> On a recent night a J. Crew looking 17 year old prep school student
> - accepted to Tulane for this fall - was up for 2nd degree robbery.  He
> bought a bag of marijuana on 86th and Lex, which turned out to be oregano,
> and got in an altercation with the dealer, who claimed the boy stole his
> $mega$ Rolex.  The defense attorney claimed  the dealer was just trying to
> get even, and had a history of false accusations.
>
> I was only there for the bail hearing - he was released on $3000 for trial in
> August - but boy I have never in my life seen a sober person look so
> miserable.  His parents - working class folk who were trying to give him the
> best - looked happy to see him out, but still crushed.


          Dear Bullamanka-Pinheads,

          I hear you!

          My cousin Linda's son Jared is also 17 and also in some
          trouble with the law.

          He was arrested July 4 for public urination.

          He says he was trying to put out a grass fire that started
          when some other kids dropped sparklers on the ground.

          Linda is at her wit's end.


                                       Very truly yours,

                                       Philip McPherson
                                       Toledo, Ohio