The Department of I Told You So

Seems like it was just the other day that I wrote that Paris Hilton had been treated too leniently and then too harshly.

Geez! It was just the other day.

Now comes The Los Angeles Times, which analyzed 2 million jail releases and found 1,500 cases since July 2002 that — like Hilton's — involved defendants arrested for drunk driving and later sentenced to jail after a probation violation or driving without a license.

The Times concludes that:

"Had Hilton left jail after four days, her stint behind bars would have been similar to those served by 60 percent of those inmates. But after a judge sent her back to jail Friday, Hilton's attorney announced she would serve the full 23 days in jail. That means Hilton will end up serving more time than 80 percent of others in a similar situation.

" . . . Because of the high media interest, Hilton was one of few inmates whose premature release received publicity — and the judge who originally sentenced her took notice. She is believed to be the first inmate in years who actually was sent back to jail to serve more of her term."

More here.

A BELATED FOOTNOTE

The photgraph above, an instant classic, was taken by Nick Ut of The Associated Press.

If you are of a certain age, that name should ring a bell. Here's why.