Dear editor, May 21, 2008, will go down as another sad day in Napa history for all women, especially those who have experienced any type of domestic violence. Charging Willis Creech with felony assault with a firearm and four counts of shooting into an inhabited dwelling, two counts of child endangerment and five special allegations of use of a firearm was not harsh enough. He will spend 10 to 20 years in prison with the probability of time off for good behavior.

He didn’t intend to hurt anyone? Every time a person picks up a gun or any other type of weapon, there is a chance of someone losing their life, whether intentional or not. This is a slap in the face to all women. Until domestic violence is eliminated, no woman is safe and the value of a woman’s life is still considered less than that of a man.

Men, young boys, women and girls have to be taught from birth that domestic violence is no longer acceptable nor should it be tolerated in any shape or form. What happens to the wife and children of this incident who will be forever traumatized and will live in fear when he is released? What happens to any woman who has or will be affected by domestic violence?

Too often it makes an unforgettable story on the front page of the newspaper.

Nanette DeDonato

Napa