Shooting death of a 21 year old In Atlanta DeKalb County Jail

Dear Editor, Concerned Citizens, and beyond

The Valdosta Daily Times reported an (AP) story on September 29, 2006 that Lorenzo Matthews 21 was killed under murky circumstances by suburban Atlanta’s DeKalb County Police in the department’s ninth shooting this year ---- more than what New York City reported. And as usual there will be an independent review of police training and use of force. Normally these reviews do not help the victim’s family in my opinion.

Interim DeKalb Police Chief Nick Marinelli blamed the killings in part to Georgia loose gun laws. I disagree because in Valdosta-Lowndes County Jail eighteen inmate deaths have occurred since 1994 for whatever reason. And firearms were not a major contributing factor but family members say it is the jail Medical Facility in the jail. Moreover, the State of Georgia seems unconcerned about these jailed inmates their families and some were military veterans. Georgia Law Enforcement seems to be pushing citizenship rights deeper into the rubbish pile of anything goes.

Soon Georgians will be forced to take the law into their own hands without drastic changes by our local and state politicians. Our children see on a daily basis in court the alleged inequities in an Unjust Justice System, and they are aware of the real criminals and bad guys. As they watch how some people are prosecuted more severely than others.

So gun control is not the answer. But rather equal justice, fair treatment, and balanced prosecution under the law. Moreover, it is embarrassing how politicians build monuments, statues and take pictures with active duty and retired military veterans only to be used during election year politics. How Sad?

GEORGE BOSTON RHYNES

A concerned citizen and brother of humanity