'ALLEGED DRUG DEALERS' ARE NOT 'YOUNGSTERS'

To the Editor of THE EAGLE:- I must take exception to the use of the term
"youngsters" in reference to the defendants who were affected by District
Attorney Capeless' decision to pursue the school zone violation charges in
the Great Barrington drug distribution cases. (Eagle, May 12).

If, as the article stated, all the defendants are 17 years of age or older,
they are adults in the view of the criminal justice system. Calling them
"youngsters" confers upon them a aura of innocence that is inappropriate in
this situation. Just go ahead and call them alleged drug dealers.

Katherine O'Brien

Pittsfield