| Reader Comments 
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+ 5 Rating Posted by: lclay49 at Jun. 28, 2008 at 2:53:48 am
I'm so astounded by Doud's compassion that I can't even enjoy this rainstorm. I think psychiatrists should try to look into his brain like they do with serial killers and try to discover any anomalies that he has. He is so far out of line morally that Hecht probably had to lean over and retrieve his jaw from the floor.
In the meantime, while the guy is "seeing light at the end of the tunnel" there's a small child who is permanently damaged physically and mentally. Where's the light for the child?
+ 5 Rating Posted by: kansasman at Jun. 28, 2008 at 3:52:05 am
I can't believe this Judge has done this yet again. He MUST be removed from the bench today. Don't let him retire on is terms!
-1 Rating Posted by: Toe_Peekin at Jun. 28, 2008 at 3:52:15 am
Oh come on lclay49! Topeka really needs to advertise and promote it's assets and good things.
A new marketing slogan for Topeka: "We're Un-friendly to business, but VERY friendly to pedophiles!".
Just think of the new influx of citizens, and all of the big cash for hosting big NAMBLA conventions!
Judge Dowd knows whats important to Topeka: GROWTH! Stop being such a nay-sayer.
+ 4 Rating Posted by: z28kilr at Jun. 28, 2008 at 4:37:07 am
Do you ever wonder if the reason he is easy on kiddie-diddlers is because he is that way himself?
-2 Rating Posted by: Toe_Peekin at Jun. 28, 2008 at 4:46:09 am
z28kilr: I had considered that, but I don't know if he is a neo-con republican or not.
+ 2 Rating Posted by: polo2008 at Jun. 28, 2008 at 5:03:21 am
this is ridiculous. someone i know was convicted of sexually abusing a minor, and he got six months probation for that. people like this need to be taught a lesson, that this is wrong, and you cannot ruin children for the rest of their life like this. what has the world become?
-2 Rating Posted by: bluea716 at Jun. 28, 2008 at 5:27:23 am
CJ OH HOW WE FORGET THERE ARE A NUMBER OF OUTRAGEOUS THINGS JUDGE DOWD HAS DONE YOU FORGET TO MENTION THAT IN ALL OF THE POLICE CORRUPTION THAT JUDGE DOWD WAS THE JUDGE WHO WAS SIGNING OFF ON THE BOGUS WARRANTS BRUCE VOIGT WAS PUTTING BEFORE HIM AND DOWD EVEN SAID " I KNOW OFFICER VOIGT WOULD NOT MAKE THIS UP AND I BELIEVE IN OFFICER VOIGT" now that I have all of that off my chest Judge Dowd needs to be given all of that time that he's cutting seeing behaviors like his only make you wonder how long has this $h*T been going on how many innocent people have gone before dowd and end up going to jail or worse prison cause if he's erroring on the bad side what the hell do you think he's doing on the good side maybe administration should let dowd shuffle papers until sept if he has to be there but he's unfit to be a judge without a question of a doubt and he thinks he's right in his justifications in these cases why else would he keep doing this OKAY HECHT SICK HIM!!!!!!!! AND CJ THE WAY YOU HAVE BEEN GOING BACK DIGGING STUFF UP ON PEOPLE WHY NOT MENTION ALL OF THE JUDGES INDISCRESTIONS YOU DO RECALL HOW YOU GO TO THE DIST. COURT AND PULL UP THE DEADS PAST YOU KNOW SAME THING YOU HAVE BEEN DOING WITH THAT IT WOULD BE UNDER HOW MANY CASES DOWD HAS SCREWED UP
+ 3 Rating Posted by: marge796 at Jun. 28, 2008 at 6:06:17 am
Kick him off the bench prior to his September 1st retirement date. Why let him do things his way and hurt Topeka any more than he already has.
Posted by: lclay49 at Jun. 28, 2008 at 6:07:00 am
Hey Toe_Peekin.....You're right. Yep, you're right. Remember years ago when a disgruntled employee at some bank got into the computer or whatever (I think it was that billboard that used to be close to 29th & Topeka.....It "allegedly said something on the line of "F***ing You Is What We Do.....at ****** Savings".
Well, I thought....perhaps it could happen again....."Topeka---Home Of The Best Friend A Baby Rapist Could Have" (in small print: "If you've raped and abused a child, you're eligible for the Key To The City. Please contact me...Judge Matt Dowd. I've been there, I have compassion. After all, what are Judges for? My motto has always been: "BEEN THERE, DONE THAT")
+ 2 Rating Posted by: moodysu at Jun. 28, 2008 at 9:12:34 am
Looks to me like Dowd may be guilty of Child Endangerment. This child has had to undergo surgeries to repair damages done by the rape! Dowd should be locked up in a mental institution if he thinks that Henderson-Brown's age, the lack of a prior criminal record and the availability of family support changed since the rape. I guarantee he is the same after the rape as he was before he raped the 5 YEAR OLD CHILD!
