The Hook - LETTER- What about presumed innocence?

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by Faye Branham published on 6/12/2008 in the Letters category

by Faye Branham

published on 6/12/2008

in the Letters category

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LETTER- What about presumed innocence?

By FAYE BRANHAM
Published June 12, 2008 in issue 0724 of the Hook

Whatever happened to the phrase, "You're innocent until proven guilty by a court of law"?

It appears that the local newspapers [May 22: "Widow maker? Replacement husband held in 1988 murder"] and TV stations have forgotten this in the case of Alvin Lee Morris, who was arrested in May as a suspect in the 1988 murder of Roger Shifflett.

Since when did marrying a widow close to a year after her spouse was killed become a crime? After allegedly being treated so badly for years by Roger Shifflett, I'm sure that his widow, Barbara Shifflett, was happy to get married to Alvin Morris who would finally treat her and her three children with love and respect.

The store in which Roger Shifflett was killed had been robbed before this crime took place. Maybe the same or a different burglar decided to break into this store again, committing this murder.

The relatives, friends and nearby neighbors of Alvin Morris all state what a wonderful, thoughtful, kind and giving human being he is to everyone he comes in contact with. In fact, he was arrested at a nearby church where he was helping with chores, which he often did.

From someone who believes in "innocent until proven guilty by a fair and honest court trial."

Faye L. Branham
Charlottesville

Oh Mrs. Branham - are you ever confused. You wait until you hear the facts at the trial. Your skin will crawl and your stor will change! posted by Family Member at 6/13/2008 2:00:27 PM
Oh Mrs. Branham - are you ever confused. You wait until you hear the facts at the trial. Your skin will crawl and your story will change! posted by Family Member at 6/13/2008 2:00:49 PM
Make sure you have the facts. Mr. Morris left his wife shortly after Mr. Shifflett was killed. He was seeing his future wife before the crime. Do the math, lady! You do not know what you are talking about. posted by Bystander at 6/13/2008 5:15:56 PM
MRS.BRANHAM - TO ME WHAT YOU WROTE IS SLANDEROUS ABOUT ROGER SHIFFLETT. I REALIZE YOU ARE A FAMILY MEMEBER OF ALVIN MORRIS, BUT OBVIOUSLY YOU DIDN'T KNOW ROGER SHIFFLETT. ROGER WAS A WORKAHOLIC AND PROVIDED FOR HIS FAMILY AND FIVE CHILDERN WHO HE LOVED WITH HIS HEART AND SOUL, DESPITE ALL THE FALSE INFORMATION THAT IS BEING SPREAD. posted by LONG TIME FRIEND at 6/19/2008 7:57:15 AM
Slander is spoken. Libel is written. posted by Zydeco at 6/19/2008 10:45:29 AM
Mrs. Branham, You are correct that marrying a widow is not a crime, however, it is certainly a circumstance that can, and should be considered. How wonderful that he treated his new wife and step-children with love and respect after leaving his wife and his OWN children. Hmmmm, I wonder if that first robbery was just setting the stage for what was to come. posted by Waiting on the trial at 6/20/2008 1:23:38 PM
Mrs. Branham, I don't believe Alvin Morris is on trail for marrying a widow, but as a murder suspect for the killing of Roger Shifflett. I believe you will be in amazement when the trial reveals all the hidden details. posted by AWAITING THE DAY! at 6/24/2008 1:40:02 PM
Ms. Branham, Ms.Barbara Shifflett Morris is my 2nd cousin. I believe that she as well as Mr. Morris had something to do with Mr.Roger Shifflett untimely death. I find their behavior disgusting. Roger was good, hard working man. How dare you accuse him of abuse, you know nothing of his life with Barbara, her behavior was questionable at best after his death. I don't believe in coincidences. She knows full well what she and Morris did all those years ago, and what she took from Roger's children. How can one live with one's self knowing that the man their are married to could have take the life of your children's father? May god gave justice and peace to Roger's soul and his family. posted by Waiting for justice. at 10/18/2008 7:21:36 PM
There is no such thing as innocent until proven guilty any longer. A person is tried and convicted in the numerous media outlets within 12 hours of a publicized arrest. Why? Because the police departments only release the facts and information they want the public to read in forming an instant opinion of guilt or innocence. I'm sure there's facts in this case that won't be known until the defendants attorney presents them to the jury. And I am so sure I would bet $100,000 on it. But, even after a judge or jury exonerates a suspect, people always assume a loophole was used for the alleged criminal to beat the charge. A person's character and reputation is tarnished for life. posted by Sick Of The Local Rambos at 10/19/2008 9:51:47 AM

