You call this punishment?

I was appalled that USC Trustee Charles Williams’ sentence for killing federally protected red-tailed hawks had been reduced on appeal (“Hawk-killing University of South Carolina trustee fined $30,000,” Tuesday).

These magnificent birds of prey hunt in order to survive. Mr. Williams apparently hunts for sport. He not only baited, trapped and killed them; he also mistreated them while they were in his care. To reduce his sentence is reprehensible.

This story was originally published September 30, 2017 at 8:30 AM with the headline "You call this punishment?."