San Francisco Chronicle
Oct. 28, 2021
Regarding “Boudin’s father granted parole for Brink’s robbery” (Bay Area, Oct. 27): David Gilbert was granted parole because he had an exemplary record during his 40 years in prison, served far longer in prison than his co-defendants and had enormous support.
Mr. Gilbert was convicted of murder under the archaic felony-murder rule, now rejected by California. It makes individuals who participate in a crime resulting in death guilty of murder although they have absolutely nothing to do with the killing. Mr. Gilbert was unarmed and drove a getaway car.
The article quotes Ritchie Greenberg accusing District Attorney Chesa Boudin of abusing his office in supporting his father’s release. He did not use official stationery and wrote as a son. More influential in supporting Mr. Gilbert’s release were: Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, 1984 Nobel Peace Laureate; Ela Gandhi, granddaughter of Mohandas Gandhi; The Rev. Bernice King, daughter of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.; and a multitude of religious and civic leaders.
Mr. Greenberg’s uninformed comment is not deserving of being included in this article.
Ellen Chaitin, retired Superior Court judge, San Francisco
Bill Ayers 