In the last post, I commended the Joplin Globe's decision not to play the break in the JonBenet Ramsey story on page one of its print edition. When a tabloid story comes from another state, it does not belong on page one of a regional newspaper.
But what should happen when a tabloid-type story hits in your own backyard?
That is what is happening in McDonald County where four members of an alleged religious cult are facing multiple sex charges, involving ritual child molestation. The story is there and it is a major one for this area.
Not only is it happening in McDonald County, but the members of the Grand Valley Independent Baptist Church were at one time Newton County residents. The story has the interest of local readers, but for some reason, the Globe has allowed the print story to remain the capable hands of John Ford of the Neosho Daily News.
Is this a case of poor news judgment, lack of manpower, or has the Globe written off McDonald County as a coverage area?
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Globe correct in initial handling of JonBenet story
Since school began, as usual, the output of posts on The Turner Report has dropped somewhat and occasionally, I miss writing on something simply due to not having enough time.
That happened last week after the initial news of a break in the JonBenet Ramsey story took place, I was naturally interested in how the local media would handle the story.
On the television side, KODE and KSNF both led their 5 p.m. newscasts that evening with the JonBenet story, while KOAM had it further down the list of stories, though it was mentioned at the top of the program.
The Joplin Globe handled it correctly the next morning. The newspaper stuck with local stories on page one and put the JonBenet story in Section C, an acknowledgement that interest existed in the story so it should be in the newspaper, but that it did not deserve the emphasis given to local stories or to important national and international stories.
So imagine my disappointment when I read Editor Ed Simpson's column Sunday. Instead of making a bold defense of a proper decision, he kowtowed to a solitary critic.
If I understand what Simpson was saying, if he could have been certain this was the story that finally got to the bottom of JonBenet Ramsey's murder, he would have given it page-one play.
The JonBenet Ramsey story does not belong on page one of The Joplin Globe or any other paper other than the one in Boulder, Colo. It is one of those stories like the Scott and Laci Peterson story or the Natalee Holloway disappearance that somehow grab the attention of the media while other, more important, stories are shunted to the background.
Should it receive play in the Globe? Absolutely, but it should be handled insamesdame manner as celebrity news and non-local human interest stories and put in a back section, or at least in the back part of the Section A.
Tabloid-type stories from other states do not belong on page one of a local newspaper.
That happened last week after the initial news of a break in the JonBenet Ramsey story took place, I was naturally interested in how the local media would handle the story.
On the television side, KODE and KSNF both led their 5 p.m. newscasts that evening with the JonBenet story, while KOAM had it further down the list of stories, though it was mentioned at the top of the program.
The Joplin Globe handled it correctly the next morning. The newspaper stuck with local stories on page one and put the JonBenet story in Section C, an acknowledgement that interest existed in the story so it should be in the newspaper, but that it did not deserve the emphasis given to local stories or to important national and international stories.
So imagine my disappointment when I read Editor Ed Simpson's column Sunday. Instead of making a bold defense of a proper decision, he kowtowed to a solitary critic.
I took a rather disdainful message from a gentleman visiting Joplin last week who questioned the general rubeness of the Globe for failing to put the arrest of a suspect in the JonBenet Ramsey killing on the front page. Actually, he didn't question it at all; he seemed quite convinced Li'l Abner was running the show.
We played the story on page 4C of Thursday's editions.
On the front page that day, we carried a package on Joplin's first day of school; Surface being charged with driving while intoxicated; the Joplin City Council advancing a public-safety tax for a final vote and ... this is what did it for the visitor ... a report on the rise of skin infections in the United States.
OK, I thought, the guy has a point. But, then, I thought: I really, really don't care about a suspect in the death of a Denver child beauty queen. I would care about a real arrest, if someone could give me the details that would allow a reasonable person to conclude that police are finally getting somewhere.
So far, the lists of suspects has included her entire family at one point or another and nearly everyone who ever passed by the house.
I would be very interested in your thoughts.
