On 1/7/06, Kevin Waterson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > I recently walked into a large Sydney camera store and ventured to the > "pro section" to purchase some Fuji Provia. I was astounded that the > person serving me was an ex-photog who is currently in the midst of > a child porn investigation. He worked with his uncle who has been charged > and a trial is due. > > My question is, should I make the store owner aware of who is working for him? > Am I being vigilant or is it sheer bloody mindedness on my part? > Is this really none of my business? > I must admit this sort of thing boils my blood quickly. >
Well, I see that at the time of this post, there have been 50 replies, none of which I've read, so I've no idea what the prevailing thoughts are, nor where this thread has veered off to, but here are my thoughts anyway: Say nothing. For one thing, it's none of your business. For another, it sounds like you have little or no idea what this person's involvement was. You say that his uncle has been charged, but it sounds like the salesman hasn't. Maybe he wasn't involved? Who knows? Believe me, if the cops thought that his involvement was illegal, he'd have been charged by now (being that a trial date's been set). Another thing to consider is that in Australia, one is "innocent until proven guilty". So, until he's been charged ~and~ convicted, one ought not make presumptions, at least not presumptions that might affect his livelihood. Any criminal matter that involves sex, especially "kiddy porn", tends to rile the pubic so much that mere inuendo is enough to ruin careers and lives. IMHO, it's even more important in such cases that the individual's rights to a fair trial and rights to a normal life after being found innocent are safeguarded. The other thing that you may consider, is that his employer may be well aware of the matter, and the salesperson's involvement in same, and has chosen to keep him on staff pending the result of investigations/trials (as well he should). Finally, if you do mention something, and he loses his job, what of it? Who will you protect? Do you suppose that he's doing evil things to kids at work? If anything, being unemployed will give him lots more free time to do his dirty deeds (supposing for a moment that he's involved - which we obviously don't know that he is at this point). So, for all of the above reasons, plus several more that I can think of, I'd say, "Say nothing at this point." If it turns out that he's charged and found guilty, then it may be that saying something (assuming that he's still working there) may be something to consider. cheers, frank -- "Sharpness is a bourgeois concept." -Henri Cartier-Bresson
