Abraham Epton’s letter, “State’s attorney is wrong,” published Monday, needs serious clarification. Epton claims Martel Miller and Patrick Thompson did not break the law and the charges against them are absurd; I disagree. The charge of eavesdropping is clear; it is illegal to record audio without the consent of all parties involved.

The state’s attorney is simply doing his duty to uphold the law. Comparing the Miller-Thompson video to Cops is weak, at best. The officers recorded for that show have camera crews who ride with them, and the majority of the audio is from microphones that the officers wear. The officers recorded for Cops are aware they are being recorded -ÿand likely sign consent agreements.

Miller and Thompson recorded police officers from afar, without their consent – the complete opposite of Cops. Epton continues with this statement: “Was it eavesdropping to write to the mayor and the chief of police before they shot one frame of video?” Unless the letters had audio recording devices woven into them, it would appear as though it would be impossible to commit the crime of eavesdropping. Epton goes on to question the state’s attorney’s application of the law. Epton may be correct, he might not be. There is no way for anyone to know because he did not back his strong accusation with any evidence.

Epton is the President of Students for Julia Rietz for State’s Attorney. His letter was simply a campaign ad, and one that will not help Rietz. I would highly recommend that Students for Julia Rietz for State’s Attorney have all future correspondence approved by Rietz’s campaign office. Give the readers what they want – an in-depth review of both candidates based on fact, not fiction and baseless accusations.

Don Pydo

senior in LAS