Friday, Aug. 3, 2001 | 4:49 a.m.
Note to readers: Sun Publisher Hank Greenspun, who died in 1989, was a prophetic, hard-hitting columnist who butted heads with world giants and demagogues and zealously defended the rights of the little guy. Every week the sun will run one of Hank's Where I Stand columns, recalling his finer moments as a chronicler of the late 20th century. We call this feature "Classic Hank."
TODAY: Jerald Burgess, who 20 years ago was acquitted in the 1978 kidnapping of 6-year-old Cary Sayeg, was convicted last week on federal firearms charges. In this Nov. 16, 1978, column Hank pleads with the boy's kidnappers for his safe return and offers anonymity to those with information of the boy's whereabouts.
To The Person Or Persons Who Hold Cary Sayegh
You have a priceless treasure in your hands. I am speaking not of a ransom you seek, but a 6-year-old boy whose mother and father are suffering a grief so deep it taxes human endurance. I shall not delve into the reasons you took Cary Sayegh from the school playground, nor do I intend to dwell on the morality of the events...only the enormity of it and a possible solution to it.
I want to help. I believe you are running from fear, and as each day goes by another avenue is closed to you. I am offering a possible way out, not because of you, but in the interests of a little boy who has become the unhappy victim of your actions.
The Sun is known as a protector of its informants. We have the well earned reputation of never divulging the source of anything or anybody who talks to us under cover of confidentiality of secrecy.
We have been known to protect our sources to a point of going to jail -- and we would have gone if forced to reveal any matter brought to us in confidence.
I am therefore appealing to you not only for the life of the child but for any possible protection you can have as a consequence of your course of conduct.
I am asking you to get in touch with me and work out a method for the safe return of little Cary to his grieving parents.
My phones are not tapped and I can be trusted. I vow to act in your interest if that is what is needed to assure Cary's safe return.
I offer myself as an intermediary or in any capacity needed without involving the police or FBI, or any other agency of law enforcement in any way. I do this knowing that there are serious legal consequences in withholding vital information from such agencies of government. This is the promise and assurance I make to you if you will make contact with me.
My purpose is to help bring Cary back safely to the arms of his mother and father.
Please keep the boy safe. Do not harm him.
Of this you can be certain. We have never violated any agreement we have had in the past with anyone. Check with those involved in law breaking and they will assure you of our trustworthiness.
Question any criminal figures who have dealt with us when they feared to turn themselves over to the police, and they will tell you everything was held in strictest confidence and they were protected against any repercussions.
We also promise to use our offices, in the event of apprehension without our connivance, to possibly moderate or ameliorate what ever penalties may flow from the deed.
Drawing on my newspaper experience in dealing with such matters and exposure to the law-breaking mind all my instincts tell me that this is the best -- if not the only course -- open to you.
I can not emphasize enough the promise that our line of communication will be totally inviolable and under no circumstance will law enforcement be involved or alerted in the process of bringing little Cary home.
The boy's parents are not aware of this offer, neither have I consulted the law enforcement of any individual group.
I do this strictly on my own because I desperately want to see this little boy reunited with his family.
If Cary is well, please keep him safe and contact me.
It is the least injurious course you can choose for your own safety and well-being -- and it is the only redeeming thing for the life of a precious little boy you hold in your hands.
Hank Greenspun
archive
