Spitzer Fights Serial Killer’s Release

* Re “Killer’s Lawyer: Spitzer Going Too Far,” April 19:

I disagree with Edward Allaway’s attorney. I believe Supervisor Todd Spitzer’s actions are exemplary. My father, Seth Fessenden, was a speech professor emeritus. Allaway shot nine people that morning, murdering seven. My father was his third victim. In 1976, the judge declared Allaway insane, effectively removing all criminal penalties. He could now be released into our community without restrictions.

This time, his psychiatrists are pushing for his release to a halfway house--a step toward freedom for Orange County’s worst mass murderer.

Allaway has been in California mental institutions for 25 years. Could he handle the stress of living outside an institution? If he is released back into our community, no one can predict what might possibly set him off again. Outside the confines of the hospital, he wouldn’t be sheltered from horrors of workplace massacres and road rage.

Not all mental patients who are “cured” are cured after all.

JUDITH

FESSENDEN SCHOLTZ

Altadena

* Where is it written that once a citizen becomes an elected official they lose their 1st Amendment rights? I admire the fearless leadership provided by Todd Spitzer in opposing the release of the mass murderer Edward Allaway. I can think of no better use for the taxpayer-provided Third District Web site than to alert us to this potential public safety threat. Bravo!

MARCIA RUDOLPH

Council member, Lake Forest

* Todd Spitzer has been a very active and helpful member of our committee. And, now, I believe we should support his ideas about not releasing Edward Allaway.

NANCY J. ILLO

Santa Ana

* So Todd Spitzer is being faulted for opposing the potential release of a killer of seven people. That doesn’t make him all bad in my book.

RON LESOVSKY

Huntington Beach