Comments on: The Death of Conscience in The Onion Field http://calitreview.com/17 An arts and culture magazine. Tue, 22 May 2012 12:24:37 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Roger Danehttp://calitreview.com/17/comment-page-1#comment-198368 Roger Dane Tue, 08 Nov 2011 15:46:14 +0000 http://calitreview.com//essays/the-death-of-conscience-in-the-onion-field/#comment-198368 Powell was denied parole (compassionate parole based on his prostate cancer) on Oct 18th. And he should have been. Some people don't change and documents continue to show Powell's unwillingness to follow rules in jail and his continued anti-social behavior. Politics and the "Shawshank Redemption" aside, some people do not change in prison. While the system makes mistakes in a small percentage of convictions it made NO mistake in Powell's case. I had interaction with a 74 yr old parolee (for murder) who had moved into a nearby second floor walk up. He was unfriendly, just sat outside on his little second floor balcony, watched the world go by. His neighbor asked him to turn down his radio one afternoon. The 74 yr old went inside as if to do so but reappeared with a 12 gauge shotgun and shot his neighbor (the neighbor survived by jumping off his 2nd floor balcony with wounds). Old doesn't mean "not dangerous!" Only idealists shielded by that very thin blue line believe it does. Powell was denied parole (compassionate parole based on his prostate cancer) on Oct 18th. And he should have been. Some people don’t change and documents continue to show Powell’s unwillingness to follow rules in jail and his continued anti-social behavior. Politics and the “Shawshank Redemption” aside, some people do not change in prison. While the system makes mistakes in a small percentage of convictions it made NO mistake in Powell’s case. I had interaction with a 74 yr old parolee (for murder) who had moved into a nearby second floor walk up. He was unfriendly, just sat outside on his little second floor balcony, watched the world go by. His neighbor asked him to turn down his radio one afternoon. The 74 yr old went inside as if to do so but reappeared with a 12 gauge shotgun and shot his neighbor (the neighbor survived by jumping off his 2nd floor balcony with wounds). Old doesn’t mean “not dangerous!” Only idealists shielded by that very thin blue line believe it does.

]]> By: edward c. stengelhttp://calitreview.com/17/comment-page-1#comment-193963 edward c. stengel Thu, 27 Oct 2011 06:07:16 +0000 http://calitreview.com//essays/the-death-of-conscience-in-the-onion-field/#comment-193963 I'm going to make my last comment on the issue of the parole of Gregory Powell. I understand exactly what this case is all about, and I've previously stated it - it's really about the killing of a police officer, rather than just murder. Had the victim been just an ordinary citizen, Greg Powell would have been freed long ago and very few people would have objected. The sad reality of what we're dealing with here is authority worship. The police are viewed as the protectors of the public, almost to the point of worship. That's sad. Putting a halo over the head of the police isn't going to make them a bunch of angels. They're no better or worse than the rest of us. They're certainly not Gods, and we shouldn't worship them. I’m going to make my last comment on the issue of the parole of Gregory Powell. I understand exactly what this case is all about, and I’ve previously stated it – it’s really about the killing of a police officer, rather than just murder. Had the victim been just an ordinary citizen, Greg Powell would have been freed long ago and very few people would have objected. The sad reality of what we’re dealing with here is authority worship. The police are viewed as the protectors of the public, almost to the point of worship. That’s sad. Putting a halo over the head of the police isn’t going to make them a bunch of angels. They’re no better or worse than the rest of us. They’re certainly not Gods, and we shouldn’t worship them.

]]> By: BILLYhttp://calitreview.com/17/comment-page-1#comment-184850 BILLY Thu, 29 Sep 2011 22:21:21 +0000 http://calitreview.com//essays/the-death-of-conscience-in-the-onion-field/#comment-184850 IF THEY LET HIM OUT, TELL THEM THAT THEM HE CAN COME LIVE WITH U AND WHEN HE KILLS ONE OF YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS, LETS SEE IF U STILL THE SAMEWAY IF THEY LET HIM OUT, TELL THEM THAT THEM HE CAN COME LIVE WITH U AND WHEN HE KILLS ONE OF YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS, LETS SEE IF U STILL THE SAMEWAY

