The Beating of Wallace Tope

Two articles (Times, June 14) dealt with Wallace Tope, a man who is unfortunately in a comatose condition as a result of a beating, the nature and severity of which should be made known in an eventual trial of two suspects being held in custody.

The cover article deals with the court’s denial of lesser charges against the defendants. It then begins to portray, for me, a person who virtually placed himself in “harm’s way” and in defense of what? Was it in defense of human life as it was in the instance of the four young black women and men who mercifully came to the defense of Covina truck driver Reginald Denny, who was in the area with his cement/gravel truck?

The answer is “no”! Tope could just as easily have attempted to run across the local multilane freeway rather than interject himself in the path of people caught up in the initial violent societal eruption and in his case looters of merchandise at a Sav-On drugstore. In this article are two examples of possible condemnation/judging. One defendant reported that Tope confronted (him) with the threat of hell, and Tope’s brother Dennis has already prejudged the defendants. In a statement he asked that “these guys be tried--be convicted and be put in prison.”

What body of believers discerned that Tope was called to the office of evangelist? What community sent him forth after his preparation and their laying on of hands? Mention was made that Jesus gave his life. Yes, that he did, but only after realizing that such was the father’s desire. Jesus did not volunteer to end it all. He would just as soon have lived to old age. God had a different plan. How sad it could prove to be if Tope’s cross was of his own making and not that chosen by God.

MICK MANDEVILLE

San Gabriel