As much as I defend the right of free speech, including placards on street corners, the reality is that County Attorney Tim Scannell is innocent until proven guilty. It is troubling to see this guiding principle lost on those so eager to pre-judge.
Mr. Scannell is a public servant on the front lines of our society protecting us from anarchy. He pays a personal burden for the professional decisions he makes. He suffered life-altering physical and psychic trauma that will haunt him forever. This directly as a result of having performed his job to the best of his ability, at least according to the jury. It is odd indeed for criticism to be lodged against a public servant for doing his job too well.
But as an office, the position of county attorney must be held inviolate and the higher priority of that office’s sanctity must prevail above all. It, and the public at large are not served by the exorcizing of personal demons on the public square. Nor, is it served by its office holder bringing to it any taint that could smear it. For that office pursues the most important of all issues of government, that is who can and cannot enjoy the freedoms of our society, who can and cannot live within our midst, even whose life is forfeited for their misdeeds.
Mr. Scannell deserves the same rights and protections that we would demand if allegations were made against us. Under the extraordinary circumstances that unfortunately befell him, he deserves our understanding and temperance as well.
Not only is the judgementalism and spectacle counterproductive, intemperate, and harmful to a man who we must hold as innocent if our principles are to stand, but more importantly they are corrosive to the position and even who we are as a society.
Vilnis Neilands
Grand Marais
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