Your editorial ("Our next racial challenge," July 17) after the verdict in the George Zimmerman case seemed to be wrong-headed. I have observed, over 42 years of practicing law, that the public's understanding of a case and the operative facts cannot ever be equal to the jury's understanding. Without being in the courtroom daily or the press reporting in detail, the public will never be able to do what the jury does: Find the truth.
Without seeing first-hand the way people give their testimony, it is impossible to determine credibility of a witness.
In this case, highly charged by race and the unusual law in Florida called "Stand your Ground," it was unfair of the Times Union's editorial board to take such an extreme position on the verdict.
The biggest error in the case appears to be that it wasn't presented to a grand jury for indictment. Instead, Florida authorities used their procedures to prosecute on a prosecutor's charge. Had a grand jury gotten the case there may never have been a prosecution and the strong feelings raised over these many months would not have been a problem.
I believe race relations in America are better than ever, but, sadly, there will always be ignorant and prejudiced people. Education can overcome that, not unfair criticism of a Florida jury.
Louis-Jack Pozner
Albany