A very recent story has been making headlines concerning charges of a purported rape have been aimed at a very high up law enforcement official’s progeny in the Big Apple. The circumstances of the story are confusing somewhat. The accuser waited quite some time to file a report - and the charge has been leveled at the man who is of some celebrity himself.
According to one source bits and pieces of the investigation were leaked (it would seem by a law enforcement official) and every one is crying ‘foul’ - including the prosecutors, defense attorneys and local law enforcement - who are all disgusted for different reasons.
Too, the information that was leaked only muddies the waters of the accusation more. To repeat them here would only be incendiary - for the purpose of this blog is to make a point or two. First of all, the presumption of innocence is afforded to all of us by none other than the Constitution itself. So, please - news media - can we start from that point? When these stories that are ‘leaked’ to feed the insatiable appetite of the press get public ‘play’ it truly hurts all of us. Today the son of a high up New York law enforcement official - tomorrow you.
At the very least can they simply add the word ‘alleged’ somewhere in the story so we can all be reminded that the guy has not been convicted yet?
David Breston is a respected Harris County sex crimes defense attorney - if you need a Harris County sex crimes defense lawyer contact him at 713-224-4040 or 888-220-4040.
