LETTERS

The Jackson Case



In “A Case of Rape” (October issue) one huge, nagging question kept leaping from this case to my mind – why didn’t the defense test a sample of Lewis’ hair to see if it had the same characteristics as Jackson’s? The expert said onlv one in every 1.5 million people has that kind of hair, but that includes all people everywhere. Sure, the odds were slim, but that doesn’t eliminate the possibility that Lewis had the same type hair as Jackson. If the defense was so convinced of Jackson’s innocence and thought Lewis was the man, why didn’t they run the test on Lewis’ hair? It can only be because if they had, and it didn’t check out, that would eliminate Lewis as a possibility and would have heavily damaged the defense. But in the quest for justice and truth, wasn’t it the thing to do?

David Byers

Los Angeles, Cal.



Editor’s Note: Good question. According The Jackson Case



In “A Case of Rape” (October issue) one huge, nagging question kept leaping from this case to my mind – why didn’t the defense test a sample of Lewis’ hair to see if it had the same characteristics as Jackson’s? The expert said onlv one in every 1.5 million people has that kind of hair, but that includes all people everywhere. Sure, the odds were slim, but that doesn’t eliminate the possibility that Lewis had the same type hair as Jackson. If the defense was so convinced of Jackson’s innocence and thought Lewis was the man, why didn’t they run the test on Lewis’ hair? It can only be because if they had, and it didn’t check out, that would eliminate Lewis as a possibility and would have heavily damaged the defense. But in the quest for justice and truth, wasn’t it the thing to do?

David Byers

Los Angeles, Cal.



Editor’s Note: Good question. According to the District Attorney’s office, the test wasn’t run on Lewis because the neutron activation testing used in the Jackson case requires that the sets of hair samples compared be extracted within 70 days of one another. The hairs were taken from the victim’s bed on November 28; the hairs from Jackson extracted on January 16 – making the samples, at least, scientifically valid. The earliest that hairs could have been extracted from John L. Lewis would be about mid-March, when he began confessing to the Michaels/ Moore crimes. That is a time span almost twice the established limits for testing validity.



I would like to commend Jim Atkinson on outstanding literary work on the Jackson story. It was very well put together and both fair and just to each side. The excellent manner in which he presented to the District Attorney’s office, the test wasn’t run on Lewis because the neutron activation testing used in the Jackson case requires that the sets of hair samples compared be extracted within 70 days of one another. The hairs were taken from the victim’s bed on November 28; the hairs from Jackson extracted on January 16 – making the samples, at least, scientifically valid. The earliest that hairs could have been extracted from John L. Lewis would be about mid-March, when he began confessing to the Michaels/ Moore crimes. That is a time span almost twice the established limits for testing validity.



I would like to commend Jim Atkinson on outstanding literary work on the Jackson story. It was very well put together and both fair and just to each side. The excellent manner in which he presented the facts of the Jackson case will I hope have a beneficial impact upon the administration of criminal justice in Dallas County. I have received numerous favorable comments about the story from many acquaintances and members of the bench and bar.

Charles W. Tessmer

Attorney at Law

Dallas



Basic fairness to the 12 jurors who convicted Jackson, to the two victims who positively identified him and all others connected with his prosecution should dictate that your article include, at least, the following items which you omitted.

the facts of the Jackson case will I hope have a beneficial impact upon the administration of criminal justice in Dallas County. I have received numerous favorable comments about the story from many acquaintances and members of the bench and bar.

Charles W. Tessmer

Attorney at Law

Dallas



Basic fairness to the 12 jurors who convicted Jackson, to the two victims who positively identified him and all others connected with his prosecution should dictate that your article include, at least, the following items which you omitted.

(1) The Defense contention that the offensewas committed by Lewis rather thanJackson was so thoroughly discreditedduring the trial that the defense attorney conceded in his final argument thatLewis was not the assailant.

(2) The alibi presented by the Defense deteriorated on cross-examination to thepoint that the Defense Attorney didnot even call some of the alibi witnesseswho testified at the first trial, thoughthey were available.

(3) The highly experienced polygraph examiner who conducted Jackson’s lie-detector test unequivocally determinedthat Jackson was lying when he deniedthat he raped one victim, and robbedand shot both victims in the case.

(4) Shortly after the offense, the two victims composed a composite drawing ofthe assailant that resembled Jacksonto a degree seldom accomplished inthe use of composites to identify criminals.

(5) The assailant’s revolver had two emp(1) The Defense contention that the offensewas committed by Lewis rather thanJackson was so thoroughly discreditedduring the trial that the defense attorney conceded in his final argument thatLewis was not the assailant.

(2) The alibi presented by the Defense deteriorated on cross-examination to thepoint that the Defense Attorney didnot even call some of the alibi witnesseswho testified at the first trial, thoughthey were available.

