The Justice of the Peace was right

The Star

Re: Publication bans in Canadian court cases keep public in the dark, July 1

The Justice of the Peace was right. Yes, freedom of the press is important. But so is the freedom of people to live their lives in peace.

Here a young man, a child in fact, is shot and badly injured while visiting Toronto with his family. His identity is made the subject of public scrutiny. And his name really doesn't matter at all.

Finally, he was afraid for his safety — and there were gang-related connections in the Eaton Centre case. As your earlier story said, quoting one of the lawyers seeking the ban, “The victims themselves don't want their names mentioned . . . they are afraid and they themselves have asked that their names not be published.”

The Justice of the Peace made the right call. Making and keeping the name confidential was the right decision.

James Morton, Past president of the Ontario Bar Association, Toronto