We were on the other side of the world for most of June but even from there I got a sense that Ewen Macdonald’s trial for Scott Guy’s murder was being treated like a soap opera.
Losing a husband, father, son and brother is more than enough for any family. To lose him to murder made it worse and having a family member on trial for it compounded the tragedy.
On top of all that the family had their personal business displayed in court to a packed gallery and relayed to the world through the media.
It was life imitating soap but these people aren’t actors, they are real, human beings facing a real and on-going tragedy.
My knowledge of media law is very rusty but some of the commentary and comments I read and heard seemed to be sailing very close to prejudicing a fair trial.
Many certainly showed little regard for the people whose lives had been torn apart by the murder and its aftermath.
In spite of the dignity with which Bryan Guy, father of the victim and father-in-law of the accused, faced the media and his plea for privacy now it is unlikely they will get it.
This isn’t a script with a happy ending and the media is almost certain to write more episodes, with or without the co-operation of the major players.
Homepaddock 
Well said Ele. I too am suffering from Verdict Fatigue, and have blogged my final thoughts on the case. I just hope that the media now leave the Guy and Macdonal families to make sense of the events of the last two years, and to find some peace in the midst of an incredible emotional storm.
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