Yes. Keep in mind, the jury only has to weigh the facts of this case, not the Enron case, not the Tyco case, etc. They did what they had to based upon the evidence presented. Martha's arrogance in telling the truth was even contagious to her lawyers, hence a pompous defense that the jury didn't buy. Justice was served here.
V. Morrison
Houston, Texas

Martha Stewart has brought quality merchandise and class at affordable prices to the average Amrican household. What she did has probably been done thousands of times by other executives. Do the feds think we will be content by their throwing Martha in jail? Sorry, it's Kenny Boy [Ken Lay] I want to see go to prison, not poor Martha.
Lorraine Marino
Yucca Valley, Calif.

I feel for Martha. If someone phoned me and told me I was going to lose $100 later that day, I'd try to do something about it. It's a hard thing to just watch your money go up in smoke, especially if you've been warned before the fire starts ... but that doesn't make what she did right.
Jym Morton
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Why is it so many people who never gave a fig for women's rights and always claimed that there's no need for feminism are now crying that Ms. Stewart is a victim of discrimination? What happened to the line that there is no discrimination in America, and no need for a constitutional amendment (the late ERA) guaranteeing equality for women? I agree with the letter writer who said the only error was throwing out the securities fraud charge.
Dorothy Friend
Yonkers, N.Y.

I wanted her to get off. She has created and built her empire from primarily her own hard work. From what I can see, she has been convicted of something that every CEO in this country does every year: trade on inside information.
Dan Burnes
San Diego, Calif.

If Martha Stewart had not waived her right to remain silent by talking to investigators in the first place, she never would have been charged with obstructing justice and, accordingly, she would not be a convicted felon.
Mark Whitney
San Diego, Calif.

The prosecution of Martha Stewart was frivolous—with so many people who lost their homes, their life savings, their retirement with the Enron scandal alone, yet some U.S. attorneys got excited because Martha lied about a $50,000 transaction? How many people will lose their jobs now because they are employed in businesses and suppliers that are affiliated with Martha Stewart? This whole thing was wasteful and shameful. And the lesson I learned from it is never talk to the government.
L. Hatcher
San Antonio, Texas

The only one I don't agree with is the judge for throwing out the securities fraud charge; otherwise, let Martha spend 20 years behind bars, like Joe Citizen would had this happened to him/her. She's a celebrity but not above the law.
Nancy
Clifton, N.J.

If you do the crime, you should do the time—that's what the law is for. However, a minimun sentence over a maximum sentence is more appropriate here, scapegoat or no scapegoat.
Bonnie Collins
Virginia Beach, Va.

The jury's verdict symbolized the death of the American dream for women. The message is, watch out, honey: if you make it big, the mean-spirited feds will hunt you down. They will also let bona fide crooks like Ken Lay go free. And this is justice?
M.A. Mitchell
Winter Park, Fla.

Do you agree with the jury in the Martha Stewart trial?

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