BishopAccountability.org
	Editorial: Skehan Where He Belongs Palm Beach Post May 21, 2009 http://www.palmbeachpost.com/opinion/content/opinion/epaper/2009/05/21/a12a_skehan_edit_0522.html When Palm Beach County Circuit Judge Jeffrey Colbath sentenced John Skehan to 14 months in prison for stealing from his church, he showed the 81-year-old priest mercy. But Skehan, who has served less than one month of that sentence, asked for much more grace: a get-out-of-jail-free card. He cited health problems. Despite Skehan's age, the court's answer Thursday, correctly, was: The wages of sin must be prison. After Skehan pleaded guilty to grand theft of more than $100,000, he got six months less than the minimum sentence required by Florida law because Judge Colbath took into account his remorse, admission of guilt and the $786,767 in restitution he made. He should be grateful. Instead, his attorney said that Skehan should be transferred to house arrest because he's suicidal and recently was diagnosed with prostate cancer, which the prison system can't handle. Tell that to the thousands of other mentally and physically ill inmates the Florida Department of Corrections handles each day. James L. Eisenberg said that Skehan's health has rapidly deteriorated because of the stress of doing time. What did his client expect? A day spa? Fear of imprisonment is supposed to deter people from committing crimes. It didn't stop Skehan from stealing money intended for the church and spending it on himself. Prison life no doubt is tough on an 81-year-old man with health issues. If Skehan had remained a priest and not become a thief, he wouldn't have had to worry about life behind bars.
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