My opinion on the settlement of the Central Park Jogger case is that it's a disgrace. A detective close to the case, and who has followed it since 1989, calls it "the heist of the century."
Settling doesn't mean innocence, but it indicates incompetence on several levels. This case has not been dormant, and many people have asked why it took so long to settle? It is politics at its lowest and worst form.
What about the other people who were brutalized that night, in addition to the jogger?
One thing we know is that the amount of time, energy and money that has been spent on this case is unacceptable. The justice system has a lot to answer for, as does the City of New York regarding this very mishandled disaster. Information was being leaked to newspapers by someone on the case from the beginning, and the blunders were frequent and obvious.
As a long-time resident of New York City, I think it is ridiculous for this case to be settled — and I hope that has not yet taken place.
Donald Trump's ad in the Daily News on May 1, 1989, after the rape of a jogger in Central Park in April of that year. (New York Daily News)
Forty million dollars is a lot of money for the taxpayers of New York to pay when we are already the highest taxed city and state in the country. The recipients must be laughing out loud at the stupidity of the city.
Speak to the detectives on the case and try listening to the facts.
These young men do not exactly have the pasts of angels.
What about all the people who were so desperately hurt and affected? I hope it's not too late to continue to fight and that this unfortunate event will not have a repeat episode any time soon — or ever.
As citizens and taxpayers, we deserve better than this.