(3) The highly experienced polygraph examiner who conducted Jackson’s lie-detector test unequivocally determinedthat Jackson was lying when he deniedthat he raped one victim, and robbedand shot both victims in the case.

(4) Shortly after the offense, the two victims composed a composite drawing ofthe assailant that resembled Jacksonto a degree seldom accomplished inthe use of composites to identify criminals.

(5) The assailant’s revolver had two empty chambers, as he dry-fired it twice before shooting the victims. Jackson’s two revolvers recovered from his residence were loaded in the same unusual manner, with two empty chambers.

(6) The assailant attempted to gain entryinto the victim’s apartment by askingto use the phone. She declined, but offered to make the call while he waitedoutside. She had him repeat the number 3 or 4 times and memorized it inpreparation to make the call. The number turned out to be a non-existent fabrication. The first two digits of this number were the Rl exchange and, the subsequent three digits were 582. The latter three numbers were Jackson’s autolicense plate number, a number whichhe accurately recalled during his trialtestimony, before learning that the connection had been discovered.

(7) Lewis lied to the jury by denying that ty chambers, as he dry-fired it twice before shooting the victims. Jackson’s two revolvers recovered from his residence were loaded in the same unusual manner, with two empty chambers.

(6) The assailant attempted to gain entryinto the victim’s apartment by askingto use the phone. She declined, but offered to make the call while he waitedoutside. She had him repeat the number 3 or 4 times and memorized it inpreparation to make the call. The number turned out to be a non-existent fabrication. The first two digits of this number were the Rl exchange and, the subsequent three digits were 582. The latter three numbers were Jackson’s autolicense plate number, a number whichhe accurately recalled during his trialtestimony, before learning that the connection had been discovered.

(7) Lewis lied to the jury by denying that he bowled at the Cotton Bowling Pal-ace, a location frequented by Jackson. In rebuttal, Lewis’ wife testified he had taken her there approximately five times during a few months time. Lewis’ evasion strengthened the State’s contention of contact between Jackson and Lewis and that the victim’s watch changed hands from Jackson to Lewis during gambling on bowling games at the Cotton Bowling Palace, a pastime in which Jackson admittedly participated.

The above factors must be considered in conjunction with the fact that Jackson was positively identified as the assailant by two bright and observant witnesses, and that a neutron activation analysis he bowled at the Cotton Bowling Pal-ace, a location frequented by Jackson. In rebuttal, Lewis’ wife testified he had taken her there approximately five times during a few months time. Lewis’ evasion strengthened the State’s contention of contact between Jackson and Lewis and that the victim’s watch changed hands from Jackson to Lewis during gambling on bowling games at the Cotton Bowling Palace, a pastime in which Jackson admittedly participated.

The above factors must be considered in conjunction with the fact that Jackson was positively identified as the assailant by two bright and observant witnesses, and that a neutron activation analysis matched Jackson’s hair to hairs left at the scene of the attack. The probability of this match occurring between hair samples from two different persons is one chance in one and one-half million. Taken as a whole, the evidence of Jackson’s guilt is extremely strong.

In contrast, the defenses which were raised disintegrated under close inspection and were rejected by two separate juries as being false or erroneous. These 24 citizens personally heard the full testimony, observed the witnesses and judged their credibility. These 24 citizens were in the best position to accurately evaluate this case and to render the proper verdict.

Russ Ormesher

Chief Felony Prosecutor

Dallas County



A Case of Indigestion?



Effective immediately, we are cancelling our ad for Houlihan’s Old Place in D Magmatched Jackson’s hair to hairs left at the scene of the attack. The probability of this match occurring between hair samples from two different persons is one chance in one and one-half million. Taken as a whole, the evidence of Jackson’s guilt is extremely strong.

In contrast, the defenses which were raised disintegrated under close inspection and were rejected by two separate juries as being false or erroneous. These 24 citizens personally heard the full testimony, observed the witnesses and judged their credibility. These 24 citizens were in the best position to accurately evaluate this case and to render the proper verdict.

Russ Ormesher

Chief Felony Prosecutor

Dallas County



A Case of Indigestion?



Effective immediately, we are cancelling our ad for Houlihan’s Old Place in D Magazine. The article entitled “Guess What’s Coming With Dinner” negatively reflects on the entire restaurant industry. The use of distorted illustrations and sensational headlines unfairly represents restaurants in the Dallas area. The article was written in poor taste considering many of your advertisers are restaurants. Perhaps the next time you will mention the excellent quality, service and atmosphere that is demonstrated at the establishments that serve a large portion of your population.

