A letter by Allan Neff assumes the guilt of the Amtrak conductor whose train derailed horrifically. He defends Tom Brady and continues: “If we let the punishment fit the crime with any degree of proportionality, the Amtrak employee should pay trillions of dollars and spend several lifetimes in prison, but of course he will not.”

That’s a pretty irresponsible rush to judgment on Neff’s part. I find we often assume the worst of someone, but to rashly state a public assumption of guilt is akin to the public stonings of the accused that occur in other countries.

As of yesterday, the FBI was investigating reports of objects hitting the front window of this train AND another one that was going through the area. Brandon Bostian, the conductor, who, by all accounts was a great person and a stellar employee, appears not to be negligent.

Dawn Leland

Portland