Opinion

Jailing an aged crook

The Issue: A jail term given to Anthony Marshall, who was found guilty of robbing his mother, Brooke Astor.

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Anthony Marshall is suffering from many ailments. He has congestive heart failure and Parkinson’s, and needs help caring for himself (“Don’t Feel a Bit Bad for Poor Ol’ Scam Son,” Andrea Peyser, June 22).

While I understand that prosecutors felt compelled to make the point that people who abuse the elderly will be punished no matter what their age, it is hard to understand why he could not have been sentenced to house arrest instead.

There is a distinct possibility that Marshall’s incarceration will kill him, thereby subjecting him to “cruel and unusual” punishment, which is forbidden by the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution.

Judy Natkins

Jackson Heights

Perhaps while Marshall is in jail, they can put some of his blood in a vial.

This could be given to Andrea Peyser to keep on her coffee table. Every time she looks at it, she can cackle.

This man has been punished enough. His son should be really happy — not too many children get to see their elderly fathers wheeled away to jail.

And what a delightful name the deceased Mrs. Astor gave her daughter-in-law: “Miss Piggy.”

I thought we were above calling people vile names in this country.

In “The Merchant of Venice,” Shakespeare wrote: “Earthly power is most like God’s whenmercy tempers justice.”

I don’t think either was served in this case.

Catherine Adago

Manhattan