Far be it from me to tell you how to juice up the Court Briefs section of your newspaper, but I think you have gone too far.
Your May 26 publication included full names and charges along with irrelevant references to mental health issues, occupations and specific employers of the people you highlighted for the week.
Having been a reader of your paper for many years, I am certain that even convicted sex offenders don't face the same type of printed scrutiny as you displayed here. Typed court briefs are one thing, but airing dirty laundry is completely unnecessary, bordering on defamatory.
While I have no direct ties to the people you referenced, I feel like you provided a very clear and raw summary of them including abuse, childhood trauma and medical conditions. I cannot see how airing personal issues community-wide can in any way help with the difficulties these people must be facing. If anything, this kind of information leads to gossip and propagates judgment.
I hope this doesn't become the norm. Apologies to the people you highlighted might be in order.
Sarah Hirst & Chris Mathison, St. Albert
