By Frank DeMayo
Our district attorney, Jon Hopkins, should be in Washington, D.C. where he would be among the “spin doctor” masters. His Record-Bee commentary on July 18 omits the most important fact and urges us to concentrate instead on what is generally called a “red herring.”
The undisputable fact is that Deputy Perdock killed Lynn Thornton. It bears repeating, Russell Perdock killed Lynn Thornton ? no one else did it.
Someone once said, “The best defense is a good offense.” The manslaughter charge against Dinius was benevolently dropped because it was never sustainable. However, it served its purpose by focusing attention on Dinius, not Perdock. Spin-doctors are expert at this, which is why Dinius, who didn”t kill anyone, has spent three years defending himself and the killer is still a sheriff”s deputy.
I realize that the district attorney and police have to work together and want to protect their own, but consider this: If Dinius had been in the speedboat that killed Lynn Thornton and Deputy Perdock had been in the sailboat, would Dinius still be on trial, but this time rightfully so?
Maybe someone can explain to me how a blood alcohol content of .12 became a more serious offense than killing someone.
Frank DeMayo
Lakeport
