By Ryan Michaels, Journalist | The Maine Mirror
In public discourse—especially in leadership roles—consistency matters.
Recently, a narrative has been pushed suggesting that an individual’s lack of conviction in a court of law should be viewed as irrelevant when evaluating their character or fitness. Instead, emphasis has been placed on the existence of accusations alone.
That position deserves scrutiny.
(In this image: Laura Whitcomb’s public post stating that Derek Levasseur has been “accused by multiple people,” while acknowledging he “has never been convicted,” with highlighted text emphasizing the contrast between accusations and lack of conviction.)
In the United States, due process is not a technicality—it is a foundational principle. It exists to ensure that claims are tested, evidence is examined, and outcomes are determined through a structured, impartial process. When that process concludes, the outcome is not meaningless—it is the result.
To suggest otherwise is to imply that accusation alone should carry more weight than adjudicated fact.
That standard is not just inconsistent—it is dangerous.
It is especially concerning when this perspective comes from individuals in positions of leadership within organizations like Gun Owners of Maine—groups that advocate for constitutional rights. The same Constitution that protects the right to bear arms also protects the presumption of innocence and the right to a fair trial.
Those rights are not selective. They do not apply only when convenient or when aligned with personal opinions.
They either matter—or they don’t.
You cannot champion the Second Amendment while dismissing the due process that stands beside it. They are not separate ideas; they are part of the same constitutional framework designed to protect individuals from unchecked power, false accusation, and unjust outcomes.
(In this image: A Facebook comment thread where Laura Whitcomb states that Derek “should be in jail,” contrasted with a response asking for verifiable evidence and noting that no facts have been provided to support such a claim.)
This is not about defending any one individual. It is about defending the integrity of the principles that protect all individuals.
If there are specific, verifiable facts that contradict a legal outcome, they should be presented clearly and responsibly. That is how truth is established.
But replacing evidence with implication, and process with opinion, undermines the very framework that ensures fairness.
Leadership requires more than conviction—it requires consistency.
And consistency means applying the same standards to everyone, even when it’s uncomfortable.
(In this image: Derek Levasseur’s public response stating he followed the legal process, went to trial, and was found “NOT GUILTY,” emphasizing due process and the importance of factual outcomes.)
Because once we decide that due process no longer matters, we’re not just changing the rules for one person—we’re changing them for everyone.
*Gun Owners of Maine has been contacted for comment regarding whether these statements reflect the organization’s position on due process and constitutional rights.
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