On Tuesday, The Joplin Globe quoted Albuquerque detective Tod Babcock as saying that Erwin is a "person of interest" in the case. Albuquerque Police Department spokeswoman Nadine Hamby told AOL News that information is incorrect.I find it difficult to believe that a Joplin Globe reporter is going to misquote someone on something that important. In fact, I would almost bet the reporter made absolutely sure the quote was correct. It sounds like the officer spoke out of turn and the spokeswoman is steering the department back to the company line.
"There was a little bit of confusion yesterday, [and] the Globe misquoted one of the detectives," Hamby said. "We've never named [a person of interest] and have always been very generic about it. People come and go on that list, people of interest [and] suspects, and none have ever been named."
And while that does not make Ron Erwin guilty of anything, I back the Globe on this one.
9 comments:
Globe misquotes people often. Why is there no reporter in the byline of the Globe's "person of interest" story? You're siding with "staff writer" over the investigator who is only one of four who traveled to Joplin? I bet those four received extensive prep about what to say and what not to say to the media.
Globe did a really POOR job on reporting nothing but innuendo in that article. Absolutely nothing was mentioned that connected Erwin to the NM murders. Looks to me like they ran with this story WAY too soon, but hey, since when did the Globe let UNKNOWN facts get in the way of a story.
how about you back all the local tv stations that got the story right.
I have to disagree and stand behind the Globe and its reporters, as does Randy. Officials say things all the time that they wish they hadn't later, but there's no Mulligan in journalism. Also, the Globe responded exactly as one would expect credible journalists to do, when local homes and businesses are being searched in connection with a major serial murder investigation. What, you would expect them not to report it? If you wait until the authorities are ready to issue a (usually self-serving) press release, then you are doing the public a disservice. Here's a toast to the Globe (raising my beer). I look forward to more outstanding coverage. And if Erwin wants his side of the story out -- well, all he has to do is agree to an interview.
To Anonymous 11:31, I do back the TV stations and commend them for the work they did. However, it was not a television reporter, but a Joplin Globe reporter that the detective talked to and I have no doubt the Globe quoted him accurately.
The Globe misquotes ALL the time. Irresponsible journalism as usual from the Joplin Glob.
Doesn't seizing property, closing a business, and going through two of your homes make you a person of interest? If they went through all that trouble and did that to me, without me being a person of interest, oh i would be pissed. Just think about it... really, your gonna debate something so trivial? They will only tell you what you want to hear, its as simple as that people!
Is this the same Globe you flogged for doing such a spineless job reporting on the events at MSSU? Sorry, I've watched the Globe staff do a half-assed job quoting my friends and relatives over the years--I can't believe the reporter got it right.
I will continue to blast the Globe for its spineless reporting on Missouri Southern State University. This is an entirely different situation. If this were a misquote, the Globe would have corrected it immediately for its own protection because it could leave the newspaper open for a major lawsuit. The fact that the Globe printed what the Albuquerque police spokesperson said (after I am sure receiving quite a bit of heat because of that quote), but also let the quote remain in the story and did not back down from it, is a sure indicator the detective made the statement. That doesn't mean I have suddenly become a staunch supporter of the Joplin Globe. I spent many years dealing with public officials who revealed more than they should have and then tried to take the words back, claiming they were misquoted.
Post a Comment