These two men Henderson-Brown and Dowd need to be in intense treatment together for Child Sexual Perpetrators.
+ 2 Rating Posted by: divemaster at Jun. 28, 2008 at 9:13:40 am
Does this judge must like to molest little kids himself? Why does he continue to let these guys loose? Sure makes one wonder if he is some real sicko with a closet full of who knows what. Another reason we don't need judges appointed for a lifetime. Not only do we have judges legislating from the bench, we have them flooding the city with child molesters.
+ 3 Rating Posted by: Lindacaudill9 at Jun. 28, 2008 at 9:15:00 am
Shawnee County District Court Judge Matthew Dowd MUST be forced to LEAVE office, the sooner the better. This man is a menace to society!! And, he should also be investigated for the criminal activities he punishes so lightly!! Why does he sympathize with child sex offenders????? Is he one??? The Attorney General's office needs to investigate EVERY SINGLE sexual offense case that has been before this judge. I'll bet they would find MANY more that were sentenced so lightly. These poor children have had their lives irrevocably changed FOREVER. The perpetrators should have their lives irrevocably changed as well.
Matthew Dowd is LUCKY none of the victims were my children.
+ 1 Rating Posted by: Lindacaudill9 at Jun. 28, 2008 at 9:37:56 am
Republican Representative Joe Patton, if you need any help, let me know.
+ 2 Rating Posted by: Lindacaudill9 at Jun. 28, 2008 at 9:40:19 am
The longer I sit here, the madder I get.
Matthew Dowd, you are a spineless piece of dog poop!!
+ 4 Rating Posted by: gen2shark at Jun. 28, 2008 at 9:42:52 am
I am a member of Bikers Against Child Abuse, and see the result of these sick pedophiles all the time. Children who are molested serve a life sentence of dealing with the mental and emotional damage, as well as sometimes physical damage. Add to that the fact that pedophiles ALWAYS molest again, and Judge Dowd is endangering the lives of our children. He should be tried and convected of Child Endangerment, and put in the same prison as every other criminal, and let them show Judge Dowd what justice means.
Posted by: bobschneider43 at Jun. 28, 2008 at 9:50:58 am
Is there a way that after his retirement, that citizens can stop him from being brought back to the bench as a part-time visiting judge?
If not, then ethical proceedings should be started that would not allow him to sit on the bench after his retirement.
Posted by: rumplestiltskin at Jun. 28, 2008 at 10:02:34 am
This makes me want to vomit in Dowd's face. Horrendous! Why can't he be impeached or something like that. He should be locked in a prison cell with about 6 200 pound, 6 foot sex offenders for about a month and then see how he feels about rape. Surely the Ks. Supreme Court can step in and do something about this. Of course, the Supreme Court did away with execution for child rape, so I guess that shows the lack of compassion on the higher up's mind set!!!
+ 1 Rating Posted by: kansas51 at Jun. 28, 2008 at 10:20:24 am
I agree with those that feel his is a pedophile himself and that is one of the reasons he chooses to let these sick people out sooner than they should be. The damage that has been done to the children is something that cannot be repaired but those that abuse children should have the maximum sentence allowed and if they are a repeat offender they should be forced to serve a life sentence with no possibility of parole, they will see how it feels when "bubba" and his gang of followers show them how rape feels. In most cases there is not a cure. Judge Dowd needs to be removed from the bench and his retirement benefits reflect in some way the horrible performance he has given to the citizens of Kansas. He is endangering the lives of children.
Posted by: shesalady at Jun. 28, 2008 at 10:22:21 am
The fact that this corrupt judge can still be on the bench, continuing to send these pedophiles back on the streets is a black mark on our judicial system--and Topeka. The Kansas Supreme Court should intervene, but I don't know if they can. It is surprising that some victim's family hasn't 'taken him out' for letting these scumbags out to rape again...and they will. I really believe Judge Matthew Dowd is a closet pedophile, much the same as Phred is a closet homosexual.... There should be some sort of censure against this madman. Topekans should picket in front of his home. Maybe his conscience will get the best of him and he'll recuse himself from any cases involving sexual predators. But he won't, because his God complex gives him the final word.
Posted by: reramcharan at Jun. 28, 2008 at 10:30:12 am
Apparently Judge Dowd has gotten the idea that it's his job "to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound". Isaiah 60:1
Posted by: Phogfan86 at Jun. 28, 2008 at 10:33:16 am
I think the Judge's little red choo choo went around the bend some time back.
