14 -- That's how many times 21-year-old <a href="/topics/Luis_Ortiz">Luis Ortiz</a>, accused of shooting New York City police officer and <a href="/topics/Garden_City_Park%2C_NY">Garden City Park</a> resident Kevin Brennan in the head, had been arrested previously on drug- and violence-related charges. Ortiz was also wanted for questioning in a January homicide. A bullet lodged in the base of Brennan's skull, but surgery to remove it was successful, and he should recover fully. But when a man in trouble with the law that frequently is accused of an awful act like this, we have to ask: Why was Ortiz free?

14 -- That's how many times 21-year-old Luis Ortiz, accused of shooting New York City police officer and Garden City Park resident Kevin Brennan in the head, had been arrested previously on drug- and violence-related charges. Ortiz was also wanted for questioning in a January homicide. A bullet lodged in the base of Brennan's skull, but surgery to remove it was successful, and he should recover fully. But when a man in trouble with the law that frequently is accused of an awful act like this, we have to ask: Why was Ortiz free?

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Editorial: Why was Luis Ortiz free?

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