I find it appalling that The Star and every local TV station have taken it upon themselves to publish or air the pictures and names of the men accused of the crimes in Bates City. These men have been accused of horrible crimes. If found guilty, their names and pictures should be published and put on television. But until then, the public has no right to any of that information. What if this story turns out to be untrue? How do these men get their reputations back?
If your picture is in the paper or on the nightly news as having been arrested for a sex crime, most people figure you’re guilty. Consequently, I think there should be a law forbidding this kind of sensational journalism. There’s no question in my mind that anyone reading this, if falsely accused, sure wouldn’t want his or her picture on the front page of The Star or to be the lead story on the local news.
After all, you are innocent until proven guilty, right? Or did I miss something?
Warren Thomas
Olathe
mike d, does being sick of hearing about make it easier for you to turn you back on the persecution of these men without conviction or even substantial evidence? What if it were you? It easily could be. All it takes is a woman and an accusation.
Posted by: Stifled Freedom | November 26, 2009 at 10:55 AM
Warren, the rape shield law, which generally precludes the discover of the truth in rape cases, is what allows this. It's a statement that women have all the rights. This was lobbied into place while you were working a job and pay taxes.
Viet-Vet, the media did not have to post their pictures while wearing orange and in shackles. They could have waited until there was some substantial evidence.
Actually, the evidence found so far is sick but they cannot technically deem it illegal until they view all the tapes and evaluate the contents. They also cannot extrapolate that possession of this material proves molestation 10-20 years ago.
It is not illegal to publish literature about illegal activities....i.e. High Times magazine.
I would have been much more confident of these charges if they had found a body or notes in bottles in that farm.
Posted by: Stifled Freedom | November 26, 2009 at 10:52 AM
Well I guess government agencies should just come in and arrest you and that's the last we hear from you until your trial's over.
"Where's Joe?"
"I don't know he was here yesterday"
Personally, my only objection to the story is that I am sick of hearing about it. I don't need the details.
Posted by: mike d | November 25, 2009 at 02:52 PM
Actually you are guilty until proven innocent, the Mohler's are lucky they are not in family vcourt where you have no rights or resolve.
Posted by: NoMoreMrNiceGuy | November 25, 2009 at 08:26 AM
If it sounds like a nimrod, smells like a nimrod, and squesks like a nimrod, it muat be a Grape Amerian.
Posted by: Kee | November 25, 2009 at 08:14 AM
Warren, they found tapes, photo's letters and other evidence that shows how sick and twisted these people are. I'm not one to rush to judgement but, if it looks like a Stigall, smells like a Stigall, and sounds like a Stigall, it's probably a Stigall.
Posted by: Great American | November 25, 2009 at 08:09 AM
The media did not investigate, arrest, charge and jail these men. Those acts were performed by police and prosecutors ... who then announced what they had done -- and continue to make new announcements.
But now Warren wants the media to ignore the whole thing. What's up with that?
Posted by: viet-vet1970 | November 24, 2009 at 11:22 PM