To the editorial board: The American judicial system is based on a number of fundamental principles.

Perhaps the most important is the right to a fair trial.

A defendant is presumed innocent.

The burden of proof is on he prosecution/plaintiff. Both sides have the opportunity to present their case. An impartial judge or jury is the ultimate decision maker.

It is both surprising and disappointing to discover that the Iowa State Daily does not believe in this fundamental principle.

In your rush to judgment (March 25 editorial, “High school doesn’t justify discrimination”), it appears that the Iowa State Daily has no need for a judge, no need to for a jury, no need for attorneys, no need for witnesses, no need to hear the defendant’s response — in effect no need for a fair trial before rendering a judgment.

Tom Lipovac

Perry