Background: For causing the fatal wreck that killed Army Sgt. Thomas E. Towers Jr., 22-year-old Andrew Gaudioso was ordered to send the soldier's family a postcard every week for 15 years.

According to Towers's father, "At first I thought I wanted prison for Gaudioso. Then I thought it would be better to force him some way to rememberat least once a weekwhat he did. I think this does that." The unusual sentence does not specify what Gaudioso should write on the postcard, which must be presented to his probation officer with the 28 cents postage paid.

Gaudioso, who had traces of street drugs in his blood when he veered left of center at more than 80 mph in the rain and smashed almost head-on into Towers's car, must also pass drug tests. If he fails to send the weekly postcards, or if he fails the drug tests, Gaudioso could be sent to prison for 15 years.

Questions:

1) What are your thoughts regarding this creative sentence?

2) Do you think that creative sentences like this one should be allowed? Why or why not?

3) Is the punishment for Gaudioso proportional to the crime? Should it be?

4) Do you think Gaudioso's sentence will deter others? Why or why not?