Lindner on Simpson

Does the Simpson defense team really need criminal defender Charles Lindner (Opinion, Jan. 29) to help sandbag the prosecution? I thought Johnnie Cochran (the past master) was doing quite well.

Lindner finds fault with the wording of Prop. 115, which was intended to level the playing field, traditionally tilted in favor of the defense. This is understandable. No attorney is anxious to give up any advantage his side enjoys. Lindner cited cases where a prosecutor has violated the rules, but presented no evidence, just allegations, against the Simpson prosecution.

CHARLES A. PIPER

Rancho Palos Verdes

* I am shocked by the quotes Jan. 27 from defense lawyers about Prop. 115, which is the law of our state. O.J. Simpson defense attorney Carl Douglas: “Defense lawyers are continuing to wrestle with the obligations of that law . . . which we feel is unjust.” Los Angeles defense lawyer Gerald Chaleff: Defense lawyers “are just not comfortable with them; they’re not part of their instincts.” Can you imagine the reaction if an ordinary citizen broke a law, and then made a statement like this to explain away his or her action? Lawyers have a duty, by their chosen profession, to uphold the law to an extent above laypersons. No wonder the general opinion of lawyers in our society is so low.

COLEMAN COLLA

Studio City