THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, July 29, 1994 TAG: 9407290008
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 28 lines
I read with shock ``Coin collection of marijuana suspect is sold at auction'' (news, July 13).
Having seized the property of Ray R. Giampoala on Feb. 10, police Capt. Robert E. Wash proclaims that the coin collection was obtained ``from proceeds from the drug trade.''
What monumental hubris that this Police Department sees no need to wait one more week until the man's trial before selling his coin collection. This ghoulish feeding frenzy before any conviction of criminal behavior was reported like a celebration.
Perhaps allowing the proceeds from seized property to enrich the Police Department should be rethought. It is too much like hiring the fox to guard the henhouse.
MARY KWIATKOWSKI
Norfolk, July 14, 1994 by CNB