EDITOR,

I have been a Tracy resident since 1986. I’m writing in response to the July 23 Tracy Press article, “Keep out of San Joaquin.”

Once again, I’m embarrassed to say I live in Tracy and quickly losing faith in our judicial system. Where is the victim’s family’s right to closure? Why make them suffer repeatedly?

I, like many others, am outraged at the thought of having Loren Herzog released on parole as a Tracy resident. This “speed-freak killer” is only 44 and should stay behind bars. Herzog and a longtime friend, Wesley Shermantine, were convicted of committing several murders.

Shermantine is serving time on death row and was scheduled to die in 2001. Herzog must have had one heck of a lawyer to only serve 14 years. It’s my understanding Herzog was sentenced to one count of involuntary manslaughter, three counts of accessory to a felony and one count of a drug charge.

Am I missing something here? What happened to punishment fitting the crime? Fourteen years seems equivalent to a slap on the hand. It appears you really can get away with murder, as long as there is an incompetent investigator working the case. Oh, and a lawyer who could give a hoot about the public’s safety. Perhaps this is considered “job security” to the defense lawyer?

I can only wonder where and when Herzog’s next victim will be, after he is released on parole.

Whatever community Herzog is released to will not feel safe — keep him behind bars.

• Editor’s note: Loren Herzog was convicted by a jury of three murders in 2001 and sentenced to 78 years in prison. Those convictions were overturned in 2004 by an appellate court that ruled Herzog’s confession was unconstitutionally coerced by law enforcement officers. He pleaded guilty to 14 years in prison for a manslaughter charge for his role in the slaying of 24-year-old Cyndi Vanderheiden of Clements.