Tone of article upsetting
I am writing in reference to the article [“Baptist preacher faces lawsuit” in the July 8 edition of the Maryland Independent] written by Andrew Richardson regarding the civil case that has been filed against the Corricks.
I was appalled by the tone of the article. Mr. Richardson didn’t just report about the civil case — he took a section from the “plaintiff’s” case and inserted into his article — making it sound as if it were fact. Instead of starting the paragraph with “The plaintiff’s complaint states…,” he inserts it into the paragraph — where, as he well knows, most people will read over and not associate the information as being what the person making the claim is stating and that it is not a proven fact.
As we all know, I could walk into a courthouse today and file a complaint against anyone — stating what I say are facts and for a filing fee the complaint would become a court record — this does not make any part of it fact.
I was also perplexed while reading Mr. Richardson’s article that he didn’t give personal information regarding the accuser in this matter, however, he made certain to give information regarding all of the accused. I guess Mr. Richardson was more interested in selling newspapers than writing an article that gave all the facts. Perhaps Mr. Richardson should look into the accuser and give facts about why none of his family would take him in when he had his health issues in 2011.
I was also disgusted by the fact Mr. Richardson found it necessary to list what a person’s salary is to make it sound as if filing a bankruptcy was deceitful. My questions to Mr. Richardson is “do you have any idea what the cost of defending yourself against a false claim is?” Well let me tell you, it is costly — I work in the legal profession and attorney’s fees and costs don’t stop your day-to-day living expenses from needing to be paid.
Finally, I want to touch on the person that Mr. Richardson used to title his article. Keith Corrick is a man with the highest degree of integrity and moral character that I have ever met in my life. I find it utterly repulsive that the Mar yland Independent would write an article in this damaging manner about a man who has committed himself to serving our community.
Brenda S. Robertson, Mechanicsville