Throughout all of this the backlash against the paper has been intense. Some demanded to know why we would victimize little Shasta, now nine, by reporting on her testimony and cross examination. That died down somewhat when all parties agreed that previously videotaped statements to police would eliminate the need for a personal appearance. But the fight to keep the court open for today’s video showing continued right up to the last minute. The pushback on that issue has been just as intense. We will lose some subscribers. And even though our critics accuse us of sensationalizing the story (if that were possible) to sell papers, editors know that stories like this depress readership/Steve Smith, Still A Newspaperman. More here.

Question: SReporter Betsy Russell said on the Rebecca Mack Show Thursday that the video was a key piece of evidence -- that the testimony to jurors wasn't nearly as compelling without it. Have you changed your mind re: the necessity to show the video in open court?

---

---