Pubdate: Thu, 19 Sep 2002
Source: Eugene Weekly (OR)
Copyright: 2002 Eugene Weekly
Contact:  http://www.eugeneweekly.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/136
Author: Jerome Garger

WHERE'S THE JUSTICE?

Given the current enormous arbitrary power of the law enforcement industry, 
I hesitate to write this letter.

I must, however, support local attorney Daniel Stotter's call (R-G, 9/4) 
for an official sanction of Lane County District Attorney Doug Harcleroad. 
Harcleroad's arrogant public criticism of Circuit Court Judge Ted Carp 
clearly indicates contempt of court, and it calls into question once again 
Harcleroad's judgment, impartiality, and basic fairness.

Examples: the secret tape recording of a Catholic priest administering a 
sacrament to a defendant leading to international notoriety and a 
substantial settlement; subsequent taping of two ministers' conversations 
with defendant Kip Kinkel; the out-of-court settlement to a former 
prosecutor for gender discrimination and harassment; the wrongful murder 
convictions of two young men and another hefty settlement; Harcleroad's 
astounding decision not to prosecute the planned vigilante execution of 
22-year old unarmed drug dealer Shawn Carlson; his refusal to prosecute the 
man who killed Jacob Fogus, a young Native American, in questionable 
circumstances; his exoneration of a police officer who killed an unarmed 
suspect; his discrimination against alternative media reporters; his 
relentless prosecution of cancer-sickened Norm Majors for cultivating 
medical marijuana; his refusal to honor the vote mandating that proceeds 
from civil forfeiture drug cases go to drug-treatment programs.

And while a young political activist serves almost 23 years for destroying 
three SUVs, Harcleroad plea-bargains a 25-year sentence for a young man who 
helped to incapacitate, kidnap and bury his mother alive. And so on.

The district attorney sets the tone for the entire justice system. Where's 
the justice?

Jerome Garger

Eugene
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MAP posted-by: Beth