Letters From the Issue of Thursday, May 10, 2007

SQUEEZING LEMONS

A true patriot speaks: I just read Stephen "Fat Boy" Lemon-head's blog about the counter-demonstration at the Beaner rally downtown the other day, and I'm sick and tired of him maligning true patriots who're defending this country from the invasion — and I do mean the invasion — of wetbacks from our south.

Lemons slams car dealer Rusty Childress, who out of no profit to himself helps keep the movement going. And he makes a big deal out of some so-called skinheads that may or may not have been present that day. Personally, I don't care how someone cuts their hair, as long as they're defending America. Come to think of it, the Marines cut their hair pretty short. Does that make them Nazis too? Lemons probably thinks so.

He even has the gall to make fun in his blog of Buffalo Rick Galeener, a wounded veteran, whom he should get down on his knees and thank for fighting for this country's freedom overseas. If I ever meet up with Lemon-boy, I plan to give him a little history lesson on what men like Buffalo have done for their flag. I'm sure he'll find it very educational.
Dan Bunker, SurpriseOUTRAGEOUS JUSTICE

Crying and screaming: I just read for the third time Sarah Fenske's outstanding, yet unbelievable, article about Cindy Monkman. I'm shocked! I'm so angry! I'm sitting here, wanting to cry and scream at the same time ("Sympathy for the Devil," April 26)! I totally agree with Sarah's opinions, and I share her emotions about what these two bastards are now trying to get away with.

I am so saddened by what Cindy Monkman's family must go through now, having to return to court and relive the pain and that hell, after Cindy was murdered by these monsters.

Cindy's so-called retarded husband manipulated, married, and murdered her with the help of his brother. These men, supposedly with low IQs, carefully and intelligently thought out, planned and performed what they did to Cindy . . . and everything they did before, during, and after!

And now it seems they've successfully conned a judge and possibly the judicial system? Give me a break! And please, please put tax money to better use!

Thank you, Sarah, for your powerful story. Thank you for informing the world of the details of this case. My sympathy and prayers go out to Cindy's sister, Kathy, and the rest of the Monkman family. I pray that you are resting in peace, Cindy darling.
Deanna G. Barton, Fairfield, ConnecticutJudging Sylvia: I think Judge Sylvia Arrellano is looking to make a name for herself via the Monkman case. She knows everything that was written in this article by Sarah Fenske, and more. Yet she continually sandbags the attorney general's office.

She tried to rule out any testimony about Michael and Rudy Apelt after they were adults, when deciding if they were mentally retarded or not.

She has thrown Cathy Hughes, the original prosecutor who convicted the killing duo, off the case. She has also overruled her own decisions. Recuse this judge!
Wendy Rodriguez, via the InternetWho’s the real con here?: I am sickened and appalled to learn what a mockery this murderer from Germany is making of the American justice system. The current judge in this case is an embarrassment to our system.

I am surprised to learn she is on the bench in the same county as "America's toughest sheriff." Judges like this one undo and/or undermine all the hard work of prosecutors everywhere with their asinine decisions.

Politicians and voters, please take note! Be very careful about who you put on the bench. It appears there are con artists from all walks of life.
Paula Gordon, via the InternetThe real question: I wasn't going to read your article, but then I gave in as I wanted to see what this was all about. It sickens me that perpetrators have more rights that the victims. How could people who are mentally retarded have the smarts to conjure up this whole scheme?

And you are right: Why do we give in to this?
Craig Benner, via the InternetSpare us another tragedy: Reading the article about Michael and Rudy Apelt and how they methodically plotted and killed Cindy Monkman, after satisfying their greed for money, brought me back to the chilling reminder of events that occurred more than 15 years ago.

As a business owner, I had hired an Arizona State University student who had recently graduated with an engineering degree. He saw Cindy frequently. On one occasion, she visited my business. I enjoyed talking with her very much, and she was absolutely full of life.

It was a very dark day for many of us when the chain of events unfolded as you have detailed in your article. To this day, I still have a heavy heart from the grief that so many people close to Cindy endured.

My sincere wish is to see the Arizona justice system step up to the plate and block the plea of mental retardation. Even though there is no act that can bring Cindy back, declaring Michael Apelt mentally incompetent would make a mockery of justice.