Since a particular item appeared in our Police Blotter recently, there's been a steady stream of Reader Comments submitted online that are critical of the Monroe Police Department, but more critical yet of the subject in the blotter item.

None of those comments will be posted online, and I wanted to tell you why.

The comments essentially place guilt on the subject - before the person is able to have a day in court. They also make comments about how this particular person should have been behind bars a long time ago, essentially assigning guilt for previous crimes, as well.

For a number of reasons, the newspaper would put itself in an extremely precarious legal position if the comments were to be posted. One of my job responsibilities is to keep the paper out of legal trouble whenever possible. The newspaper can print charges and allegations made by law enforcement agencies. But it cannot presume guilt or allow its readers to do so in print. So I cannot post the comments online.

I understand the frustration this may cause those who have made comments, some of whom may have been a victim of the alleged crime referred to in the blotter. But my responsibility as an editor is to make sure the paper stays true to its legal duties, which include protecting the accused's right to a fair trial.