Teede Stipich

Account Executive

Studio 100 Advertising

Dallas

1 think you have done the darn near impossible . . . create a magazine of such quality, interest, integrity and honesty, along with making it financially sound at the same time, I just think you ought to azine. The article entitled “Guess What’s Coming With Dinner” negatively reflects on the entire restaurant industry. The use of distorted illustrations and sensational headlines unfairly represents restaurants in the Dallas area. The article was written in poor taste considering many of your advertisers are restaurants. Perhaps the next time you will mention the excellent quality, service and atmosphere that is demonstrated at the establishments that serve a large portion of your population.

Teede Stipich

Account Executive

Studio 100 Advertising

Dallas

1 think you have done the darn near impossible . . . create a magazine of such quality, interest, integrity and honesty, along with making it financially sound at the same time, I just think you ought to hear a good word from someone for a change . . . because God knows I know you hear enough of the bad.

D Magazine is to be praised particularly for the guts it had to publish the restaurant story in the November issue . . . particularly when some of these same people listed for violations were some of your very own advertisers. That’s certainly showing more guts than either Dallas newspaper has ever done!

Bob Lawler

Dallas



I would imagine that you have been bombarded with calls and letters concerning your recent restaurant-health article (November issue). As a restaurant owner I know how upsetting these articles hear a good word from someone for a change . . . because God knows I know you hear enough of the bad.

D Magazine is to be praised particularly for the guts it had to publish the restaurant story in the November issue . . . particularly when some of these same people listed for violations were some of your very own advertisers. That’s certainly showing more guts than either Dallas newspaper has ever done!

Bob Lawler

Dallas



I would imagine that you have been bombarded with calls and letters concerning your recent restaurant-health article (November issue). As a restaurant owner I know how upsetting these articles can be – but as they say, “It sure as heck was newsworthy.”

As for the Thumb Award, I want you to know that I’ve killed the worm and shot the waiter.

Gene Street

President, Prufrock Ltd.

Dallas



On the Square



When my husband and I retired from Dallas and moved to our ranch, we decided to leave Dallas behind, but after reading Jane Sumner’s article on Thanks-Giving Square (November issue), we are very glad we kept up our subscription to D Magazine. We returned last July and saw the big white elephant that developed in that good old triangle next to the Republic Bank building. We missed the lunch places that were there, like the great charcoal burger place on Bryan, innumerable barbecue places, the good old famous oyster bar, and the Pulley-Bone and Tea Room.

Downtown Dallas is dying and there sits that monstrosity just one block from can be – but as they say, “It sure as heck was newsworthy.”

As for the Thumb Award, I want you to know that I’ve killed the worm and shot the waiter.

Gene Street

President, Prufrock Ltd.

Dallas



On the Square



When my husband and I retired from Dallas and moved to our ranch, we decided to leave Dallas behind, but after reading Jane Sumner’s article on Thanks-Giving Square (November issue), we are very glad we kept up our subscription to D Magazine. We returned last July and saw the big white elephant that developed in that good old triangle next to the Republic Bank building. We missed the lunch places that were there, like the great charcoal burger place on Bryan, innumerable barbecue places, the good old famous oyster bar, and the Pulley-Bone and Tea Room.

Downtown Dallas is dying and there sits that monstrosity just one block from Elm Street. Glad I live in the country and don’t have to pay taxes for the next big idea the leaders of Dallas come up with.

Ruth K. Wood

Rosenberg, Texas



Jane Sumner’s article was an excellent piece of reporting.

But on Mr. Monnig, I said “S. O. B.,” not the full version quoted. My mother washed my mouth out once for using it, and I’ve never forgotten it.

Ruth Carter Johnson

Fort Worth

Editor’s Note: Our apologies to Mrs. Johnson for the misquotation.



Prints Misprint



I want to express my appreciation for the wonderful write-up in “Windfalls” (November issue) about my husband, the late Karl Hoefle, and his Yellow Pages art. He loved creating the covers and enElm Street. Glad I live in the country and don’t have to pay taxes for the next big idea the leaders of Dallas come up with.

Ruth K. Wood

Rosenberg, Texas



Jane Sumner’s article was an excellent piece of reporting.

But on Mr. Monnig, I said “S. O. B.,” not the full version quoted. My mother washed my mouth out once for using it, and I’ve never forgotten it.

Ruth Carter Johnson

Fort Worth

Editor’s Note: Our apologies to Mrs. Johnson for the misquotation.



Prints Misprint



I want to express my appreciation for the wonderful write-up in “Windfalls” (November issue) about my husband, the late Karl Hoefle, and his Yellow Pages art. He loved creating the covers and enjoyed a warm relationship with his fans. Because of a misunderstanding, the price of these prints was misquoted. They sell for $10 each rather than $10 a set.

Janet Hoefle

Dallas

joyed a warm relationship with his fans. Because of a misunderstanding, the price of these prints was misquoted. They sell for $10 each rather than $10 a set.

Janet Hoefle

Dallas