Posted by: JennyG at Jun. 28, 2008 at 10:37:37 am
Can't something be done to NOT allow these kind of sentences? Am I a complete idiot or am I missing something?? Look at how many comments are just on here who are pissed off at this judges ruling.Isn't there something that we can do to stop this sicko ? Isn't there someone higher up? Oh, just wondering. Has anyone looked into this judges past to find anything on him? I wonder what his family thinks of him. God I'm so pissed off right now I can barely type!
Posted by: justwynmoore at Jun. 28, 2008 at 10:44:15 am
Who is letting this cases be put on this idiots dockets. Why isn't Judge Parrish stepping-in and giving him all the dumb cases instead of allowing him to sit on this cases. Dowd is gone and that is GREAT, but maybe we should make sure Parrish is gone too and we have a Judge that will make sure that the right Judge get the right cases on his or her dockets.
+ 1 Rating Posted by: jcanemp at Jun. 28, 2008 at 10:56:28 am
Dowd is an embarrassment to our city. He is no better than the Phelps cult. I can't imagine that he thinks it is okay for slimeballs to molest, rape, and injure children and then let them off with a scolding. Dowd is no better than the human waste he supports. He needs to go, and now!
Posted by: drsmith at Jun. 28, 2008 at 11:00:16 am
Is this guy a Chester himself? Is that the reason he feels the need to so lenient? He should not be allowed to preside over any more cases. He should have been kicked from the bench in 2007.
-1 Rating Posted by: blexican at Jun. 28, 2008 at 11:00:45 am
I dont know the specifics of this case, but I do know that the case which originally brought Dowd infamy was the Orlando Cisneros case last year. The general public doesn't know some of the details of that case though, and they are quick to jump to conclusion. Dowd is my landlord and he is a devout Christian who believes in second chances. I guarantee that there are details about these cases that many of you are unaware of. It's funny, I produce news, and when the Cisneros case happened last year, I made sure there was a feature about it for three straight days because I was outraged by the decision. About a month later, I met Dowd and found out the truth. All I'm saying is that Dowd has his head on his shoulders, and behind his decisions is a rhyme and reason.
+ 2 Rating Posted by: drsmith at Jun. 28, 2008 at 11:04:46 am
Blexican...there cannot possible be any reason to give probation for the rape of young children. Serious lack of judgement and I could care less if he is a Christian or not.
Posted by: marcottes3 at Jun. 28, 2008 at 11:12:56 am
First, I am a molestation survivor myself and I write this from that perspective. When dealing with a topic so delicate, it is very easy to let emotions overcome logic. I will emotionally agree with all the posts that are here so far, it feels like this judge is trying to cover something up. I HATE that! However, I think logically that we have to be very careful about condemning someone before he is given the right to be tried and proven guilty. There is probably some kind of proof that we could find out in court that would prove his innocence or guilt one way or the other. Then if he is found guilty of trying to cover up his own or others illegal practices, we could convict him of a crime and hopefully get an impartial judge who would give him a maximum sentence. I only say this all because it seems that the overall tone of these posts has gone to the town mob, replete with burning torches and everything, against this elected judge. There is a legal process for ensuring that this judge is dealt with and if need be removed from his seat. Lets face it our judicial system may be flawed, but it is the best system in all of the world at least there is a chance of justice. I recently took an American Government class and learned that the reason that the judicial system is a separate branch of the government is to ensure that it is not as easily corrupted. Please do not call for stricter government control over the system as this will only cause more harm than good. Now let's have a COMPLETE investigation of this DOWD guy and see if these allegations that have been raised here are valid. I would wager that they are!
Posted by: vickit at Jun. 28, 2008 at 11:18:06 am
please don't refer to dowd as a christian, we get a bad enough name. cicneros is the guy who filmed himself having sex with a child right? a relative? Am I close? and he shared details with you that make that all right. Well please let us know what that is.... what makes it ok to rape a child. the kid was cute? coming on to him? what? what?
the really bad deal... I think I might have heard that after he retires he will go teach a Washburn.... a whole class room of young minds to corrupt....
Posted by: karma at Jun. 28, 2008 at 11:21:10 am
An apology to my children:
Dear Kids. I am sorry that I raised you in Topeka Kansas. I am sorry that you as young adults have to be thrown into a community that is corrupt, immoral, unsafe and now, extremely unbelievable. I am sorry that I chose this town to raise you in. I am sorry that I brought you here into the pit of corrupt politicians, community leaders, and thug-a-lug criminals that now seem to have control.
