UNVERIFIED CLAIMS HURT REPUTATIONS

Editor:

I find the characterizations of the recent sniper homicides as being
"cocaine related" to be unsettling. Unless the toxicology reports on
the victims shows cocaine use, or drugs or paraphernalia were found on
the victims, it is very irresponsible of authorities to make these
claims. Obviously, Mr. Meadows and Ms. Patton cannot refute these
accusations.

If police are echoing false hearsay evidence of drug use, the grief
felt by the victims' families has been needlessly multiplied.

The thought of a bloodthirsty gunman randomly executing people is very
frightening to the public. However, trying to calm these fears at the
expense of the victims' reputations is worse.

Joseph Kennedy

Clendenin