Story lacked appropriate focus

In response to the article written by Emily Priddy dated Friday, June 14, 2013: Ms. Priddy, I read your article, "Monia indicted on fraud charges; check was made out to George Joseph." What prompted your article? Was it some new development with the "Monia" case? Or was it with reference to George Joseph? Because it seems to me, and I am only Mr. Monia's older sister, the article is negatively directed toward Mr. Monia.

I would think your paper (or editor) would scrutinize reporters' work for these kind of prejudice(s) before allowing the printing of biased articles. I thought the reason for the newspapers' existence and creation was to print unbiased current event news to inform people, not to be the judge and jury. Your personal opinions are for special sections of the newspaper called the "Commentary, Opinion, Editorial or Letters to the Editor sections," which are designated specifically for that reason. Not the front page. Some of your prose is clearly defamatory (not to mention, just awkwardly written). Um, guess that is why the Southeast Missourian would have liability insurance?

Again, it seems to me that the real news here is the fact that two people are dead in Mr. Joseph's family. He is in jail. A check was made out to him and endorsed by someone of the name George Joseph. I guess I am stupid, but again it seems to me, in light of these events, you would have chosen to concentrate the majority of your "news" story on George Joseph and how it might relate. Oh, and by the way, no one ever said Mr. Joseph lives in New York, only that he was from New York. DAH!

No disrespect, Ms. Priddy.

Sincerely,

VICTORIA MONIA DUVALL, St. Louis, Mo.