This morning I scrolled back in time a little way on my twitter feed on my iPhone as I made my way toward my office, only to find myself momentarily stunned by this tweet last night from ESPN blogger Keith Law.

I think Giants fans should flood the courtroom with a sea of orange in support of Bryan Stow

Really? Law wants to reduce a criminal proceeding about a vicious, senseless, cold-blooded crime to a showing of team colors? When Jeremy Affeldt spoke these words before the Dodgers-Giants game on April 11(emphasis mine)

"We're fierce competitors, but when the last out is made, that rivalry ends upon the field. So please respect that, and in your excitement or in your frustration, don't take it out on another fan if you don't agree with who they cheer for."

was he advocating for an orange and black clad show of "support"? I don't think so. (I also expect that no judge would allow anything that looks like a demonstration to occur in his/her courtroom.)

I can only imagine the emotional turmoil that family members and victims must experience during a courtroom hearing or trial of the suspected perpetrator of a violent crime against them. The family of Bryan Stow has demonstrated grace and composure well beyond expectations for people thrust into their position, going what seems like the extra mile not to focus blame on Dodger fans as a whole, but on the actual criminals who committed this assault on all of their lives. Surely the public can respect the Stow family by not turning upcoming court activities into a unseemly sideshow of MLB colors, and instead allowing it to be the vehicle for justice that it is meant to be.

Instead of being fans of the Giants or the Dodgers, can we simply be advocates for civilized justice in our society?