At one time this town was a great place. It isn’t now… and I apologize to you. I am sorry that I did not have the foresight to pick another place to raise our family. I am sorry that this type of thinking you are going to have to deal with, not only as you grow and learn, but as you yourselves settle and have families and children of your own. I only hope that you make a better decision than me, and do it somewhere else. Good luck, because this type of thinking now seems to be the status quo and now, from what I hear, it is going to be taught in our schools.
To my Kids, I apologize. Please don’t make the same mistake I did. Dad.
-1 Rating Posted by: blexican at Jun. 28, 2008 at 11:21:37 am
Dowd is NOT child molester. Look, anyone that has read some of my post about this subject know that I think that molesters are the lower than boot scum in my book and I am in no way defending any of them, but to think that Matt Dowd is one,or is trying to give them light sentences is unaware of reality, and reacting to very limited knowledge of the person and the subject.
Posted by: vickit at Jun. 28, 2008 at 11:21:46 am
Marcotte says: Please do not call for stricter government control over the system as this will only cause more harm than good.
I agree with you dude. As bad and evil as this cretin is..... by swinging the pendelum too hard the other way would be a nightmare.
How come he keeps getting re elected anyway?
Posted by: marcottes3 at Jun. 28, 2008 at 11:22:16 am
WOw vikit I didn't notice anything in that persons post that said raping a child was ok. This is NOT OK! It is NEVER EVER ok to RAPE anyone ESPECIALLY a CHILD! But why did you bite their heads off and lower your CHRISTIAN self to judging them and throwing HATE at them for trying to share an opinion in a FREE SPEECH country? Judge not, lest ye be judged yourself?
Posted by: vickit at Jun. 28, 2008 at 11:26:16 am
Blexican HE may not physically do it him self but he is indeed an enabler. Like a crack dealer who may not actually USE his product but helps people who are.
And how do you KNOW HE IS NOT????? MMMM??? have you been with him when he isn't molesting kids...?? Maybe he just like to watch and hear about it and know that he is doing his part to keep the cycle going. Remember you are a grown up so if he DOES like doing kiddos... you wouldn't be on his hit list.
-1 Rating Posted by: blexican at Jun. 28, 2008 at 11:26:22 am
Cisneros had sex basically with Lolita. She wrote letters to Judge Dowd urging him to not sentence Cisneros to prison. The girl personally visited Dowd to also try to ensure that. The case was called rape, when in fact in most states it would have been statutory rape, or indecent liberties. The public was lead to believe that it was forceful. Cisneros is still a sick ***** who had sex with a child, but the child was not as innocent as many believed.
Posted by: vickit at Jun. 28, 2008 at 11:30:25 am
those d@m^ sexy kids. why how can any adult be held responsible for throwing a f***** in em???? walking around in thier droopy pampers, drooling on the teather.... my gosh who can resist.
Blex..... you aren't going to convice anyone this guy is good. Maybe if he was a catholic priest.....
(yeah I said it...... come on)
Posted by: marcottes3 at Jun. 28, 2008 at 11:33:47 am
and on that note, good luck with the discussion
Posted by: blexican at Jun. 28, 2008 at 11:35:54 am
No it's not good in a any way shape or form. If I was the judge , these phucks would get prison time. All I'm saying is that Dowd isn't an idiot that intentionally enables molesters to roam free. This article is meant to stir emotions, but there are things that people don't see or know about that are factors in imposing sentences.
Posted by: fancyschmanz at Jun. 28, 2008 at 11:39:51 am
A noon Monday protest on the steps of the Shawnee County Courthouse has been organized for citizens to stand together in our disgust and outrage over these latest two sentencing departures. Petitions will be available to sign asking Chief Judge Nancy Parrish to remove Dowd from hearing criminal cases until he retires in September. It is about public pressure at this point...and, our vocal outrage is working. Dr. Farley reports he is unaware of any job offers being extended to Dowd...for months Dowd has indicated he would be teaching undergraduates criminal justice courses. That offer now appears to be off the table. These are our kids being harmed a second time by a Court that allows convicted child sex offenders, in many instances, to return to their homes and our community with nothing more than a slap on the wrist. Kudos to law enforcement, probation dept, and prosecutors,who worked so hard to investigate, complete sentencing reports, and successfully prosecute these cases...and, who now all stand together w us in their outrage over Dowd's departures. These cases will be overturned on appeal. And, Dowd, in his apathy, will not care. Hope to see many of you Monday at noon at Courthouse. Our courthouse. Our kids.
Posted by: tazgffg at Jun. 28, 2008 at 11:52:44 am
Judge Dowd is wrong again. The "loving family" Mr. Spencer was returned to contains the very people who were molested. Although Spencer was charged with two counts of aggravated indecent liberties, the abuse actually took place for over a year under the noses of Mr. Spencer's family. Judge Dowd was aware of this and still chose to return the child molester to his family and back to his victims.
