For a lot of reasons, not the least of which was that the West Warwick fire officials were going to testify about their own gross negligence, Atty. Gen. Patrick Lynch did not want the Derderians' trial to go forward. So he allowed his office to engage in plea negotiations.

At the last minute, he got cold feet at the political implications of a plea agreement and tried to hide behind Judge Francis Darigan. But when Mr. Lynch too quickly released a self-serving letter to the victims and the press, Judge Darigan became angry and decided, after all, not to shield the A.G., even for a mistaken sense of protecting the victims.

Why am I confident that this is what happened? Because for us to accept Mr. Lynch's contorted version of what happened, we would have to believe that Judge Darigan, attorney Kathleen Hagerty and one of the attorney general's own prosecutors (on a voice mail message) are liars. Sorry, it's too much of a stretch.

This is not even getting into Mr. Lynch's glaring failure to indict those most responsible for the fire, the West Warwick fire officials. Fortunately, in November, we will be able to replace Mr. Lynch. Rhode Island deserves an attorney general with a spine and a better sense of justice.

SUSAN DUNN

Newport