HomeMy WebLinkAboutCorrespondence - BOCCBarbara Vasa uez
From: Arnold White <arnoldandmarilynnwhite@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, April 28, 2021 9:36 AM
To: Barbara Vasquez
Subject: letter to the editor
Good morning Commissioners,
My name is Arnold White; I am a life-long citizen of Grant County. I write to you with concerns about remarks made by
Garth Dano to ifiber news.
I have submitted the following Letter to the Editor to ifiber news and the Columbia Basi H-e-raTd'.l would a eciate you
reviewing my letter, perhaps at your next board meeting.
Thank you so much for your consideration,
P
V
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Arnie White
This letter is in response to Grant County Prosecutor Mr. Dano. Dano's 6`6`111 ������er�eauvin
trial made to ifiber news on 4/22. Recently, a mindset of some groups in the United States have started insisting
their opinion is as valid as fact and Mr. Dano has fallen into this error.
Mr. Dano,
In. your recent interview published by ifiber news, you stated that "the jury was pressured into convicting
Chauvin." This suggestion that juries are swayed by external factors is deeply troubling. You live in a
conservative district. Are you suggesting that you rely on the social pressure of this community to put a thumb
on the scale of the jury in your favor? Do you not think juries are capable of upholding their oaths to render
verdicts based on the evidence presented and nothing else? Your constituents are the jury pool for this county,
and you have insulted them. How can you uphold your oath if you think juries are so weak willed?
"Peo-P le forget that George Floyd placed himself in a very bad position. He's no saint he's got a history," You
of all people should 1-nowthat (1) George Floyd was not on trial (2) no one is suggesting canonizing Floyd; (3)
the history of an arrestee does not give all arresting officer ;permission to ignore the restraints of his
commission..
You characterized the prosecution of Chauvin a "witch. hunt" and was "very discouraged by the state of our
judicial system." This is deeply troubling coming from a prosecutor who is ostensibly familiar with due process.
Chauvin was afforded every protection our laws give to criminal defendants. George Floyd was given none of
these protections. Chauvin can appeal. Floyd is dead.
"I've dealt with cases involving people who were high on meth and have seen smaller men being subdued by
five or six officers because of the drugs that were fueling their behavior during their struggles." This statement
is irrelevant per the toxicology reports admitted in the trial. Moreover, I hope your definition of "subdued" does
not mean "summarily executed by nine minutes of slow asphyxiation."