To at least present the appearance of a good court system in Topeka, Judge Dowd should avoid presiding over any cases involving sexual abuse for the remainder of his tenure.
Posted by: vickit at Jun. 28, 2008 at 11:57:06 am
I think Marcotte you are refering to my reply to Blex who said Dowd shared with him HIS reason for letting pede's off easy.....I just wanted to know what makes it ok??? because the kid asks for it?
I know being judgemental isn't really my job.... it's the judges job but... he seems to pretty much stink at it...
+ 2 Rating Posted by: micthehip at Jun. 28, 2008 at 12:07:00 pm
Judge Dowd is not a convicted child molester because the case against him was thrown out and never tried. The one victim I know of personally is now 20 yrs old. Ask him about that under oath.
Posted by: intopeka at Jun. 28, 2008 at 12:10:28 pm
Blexican, Correct me if I am wrong, but haven't you based your past opinions on people that you do not know based on what you have read in the all knowing Capital Journal?
Posted by: sophnpoohsmom at Jun. 28, 2008 at 12:17:07 pm
GET HIM OUT!!! I am so sick of hearing that this poor excuse for a man is letting child molesters free to molest again. LET US ALL SHOW OUR OUTRAGE AND BE ON THE SHAWNEE COUNTY COURTHOUSE STEPS.....SIGN THE PETITIONS, WRITE E-MAILS IF YOU CANNOT BE THERE YOURSELF. As a taxpayer, it appalls me that we will be paying his a cushy pension for this type of job performance. GET HIM OUT! I am a survivor of sexual assault.....it is bad enough I have to see this man in my church....we need to get him off of the bench. Each time I see him at church I find myself praying for self control....I can't even get any good out of the service, GET OFF THE BENCH AND OUT OF THE PEW TOO. I know I am to hate the sin, not the sinner....but DOWD is really testing my self control. I know that the final judgment will deal with Dowd, but we as citizens are left to deal with the child molesters. GET HIM OUT!
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| | Judge strays from guidelines
Dowd gives three years probation to convicted sex offender By Mike Hall
The Capital-Journal 
Published Saturday, June 28, 2008
Shawnee County District Court Judge Matthew Dowd, widely criticized in 2007 for granting probation to three men convicted of sex with children, did it again Friday.
Shawnee County District Attorney Robert Hecht said Friday he would appeal both that sentence and a downward sentencing by Dowd in a similar case earlier in the week.
Matthew Dowd
Ironically, a new state law going into effect July 1 might have prevented Dowd from granting the probation in Friday's sentencing.
Dowd couldn't be reached Friday afternoon to elaborate on this week's sentencing decisions.
Harold Dean Spencer, 75, entered guilty pleas to two counts of sex with children. Hecht said one of the victims was 6 years old and one 7.
Hecht said that Kansas statutes, patterned after the national "Jessica's Law," call for a life sentence on each count.
But Dowd suspended the prison time and imposed a 36-month supervised parole period. Dowd listed a number of factors in his decision — Spencer's age, the lack of a prior criminal record and the availability of family support.
"I have never seen, nor am I aware of any case, anywhere, where the proscribed sentences are two life sentences and the court grants three years of low level probation," Hecht said.
On Tuesday, Dowd departed downward from sentencing guidelines in a case against Christopher Henderson-Brown, a 32-year-old man convicted of the rape of a 5-year-old child. In that case Dowd lowered the sentence to 155 months from a recommended 166 to 186 months.
"The attack was so violent and so egregious that multiple doctors and surgery were required to reconstruct and repair the physical damage done to this 5-year-old," Hecht wrote in a statement released Friday.
The reason for the appeal, he said, was that Dowd cited as a reason for the departure that he wanted Henderson-Brown to "see light at the end of the tunnel."
"It is this office's opinion that such reason is not a legal justification for a departure in such a crime," Hecht wrote.
Ashley Anstaett, spokeswoman for the Kansas attorney general's office, said late Friday it appears to some of the AG's legal staff that a new state law going into effect July 1 might have prevented Dowd from giving probation in the Spencer case. But she said that, with little time to research the question and with little information about the details of the two cases, the AG's attorney's couldn't make a definitive statement.
Joe Patton, a Republican member of the Kansas House of Representatives from Topeka, was a sponsor of the new law. He introduced it after learning of Dowd's 2007 departures. On Friday he said he believes his new law will prevent judges in the future from such drastic downward departures from the guidelines.
When told the details of the Henderson-Brown case, he exclaimed, "That's outrageous. The community should be outraged."
His law would allow judges to depart downward from the guidelines in cases of violent sexual crimes, but by no more than half the recommended sentences.
