Editor

I have read all of the attacks on the grand jury's decision in the Pedro
Navarro Oregon affair and wonder if people even know what a grand jury is.
It is a panel of ordinary citizens just like the vast majority of
Viewpoints readers. Not prosecutors, cops or even lawyers, but earnest
people just trying to render fair decisions.

This group of ordinary citizens heard the evidence, which we did not. They
heard from expert witnesses, saw physical and forensic evidence and were
able to question the police officers. An important part of their inquiry
was testimony by Oregon's own family members who were present in the
apartment the night of the tragic events.

We do not know all the details that the grand jury had at hand. But I
believe that decent, law-abiding citizens would not stand for an
unwarranted execution-style killing of an innocent man, as some are saying.
As in real life, issues and situations are never just black or white;
things usually have much more gray: mitigating actions and responses.

The real question facing the grand jury was the legality of the officers'
action. They had to consider a wide array of circumstances, from the fact
that the officers were in full uniform, to the fact that Oregon had a gun.

If indeed this pending arrest was not warranted, then Oregon would have
relied on this same grand jury of citizens to return a similar no-bill.

We may not know everything that happened, but the decent citizens who
voluntarily sit on the grand jury do. This is the system that we have
democratically decided works best for our common goal of justice.

If we are concerned about this process, then relief is most appropriately
sought in the Legislature -- not in the streets. The suggestion made by
some that a vast conspiracy or cover-up is at work insults not only the
grand jurors, but also the entire law enforcement community, including the
district attorney's office.

Ultimately a trial will be held and all the information known to the grand
jury will be in the public domain and another jury will deliberate on the
same set of facts.

A tragedy has occurred: A family has lost a loved one and six Houston
police officers are going through a terrible ordeal. Until all the facts
are made public, we should use our heads and not be guided by emotions.

Hans Marticiuc, president, Houston Police Officers' Union