CHARGING TEEN WITH MURDER IS UNJUST

To the Editor:

After reading the story of 18-year-old Brandi Gussow being charged with
murder in the death of her brother, I find myself wondering whether the
prosecutor's office is aware of the true public perception of this gross
miscarriage of justice.

I find it easy to believe that Brandi gave her brother LSD and that he
subsequently walked out into traffic and was killed. What I find difficult
to believe is that the authorities who are charging her with murder paused
even briefly to consider modesty as a better choice than overly aggressive
law enforcement in a situation like this.

This is an obvious attempt by authorities to curry favor with a public fed
up with drugs in the youth culture. The father has expressed no interest in
this brand of justice being applied, just the opposite in fact, and he is
the citizen bereaved, along with Brandi herself.

Perhaps this girl is guilty of some crime, but it certainly isn't murder.
The Williamson County authorities should restrain themselves lest they
become no better than the true criminals they put behind bars. Let this
poor girl go back to her tortured family.

Nick Bruno,

Nashville 37211