Letters from the Issue of June 1, 2006

Just a lawyer with Web access: I am writing, not only to call you out for printing an out-of-date, recycled story, but to make a few clarifications and comments about Robert Powell's "Four Wheels, No Breaks" (May 25). I have never been involved in the prosecution of former Oakland Raider Barrett Robbins. I believe the author, who I actually think is a decent guy — and I am sure enjoyed the free drinks I scored for him a while back — confused this with the arrest of Antrel Rolle in 2004. I was assigned his case and, let's see, oh yeah, I dropped it.

As to the recent case: Even though I have left the state attorney's office to pursue my own law practice, I will continue to honor my duty by remaining silent regarding the guilt or innocence of Mr. Taylor. It was never personal and I was only doing my job as a prosecutor, just as I had done it to the best of my ability for six years.

I offered the guy probation and in turn his attorneys flipped my life upside-down for a big paycheck. I put those links on my online diary site to update friends on what I was doing with my life, and for no other reason. I am sure the defense's intent was not to cause me to lose my job (I hope), but they should have known their tactics would result in irreparable personal and professional damage.

I am still smiling and standing tall, and they are the ones who have to look into the mirror at night — and it is probably a really expensive mirror. Fact: Most prosecutors are overworked and underpaid. I was one of them. I will never apologize for working through my weekends to pay my bills, especially when there are others at that office making six figures to play crosswords all day.

But I do apologize if any of my former colleagues suffered in any way from my situation. I would like to say thank you to New Times for picking, by far, the least flattering picture of me out of the bunch to print and for making no effort to get a comment from me for the story. And finally, I would like to say a big "you're welcome" to all the lawyers, doctors, teachers, etc. who took down their MySpace page after I got publicly screwed for having a social life. And yes, it still stings a little.

Michael Grieco
Miami Beach

Those lawyers with Web access stink: Regarding "Four Wheels, No Breaks": Why were the charges against the men transporting the stolen ATV dropped? Considering the current charges against Taylor — with Hill as the main witness — it smells fishy to me.

They need to clean house in the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office. There's more than the DJ. If someone believes this office's ideals of truth and justice are fair and legal, they are being misled.

Steven Wheeling
Stafford, Virginia

Writers and cops are also uncool: Robert Andrew Powell, the writer of the article "Four Wheels, No Breaks," is neglectful in his opinion of Sean Taylor. A writer has responsibility, which Powell has abused by calling Sean Taylor a basketcase. We should not judge Taylor on allegations that have not been proven. Instead let's await a final verdict.

Sean Taylor is a great football player who has not yet learned that there are people whom he has to let go. He should also change his state address because Florida has no love for him.

Sean Taylor is the most devastating safety in the NFL today and deserves a fan base that is loyal. He should move to Potomac, Maryland or somewhere in Northern Virginia like that rest of the best D.C. football players. This move would suit him best, reflect his dedication to the Washington metro area, and create a better fan base.

The fact that a prosecutor has left the case and should be disbarred is only the surface of the hatred that Florida has for Mr. Taylor. How can he receive a fair trial here? There is an absence of justice and accountability.

So Sean Taylor grew up in a poverty-stricken area. What does that have to do with the allegations?

If a police officer thought Mr. Taylor had a concealed firearm, why did he not ask for an arrest warrant? It seems that the police have issues with professional athletes.

Has it been considered that the accusers fabricated the story against Mr. Taylor to save their own hides from imprisonment after stealing his property? What makes these criminals believe they have the right to steal what he has worked for? To say Sean Taylor is the offender is a criminal act in itself.

Joseph Anan
Washington, D.C.