More dropped charges

More and more, Colorado’s Criminal Justice System works for the criminals. It works against the citizens and victims. Colorado is becoming well known for its “soft-on-crime” policies. Another criminal has gone free because he’s “incompetent to assist in his defense.” I ask you, if he’s incompetent to assist in his defense, what makes him competent to run the streets free? Why are the charges dropped?

Latest basic details: A 21-year old caused a brain injury in an “altercation” with another person. The victim spent a substantial time in the hospital and rehabilitation and has mostly recovered. The 21-year-old was charged with second-degree attempted murder, has a record of violent behavior and was detained in Weld County jail. Here is why he was released: He is from another country, does not have an education, does not understand how this country’s criminal justice system works and what it could do to him. Restoration services could have been ordered, to include the necessary education. Without that, how can they say he was “not restorable to competency”? Since when can he not be taught the criminal justice system and how it works? So, he’s back on the streets and no one knows where he is!

Previously, basic details: In Monument, an individual dragged and then ran over a woman, killing her. He knew he had done it. He stated that he “felt two bumps”. He turned himself in and admitted to it. But he was deemed incompetent to assist in his defense, so the charges were dropped and he’s free and on the streets. If he was incompetent to assist in his defense, how was he competent to state that he knew he had run over her? Again, why were restoration services not ordered? He was competent enough to know he had run over her to turn himself in and say he had done that.

In the article in The Gazette on Thursday, Gov. Jared Polis called the situation, and I quote: “absolutely unacceptable”. Well, Governor. You signed HB 24-1034 on June 4, 2024. Fix it.

Billie Nigro

Colorado Springs

A unique American talent

Clarence Page wrote, “I deplore Kirk’s politics.” What is about his politics that he dislikes? Is it Kirk’s emphasis on free and open debate, family values, Christian living, hard work, community involvement in issues, opportunities for all regardless of race, color, creed or national origin, free market economics, and life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness that bothers him? Kirk debated the issues and without denigrating his opponents. I think he was a unique American talent, and we should honor him for his hard work and creativity.

Sam Taylor

Colorado Springs

Law-abiding citizens and guns

It is unfortunate that mass killings happen in schools, grocery stores, churches, military bases, city streets and theaters. We should pray for the understanding and comfort for those loved ones who are left behind.

There have been criminals on earth for thousands of years. Since they are criminals and have deranged minds they will work hard on obtaining weapons to kill people such as guns, explosives and moving vehicles.

A great help for this unfortunate problem is for legislation to be passed and signed to encourage law-abiding citizens to carry concealed guns in person. This would help the criminals to go somewhere else where citizens cannot protect themselves.

Also, this will help more people to be alive and have less injuries if the criminal was shot by a law-abiding citizen immediately when they hear and see a mass murder taking place.

Law enforcement cannot be everywhere at all times.

Article 11 of the U.S. Constitution says: “… the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.”

There are close to 10,000 state and national laws written for people to not be able to use or carry fire arms. Do you really think that the criminal will know about these laws and obey them?

Our country needs to encourage the many law-abiding citizens to carry concealed fire arms.

Jim Welker

Colorado Springs

This is not worship of God

I entered wonderland when I read Douglas Sharp’s manifesto for the “need for progressive theology.” (Gazette, Sept. 14). Sharp did not define “progressive” other than to wash it with generalized platitudes about “comforting the afflicted and to hold the comfortable accountable.” This article is laced with gaslighting about the “Republican Party in decline,”and generalities with no specifics about what is “progressive.”

Allow me to provide a service to Gazette readers and interpret Sharp’s meaning when he stated the following: “What Colorado Springs needs is more progressive theological voice.” Translation: Progressive is the new term for leftist or extreme left wing. Adding this term to theology is like slipping in Marxist ideology under the cover of a pulpit. It is for man.

It is not a worship of God. And that is where it breaks down. Progressives have been very critical of Christianity and Judaism, and it has been my experience that progressives have no use for any religion except the religion of progressiveness.

Michael Menza

Colorado Springs