Staff Report | Voices

Graham case coverage has already convicted the accused

Quite frankly, I’m rather appalled at the horribly biased coverage of
the events of the DeMarcus Graham case by everyone, including Central
Michigan Life.

I understand that, as a voice for students around campus, there is
naturally going to be some bias in such an intense case, but to come
right out and support a university decision to kick these people out of
school?

That seems to be going a little beyond reporting the facts of the
case.

Granted, it was in the editorial section and I understand that it is
just as much a reporter’s right to voice his or her opinion there as it
is mine, but I would expect a little more professionalism from CM Life.

Unfortunately, this problem isn’t just in the paper, but in every
lunchtime conversation around campus.

The United States of America may not stand for much these days to
some, but one thing we’ve always aspired to, or at least pretended to
aspire to, is the maintenance of justice for all our citizens.

Keep in mind, these students are indeed citizens here and therefore
should be afforded the same decency we’d afford anyone else.

They are indeed innocent until proven guilty and regardless of how
pessimistic and grim society may have become these past few years, they
still deserve the right to be heard in court.

The most tragic thing to come of this whole incident is that we’re
now in a campus amalgamation of facts, rumors, truths and lies. We are
entirely dependent upon hearsay from our classes, the Student Activity
Center or residence halls.

The source is moot, yet the effect cannot be underrated.

These kids — that’s what they are, kids; our age, students worried
about their future, the Wayside and anticipating their next mom-cooked
meal — seem to be already convicted in the court of campus opinion,
which is tragic.

If they should be found innocent, what good will it do? They’ll have
already had their names dragged through the mud.

Will these students get an apology from the university for kicking
them out of school?

Or perhaps one from CM Life for aiding in their vilification?
Somehow I doubt it.

They’d never be able to attend a class here again without hearing
whispers everywhere.

Let’s all make a promise to each other to remember that while the
death of DeMarcus Graham was tragic and justice needs to be served,
we’ll let the instruments for finding such justice — the courts — do
their work.

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