Statutory mandatory minimums

In "Panel opposes mandatory sentencing," The Salt Lake Tribune touched on an important and timely issue -- statutory mandatory minimum sentences. What the Tribune failed to do however, was provide necessary background and explanation. Given the involvement of Judge Paul G. Cassell, who has risen to near Olympic status in federal sentencing circles, the story should have referred to and distinguished the Blakely issue (the Supreme Court granted certiorari just last week). Also, it should have been clarified that the mandatory minimums discussed in the story are statutory and not incident to the federal sentencing guidelines.