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District attorney candidate ‘spins’ truth, former legislator says

Posted 10/15/13

To the Editor: The recent letter from Mary Rain, district attorney candidate, stirred me to respond. It was fascinating to me as I read her interpretation of her parting with St. Lawrence County. I …

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District attorney candidate ‘spins’ truth, former legislator says

Posted

To the Editor:

The recent letter from Mary Rain, district attorney candidate, stirred me to respond. It was fascinating to me as I read her interpretation of her parting with St. Lawrence County. I do agree with her that conflict and collusion can indeed “cloud the landscape.”

As a former legislator, who was the board chair and first-hand witness to the events, my memory is not quite the same as hers. Unfortunately, while I am not at liberty, due to confidentiality issues, to provide any detail because of legal constraints, she has chosen to freely put her spin on past events.

As far as the race for district attorney is concerned, I believe that Mary Rain’s personal attacks are highly inflammatory and blatantly designed to discredit without accurate facts. For instance, Ms Rain says she has defeated our district attorney having met her “head to head” at trial in court so many times. Lets set things straight. The actual number is two trials face to face, both of which Nicole won.

Further evidence of Ms. Rain’s lack of accountability for the facts relates to her claim that she was never overwhelmed by the workload in the Public Defender’s Office. In fact, she has stated the exact opposite on numerous occasions; one only needs to use the internet to confirm news reports of this.

Lastly, Ms Rain’s exploitation of a grieving family is, frankly, disturbing. Criminal charges must be supported by facts and evidence. Someone cannot bring charges just because it is the politically expedient thing to do or because it would make people feel as if something is “being done.”

As our district attorney, Nicole Duve does not have the luxury of playing to the press or promising hurting families something that cannot happen. She also holds herself professionally to a higher standard, for which we should be very grateful in this county.

Frankly, we don’t need the kind of “help” that is being offered by her opponent. If you want to keep St. Lawrence County’s District Attorney’s Office a true representative of justice for the people, you will vote for Nicole Duve Nov. 5.

Sallie Brothers,

Norfolk