Selim Bingol: Duke Energy wants fair trial

Duke Energy is a participant in litigation involving the drinking water issue, and its chance for a fair, impartial jury is diminished every day as misinformation is spread through the media to the public, leak by damaging leak. That is why we asked the court to determine who is abusing the legal process, a point that you missed entirely in your Aug. 25 editorial “Duke Energy’s strong arming.”

We respect the media’s right to cover any story they deem appropriate. We object to an abuse of the legal process in order to manipulate the public.

Some time ago, we asked the court to allow a deposition with Dr. Ken Rudo of the Department of Health and Human Services to be completed before it was released. Right now it’s only about half completed and contains only one side of this important story. Lawyers have hours of questions left for Rudo. This is about anyone’s ability to have a fair trial.

While the court was considering the request, someone abused the legal process and released the partial deposition.

We are simply asking the court to put an end to this destructive behavior and to hold accountable whoever is behind it.

This story was originally published August 26, 2016 at 5:43 PM with the headline "Selim Bingol: Duke Energy wants fair trial."