In the Daily’s March 24 editorial warning of the existence of sexual assault on campus, the arrest of a student for an alleged rape in 1996 is used as an example of the problem. The editorial states that the arrest “proved that sexual assault can, and does, happen here” and that “vicious attacks such as this one can be prevented.”

The strong implication is that the frat member in question, who is named in the editorial, is known to have committed a violent rape; a single reference to “alleged sexual assault” does not mitigate that message.

I have no interest in defending this man, but the public does not have enough information about the case to conclude that he could not possibly be innocent. Moreover, if he is tried on this charge, he will be entitled to the presumption of innocence.

Responsible journalists do not compromise a suspect’s right to that presumption by publicly declaring him guilty before the trial.

Wendy Applequist

Grad student

Botany