After Martin Grossman’s death sentence was carried out, a press conference was held by the Park family. Ms. Betsy Park, the sister of Peggy Park, the Wildlife officer killed by Grossman, said as follows: “we were harassed over the past week, and I think it is reprehensible for any cause.” I didn’t hear directly from Park that she meant harassment from Jewish groups. However, some news agencies implied, and others said explicitly, that the harassment came from Jews.
I would like to set the record straight here:
No leader of the Orthodox Jewish community, and nor anyone working on their behalf, did any type of harassment to the Park family. I cannot take responsibility if some renegades within the Jewish community did things on their own that irked the Park family. (I am not even aware that such things took place.)
The only “harassment” that came from the Jewish community was an offer to bring closure to the Park family in form of memorializing the dedicated work of Peggy Park, by laying the groundwork for a Foundation that would help the families of Law Enforcement officers who die in the line of duty. In exchange for this foundation – that would have gotten a six-digit figure to get off the ground – the Parks family would agree to inform Governor Crist that from their end, they are not seeking the death penalty at the current time.
Considering that the effort to gain a 60-day stay of execution for Grossman was running against the clock, extraordinary efforts were put in motion to get in-touch with the Park family. After ongoing debates, the family’s final and unequivocal decision was that they will try getting closure via the execution of Grossman, which was fully within their right. The working group had hoped for a different outcome, but following the carrying-out of the Grossman sentence, the group didn’t question the judgment of the Park family.
More details about this and other aspect of the Grossman Story will God-willing follow in a forthcoming article that is being put together for Yiddish and English publication. Stay tuned.
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So… you’re defending Martin Grossman’s actions because he was under the influence of drugs/alcohol, mentally challenged, & being influenced by a friend? Am I hearing your arguement correctly?
If so, that kind of thinking justifies the “just following orders” excuse for the murder of 6 million of your people, doesn’t it? It’s certainly arguable that there were many, many people who were forced – upon threat of death to both them & their loved ones – to commit atrocities during WWII. It’s also arguable that their were many mentally handicapped people who fit the profile of Martin Grossman that were forced to commit atrocities during WWII. And again, it’s arguable that their were many people under the influence of drugs/alcohol AND mentally incompetent who were influenced by others to commit atrocities during WWII. Are they, too, justified in their killing? Oh, wait. Let me guess. They don’t count – because their not Jewish, right?
Seriously, CUT THE ACT OUT. Stop using both history & your religion as an excuse to further the agendas & interests of your elite. People the world over are really tired of it. Martin Grossman was a cold-blooded killer who took an innocent woman’s life. He should have had a bullet put into his brain years ago.
And if you have any compassion, LEAVE THE PARK FAMILY ALONE. PERIOD. They’ve suffered enough over the past 25+ years as a result of Martin Grossman’s reprehensible actions. They don’t need you & other organizations fanning the flames of grief.
By: Too Swift of A Death on 02/17/2010
at 7:42 pm
Sir, it appears that you went on a rant before reading more about this case. now two points:
1) none of the weak sides of Grossman justifies anything on his end. No one asked for his release. However, too many aspects of this case called to give him Clemency for 60 days to give a chance to review this case.
2) No one is on the back of the Park family. They were offered to build a lasting thing for Peggy, and they said no. Herre is where it ends.
By: Yossi Gestetner on 02/17/2010
at 9:40 pm