Extra Letters: On Efren Carrillo

Special treatment

EDITOR: I am very disappointed in the not guilty verdict for Supervisor Efren Carrillo. I can't imagine the terror I would experience if a nearly naked man were outside my window, tearing my screen and attempting to peek at me while I am sleeping in the middle of the night. The fact that she called the police after seeing him proves that she felt in danger.

His excuse — assuming that she would want to have sex with him because he assumes all women do — is ridiculous. Would this excuse work for any other man?

As always, if this were a random man doing this and not a public figure, he would have gotten a guilty verdict. After having a violent episode with a man outside a bar, and now this, I can't believe Carrillo was acquitted, let alone still remains in office.

I believe this is an issue of significant importance because protecting men accused of attempted violence against women is a step in the wrong direction. Let us teach our youth what is and isn't acceptable and that they have protection under the law when their safety is threatened, not the other way around.

JULIE RUBIN

Santa Rosa

Time to move on

EDITOR: If ever there was a story that needed to go away, Carrillogate is it.

JEFF BOYD

Santa Rosa

Compassion for Carrillo

EDITOR: You suggest that Efren Carrillo step down from his 5th District supervisorial seat because "we don't see how he can effectively represent his district and county" ("Efren Carrillo should step down," Editorial, Tuesday).

His trial by jury found him "not guilty." Carrillo himself admits to poor judgment regarding the alleged incident but has never admitted poor judgment in regard to his duties as supervisor.

Can we show compassion? Society continues to turn a cheek for the likes of alcohol- and cocaine-induced actor Lindsay Lohan, former President Bill Clinton, impeached in 1998, and golfer Tiger Woods, who embarrassed himself and the golf world by admitting his sex addiction.

We have forgiven because all three continue to demonstrate their talents in the world of work.

Let Carrillo demonstrate himself at work, allow his constituents to judge his actions and only hope he continues to remain clean and sober.

MARIA L. ABADESCO

Kenwood

True evaluation

EDITOR: Thank you for your true evaluation of this Carrillo person. He's a sexual predator who should be in a mental hospital or prison, not a county supervisor's office. We already have too many criminals in politics.

VERN HENDERSON

Santa Rosa

Carrillo's lesson

EDITOR: The bad news: It appears that Supervisor Efren Carrillo will evade legal consequences for his early morning sexual expedition. Even though the charge of peeking did not reflect either Carrillo's admitted aggressive behavior or the trauma to his intended victim, some sort of legal sanction was needed. Now it looks probable that he won't even resign as supervisor.

The good news: It was reassuring to read that Carrillo told police, "In retrospect, I should have had my pants on." A good public official will wisely learn from experience, and we see in Carrillo's statement just that kind of wisdom. I feel confident that the next time the police detain Carrillo for suspicious behavior at 3:30 a.m., he will most probably have his pants on.

FRED BAUER

Petaluma

Not our peers

EDITOR: I am astounded. I have served on a murder jury in Sonoma County. The guilty verdict we reached was vacated by another California court. I'd never replace the jury of peers, yet to release Supervisor Efren Carrillo is a conviction for Jane Doe for wasting the court's time. This verdict ignores conduct that we all would say is more than just bad. California law makes this part of the criminal code. These 12 are not our peers.

JOE BOYLE

Rohnert Park