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A different set of circumstances

Corruption seems to be such an integral part of government in West Virginia that punishing those caught at it is vital to deter others from engaging in criminal acts.

Federal Judge John Copenhaver’s action in sentencing former state Supreme Court Justice Allen Loughry to two years in prison was appropriate for that reason.

But what of another former justice, Menis Ketchum, who is to be sentenced Feb. 27?

Loughry broke numerous laws, lied in an attempt to escape justice, and has expressed no remorse for his misdeeds.

Ketchum, on the other hand, was guilty of relatively minor crimes, to which he pleaded guilty. He used an official car for personal trips, paying for the gasoline with a state credit card. The total cost to taxpayers was about $749, which Ketchum reimbursed.

In fact, as prosecutors agree, Ketchum expressed remorse and began trying to rectify the situation before the federal investigation was launched. He then resigned from the court and pleaded guilty to charges against him.

Examples need to be made of people like Loughry. But Ketchum is a very different story.

It is different enough that Judge Copenhaver should consider leaving a prison term out of the punishment he decides upon for Ketchum.

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