The Ox-Bow Incident

Rory J. Koopmans, B. Admin., #203, 8912-156 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T5R 5Z2


May XVIth, MMXII


Hon. Jeff Johnson, MLA, Minister of Education, Progressive Conservative, Athabasca-Sturgeon-RedH2O


Dear Jeff:

"The Ox-Bow Incident" starring Academy Award (TM) Winner Henry Fonda was not a commercial success when it came out in MCMXLIII (1943.) The film is about an incident that actually occurred in Nevada in MDCCCLXXXV (1885). This surprises me b/c it has a really good message about justice & fairness in a stressful situation.

Three men were hung by a lynch mob IV stealing cattle & murder when there was no actual evidence against them. This posse of townsfolk was illegally deputized by a Deputy Sheriff when only the Head Sheriff can legally deputize officers of the law. The gent they thought had been murdered was just injured & beaten up. Henry Fonda & Colonel Sherman T. Potter of TV's M*A*S*H  4077, actor Henry (Harry) Morgan stood up to the mob along with five of the other riders. They couldn't save the III innocent from being hung, but they knew that they should at least speak up & say these men should get a fair trial like anyone else.

Students of the law need II realize that I state here of & IV the record that I personally believe in capital punishment, especially in cases like with this child rapist/murderer of Tori Stafford, Michael Rafferty. Alas I believe in truth & justice & no matter what the expense, I believed in Rafferty's right II a fair trial, even though there was DNA evidence him in his vehicle. All defendants should have a 50% chance of winning or losing, whether they are guilty or not.

Check Out This Fine Film,

Rory

Source: Turner Classic Movies, Www.Tcm.Com, Host: Robert Osbourne.