I did so badly want to sit this one out.
This letter was sparked by the Toya Graham article in The Sun but contains all my observations of recent weeks in Baltimore ("For 'hero mom,' video captures only part of her life's struggle," May 13). I've seen the video over and over as well as most of her TV appearances. My take on that is this: Why are we making this woman some kind of hero? Her name is Graham as is her father's who seems to have given her a feel for the importance of a father in a child's life. The oldest daughter had a different last name and I assumed it was that of her husband (I can only hope). Michael's last name is Singleton. No names were offered for her other children.
Why has this woman had six children out of wedlock?
As to her past offense, second-degree assault, isn't that the same as what we saw in the video?
Even in the worst neighborhood in Baltimore, it costs quite a bit to raise six children. While this woman was out of work, who was paying the bills? I like this woman and can only think of all the unwed moms in Baltimore who had sons in the riot who weren't out there taking their children home.
As to the deep-voiced police officer who has been making all the veiled threats of what might happen if State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby is successful in prosecuting the officers who have been charged, I must say that being a police officer does not make you immune from prosecution.
The recent article exposing the condition prisoners arrive at central booking is downright scary ("Freddie Gray among many suspects who do not get medical care from police," May 9). As a regular reader of The Sun, I've read of all the previous wrongs of the Baltimore City Police Department and am always amazed that how with the passage of time and the replacement of a key figurehead, business as usual continues to be the order of the day. If the knife was legal or not, there is no death penalty for possession of an illegal knife.
One last observation. Anyone who shows up at a peaceful demonstration with a flack jacket and gas mask is not there to peacefully demonstrate. This is and was an organized crime and should be treated as such. The gas masked individual who cut the fire hose to the CVS fire on national TV should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. I also am completely miffed that everyone arrested during this entire ordeal has been released without charges. It appears that Baltimore's ability to govern itself is in great question!
Steven Davidson, New Windsor