THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, October 10, 1994 TAG: 9410060011
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A8 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 29 lines
Am I missing something here? I read that former Lt. Col. Oliver North was ``acquitted,'' or ``found not guilty,'' or that his conviction was ``reversed on appeal.'' Does politics cause amnesia?
Those claims are just not true. The Court of Appeals ordered a new trial for North on the grounds that the judge had not adequately explained that tainted (immune) testimony had not been used in his trial. Ollie's co-conspirators in the administration sighed with relief and declined to retry the case.
No wonder. North had dropped hints that he might tell all. He still might, if it pays well enough.
I remember more. Even before the appeal was heard, senators argued he should be allowed to retire honorably, citing his poverty.
The real scandal is in our paying North a Marine's pension after he thrust aside the Constitution he had sworn to uphold.
SUSAN S. ROWELL
Virginia Beach, Sept. 30, 1994 by CNB