To the editor:

The Carlton Bragg case is not an anomaly. In college towns, in particular, there is a rush to judgement on uncorroborated allegations, e.g., the Duke lacrosse case and the University of Virginia case reported last year by Rolling Stone. Unfortunately, in today’s campus climate young men are effectively presumed guilty. We only hear about these injustices when the cases, like Mr. Bragg’s, receive media attention.

Mr. Bragg was arrested and charged with battery based solely on the word of a woman with no apparent injuries. In addition, his mug shot was plastered in the media and he was the subject of unfair speculation.

The police and prosecutor should have conducted a simple investigation before deciding whether to arrest and charge Mr. Bragg. The reported facts of this case did not mandate nor support an immediate arrest and charge. Fortunately, the incident was captured on surveillance camera and Mr. Bragg was cleared. Without that video, Mr. Bragg may have been wrongly convicted and, even if acquitted, he would have been wrongly stigmatized.

Crimes against women should be taken very seriously, but not at the expense of due process. Moreover, when false allegations are discovered, it ultimately hurts other women who are actually victims. Due process benefits everyone.