DA Hooper Should Have Answered Tough Questions
Editor,
The honeymoon’s over and it’s back to business as usual with the San Benito County Injustice System. By refusing to answer questions regarding her findings in the killing of Israel Guerrero, District Attorney Candice Hooper has clearly chosen to protect Sgt. Mike Rodrigues and political comrade Sheriff Curtis Hill, thus giving the appearance of a cover-up.
It appears Ms. Hooper has chosen to protect law enforcement no matter what the cost to her integrity.
As the top law enforcement official in this county and supposedly independent from the sheriff, Ms. Hooper should be held accountable and made to address the tough questions such as:
How do you justify the shooting of an unarmed man when two healthy, able-bodied deputies were present, with more help on the way? If the unarmed victim was shot in the back of the arm, how could he be facing Rodrigues and be an immediate danger to Rodrigues’ life?
I have two law enforcement acquaintances, one local and one out of town with a total of 36 years experience between the. They told me about worse situations they’ve faced without having to use deadly force. I asked why they didn’t step forward and repeat that publicly. Both said they would never cross the thin blue line or in this particular case the green and tan barricade to go against a brother officer.
Steve Smith wrote a column about heroism and the local sheriff’s departments handling of the alleged suicide of a man in an Aromas fire.
I respect Mr. Smith’s opinion, but he knows better than most: True heroism in this case will be when somebody from local law enforcement finally crosses that green and tan barricade and tells it like it is … Israel Guerrero should’ve never been shot with two healthy, able-bodied deputies present and more help on the way.
Ms. Hooper and local law enforcement should be ashamed of what they’ve done and continue to do to Israel Guerrero and his family.
My heartfelt sympathies go out to Israel’s family.
Larry Reimal, Hollister
