Justice for John Klang

Hainstock case draws slew of feedback over whether he should be tried as a juvenile:

The bleeding heart soccer moms with pictures of big-eyed kittens on their coffee mugs are at it again. They’re sending more letters to the Wisconsin court that will decide the fate of 15-year-old Eric Hainstock. Hainstock is charged with first-degree murder for the shooting death of Weston High School principal John Klang. The soccer moms want him tried as a juvenile because he needs “help”.

Five of the letters appeal for his transfer to the juvenile court while referring to abuse at home and bullying Hainstock reportedly suffered in school.

“The young man has endured such overwhelming torment and abuse that he deserves another chance in life — through justice which provides rehabilitation,” wrote Jan Hirschy of Richland Center. “He doesn’t deserve a lifelong sentence to further torment and abuse, which will inevitably be his fate as a boy among adult male prisoners.”

In a telephone interview, Hirschy said her belief in the need for rehabilitation rather than simple punishment moved her to write. If Hainstock is placed in the juvenile courts he would not be released immediately.

“He would have the option and access to (rehabilitative) services, which he would not have in prison,” she said.

John Klang endured being shot in the back of the head. Unfortunately, he has no such chance at rehabilitation because you can’t rehabilitate the dead.

Stacy MacGowan of New York City is among writers from places such as Florida and Illinois who have expressed their support for Hainstock. She appeals for leniency because of his abuse at the hands of his father and school bullies.

“Your honor, I understand that this child has done the unthinkable and needs to be held accountable, but it should be done in the juvenile courts where he belongs,” MacGowan wrote. “He, too, is a victim.”

Let’s weigh the one so-called victim against the other. Eric Hainstock bullied but still breathing. John Klang, dead at the hands of Eric Hainstock. There’s really only one victim here.

At least the whole world hasn’t gone crazy…

Weston schools English instructor Lori Olson-Putz expresses the sense of outrage many of the opponents feel. She refers to the deep and lasting emotional blow Klang’s death on Sept. 29 has dealt to members of their rural community.

“Eric planned and carried out a senseless murder of a man who was actively trying to help him in every possible way,” she wrote the judge. “Why should Eric walk free after only a few years when the rest of us won’t be able to?”

Olson-Putz said by phone Friday evening that the school administration has asked staff to avoid making further comments on the case.

Other opponents say it would set a bad example for other troubled youths. They point to “anarchist” Internet Web sites where some postings praise the shooting of Klang as a blow against repressive school systems.

“There are a number of people around the country that are happy that a principal was shot and killed and admire Eric for his courage,” writes Lyle Lindholm, a teacher at Weston High School. “If he gets tried as a juvenile, this will only encourage people like that to do the same kind of crimes because they know they could literally get away with murder.”

You don’t even have to go to any other website. I’ve had enough people post comments here that said they were glad Hainstock did it.

I know this is common sense but it needs to be repeated. Hainstock is not a victim. He is nothing short of a stone-cold killer and needs to be dealt with as such. Anything else would dishonor the memory of John Klang.