[microtherion]

Given how heavily and uncritically the initial theory of a homeless/lower class person as the killer was promoted (not least of all here on HN), I think it made a lot of sense to reveal that the actual suspect now arrested worked in the tech industry and was acquainted with the victim.

Beyond that, it's nor clear to me that revealing the actual name or other personal details of the suspect serves a legitimate purpose of advancing justice or society; however, it is not out of keeping with journalistic practice in other criminal cases in California. Suspects' names get printed in newspapers for far lower profile crimes all the time.

[bink]

I can see some benefit in that potential witnesses might be more likely to come forward. If I hear of a terrible crime and it turns out my neighbor was arrested for it I might potentially have some valuable information to contribute. I'm still not sure if it's a good thing though.

[simplotek]

> (...) I think it made a lot of sense to reveal that the actual suspect now arrested (...)

Have we learned nothing from Reddit's Boston bomber witch hunt?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suicide_of_Sunil_Tripathi

[hluska]

What a terrible comparison. There is a massive difference between identifying someone who has been charged and randomly naming brown people the killer.

[jamespo]

I've learnt that's a poor comparison to this

[simplotek]

Please explain what leads you to believe that doxing suspects, exactly like in the Boston bomber case, is a reasonable idea.

[dapearce]

In this example there is enough evidence the suspect has been arrested by police, which is a public record. Not remotely the same as the Boston bomber reddit-misidentification case.

[jstarfish]

It is every bit the same and every bit as shitty a metric. Remember Richard Jewell?

The man's only crime was being the first person to find a live bomb and help people escape it before it then detonated and killed 100+ others. The fucker was a literal goddamn hero.

But then the media implied he was a sad loser rent-a-cop who planted a bomb so he could find it and pretend to be someone important for a day. It was absolutely depraved, and that's before the FBI started harassing him.

But hey, all's fair for anyone named as a suspect by law enforcement. They always get it right the first time around. Everyone who gets arrested is later convicted. They always kick down the right door before sending the SWAT team in.

Fuck internet vigilantes, and the FBI.

[jakelazaroff]

I agree, but we can't only have this discussion when someone wealthy is implicated in a crime. On any other given day the SF carceral brigade is out for blood. Just recently a prominent person was talking about bringing back lynching. So when they suddenly start waxing on about the rights of the suspects, we should absolutely press them on their change of heart.

[jamespo]

Richard Jewell who was never charged?

[hluska]

It is painfully simple. Charges are a matter of public record. Naming random brown people as terrorists only creates innocent victims.

Honestly, it’s time to let this idea die. It’s not only completely wrong but it’s not making you look very bright.