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Letters: Kept in jail for having car keys and a cell phone

Re: "Spare the sympathy for this career criminal," Sunday: John McNesby, president, Philadelphia Lodge 5 of the Fraternal Order of Police, writes that the FOP is "profoundly saddened by the jury's decision in the Walter Barclay case. We are dumbstruck that The Inquirer has taken an editorial stance that William Barnes should not be punished further. . . ."

Re: "Spare the sympathy for this career criminal," Sunday:

John McNesby, president, Philadelphia Lodge 5 of the Fraternal Order of Police, writes that the FOP is "profoundly saddened by the jury's decision in the Walter Barclay case. We are dumbstruck that The Inquirer has taken an editorial stance that William Barnes should not be punished further. . . ."

Despite the jury's expedient and absolute acquittal, Barnes continues to be held in custody on technical parole violations. Specifically, "possession of a cell phone and car keys when he was taken into custody in 2007."

Wow, "a cell phone and car keys"; now that's a dangerous combination in the possession of a parolee who was gainfully employed at the time of his arrest.

The Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole should heed The Inquirer's editorial and stop wasting precious financial resources by continuing to incarcerate a sickly, 74-year-old man for nothing more than the possession of "a cell phone and car keys."

Albert Whitehead

Philadelphia