'Our' trial needs to remain in Montana for our access

To the Editor:

I am speaking for myself and many others who feel as I do pertaining W.R. Grace wanting to move their trial out of Missoula. W.R. Grace said they are worried about getting a "fair" trial due to the media and all the hype about what they have done to Libby thousands of men, women and children and an environment not fit for human beings to live and breathe in.

Three generations of my family tree are dead and dying because of W.R. Grace. I am one of those walking dead and this is why this is my trial, not W.R. Grace's. This is my father's trial, my father-in-law's trial, my mom's and the hundreds of other friends and loved ones who have passed on to that better life without their day of justice. It's only been six years since we all were told why we are dying in Libby. I can assure you, they all did their best to hang on long enough to see those guilty, hang for what was done, knowingly, to them. But they all ran out of breath, waiting. And the walking dead continue to wait for our day of justice, if you can even call it that.

And yet W.R. Grace continues today, to dictate to this state, and government, what they want, how they want it and where they want it. And you all continue to allow them to do so. Well, I want you all to please listen to what I am telling you, please.

It took 40-plus years to tell the town, the miners and people of Libby and the world, the truth as to why we are sick and dying. That was in 1999. Then in 2005, Grace is indicted. Trial was to begin in May 2006. Grace said they needed more time to "prepare" so the trial date was changed to September 2006. Then, as if that wasn't enough, to kick us while we are sick and dying, W.R. Grace then set the time and date for our/my trial to begin at 8:45 a.m. on Sept. 11, 2006. And this government, state and justice system said yes to Grace's date. We all have to ask ourselves what is with this date since it is the exact same time and date the towers in NY were hit. Is this some kind of a joke? This bothers me as they, (Grace and this government), could have agreed to a day before or after Sept. 11 8:45, instead knowing that some people would and do find this date very offensive and wrong.

After all, how many thousands of men, women and children were/are exposed to W.R. Grace's deadly dust in NY? I know 14 rescue dogs have died since Sept. 11, from ground zero. Many firefighters also are suffering and dying, from W.R. Grace's deadly dust. And EPA states that NY air is safe. Same as what Libby has been told by EPA. Lies.

And now W.R. Grace wants to stand trial outside Missoula and Montana. I am saying no. The crimes started in Libby, Montana, and must be settled in Montana. All of us affected, involved, suffering and dying can not travel out of state due to health and income to attend our /my day of justice. The State of Montana, this government and the U.S. Justice, owes this day to me and all those for whom I speak for.

If I am still breathing on 8:45 a.m., Sept. 11, 2006, God willing, may I please stand in Missoula, Montana, where I and all of us have been waiting, to have our day of justice. May I suggest in all fairness that the jury be brought to Missoula, for our trial? No matter where the truth is to be heard against W.R. Grace and all they have done, justice will be served and we the people exposed and dying (me) demand, W.R. Grace stand trial in Missoula, Mont. Fairness is standing in front of your victims, accusers and our justice system for your wrongs to be judged by the laws and God.

Michael Crill

Missoula