]]> By: edward c. stengelhttp://calitreview.com/17/comment-page-1#comment-184420 edward c. stengel Wed, 28 Sep 2011 06:27:06 +0000 http://calitreview.com//essays/the-death-of-conscience-in-the-onion-field/#comment-184420 Can't you people get it - 48 years in prison is sufficient punsihment for 1 murder. Nobody like criminals, especially murderers, but in almost every other county in the world, and I'm not just talking about 1st world countries, you won't find anybody in prison that long - not even in Communist China or evil Iran. The rest of the world doesn't believe in keeping human beings in cages for periods of 30 years or more. We're the only country left that still does this. It's unfortunate that a police officer lost his life because of the actions of Gregory Powell, but we can't bring the officer back, and keeping Gregory Powell in prison for nearly half a century isn't going to make us a better or more humane society. Free Gregory Powell! Can’t you people get it – 48 years in prison is sufficient punsihment for 1 murder. Nobody like criminals, especially murderers, but in almost every other county in the world, and I’m not just talking about 1st world countries, you won’t find anybody in prison that long – not even in Communist China or evil Iran. The rest of the world doesn’t believe in keeping human beings in cages for periods of 30 years or more. We’re the only country left that still does this. It’s unfortunate that a police officer lost his life because of the actions of Gregory Powell, but we can’t bring the officer back, and keeping Gregory Powell in prison for nearly half a century isn’t going to make us a better or more humane society. Free Gregory Powell!

]]> By: Dan Hickshttp://calitreview.com/17/comment-page-1#comment-179471 Dan Hicks Sun, 04 Sep 2011 01:14:07 +0000 http://calitreview.com//essays/the-death-of-conscience-in-the-onion-field/#comment-179471 Institutionalize edward c. stengel !!!!!!!!! :D Institutionalize edward c. stengel !!!!!!!!!

:D

]]> By: edward c. stengelhttp://calitreview.com/17/comment-page-1#comment-154566 edward c. stengel Sun, 01 May 2011 07:12:00 +0000 http://calitreview.com//essays/the-death-of-conscience-in-the-onion-field/#comment-154566 Valerye, have you ever heard of Dan White, the former San Francisco city councilman who murdered San Francisco mayor George Moscone and San Francisco city councilman Harvery Milk in 1978? He got out of prison in 5 years. He took 2 lives. Gregory Powell just took one. You're all confused. It's all about the victims. George Moscone and Harvey Milk were gay. If they'd have been cops, Dan White would still be in prison. Free Gregory Powell!!!!!!!!!!!!! Valerye, have you ever heard of Dan White, the former San Francisco city councilman who murdered San Francisco mayor George Moscone and San Francisco city councilman Harvery Milk in 1978? He got out of prison in 5 years. He took 2 lives. Gregory Powell just took one. You’re all confused. It’s all about the victims. George Moscone and Harvey Milk were gay. If they’d have been cops, Dan White would still be in prison. Free Gregory Powell!!!!!!!!!!!!!

]]> By: Valeryehttp://calitreview.com/17/comment-page-1#comment-154530 Valerye Sat, 30 Apr 2011 23:11:24 +0000 http://calitreview.com//essays/the-death-of-conscience-in-the-onion-field/#comment-154530 to Edward C Stengel, dude you got it all wrong, when you kill someone and you live, not ok. when you kill you should be killed. simple. California is just weak, when it comes to enforcing the death penalty. to bad you don't understand the difference. They are in prison because they took a life. not because they kill a police officer. to Edward C Stengel, dude you got it all wrong, when you kill someone and you live, not ok. when you kill you should be killed. simple. California is just weak, when it comes to enforcing the death penalty.

to bad you don’t understand the difference. They are in prison because they took a life. not because they kill a police officer.

