WS Chronicle

Funnel frustration about Officer Kerrick’s case into positive action

To the Editor:

I am disappointed by the North Carolina Attorney General’s decision to not retry the Randall Kerrick case [in the shooting death of Jonathan Ferrell] and hope this decision will not lead to greater mistrust within our community.

While many of us are frustrated by today’s decision, we must funnel that frustration into positive and productive action that includes serious dialogues about criminal justice reform, greater diversity in jury selection and the underlying prejudices that have an undue influence on our criminal justice system.

“I urge people to come together peacefully to unite and heal our city.  I remain committed to working with the community, law enforcement and local leaders to ensure tragedies such as this never occur again.

My heart breaks for the [Jonathan] Ferrell family; they will remain in my thoughts and prayers.

U.S. Rep. Alma S. Adams (NC-12)

Washington, DC

Roy Cooper, let 2nd jury decide case of police officer

To the Editor:

[Attorney General] Roy Cooper should not block a new jury of 12 Mecklenburg [County] citizens from deciding the case where Jonathan Ferrell was shot 10 times and killed with three police officers present on the scene. Roy Cooper should retry the case.

Quite frankly, a politician running for higher office should not make a unilateral and political decision in place of the people of Mecklenburg County. Political ambition clouds the public trust when the administration of justice is short-circuited. Jury decisions create more trust and faith when they are allowed to move forward, even if a new trial is necessary.

Divided juries are not uncommon and the same jury more often than not resolves their differences. Second juries also produce unanimous results. For Roy Cooper to interfere with the continuing proper administration of justice in this case is wrong and unconscionable.

Roy Cooper’s office already has a very spotty record regarding the proper administration of justice as it related to his supervision of the SBI [State Bureau of Investigation]. Subsequently, the SBI was removed from his office. Once again, Roy Cooper is not living up to his leadership responsibilities for our state.

Cooper should let the jury decide.

Ken Spaulding, Democrat

Candidate for Governor

Durham, NC

Work to pass laws against dog chaining

To the Editor:

The Old Farmer’s Almanac is predicting an unusually harsh and bitterly cold winter for much of the country, including below-normal temperatures for the Northeast and above-average snowfall in the South.

As much as we might complain about having to shovel or drive in the snow, no one has it worse than dogs that are forced to spend the winter outdoors, on the end of a chain or in a backyard pen. Constant exposure to cold temperatures puts dogs in danger of hypothermia, even if they have a doghouse. Every year, chained dogs and even newborn puppies are found frozen to death inside their doghouses after succumbing to the cold.

But even in the best weather, spending day after day confined, with no exercise, no companionship, and nothing to do is no life at all for “man’s best friend.” Many chained dogs sink into severe depression or become aggressive and a danger to children who wander too close.

Let’s work to pass laws restricting or banning dog chaining – as more than 200 jurisdictions nationwide have already done, including Clayton and 19 other municipalities in North Carolina – and be good neighbors by checking on chained dogs in our community, encouraging people to let their dogs live indoors and always reporting abuse and neglect immediately.

Christina Matthies

Clayton, N.C. 

Ways to make school year successful

To the Editor:

Three simultaneous actions will make this school year successful!

Students and parents must plan together, do homework together, have family discussions and make education the first priority for the next 10 months in their home.

The school system must do a better job of educating “all” of our students. The teachers are trained and must be allowed to teach. The administration must start cleaning house starting with many unnecessary high-paying jobs in central office and use that money to bring back more teachers assistants.

The church must become activity-involved in education. Jesus and all the other spiritual leaders were teachers. Every church that has a building should use it Monday-Friday as an afterschool safe haven and tutoring outreach center for the “neighborhood children.” We could help eliminate discrimination and increase knowledge in that under- used consecrated building.

Proverbs 27:17 (Paraphrased) “As iron sharpened iron one person sharpens another.”

James Hankins