April 8, 2004

ValleyViewpoints

Times’ coverage of murder was sensitive to the bigger picture

Editor,
I along with many other parents was mortified to hear of the tragic death of Troy Pollett. As your headline read, it was “a senseless act,” one that probably could have been prevented. Although my son is only 9, I can only imagine what it must be like to get that phone call and I hope that day never comes. As I read your story, I began to grieve for his family and friends. Your coverage of the stabbing was thorough, but more importantly, it was sensitive to the bigger picture. I read it to my son as a way of sharing with him what not to do if he ever finds himself in a similar situation and I urge other mothers to do the same.

When I read of all the families and businesses in the community who pitched in so Troy’s friends could remain at the memorial site and grieve for their friend, it made me proud to call Almaden home.

The next week, you followed your coverage of the memorial service with the story on coping with loss that included great advice from the counselors at Almaden Valley Counseling Service. These kids should be celebrating their senior year instead of mourning the loss of their friend and your treatment of this tragedy has become a great reference for those of us looking for more than just the story. We’re looking for understanding too. It is why I look forward to reading your paper every week.

Jasmin White
Antigua Drive

Reader appreciates unbiased reporting of murder

Editor,
I would like to acknowledge the Almaden Times Weekly for your careful, thoughtful and thorough reporting of the Troy Pollett tragedy.

While I do not know anyone involved, I am a longtime resident of Almaden and could not help but feel great heartache over this loss. While many of us did not know Troy, your articles helped us feel like we did. You reassured us that this young man was loved deeply and this community of young people is reaching out among themselves, and to Troy's family. You let us know that the Almaden community is coming together as a family to heal. You offered advice for those that mourn, and told us where we can give to help honor Troy's life. And while this tragedy is more than most adults can bear to comprehend, you also reminded us how deeply the scars of this event will run in the young people that knew Troy.

I also appreciate that you provided only relevant and verifiable information. I was outraged by an article in another paper that presented biased opinions of someone that wasn't even present that night as if they were facts. I was so furious that I contacted the reporter to let her know how I felt.

But that also helped me recognize what a good job you have done, respectfully presenting such an emotional story.

Mary Stevens
Almaden Valley

Encourage the DA to charge Sanchez with Pollett murder

Editor,
I am a 23-year resident of Almaden Valley. My children attend Bret Harte Middle School and Leland High School. My daughter was a friend of Troy Pollett and we are all shocked by his brutal murder. To my knowledge this is the first murder of a Leland High School student.

As a parent, I think it is important to send a strong message that we will not tolerate anyone coming into our quiet community and murdering our children here. We want this man who followed Troy home and pulled a knife on him to be charged with first-degree murder. I have been hearing a lot of excuses, justifications and exaggerations in order to minimize this murder. Troy did not behave perfectly but he was not a murderer. He would have never murdered this man. The bottom line is that if Anthony Sanchez felt that Troy did something wrong then he should have taken down his driver’s license number and contacted the police department. Instead, Mr. Sanchez followed Troy into a closed community (Troy and his friends could only exit this community the same way they entered it); he had a knife in his possession and had every intention of using it before he even got out of the car. He knew he needed a knife to win the fight. Troy got out of the car after his friend was stabbed and didn’t have a chance since it was probably too dark for Troy to see the knife clearly. Troy was clearly expecting a fistfight while Mr. Sanchez was expecting revenge, which included death if needed. The high school student and his murderer had two completely different motives in mind. Troy never expected to die that night nor did he have any intention of killing anyone himself.

As a parent in Almaden Valley I would like to encourage other parents to write the District Attorney of Santa Clara County to let him know that we will not allow anyone to come into our community and murder our children.

Please write to:
District Attorney of
Santa Clara County
70 West Hedding Street
San Jose, Ca 95110

Shirley Estrella
Almaden Valley

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