Judge's retention questioned

To the editor:

The residents of Southeast Missouri must not take lightly the decision whether or not to retain Judge Richard B. Teitelman on the Missouri Supreme Court. Earlier this year, Teitelman wrote the majority opinion that overturned the second murder conviction of Cecil Barriner, who had been convicted twice for the brutal murders of Irene and Candy Sisk of Tallapoosa, Mo. Because of the Teitelman opinion, the taxpayers of New Madrid County are forced to pay for a third trial to ensure that justice prevails.

The first conviction against Barriner was overturned by the Supreme Court because evidence that was introduced about Barriner's possession of sexual materials -- including homemade bondage videos, bondage magazines and sex toys -- was found inadmissible. Barriner was tried again and for a second time was found guilty. Once again the Supreme Court overturned the conviction because of two hairs that the trial judge did not allow admitted as evidence. Despite the evidence, the court overturned the convictions in both cases.

The lack of common sense demonstrated by Judge Teitelman should be considered when the voters of Southeast Missouri go to the polls on Nov. 2.

LYLE RANDOLPH, Gideon, Mo.