
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, April 7, 1991                   TAG: 9104090486
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: D-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

FOR POLICE, SHOE NOW ON OTHER FOOT

IT IS INDEED ironic that the presumption of innocence, often so frustrating to police officers in the proper performance of their duties, is now to be accorded the Roanoke city police officers involved in the shooting of Leonard A. Morris. These officers are entitled to that presumption, just as are the persons they arrest.

As one who has defended police officers (including those in Roanoke city) on charges of excessive force, and as one who has also been arrested by a Roanoke city officer, I know that whoever passes judgment must view the situation as it reasonably appeared to the officers at the time. There will always be a question of fact unique to each case.

Those police officers who are impatient with the "technicalities" of criminal justice and who resent the efforts of defense attorneys to aggressively represent their clients should now be thankful that their fellow officers are themselves entitled to be presumed innocent. RAYMOND R. ROBRECHT SALEM

by CNB