Dear Editor,
My name is Kim Bhakta and I am Peter Bhakta's widow. I am writing to express my concern over the headline in your newspaper on the article noting Peter's passing.
My husband was a kind and gentle man, a wonderful father to our three beautiful daughters and my life's soulmate. Never in his lifetime did he intentionally harm another human being.
The false and avaricious charge made against him by a disgruntled employee shocked Peter even more than it did the rest of us. Such charges are easy to make and difficult to disprove. There was only the word of one person against him and no physical evidence. Nevertheless, Peter was arrested immediately, before any other witnesses were identified or interviewed. His picture appeared in your paper along with a story accusing him of a terrible act.
Peter suffered from a number of serious medical problems including insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and hepatic encephalopathy. He was recently hospitalized for pneumonia, respiratory failure and liver failure. Had the police checked, they would have known his medical condition was such that he could not possibly have been a physical threat to another person. He was due for further diagnosis and treatment at the Mayo Clinic but his arrest prevented that.
In the three months after his arrest, no criminal charges of any kind were filed against Peter. Yet, you chose to mark his passing with a bold headline identifying him as a "suspect." As an American citizen, I believe we are all innocent until proven guilty. Peter was never afforded the opportunity. In fact, we had to hire an investigator who did interview other witnesses who gave the lie to the deceitful and covetous charge made against my husband.
The Lord only shared Peter with us for too brief a time. I know the stress brought on by this falsehood took him from us too soon. He was a good man who lived an honorable life as a husband and father. How much more considerate it would have been if you had treated his death with more humanity and respect.
Kamini Bhakta
Battle Mountain[[In-content Ad]]
