Letters to the Editor
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Mixed messages
First of all, this evidence does seem to point to her NOT being present that night. Second of all, I also understand the dilemma of whether pure property crimes can/should be considered arson. It's a conundrum.
However. Let's pretend she WAS there.
She could spend as much as two decades behind bars for allegedly holding a walkie-talkie.
If she WAS present and this WAS terrorism, to say that she shouldn't get this much time "just for holding a walkie-talkie" is pure nonsense. It probably depends on state laws, but in some cases, all participants in a conspiratorial act are equally culpable. Though police often make deals with those they believe are less culpable - such as the one that drove the getaway car but was not one of the ones who actually shot the gun that killed the teller at the bank robbery - if they deny and go to trial, they are considered just as guilty. By this article's logic, if the ringleader of a crime stays home and lets the minions do the dirty deed, he or she should not be prosecutable. Someone please let Charles Manson out of jail.