Letters may be edited for clarity and length. E-mail to le*****@oc******.com, or send to Letters to the Editor, c/o OC Weekly, 1666 N. Main St., Ste. 500, Santa Ana, CA 92701. Or fax to (714) 550-5908.
TO SERVICE AND PROJECT
[The letters continue to pour in regarding R. Scott Moxley's Feb. 9 story “Illegaly Park-ed,” in which Moxley reports that a former officer avoided criminal liability for his undisputed sexual encounter with a motorist.]
I was alternate juror #2 on the David Park trial. In my opinion, based on the evidence and testimony, David Park should have been found guilty on all three counts of sexual assault. It should be noted, however, that I was not part of the jury deliberations. Proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt is quite challenging when the defendant is not an unsympathetic figure and when the victim is somewhat erratic in her behavior and testimony. I respect the decision of my fellow jurors even though I believe they reached the wrong verdict. In the end, Mr. Park has been punished to a certain extent (i.e. lost his dream job as a police officer, has been subjected to embarrassing scrutiny, etc.), and the victim has received a substantial financial settlement. This may not be perfect justice, but our judicial system is not designed to render perfect justice.
Tau-Mu Yi
Irvine, CA
I was a criminal defense attorney for a number of years and that story shocks me.
Joe Touchole
Via e-mail
I read this article and I was disgusted. What the officer did is sexual assault; he should be serving jail time. Even if this woman had been a prostitute he had no right to do this to her. Police officers should not get special treatment. I would be interested to know if any further actions are being taken and if there is any sort of petition or movement to get this sickening man fired from police work forever.
Jessica Harper
Via e-mail
I take it from your comment, “who works in construction nowadays,” that Park is no longer with the Irvine Police Department. At least I would sincerely hope that is the case. As for having all men with the exception of one woman on the jury, it sounds like a stacked jury to me. Especially since all of the men were more or less over the hill and men of that age are the ones who hang out at places like “Captain Cream.” Park may be a male, but he certainly isn't a man. Scary to think that is what we have out there supposedly to uphold the law and protect citizens. Park is a pig who is now out there free to terrorize other young women!
Joyce Miller
Via e-mail
Great article. It reminds of one of my favorite movies, Bad Lieutenant.
Sam Isfan
Via e-mail
I just wanted to say thank you for your article. There is a fine thread that supposedly connects humanity: common decency and respect. This should be acknowledged in every human being. I thank you for your honest insight, unashamed bias towards the clear and obvious truth, and your dedication to offering your gift of craft, writing and covering the news.
Kimberly Kirven
Los Angeles, CA
Park should be in jail!
Anonymous
Via e-mail
I really don't know what to say, other than what's new in OC? This Jaramillo-inspired deviant displays the kind of behavior that we in Orange County have come to expect from our local law enforcement. This has got to be one of the most ass-backwards acquittals since the OCSD decided not to discipline those officers in HB, and that was what, last week? It just keeps getting better.
Trevor
Via e-mail
I think you should leave the poor guy alone. I mean, come on. He has lost his career and so much more. Besides that, Lucy was a drunk with a 502 under her belt. A tramp who is paid to expose herself to strange men. She wasn't forced. Just a money hungry ho!
Danielle Hopkins
Via e-mail
I LOVE YOU . . . AND DISC GOLF
Just read Rebecca's column [“See You, Suckers!” Feb. 2]. I have not missed an issue in 11 years and I have read every issue cover to cover from day one. I am also known throughout OC and Long Beach as the “photo guy” since 1985-2000. I have worked in every night club in OC at one time or another selling Polaroids. There are thousands of my photos throughout OC N Long Beach clubs. I feel like a family member has died. I will miss you all very much, I will mourn your resignations for at least seven days—that's Jewish law; “Sitting Shiva.” Best wishes to Will Swaim and Chris Ziegler—live, love, laugh. Thanks to you and all the staff writers at the Weekly. OC Weekly has been and I hope will continue to be the best newspaper I have ever read. Most important—would someone please let Commie Girl know that she is the only woman I have ever fallen in love with, sight unseen. My family would love it if I were to marry anyone named Rebecca. I am sorry that it took a resignation for me to get up the courage to do what I am about to do. So here goes: Dear Rebecca, Would you consider being my future ex-wife? I am in love with you and now [This letter was hand-written and we have no idea what it says here!] A face on the love of [Oh, how we wish we could read this!] that I have great taste in women and if your answer is no—how about coffee? Or a game of disc golf? I no longer sell photos but there are great benefits to being married to the Mattress Maven of the Inland Empire. My sister the rabbi tells me she is available at a moment's notice. All I have to do is tell her when and where. So if marriage, coffee, or disc golf is out of the question, well, at least I tried. Best wishes to you and all who are leaving the Weekly. Have a great life. If I am unlucky in love, maybe someone needs a new mattress. All my love to Rebecca.
[
P.S.: Jon has no baggage: 46 years old, no ex-wives, no children, and straight.
Jon Berlin
a.k.a. Jon Loud
aka the Photo Guy
a.k.a. Mattress Maven of the Inland Empire
Loud and Proud—That's Mr. Jew Boy to you!
REBECCA THE BALLERINA
I am heartbroken having heard this news, Rebecca. You've foreseen something ominous and that is usually a good time to get out, but this is still a shitty resolution for the commie collectives. As a very loyal fan, it really pains me to hear this, as I have become a pupil of your biting wit and realistic, spare-none, Schoenkopf perspective. You are the reason I was hooked on the rag from the day I first grabbed one. The other dudes are cool, but you are a true breath of fresh air in this otherwise polluted and quickly melting world. Your style embodies the alternative mindset: fuck the establishment, I'm gonna write what I want and I don't give a shit what anyone thinks. I'm sad to hear that you have to go, but I'm glad you've gone out with a bang. That's a good bang—acknowledging your comrades, helping your audience realize what harsh things we are all capable of saying, and doing it with an uncensored style and grace like a Degas ballerina. You are truly my numero uno. (BTW, I'm the dude that talked with you about quitting the crack. Please call me if you ever need a date for Long Beach venues, as I love getting smashed and checking out art exhibitions, then drinking more.) Good luck.
I KNOW MEAT
As a frequent diner at Steakhouse 55 I found this article to be very inaccurate [Rebecca Schoenkopf's “I See Midwestern People,” Feb. 2]. First, the ahi appetizer described in the article is not seared, but rather cold smoked (says it right on the menu) and there is no wasabi froth to be found on the plate. Also, the peppercorns you claim garnished the ahi are actually toasted sesame seeds. Second, there is no sauce on the rack of lamb (one of my favorites) and the herb crust does not taste of mustard. The sauce on the asparagus is a hollandaise sauce (again, says it right on the menu) which is a classic accompaniment for asparagus—it is not cheese sauce and does not in any way resemble Velveeta. The spinach is sauted in olive oil, not butter, which could have been easily ascertained by asking the waiter. If your publication is going to print restaurant reviews that are potentially damaging to a restaurant's reputation perhaps you should consider requiring some accuracy in the review. Finally, I am shocked that this writer blithely admits to going home with both copies of her receipt, which means that the restaurant was not able to justify their register that night and her waiter did not get a tip. I am forced to wonder how much wine this writer consumed at her meal if the bill was “hundreds” of dollars and she could not accurately remember either the descriptions on the menu or her actual meal.
