criticised as "superficial'' last night.

The parents of the 17 year old victim, whose killing was the subject of a cable network show on Tuesday night, believe the programme barely scratched the surface of the crime.

And they questioned the choice of interviewees as well as some of the claims about crime in Bermuda, slamming the one hour programme as "wishy washy'' and bemoaning its lack of depth.

Speaking from Belleville, Ontario, Cindy Middleton said it only covered the tip of the iceberg.

Mrs. Middleton added: "The programme was wishy-washy. I didn't think much of it, it was melodramatic.

"There was nobody in authority speaking. I was quite surprised at Archie Warner talking, with him being a Magistrate.

She said much of the programme was superficial, and actually gave Bermuda free publicity with shots of beaches and blue waters. And she queried the use of two of the speakers, Dr. Clark Godwin and Ashfield DeVent.

"I think if I was Bermudian, I would be pretty upset if those two people were speaking for my country,'' she said.

But Shadow Home Affairs Minister Michael Dunkley said the programme makers could choose who they wanted to appear, adding that he saw no reason why Dr.

Godwin and Mr. DeVent should not be included.

David Middleton also believed the show did the Island no real harm.

A&E documentary barely scratched the surface, say family of slain teen He said: "I think a lot of people were afraid it was going to tarnish Bermuda's reputation, I don't think it did that. At the start it was almost like a travelogue.'' Mr. Middleton questioned some of the accuracy in the show, especially relating to crime, which he said it seemed some people were ignoring.

"If you read the newspapers, they do have murders there.

"For a community of 60,000 people, they do have a fair amount of unexplained violent actions.'' He explained his taking part in the documentary was to ensure that the film makers got the details about Rebecca's early years at first hand, rather than from a third party.

"I wouldn't say I supported it, we were asked if we would contribute to it.'' A spokesman from the Attorney General's chambers said they doubted whether the show would have any affect on the pending Privy Council appeal, against the Bermuda Court of Appeal decision to retry Justis Smith for murder.

Commenting on the show, Justis Smith's lawyer, Elizabeth Christopher, said: "I do not have any real sentiment about the public reaction. It speaks for itself.'' Michael Dunkley said last night that he hoped the accusations about the Bermuda legal system would not have a lasting impact and called for any issues to be addressed.

"That is something we need to get on top of,'' he said. "We need to deter from finger pointing about the justice system.

"The show also proved that even though we are in paradise, we do have our problems.''