Federal Appeal of Beating Sentences

* In response to “Justice Dept. to Appeal Powell, Koon Sentences,” Sept. 28:

Sgt. Stacey Koon and Officer Laurence Powell were found not guilty by a jury during a state trial. Federal Justice Department officials didn’t like the results so they utilized a rarely used option to try them a second time on federal civil rights violations, which calmed the rioters.

The federal jury found them guilty of violating Rodney King’s civil rights. The rioters were quiet and federal Justice Department officials bragged about what a great job they did in convicting the two.

The judge sentenced Koon and Powell to 30 months in federal prison, inferring that their trial was politically motivated and that Rodney King himself was a major factor in determining the actions the officers took in overcoming his resistance to a lawful arrest.

But, the Justice Department, listening to threats of another riot if the accused criminals who beat Reginald Denny were found guilty and sentenced to terms longer than the officers received, is appealing the sentence because it isn’t as severe as some people wanted.

If those accused criminals who allegedly beat Denny are found not guilty, will people take to the streets and riot? Will the federal government try them a second time until they get a guilty verdict? Will the federal government appeal the sentence for being too lenient? Anyone with the IQ above room temperature knows the answer to those questions.

I sincerely hope and pray that more rational and wiser minds will prevail during the appellate process and Koon and Powell will receive fair treatment if there is any way it is still possible in the politically correct society we live in today.

TERRY ELLIS

Santa Clarita

* In response to “Koon, Powell Denied Bail During Appeal,” Aug. 31:

Now that we have again demonstrated that the justice system is capable of meeting the demands of the public by ensuring that criminals such as ex-police officers Koon and Powell are confined to prison while awaiting their appeal, we can reassure the public that these two ex-police officers will be used as examples to all other police officers, in that if they should choose to act in the same way they too will become inmates and suffer the same fate as Koon and Powell are about to receive.

Unjustifiable beating and assault with a deadly weapon is not the job of police officers and can never be condoned by anyone anywhere in the world. If this type of treatment is ever allowed by the lawmakers of this country, then it will be time to have a repeat of 1776.

ERVIN F. SEE Jr.

Ripon