Editor:
Like many thousands of residents in Highlands County and perhaps in other counties I have known several members of the Doty family, especially Aaron's father Jim, for almost 12 years. I am writing to the News-Sun editor, and the District 10 Medical Examiner because I feel compelled to express myself in a respectful manner from my heart.
Concerning your article about Aaron in Sunday's (Sept. 23) edition of the News-Sun it is my opinion and that of many of my friends that the District 10 ME had no right to disclose to the News-Sun, and the News-Sun had no business to print the story.
Is there no longer any ethical, professional and compassionate concern for the Doty family? Have they not experienced a heartache that no family should go though? Is writing a story more important than a well respected and loved family and the grief they are experiencing? I think not.
Mr. Dressel and the ME should be ashamed of yourselves as I am of you for releasing such information and writing such an article as you did about Aaron Doty. Why couldn't you, the News-Sun and the District 10 ME, respect the Doty Family and especially Aaron's memory enough to have the discernment to keep your findings confidential? Is selling papers more important than respecting the Doty family? To you, obviously it is not.
Stan Schmidt
Sebring
Editor's note: The information used in the story was released by the Highlands County Sheriff's Office as another completed phase of its investigation into Aaron's murder, a case that is on the minds of everyone in Highlands County.
Friday, September 28, 2012 - www.newssun.com/ltr-092812-schmidt