The following suggests that the accused cop killer could not find 12 impartial jurors in the Pittsburgh area.
From a P-G edit:
The call for help: A mistake was made, but blame the shooter
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
All three men would be here today if a gun-toting coward hadn't decided that a perverse exercise of his Second Amendment rights was the appropriate response to their desire to answer a citizen's call for help.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Galling accusations
As I sat and watched one more news report about the three fallen police officers, my heart was heavy with sorrow for these officers and their families ("Deadly Ambush Claims the Lives of 3 City Police Officers," April 5). As I listened further to the comments and antics of the shooter's family, my sorrow turned to anger.
Margaret Poplawski, Richard Poplawski's mother, initiated a call for help. She expected police officers to show up at her home and handle a situation that she herself could not handle with her own flesh and blood.
Three perfect strangers, who did not know her or her son, were willing to come to her home to help.
And now comes all the accusations ("Poplawski's Family Complains About Treatment, Missing Wallet," April 7). Even a dispatcher is taking partial blame for not reporting possible weapons in the home.
Yet the full blame and responsibility lies with the man who picked up not one weapon, but numerous weapons, and equipped himself with protective armor. He seemed to know before those officers arrived what his plans were.
We have become a society where it is acceptable to have many, many excuses for the wrongful things we do. We run from the police when doing wrong and being chased. We try to run them down, ram their cars, shoot at them, spit on them. As soon as that officer turns and fights back trying to protect himself or fellow officers, we have an attorney on speed dial. I wonder whom the families of the fallen police officers can sue.
My prayers and thoughts are with the officers and their families. May someday your hearts not be as heavy, and your memories of your loved one give you peace
DONNA M. HERMAN
Beechview
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How dare they
I am absolutely disgusted by what I have read ("Poplawski's Family Complains About Treatment, Missing Wallet," April 7). How dare they open their mouths to utter complaints against the very people who responded to their call for help? Three men dead at the hands of Richard Poplawski, and his family has grievances!
Margaret Poplawski never had to wonder if the police would come to her aid. She made a call for help, and unfortunately the Pittsburgh police responded. The fact that her son is alive speaks to the professionalism of the Pittsburgh police. Their integrity and character were tested a million different ways on that fateful day and they rose to the occasion each and every time.
The idea of granting the Poplawski family an audience for any complaint is ludicrous, impertinent and reprehensible. They should have their heads hung low and hearts too heavy to speak. Unless they wish to convey their genuine sorrow and profound remorse or to praise the police (for their restraint) that spared their loved one, however vile and undeserving he is, the Poplawski family should keep their mouths shut.
As for the rest of us, let's put our energy into supporting the families of Pittsburgh's three "guardian angels."
KELLY C. PRILLA
Pine
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Not a Marine
What a horrible massacre in Stanton Heights. Our hearts go out to the families of the fallen police officers and all officers who selflessly serve the community each and every day. We pray for them all and hope that they may find peace.
In countless news reports, Richard Poplawski is referred to as a former Marine. Mr. Poplawski was not a Marine. He never made it out of boot camp because he assaulted a drill sergeant, according to what his mother told police.
By referring to him as a Marine, it slaps the faces of true Marines everywhere living and dead. My husband, Andy, is a Marine who served his country in Vietnam. Officer Eric Kelly was a Marine. He showed what kind of caliber it takes to be a Marine by going to the scene of a domestic dispute when he wasn't even on duty. He tried to help in that horrible situation and assist his fellow officers. He called on his radio while wounded to try to get aid to his fallen comrades. He is a hero.
All the officers are heroes. Mr. Poplawski is a coward. Make the distinction.
CINDY and ANDY TOTH
Hazelwood
E-Mail Story
Print Story
