Zehm’s reaction reasonable

Inexcusable. Joanne Vincent blames Otto Zehm’s family for his death (Letters, Nov. 7). Give me a break.

Mr. Zehm was a functioning member of our society, perhaps not on the level that Ms. Vincent approves of, but he didn’t require “special monitoring.”

He was buying a soda when he was confronted by a baton-wielding policeman, and with little warning, attacked. I’m not sure I would have reacted any differently than Mr. Zehm, given the circumstances, and I’m a college graduate.

These events weren’t beyond the Spokane Police Department’s control; they violated procedures and then tried to cover it up. Any unfair bias toward SPD is caused by the department’s actions in this and many other incidents.

I’m sorry if Officer Karl Thompson and other officers are suffering personal and professional hardships, but at least they’re alive to suffer them. Otto Zehm isn’t.

If Ms. Vincent is looking for someone to share the blame for Mr. Zehm’s death, perhaps she should start with the two young women who called the cops because they felt uncomfortable around Mr. Zehm. They’ve been given a free ride in this affair.

K.L. Edgren

Spokane