David Staats, Business Insider editor for the Idaho Statesman, explains why the Statesman decided to publish the family's account into the shooting death of Adams County rancher Jack Yantis at the hands of two Adams County deputies. The Statesman published the story before the internal investigation was complete. It's still not complete:

The death of lifelong Adams County rancher Jack Yantis in an encounter with two sheriff’s deputies is an extraordinary story, a tragedy that has divided Adams County and raised fresh worries about police shootings. Authorities have reported scant facts: A car struck one of Yantis’s bulls Nov. 1 on U.S. 95 near his ranch near Council, injuring the occupants. Emergency responders, including the deputies, went to the scene. So did Yantis and his wife, Donna. The deputies’ and Yantis’ guns went off. Yantis, 62, was killed. His wife, Donna, had a heart attack. Family members blame the deputies. “I saw them murder my husband,” Donna Yantis said. They and their lawyers approached Statesman reporter Cynthia Sewell to tell their story first, because of her watchdog reporting on problems within the Idaho State Police. They wanted to be heard, and they did not want to wait for months for results of an official investigation. More here.

Question: Has law enforcement lost the battle for public opinion re: this story by remaining mum?

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