If I understand what Simpson was saying, if he could have been certain this was the story that finally got to the bottom of JonBenet Ramsey's murder, he would have given it page-one play.
The JonBenet Ramsey story does not belong on page one of The Joplin Globe or any other paper other than the one in Boulder, Colo. It is one of those stories like the Scott and Laci Peterson story or the Natalee Holloway disappearance that somehow grab the attention of the media while other, more important, stories are shunted to the background.
Should it receive play in the Globe? Absolutely, but it should be handled insamesdame manner as celebrity news and non-local human interest stories and put in a back section, or at least in the back part of the Section A.
Tabloid-type stories from other states do not belong on page one of a local newspaper.
Monday, August 21, 2006
KODE lands interview with member of alleged McDonald County cult
KODE put anchor Tara Brown in the field today and if her story on the 6 and 10 p.m. newscasts is any indication, it should happen more often.
Ms. Brown put the KODE stamp on the continuing story of the Grand Valley Independent Baptist Church child molestation scandal, with the station's package including an interview with a former member of the alleged cult.
Also featured were the obligatory courtroom photos and an interview with the McDonald County deputy who investigated the case.
One question: Were any stipulations included in the bond concerning contact with children? Often those things are mentioned on case.net and this time it wasn't.
***
It wasn't the top news story of the day, but Jennifer Denman of KOAM also landed a big get, talking with the father of one of the Riverton students who were arrested in connection with an alleged Columbine-style plot. The father said his son would be attending night classes all through the 2006-2007 school year and will be allowed to return to Riverton High School for his senior year.
Emery guilty plea changed to Alford plea
Lawrence County Circuit Court Judge Scott Sifferman entered an order July 31 changing the plea of Rep. Ed Emery, R-Lamar, on a misdemeanor charge of driving on the wrong side of the roadway, causing an accident, from guilty to an Alford plea.
An Alford plea means Emery concedes there is enough evidence to convict him, but he does not admit guilt.
In court records, Sifferman describes the change as "nunc pro tunc," which indicates it was a mistake made by the court and not by Emery, so the judge is substituting the proper plea for one which should not have been entered.
Emery was not in court when the ruling was made, even though it had been delayed twice after Sen. Jack Goodman, R-Mount Vernon, serving as Emery's attorney, filed court documents requesting continuances because Emery was busy in Jefferson City serving in the state legislature.
Emery was not sentenced, according to court records, but was placed on six months of unsupervised probation, with the requirements that he stay out of trouble and pay court costs. The records indicate he paid $68.50.
The charge was filed following a 2:20 p.m. Feb 3 two-car accident on Highway 96 two miles south of Miller. Emery and a woman in the other car suffered minor injuries, according to the Missouri Highway Patrol report.
The case will be reviewed on Jan. 18, 2007, according to the court file.
An Alford plea means Emery concedes there is enough evidence to convict him, but he does not admit guilt.
In court records, Sifferman describes the change as "nunc pro tunc," which indicates it was a mistake made by the court and not by Emery, so the judge is substituting the proper plea for one which should not have been entered.
Emery was not in court when the ruling was made, even though it had been delayed twice after Sen. Jack Goodman, R-Mount Vernon, serving as Emery's attorney, filed court documents requesting continuances because Emery was busy in Jefferson City serving in the state legislature.
Emery was not sentenced, according to court records, but was placed on six months of unsupervised probation, with the requirements that he stay out of trouble and pay court costs. The records indicate he paid $68.50.
The charge was filed following a 2:20 p.m. Feb 3 two-car accident on Highway 96 two miles south of Miller. Emery and a woman in the other car suffered minor injuries, according to the Missouri Highway Patrol report.
The case will be reviewed on Jan. 18, 2007, according to the court file.
McDonald County church members plead not guilty to sex charges
Four members of the Grand Valley Independent Baptist Church in Washburn, including the pastor and his wife, entered not guilty pleas in McDonald County Circuit Court today to sex charges purportedly connected to church rituals.
