Outrage over assault

After reading your article on the front page about Patrick Larson last week, and his admitted guilt to sexual assault (RAPE) of a teenage girl in Bigfork, I want the unpublished facts and truths to be printed so all the parents of young girls in Lake and Flathead counties can know that their children are not protected by the judicial system.

I recently visited the family involved in this case, and know that the consent decree does not require Patrick Larson to complete anger management courses or sexual predator classes of any sort. He gets off Scot-free after his 21st birthday, leaving him free to repeat the crime.

In stark contrast, the victim has suffered what can only be termed a psychological death. Every aspect of her life and being has been irrevocably changed as the result of Larson's illegal sexual gratification. The family collectively has suffered a stunning blow, and is trying valiantly to cope, to save what remains of their daughter's trust in the world and in the legal system. Additionally, the financial losses incurred are great-and far beyond what this family, as well as most families in this valley, would be able to bear.

There will be no record for Patrick Larson, nothing that will impinge on his future employment or his future endeavors. I want to know why Larson was treated so carefully, so tenderly and intimately so ineffectively, while the victim and her family were treated callously, rudely and in a way that has caused deep emotional damage. This is not how a rape case should be concluded in any civilized society.

Hopefully I won't be the only outraged citizen to express my opinion. It is my hope that this family will be vindicated by an attorney or attorneys who will come forward to see that they receive justice in apparently the only means left-via a civil suit that will punish Larson and his family financially, since Larson will receive no punishment through the judicial system.

Let us not forget about the disgusting record Lake County Attorney Bob Long has set in fighting for justice. We need to remove Long from office, and replace him with a qualified, competent attorney who actually reads the law before "interpreting" it.

Is there any out standing citizen out there who will also call Mike McGrath, Senator Max Baucus, to request that this case be reviewed and sent to the Montana Supreme Court? Rape is not acceptable behavior, and rapists must be punished. I am outraged at this total lack of Montana's justice! Please step forward and help reverse this "O.J." type of injustice.

I am a citizen ashamed to be part of the community that will stand idly by in the face of violence and rape of our women and children.

Martha Wourell

Bigfork