To the editor:

I am writing in regards to the June 29 article written by Jessie Stensland, “Freeland man, 28, drowns in Anacortes.” It was about Jacob Whitaker.

I was appalled the way you dredged up his past. It should never have been addressed. But because you did bring it up, I thought, I would share some facts.

The Appeals Court awarded Jacob a second trial. In that second trial, Jacob was acquitted. According to the dictionary the word means, “Free of accusation, found not of guilt, exonerated.” Any other charges after that, whether guilty or not, he did the time! That is what the law and society dictate we do to pay for our crimes.

So who are you trying to upset with this article besides Jacob’s friends and family? You know, the ones who knew his heart, the ones who really love Jacob.

Friends and family brought this article up online across the United States. They are asking, what kind of back hills, vigilante, hang-a-man-when-he-is-dead, type of town is this, to be so disrespectful of the dead and so extremely hurtful to the living?

Sarah Buntin,

Jacob’s grandmother

Oak Harbor