Preliminary hearings for the four, Rev. Raymond Lambert, his wife and stepsister, Patty, and her brothers (and his stepbrothers) Paul Epling and Tom Epling will be held 1 p.m. Oct. 2, according to court records.
The four were allowed to turn themselves in today, six days after charges were filed by McDonald County Prosecuting Attorney Steve Geeding, and posted percentage bonds, court records indicate. Bond had been set at $50,000 apiece for Lambert and the Eplings and $30,000 for Mrs. Lambert.
Lambert, 51, 589 Cecil Epling Lane, Washburn, was charged with one count of first degree child molestation, four counts of second degree child molestation and three counts of second degree statutory sodomy. One child molestation and one statutory sodomy charge are from 1995, the first degree child molestation from 2000 with two more charges from 2001, one from 2002 and two from 2004.
Mrs. Lambert, 49, faces two charges, both stemming from April 3, 2004- child molestation in the second degree and endangering the welfare of a child in a ritual/ceremony.
Paul Epling, 53, 362 Cecil Epling Way, Washburn, faces seven charges, none more recent than 1983, according to the court documents. He was charged with first degree statutory rape, sexual intercourse with a person less than 14 years old, which allegedly took place Nov. 7, 1978; statutory sodomy, first degree, deviate sexual intercourse with a person less than 14 years old, July 15, 1978; followed by the same charge for offenses that allegedly took place on the same day each of the following four years. On the fifth year, on the same date, July 15, 1983, Epling allegedly committed first degree statutory rape.
Tom Epling, 51, 584 Cecil Epling Way, Washburn, faces five counts of first degree statutory sodomy, all taking place on July 15, beginning with 1978, then occurring in each succeeding year through 1982.
The area in which they live, Cecil Epling Way, is named after Tom Epling, Paul Epling, and Patricia Lambert's father, and Raymond Lambert's stepfather, Cecil Epling, who died several years ago. Mr. Epling was reputed to be a leader with a cultlike following which has reportedly stayed together in the Washburn area even after his death, in what has been described as "a compound" by nearby residents who spoke to the Neosho Daily News last week.
Preliminary hearings for the four, Rev. Raymond Lambert, his wife and stepsister, Patty, and her brothers (and his stepbrothers) Paul Epling and Tom Epling will be held 1 p.m. Oct. 2, according to court records.
The four were allowed to turn themselves in today, six days after charges were filed by McDonald County Prosecuting Attorney Steve Geeding, and posted percentage bonds, court records indicate. Bond had been set at $50,000 apiece for Lambert and the Eplings and $30,000 for Mrs. Lambert.
Lambert, 51, 589 Cecil Epling Lane, Washburn, was charged with one count of first degree child molestation, four counts of second degree child molestation and three counts of second degree statutory sodomy. One child molestation and one statutory sodomy charge are from 1995, the first degree child molestation from 2000 with two more charges from 2001, one from 2002 and two from 2004.
Mrs. Lambert, 49, faces two charges, both stemming from April 3, 2004- child molestation in the second degree and endangering the welfare of a child in a ritual/ceremony.
Paul Epling, 53, 362 Cecil Epling Way, Washburn, faces seven charges, none more recent than 1983, according to the court documents. He was charged with first degree statutory rape, sexual intercourse with a person less than 14 years old, which allegedly took place Nov. 7, 1978; statutory sodomy, first degree, deviate sexual intercourse with a person less than 14 years old, July 15, 1978; followed by the same charge for offenses that allegedly took place on the same day each of the following four years. On the fifth year, on the same date, July 15, 1983, Epling allegedly committed first degree statutory rape.
Tom Epling, 51, 584 Cecil Epling Way, Washburn, faces five counts of first degree statutory sodomy, all taking place on July 15, beginning with 1978, then occurring in each succeeding year through 1982.
The area in which they live, Cecil Epling Way, is named after Tom Epling, Paul Epling, and Patricia Lambert's father, and Raymond Lambert's stepfather, Cecil Epling, who died several years ago. Mr. Epling was reputed to be a leader with a cultlike following which has reportedly stayed together in the Washburn area even after his death, in what has been described as "a compound" by nearby residents who spoke to the Neosho Daily News last week.
