Evidence, schmevidence: It was so brave of Paul Rubin to write the story of Sally Carbajal's murder and her disputes with her ex-husband, Danny ("Family Secrets," Paul Rubin, June 23).
I mean, how much more evidence do the cops need to make arrests? I hope this story pushes them to do more, and I hope that justice is served.
Name withheld by request
Dramatis personae: What an interesting story about Sally Carbajal! Chilling, really.
If I were Paul Rubin, I would watch my back. It sounds like Danny Carbajal is no stranger to the city's dark side.
The way Sally and her boyfriend died is something out of a TV police drama. Can you imagine . . . you walk out of your home and tat-tat-tat! And then, tat-tat-tat! Your lives are over.
I just pray that the police are able to avenge the deaths of those two innocent people by bringing everybody involved to justice.
Bobbi Moon, via the Internet
Bad Cop, Bad Cop
To protect and serve: The story of Luciano Arriaga Jr. is pure and simple about a bad, bad cop -- despite what letter writer Dante Newman thinks ("Just Don't Defend Yourself," Letters, June 30)!
This officer obviously did not follow departmental rules! It sounds from your earlier story ("Thunder Road," Michael Lacey, June 16) like he has a drinking problem, as well as anger issues. I'm saddened that police departments aren't aware of such problems when they hire. This person did not have any business carrying a badge or a baton -- much less a gun.
When law enforcement employees take their oath under Arizona Post guidelines, they promise to protect the public. They promise under oath that they will carry themselves with the highest integrity.
What happened to Warren B. Poole's integrity?
To be demoted from the SWAT team after his DUI was just too much for him. He should have been counseled extensively. The Phoenix Police Department should have addressed these problems. An innocent person was almost executed.
Luciano Arriaga Jr. was only defending himself from a horrible attack. I hope my son does the same thing if his life is threatened in such a cruel manner.
Our family is praying for the Arriagas. Hopefully, the City of Phoenix will compensate the family for all it has lost and then some.
Sally Eatherly, Mesa
Weather report: First of all, it was not a "dark and stormy night" in south Phoenix on February 6, 2002, as letter writer Dante Newman wrote. It was 9 a.m. Extreme caution should have been used, yes, but by Luciano Arriaga Jr. The wacko cop almost killed an innocent person!
When an individual applies for a job as a police officer, he or she agrees to uphold the law, with the utmost integrity. You must swear to serve and protect the public and use common sense. You must accept the responsibility to put yourself in danger from the criminal element.
This crazy cop did not do any of the above. When an officer goes on a drunken spree and visits many strip joints in Phoenix and is involved in an accident -- and arrested -- this act alone doesn't represent exemplary behavior by a public official. Especially just before he is due for work.
This is scary! And I hope and pray that at 9 a.m., or at any other time, I don't run into a cop like Warren B. Poole.
I pray for the Arriagas, and I pray and hope another trial, which is a waste of taxpayer money, isn't held. How outrageous to spend our tax dollars for three trials when the cop was in the wrong!
Poole should fall on his knees and apologize to the Arriaga family and very quietly fade into the dusk to seek counseling for his dependency on alcohol.
I have the utmost respect for the Arriagas and for Luciano Jr. for the courageous act of standing up against the City of Phoenix and its corrupt cop! The city needs to admit it made a mistake when it hired and then tolerated such behavior from an employee who's supposed to uphold the law.
Jason David Stoddard, Clovis, California
Pain and suffering: Our family's prayers go to the family of Luciano Arriaga Jr. We think they are very courageous and commend them for standing up for their rights.
How horrible it must have been for the parents while Luciano was in prison! We don't wish this happening to our very worst enemies.
Why the City of Phoenix is covering up for Officer Warren B. Poole, I don't understand, except for maybe the liability involved. The city needs to leave the family alone, and it needs to pay them for all their suffering and emotional trauma.
Hector and Molly Morin, via the Internet
Trauma and heartbreak: We have four sons, and we pray to God we never have to face what the Arriagas have gone through. To lose one's savings, retirement and all that one works for in life is a tragedy.
That is not even to mention all the emotional trauma and heartbreak of having a child in prison for a crime he didn't do. This police officer should be ashamed of what he did to this family. Officer Warren Poole should apologize for all his wrongdoing.
The City of Phoenix, as well, should apologize and correct the wrong it did to the Arriagas. The money the city and Maricopa County are wasting on a senseless third trial should go to the Arriagas so they can build the retirement home they had planned.
The city took away a family member when it put Luciano Arriaga Jr. in prison. That must have been so stressful for his parents and brother. I pray that this family gets their lives back.
Lisa Aquino, Bakersfield, California
Family values: This is such a horrible thing to happen to a family. I commend the Arriagas for supporting their son.
The City of Phoenix needs to admit fault and fire the officer involved. How can it allow him to stay on?!
Also, the case must be dropped. Don't waste any more taxpayer funds for this third trial. Louie Arriaga needs to be left alone to heal along with his family.
Sally Aguilar, Pinedale, California
A threat to society: Yes, I would also like to know what to do to get this cop off the streets. In fact, it is the City of Phoenix's responsibility to get him off the streets. He should be fired and given medical attention for his problems.
He almost killed a human being, for what? The running of a stop sign! The officer who stopped him didn't follow the guidelines that an officer of the law is supposed to follow. Then, the officer is given only a slap on the hand!
Yes, this is very scary. I would not want to run into Officer Warren Poole in a dark alley, or in any alley. He is a threat to society.
Jaime Fuentez, Selma, California
Trial an error: The county attorney should drop the charges against Luciano Arriaga Jr. The fact that the county wants to take him to trial a third time is simply outrageous! What a waste of taxpayer money.
All that money Luciano's family had to spend on defense, my God! That was supposed to be for a retirement home after years of working.
I read that Mr. Arriaga Sr. is a veteran of the armed services. What a disgrace to his family after promising to give his life for his country. What was done to this family is such a tragedy. All because a sick cop, probably with a hangover that morning, used poor judgment.
This case needs to be closed. It has dragged on too long!
Michael Wiger, via the Internet
Capital Gains
Contrary Mary: I was appalled, but not surprised (I moved to [Arizona] from the Chicago area, where corrupt politicians abound), after reading your column about Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox ("Sweetheart Deal," John Dougherty, June 16). There are not many things worse than an elected public official using her office for personal gain and benefit.
And when exposed, such public officials always seem to have the same weak reply: "I don't remember, I don't know, I don't recall, I didn't check, I thought everything was okay."
If Mary Rose Wilcox is so ignorant of what's happening in real life, she isn't smart enough to be a supervisor!
Wonder if Sheriff Joe Arpaio picked up any of the property he refuses to tell New Times about in a similar manner?
I was still thinking about elected public officials screwing the public -- and how there are not many things worse -- when I read about Luciano Arriaga Jr. in the same [edition of New Times].
His story is an example of an even greater abuse of power. This story is about a lying, drinking, lunatic bigot with a gun who's sworn to "serve and protect." Arriaga should be given a public apology, a full pardon, and a very, very large check!
Both of these cases should be referred to a grand jury. APS should be investigated as well. And the feds should take an active interest in both cases.
Please don't print my name and address. I have to drive through Maricopa County and Phoenix to get to Sky Harbor Airport, and I wouldn't look good in pink underwear.
Name withheld by request
