We've received a number of inquiries in the past week or so about how the Guerrette family is doing after the May 27 home invasion that left William Guerrette and his daughter, Nicole, in critical condition at separate Maine hospitals.

One e-mail writer last week took us to task for not providing details on medical conditions and how the Guerrette family is coping with the vicious attack. She wrote that we should report less on the "villains" and more about the family members, because people in the community are deeply worried about them.

In one sense, I strongly agree with that writer. We live and work in the community too, and know what she's saying is true: People have connected with this crime and they are talking about the family.

However, this is where ethical, community journalists have to strike a delicate balance. How hard do you push to get a follow-up story from a family that is going through an unbelieveable ordeal?

We have been gently, persistently contacting and leaving messages for family members and church leaders ever since May 28.

But medical conditions and medical details are up to the family to release. The Guerrettes are handling this in a fairly private way, as they have every right to do.

Police and prosecutors are being careful with what they say too. Again, for good reason: While two people connected to the incident are in jail, the investigation is probably still open. The arrest affidavit, which could contain details of the crime and crime scene, has been "impounded" -- or sealed -- by the courts. We have not seen it.

Police may be protecting the Guerrette family inside and out of the hospital, as they are potential witnesses. And you know that crisis counselors are trying to help.

In the past few weeks, we have had stories from Mormon church leaders who are working with the Guerrettes. And on Sunday, we had a story about the family, based largely on comments from the father-in-law of William Guerrette's brother.

So, we've been aware of the interest in this story and we've covered it as thoroughly as possible. To my mind, we've proceeded responsibly: Letting the family know we are interested in them and concerned about them, doing as many stories as we could, but trying hard not to push too far a family that is going through a most difficult time.

As always, I welcome your feedback on this coverage.