Through the years I’ve become increasingly upset with the way the The Daily Astorian exposes the lives of people who are simply accused of a crime, not yet close to being found guilty of anything. I know that we people are interested in how criminals are punished for their crimes, but this is only the function of the jury and the judge. 

The Daily Astorian has taken on the role of trying people who are still innocent by exposing not only their names, but offering up photos, family names, places of employment and social associations. And if this isn’t bad enough, the newspaper interviews people at the accused’s job site for more tripe. And when the charges are dropped is the newspaper able to undo this damage? No.

I’m speaking directly about Michel Mitchell (“Astorian charged with 10 counts of sexual abuse,” Sept. 26), but the paper’s egregious behavior has been ongoing. Implied is the guilt of people near someone, who should still be assumed innocent themselves, and indeed are innocent till proven otherwise. The damage The Daily Astorian does is as great or greater than the accusation.

Is The Daily Astorian so hungry for news that it can’t wait to see the result of our judicial system? Is the paper’s need greater than its respect for others?  

Personally, I feel ashamed of myself when I read in your paper what I know should not have been there.

Charles Stuart

Chinook, Wash.