U-T Editor Claims His Letter in Support of Wade Sanders Was Altered

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Audio

U-T Editor Claims His Letter in Support of Wade Sanders Was Altered

Aired 5/6/09

FBI agents are looking into whether a letter written on behalf of Bill Clinton's former military adviser was doctored. This week, a federal judge sentenced Wade Sanders to 37 months in prison for possession of child porn. KPBS Reporter Amita Sharma has details.

Video

Video unavailable. Read transcript below.

Above: A local war hero says this past week was more difficult then his tour of duty in Vietnam -- Wade Sanders was convicted of possessing child pornography. KPBS reporter Amita Sharma discusses the crime and sentencing with KPBS host Gloria Penner.

Union Tribune Editor Bernie Jones notified the judge this week that his letter in support of Sanders had been altered. He says he sent his original letter to Sanders.

"In my original letter, I had said to the judge I don't see any purpose being served by a long prison term. That was changed to any prison term. I did not address in my letter the sex offender status because I was uncomfortable doing so."

But the version submitted by Sanders to the judge has Jones advocating against Sanders being registered as a sex offender. Jones wouldn't comment on who he thinks altered the letter. Jones blamed himself for not reading the letter Sanders sent back to him more carefully before he signed it. So did Sanders defense attorney Knut Johnson.

"I would expect an editor of a major newspaper would know to read it and look through and make sure that he agreed with the changes before he signed it and faxed it to me."

Johnson believes Jones is trying to distance himself from his letter of support for Sanders because of criticism from colleagues. Jones denied that.

Amita Sharma, KPBS News.

writenow | May 6, 2009 at 12:07 p.m. ― 2 years, 9 months ago

Sure, the editor made a mistake. Everyone does. Kind of like hitting "Send" before Spell-check.

However, that little blip doesn't distract anyone from the actual issue. The letter was altered to change its entire meaning.

Nor is it any great mystery as to who altered the letter. Who, after all, benefits? None other than Wade Sanders, of course.

Thus what's abundantly clear is Wade Sanders who Also pleaded guilty to an enhanced charge of Distributing kiddie porn (presumably to some of his fellow "writers" for their book research?) likewise doesn't have any problem manipulating the very friends who believed him when he said he just made a mistake.

What a guy.

As for the PTSD defense du jour? PTSD is a completely separate issue. PTSD doesn't make anyone turn to kiddie porn. Although it does seem to be favored by men who prey on children. Not sure why. No one is buying it.

But as this news report indicates - Vietnam vet, Henry Parson, sure hopes the PTSD defense will work better for him than it did for Wade Sanders. http://www.10news.com/news/19265275/detail.html

( comment permalink | suggest removal )