Oh Mrs. Branham - are you ever confused. You wait until you hear the facts at the trial. Your skin will crawl and your stor will change!

posted by Family Member at 6/13/2008 2:00:27 PM

Oh Mrs. Branham - are you ever confused. You wait until you hear the facts at the trial. Your skin will crawl and your story will change!

posted by Family Member at 6/13/2008 2:00:49 PM

Make sure you have the facts. Mr. Morris left his wife shortly after Mr. Shifflett was killed. He was seeing his future wife before the crime. Do the math, lady! You do not know what you are talking about.

posted by Bystander at 6/13/2008 5:15:56 PM

MRS.BRANHAM - TO ME WHAT YOU WROTE IS SLANDEROUS ABOUT ROGER SHIFFLETT. I REALIZE YOU ARE A FAMILY MEMEBER OF ALVIN MORRIS, BUT OBVIOUSLY YOU DIDN'T KNOW ROGER SHIFFLETT. ROGER WAS A WORKAHOLIC AND PROVIDED FOR HIS FAMILY AND FIVE CHILDERN WHO HE LOVED WITH HIS HEART AND SOUL, DESPITE ALL THE FALSE INFORMATION THAT IS BEING SPREAD.

posted by LONG TIME FRIEND at 6/19/2008 7:57:15 AM

Slander is spoken. Libel is written.

posted by Zydeco at 6/19/2008 10:45:29 AM

Mrs. Branham,

You are correct that marrying a widow is not a crime, however, it is certainly a circumstance that can, and should be considered. How wonderful that he treated his new wife and step-children with love and respect after leaving his wife and his OWN children. Hmmmm, I wonder if that first robbery was just setting the stage for what was to come.

posted by Waiting on the trial at 6/20/2008 1:23:38 PM

Mrs. Branham,

I don't believe Alvin Morris is on trail for marrying a widow, but as a murder suspect for the killing of Roger Shifflett. I believe you will be in amazement when the trial reveals all the hidden details.

posted by AWAITING THE DAY! at 6/24/2008 1:40:02 PM

Ms. Branham,

Ms.Barbara Shifflett Morris is my 2nd cousin. I believe that she as well as Mr. Morris had something to do with Mr.Roger Shifflett untimely death. I find their behavior disgusting. Roger was good, hard working man. How dare you accuse him of abuse, you know nothing of his life with Barbara, her behavior was questionable at best after his death. I don't believe in coincidences. She knows full well what she and Morris did all those years ago, and what she took from Roger's children. How can one live with one's self knowing that the man their are married to could have take the life of your children's father? May god gave justice and peace to Roger's soul and his family.

posted by Waiting for justice. at 10/18/2008 7:21:36 PM

There is no such thing as innocent until proven guilty any longer. A person is tried and convicted in the numerous media outlets within 12 hours of a publicized arrest. Why? Because the police departments only release the facts and information they want the public to read in forming an instant opinion of guilt or innocence. I'm sure there's facts in this case that won't be known until the defendants attorney presents them to the jury. And I am so sure I would bet $100,000 on it.

But, even after a judge or jury exonerates a suspect, people always assume a loophole was used for the alleged criminal to beat the charge. A person's character and reputation is tarnished for life.

posted by Sick Of The Local Rambos at 10/19/2008 9:51:47 AM

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