Info Freeze in Taft Investigation Protects Integrity of the Case

Here it is: day 6 of the Raleigh Police Department’s barricade of a crime scene -- a Raleigh home where state school board member Kathy Taft was brutally attacked. By the very nature of the attack, and the fact that Taft later died from her wounds, you can understand why RPD has placed so much importance on protecting the integrity of the investigation.

What’s so puzzling to many in the neighborhood where she was found, and to others in the Triangle, is why police surrounded the home for so long when other crime scenes don’t get this much attention? Certainly it peaks a lot of interest…not only among neighbors, but in the media.

Our job is to communicate the details of what happened to our viewers in a timely manner. Through emails, they’re asking us for more information. The interest is there, but so far, our hands are tied.

It’s frustrating for everyone. Having worked with as many law enforcement agencies as I have, I

...

Click here to read the rest of the post.

---

Reporting the Good with the Bad

One of the things I tell people all the time is that good news often has to find us in the media. A fire, a shooting, or a bad storm are easy to find, but the truly good stories don’t get delivered to us in the same way.

Case in point: I emceed the Officer of the Year Awards for the Cary Police Department the other day. Five officers were nominated for their heroism, selflessness and community involvement. To nominate a fellow officer, the nominator had to list reasons why they should receive the award.

In each case, the officer’s deeds were worthy of news coverage in my opinion. I explained to those around my table that if I had known these heroic instances, I would have suggested we do a story.

I understand that officers aren’t heroes for publicity, but it sure would be nice to mix in a positive story about an officer using his free time to coach a little league team, or talk a suicidal person into seeking help. Too often the media is criticized

...

Click here to read the rest of the post.

---

Husbands' Arrests Kick off 2010

What a year 2010 is shaping up to be. We’ve already seen two major developments involving unsolved murders in our area: the arrests of Jason Young and now Raven Abaroa. Both cases involve husbands accused of murdering their pregnant wives.

While the legal process has a long way to go in both cases, the arrests of these two men bring an enormous amount of satisfaction to the victims’ friends and families. Speculation swirled about these two men from the start, and everyone with a computer was offering their opinions in chat rooms and web logs since the crimes. Talk of the crimes took on a life of its own. News of the arrests has done the same.

The deaths of Michelle Young and Janet Abaroa now go from NC Wanted unsolved mysteries to news coverage on WRAL. Look for the same dogged pursuit of the whole story, fair and balanced, from arraignment to verdict. We’ll close the chapter on these stories at that point. Unfortunately, history tells us once

...

Click here to read the rest of the post.

---

Those At Fault Feel Pain Too

It's been a tragic week around the newsroom. It started with the death of a high school kid while he and a friend were going to lunch. The friend was driving 90 miles an hour on a curvy road and lost control. Not only is the victim's family in incredible pain, but so too is the family of the boy who was driving, and of course the boy himself.

He lost a friend, faces charges, and is realizing no matter what happens with his case, his life is changed forever.

We also had the death of two boys whose mother stopped on the train tracks, and was blocked in when the train came. Imagine the guilt, piled on top of the pain of losing two sons.

We lost a father and infant daughter. According to police, another driver swerved into their lane and hit them head on.

And finally, the death of a popular firefighter. He died from his injuries after a school bus ran into his pick-up truck.

In all of these cases, regardless of who was at fault, no one meant to do what they

...

Click here to read the rest of the post.

---

We Are on the Job 365 Days a Year

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. It’s strange, but when you’re in this business the holidays are just another day (if you’re working).

Not to diminish the importance of the holiday, or people’s celebration of it, but journalists, much like firefighters and police officers, are on duty 365 days a year.

Sure, we choose these professions, in large part because of this desire to offer a public service to our community. But that means you’re always at work, even on holidays. The longer you do this, the easier it is to accept it, though our families might disagree.

I was fortunate enough to have Thanksgiving off, but I’ve worked my share and then some. I’m sure I’ll work others. It comes with the territory when you provide a service as vital as this one.

And we’re honored to have the opportunity.

Click here to read the rest of the post.

---