Innocent Until Proven Guilty

Frank Borelli Editor-in-Chief Officer.com In the news for the past several months has been an on-going story about retired Sergeant Drew Peterson and his missing wife.  Let me specify:  his missing fourth wife. As I watch the news coverage it occurs to me that some of our media outlets slant every article to make it seem like Sgt. Peterson has to be guilty but isn't being properly investigated by the involved law enforcement agencies.  Most recently I saw an entire 90 second prime time news piece about Sgt. Peterson's willingness to participate in a dating game for a radio station. Okay.  Maybe that's in bad taste (I think it is).  Maybe I'm cynical because more than two decades of police work has caused me to expect people to act in a disappointing fashion (Well, not "maybe".  I know I'm cynical.)  Maybe a husband whose wife is missing should be acting more distraught, spending more energy supporting the search for her (or her remains).  Those are a few "maybe"s. Let me share a reality: some people do get away with murder.  Our judicial system is set up to support that statement, "Innocent until proven guilty."  The burden of proof falls to the state or federal prosecutors and quite often they are not the most experienced of attorneys.  I firmly believe we have the most fair and just court system in the world. The statement "Innocent until proven guilty" applies to everyone (and as a cop you know there are times I really am not happy about that!).  Whether or not the gloves fit; whether or not a man is partying while his wife is missing; whether or not a body is even found... The fact still remains: innocent until proven guilty.  And if a man (or woman) is innocent, then why should any of us treat them otherwise? I'm not saying that Sgt. Peterson and I are going to become drinking buddies.  I'm not saying I think he played a hand in his most recent wife's disappearance.  I'm not saying he didn't.  What I'm saying is that I believe it's wrong to vilify the man because he behavior isn't what you think your behavior would be in the same circumstance.  Truth be told: all we know of his circumstances is what the mainstream media has reported - and we know how accurate they can be, right? Your thoughts?