Editorial: Winona Ryder deserves to serve jail time

If a poor woman walked into Saks Fifth Avenue and tried to lift
$5,500 worth of merchandise, she’d likely go to jail. Lucky
for Winona Ryder, she’s an attractive, rich celebrity.

The district attorney prosecuting Ryder announced she will not
seek jail time for the looting actress, who is scheduled for
sentencing on Dec. 6, after being convicted of felony grand theft
and vandalism. Ryder’s actions make her eligible for three
years in prison. Some tabloids allege that Ryder’s
prosecution has been too harsh: Most similar cases in Los Angeles
end up in a misdemeanor plea bargain. Ryder’s case, though,
is different.

One can more easily understand a non-wealthy criminal’s
reasons for wanting to shoplift. They have no money; they want
something valuable they can sell to get money. Though it
doesn’t make it morally justified, there is at least some
logic to it.

But Ryder stole for the thrill of it. She consciously mocked the
city’s judicial system, knowing her notoriety would probably
save her from harsh punishment.

It doesn’t matter if the district attorney is trying to
restore the credibility it lost in the O.J. Simpson debacle, Ryder
needs to be made into an example. It wouldn’t be unfair
““ she did, after all, commit a felony. Along with that, she
challenged the integrity of the city’s judicial process and
now needs to be punished for it.