Take note: A person is presumed innocent

In Monday's “Gomers” editorial regarding “Dark Day”: In reference to Derrell Johnson-Koulianos, you make what is becoming a very common mistake. I have noted many reporters making the same mistake and since the editors of The Gazette don't recognize the error, I can understand why your reporters would make the same error.

If you did it (a crime), you're guilty, no matter what. Our system of government presumes innocence. This means that even the obviously guilty are presumed innocent until guilt is proven. Not that they are “innocent until proven guilty.”

This presumption of innocence comes from English common law and is embodied in several provisions of the U.S. Constitution but never specifically stated.

Dr. Harold L. Hammond

University of Iowa

Iowa City