I got a call today from Christopher Simons' aunt, who was quite upset about yesterday's story about the Wheeler sentence. She didn't like that I referred to the fact that her nephew was working in an adult gift store and referred to him as "a sex shop clerk," which she felt was insulting.

I hate situations like this, because I can't deny anything she said. On one hand, the term is true. That's how the DA's office initially described the killing and Santa Clarita Gifts indeed sells sex toys. From the earlier material I read, it sounds like the products played into Mr. Wheeler's tragic choice of targets, so I felt like it was relevant to the story.

But let me say this, to the entire Simons family: I apologize for any stain on Christopher's memory. He was brutally killed by a disturbed man and he should not be remembered solely based on his job. I know you've suffered terribly in the past three years and regret any role in prolonging your heartache. If you, or anyone else who knew Mr. Simons, would like to leave remembrances about who he was, I'd like to share his legacy beyond just the senseless way he died.