Dowd has announced he will retire on Sept. 1 after 31 years as a district court judge. Had he wished to remain on the bench, his name would have been on the November election ballot for voters to decide whether he should be retained in the job.
In 2007, he was criticized for three cases in which he departed from state sentencing guidelines to allow probation rather than prison time for men convicted of sex crimes.
Mike Hall can be reached at (785) 295-1209 or mike.hall@cjonline.com.
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Jun. 28, 2008 at 10:44:15 am
Who is letting this cases be put on this idiots dockets. Why isn't Judge Parrish stepping-in and giving him all the dumb cases instead of allowing him to sit on this cases. Dowd is gone and that is GREAT, but maybe we should make sure Parrish is gone too and we have a Judge that will make sure that the right Judge get the right cases on his or her dockets.
+ 1 Rating Posted by: jcanemp at Jun. 28, 2008 at 10:56:28 am
Dowd is an embarrassment to our city. He is no better than the Phelps cult. I can't imagine that he thinks it is okay for slimeballs to molest, rape, and injure children and then let them off with a scolding. Dowd is no better than the human waste he supports. He needs to go, and now!
Posted by: drsmith at Jun. 28, 2008 at 11:00:16 am
Is this guy a Chester himself? Is that the reason he feels the need to so lenient? He should not be allowed to preside over any more cases. He should have been kicked from the bench in 2007.
-1 Rating Posted by: blexican at Jun. 28, 2008 at 11:00:45 am
I dont know the specifics of this case, but I do know that the case which originally brought Dowd infamy was the Orlando Cisneros case last year. The general public doesn't know some of the details of that case though, and they are quick to jump to conclusion. Dowd is my landlord and he is a devout Christian who believes in second chances. I guarantee that there are details about these cases that many of you are unaware of. It's funny, I produce news, and when the Cisneros case happened last year, I made sure there was a feature about it for three straight days because I was outraged by the decision. About a month later, I met Dowd and found out the truth. All I'm saying is that Dowd has his head on his shoulders, and behind his decisions is a rhyme and reason.
+ 2 Rating Posted by: drsmith at Jun. 28, 2008 at 11:04:46 am
Blexican...there cannot possible be any reason to give probation for the rape of young children. Serious lack of judgement and I could care less if he is a Christian or not.
Posted by: marcottes3 at Jun. 28, 2008 at 11:12:56 am
First, I am a molestation survivor myself and I write this from that perspective. When dealing with a topic so delicate, it is very easy to let emotions overcome logic. I will emotionally agree with all the posts that are here so far, it feels like this judge is trying to cover something up. I HATE that! However, I think logically that we have to be very careful about condemning someone before he is given the right to be tried and proven guilty. There is probably some kind of proof that we could find out in court that would prove his innocence or guilt one way or the other. Then if he is found guilty of trying to cover up his own or others illegal practices, we could convict him of a crime and hopefully get an impartial judge who would give him a maximum sentence. I only say this all because it seems that the overall tone of these posts has gone to the town mob, replete with burning torches and everything, against this elected judge. There is a legal process for ensuring that this judge is dealt with and if need be removed from his seat. Lets face it our judicial system may be flawed, but it is the best system in all of the world at least there is a chance of justice. I recently took an American Government class and learned that the reason that the judicial system is a separate branch of the government is to ensure that it is not as easily corrupted. Please do not call for stricter government control over the system as this will only cause more harm than good. Now let's have a COMPLETE investigation of this DOWD guy and see if these allegations that have been raised here are valid. I would wager that they are!
Posted by: vickit at Jun. 28, 2008 at 11:18:06 am
please don't refer to dowd as a christian, we get a bad enough name. cicneros is the guy who filmed himself having sex with a child right? a relative? Am I close? and he shared details with you that make that all right. Well please let us know what that is.... what makes it ok to rape a child. the kid was cute? coming on to him? what? what?
the really bad deal... I think I might have heard that after he retires he will go teach a Washburn.... a whole class room of young minds to corrupt....
Posted by: karma at Jun. 28, 2008 at 11:21:10 am
An apology to my children:
Dear Kids. I am sorry that I raised you in Topeka Kansas. I am sorry that you as young adults have to be thrown into a community that is corrupt, immoral, unsafe and now, extremely unbelievable. I am sorry that I chose this town to raise you in. I am sorry that I brought you here into the pit of corrupt politicians, community leaders, and thug-a-lug criminals that now seem to have control.
At one time this town was a great place. It isn’t now… and I apologize to you. I am sorry that I did not have the foresight to pick another place to raise our family. I am sorry that this type of thinking you are going to have to deal with, not only as you grow and learn, but as you yourselves settle and have families and children of your own. I only hope that you make a better decision than me, and do it somewhere else. Good luck, because this type of thinking now seems to be the status quo and now, from what I hear, it is going to be taught in our schools.
