Monday, May 28, 2007

Suspects Family Has Questions In I-40 Chase, Shooting

The father of the suspect is arguing that the system failed his son. He claims he tried to commit his son on several occasions…to get him the help he needed… but the system kept putting him back out onto the streets.

As a news organization, we have a commitment to telling the whole story. We don’t take sides. We simply report on all sides and viewpoints, allowing you, our viewers, to draw your own conclusions.

One viewer writes to us… [Comment Text:] “He robbed a store at gunpoint and fled from the Police endangering others….End of Story.”

We believe, the father’s notion that the mental health system failed his son is an important side of this story that should be told. It speaks volume to the argument…If this mans son was committed and received the treatment he needed, would all of this still have happened? If the system worked, could this have all been prevented?

After all, what if this father’s argument leads to changes in the way people are committed and treated? Could future lives be saved? Would that not be a good thing?

The questions posed are not for us, as a news organization, to answer. Rather, they are questions we have an obligation to ask and than in turn present you, our viewers, with the answers. From that point, it’s up to you to individually draw your own opinions and conclusions.

You may disagree with the father’s argument—but we hope you will appreciate the fact that we presented you with multiple viewpoints, including the father’s,  and allowed you to draw your own conclusions.

I encourage you to post your own comments and thoughts.

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