article_snippet.sent: Court brought Court front and center this week.
article_snippet.sent: I read The written victim impact statement on behalf of the child aloud in open court.
article_snippet.sent: It was of little surprise to me that neither parent nor their three year-old child was present in court for the sentencing.
article_snippet.sent: After all, the defendant and the judge are amongst the individuals the three year old has fear of as a result of the crime.
article_snippet.sent: The written victim impact statement on behalf of the child played absolutely no role in the sentencing decision and the commonwealth disavowed The written victim impact statement on behalf of the child.
article_snippet.sent: Needless to say, I was deeply offended, however, that The written victim impact statement on behalf of the child was put forth for the purpose of persuading me to impose a lengthy prison sentence.