Occult Murder in a Small Missouri Bible-Belt Town

Along with thousands of other readers, I was appalled at the incidents described in the articles. Furthermore, this is not the first time this brand of “music” has taken center stage in a human tragedy.

Teen-agers frequently seek a cause celebre and young, pliable minds are receptive to all manner of subliminal influence. Though they naturally had no knowledge of the crimes perpetrated, I nevertheless hold the producers and writers of this “thrash” music culpable. At least partly.

Knowing what the dynamics are, if the industry cannot adequately police itself in this area, then the federal government, if it has not by now already taken remedial steps, must do it for them. The events portrayed in this article are a blot on the whole country.

DONALD A. BURNS

Los Angeles