]]> By: edward c. stengelhttp://calitreview.com/17/comment-page-1#comment-150018 edward c. stengel Fri, 08 Apr 2011 02:08:34 +0000 http://calitreview.com//essays/the-death-of-conscience-in-the-onion-field/#comment-150018 I saw the movie "The Onion Field," and it was brilliant. I just happened today to go on a police website, where it mentioned a lot of cop killers, some of whom have already been paroled and others who have not. I was actually looking for the names of 2 Illinois convicts who are still in prison 44 years after they committed their crime of bank robbery and killing 2 Northlake, Illinois police officers in their getaway attempt. Their names are Henry Michael Gargano, 79, and Ronald Del Raine, 80. These 2 old, dying men have each spent 44 years in prison and should be paroled. That's when I saw the name of Gregory Powell, and it hit me like a ton of bricks. I was trying to remember where I had heard that name, and then all of a sudden I remembered the picture the "Onion Field." Gregory Powell has been in prison 48 years, and that's enough punishment for any crime. These dying, old men, like Gargano, Del Raine, and Powell, have been punsihed enough. There is no further purpose in keeping them in prison any longer. We all know the sad truth of why they're in prison that long - not because of murder, but because the victims were police officers. I respect and admire the police, but I know that they have unfair and undue influence over parole boards, who have a habit of going along with them, and the result is the contamination of our criminal justice system because it places the police in a superior position to the rest of us mere mortals. We all respect the police, but we should not worship them as Gods. I saw the movie “The Onion Field,” and it was brilliant. I just happened today to go on a police website, where it mentioned a lot of cop killers, some of whom have already been paroled and others who have not. I was actually looking for the names of 2 Illinois convicts who are still in prison 44 years after they committed their crime of bank robbery and killing 2 Northlake, Illinois police officers in their getaway attempt. Their names are Henry Michael Gargano, 79, and Ronald Del Raine, 80. These 2 old, dying men have each spent 44 years in prison and should be paroled. That’s when I saw the name of Gregory Powell, and it hit me like a ton of bricks. I was trying to remember where I had heard that name, and then all of a sudden I remembered the picture the “Onion Field.” Gregory Powell has been in prison 48 years, and that’s enough punishment for any crime. These dying, old men, like Gargano, Del Raine, and Powell, have been punsihed enough. There is no further purpose in keeping them in prison any longer. We all know the sad truth of why they’re in prison that long – not because of murder, but because the victims were police officers. I respect and admire the police, but I know that they have unfair and undue influence over parole boards, who have a habit of going along with them, and the result is the contamination of our criminal justice system because it places the police in a superior position to the rest of us mere mortals. We all respect the police, but we should not worship them as Gods.

]]> By: Dennishttp://calitreview.com/17/comment-page-1#comment-142219 Dennis Mon, 21 Feb 2011 17:42:53 +0000 http://calitreview.com//essays/the-death-of-conscience-in-the-onion-field/#comment-142219 I was a police officer for ten years before I read "The Onion Field". It so discouraged me that it ended my career. I had come to believe only the family of a victim really cares over time. Maybe some of that has changed. I was a police officer for ten years before I read “The Onion Field”. It so discouraged me that it ended my career. I had come to believe only the family of a victim really cares over time.
Maybe some of that has changed.

]]> By: Dennishttp://calitreview.com/17/comment-page-1#comment-84667 Dennis Mon, 01 Feb 2010 04:19:04 +0000 http://calitreview.com//essays/the-death-of-conscience-in-the-onion-field/#comment-84667 The good newd is that Karl recovered from his PTSd and was elected to county councilman in Kern Co. where the incident happened. I met him at a Hollywood Div. LAPD steak fry/reunion at the LAPD Police Accdemy years ago. He was dressed in a very nice 3-pc suit and was a non-drinking gentleman. I exchanged business cards with him, (having worked 11 years in Hwd Div)and was invited to his re-election campaign party at his home in Kern Co. I was residing 800 miles away at the time and was unable to attend. However, I did send a campaign donation along with six 1st Ed. Wambaugh books to him as Joseph Wambaugh was attending and lending his support with a book signing. I have several Onion Field items and treasure most highly my personally autographed, edition signed by BOTH Karl Hettinger and Joseph Wambaugh. Later, I was saddened to learn of his death. He was a great officer and he finally rests in peace. The good newd is that Karl recovered from his PTSd and was elected to county councilman in Kern Co. where the incident happened. I met him at a Hollywood Div. LAPD steak fry/reunion at the LAPD Police Accdemy years ago. He was dressed in a very nice 3-pc suit and was a non-drinking gentleman. I exchanged business cards with him, (having worked 11 years in Hwd Div)and was invited to his re-election campaign party at his home in Kern Co. I was residing 800 miles away at the time and was unable to attend. However, I did send a campaign donation along with six 1st Ed. Wambaugh books to him as Joseph Wambaugh was attending and lending his support with a book signing. I have several Onion Field items and treasure most highly my personally autographed, edition signed by BOTH Karl Hettinger and Joseph Wambaugh. Later, I was saddened to learn of his death. He was a great officer and he finally rests in peace.

]]> By: Fredhttp://calitreview.com/17/comment-page-1#comment-84367 Fred Sat, 30 Jan 2010 05:37:03 +0000 http://calitreview.com//essays/the-death-of-conscience-in-the-onion-field/#comment-84367 Good news - the parole board denied Gregory Powell for the twelfth time this past week. Powell is purportedly afflicted with pancreatic cancer, so this may have been his last hurrah. Good news – the parole board denied Gregory Powell for the twelfth time this past week. Powell is purportedly afflicted with pancreatic cancer, so this may have been his last hurrah.

