To name a sex abuser or not?
This week we update a story we first reported on in December, about a Worland man, now living in Utah, who was arrested at that time on two felony sexual abuse charges.
The charges have increased to six felony charges with the victims all juveniles.
We chose in December, when the case was in Circuit Court, to follow Wyoming Supreme Court rules and media ethics to not report the defendant’s name. The rules state, “redacted filed and proceedings on felony sexual assault cases shall remain open to the public. The victim and “accused” are identified by initials only. Per the order, “in addition, any information that might identify the accused or the purported victim(s) shall also be redacted.”
At that time we knew through independent sources the defendant’s name, but we chose not to print initials or the name as it would identify the victims.
Once a case moves from Circuit Court to District Court, the defendant’s name is released and it was in this case. But publishing his name identifies the victims as the defendant is alleged to have sexually assaulted his own child and stepchildren.
Sexual assault cases, especially when they involve juveniles are difficult. Typically, we do publish a defendant’s name, but when the victims can be identified by publishing the name we err on the side of caution.
This has happened once previously in my career. I do not need to protect defendants, and this is not what is happening in this case. I do, however, feel the need to try and protect the juvenile victims.
Other media can choose to do what they wish, and have done so. Those reporters do not live in this community. We at the Northern Wyoming News do live here and we care about the residents here.
The Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics list four main codes:
Seek Truth And Report It. We are doing that here. Why report on these types of crimes at all, some may ask? Because it is important for people to know what is going on in your community. If we did not report on the drug cases, domestic violence cases, sexual assault cases people would begin to think those things do not happen here. We are here to tell you that they do happen here.
Minimize Harm. This can be difficult at times, but this is why we are choosing not to name the defendant at this time. We are not trying to minimize harm to him, but rather minimize harm for the children (something he allegedly did not care about.)
Act Independently. This has different meanings but here I feel it means we have to do what is right for the Northern Wyoming News. It does not matter what other print or online media may write. We are independent of others and we must do what we feel is right for this newspaper and for this community.
Be Accountable and Transparent. This is why I am writing this, so you understand the decision that I made. I did not make it lightly. I did not make it alone. I consulted the newspaper’s chief operations officer, I consulted the prosecuting attorney and the victim’s advocate and I met with Sean, our reporter who wrote the story, and our newest reporter, Kat, to get their thoughts, questions and feedback.
As a reminder, legally we can print the defendant’s name, it is public record and in public court documents. We can even use the initials of the victims. It is our choice not to do either for the reasons outlined above.
If you need more details than we provide here publicly, in writing, for time and eternity, you have access to the same public court records that we do. You can read all the ugly details for yourself. The District Court office is on the top floor at the courthouse. (It’s my opinion that if you do not have to, you will not want to and if you choose to, you will wish you had not read it.)
If you have questions or concerns feel free to reach out at editor@wyodaily.com.