New Haven Independent

Posted by: jeffreykerekes | February 27, 2008 10:50 AM

Interesting press release. Is it true? Can the NHI verify the allegations and print a correction or new story if this is true? I appreciate the NHI being open to criticism by linking to this story, no matter who is making the claim. I do not support that group, although I do support our community working together to get the facts as best we can so we, as a community, can react appropriately towards our elected officials. If this is true, I would appreciate the NHI following up on those claims and report them here.

Posted by: Paul Bass | February 27, 2008 11:17 AM

I agree it was an interesting release. I also agree that I, like any reporter, get snookered sometimes.

Here's why in this case I disagree: Dustin's argument is based on a statement made by a defense lawyer trying to keep a guy with a long rap sheet from going to jail for a long time. Of course the lawyer's going to say his client wasn't robbing anyone. Esp. since the victim's dead and not able to rebut it.

I don't consider that compelling evidence.

My article was based on interviews with the dead man's relatives and friends. So sure, they could be sugarcoating too. I judged them to be sincere, for what that's worth. I'd also heard stories about how immigrants were being targeted for robberies because, without bank accounts, they were known to have a lot of cash on them on payday -- which appeared to be the case here.

So I stand by the story. I also acknowledge that I could be wrong, and I appreciate efforts to hold our feet to the fire.

Posted by: FairHavenRes | February 27, 2008 11:34 AM

From Mr. Gold's website comment page, terms of usage:

By submitting your comments we reserve the right, at our sole discretion, to change, modify, add, or delete your comments and portions of these Terms of Use at any time without further notice.

Mr. Gold has the right to write whatever he wants. On his website, he has a right to manipulate whatever he wants. It is his little world or second life.

I prefer to share life with others in the real world, where we have to figure out how to live together as one community.

According to Mr. Gold's little world view, the report of the NHI was not accurate as to Mr. Santiago's immigration status nor as to the brutal assault that took his life. As he writes:
THAT'S NOT QUITE WHAT REALLY HAPPENED !!

When you look at things hard enough, without anyone to balance yourself, one ends up looking quite extreme, like Mr. Gold.

Mr. Gold selective quotations from the trial and even more myopic lens through which he views the life we share, outside of his second virtual reality life, would lead one to the conclusion that he is an expert spinner of conspiracy and intrigue.

What defense attourney would not try to get the jury to look at the plunging of a knife into Santiago's chest by Mr. Lespier, as self defense? Mr. Gold claims that robbery was not mentioned in the court charges. The prosecutor was not going to waste time on a lesser charge when a manslaughter conviction was a sure bet.

As far as the status of Mr. Santiago, whether illegal or legal, he was Mexican and he was a victim of a crime, because someone thought they could get away with it.

It seems that the police union president, Sgt C, is angling for leverage against the mayor and the city. If I were the good Sgt Calivere and the police that elect him as their union president, I would consider being quoted by Mr. Gold as a liability rather than a political asset.

Please Paul Bass, I do hope you make a response to Mr. Gold. Perhaps you might have better success in taking him out of his second life of virtual reality.

Posted by: Chris Gray | February 28, 2008 2:53 AM

While I heartily agree with FairHavenRes' sentiments, the question of Mr. Santiago's immigration status is not resolved by your response, Paul.

Posted by: Paul Bass | February 28, 2008 8:44 AM

Chris -- Yes, Mr. Santiago was here illegally. That was made clear in the original story. The issue was whether being stabbed to death trying to hold onto hard-earned pay -- because immigrants feared going to the cops -- was part of the price we want immigrants to pay in this city, as the police union and the Community Watchdog Project argue.