Antone's Nightclub
Cause for Concern
RECEIVED Thu., Aug. 6, 2015
Dear Editor,
In the last paragraph of Chase Hoffberger's article on VonTrey Clark titled "Officer on the Lam," appearing in the July 31 issue [News], he writes: "[Police Chief Art] Acevedo has urged Clark to return to Austin to 'face the music' and prove his innocence." Prove his innocence?! In this country, a criminal defendant, much more a mere suspect, is innocent until proven guilty by the state. Under our Constitution, a criminal defendant is under no obligation to prove anything. (Although, historically, our society has been all too willing to trust law enforcement to protect the innocent and otherwise act appropriately, recent events have once again clearly demonstrated that they cannot be trusted to do so.)
Given the lack of quotes around that phrase "prove his innocence," I am unsure as to whom it should be attributed: Chief Acevedo or Hoffberger? If Chief Acevedo, then the citizens of Austin should be very troubled. On the other hand, if the words are Hoffberger's, then it is the editors and readers of The Austin Chronicle who should be concerned.
In the last paragraph of Chase Hoffberger's article on VonTrey Clark titled "Officer on the Lam," appearing in the July 31 issue [News], he writes: "[Police Chief Art] Acevedo has urged Clark to return to Austin to 'face the music' and prove his innocence." Prove his innocence?! In this country, a criminal defendant, much more a mere suspect, is innocent until proven guilty by the state. Under our Constitution, a criminal defendant is under no obligation to prove anything. (Although, historically, our society has been all too willing to trust law enforcement to protect the innocent and otherwise act appropriately, recent events have once again clearly demonstrated that they cannot be trusted to do so.)
Given the lack of quotes around that phrase "prove his innocence," I am unsure as to whom it should be attributed: Chief Acevedo or Hoffberger? If Chief Acevedo, then the citizens of Austin should be very troubled. On the other hand, if the words are Hoffberger's, then it is the editors and readers of The Austin Chronicle who should be concerned.
James T. Barker