Got off easy

Regarding “Houston Texans minority owner Javier Loya agrees to misdemeanor; rape charge dropped in Kentucky,” (April 8): I see that one of the Texans’ minority owners, Javier Loya, received the rich man reach-around in Kentucky after being charged with rape and six counts of sexual abuse. These charges stem from two incidents at his old Kentucky home in May 2022. After a delay of nearly two years, he “agreed to accept” a charge of “harassment with intent to annoy” — a Class B misdemeanor that comes with a whopping $100 fine.

How very gracious of him.

He is allowed to maintain his innocence while acknowledging that there was enough evidence for a jury to find him guilty. What the heck is this? The Alford plea is nothing more than a “get out of jail free” card for the wealthy.

I’m pretty sure that there are many charged with similar offenses in the Harris County Jail who would “agree to accept” that offer, but I don’t ever think I have seen an Alford plea offered in court for a person without means. As for the “evidentiary issues” cited by the prosecutors, one wonders just what about those issues specifically cancels out the crimes of rape and sexual assault.

Tim Broussard, Rockport

While maintaining his innocence, Javier Loya acknowledged there was enough evidence for a jury to find him guilty. Wonder just how many court-appointed attorneys have successfully used this defense? As we all know, the scales of justice ensure fairness in court cases, until you fork over the cash to produce the tilt.

I don’t know Loya, but I wouldn’t put it past him to proclaim his innocence, sell his minority interest in the Houston Texans, bring the lawyers back to court and fight his wife over a costly divorce settlement.

As our former president squirms through his own legal spectacle, maintaining his innocence, calling the charges politically motivated, labeling witnesses as corrupt liars, it seems he too should be convicted of “harassment with intent to annoy.” Stay tuned!

Cliff Bodin, Humble