The recent series of violent events shocked our little island. This is Key West— such things
happen elsewhere. Our innocence has been violated. Perhaps most unsettling is the brutal murder of a young
man by someone who is known to many people in the hospitality community. Speculation runs rampant.
The island's infamous rumor mill is churning overtime.
The facts as we known them from the local press are this: 1. The body of Jesse Childs was found in a canal in Homestead. His severed head was discovered at Little Hamaca Park. The details of his death are too brutal to repeat. 2. Jerry "Jake" Hamlin has confessed to the murder and awaits trial at the Monroe County Detention Center where he has been placed on a suicide watch.
Two lives have ended as a result of this tragedy. Mr. Child's life was snuffed out in an unspeakably reprehensible fashion. He was only 29 years of age. The courts will determine his murderer's fate. Our sympathies and condolences are offered to the family and friends of Jesse Childs.
Jake Hamlin appeared to be a bright, capable and personable man. As a result of this heinous act, Jake Hamlin's life has also come to an end. To speculate on the outcome of his trial is just that — speculation. Whatever the outcome — death penalty or imprisonment— his life is nulled. A double tragedy.
The events and circumstances that led to Mr. Hamlin's present status as an acknowledged killer will, no doubt, be subject to intense scrutiny during his trial. It is the court's responsibility to determine his emotional and mental state at the time of the murder. While abhorring the crime, let's not forget that there is a frightened, confused individual who has terribly lost his way. Our sympathies are offered to the family and friends of Jake Hamlin who are now attempting to deal with the pain and horror of his act.
A life has been destroyed. The justice system will render a punishment. In time, the shock of the recent events will be pushed aside by other headlines and the press of everyday routine. Life goes on for most of us. During this holiday season, take a moment to appreciate your family and friends. As recent events have so clearly shown, life is very fragile and painfully transient.
George Fontana
Key West
EDITOR'S NOTE: Rob Kunkel is a Key West attorney currently on a sailing sabbatical. He sent us this letter from St. Thomas.
I am writing to express an opinion about your recent editorial about Kirk Zuelch. You predicted that Kirk Zuelch may have a difficult time being reelected in 2000. I believe this is incorrect. I do not think that Kirk Zuelch will run for office in 2000.
This is a very important race. If business is to continue on schedule, the prosecuting attorney must not interfere. I did not think that influences that control Kirk will take a chance on a possible defeat.
If Kirk is going to run, Key West will see Kirk become the recipient of a bevy of "awards." Different police organizations, the type that call you at night to ask for a contribution, will give him some kind of commendation. The Florida Bar, that organization that instilled a spirit of confidence in the public in the Judge Shea case, will be on hand to recognize Attorney Zuelch's "leadership." Certainly, the Chamber will give Mr. Look-The-Other-Way an award. I see "Man of the Decade."
My prediction, however, is that Kirk Zuelch will be told that it is better not to run and he will listen. A leopard may not be able to change its spots but, this time, the Spotts will probably change their leopard.
We're staying tuned.
Rob Kunkel
St. Thomas
Harry Knight, the county tax collector, has been a servant of the people for some 30 years. Upon reading that State Attorney Kirk Zuelch had preferred charges against Harry I wasn't surprised, I was curious. Whatever could have politically motivated Zuelch to make such a stupid move?
We know that Zuelch and Knight are, as far as integrity is concerned, at opposite poles. Everyone, inside and outside the judicial system, knows the extent of the state attorney's dishonesty.
One in doubt needs but a look at what he has attempted to do to Judge Shea. Shea was elected by a wide margin over a Zuelch pick.
Does he have a replacement for Knight? If he does let me remind readers that Harry Knight was elected by 30,000 citizens. Zuelch has been able to frighten members of the Monroe County Bar from opposing him, so he reigns as the hatchet man of the 16th Circuit.
May justice prevail.
Joe Bell
Key Largo
Recently I visited Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas where the one word that comes to mind to describe it is "pristine." Instead of beer bottles and the ever-present plastic cups, there was coral and beautiful sea fans lining the beach. I believe this was accomplished by the fact that there's not one trash can on the entire island.
A fellow tourist was confused and angry, "That's so stupid," he lamented, "What am I supposed to do with my trash?" In his entire life he'd probably never dealt with the consequences of his consumerism. My answer to him was, perhaps, that the guardians of the park intended for him to THINK about his waste. Nobody was going to deal with it for him.
How much better it would be if every island, every community, adopted this attitude. How much longer will the environment forgive the landfills, the heating of the atmosphere with incinerators.
Please recycle!
Christy K. Sweet
Key West
In his letter on transient rentals in the Nov. 19 issue, Mr. Stanley Raber's basic premise is wrong. He states that 13,000 to 20,000 visitors a year "would otherwise be in hotels" and that money is being "siphoned . . . from our local and struggling hotel and guesthouse industry" by transient rentals.
We have been regular visitors to Key WEts for more than 15 years— in summer too— and have never stayed in a hotel or guest house3, preferring to rent a private house, staying in a different part of town each time (though so far we have into stayed at Truman Annex). We can assure Mr. Raber that as much as we love Key West, if we are forced to stay in a hotel or guest house, we simply will not come.
Thus, not only will the "struggling hotel and guest house industry" not benefit, but neither will favorite restaurants like Blue Heaven, Kelly's Caribbean and the Half Shell, nor the Waterfront Market where we like to pick up lunch fixings, nor Juice Oasis where we stop each morning, nor the bicycle/car rental companies, nor the fishing boat captains, not to mention the shops and galleries around town.
For a two or three week stay that amounts to a lot of money.
The reason we keep returning to Key wEt is because we love it warts and all. But if we have to find somewhere else we love where we are not forced to stay in a hotel, then we shall.
Jane Dawkins
Pine Bush, NY