president and the government surely factored into his sentence.

The pan-blue camp and its media have mocked Chao relentlessly and have led a mudslinging campaign against him.

Obviously, Chao did not receive a fair trial.

Taiwanese politics has been divided and polarized ever since the historical power transfer in 2000. This must stop.

The pan-blues have taken every possible chance since losing power to attack the government.

Obviously, both Chaos are victims of the pan-blue camp's campaign.

They may be guilty, but is justice being served?

Yang ji-charng

Ohio

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