Reports Refer To The Alleged As ‘Chris Christie Niece’

HARRY HURLEY OPINION - EDITORIAL

I’m not defending the alleged conduct of Shannon Epstein on Thanksgiving Day aboard (and, after deplaning) a Spirit Air Flight at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport at about 6:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 24, 2022.

All of that will play out over time as the facts are properly presented in the proper forum and adjudicated.

My question is why are there countless news reports, all parroting the same general theme and headline:

“Governor Chris Christie’s Niece Is Charged.”

Do you think this is a legitimate point of reference, or, is it something else?

Do you think the same approach would be used if the niece of a prominent Democrat were arrested and charged in a similar manner?

I think not.

Especially when the relative has a completely different last name.

The media should just cover the story. If a passenger allegedly assaulted multiple police officers and engaged in the alleged outlined conduct … the story should be about the accused … not about who her famous Uncle is.

If the accused dropped her famous relative’s name and threatened police about them losing their jobs, simply because they were doing their job … that will all come out in court.

The current charges against Epstein are:

six counts of battery on a police officer.
three counts of disturbing the peace.
one count of resisting arrest by force.
one count of ”remaining after forbidden.”

Epstein was released on $10,750 bail. Epstein’s court date in Jefferson Parish is set for Monday, January 23, 2023.

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I think it’s clear why Governor Christie is at the receiving end of the news coverage.

Christie is a once and likely future Presidential candidate in the 2024 election cycle.

The media is purposely trying to closely associate Governor Christie to this police incident, in an attempt to damage his reputation.

The focus of a news report should always be about the subject. It should not be about a relative, (Christie) who was about 1,275 miles away from the alleged incident.

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