The Free Lance-Star Opinion

Gould's series reveals illogical obsession with Rice as serial killer

Date published: 1/29/2008

Gould's series reveals illogical obsession with Rice as serial killer

There is nothing to justify the extraordinary attention Darrell Rice is receiving or the extraordinary security measures being taken against him ["Judge extends, expands electronic monitoring of Rice," Jan. 19].

In The Free Lance-Star on Nov. 18, Pam Gould reported in meticulous detail that despite many interrogations and undercover operations, investigators turned up nothing to support their claims that Mr. Rice was involved in the 1996 Shenandoah National Park slayings, the 1996 murder of Alicia Showalter Reynolds, or the related abductions along Route 29.

In fact, there is evidence that might implicate serial killer Richard Evonitz in the murders. Yet government investigators have not examined it--apparently out of carelessness, laziness, or maybe because it might show they have been pursuing the wrong man all along.

Mr. Rice pleaded guilty to the attempted abduction of a woman in 1998 (although he denied that he attempted to abduct her, and evidence exists that he was experiencing mental health problems at the time), and he served his sentence. From all accounts, he was a model prisoner and has been a model parolee.

It's time to leave him alone so he can resume a life that has been derailed for too long by overzealous and misguided government officials.

Robert J. Inlow

Charlottesville