Paramount Theatre
Give the Victim's Story
RECEIVED Tue., May 25, 2010
Dear Editor,
Regarding Michael King's article [“Point Austin: Let David Live,” News, May 21] on David Lee Powell's impending execution – I find nothing about Ralph Ablanedo's story.
Or his family's story. And I'm sorry, but a 30-years-late apology in light of a real execution date is not what I mean.
You cannot reasonably argue that you are all about fairness and justice, in light of such an appalling omission.
I have my own level of ambivalence for the death penalty.
But I'm old enough to remember this horrific murder of a good man, who just went to work and did his job.
A man that Mr. King chose not to introduce us to. That is not fairness, that is not justice.
I'm also old enough to remember that everyone in the '70s knew that speed made you crazy and that if you took too much, you were likely to do dangerous things – hardly a secret … or much of a defense for a brutal, heartless, and senseless murder.
Give the victim's story at least a modicum of respect, attention, and time … and then you may be able to claim fairness … and justice.
Until then, you simply lack integrity.
Regarding Michael King's article [“Point Austin: Let David Live,” News, May 21] on David Lee Powell's impending execution – I find nothing about Ralph Ablanedo's story.
Or his family's story. And I'm sorry, but a 30-years-late apology in light of a real execution date is not what I mean.
You cannot reasonably argue that you are all about fairness and justice, in light of such an appalling omission.
I have my own level of ambivalence for the death penalty.
But I'm old enough to remember this horrific murder of a good man, who just went to work and did his job.
A man that Mr. King chose not to introduce us to. That is not fairness, that is not justice.
I'm also old enough to remember that everyone in the '70s knew that speed made you crazy and that if you took too much, you were likely to do dangerous things – hardly a secret … or much of a defense for a brutal, heartless, and senseless murder.
Give the victim's story at least a modicum of respect, attention, and time … and then you may be able to claim fairness … and justice.
Until then, you simply lack integrity.
Trey Berndt
[Editor's Note: When discussing the death penalty, the discussion is usually not about guilt or innocence, but whether state-sanctioned killing is appropriate.]