THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, June 16, 1996 TAG: 9606140012
SECTION: COMMENTARY PAGE: J4 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 36 lines
I read the comments by Al and Delores Evans after the conviction of Billy Joe Brown for the murder of their daughter, Jennifer. They lashed out against the Navy.
Whom would they lash out against if the guys were roofers, or store clerks or salesmen? I don't see why the fact that the defendants in the case are Navy had anything to do with the murder.
Yes, we have a sick society. Yes, Jennifer's death is a tremendous loss. We must teach our children to be more careful. It's always dangerous for a female to leave a bar with a stranger. I feel Jennifer is a little responsible too.
I'm tired of the Navy being blamed for everything.
P. M. SAUER
Virginia Beach, June 4, 1996
Along with most Virginia Beach residents, I am saddened and distressed by the senseless and brutal slaying of Jennifer Evans while visiting our city last year.
The conviction of Billy Joe Brown lays to rest a portion of this tragedy, but I am upset that the family of the victim lays so much blame on the Navy and its selection process.
Like all systems and processes in this world, the selection for SEAL candidates is ultimately determined by humans, and therefore these systems and processes cannot be infalliable. Humans make mistakes. We try to learn by those mistakes but, sad to say, we will always make them.
I can only imagine the pain that Mr. and Mrs. Evans have been feeling, but the blame for this tragedy lies with the humans directly involved in it, not with a military-selection system.
BENJAMIN JACKSON
Virginia Beach, June 6, 1996 by CNB