I am half-way through my criminal sentence. I have just completed my 10th weekend in the county jail. I have 10 more weekends to go.

I am well into my community service duties at the veterans hospital, and I signed up to volunteer at the local animal shelter, too. My probation officer treats me professionally and I check in with him once per month now.

I have been through a lot this year with a trial by jury in Superior Court. I am so very thankful that I was found not guilty on the felony indictment.

I have never been to jail before now. I only have a couple of more months to go of my criminal sentence. I will be happy to put all of this behind me someday.

Jonathan A. Melle

Amherst

Editor’s Note: Jonathan Melle was arrested on July 7, 2007, and convicted of two class a misdemeanors – reckless conduct and disobeying a police officer – on Jan. 28, 2010. His weekends-only jail sentence began on May 14 and will end on Sept. 26.