Laurie Myles

* Regarding the article on the murder of the lady who was picking up her son from Bible study (Sept. 17), how do reporters draw the line between duty and decency? In the reporting of a story, is it the reporters’ duty to report everything about a person’s life, regardless of the relevance to the story, even at the expense of the person’s dignity?

Now, this error in judgment is compounded when we discover in the follow-up story on Sept. 18 that the criminal history that was reported, which had no bearing on her tragic demise, was a case of mistaken identity. The fact that The Times did not investigate its findings before going to print borders on yellow journalism and reckless reporting. Finally, I wonder if the slain victim’s Christianity had anything to do with rushing to print with a story of a murdered woman with a checkered past. I wonder?

RON WRIGHT, Pastor

St. Paul AME Church

Santa Barbara

* What does Laurie Myles’ past have to do with anything? She was the victim of a violent crime. Are your reporters passing judgment on the quality of her life--whether she contributed enough to society to render her death a true tragedy? This event and your paper’s delivery of it have continued to gnaw at me.

I was somewhat mollified to read your admission of a mistake, although it frightens me to consider the power of the press. You should take your responsibilities more seriously.

PAM LACEY-DiCARO

Del Mar