Audio By Carbonatix
“Death Benefits,” Alan Prendergast, February 28
There’ll Be Hell to Pay
As an attorney none-too-fond of the death penalty, I was nonetheless embarrassed by attorney David Lane’s unfair and reckless use of hyperbole in criticizing how district attorneys are funding death-penalty cases in prison murders. Until the people of Colorado choose to do away with the death penalty — something they can easily do if so motivated — they should see that prosecutors can meet the financial obligations necessary to effect such prosecutions.
Anthony J. Fabian
Aurora
“Pregnant Pause,” Adam Cayton-Holland, February 28
Scam, Bam, Thank You, Ma’am
It was early last fall when under the same circumstances (mild to progressed intoxication), I found myself approached by this same person. She sort of waddled over to my ground-floor apartment in great distress, one arm flailing and the other supporting her breasts and ample underbelly under her soiled, loose-fitting Broncos sweatshirt, and began her story. She had given birth four times before and was accustomed to the routine, so all she needed was either a ride to her mother’s (65th and Pecos sounds familiar) or cab fare. A ride to Denver Health was quickly vetoed.
I must say that she had the routine nailed: Her sentences were interrupted with mild amounts of irregular breathing and laborious efforts to shift her weight, and she even leaned slightly forward at times while probing her groin area. I explained to her that in all reality I did not feel like I should be driving, and with all other remedies debated and swept away, it became an issue of cab fare. I ended up giving her $7. Before leaving, she had the gall to reprimand me for drinking and not being able to drive. As I turned and walked back inside, I was pretty sure that I had been taken, but I thought, what the hell? If that was the case, then her measure of audacity ought to be worth something.
Anyway, reading Adam’s account was gratifying and humorous. We should make T-shirts or start a “Taken by Ana” club.
Jason Summers
Denver
I, too, got taken: exact same story, same address, same $22 (I told her to tip the cabbie good). Urgh. However, I do believe in karma.
Tamara Whelpley
Denver
Adam’s article stopped me dead in my tracks. About a year ago, I moved into the Platt Park neighborhood. The night I moved in, somebody banged on my door at about 11 p.m. Single and in my PJs, I didn’t answer. The person was very persistent and definitely not going away. I opened the door slightly, and the very woman described in this article was standing on my doorstep.
While I don’t recall where she wanted to go, I definitely did not offer to give her a ride. Instead, I told her I would call an ambulance (too expensive) or a taxi (wouldn’t allow me to pay for the cab by credit card). She acted very distressed, so I let her come in and sit for a bit. After a couple of minutes, she said she would try to figure something out — she “knew” people down the way. I gave her my phone number to call in case she found herself in trouble, then locked the doors. I couldn’t sleep, worried that I would hear banging on the door again.
Until today, I occasionally wondered what had happened to her and if everything worked out okay.
People like her make the rest of us stop and think twice about helping others. I almost called the police to come help her; I hope someone does in the future and they arrest her for solicitation and whatever else will stick. Oh, well, I am glad that neither one of us was hurt and that Adam has made the public aware of this scam.
Jennifer Eckroat
Denver
Okay, I read about the fake pregnant woman and was in shock. Really? I consider myself a pretty nice person, but how was Adam fooled by this biznatch? I ran into homegirl during daylight last summer. Same story. I told her she could use my phone, but that was it — heck if I was going to have some stranger’s water breaking in my car. Anyway, nice column.
Robin S.
Denver
Editor’s note: Adam and Ana, together again! For an ironic update, click here.