Rehabilitation merits a release

MVoicer John Colella wrote a response to the op-ed by Isaac Zaur (“Is 40 years in prison enough?” Nov. 23) with the brutal demand for the inmate, Tommy Nelson, to “rot and die in prison” for his part in a robbery during which a fellow criminal shot off-duty police officer Anthony Abruzzo to death.

He calls Isaac Zaur a “shyster lawyer” because he appeals for mercy to be shown to this inmate. Perhaps Colella knew Anthony Abruzzo. Nothing can bring back this murdered officer — man, person, father, husband — even if Nelson could be jailed for 1,000 years.

But the purpose of prison is to be a deterrent for crime and to try to serve the greater good. Nelson could now do the world a whole lot more good if he could live a useful life outside of prison after 40 years of agonizing over the crime. It could seem insensitive, but under the circumstances, I think 40 years is already too long. Nelson is repentant. The purpose of his sentence has been more than accomplished. We gain nothing by destroying another human being.

What is the best way to pay for a terrible crime? How do we best celebrate the qualities Anthony Abruzzo was cherished for? I don’t think I can teach Colella about forgiveness, mercy or compassion. These are held up to us as qualities of the highest order. He is hard and cold as stone. The way he wrote that letter, especially calling the lawyer a shyster and saying the op-ed was abhorrent, doesn’t do any of us any good. It is to continue the cruelty of the crime.

I could quote the Bible, but that might not make any difference. In God’s name, I ask that Tommy Nelson be freed.

Give him credit

Franklin Lakes, N.J.: