Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, December 9, 1993 TAG: 9312140002
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A22 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Let me get this straight: A shooting occurs and an investigator is sent to the scene. A man is tried, found guilty of murder and is sent to jail. This all seems like the American judicial system at its best.
But, out of the blue, the convicted wants a new trial. He says the investigating officer at the scene was drunk and missed evidence that could prove his innocence. Three in particular state under oath that they were with the investigator the night in question and were, in their opinion, too drunk to drive, much less conduct an investigation. If it were anybody else, they'd be in jail for drunken driving.
During this hearing, Sheriff Carl Wells and Commonwealth's Attorney Jim Updike testified that they were with Investigator Rush and that he wasn't under the influence. Wells and Updike convinced Judge Johnston that Rush couldn't have been drunk and missed any evidence. Rush not only had the authorization of the sheriff and commonwealth's attorney, but had been working with them that night, so no unlawful acts could have possibly occurred.
The accused received no new trial. This seems to be the end of the story. The judicial process triumphs again. The officers who testified under oath must have been lying about drinking that evening.
Not so fast. These same officers who testified about the drinking have been suspended without pay for 60 days and demoted. What for? Drinking on duty. But, according to our irreproachable sheriff and commonwealth's attorney, they weren't drinking.
Now that the cameras are off them, these officers of more than 15 years are being punished for testifying. I could accept this if it were for anything other than drinking on duty because no regulations in the department address alcohol consumption while on duty. But the sheriff and commonwealth's attorney can't have it both ways. Either they were drunk or not.
It gets better. We now have Wells' bank statements. I don't know what kind of turnip truck these folks think we just fell off of, but it's not OK to put public money into a private account - it's against the law to commingle funds.
Now we learn that Wells gave at least $1,500 out of the sheriff's bank account to Updike for his campaign for attorney general.
If this was my tax money, I want a refund. Someone forgot to call me to ask if I minded my money being given away to Wells' friend.
I don't know which is more pitiful: these men conducting their public offices in such a manner or the county's residents allowing it to continue. Let's put an end to this disgrace while we still have a little self-respect.
JON THOMPSON
MONETA
To fix a problem, you first must see it
YOU WOULD have thought that Beth Macy, who wrote the Nov. 18 Extra section story (``Pregnant and proud'') about teen-age pregnancy in Roanoke, had impregnated several minors from the responses you're getting.
I find it alarming that educated people are writing responses indicating clearly that they don't comprehend the differences between accepting a problem as real and being brave enough to attempt to understand the mentalities, the issues, the conditions behind the behaviors, and condoning the behaviors.
The author didn't condone teen-age pregnancy; rather an educated sociological, even scientific, approach, was undertaken in an attempt to understand where these girls were coming from and more importantly why.
While middle-class people may throw up their hands in despair at such problems, they won't be able to do anything about the problems if they try to fix them coming from their perspective, because their perspective isn't a part of these girls' world.
Thank you for being brave, thorough and solution-oriented, even though you're condemned by a whole class of our society. There's an elephant in the living room and you talked about it. So, some of these teen-age girls are proud of their pregnancies. I appreciate knowing this.
The truth makes us mad, then it sets us free.
PAULA KIRTLEY
ROANOKE
Parents, get involved
IN OUR modern-day society where crime - particularly crime against our children - is so rampant, I'm continually shocked to see the manner in which some children are treated.
Being a cautious and careful parent who's involved in volunteer work with children, it's always alarming to see those who are ``dropped off'' at events and meetings by a parent who makes no effort to walk their child inside, be involved in any way, or take the time to get acquainted with the adult that will be taking care of their child.
Please take the time to know that person with whom you've entrusted your little one, even if it's a school, church or civic event. It takes a little time to be involved, but children must know how precious they are and feel loved and cared for in order to be secure in today's harsh world.
Parents mold the future by shaping the life of their child. Teaching that child love, moral values, responsibility and respect for themselves, as well as others, is not only a parental duty, but it will make a stronger future for our country by restoring a sense of hope to tomorrow's generation.
It all begins at home!
DEBRA H. COLEMAN
ELLISTON
With liquor store, downtown drunks
THE NOV. 28 news article, ``Drunk in public, sobered up in Roanoke jail'' by staff writer Laurence Hammack, detailed the revolving door associated with public drunkenness in downtown Roanoke.
Those of us who work downtown are well aware of the begging and aggressiveness of these drunks and chronic alcoholics.
The problem of public drunkenness in the downtown area has escalated in the past few years since the liquor store was located on Jefferson Street.
A better location might have been at a shopping center. The state did us no favor where they located the ABC store.
GENE A. HYLTON
ROANOKE
by CNB