Maybe in the future, the Janesville Gazette show some compassion and notify either the victims themselves or the detectives involved in the case that a story of this nature will be printed. The reporter that previously covered this story would notify the detectives, who in turn notified the victims. This story was developed from police reports with no sense of context and contains errors that would easily have been corrected with a simple phone call to validate.
Also, common sense tells us that maybe Father's Day isn't the day to print this type of story with no warning to the victims.

Sarah B: Doesn't matter either way does it?

mickie and lynda: Did it ever occur to you that the seating arrangement is controlled by the courts and not the media?!

Thank you for saying that Mickie. I couldn't agree more.

I will end with saying this Ted. It also was complete crap to see all the "media" getting special seating during the sentencing as the victims,officers, detectives, family and friends sat smashed together or standing.. That is how SCREWED up our society is. I could see how roomy it was for all the cameras and reporters in their special, secluded section. Pathetic. I know its your job, but where can the lines be drawn when it comes to someones personal liberties not only being raped by a stranger, but then violated by media?

Disgusted and others raise a very important point and one grappled with by other papers: How many graphic details should be given in these cases? Many papers are choosing to report only that a "sexual assault" and perhaps an aggravated one happened in cases, and they're doing so not only for the good reasons cited by people here, but also because some criminals are excited by these details and MAY even repeat the crime. I'm not sure why we needed these details in the coverage. I was a bit taken aback when I read the story because there were so many more details than I'm used to.

This type of PTSD is extemeley common, not even amongst reporters but jurors as well. It tears a person to hear child after child go up on the stand and testify to actual rape, but the rapist goes free because 5-9 year olds unfortunately have problems picking people out from a lineup and there was no DNA evidence.
Yes, this story is horrible, and I am saddened by the hell the reporter, investigators, and most of all the women endured.
The real monstrosity are those that still walk the streets, doing their crime as a daily part of their life.

The truth will set you free.

Most if not all of these occurances happened by the intruder/rapist breaking in...So I dont see how the Gazette printing their statements without their knowledge (or even a warning), helps anyone?? A rapist- is a rapist. What else would the public have to know? Maybe if you yourself were one of the vicitims you would see this from a different light..It was also beyond tacky- to print it on Fathers Day..Some news (most actually) is just called Nose Worthy- not News Worthy.

Can someone help me out here? Where in this story is the identity of ANY of the women identified? If you are the victim, you have that right to tell or not to tell your story. But, as a victim, despite the trauma that you endured by this monster, would you not want another person-- male, female, child, adult, elderly, to be protected so this guy did not hurt them?

I am in no way belittling what you experience everyday since you were raped by this ugly beast! What I am saying is, don't you want another person to avoid having to deal with what you deal with all the time? Are you at a point that you can advocate, educate and support people in this type of situation?

At one point, JVL police contacted the office of the apartment complex my ex-husband lived at. It was in the general area of several of the rapes. They requested the names and addresses of male renters that lived alone and were in a certain age range. That information brought the police to his door. They asked him questions about any ties to Beloit and if he was a smoker. When he answered yes to both of those questions, he was then asked if he would submit to a DNA test. Since he had nothing to hide, he agreed. The test was never done but this went on hundreds of times in this city. Yes, it is tragic for the victims of this animal. One of the rapes occured 3 blocks from my home. I know if this ever happened to me I would never want the general public to know the details. However, this was NOT an isolated incident. He really did terrorize this area for a long time. For awhile people are on guard, locking doors and keeping an eye out for things when walking outside. But in time that fear goes away and people become complacent. If that article can keep even one person from getting raped,then it did it's job. If it reminds just one woman to double check that door or window that she's not sure is locked, it's worth it. These guys are not going to spend a lot of time trying to get into a home. Make it as difficult for them as you can. My prayers and thoughts go out to these victims.

Wasnt your story to tell...............

The article was not intended to hurt the victims. We did our best to protect the identities of the six women while telling readers the seriousness of Michael Huber's crimes. It's a hard line to walk. No one will ever be impacted more than the victims in this case. In many ways, though, the entire city suffered because of Huber. The public nature of this case, coupled with the prison time Huber faced, made Huber's behavior on those six nights newsworthy. It was a story worth telling.

Disgusted- I too would like Ted to answer to that...

Ted, if by some horrible chance one of your loved ones were attacked, would you print the details of their ordeal in the paper as you did to the victims of Michael Huber. The plea agreement was to avoid having the victims relive the experience, yet on Father's Day of all days you forced us to do just that without notifying any of us as a common courtesy that you would be printing the article or to check the accuracy of your story.

I remember when these invasions and rapes were happening. I repeatedly talked to my daughter who was in high school at the time about locking the doors, etc. Even though this person was apprehended, I will continue to lock down even during the day. One never knows when someone will replace Huber. It's sad but you really can't trust anyone that you don't know personally.

Ted,
As hard as it seems in the moment, this too shall pass for us that have not be victimized to this point. It will always stay with you even if you became more lax with the locking doors and stuff. You'll always be protective of your loved ones.

THANK YOU for reporting on this!