To the Editor:

Apparently, in New Jersey, a psychiatrist is considered independent even when he or she is hired and paid by a defendant’s family, as was the case in the hearing regarding the killing of Rabbi James Diamond by Eric Maltz [“Princeton Man Acquitted in Crash That Killed Rabbi,” page one, Jan. 7]. The state of New Jersey did not even feel it necessary to require that another psychiatric evaluation of Mr. Maltz be conducted by a professional not in the family’s pay. Those of us in attendance at the hearing were left with a deep feeling of unease, possible impropriety, and miscarried justice.

Steven L. Weiss, Martha Himmelfarb

Madison Street

Robert Goldenberg,

Riverside Drive

David Wolf and Ziona Silverman,

Boxwood Drive

Renee and Ted Altman,

Dutch Neck Road, East Windsor