tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309929059139673041.post7861449856522896595..comments2024-03-28T02:08:17.990+02:00Comments on Daas Torah - Issues of Jewish Identity: Kolko gets 15 years after judge rejects guilty plea withdrawalDaas Torahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07252904288544083215noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309929059139673041.post-64893693293130292862013-10-18T21:19:34.268+03:002013-10-18T21:19:34.268+03:00Initially the judge had said he would hold the sen...Initially the judge had said he would hold the sentencing to 5-15. Meaning had Kolko been a cooperative defendant which would have meant: A. Acting remorseful for his actions B. Compliance with recommendation that he undergo sex offender evaluation in Avenel C. Not engaging in stalling tactics... He probably would have gotten closer to five.<br />The sad reality is that Kolko didn't need to end up in prison at all. He could have been an emotionally and sexually healthy Yid sitting next to you in Shul, and our children would also be safe, had the community not failed this situation on so many levels.<br />1. Over ten years ago an intuitive Rebbi approached Hanhola of a certain Yeshiva that Kolko was affiliated with, and said that he felt the way Kolko interacted with the bochrim there was inappropriate and they should take action. They chose to ignore his concerns.<br />2. The current victim's family was mostly interested in protecting other children (it wasn't about justice) and they had two requests A. That he gets treatment B. That he cooperates with recommended safety measures. Unfortunately the "council of wise sages" counseled him to maintain his innocence and fight the victim. Those wise sages and their cohorts even helped Kolko fight an innocent family and avoid the adaptive response to Kolko's problem.<br />3. Even after their initial misguided advice, those around Kolko continued to ensure that he missteps all along his legal involvement. <br />So today Kolko is going for a real "bid", with all of the shortcomings of our correctional system. Maybe justice is served (but that wasn't the goal.) Maybe he will finally get treatment (although the correctional system isn't ideal for treatment.) At least our children are safe. But it didn't need to happen this way. <br />If only he had gotten himself help...<br />If only the powers that be had listened to the cries and concerns and pushed for change...<br />If only we had good safety measures in place...<br />And maybe if only his Uncle Yidi had been treated differently...<br />Let's get it right so that the pain for all of those involved doesn't happen again.not from lkwdnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309929059139673041.post-78849956620284306722013-10-18T16:02:50.444+03:002013-10-18T16:02:50.444+03:00How much less was he expected to get under the gui...How much less was he expected to get under the guilty plea if he had not tried to withdraw it?Samnoreply@blogger.com