Letters

Child's Prey
Bravo, Patricia Calhoun. Your column about Colorado's children ("Raised From the Dead," July 17) was right on the mark and had a very important message. If Renee Polreis is not convicted in the death of her son, it will be an outrage. And if no one is ever charged in the murder of JonBenet Ramsey, this state will have to hang its head in shame.

Lynn Swenson
Denver

I applaud you in writing about Dr. Richard Krugman's noncommittal attitude in regard to JonBenet Ramsey. I have found him to be political and vying to please those people who will advance his security.

I was a medical student at the University of Colorado years ago. I went to Richard Krugman in 1991 after I had been badly treated and sexually harassed; these events precluded me from finishing medical school. I was told by Dr. Krugman that the man I accused may or may not have done this; he "wasn't there," so he couldn't believe me. About two years later, more women came forward about this man.

I am an incest survivor. When I think of JonBenet, I highly suspect she was repeatedly sexually abused before the day of her murder. Her mannerisms and how she would be seductive in contests is scary. How could her parents think that was normal, and how did she learn those adult looks and poses?

When I was a child, my mother had me take dancing lessons. I sang and danced on stage. I enjoyed some of it, but when I did solo routines, I felt very insecure and vulnerable--I was being made to perform and please. Yet if an adult asked me if I wanted to do this, I'd say "yes"--to please and to get the praise.

My other thought is, how could JonBenet be murdered and her parents not detect anything? Mrs. Ramsey said she gave the keys to her house to several people. Why would she do this?

There is a lot of denial going on about JonBenet's death.
Cheryl Gallagher
Denver

Venus Rising
I was touched by Steve Jackson's story about Venus Montoya ("The Gang's All Here," July 17). There are so many kids like Angel who will never get to know their moms and dads due to bullshit like this. I was raised by my mother because my father (who I know only by pictures that my mom kept) was killed. My love and heart go out to everyone who has lost someone they love to some stupid bullshit like this.

Maria Rodriguez
via the Internet

I read the article about Venus Montoya, the young girl who fell victim to a shooting last year, and I was inspired to write a poem:

How come she's gone?
Is she the last one?
So young, so wrong.
It's not just
the silent of
the night that
breaks when the
shots explode.
Dreams and a life
taken in the night.
And somebody's
mother falls victim
to the gun.
How come she's gone?
Is she the last one?
Steven J. King
Denver

I really enjoyed "The Gang's All Here." I think it was very well-structured plus very humanistic. There were several ways to lead the story, but I think the writer chose the most effective way.

How much time did the writer spend with the family? How hard was it to get them to open up? Those are my only questions; everything else has been answered.

Amy Oakes
via the Internet

I think your story on the Bloods was really bad. These guys haven't even been to trial yet, and you guys already have the people thinking they're guilty. That's bullshit.

Name withheld on request

Stories such as this break my heart and put a lump in my throat. The main thought that comes to mind is, why are there only four pictures published of these horrible boys? What do the others look like? I think society should be able to view these criminals beforehand. Maybe if we knew what to watch for, we could stay clear of them--I would think that might help defer trouble. Or in some of these cases, it would be like America's Most Wanted locally--to assist in locating the whereabouts of these lowlifes.

Name withheld on request

Editor's note: Only four photographs were published because only four were available--the pictures of the gang members who are still on the loose. Jefferson County refused to release the mug shots of those already arrested and charged in connection with the murder of Brandy Duvall, citing potential problems with identifications when the accused go on trial. For another side of the story, see page 12.

Carey On
I just finished reading Alan Prendergast's article, "Con Heir," in the July 10 issue, and I really enjoyed it. It made me wonder about the prison system we have created, though. What do we do with people who need to be disciplined? We decide we are too busy (not enough funds) to discipline them ourselves, so we confine them, give them lots of comforts and resources and let them discipline each other. Inside of a prison, many of the rules are made by, and enforced by, other prisoners. At a time like this, they need society "in their face"--not other criminals.