]]> By: Amyhttp://calitreview.com/17/comment-page-1#comment-70875 Amy Wed, 21 Oct 2009 05:03:14 +0000 http://calitreview.com//essays/the-death-of-conscience-in-the-onion-field/#comment-70875 Although both Murderers out lived their victims,Ian and Karl will be in Peace and loved by their families forever. I was two mths old when this tragedy happened and the first time I saw The Onion Field it broke my Heart, and still does today. Bless you Officer Campbell and Officer Kettinger. Burn in Hell Smith and soon,Powell (hopefully very soon) Although both Murderers out lived their victims,Ian and Karl will be in Peace and loved by their families forever. I was two mths old when this tragedy happened and the first time I saw The Onion Field it broke my Heart, and still does today. Bless you Officer Campbell and Officer Kettinger.
Burn in Hell Smith and soon,Powell (hopefully very soon)

]]> By: Diana Desrosiershttp://calitreview.com/17/comment-page-1#comment-60074 Diana Desrosiers Fri, 31 Jul 2009 19:47:57 +0000 http://calitreview.com//essays/the-death-of-conscience-in-the-onion-field/#comment-60074 What the LAPD put Hettinger through was beyond cruel; I was only 2 y/o in '63 however my father was still an LAPD Sgt in'63 and a very kind man. When I became a teen-ager my father & I talked law endlessly. He comfirmed officers' Hettingers' treatment (he felt it was cruel.) Sick irony that Powell & Smith both outlived the 2 officers. What the LAPD put Hettinger through was beyond cruel; I was only 2 y/o in ’63 however my father was still an LAPD Sgt in’63 and a very kind man. When I became a teen-ager my father & I talked law endlessly. He comfirmed officers’ Hettingers’ treatment (he felt it was cruel.) Sick irony that Powell & Smith both outlived the 2 officers.

]]> By: Mariehttp://calitreview.com/17/comment-page-1#comment-59417 Marie Fri, 24 Jul 2009 18:01:10 +0000 http://calitreview.com//essays/the-death-of-conscience-in-the-onion-field/#comment-59417 Everyone can help, when the hearings come up you can write Parole Hearing Recommendation letters. Trust me, the family appreciates. Everyone can help, when the hearings come up you can write Parole Hearing Recommendation letters. Trust me, the family appreciates.

]]> By: Rebeccahhttp://calitreview.com/17/comment-page-1#comment-50290 Rebeccah Tue, 05 May 2009 19:49:21 +0000 http://calitreview.com//essays/the-death-of-conscience-in-the-onion-field/#comment-50290 I would like to extend my sincere sympathy and apologize to the family of Officer Campbell, I apolgize because I am related to Gregory Powell. I believe he should have been executed quickly for his actions. I believe he should never have the privilege of being a free man. He must die in prison for what he did. Also, I would like to say how wrong it was for Officer Hettering to be treated so unfairly by the police department. I apologize to his family as well for all the pain Gregory Powell has caused them. Sincerely, rebeccah I would like to extend my sincere sympathy and apologize to the family of Officer Campbell, I apolgize because I am related to Gregory Powell. I believe he should have been executed quickly for his actions. I believe he should never have the privilege of being a free man. He must die in prison for what he did. Also, I would like to say how wrong it was for Officer Hettering to be treated so unfairly by the police department. I apologize to his family as well for all the pain Gregory Powell has caused them.

Sincerely, rebeccah

]]> By: bobhttp://calitreview.com/17/comment-page-1#comment-47602 bob Sun, 12 Apr 2009 22:49:35 +0000 http://calitreview.com//essays/the-death-of-conscience-in-the-onion-field/#comment-47602 I believe that both of these criminals should have been taken to that same onion field and shot !!! I believe that both of these criminals should have been taken to that same onion field and shot !!!

