INNOCENT VICTIM OF GANG WAR

The 50 dead young men referred to in the May 25 front-page article " 'The
mythical Bindy' cocaine dealer," were willing participants in a crooked
lifestyle where violence is an accepted risk. But the article failed to
mention that innocent people have been victims because they were in the
wrong place at the wrong time, while these criminals perpetuate this
seemingly never-ending brutal cycle.

Glen Olson was a shy, friendly and soft-spoken young man who was just short
of his 30th birthday. He had returned to school to further build up his
already excellent computer skills. His neighbour was Bindy Johal. Late one
night in 1994 while taking his dog out for a walk, Mr. Olson was killed by
several shots by a killer lying in wait who mistook him for Mr. Johal.

It is debatable how much effort should be made over the deaths of 50
criminals, but any innocent casualty is unacceptable. No matter what, no
one should ever be allowed to jeopardize the safety of the broader community.

If lawyer Russ Chamberlain is so concerned about discrimination and
injustice, he should be spending more time promoting individual and
community responsibility instead of defending crooks and trying to
decriminalize drugs.

Wallace Oyama

Vancouver