I am a longtime friend of Dennis Stafford. In fact, I’ve know
him my entire life. I’ve heard the heroic stories from his life as
a United States Marine serving in Vietnam. I have also seen his
accomplishments as a Deputy Sheriff first hand, like many of you
who have known Hollister as your home in the years past. Only a
naive and ambitious newcomer would not know that Dennis is a local
hero and that his stories will one day become legendary.
As I read through the article titled,
”
DA investigates predecessor’s ethics,
”
(Sept. 10) I was reminded of the many villains that Dennis
Stafford is to be given credit for successfully putting behind
bars.
I am a longtime friend of Dennis Stafford. In fact, I’ve know him my entire life. I’ve heard the heroic stories from his life as a United States Marine serving in Vietnam. I have also seen his accomplishments as a Deputy Sheriff first hand, like many of you who have known Hollister as your home in the years past. Only a naive and ambitious newcomer would not know that Dennis is a local hero and that his stories will one day become legendary.
As I read through the article titled, “DA investigates predecessor’s ethics,” (Sept. 10) I was reminded of the many villains that Dennis Stafford is to be given credit for successfully putting behind bars.
First to mind is Gus Marlow, a brilliantly deceitful man, and a predator who was able to remain indiscernible amongst his prey. I have not forgotten my friends that he killed. I have not forgotten the man who captured him, not once, but twice. I have not forgotten the many friends of mine who were spared the torment of spending their last moments being raped and beaten, all the while hearing and feeling the heavy breath of their killer upon them.
It is unthinkable for one to even entertain the idea of opening old wounds such as this, especially for an educated man. Furthermore, only a foolish man would choose to release this information on Sept. 11, the second anniversary of the most heinous act in United States history.
Mr. Sarsfield, what are you trying to accomplish by re-trying these cases? Justice? It cannot be your own personal vendetta because you haven’t lived in Hollister long enough to develop one. It cannot be justice, because as an educated man you already know the Brady Standard does not apply under these circumstances. There must be something else, so why don’t you just tell us all what the purpose of this new insight is?
The fact is that your attack is directed at Dennis Stafford. The reason for your attack is to as you have explained on Jan. 7 in the Free Lance article titled, “Sarsfield reflects on his first day as D.A,” “Sarsfield said he will work will local law enforcement to heal the rifts between the DA’s office and the Hollister Police Department and the Sheriff’s Department.”
You haven taken up arms with old rivals of Dennis Stafford to strengthen your position with them and are orchestrating an elementary school type of character assassination.
Before you continue with your “witch hunt” you may want to ask yourself, “Why hasn’t Curtis Hill tried this angle himself and why must I do it for him?” The answer is he’s a successful politician and he likes his job.
David Polanco, Hollister
