ANOTHER KILLING, MORE QUESTIONS

To the Editor:

Re "Undercover Police in Manhattan Kill an Unarmed Man in a Scuffle" (front
page, March 17): Rather than examining whether the police identified
themselves before taking action against Patrick M. Dorismond, our country
and your city would be better served by examining why the police were there
in the first place.

Not only did the police officers in question try to entrap Mr.
Dorismond based on scanty or no evidence, but they also violated his
civil rights by refusing to take no for an answer.

Even as great a miracle as the rebirth of New York City is sullied
when innocent men continue to die in vain.

DAN MAGAZINER

To the Editor:

It is illegal to sell marijuana in New York City. Regardless of
whether the shooting of Patrick M. Dorismond was justified or
accidental (front page, March 18), it is undisputed that an undercover
narcotics detective asked him if he had any to sell. Is it now
standard practice for the Police Department to instigate criminal behavior?

DAVID HAWKINS