2008 Woodie Awards
Letter to the Editor
Student responds to 'UST student convicted of manslaughter'
Issue date: 12/4/07 Section: Opinion
- Page 1 of 1
Throughout my tenure at UST, I have been a loyal supporter of the campus newspaper, and I have contributed movie reviews for this publication. However, I feel the October 30th/Electronic November 6th edition's front page is crass and offensive.
I was personally appalled at the Cauldron's lack of sensitivity in covering the plight of Elizabeth Shelton. Last semester the Cauldron chose to report her case, despite having ethical reservations, which were reflected in an editorial. Her conviction for the crimes she committed occurred on Oct. 9th; however, because of the nature of our paper not being released daily or weekly, the Cauldron's article was weeks after the fact.
Where is the relevance? Most of us who are informed knew about this event when it occurred. It, to me, seems to be an attack, or a low blow, bringing up a sorrowful and depressing event such as this one. Nobody won in this case. A family lost a son, and a girl lost her innocence, and I feel it is despicable for the publication that represents our community to drag her through the mud one last time.
I think in deciding to put this article on the front page was Groupthink gone awry. The Cauldron could have included something, perhaps a smaller article on the third page reporting that she was convicted and sentenced; however to put an article on the front page, which was basically a rehash of Houston Chronicle reports, as the main headline shows a lack of sensitivity to the events that occurred. Her article is right next to a Neewollah picture of half-naked Spartans. I guess sex and violence sell.
William John Merrell III
I was personally appalled at the Cauldron's lack of sensitivity in covering the plight of Elizabeth Shelton. Last semester the Cauldron chose to report her case, despite having ethical reservations, which were reflected in an editorial. Her conviction for the crimes she committed occurred on Oct. 9th; however, because of the nature of our paper not being released daily or weekly, the Cauldron's article was weeks after the fact.
Where is the relevance? Most of us who are informed knew about this event when it occurred. It, to me, seems to be an attack, or a low blow, bringing up a sorrowful and depressing event such as this one. Nobody won in this case. A family lost a son, and a girl lost her innocence, and I feel it is despicable for the publication that represents our community to drag her through the mud one last time.
I think in deciding to put this article on the front page was Groupthink gone awry. The Cauldron could have included something, perhaps a smaller article on the third page reporting that she was convicted and sentenced; however to put an article on the front page, which was basically a rehash of Houston Chronicle reports, as the main headline shows a lack of sensitivity to the events that occurred. Her article is right next to a Neewollah picture of half-naked Spartans. I guess sex and violence sell.
William John Merrell III