Civil Trial in Bank Shootout

Re: “No One Aided Dying Bandit, Witness Says,” Feb. 19.

The police showed the same consideration for Emil [Matasareanu] that he showed for them and the rest of the citizens at risk. Only a miracle saved others from dying.

When the laws are changed to allow the state to hold family and friends accountable, and to sue them for the misbehavior of the likes of Emil, then maybe I’ll feel different about his family (or their surrogates) attempting to sue the city.

Is there any doubt as to his guilt? He freely chose his acts and surely knew the risks of the consequences; why else would he have worn all the body armor? In my opinion he’s one less guy I have to support in a California prison.

PHILIP ARNOLD

Van Nuys

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On the morning of Feb. 28, 1997, Emil Matasareanu and Larry Phillips gave up their civil rights when they deliberately donned body armor and face masks and began spraying bullets from automatic rifles into a neighborhood bank and surrounding residential streets filled with innocent people. The Los Angeles Police Department’s North Hollywood Division did protect and serve--the real victims, the innocent people who left their homes that morning without body armor.

I don’t believe that the people of L.A. are naive enough to think that all members of the LAPD are heroic or perfect. However, please assure us that the current bashing and debasing of a department of over 9,000 men and women who risk their lives on a daily basis is based on more than the word of an admitted dirty cop--convicted of stealing cocaine from a police evidence locker and on his way to prison.

DEBBIE ARROWOOD

North Hollywood