commute the sentences of Steven and Dwight Hammond. The punishment does not fit the crime.

We ask that this administration commute the sentences of Steven and Dwight Hammond for these reasons primarily:
First, most states would find it difficult to have prosecuted these gentlement for 2nd or 3rd degree arson, much less something that mandated a 5 year sentence and such a large fine.
Second, the Hammond family has had ongoing disputes with the Bureau of Land Management in Oregon and the managers may have unreasonably influenced the prosecutor in this case.
Third, these men are upstanding members of their community and their absence along with damage to the family will bring further harm and cause more trouble for their fellow ranchers in the area.
We do not believe that the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 should have been used to prosecute this case.