Letter: Anderson attorney says facts not reported in arrest

Friday, March 21, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

An adult who Jeremy thought was a construction worker (and maybe he was; the police never gave Jeremy a lineup) told Jeremy he could write his name in the concrete. Jeremy and about four other children then wrote their names in the concrete. The city contract calls for the construction company to provide security and protect their work; they obviously didn't.

A representative from the concrete company then demanded Ms. Anderson pay the construction company $11,000 or he would report Jeremy to the police. By the company's own admission, the estimated cost to replace the entire sidewalk is only $7,100. If Ms. Anderson had paid immediately, she would have paid $3,900 too much, but then, her son wouldn't have been reported to the police.

Jeremy was questioned by the police at school. He received the police officer's business card. Ms. Anderson discovered the business card when she was doing the laundry. She called the investigating officer and left a message. She thought it had something to do with the DARE program. The police never called her back. Ms. Anderson never found a message from the police on her front door.

Jeremy knew where his mother worked. Ms. Anderson's place of business was listed in the telephone directory. Ms. Anderson's home phone was forwarded to her pager. On the day of the arrest, no one asked Jeremy where his mother worked, adn Ms. Anderson never received a page from the police or Jeremy's school.

In Juvenile Hall, Jeremy was strip searched to his underwear. He was put in a cell with "big teenagers." One of Jeremy's cellmates spoke of stealing a car. Another spoke of stealing a wallet. One said he had once shot someone. They threatened Jeremy if he came on their side of the cell. Jeremy repeatedly signaled to the guard that he wanted to make a phone call. He was ignored.

Jeremy had never been in trouble before. There is no factual substance to the grandstand rumors that he has committed prior bad acts.

Maybe some parents horsewhip their children for making a mistake, but the facts in this case just don't support a finding of malicious culpability. Ms. Anderson is a strict parent who does not condone vandalism or lack accountability. It's just that Jeremy was duped.

The media contacted us and paid for the trip to New York. No appearance fees were paid, and my service in Jeremy's defense is pro bono.

I hope this letter puts to rest the misinformation campaign.

Robbert J. Kossack,

attorney for Barbara Anderson