To my Kids, I apologize. Please don’t make the same mistake I did. Dad.
-1 Rating Posted by: blexican at Jun. 28, 2008 at 11:21:37 am
Dowd is NOT child molester. Look, anyone that has read some of my post about this subject know that I think that molesters are the lower than boot scum in my book and I am in no way defending any of them, but to think that Matt Dowd is one,or is trying to give them light sentences is unaware of reality, and reacting to very limited knowledge of the person and the subject.
Posted by: vickit at Jun. 28, 2008 at 11:21:46 am
Marcotte says: Please do not call for stricter government control over the system as this will only cause more harm than good.
I agree with you dude. As bad and evil as this cretin is..... by swinging the pendelum too hard the other way would be a nightmare.
How come he keeps getting re elected anyway?
Posted by: marcottes3 at Jun. 28, 2008 at 11:22:16 am
WOw vikit I didn't notice anything in that persons post that said raping a child was ok. This is NOT OK! It is NEVER EVER ok to RAPE anyone ESPECIALLY a CHILD! But why did you bite their heads off and lower your CHRISTIAN self to judging them and throwing HATE at them for trying to share an opinion in a FREE SPEECH country? Judge not, lest ye be judged yourself?
Posted by: vickit at Jun. 28, 2008 at 11:26:16 am
Blexican HE may not physically do it him self but he is indeed an enabler. Like a crack dealer who may not actually USE his product but helps people who are.
And how do you KNOW HE IS NOT????? MMMM??? have you been with him when he isn't molesting kids...?? Maybe he just like to watch and hear about it and know that he is doing his part to keep the cycle going. Remember you are a grown up so if he DOES like doing kiddos... you wouldn't be on his hit list.
-1 Rating Posted by: blexican at Jun. 28, 2008 at 11:26:22 am
Cisneros had sex basically with Lolita. She wrote letters to Judge Dowd urging him to not sentence Cisneros to prison. The girl personally visited Dowd to also try to ensure that. The case was called rape, when in fact in most states it would have been statutory rape, or indecent liberties. The public was lead to believe that it was forceful. Cisneros is still a sick ***** who had sex with a child, but the child was not as innocent as many believed.
Posted by: vickit at Jun. 28, 2008 at 11:30:25 am
those d@m^ sexy kids. why how can any adult be held responsible for throwing a f***** in em???? walking around in thier droopy pampers, drooling on the teather.... my gosh who can resist.
Blex..... you aren't going to convice anyone this guy is good. Maybe if he was a catholic priest.....
(yeah I said it...... come on)
Posted by: marcottes3 at Jun. 28, 2008 at 11:33:47 am
and on that note, good luck with the discussion
Posted by: blexican at Jun. 28, 2008 at 11:35:54 am
No it's not good in a any way shape or form. If I was the judge , these phucks would get prison time. All I'm saying is that Dowd isn't an idiot that intentionally enables molesters to roam free. This article is meant to stir emotions, but there are things that people don't see or know about that are factors in imposing sentences.
Posted by: fancyschmanz at Jun. 28, 2008 at 11:39:51 am
A noon Monday protest on the steps of the Shawnee County Courthouse has been organized for citizens to stand together in our disgust and outrage over these latest two sentencing departures. Petitions will be available to sign asking Chief Judge Nancy Parrish to remove Dowd from hearing criminal cases until he retires in September. It is about public pressure at this point...and, our vocal outrage is working. Dr. Farley reports he is unaware of any job offers being extended to Dowd...for months Dowd has indicated he would be teaching undergraduates criminal justice courses. That offer now appears to be off the table. These are our kids being harmed a second time by a Court that allows convicted child sex offenders, in many instances, to return to their homes and our community with nothing more than a slap on the wrist. Kudos to law enforcement, probation dept, and prosecutors,who worked so hard to investigate, complete sentencing reports, and successfully prosecute these cases...and, who now all stand together w us in their outrage over Dowd's departures. These cases will be overturned on appeal. And, Dowd, in his apathy, will not care. Hope to see many of you Monday at noon at Courthouse. Our courthouse. Our kids.
Posted by: tazgffg at Jun. 28, 2008 at 11:52:44 am
Judge Dowd is wrong again. The "loving family" Mr. Spencer was returned to contains the very people who were molested. Although Spencer was charged with two counts of aggravated indecent liberties, the abuse actually took place for over a year under the noses of Mr. Spencer's family. Judge Dowd was aware of this and still chose to return the child molester to his family and back to his victims.
To at least present the appearance of a good court system in Topeka, Judge Dowd should avoid presiding over any cases involving sexual abuse for the remainder of his tenure.
