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Reasonable Doubt

By Dan Bauer, 09/23/15, 4:00PM CDT

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We are all innocent until proven guilty

NHL training camps are underway and the media experts are making their predictions as the treasured journey for Lord Stanley’s Cup begins.  In Chicago, home of the defending champion Blackhawks, the sun glasses of Patrick Kane’s on-going sexual assault investigation have darkened the vision of a repeat.  

Sexual assault and domestic violence are current issues with the volatility of nitro glycerin and professional athletes have an abhorrent track record.  Considerable debate has ensued regarding Kane and his appearance at training camp.   The Chicago media has condemned the Blackhawks front office for allowing (mind you a player who has been charged with nothing) to report to camp.  It is disappointing to see the media that defends their right to freedom of speech so passionately, yet seems to have so little concern for the rights of someone who is at this time innocent.

Responsible journalism should be the least we can expect when you are given that elite soap box.

Image is an important consideration of any sports franchise, but chastising the Blackhawks for allowing Kane to participate in training camp and asking them to convict their own without, not just sufficient evidence, but any evidence is unreasonable.  The Blackhawks directing Kane to stay away would seem to be more of a subliminal indictment of him than a wise public relations strategy.  Would it have been any better to ban a Kane because of an alleged incident?  This is a scenario the Blackhawks would have drawn criticism either way.

The accusation against Kane has been a polarizing matter that has caused many to jump to conclusions and assume guilt.  In this split second wireless world there is a constant rush to judgment in an attempt to break news and predict outcomes.  Left in the vapor trail of those opinions are the lives of real people.   As distant as the everyday life of a millionaire sports star is from our own reality, they are still real people that live in an environment with challenges and restrictions most of us don’t understand. 

Professional athletes have not given us many opportunities to believe in them when it comes to these matters of alleged illicit behavior.  So when Patrick Kane publically tells us, “I am confident once all the facts are brought to light I will be absolved of having done [anything] wrong," I am not convinced of his innocence.  I understand the reasonable doubt most have in the Kane matter because we have been deceived too many times by too many athletes in the past.

At the same time I am not willing to convict him without any evidence.  Adhering to the premise that a defendant is innocent until proven guilty is one of the most sacred principles in the American criminal justice system.   Assuming guilt without a formal charge and asking any person to refrain from their regular life because of an accusation is against the very core of our inalienable rights. 

I do not take lightly the moral transgressions of athletes at any level.  I firmly believe in the character building of the athletic experience, but I also understand the volume of bad coaches who exist that build out of control athletic egos instead.  I want athletes to hold themselves to a moral standard as lofty as their fame and paychecks.  Some athletes comprehend the expectation to be a role model, others ignore it. 

I also don't take lightly the judicial guarantee to be innocent until proven guilty.  Remember no charges have been filed and the possibility exists that none will be. 

Speculation of another out of control athletic ego taking advantage of a wide-eyed young woman or a seductive money-bagger are both unfair conclusions and paint this situation with a very narrow brush.  It’s likely neither is accurate.  They are the sort of ill-advised leaps that lead to an egg covered face and a contrite apology.  Neither demonstrates respect for the process or the individuals involved.  Identifying the villain or victim is best left to the legal process and not sportswriters looking for a headline.

Ultimately we all hope that the truth comes to light, but that may not happen.  In cases like these, he said, she said, often an agreement, a compromise if you will is reached and the truth stays between the parties involved.  At that time it all officially becomes none of our business.  In the meantime I hope we can stop trying so hard to produce smoke in an attempt to prove there is a fire.

Because I have no reasonable doubt that we are all innocent , until proven guilty.

Dan Bauer is a free-lance writer, teacher & hockey coach in Wausau, WI.  You can contact him at dbauer@wausauschools.org.