Crime and (Sometimes) Punishment
After reading Fred Dickey’s article (“Beverly Hills Law & Order,” Dec. 17) about the shooting involving the son of Clippers owner Donald T. Sterling, and the district attorney’s decision not to file any charges against him, I thought perhaps it would behoove me to invest in an insurance policy of sorts and start making campaign contributions to the D.A.’s office in case I ever find myself involved in such malfeasance. I’ll cut my first check in the morning.
Rick Rodriguez
Oxnard
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Dickey’s story reads like a Tom Clancy novel. Gil Garcetti was lucky to be voted out of office. Had the story appeared earlier, Garcetti would have been run out after being dipped in tar and rolled in feathers.
Mel Bloom
Ojai
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That it is possible to avoid prosecution in Beverly Hills (or anywhere else, for that matter) by wielding the sword of megabucks is a story we well know. But considering the great human being that Sterling shamelessly purports himself to be in the countless ads he runs in the Los Angeles Times, I am surprised and gratified that The Times risked losing ad revenue to report such a compelling saga. Take note, Angelenos: If you get shot, try to be certain it isn’t by a “close friend” of law enforcement. Or his progeny.
Robert Connelly
Via the Internet
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I am nonplused that the police questioned young Sterling’s account of the shooting in which he was identified as the shooter. Sterling explained that it was self-defense, though the other person was shot in the back of the legs and obviously leaving. It seems to me that the police use this defense on a rather regular basis when suspects are shot in the back. Why should civilians be required to have a higher standard for self-defense?
Joyce Nunn Fishman
Apple Valley
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I must confess that I was surprised when I encountered this story in your magazine. Journalism that exposes the truth, no matter how uncomfortable and threatened that truth might make some people feel (especially those in power), is always admirable.
Leticia Morones
Via the Internet