Posted by: vickit at Jun. 28, 2008 at 11:57:06 am
I think Marcotte you are refering to my reply to Blex who said Dowd shared with him HIS reason for letting pede's off easy.....I just wanted to know what makes it ok??? because the kid asks for it?
I know being judgemental isn't really my job.... it's the judges job but... he seems to pretty much stink at it...
+ 2 Rating Posted by: micthehip at Jun. 28, 2008 at 12:07:00 pm
Judge Dowd is not a convicted child molester because the case against him was thrown out and never tried. The one victim I know of personally is now 20 yrs old. Ask him about that under oath.
Posted by: intopeka at Jun. 28, 2008 at 12:10:28 pm
Blexican, Correct me if I am wrong, but haven't you based your past opinions on people that you do not know based on what you have read in the all knowing Capital Journal?
Posted by: sophnpoohsmom at Jun. 28, 2008 at 12:17:07 pm
GET HIM OUT!!! I am so sick of hearing that this poor excuse for a man is letting child molesters free to molest again. LET US ALL SHOW OUR OUTRAGE AND BE ON THE SHAWNEE COUNTY COURTHOUSE STEPS.....SIGN THE PETITIONS, WRITE E-MAILS IF YOU CANNOT BE THERE YOURSELF. As a taxpayer, it appalls me that we will be paying his a cushy pension for this type of job performance. GET HIM OUT! I am a survivor of sexual assault.....it is bad enough I have to see this man in my church....we need to get him off of the bench. Each time I see him at church I find myself praying for self control....I can't even get any good out of the service, GET OFF THE BENCH AND OUT OF THE PEW TOO. I know I am to hate the sin, not the sinner....but DOWD is really testing my self control. I know that the final judgment will deal with Dowd, but we as citizens are left to deal with the child molesters. GET HIM OUT!
Posted by: shesalady at Jun. 28, 2008 at 12:18:51 pm
Great idea on the protest Monday. About the petitions available to sign asking Chief Judge Nancy Parrish to remove Dowd from hearing criminal cases until he retires in September--for those of us who cannot attend the protest, how can we get our names on this petition? I very much want my signature on that one! I know a petition to be legal cannot be 'on-line' but has to be signed, with a street address and telephone number. Is there another public place where I can sign?
I hope Dr. Farley is serious and that Dowd won't be offered an Adjunct Professor some other position at WU. We don't need Dowd's personal input in any classroom.
Posted by: reharkins at Jun. 28, 2008 at 12:21:14 pm
If the child was one of mine or a grandchild or perhaps just someone who I knew, I would want the offender to get probation. In real life that would be a death sentence and not by namby pamby lethal injection.
Posted by: oldcop at Jun. 28, 2008 at 1:05:26 pm
Matthew Dowd......Good Christian Turn the Other Cheek Kind of Guy or Piece of Cr*p Child Molester Enabler. You decide.
Here's an idea. When he retires he can take all those people into HIS house in his newly opened Matthew Dowd Halfway House for Convicted Sex Offenders.
That should keep him and his grandkids busy.
How about it Matt? Ready to "walk the walk"?
I doubt it.
Posted by: JennyG at Jun. 28, 2008 at 1:13:47 pm
"Judge Dowd is not a convicted child molester because the case against him was thrown out and never tried. The one victim I know of personally is now 20 yrs old. Ask him about that under oath." Was there a case against him micthehip? His case was thrown out. Maybe this his how he justifies letting sickos loose, or giving them minimum sentences. Like he sides with them because of his past experience.
Posted by: lmonell at Jun. 28, 2008 at 1:45:33 pm
Anyone who thinks this is the only Judge that routinely deviates from all types of guidelines, or disregards the recomendations of child protection agencies also probably still equates the 'Judicial System' with Justice. Judges are selected by political parties, face it America Judges have baggage just like everyone else; however, they don't always leave their baggage at the door before they put on the robe the way we trust they will.
Posted by: lmonell at Jun. 28, 2008 at 1:45:50 pm
Anyone who thinks this is the only Judge that routinely deviates from all types of guidelines, or disregards the recomendations of child protection agencies also probably still equates the 'Judicial System' with Justice. Judges are selected by political parties, face it America Judges have baggage just like everyone else; however, they don't always leave their baggage at the door before they put on the robe the way we trust they will.
Posted by: JennyG at Jun. 28, 2008 at 1:49:24 pm
Does anyone know the link to the story of the 5 year old girl? I sent an e-mail to Dateline NBS To cath a predator just letting them know what we are dealing with here in our great Capitol. ( I know, silly, huh? I bet I get negative votes but I don't care. If we get negative publicity, oh well)Anyway, I was looking for that link and anymore that are available.
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