Posted on 04/30/2003 3:36:35 AM PDT by MeekOneGOP
| URL: http://www.reporter-news.com/abil/nw_local/article/0,1874,ABIL_7959_1925972,00.html |
Leija hopes fame changes his life
By Jason Sheehan / Reporter-News Staff Writer
April 30, 2003
Taylor County Sheriff’s officials faced a firestorm of criticism for arresting a hometown hero who has gained the national spotlight.
The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office and the Abilene Fire Department were bombarded with messages Tuesday as hundreds of people across the country expressed outrage at the arrest of Kris Leija. Meanwhile, Leija spent most of the day telling his story to national media outlets.
Leija, credited with carrying four children to safety during the massive fire in the 21/21 Apartments, was arrested Monday by sheriff’s deputies just moments after a press conference. Leija was arrested on a probation violation and denied bail after local law enforcement officials identified him from a television interview.
The support from so many around the nation came as a shock to Leija, 22.
"I’m surprised how everyone’s trying to help me in the situation I’m in," Leija said through a glass partition in the interview room at the Taylor County Jail. "At least they look at me as a hero and not a criminal."
A bond hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m. today in the 104th District Courtroom at the Taylor County Courthouse.
Leija’s arrest — he was captured on camera being led away in handcuffs — fueled headlines nationwide and backlash from the public. The Abilene Reporter-News on Tuesday received more than 60 e-mails from all over the country about Leija, most of which expressed outrage at his arrest.
"It was truly obscene for the local authorities to take advantage of the moment and play bully," James Johnson of Plattsburgh, N.Y., wrote in one missive. "They could decently have waited until Leija was off camera, so to speak, and approached him quietly."
Another e-mail stated, "I feel sorry for that town that has a police force that doesn’t care about people, only in following the book."
The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office, not the Abilene Police Department, is responsible for the execution of outstanding warrants. Sheriff’s Lt. Carol Taylor said her office handled the situation as best it could.
"There was no error in what we did," Taylor said. "We didn’t just run in there guns blazing. He knew he was wanted. He could have turned himself in. He gave us no alternative."
Taylor said Leija’s arrest would have sparked controversy no matter when and where it occurred. Her deputies were just doing their job, she said.
"These guys didn’t enjoy arresting this guy," Taylor said.
Taylor said her office was not trying to diminish Leija’s heroic efforts, and that deputies allowed him to finish his interviews before he was detained.
Leija said deputies tricked him, telling him they were reporters and wanted an interview.
"They could have at least waited for me at my mother’s house," he said.
Others attacked the Abilene Fire Department for what they thought was a casual approach to a burning building.
"Your historic city should rework the budget of the fire department to include the youngster who saved so many lives ... despite the firefighters who stood watch over the burning building verifying that no one should help," wrote Fred Willis of Houston. "In fact, simply giving the boy the annual salaries of the specific ‘firefighters’ who were standing watch might begin to repay him for his bravery."
Abilene assistant fire chief Jim Frazier responded to the statement and pointed out the people identified in video clips standing outside the burning building were not firefighters, but paramedics from Rural Metro Ambulance.
"I understand where people get that idea," Frazier said. "I think people looked at them and they were probably thinking, ‘There are two firefighters right there just standing there.’"
Frazier said he did not want to criticize Leija’s efforts, but they may have been blown out of proportion.
"They (the public) see a five-second clip of an incident that lasted 37 hours," Frazier said. "That video is just one corner of a site that’s four acres."
Leija’s felony conviction for burglary of a building would preclude him from being an Abilene firefighter.
Sam Moore, Leija’s attorney, said state District Judge Lee Hamilton should consider Leija’s actions when determining a sentence.
"It’s a case where they ought to exercise a little discretion," Moore said. "I don’t think he needs to be sitting in jail."
Moore said he is unsure whom he will call to testify on Leija’s behalf, but at the very least Leija’s mother, Janie Ochoa, will be called.
Despite his arrest, Leija said he would not change anything. He said he knew he was taking a chance by going on television for an interview.
"I really feel pretty good about my actions," Leija said. "I knew it (the arrest) was going to happen. It was something I was waiting for."
Leija said he did not report for probation because he could not provide a permanent address to probation officers.
Leija said the experience has changed his life.
"I let a lot of people down. I’m sorry for them finding out I was a probation violator," Leija said. "If he (the judge) gives me another chance, I really want to better my life. Behind bars, there’s no life."
Contact staff writer Jason Sheehan at sheehanj@reporternews.com or 325-676-6784
Copyright 2003, Abilene Reporter News. All Rights Reserved.
Yes, but the fate of a life can hinge on moments like this, when decisions made in a split second change a person's reality. If this young man can now see himself as a person of value because he reacted with bravery, at risk to his own life and freedom, he may now have a chance to make better choices in the future. Those four children are living proof of this young man's moment of greatness. His "five-second clip" gave them the rest of their lives.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.