Free Fichter!

HELP FREE FICHTER!

SIGN MICHAEL BRANDNER'S PETITION

AN OPEN LETTER TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN

By Stephen Wilson 

Jennifer Fichter

            

I'm writing to you with the request that you support a pardon or at least a reduction in the sentence of the imprisoned American English teacher by the name of Jennifer Fichter. Jennifer Fichter, in April 2015 received the severe sentence of 22 years imprisonment for consensual, but illicit sex with three of her 17-year-old students. Protest and indignation against this unusually draconian sentence has aroused  massive waves of support and sympathy throughout Russia not to mention the World. Almost 77,000 signed one petition. The people who have signed are deeply concerned about the fate of Jennifer Fichter. They are dreaming of her obtaining a pardon and won't relinquish the campaign.  

            

The case has had a profound impact on America's International relations as well as reputation abroad. This is why all honest, reasonable and thoughtful Americans must be concerned.

            

I and others believe that this severe sentence is unjustified for three main reasons {Although this hardly exhausts so many other reasons eloquently and acutely advanced by Mike Brandner in his petition}

            

The sentence is arbitrary, absurd and cruel. It is arbitrary because if Fichter had been found guilty in Georgia where the age of consent is 16 she would have been free today. Different American states apply their own laws which are often incompatible with each other undermining the very notion of universal justice. Justice which depends on geographical location weakens any sense of consistent universal legal norms and sounds capricious. It confuses and confounds people. For even within Florida, a 16 year old can consent to have sex with some one as old as 23. However, a Floridan cannot consent to have sex with someone over 23 unless he or she is 18 or over as Mike Brander points out.                             

            

The second reason is that the case is unusual. The usually appropriate punishment for such a violation is for a teacher to be dismissed. The loss of employment as well as accompanying stigma should surely suffice. The punishment does not fit the crime as Jennifer Fichter is no rapist, child molester or kidnapper. Yet the prison sentence of 22 years is double the average length for a rape conviction. So the crime is less serious but more severe. The students were not victims who suffered trauma or harm, but freely consented to sex. They were 17 year old who were on the verge of adulthood. The sense of injustice has been compounded by the fact that a Norwegian neo Nazis who murdered 77 people and wounded 150 in 2011 received a lesser sentence of 21 years! 

            

A third reason is that this case represents an evident and explicit violation of the eighth Amendment of the Bill of Rights which declares:

            

'Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted'. The case of Jennifer Fichter clearly represents a classic example of a cruel and unusual punishment. For what purpose should this teacher languish in prison where her mental esteem is wounded and her family feel they are also serving out this sentence? It is not in anyone's interest to prolong pointless suffering. It certainly does not serve any public interest.

            

Contrary to certain media reports, Jennifer Fichter doesn't remotely represent a threat or danger to the public. And a just legal system is obliged to find a delicate balance between justice and mercy. Without compassion and right reason, legal despotism looms up. This is why we urge you to support our campaign to secure a pardon or reduced sentence for Jennifer Fichter.

You can sign it here:   https://www.change.org/p/clemency-for-jennifer-fichter?signed=true