This letter is written in response to the comic pertaining to the two football players accused of theft. I was somewhat in shock that something so insensitive and demeaning would appear in a newspaper with a pretty good reputation for decency.

At any rate, I did not find the cartoon funny at all. Perhaps if the names of the two people involved had not been printed, I would have been more understanding.

I do understand the fact that several crimes have been committed and that they should pay the consequences for their actions, but if I’m correct, the justice system states that a “man” is innocent until proven guilty, not vice versa.

Printing their names on the back of the inmates is judging and sentencing them before they have even been to trial.

Just suppose it had been you. Would you like to be judged and sentenced for your crime before your trial date? I really don’t think you would.

Being an associate to both Joyner and Jones, I can now see that if I was only mentioned in the crime and was innocent, I would be “put to death” before my name is cleared.

I understand the amendments, freedom of speech and freedom of press, but that is only if you don’t infringe upon the rights of others. In my opinion, you have infringed upon their right to a proper trial. This is one reason why people like O.J. Simpson and Michael Irvin can no longer live “the normal life.” Society found them guilty of crimes that they were later found innocent of committing.

There are many people who cannot respond to your comic due to outside forces and some who just are not bold enough, but I think I speak for them all when I say the comic was humiliating, offensive and down right absurd.

Don’t get me wrong, you have talent as a comedian, but please try to refrain from making judgements on such sensitive and close to home subjects.

Try and put yourself at the brunt of your comics and see how funny you think they are before you submit them.

Kietha Renfroe

Freshman

Agronomy/International agriculture