FC Cincinnati ready for the big leagues; Deters owes DuBose family an apology

Enquirer editorial board | Cincinnati Enquirer

In this weekly feature, The Enquirer editorial board celebrates successes across our region and calls out those who stand in the way of progress.

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Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters owes the family of Sam DuBose an apology. Not because the prosecutor and his team didn't argue the best case possible during the trial of former University of Cincinnati Police Officer Ray Tensing, the man who shot and killed DuBose, but because he overreached and raised expectations with the murder charge. Juries both here and around the country have shown a reticence to go all-in with murder charges against police officers, and legal experts have said from the beginning that lesser charges of reckless or negligent homicide would have been more appropriate and realistic. Some legal experts say the statute of limitations to amend charges against Tensing has als passed so that route is no longer an option. If Deters decides not to try Tensing a third time, it will be because he knows he cannot win a murder conviction. Deters is a tough, smart attorney but in this case, he made a bad miscalculation that did a disservice to the DuBose family and the community.

Shame on Middletown City Councilman Dan Picard for having the audacity to suggest that the city should let addicts die by not sending ambulances to resuscitate them when they overdose. Picard's comment came during a recent City Council meeting where officials were discussing the opioid epidemic. Picard, in interviews with the Washington Post and The Enquirer, described his words as more of a "cry of frustration" over the financial stress these overdoses are placing on city services than a legitimate proposal. But the fact remains Picard's words were callous and out of line. As an elected official, even a lame duck, Picard is sworn to represent the citizens of Middletown, from the addicts to its most prominent citizens. His attitude reflects a disturbing and growing trend of hate toward and lack of compassion for those suffering from the disease of drug addiction. We are all frustrated by and concerned with the increasing number of deaths and overdoses wrought by heroin, but true, game-changing leadership displays itself in the toughest and most vexing of times. To defeat this scourge, we need our leaders to offer smart, innovative and compassionate solutions, not to throw their hands up and throw people away.

The state of Ohio should comply with public records law and release the applications of those who have applied to grow medical marijuana in the state. The Enquirer requested those applications, seeking to report where marijuana growers might be located, but the state says it doesn't have to share the applications with the public right now because they are not public record until the state utilizes them in some way. Enquirer attorney Darren Ford said Ohio law doesn't support the state's argument and the applications should be made available. Transparency is critical for the public to have confidence and trust in the process of awarding growers' licenses. The public has a right to know who has applied and where growing operations could possibly be located.

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