Murder, not story sensational

While I have for 13 years felt a level of sorrow for what the Ramazzini and Contreras families have suffered through, that sympathy does not extend to their sons.

Still, I have tempered the news stories with a balance that included an awareness that the Ramazzini and Contreras families still live in the Colusa community.

But since one Ramazzini family member took her cause public, two others have declared my recent news article as sensationalism, or at least bordering on it, and a third is appalled, let's clear out the air, entirely.

I will start by clarifying an error in the story that appeared in the Colusa County Sun-Herald on Aug. 28. It should have stated Leo Contreras was sentenced to 25 years to life — the result of pleading guilty to murder before the jury trial was completed.

The story accurately stated that Nathan Ramazzini was sentenced to life without parole, a sentence following a jury verdict, and what one relative describes accurately as a "virtual 'by prison death sentence.'"

Now, let's ask this question: What would a truly sensational story read like?

First and foremost, it would recount the brutal details of Erik Ingebretsen's death — primarily, and most monstrously at the hand of Nathan Ramazzini. Believe me, it is ghastly.

Such a story also would recount, and probably expose for the first time, details of the callous behavior of both Ramazzini and Contreras during the search for Ingebretsen.

While both knew he was dead, they helped propagate the hope he was still alive, and even participated in some of the search efforts as if they could find him alive.

Well, that is only partially accurate, as it was Ramazzini's behavior and apparent indifference during that search that actually helped investigators focus on him as a possible suspect.

True sensationalism also would have noted that while in prison the past decade or so, Ramazzini has not exactly been an angel. I am not fully aware of the details, but does it really matter, now the charge of sensationalism fits nicely.

But back to the facts.

The family members claim my story states had the legislation passed, Ramazzini would have been released.

The story actually states:

"Had the bill been passed, Ramazzini could have at least petitioned to have his case reviewed, with the hope of meeting certain criteria, and ultimately being released after 25 years."

I still feel a level of sorrow for the Ramazzini and Contreras families, but the most sensational aspect of this heinous, ungodly affair is the actual murder, in all of its bloody and savage and unconscionably evil intent.

A "by prison death sentence," is far more fair than what 16-year-old Erik Ingebretsen, the Ingebretsen family and this small town, to a degree, ever received from these killers.

I am appalled by that, and anyone who even hints at an excuse for leniency.

I personally hope that both Nathan Ramazzini and Leo Contreras live long, long lives — in prison where they belong, and that such legislation never again sees the light of a free day, either.