DO NOT FORGET, a young woman was MURDERED. I for one, who have had a sibling murdered in cold blood, feel it is very necessary for the details of said crime to be revealed to the public.

Two people conspiered to kill another human being, and you all are bickering about the media’s release of information. By personal experience I can assure you all that the media does go to far in some cases, they may intrude on the lives of those that do not want it. But the young woman will be remebered in the lives of her family, the thoughts of her friends and the outcome of this trial.

I knew nothing about this case, but when you read about the brutality of the murder a clear picture is posted of the murderer. I’m sure when that young man who aspires to grows up to be a forensic investigator does in fact grow up, he will find that the world is can be an ugly place, and would he rather live in the fabricated existance of his own reality, or is he going to truely grow and and investigate brutal crimes such as this?

Justice cannot be swayed, but those who vow to defend it, can be given a clear view of those who infringe upon it.

Webmaster’s note: You’re mistaken. I have not lost my faith nor did I abandon my commitment to God. If you wish to discuss or debate my authenticity as a Christian or Catholic this is not the place for it.

The public already had been drawn in by this situation, actually it was quite impossible not to be. And by the newspaper’s really pathetic attempt at trying to sell a few more papers and get people’s attention, they have possibly hindered the criminal investigation. That’s not trying to get the people’s attention. They got the people’s attention the second the police cars were dispatched to the crime scene and cars driving by were asking “What happened?” and “What’s going on?” to the passengers in the front seat.

I also don’t believe Mr. Rieping when he says he was deeply disturbed and grieved by the murder. If someone were truly disturbed and grieved by it, they would not include the horrific details of the crime he did in his article. They would want– as everyone has stated– to have the public remember Krista Pike as a valued member of the community and a young woman with her entire life ahead of her. That, Mr. Rieping, is the sort of the attention you should have been trying to draw the public to.

Webmaster’s note: You have confused my intentions with those of my managing editor but we are not the same person. You are also mistaken in doubting my sincerity and honesty. But you are not the only one who makes mistakes. I am well aware that I do so too.

Many at the Tribune have strong feelings regarding this story, it’s background, and it’s unfolding events. It is my observation that the article was written both as an informative piece, and also as a “wake up” call to the residents of the Madera area, as well as the surrounding Central Valley, in that these things ARE happening here, and need to be addressed.

While I personally feel that the Tribune should remit an apology for the extent of some details within the article, my opinion has changed as to the overall need for a blanket “mea culpa” for publishing the piece. This article was written out of a desperate desire to draw the public’s attention to the situation, was composed with emotion, and published not out of maliciousness, but out of an acute sense of duty on the part of Mr. Rieping, his managing editor, and the publisher of the paper.

In short, yes, after having the opportunity to get the “inside story” on the writing of the piece, my position has changed. If some people’s sensibilities were offended by the content of the article, I can assure you that this was not the intent of the paper…

IMHO, what needs to happen now is everyone take a step back, and reflect on everything that has come out of this unfortunate series of events. Take time to digest things, then resume the discourse in a meaningful way…

I don’t think that the ”writer” of that ”story” realizes that there are families that are hurting and trying their best to remember her as she was before this happened. The editor should be ashamed to have let out such a ”story.”

I am so glad that I don’t subscribe to The Madera Tribune. I am glad that I don’t waste my money on people who can care less about families and the pain that they are going through. If the ”writer” of that article could have seen my brother as he read that article the ”writer” maybe would have seen the pain he caused and then maybe he could have grown a heart. To him I guess, a ”story is just a story.”

I can not thank everyone enough from the bottom of my heart for ripping into the ”writer and editor” the way you did. Thank you again. Lets just all forget what was written in the paper and remember our beloved Krista-Rae Pike the way she was when she was still with us on earth. Thank you again for all the comments and defense.

With love from Krista’s sister-in-law.

I also would question the person who gave out those details. The family is seeking justice through the courts…how will this type of reporting help them?

For some years the city, county and some of our schools in Madera are often referred to as a backwoods joke … and a good ol’ boys town. I was shocked that our newspaper, which should have taken the high moral journalistic road on reporting this poor girl’s death, has now fallen into the same group as above.

Within an hour, the comment was posted by the moderator. Now, a lot of you might not realise this, but Mr. Rieping is also the webmaster for the Tribune, and quite probably the selfsame moderator that allows comments (even comments critical of himself!) to be posted to RedLine. This is the hallmark of a truly non-biased journalist.

Mr. Rieping, your willingness to pass these comments on to the public’s perusal should be lauded. Now, you need to take this ball across the goal line, and do right by the friends and family of Krista Pike, and the citizenry of Madera by (at least) explaining why you would proceed with such a piece, and issuing an apology in whatever wording you need to convey your thoughts.

I will also be touching base with Mr. Rieping off-line, but know this; John is a good person at heart, and again should at least be given credit for being journalistically transparent and open to criticism.

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Webmaster’s reply: “JP” is correct that the only moderator of this Web site is the same person who wrote much of the article on the investigation of the murder of the late Krista Pike.

If anyone wishes to discover my personal sentiments specifically on Saturday’s article I will freely share them personally, but not in my official capacity as an employee of The Madera Tribune.

YOU sir (Mr. Rieping), are the WORST kind of cad for even writing this piece in a small community where a lot of people know each other, a significant amount still read a print newspaper (the Tribune), and many were affected by Krista’s passing.

I’ve stated from the out that I am not a big fan of the Tribune. Your fluff pieces, shoddy proofing, lack of spell-checking, and now even a gross lack of tact and judgment have undermined what could be a nice local publication!

For my part, I would like to extend my deepest and sincerest apologies to the Pike family. This stunt by the Tribune is NOT indicative of a lot of Maderans, past and present, and NO parent should have to endure what you have. My prayers continue to be with you.

Finally, back to Mr. Rieping (I just can’t leave this putz alone!) Thanks for upsetting the family and friends once again. Thanks for driving even more readers away from the local rag. Thanks for potentially sullying any prospective jury pool. Thanks for your representation of my hometown, and finally, thanks for your sincere apology ahead of time! (You’d BETTER, along with the rest of the staff at the Tribune, if you want any shot at redemption in the eyes of the people!)