]]> By: markhttp://calitreview.com/17/comment-page-1#comment-43212 mark Thu, 26 Feb 2009 16:03:56 +0000 http://calitreview.com//essays/the-death-of-conscience-in-the-onion-field/#comment-43212 What Powell and Smith did to Campbell and Hettinger was horrifying, but is arguably part of the risk of being a police officer. However, what the Los Angeles Police Department did to Karl Hettinger was inexcuseable. LAPD should have been able to understand that the type of trauma that Hettinger experienced after going through the kidnapping, murder, and narrow escape from being killed himself was going to leave him with severe psychological issues. Instead of doing this, Hettinger was ridiculed for alleged cowardice and than fired for misconduct that was the direct result of these injuries. I'm not surprised that poor Hettinger died at the comparatively young age of 59. What he endured at both the hands of the criminals and than LAPD is more than any normal person could endure. I hope and pray that police departments everywhere have learned to behave more decently and compassionately than occurred in this case. What Powell and Smith did to Campbell and Hettinger was horrifying, but is arguably part of the risk of being a police officer. However, what the Los Angeles Police Department did to Karl Hettinger was inexcuseable. LAPD should have been able to understand that the type of trauma that Hettinger experienced after going through the kidnapping, murder, and narrow escape from being killed himself was going to leave him with severe psychological issues. Instead of doing this, Hettinger was ridiculed for alleged cowardice and than fired for misconduct that was the direct result of these injuries. I’m not surprised that poor Hettinger died at the comparatively young age of 59. What he endured at both the hands of the criminals and than LAPD is more than any normal person could endure. I hope and pray that police departments everywhere have learned to behave more decently and compassionately than occurred in this case.

]]> By: Angelhttp://calitreview.com/17/comment-page-1#comment-39463 Angel Fri, 09 Jan 2009 10:36:46 +0000 http://calitreview.com//essays/the-death-of-conscience-in-the-onion-field/#comment-39463 To this day I cannot believe that the LAPD called Kettinger a coward and ruined his life. Then again some cops have such raunchy, egotistical attitudes I can believe it.... To this day I cannot believe that the LAPD called Kettinger a coward and ruined his life. Then again some cops have such raunchy, egotistical attitudes I can believe it….

]]> By: Andreahttp://calitreview.com/17/comment-page-1#comment-29755 Andrea Mon, 08 Sep 2008 18:26:57 +0000 http://calitreview.com//essays/the-death-of-conscience-in-the-onion-field/#comment-29755 Jimmy Smith died last year. Gregory Powell is still in prison and comes up for parole every 2 years. Gregory Powell has many reasons as to why he hasn't been paroled. However, that is his opinion. He still to this day has no remorse for what he did 45 years ago. Ian Campbell's family goes down to the hearings and voices their continued anger, frustration and hurt. They remind the parole board of what Powell did 45 years ago and what he is capable of and how manipulative he is. Jimmy Smith died last year. Gregory Powell is still in prison and comes up for parole every 2 years. Gregory Powell has many reasons as to why he hasn’t been paroled. However, that is his opinion. He still to this day has no remorse for what he did 45 years ago. Ian Campbell’s family goes down to the hearings and voices their continued anger, frustration and hurt. They remind the parole board of what Powell did 45 years ago and what he is capable of and how manipulative he is.

]]> By: Alan Tindellhttp://calitreview.com/17/comment-page-1#comment-29713 Alan Tindell Mon, 08 Sep 2008 00:11:22 +0000 http://calitreview.com//essays/the-death-of-conscience-in-the-onion-field/#comment-29713 Smith was paroled in the early 1980s but spent the rest of his life in and out jails and prisons for various offenses and drug problems, dying in prison in 2007. Karl Hettinger later held political officed in a rural California county and died in 1994. Powell remains in prison to this day but not too long ago was once again getting his name into the appellate case reports, complaining that his chances for parole have constantly been thwarted by the re-broadcasting of "The Onion Field" movie. Smith was paroled in the early 1980s but spent the rest of his life in and out jails and prisons for various offenses and drug problems, dying in prison in 2007. Karl Hettinger later held political officed in a rural California county and died in 1994. Powell remains in prison to this day but not too long ago was once again getting his name into the appellate case reports, complaining that his chances for parole have constantly been thwarted by the re-broadcasting of “The Onion Field” movie.

]]> By: PLhttp://calitreview.com/17/comment-page-1#comment-526 PL Mon, 28 May 2007 03:31:38 +0000 http://calitreview.com//essays/the-death-of-conscience-in-the-onion-field/#comment-526 Feb. 19 2007 CNN has AP report that Smith has been wanted since Dec. 2006 for an (unspecified) parole violation. According to the article, he did less than 20 years initially for the murder. Feb. 19 2007 CNN has AP report that Smith has been wanted since Dec. 2006 for an (unspecified) parole violation. According to the article, he did less than 20 years initially for the murder.

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