TO THE EDITOR:
I am again disappointed by The Daily Tar Heel’s lack of neutrality on the sensitive issue of the death of David Shannon.
Of all the headlines The Daily Tar Heel could have chosen for the article published Sept. 18, the staff chose to pick one that anchors the article to lead readers to believe that Chi Phi hazed David to death. Why not, “Police Chief Horton provides update on first-year’s death”? Or “Cause of first-year’s death still unclear”?
I believe that any male in the Greek community, or anyone that knew him, can attest to David’s outstanding character. I also believe that those familiar with the Chi Phi fraternity can attest that it is a fraternity of men who share David’s strong sense of character, and that he chose Chi Phi with good reason.
The Shannon family and the Greek community have experienced enough pain. How about ending public accusations that the organization that welcomed David the most his first semester killed him? Until there is definitive evidence of such accusations, refrain from publishing such misleading headlines.
Instead, the Shannon family and Chi Phi need the support of the entire Carolina family, affiliated or not.
James Martin ’15
Computer science
