The recent conviction and sentencing of Jeffrey Barton is a slap in the face of the concept of justice.
The Clark County Prosecutor's office originally charged Barton with illegal discharge of a firearm. The
prosecutor, knowing that they could not achieve a conviction on that charge against an honest man defending his family and property, changed the charge to obstruction of a law enforcement officer.
The level of proof required to convict someone of that charge is low. So low, that simply questioning an officer in the performance of his duty could result in that charge being placed on an individual. The change of the charge was simply an attempt by the prosecution to save face and win a conviction.
Judge Hagensen sentenced Barton to a week in jail and fined him $500.00. Mr. Barton is not someone whom the community needs to be protected from. Judge Hagensen should have found that Mr. Barton has suffered enough at the hands of the "law" in Clark County and set him free and with no fine.
One news article covering the trial quoted Jeffrey Barton as saying "I'm out of here," in reference to his desire to leave Clark County. I can certainly understand that desire considering how his case was prosecuted and tried.
Kevin Brown
Vancouver
