To the Editor:

I am very concerned about where the future of our newspaper is going. I read the article staff writer R.E. Spears wrote covering the Becky Whitehurst trial and was absolutely outraged by the graphic details he chose to share with The Tidewater News readers. Covering what the paramedics said during testimony is one thing, but was it really necessary to share how that beautiful child looked at the time of his death?

How could you write such a thing? I am just an acquaintance of Buddy and Becky Whitehurst and it tears my heart out as a parent to read something so horrible. I can only imagine how angry the Whitehurst family is after reading that.

I thought The Tidewater News would have learned a crucial lesson after the complaints that came from the awful photos of the fatal accident on Joyners Bridge.

Apparently not. Shame on Mr. Spears for obviously not thinking about the family involved. Even more, shame on The Tidewater News for being so cold-hearted to let it go to print.

Niki Jernigan

Franklin