I could not agree more with the Sun Journal editorial May 2. Daniel Asselin needs to be imprisoned for a long time and with no time off for good behavior.

Mark Blanchette was our daughter’s boyfriend. His death was devastating for her and our family, not to mention Mark’s own parents and family. I was in the courtroom when Asselin was sentenced. He cried and pleaded for mercy and said he wanted to enter a rehab program for his drinking problem rather than to go to prison.

I didn’t believe it then, and I don’t believe it now.

I am sure he has plenty of “demons in his head” that contribute to his alcoholism, and he needs treatment for that. I am not unfeeling toward people with this disease. However, when he puts every person in this state in jeopardy by driving, I have no leniency in my heart or soul for him. Additionally, whoever is allowing him to use his or her vehicle needs to have that vehicle confiscated by the state and receive sentencing for aiding and abetting a criminal.

I would like to see him receive a very long sentence. The state should have a new law if that is what it takes to keep this self-centered individual from driving a vehicle and endangering others. Plaster his cell with pictures of Mark and Ron and Debbie Blanchette, maybe that will help him to learn what remorse and loss actually mean.

Sue DeRoche, Auburn

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