News is often harsh, because life is often harsh.
But none of us can afford to ignore hard realities if we are to respond effectively as individuals and as a community. That is why we are publishing today and Monday a special report, prepared by staff writer Mike Mather and staff photographer Lawrence Jackson on the Witchduck Inn quadruple homicide. The Virginia Beach Police Department gave Mather and Jackson unfettered access to a homicide investigation, recognizing the large public stake in educating citizens about crime and what it takes to fight it. The department stipulated that nothing from this arrangement would be published until the perpetrators were tried. The second of two trials ended last week.