Re “Charges dismissed against San Ysidro teaching assistant accused of molesting student” (May 1): In this U-T report, a deputy county district attorney was quoted as saying, “Though the San Diego District Attorney’s Office fully believes and supports the 4-year-old victim and her family, and commends them for their strength in speaking up, in order to proceed to trial, we must have evidence beyond a reasonable doubt to prove each and every element of the crime charge.” The person charged was named and shamed.
In this country, a person is entitled to the presumption of innocence. As such, an ethical district attorney would simply acknowledge that they were dropping the charges due to insufficient evidence. Full stop. It’s not appropriate for officers of the court responsible for ensuring justice to state, in effect, that although they can’t prove the charges, in their opinion the person is guilty as charged. That is reprehensible.
— B. Chris Brewster, Pacific Beach