Criticisms of Lipsey’s cover are unwarranted

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The criticisms of the reports on the Joseph and Shira Lipsey criminal case by the judge and defense attorney are unwarranted and unfounded.

Judge Chris Seldin and Yale Galanter, attorney for Joseph Lipsey, have reportedly denounced the media attention and community contempt the initial reporting allegedly created.

Seldin has reportedly said that the attention and stigma generated by the media, including misrepresentation, can exceed the punitive effect of a court conviction.

However, they did not provide proof that the report was inaccurate or false.

According to The Aspen Times, which published the report, it was based on information contained in an arrest warrant for the Lipseys filed by local police departments.

In our society, with its constitutionally mandated open courts and freedom of the press, the press has fulfilled its own role of disseminating factual information with significant impact.

Seldin is right when he notes that the punitive impact on the culprits can be greater than a court sentence.

This is how our open society works. It provides an additional deterrent for those who would consider illegal behavior. Public disgrace by an informed society contributes to, and sometimes exceeds, the actual punishment of the court.

Bernie Grauer

Aspen

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