Julie Steele

Re “Experts Question Witness’ Indictment,” Jan. 9:

How far can an independent counsel go? Kenneth Starr’s indictment of Julie Steele, a witness to a peripheral issue, not a suspect, is further evidence of the lengths to which out-of-control prosecutors (on our tax money) will go to prove, not the truth, but rather their own suspicions and biases.

Steele is getting the full treatment--subpoenaed bank records and credit history, grand jury interrogation of brother and daughter, investigation into her daughter’s adoption. Keeping Susan McDougal incarcerated under inhuman conditions for over two years because she wouldn’t give Starr the answers he wanted suggests the further torture that Steele will suffer at Starr’s hands. Won’t someone stop him before it’s too late--before he destroys our entire judicial system and the protections we all, as American citizens, rely upon?

EILEEN GERSHON

Orange

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I read with outrage about the harassment tactics used by Starr and company in their pursuit of Steele. Who is this man accountable to? It appears that there are no limits to Starr’s threats and persecution, until a witness says what Starr wants to hear. These evil abuses of power by Starr are a much greater threat to our democracy than anything President Clinton has done.

NICK FRYMAN

Los Angeles