Former Globe employee offers thoughts on confessions by innocents
Questions about the veracity of John Mark Karr, the self-confessed killer of JonBenet Ramsey, have brought a raftload of stories about people who confess to crimes they didn't commit.
In today's Kansas City Star, Rob Warden, director of the Center on Wrongful Convictions at Northwestern University School of Law, and a former Joplin Globe employee, offers his thoughts on the subject.
In today's Kansas City Star, Rob Warden, director of the Center on Wrongful Convictions at Northwestern University School of Law, and a former Joplin Globe employee, offers his thoughts on the subject.
Skelton: Sexual misconduct by recruiters must stop
More than 80 instances of sexual misconduct by military recruiters have been reported, according to an Associated Press investigation, and Fourth District Congressman Ike Skelton says it's time the nonsense stopped.
Skelton says he will attempt to have a hearing of the House Armed Services Committee on the subject and that penalties for the misconduct should be increased.
Skelton says he will attempt to have a hearing of the House Armed Services Committee on the subject and that penalties for the misconduct should be increased.
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Pre-trial conference set for the Jasper 5
Five Jasper residents arrested following a March 2 brawl at City Hall are scheduled to have pre-trial conferences Tuesday in Jasper County Circuit Court.
Alderman and former mayor Jim McCorkle, 63, his wife Marie, 64, Jacob Good, 33, Rick Good, 55, and Jerry Ogle, 61, all face charges of third degree assault, misdemeanors, but the five rejected a plea agreement and brought in high-powered attorney Dee Wampler III of Springfield to represent them.
The brawl sent the mayor at the time, John Rodebush, and Mrs. McCorkle to the hospital with minor injuries. It came at a time when a faction led by McCorkle was at odds with a number of actions taken by the mayor, including suspending Ogle as fire chief and either firing or forcing more than 30 city workers to leave during his brief tenure. After McCorkle and another vocal opponent, Vic Crazybear were elected to the council in April ensuring that Rodebush would not get his way in divided votes as he had in the past, Rodebush resigned.
Alderman and former mayor Jim McCorkle, 63, his wife Marie, 64, Jacob Good, 33, Rick Good, 55, and Jerry Ogle, 61, all face charges of third degree assault, misdemeanors, but the five rejected a plea agreement and brought in high-powered attorney Dee Wampler III of Springfield to represent them.
The brawl sent the mayor at the time, John Rodebush, and Mrs. McCorkle to the hospital with minor injuries. It came at a time when a faction led by McCorkle was at odds with a number of actions taken by the mayor, including suspending Ogle as fire chief and either firing or forcing more than 30 city workers to leave during his brief tenure. After McCorkle and another vocal opponent, Vic Crazybear were elected to the council in April ensuring that Rodebush would not get his way in divided votes as he had in the past, Rodebush resigned.
Delay likely in Holman stealing trial
Accused double murderer Micah Holman is scheduled to go to trial Friday, Aug. 25, in Dade County, but his attorney, Brandi McInroy, has asked for a continuance, according to Dade County Circuit Court records.
Holman, 33, Carthage, faces two murder charges, two armed criminal action charges, and an arson charge in connection with the June 4, 2005, deaths of Marvin and Peggy Steverson, Carthage. He is accused of killing the couple and then burning their home in an effort to destroy evidence.
The Dade County trial is on a Barton County charge of stealing, allegedly committed on March 22, 2005, in Lamar. The case is being heard in Dade County on a change of venue.
Holman, 33, Carthage, faces two murder charges, two armed criminal action charges, and an arson charge in connection with the June 4, 2005, deaths of Marvin and Peggy Steverson, Carthage. He is accused of killing the couple and then burning their home in an effort to destroy evidence.
The Dade County trial is on a Barton County charge of stealing, allegedly committed on March 22, 2005, in Lamar. The case is being heard in Dade County on a change of venue.
