To the editor:
The death of anyone under the circumstances that occurred during the apparent altercation between Trayvon Martin and George Zimmerman is a tragedy.
What is even more upsetting is that the black community appears to have passed judgement as to the guilt and innocence of the parties. Obviously, the black individual is innocent and the shooter is guilty in their eyes. The threats of violence against Mr. Zimmerman are another indication of racial prejudice in the reverse.
There is an eyewitness account of Mr. Zimmerman being savagely beaten by Trayvon. The police on the scene looked at the evidence they had and determined that Mr. Zimmerman was within his rights to defend himself. Should any additional evidence come forward, charges will be filed as appropriate.
The heart of this matter is that rushing to judgement creates problems that can lead to even more loss, injury and even perhaps death. Society in general and minorities in particular seem hell bent on determining guilt and innocence before all the facts are in. Forget about the facts, do not wait for a complete investigation and why try the individual in a court of law. He is guilty, we need not wait for due process.
The tyranny of the majority is well known. The tyranny of the minority can be just as bad, perhaps even worse.
Clyde Bailey
Lewistown
