McMartin Pre-School Molestation Trial
In almost every article about the McMartin case which appears in your newspaper, the $6-million cost is mentioned, with the implication that the money has been wasted.
The $6 million is grossly misleading. Most of it represents the salaries of judges, prosecutors, court personnel, etc.--costs that would be paid regardless of the McMartin case.
Most of the balance goes to defense attorneys. In fact, in one year alone the county paid two defense attorneys a total of $869,184.32--$359,844.27 for one defense attorney and $509,340.05 for the other.
It has been said that it is not possible to place a price on justice.
The same can be said about protecting children from exploitation.
GREGORY MOONEY
Manhattan Beach
(Mooney, a partner in the West Los Angeles law firm of Karp & Mooney, represents the children who are testifying at the McMartin trial.)
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