Louise Woodward

Judge Hiller Zobel says Louise Woodward’s actions were “characterized by confusion, inexperience, frustration, immaturity and some anger, but not malice” (Nov. 11).

In America, children stop being children at 18. They can vote; in many states they can drink; they can enlist in our armed forces. Most of us think they are adults. Yet Zobel says Woodward did not feel malice when she shook the life out of an 8-month-old baby, Matthew Eappen, and that time served is her punishment. Zobel says that “immaturity” can be an excuse for murder. Zobel does not say the jury was wrong, Woodward shook little Matthew to death, but it’s all right.

CHARLES MONTERO

Huntington Beach

* Something is seriously amiss with our justice system when a judge feels obliged to replace a jury’s verdict with one that had been denied the jury. Despite the absence of evidence that the British au pair had intended to kill the baby in her charge, the jury, with the option of manslaughter precluded, decided on second-degree murder, presumably because it was unwilling to see the au pair go unpunished. It is ironic that, had not the jury misapplied the law, the judge would not have had the opportunity to choose a verdict in keeping with the facts.

MICHAEL HORSTEIN

Los Angeles

* Why do I keep hearing that Zobel showed “courage” in reducing the charge? Is it courageous to cave in to pressure from overseas and polls that show people favor reducing the charge?

DAVID F. HUBBARD

Santa Barbara

* The next time I’m called for jury service I’ll decline to respond. If a jury’s decision can be disregarded, why should I serve? The jury system isn’t perfect, but it’s the fairest we’ve come up with. Judge Zobel should’ve upheld our system, not practiced his own form of judicial activism.

DOROTHY HOUSTON

Los Angeles