Wednesday, October 1, 2003

Why did paper give forum to a convicted murderer?

Like many people in Fayette County I followed the disappearance of Beverley Watson in both the newspapers and on television. I for one felt the coverage was balanced and fair. I kept what I thought was an open mind but, in the end, like the jury, was convinced Jim Watson was in fact guilty of murder.

Here we are more than seven years after her murder and he sits in prison, plotting any way to escape responsibility for her murder. Even in death he can not let her go.

I suppose it's newsworthy that a convicted murderer seeks to have their conviction overturned. That seems to have been covered in another earlier article.

Did The Citizen really have to pander to this person? I think not. Beverley is still dead yet Jim Watson will remain a human boomerang as long as organizations like The Citizen will continue to give him a forum.

I realize that the newspaper has to sell papers but please spare us further details of Jim Watson's life behind bars. Please don't dignify someone like him by covering his announcement to run for sheriff.

Fayette County is fortunate to have good law enforcement. You have said as much in your paper as of late. Why then insult Sheriff Johnson and the other fine, hard-working, dedicated men and women of the Fayette County Sheriff's Department?

Let's let Jim Watson go. Let him spend the rest of his life in obscurity. Let's not compound this tragedy by bringing it up again unless he gets a new trial (unlikely). Let's do this and send a message to our community: Crime doesn't pay but when it occurs, Fayette County law enforcement will make sure the criminal pays.

Michael Weiss

Peachtree City, Ga.