SPJ protests treatment of KY3 reporters
In a July 31 letter to the Missouri Peace Officers Association, the Society of Professional Journalists protested the mistreatment of two KY3 reporters June 27 by the Missouri Highway Patrol while the reporters were attempting to cover the collapse of the Elks Lodge building in Clinton.
That incident, as well as another in which a reporter was arrested as she tried to cover the funeral of a murder victim...even though the reporter had specifically been invited to the funeral.
While we all have been exposed, usually through movies, television, and other media (including my novel, Small Town News) to members of the media who interfere with police and other emergency personnel, for the most part that does not happen. When I worked with young reporters, I always went over the need to be respectful to emergency personnel and not to get in the way.
On the other hand, just as there are reporters who break the rules, there are also law enforcement personnel who like to demonstrate their authority and abuse it in the process. It appears that is what happened with the KY3 reporters and also with the St. Louis reporter. The text of the SPJ letter, addressed to Missouri Peace Officers Association President Kevin Garrison, is printed below:
That incident, as well as another in which a reporter was arrested as she tried to cover the funeral of a murder victim...even though the reporter had specifically been invited to the funeral.
While we all have been exposed, usually through movies, television, and other media (including my novel, Small Town News) to members of the media who interfere with police and other emergency personnel, for the most part that does not happen. When I worked with young reporters, I always went over the need to be respectful to emergency personnel and not to get in the way.
On the other hand, just as there are reporters who break the rules, there are also law enforcement personnel who like to demonstrate their authority and abuse it in the process. It appears that is what happened with the KY3 reporters and also with the St. Louis reporter. The text of the SPJ letter, addressed to Missouri Peace Officers Association President Kevin Garrison, is printed below:
Mr. Garrison:
We are concerned over the treatment working journalists have received from Missouri law enforcement officers this summer. Two unrelated incidents occurred in different locations, involving different agencies, less than a month apart. It seems to us, as members of the nation's most broad-based journalism advocacy organization, that Missouri law enforcement agencies are acting too hastily when news reporters and photographers are performing their constitutionally protected duties.
In early June, Ladue police arrested Margaret Gillerman as she attempted to cover the funeral of Tiffany Marie Souers, a Ladue woman strangled while attending school at Clemson University in South Carolina. Gillerman had been invited to come into the funeral at the church door by one of the family's closest friends and was welcomed by the funeral director handling the service. The story of the young woman by then had a national audience, and drew intense interest in both the St. Louis and the Clemson area.
Later that month, the Missouri Highway Patrol arrested a television news photographer and handcuffed a reporter in Clinton after a fatal building collapse. Sara Sheffield and Cliff Erwin were preparing for a live broadcast at the time. Erwin, the photographer, was arrested during the broadcast. Other reporters and television crews were reporting nearby and allowed to remain.
The Society of Professional Journalists, through its affiliated chapters, ha spent the past month conducting its own review of these two incidents.
While we commend the Missouri Highway Patrol's reputation for normally being cooperative with members of the news media, we feel troopers did not handle this situation in a professional manner. Television news crews are under time pressures that tick down to the second. They have bulky equipment that's hard to move at a moment's notice. There has been no suggestion that this crew's action jeopardized public safety or impeded rescue efforts.
We also believe that, under most circumstances, the Ladue police are respectful of journalists. But again, we question treatment of the Post-Dispatch's reporter and believe police should be more diligent and careful when intruding on the public's First Amendment rights.
We recognize that officers trying to keep the peace in times of crises also face immense pressures. But we urge law enforcement agencies to remember the rights of the news gatherers. There are many cases of journalists providing timely information to help keep streets clear during emergencies of leading to tips that help apprehend criminal suspects.
We are eager to offer our assistance. Our local chapters in Springfield and St. Louis stand ready to help improve relations, or provide training, if needed. Please call the president of the the local SPJ chapters listed below to discuss these cases. We hope we can work together to prevent these kinds of incidents in the future.
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