Judge Barber acted in accordance to law, best interests of taxpayers, community

We are writing in response to a letter published in the Fulton County Expositor entitled "Judges - get tougher with criminals" submitted by David Roth. The letter expressed "outrage" at Judge James Barber for initiating and signing a medical release furlough from CCNO for our son Brett Bunting. The letter writer proceeded to divulge intimate details involving the crime that our son admitted to committing and details surrounding his subsequent incarceration, which he used to admonish Judge Barber's decision.

However, the writer omitted the reason that he is privy to intimate knowledge involving this case - the defendant is his son-in-law.

We find it incredibly disturbing and quite sad that a public forum was used to issue a personal indictment on a family member. What is more deplorable is that he used the newspaper to criticize a respected member of Fulton County's judicial system in an attempt to propagate his own personal agenda.

What the writer is really "outraged" about is that despite his repeated attempts to influence Judge Barber's decisions in this case, the judge has continued to act in accordance with the law. Judge Barber did act in the interest of the community as well.

Fulton County taxpayers should not be forced to foot the bill for the thousands of dollars in medical expenses incurred by our son. They are his personal responsibility. In this tough economy, we are confident that there are many more appropriate places those hard earned tax dollars can be applied.

Our son has taken full responsibility for his involvement in this crime and has demonstrated this by his actions. He turned himself into the Fulton County Sheriff's Department the day after the crime was committed; he gave investigators a full confession and has pleaded guilty to the charges. He has appeared at all court hearings and abided by all of the rules governing his medical furlough. He has displayed genuine remorse for the affect that his actions had on this innocent family. He is taking steps to institute necessary changes in his life that led to his participation in this illegal activity.

Our family has remained silent out of respect for the young boy and his family, while the letter writer has repeatedly attempted to play judge, jury and executioner in our son's case.

We deeply regret the anguish created in their family as a result of our son's actions. It is not our intent to diminish the affect that our son's actions had upon this family, we are only attempting to reassure the community that our legal system does act in its best interest. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the boy and his family and we sincerely hope that this letter does not cause any further pain.

Danny & Christine Tolford

Jackson, Mich.