The Doctor
July 18, 1996
Honorable Judge Lawrence J. Mira
Malibu Superior Court
3525 West Civic Center Way
Malibu, California 90265
Dear Judge Mira,
I have a tangential but personal connection with the Farris case. I was the emergency physician at Westlake Hospital who struggled to save Jimmy Farris' life. He died, despite my best efforts, and the efforts of a surgeon and emergency personnel. I also had the sad task of informing his parents of his death.As the further tragedy of this case unfolded, I can't help but wonder how the outcome could have been different. Life and death in a case of trauma is often a case of moments and millimeters. Jimmy Farris did not die of grossly brutal wounds. Only a single small puncture wound penetrated his chest and into his heart. Had that stab wound been one inch further to the left, he perhaps would still be alive today - and just as important, four other young men would not be on the verge of losing their life's potential. The irony is, that as an emergency physician, I have seen many, many victims, far more heinously injured than the late Jimmy Farris, who nevertheless survive, and whose assailants are punished little. Fate has indeed dealt Jimmy Farris and his four young attackers a cruel blow.
Although I have no knowledge of the true character of the convicted defendants, I feel that it would be a grave injustice if all these young men - certainly those that did not wield the knife - were given life sentences.
I commiserate with the loss and grief of the Farris family. But there is an old adage, "two wrongs don't make a right." This crime was wrong but a "life sentence" would be wrong too for four young boys who, though guilty, are victims as well - victims of our political times and of unfortunate circumstance.
As you exercise your duty to serve justice, I hope you will also remember that you have the gift of mercy.
Sincerely and respectfully,
Barry Pollack, M.D.------------------------------------------------------------------------
