Posted on Fri, Aug 28, 2009 : 2:53 p.m.
Judge's lenient sentence coddles embezzler at hockey kids' expense
By Pete Bigelow
Is the criminal calling the shots in her own sentencing?
That's the question local sports writer John U. Bacon asks in his most recent blog entry on the Kimberly Knight case.
Knight was convicted in June of embezzling nearly $1 million from the Ann Arbor Amateur Hockey Association, a heist that has left the long-time organization fighting for survival. So far, she has been spared jail time by Judge Melinda Morris in hopes that Knight can make some form of restitution.
Bacon isn't buying it.
"The more you steal, the more power you have," he writes, adding that local kids are the ones most hurt in this case.
Comments
concerned citizen
Sun, Nov 22, 2009 : 6:36 p.m.
Judge Morris should step down. She is old and her mind is not working well. In another case that has gone on for over 13 years 96-6655 CE Scio v bateson she set aside a $300,000.00 fine for contempt of court and made the new amount $15,00.00. And to top it off she is letting work take place at his Scio property that is in violation of several zoning ordances and has been for 13 years. She dosen't care about the neighbors rights to the "Peaceful Enjoyment of their Property". Maybe if her personal undertaker quit fixing up her face and propping her up at the bench the defence attorneys couldn't act like ventriloquists and give the rullings for her.
AnnArBO
Sun, Aug 30, 2009 : 11:23 a.m.
Judge Morriss called this a case of human frailty, on both sides. Human frailty of greed by Knight, and AAAHA human frailty from a lack of oversight. She stated this was not a black and white case, and this is where the law clarifys........ I guess we are back to the days of "if you drive a nice car, you are somewhat to blame if you get car jacked" or "if a girl dresses provacativly, she is somehow partially to blame for being sexually assaulted". Thought we had moved past that kind of thinking, but I guess not........
KJMClark
Sat, Aug 29, 2009 : 1:56 p.m.
When is Judge Morris up for re-election?
vg550
Sat, Aug 29, 2009 : 8:02 a.m.
I truly feel sorry for the kids and parents involved with the hockey program. Didn't Ms Knights family ever wonder where all the "extra goodies" were coming from? I agree with the jail work program of picking up highway trash and other community services. I can't figure out how she's going to pay back a million dollars if she had to steal it in the first place. The entire situation is a rotten shame :(
discgolfgeek
Sat, Aug 29, 2009 : 7:44 a.m.
Recall Melinda Morris -- she should not be behind the bench. How can anyone take our justice system seriously when one can steal 1 million dollars, pay back a pittance of it, and not serve any jail time. That woman should have to sell everything she owns and come up with some cash now. If she pays back at least 1/2 of it, then put her on parole and an aggressive payback program -- if she misses a payment, off to jail she goes. Meanwhile, she should be picking up trash every weekend until restitution is complete. This is sickening, totally sickening!
MjC
Sat, Aug 29, 2009 : 7:03 a.m.
Judge Morris has a reputation in Ann Arbor of going easy on cases that warranted stronger sentences (it's all about the lawyer you can afford to pay). What infuriates me about this case is that Kimberly Knight stole money not just from adults who should have known better(always have checks and balances in place when it comes to people handling your cash), but she also stole it from innocent kids. Kids who worked hard to earn money to support a game they love to play. I don't know if the humiliation she has brought to her own family serves as enough punishment, but jail time was warranted. She got off easy.
63Townie
Sat, Aug 29, 2009 : 6:45 a.m.
It's sad that in 2009 color of skin and socio-economic status still weigh heavily in sentencing. I agree with other posters, the least Morris could have done was make Knight spend the rest of her weekends in jail until she pays full restitution. Maybe that would be motivation to pay in full. Diamonds and gold don't go well with an orange jumpsuit.
tater
Sat, Aug 29, 2009 : 5:26 a.m.
This sentence also continues and illustrates a disturbing concept in American "justice:" people with more money don't get put in jail as often or as long as poor people do. If the defendant comes off as middle class in the courtroom, too many judges seem to be more sympathetic toward them than they would toward a person who shows obvious signs of having grown up at a financial disadvantage. The "justice" system seriously needs to revisit the constitution and the last line of the Pledge of Alliegence.
tater
Sat, Aug 29, 2009 : 5:21 a.m.
Burns wrote: "The court could have sentenced her to weekends or a work program. Washtenaw county has a good jail work program picking up highway trash and other community service." I like this. They should sentence her to pick up trash every weekend until the debt is paid off. It might help motivate her. I just want to know how someone can blow a million dollars, not have any of it left, and not arouse suspiscion.
thisissomessedup
Fri, Aug 28, 2009 : 9:52 p.m.
RASON ANGELO HORTON this is Judge Morris's success story.
jwburns74
Fri, Aug 28, 2009 : 9:43 p.m.
The court could have sentenced her to weekends or a work program. Washtenaw county has a good jail work program picking up highway trash and other community service.
The Grinch
Fri, Aug 28, 2009 : 9:28 p.m.
I agree. Let's lock her up and throw away the keys. Forget getting any of the money back. I'm quite certain that that will serve those kids far better than recovering any of the stolen funds. Indeed, I'm certain those kids will learn that vindictiveness is a far more important value than either logic or, God forbid, forgiveness. What is the matter with you people? If this woman is playing the judge (and it appears that she is), she'll land in jail. But, until then, does it not make sense that there be some effort to recoup the money?
jwburns74
Fri, Aug 28, 2009 : 7:01 p.m.
I copied this from the blog 6.By Lindsay Aspegren I brought my 14 year old son to Ms. Knights initial sentencing hearing on August 8th. Prior the conclusion of Ms. Knights appearance an African-American man was brought before Judge Morris who plead guilty to the crime of attempted robbery. This man did not use a weapon he simply told his victim I wont hurt you if you give me your purse and did not get the purse. Judge Morris told this man that under Michigan law he was now facing life in prison. This mans only ally was a dedicated public defender as Judge Morris walked him through his allocution. My son could not help but be shocked that Ms. Knight, whose appearance immediately, was not likely to face any immediate jail time despite her over $1.0 million theft because she committed a white collar crime. From the perspective of anyone who was listening in the Court that day, the dramatic difference vividly justifies the complaints that many have with our courts and the injustice which is done there. I wonder what my sons comments would have been if he had been in Court on August 24th? After spending 25 minutes of the Courts time and agreeing to an immediate repayment of $75,000 as a condition of sentencing, Ms. Knights attorney told the Court that it couldnt cash Ms. Knights check because we need time for all the checks to clear. Rather than remand Ms. Knight to custody, Judge Morris gave Ms. Knight 10 days to come up with the money. I wonder what my son would have thought. I wonder what would have happened to the man who is facing life in prison for attempting to steal a purse with $30 in it would have said? The logic of not sentencing Ms. Knight to an immediate and lengthy jail term is certainly lost on all three of us.