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Editorial
An open letter to NYS Supreme Court Judge Drury
To the Honorable Justice Timothy J. Drury:
We were pleased while watching Monday's 11 p.m. news broadcast to learn that Fabian T. Jones of Buffalo pleaded guilty to a pair of burglary charges stemming from two home invasions that occurred on Henry Street and Veterans Place in 2005 and 2006. However, after learning that you may "cap" his sentence to ten years in jail we urge you to reconsider and incarcerate Jones for the full extent allowed by law.
Some people may see Jones as a product of a system that failed him, and therefore should be offered leniency. When we review the circumstances before and after these heinous crimes, we cannot agree with that thinking.
To review: In late 2005, Jones and a second burglar broke into two homes on Henry Street. During both break-ins they incapacitated their elderly victims while ransacking their homes. The victims were constantly threatened at gunpoint, and in at least one instance the intruders threatened to cut off the victim's fingers. Both times, the intruders escaped with thousands of dollars and left the victims and an entire neighborhood terrified. Last March, Jones and an accomplice struck again, this time at home on Veterans Place. However, the elderly woman was able to telephone 9-1-1, and Jones was soon captured by Cheektowaga Police.
If not for the quick action of the Veterans Place woman, how many more sickening home invasions would this duo have committed? Would their crimes have escalated to murder? The victim of the November 2005 invasion has since passed away, and we wonder if the traumatizing event of two masked thugs upending her beloved- and seemingly safe- home hastened her death.
As for events after his apprehension, Jones has not cooperated with investigators. He was afforded several opportunities to reveal the identity of his accomplice, but continually refuses. Because Fabian Jones has chosen to protect his accomplice, a dangerous man can potentially lurk in the shadows outside Western New York homes, waiting for an opportunity to strike again.
We urge you, sir, to place yourself in the shoes of the victims, their families and neighbors. Would you want to see this despicable person free after 10 years?
We remember the day that Jones was brought into Cheektowaga Town Court. He pleaded not guilty and as he was escorted out of the courtroom, he looked at his family and complained sadly that he wasn't allowed to hide his face. Now that he has pleaded guilty, we're glad that we placed his picture on our front page. It offered our readers a look at a remorseless thug. We hope it's not a face they need to remember in 10 years.
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