Acquittal of Subway Shooter

As a black man living in a predominantly white apartment complex, I’ve resigned myself to the “whistling in the dark” and the nervous hellos strangers are wont to greet me with after dark. Dark clothing, unfortunately, seems to heighten the anxiety. However, Bernhard Goetz’s acquittal of attempted murder charges is repugnant beyond belief. Never mind the fact that he broke the law by carrying a concealed weapon. I would think that brandishing a .38 in one’s general direction without firing would be adequate.

Those young guys who induced Goetz’s paranoia may have been the dregs of society, but the force meted out to them was excessive. Thank God my hands are usually impeded when I go in and out of my laundry room. That jury will have to deal with what this will mean.

RICK DuBOSE

Huntington Beach