MIKE FARRELL - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 08/25/1992 - HFSID 320557

MIKE FARRELL
In a letter discussing Utah's HI-FI Murders, Farrell challenges the ethics of the death penalty, arguing against the ruling on William Andrews and Dale Selby Pierre who were sentenced to death for their part in the 1974 murders, rape, and torture. Farrell, who supported the guilty verdict but not the sentencing of capital punishment, reasons, "I don't happen to believe that we, as their fellow human beings, have the right to kill them."
Typed letter signed: "Mike Farrell", 2 pages, 7¼x10½. No place, 1992 August 25. On personal letterhead.  To "Mr. [John] Bullard" In part: "Thank you for being thoughtful enough to write me with regard to your concerns about William Andrews and the death penalty. Thank you for the reasoned tone of your letter and for having the courage to include your name and address so I could respond. Some of your fellow Utahans were not so forthcoming. Clearly we don't agree about the death penalty, but one of the great things about our society is the opportunity for reasonable people of differing views to have the chance to differ openly and, at times, enlighten one another in the process..."  When Wayne Rogers left the hit TV series, M*A*S*H, it opened an opportunity for previously little known Mike Farrell, who became the popular army surgeon B. J. Hunnicutt for the rest of the show's long run (1975-1982). Farrell directed several episodes of M*A*S*H, and has focused his talents on TV directing since the series ended. He is married to actress Shelley Fabares. Utah's Hi-Fi Murders occurred on April 22, 1974. In a robbery of the Hi-Fi home audio store, three people, including a teenage girl who was sexually assaulted, were brutally tortured and killed.  Two other victims survived the tortures and beatings. The men convicted were Dale Selby Pierre, William Andrews and Keith Roberts.   Roberts, who was the getaway car driver, was convicted of robbery.  Andrews and Pierre were sentenced to death. Normal mailing folds. Lightly creased. Otherwise, fine condition.