To the Office of the District Attorney, Los Angeles County,

I am writing in regard to the homicide that took place in the parking lot of Mel's Drive-In on Sunday night, May 13th in Hollywood. Roderick Poole, the victim, was well known to the avant-garde musical community around the world as a skilled and thoroughly original musical artist. Los Angeles, in particular, suffers a profound loss in Rod's passing. He was a pivotal figure who, through the strength of his personal ties, linked musicians from jazz, classical, and rock cliques all around the southland. Rod possessed encyclopedic knowledge of the many obscure artists who inspired him, and served as an educator to all of his friends and acquaintances. He was also, in fact, an educator, with a steady clientele of young guitar students who all adored him. Beyond all that, Rod was a kind, caring gentleman. I first met him in 1989 shortly after his emigration from Oxford, England to Los Angeles and I consider Rod to have been one of the dearest friends in my life. I have known him to display uncanny dedication to a diseased, stray cat, that he nursed for years. To friends and to strangers alike, he was polite and respectful without regard to class or race or other distinction. Rod leaves behind his loving wife Lisa, to whom he was absolutely devoted. Hopefully Rod's legions of friends can provide some small solace to this sweet soul. As the word of Rod's death spreads around the world, there will be hundreds of people who will feel this tragic loss on a personal level and as a serious loss for the art of music. I trust that your office will aggressively prosecute this cold blooded and thoroughly senseless murder.

Sincerely,
James E Grigsby
Brea CA