Surely a thorough investigation should be conducted to determine the facts. —Barbara Stratton

Received Thursday on Georgia Governor Nathan concerning this alleged suicide. -jsq

With all due respect to Mr. Rhynes, who I consider a friend, no one knows all the facts in this hanging death of an inmate and yes all prisoners should be protected even against themselves for liability and ethical reasons. However, if I had just committed and confessed a murder I personally might prefer suicide, probably because I would think I did not deserve to live if the shooting was not in self defense. Perhaps Mr. Rizer was of that opinion, and if so he should have the freedom to make his own choices. Yes, I know about the Baker Act, know all the correct answers to pass suicide prevention training, and I have the Wingman card with rules for suicide prevention in my wallet. However, I am still a believer in free will including suicide. If there were any circumstances that contributed to his ending of his life against his will then surely a thorough investigation should be conducted to determine the facts.

Moving on from those opinionated considerations I am confused that following the Travon Martin case in Florida where a black was shot and killed, just as in this original incident the black community applauded bounties being put on the head of the accused because he was not black. Now, in this case of a black death by shooting the black community is coming to the aid of the accused, who confessed to the murder over a bad drug deal. Where is the racial equality in the opinions generated by these two incidents? The black community lost a victim in each case, but the accused perpetrator is being considered in one case as a worthless life to be triumphantly sacrificed and in this case as a life that should have been protected from any harm including self harm. When will we be able to experience the analyzing of the news without racial bias from any race and when will we be able to discuss these issues honestly as friends, respect each other’s opinions, and not be afraid of reprisal from racial antagonists?

-Barbara Stratton

I kind of like Peter Bella’s characterization of the “marginal comedy troupe” that advertised the bounty, and I haven’t seen anybody else take it any more seriously, other than people who want to use it as a distraction. It’s good to see increasing agreement among people around here that jail deaths of any kind need investigation.

-jsq