It is clear that Judge Martha Minot needs to resign her post as county judge.

Any judge who would release a man on his own recognizance after being suspected of armed robbery and kidnapping – not to mention tying up his victims – obviously does not have the safety of her community at heart.

A man who resisted arrest and put the arresting officers at tremendous risk, according to reports in The Durango Herald, should never be trusted to show up in court on his own. His case is precisely why bond should always be required in felony cases.

In addition: The trauma that his alleged victims must face every day this man is not locked safely away is a day stolen from the victims by Minot’s lack of responsibility.

Just what incentive does this fool have to appear in court? Nothing good is going to happen to him in La Plata County.

It is well past time for Minot to find a job in the private sector or retire on her pension because she clearly cannot be trusted to continue in her position as county judge.

Michael Black

Durango