Re “Encinitas council member facing felony assault charge” (Aug. 29): I read with dismay the comments by Encinitas Mayor Bruce Ehlers regarding the San Diego County district attorney’s prosecution of his fellow council member, Luke Shaffer, for alleged assault and other alleged crimes. Ehlers implied that the prosecution may be a “political hatchet job.” Such comments demonstrate his utter disregard for and distrust of law enforcement and our legal process.
A district attorney’s duty when commencing a criminal action includes evaluating the evidence provided by law enforcement, deciding whether to prosecute based on the evidence and the law, and determining appropriate charges that may be proven beyond all reasonable doubt. Such duties are not taken lightly.
Ehlers’ duty as a public official includes upholding and respecting the legal process, not impugning it. By his comments, he failed miserably in undertaking such duty.
Ehlers owes the DA, local law enforcement, and the citizens of Encinitas an apology for his intemperate comments.
— Jeff Skiljan, Encinitas