In expressing how proud he is of the community, the victims and the state police for doing their job, I think Speaker Pete Schwartzkopf’s commentary about the July 28 home invasion missed a major part of the story. He forgot to mention the fact that the authorities had Mr. Snell in custody on or about July 2 when he was arrested on similar charges: felony theft from a victim, 62 or older, and three other misdemeanor charges.
He pled guilty to the felony, sentenced to a year in prison but it was suspended for a year probation. No jail time...no home detention...no other penalty was reported. In just over three weeks he targeted the elderly couple in Rehoboth. The resulting home invasion could have easily turned even more serious if the couple hadn’t been proactive in their own self-defense.
A similar situation in Baltimore last month occurred in which a repeat offender with drug problems was released on her own recognizance one day after her latest arrest. Less than two weeks later she slaughtered a 5-year-old girl and her grandmother on a sidewalk early one Monday morning with her vehicle.
It reminds me of a story from years ago of an older lady who asked a question after looking at fugitives pictures in a Post Office: “If they had the criminals long enough to take their pictures, why did they let them go?” It’s a good question for our judges today.
Geary Foertsch
Rehoboth Beach
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