Convicted Child Molester Freed on Appeal

(Chickasha, Oklahoma) In February 2005, 31-year-old YMCA basketball coach Elisa Dawn Nielson pleaded guilty to child molestation for fondling a preteen boy. In April 2005, District Judge John Herndon sentenced Nielson to 20 years in prison with 10 years suspended, more time than the five years recommended by the prosecution in a plea deal.

Consequently, Nielson appealed the sentence as excessive and was awarded a new trial. Nielson pleaded guilty again, this time before Comanche County District Judge C. Allen McCall and was sentenced to time served, 459 days of the original 10 years behind bars. Judge McCall reasoned that no purpose was served by sending Nielson back to prison. As a result, Nielson walked out of court a free woman.

Needless to say, Judge McCall's ruling of "Aw shucks, Missy. Let's let bygones be bygones." has given the prosecution and the victim's family royal cases of Oklahoma red ass.

Note to Judge McCall, the purpose of prison is to punish the offender for her crime, in this case, molestation of an 11-year-old boy. A judge shouldn't have to be reminded of the process nor should a convicted child molester walk with a hand slap.