-Caveat Lector- http://www.sacbee.com/news/calreport/calrep_story.cgi?N34.HTML City council apologizes for response to police shooting CLAREMONT, Calif. (AP) -- In a letter to the community, city officials apologized and asked for forgiveness for their widely criticized handling of a police shooting that left a black motorist dead. The letter, read at a council meeting Monday, comes after the city manager released the criminal history of the victim's uncle, a protest organizer, and endorsed the officers involved in the shooting as employees of the year. "We regret some of the actions of the city taken over the past several months have been divisive," the letter said. "The City Council and the city manager should have been more sensitive." The apology comes nearly a year after two Claremont police officers shot and killed 18-year-old Irvin Landrum Jr., setting off protests accusing the police of racism and coverups. Landrum was pulled over on Jan. 11, 1999, by officers Hany Hanna and Kent Jacks for speeding. He was killed after allegedly pulling an illegally concealed weapon and firing at them. A sheriff's investigation, however, showed the gun had not been fired, had no fingerprints and was last registered to a deceased police chief in a nearby town. The Los Angeles County district attorney's office found the officers were not criminally liable for the shooting. But Landrum's family contends the young man did not own a gun and says it was planted by police. The U.S. Justice Department is investigating. The council has decided to mail the letter to every home in the city once all five council members have signed it. "I am not proud of our insensitive lack of action," Mayor Karen Rosenthal said. Reaction Monday ranged from relief to skepticism. Many speakers at the council meeting blamed the city manager for making a bad situation worse. Former councilwoman Claire McDonald, who served in the 1970s, accused the council of failing to assert control over City Manager Glenn Southard, who released the criminal history of protest leader Obee Landrum. Landrum said he doubted the council's sincerity. "Am I supposed to believe this is a sincere effort when the mayor endorses (Southard) today?" he said. Southard defended his actions in a story published Monday in the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin. In that story, he defended his decision to release Obee Landrum's rap sheet. He said Landrum's record, which included two stints in prison for burglary and grand theft, made him a threat. Claremont is about 40 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. Problems? Suggestions? Let us hear from you. / Copyright � The Sacramento Bee -- ----------------------- NOTE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed without profit or payment to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this information for non-profit research and educational purposes only. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml ----------------------- DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance�not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
