Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
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Kim Johnson reportingThere is fallout here in Utah after guilty verdict in the Martha Stewart case.
While here syndicated newspaper column will be discontinued, her fans say her legal troubles won't cause them to stop buying her products.
Her television show Martha Stewart Living has been pulled from several stations across the country.
Locally, Utahns will feel a bit of her fallout this Thursdays, when they're no longer able to read her column in Deseret Morning News.
Editor in chief, John Hughes made decision to pull Martha's column this morning.
John Hughes, Editor/Desert News: "There was a conviction. The evidence was that she had lied. If that were someone on our staff we'd probably fire them for doing so. We felt we had to maintain the same standard with a contributor."
We asked some Salt Lake Residents whether the issue of "standards" would prevent consumers from buying Martha's products.
Dan Martel : “Yes it would, because I believe we shouldn't support corporate crime."
Jeff Pace: "Absolutely not, it would probably encourage me to buy her products. It's sad about her stock price. I think she's lost about 3 or four hundred million dollars in just the past couple of days, so I think she's more than paid her dues and I would absolutely support her."
Interestingly, some say they would buy Martha's products even though they believe she's guilty.
Marlene Herazo: "It did appear that she was guilty of those, but I hope they won't use it to make an example out of someone. I think that would be really unfortunate."
Advertising professionals say the Martha Stewart brand has been tarnished. But Scott Rockwood of the Richter 7 agency, says don't count her out yet.
Scott Rockwood, CEO/Richter 7: "It's going to take a pretty insightful strategy for her to bounce back, but i don't know that it's impossible.
Dave Allred, Public Relations/ Richter 7: "She's proven to be a survivor, she's proven she can get through a lot of things, and she's got a proven network of support.
The Martha Stewart syndicated television program is broadcast here on KSL under a contract with the syndicator that lasts through next fall.
No decision has been made yet on the future of the program on KSL.
