THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, January 18, 1995 TAG: 9501180008
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 37 lines
On Dec. 12, 1994, you published a lengthy article on the life of Calvin Outlaw, the alleged killer of my brother, Ron Bonney. It was a shame that you did not get in touch with the family of the victim before printing this article. It was a disgrace and injustice to write such an untimely and biased article two days before the jury trial against Outlaw was to begin.
My family had to read about Outlaw's past crimes and his family and what he had tried to accomplish in his life. Also, Outlaw got his chance to tell his side of the story about the murder two days before his jury trial was to begin. The press gave him this chance.
Pertinent information about Outlaw's alleged involvement in the murder was left out. Information about the murder that was printed came from police records; you did not state this.
Your article hurt my family and me at the worst time of the year - the holiday season.
You did not get in touch with the family of the victim or anyone who could have provided pertinent information about the killing.
Why did the family have to be surprised to read about the alleged killer two days before the jury trial? Why were Outlaw's statements taken about the killing and not the commonwealth's, the detectives' or the family's? I hope that in the future you will get in touch with victim's families when writing about killings.
REBECCA ROBERTS
Norfolk, Jan. 12, 1995 by CNB