An Open Letter to the Fazzino and Beckwith families

(by decorahnews.com's Paul Scott)

Life is beginning to return to normal around the newroom after three weeks of the Fazzino murder trial in Decorah.

One aspect of the trial that we mentioned a few times in our coverage was the antagonism between Alex Fazzino's family and Emily Fazzino's family, the Beckwiths.  It was obvious that the two families have no love for one another.

Following the "not guilty" verdict, Alex Fazzino told the Des Moines Register that his children might not have a relationship with the Beckwiths in the future: "I don't believe it would be in their best interest."

Wrong.

The three Fazzino children have already lost their mother.  They should not also have to lose their mother's family, including their grandparents on their mother's side.

OK, I understand Alex Fazzino doesn't want to be the one to drop off his kids with the Beckwiths.  But it doesn't have to be that way--a neutral third party could supervise the kids' visit with their Beckwith relatives, making sure the Beckwiths don't criticize any of the Fazzinos.

It's time to put aside feelings about what has happened so far and work in the best interests of the Fazzino children.  They have already suffered a big enough loss.