Armenian genocide: How Valley prosecutor missed his chance to be ‘immortal symbol of justice’

 David Minier

Twice each year, my thoughts turn to the Armenian Genocide. On April 24, the anniversary date of the 1915 massacres orchestrated by the Turkish government. And on Jan. 27, when 45 years ago Gourgen Yanikian assassinated two Turkish diplomats in Santa Barbara to avenge the genocide.

Read more here: http://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/readers-opinion/article196785924.html#storylink=cpy

Yanikian, age 78 and a former Fresno resident, was charged with murder, and I was his prosecutor.

The aging Armenian had lured the diplomats to a cottage at Santa Barbara’s exclusive Biltmore Hotel, promising gifts of art treasures for their government. Instead, he pulled a Luger pistol from a hollowed out book and emptied it at them. He then called the reception desk, announced he had killed “two evils,” and sat calmly on the patio awaiting arrest.

The Armenian Orphan Rug Will Be Displayed at the White House from November 18-23, 2014

On October 15, 2014 the White House confirmed earlier reports that it will, in fact, display the Armenian genocide "Orphan Rug" as part of an exhibit at the newly renovated White House Visitor Center next month, which will run from November 18 to 23, reported Representative Adam Schiff (D-CA).

The exhibit – entitled “Thank You to the United States: Three Gifts to Presidents in Gratitude for American Generosity Abroad” – will showcase the Orphan Rug, also known as the Ghazir rug, as well as the Sèvres vase, given to President Herbert Hoover in 1930 in appreciation for feeding children in post-World War I France, and the Flowering Branches in Lucite, given to President Barack Obama in recognition of American support of the people of Japan after the devastating earthquake and tsunami in 2010.