Letters to the Editor

A Walk on the Wilding Side

The never-ending story: I was really impressed by Patricia Calhoun’s “A Piece of the Action,” in the May 12 issue. I can’t believe what happened to Quincy Shannon, and I hope he is acquitted of all charges. Unless being a young black man automatically makes you guilty in this town — as it apparently seemed to do last summer.

I appreciate everything Westword does, but I especially enjoy it when you tell the story behind the story. And what a story this was!

Jane Feldman

Denver

Photo finish: If Patricia Calhoun thinks holding a camera is some kind of get-out-of-jail-free card, she is sadly mistaken. If Quincy Shannon didn’t want to be mistaken for a rioter, he should have gone in the other direction. Fast.

Roger O’Hara

Denver

Editor’s note: Not that sadly mistaken. Before Quincy Shannon’s trial even began on May 17, the judge dismissed the charges. For details, see this week’s Calhoun.

Follow the Leader

Getting grilled: After reading Alan Prendergast’s “Bringing Down the Brotherhood,” in the May 5 issue, I give our prison system — like many aspects of our justice system — a vote of little confidence. It always seems to come down to the same factor: those in positions of leadership, who probably shouldn’t be leading anything more important than the burger assembly line at Wendy’s.

Derek Goodner

Littleton

Keds Alert!

That’s shoe business: Regarding Alan Prendergast’s “If the Shoe Fits,” in the May 12 issue:

It creeps me out to think that when my daughter and I are enjoying ourselves at places such as the Wizard’s Chest, a stalker/rapist is also there, buying wigs for his various fetishes. I realize that all kinds of people exist everywhere, yet the way that David Christensen’s case was handled sounds like another “botched” police case where title supersedes anything else, including truth and integrity.

Too, too bad, because everyone loses in these cases. Imagine an America based on truth, mutual respect, love, beauty and wisdom.

Ruth Suli Urman

Denver

If it doesn’t fit, you must acquit: This is the second time I have been confused for the Christensen in Alan Prendergast’s “If the Shoe Fits.” I served time at the Sterling Correctional Facility, and in September 2002, I was incorrectly identified by a laundry clerk there as the Christensen of an earlier Prendergast article. It wasn’t a lot of fun dealing with that reputation until it was cleared up, which nearly came to violence. Now I’ve again been mistaken for that Christensen, who I would believe is still in prison, while I’m out on parole.

For the record, my name is James Christensen, not David. My middle name starts with an E, not a D. I was never a prison guard, or any other law-enforcement agent. I do not have any fetishes that I know of, for children’s shoes or anyone else’s. I threatened my wife’s divorce lawyer and got six years in prison for it, but I never raped anyone, and I’m not a child molester.

The shoe doesn’t fit, and this is the second time I’ve had to try the damn thing on. I would appreciate it if you would help me clear up this little mistaken identity.

James (not David) Christensen
Denver