Fault in LAPD Rampart Scandal

What really gets to me is the possibility that one of the culprits in the Rampart scandal, the judicial system, will get away unscathed and uncorrected. After reading Charles Lindner’s March 19 Opinion article, I thought, finally, a problem that has long existed may get some much-needed attention. Then the March 27 letter from Judge Victor Chavez and Judge Larry P. Fidler appeared, attempting to hold the court blameless.

I propose a simple test to see how blameless the court really is: Who is ultimately responsible for the discretion to determine what is or is not evidence, what evidence is admissible, relevant or prejudicial and what juries may see, hear or consider when deliberating? Is it the defense attorney, the prosecution attorney, the clerk, the bailiff or the judge?

DAN MARISCAL

Montebello

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Re “Where Was the D.A.?,” editorial, March 23: I am a career prosecutor who spent years working as a trial deputy in the L.A. County district attorney’s office. If I or any of my colleagues ever learned before, during or after trial that an innocent person may be or has been convicted through our efforts, we would set this right. I have personally dismissed cases where I felt the evidence did not warrant prosecution and I have seen it done by my colleagues. No one has ever gotten in trouble for dismissing a case because the evidence showed the defendant as innocent. Michael Kraut didn’t go forward to win at any cost; he dismissed the case and alerted the relevant police agency to the problem.

I work with over 1,000 men and women attorneys in this office. You will not find a finer, more honorable group of people practicing law in this state.

CAROL J. NAJERA

Assistant Head Deputy District

Attorney, Pomona Branch Court

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You imply the D.A.’s office, through omission, allowed Rafael Perez to continue violating suspects’ civil rights. The record has shown CRASH supervisors were accessories before and after the fact regarding Perez’s misdeeds. CRASH had a mission, sanctioned by top LAPD brass. Get the job done, no matter the consequences. How many more “aberrations” can this city tolerate without going bankrupt?

ROBERT WHITE

Los Angeles

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I admit I am bored with the daily shenanigans involving Rampart. The only people who seem unduly interested in the scandal are elected officials and civil rights lawyers--individuals who seek to further their careers or fatten their bank accounts in Rampart’s aftermath.

Fellow Angelenos, if you end up on one of the lawsuit juries, please consider the following: After the attorneys get their cuts, what’s to prevent these gangbangers from taking their millions and reestablishing their dope businesses in our neighborhoods? The politicians and the lawyers have their own agendas. Ours should be to limit the amount of money these thugs get.

BEVERLY ANTEL

Torrance