Karmeier sentenced the man to probation only after he had originally sentenced him to seven years and the appellate court overturned his decision.
Also, according to the Morning Sentinel's David Porter:
The defendant was mentally retarded and was found guilty but mentally ill. A doctor testified that he had the capacity of a 9-year-old boy.
[David Luechtefeld, Karmeier’s campaign chairman] noted that the sodomy charges were dropped as part of a plea negotiation. Therefore, it would have been improper for Karmeier to rule on that issue.
The Southern Illinoisan backs Karmeier for the Illinois Supreme Court:
Maag has worked as a trial attorney in Madison County, notorious for outlandish jury verdicts, which have enriched many, many lawyers. Maag also served as an associate judge in Madison County.
But ask Maag about his Madison County ties and he grows visibly angry and tries to disassociate himself from Madison County.
In Illinois State Bar Association polls, fellow lawyers have given Maag a big thumbs down.
On the other hand, Karmeier, who has served as a judge since 1986, has scored at the top in the same bar polls and was rated "highly qualified" by the Illinois State Bar Association Judicial Evaluation Committee. Karmeier has been endorsed by the Illinois Hospital Association, the Illinois Chamber of Commerce and Illinois Federation of Right to Life.
This campaign has turned nasty with Maag and the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association attempting to distort Karmeier's judicial record. The trial lawyers are pouring wads of cash into Maag's campaign because they know how precious this Illinois Supreme Court seat is to their future and their livelihood....
Maag has talked a good game, claiming he wants to stand up for doctors and patients. But is he sincere? Do his loyalties really lie with his fellow trial lawyers who have helped fund his campaign? We suspect they do.
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