I want to apologize for not posting over the last few weeks. I have been out of our day to day coverage, working on a number of stories that will air in November.
Stay tuned!
Monday, October 23, 2006
Thursday, October 05, 2006
BAUGHER DECIDES TO SAY NOTHING
When I started this blog I indicated we would talk about the stuff you don't see on television. Today is a perfect example of that.
For the last two weeks I had been in discussions with Scott Moorey, David Baugher's attorney. I wanted to interview David Baugher following his plea deal Tuesday. From the start I'm told Baugher was interested. We had confirmation last Friday and moments after a judge sentenced Baugher Tuesday that he would follow through with an interview Wednesday morning.
Very rarely does the Lee County Sheriff's office allow for interviews of inmates. In this case, since his legal issues we're over and the felon agreed to the interview, it was granted. Waterman Broadcasting had even made preparations to pay for two deputies (security) to sit in the room with us for the interview.
Unfortunately, Baugher changed his mind just minutes before the interview on Wednesday. His attorney told us, "He had apologized and he wanted to put this behind him."
While Baugher is trying to look forward... I believe the interview would have helped Stacie Davis's family get out of the past. They all have questions as to why and how the murder happened. Baugher would have had the opportunity to come clean. And at the same time he would have been given the opportunity to be a little more convincing in his apology. (In court Tuesday the only thing he said to the family was "I'm extremely sorry... Very very sorry.")
Wednesday was frustrating for me as a journalist. It's not about losing an exclusive interview. It's about losing the other side of the story.
For the last two weeks I had been in discussions with Scott Moorey, David Baugher's attorney. I wanted to interview David Baugher following his plea deal Tuesday. From the start I'm told Baugher was interested. We had confirmation last Friday and moments after a judge sentenced Baugher Tuesday that he would follow through with an interview Wednesday morning.
Very rarely does the Lee County Sheriff's office allow for interviews of inmates. In this case, since his legal issues we're over and the felon agreed to the interview, it was granted. Waterman Broadcasting had even made preparations to pay for two deputies (security) to sit in the room with us for the interview.
Unfortunately, Baugher changed his mind just minutes before the interview on Wednesday. His attorney told us, "He had apologized and he wanted to put this behind him."
While Baugher is trying to look forward... I believe the interview would have helped Stacie Davis's family get out of the past. They all have questions as to why and how the murder happened. Baugher would have had the opportunity to come clean. And at the same time he would have been given the opportunity to be a little more convincing in his apology. (In court Tuesday the only thing he said to the family was "I'm extremely sorry... Very very sorry.")
Wednesday was frustrating for me as a journalist. It's not about losing an exclusive interview. It's about losing the other side of the story.
Monday, October 02, 2006
TUESDAY'S COURT ROOM BONANZA
You may catch journalists wearing sneakers downtown on Tuesday. There will be a lot of running around.
At 1pm Sanibel's first murder case in 20 years is expected to end in a plea deal.
A half hour later and a couple of doors down the a judge will hear arguments to seal documents in the high profile Gateway Murder case.
As I have written before, I am curious to see what Fred Cooper's attorney is trying to keep from the public. I'll tell you this... Ken Garber has a lot of reporters scratching their heads saying "we can view depositions?" I did a small (and definitely not scientific) poll of our newsroom and found no one has ever seen deposition during discovery. No one could even tell me what a deposition looks like or who to ask to see one. Apparently we are entitled to it though!
AND NOW TO SANIBEL....
Tuesday, a judge could sign off on a deal to put David Baugher away for 15 years for murder. We already know how Kevin Davis (victim's widow) feels about it. If you missed his comments scroll down to his post.
I wonder how prosecutors feel about the deal.
We interviewed State Attorney Stephen Russell about it after we first learned about it. Because of ethical considerations, he couldn't really comment on it. However, once the deal is accepted in court, Russell should be free to speak. I will be curious to hear why they went for this.
For journalists who cover crime and those involved in law enforcement this deal is appalling. 15 years for a murder is about half of what typically murder convictions end with (25 years to life.) There obviously has to be a reason or something missing/inadmissible for this decision.
I wonder what Baugher thinks about the deal.
As much as I would like to think he's pumping his fist in the air like he just scored a touchdown... I don't think he is doing that. 13 years (with good behavior) is a long time. 13 years ago he was in high school. 13 years from now... 2019... He will be 43.
Aside from the time, he will have to live with the fact he killed Stacie. A mother of two. One of those kids is so young he will only know mom by pictures... The other will soon be fighting time... As memories of mommy fade. That alone is a lot to live with.
I'm sure the jail experience has not been pleasant. But prison will be worse... Not knowing what to expect.
At 1pm Sanibel's first murder case in 20 years is expected to end in a plea deal.
A half hour later and a couple of doors down the a judge will hear arguments to seal documents in the high profile Gateway Murder case.
As I have written before, I am curious to see what Fred Cooper's attorney is trying to keep from the public. I'll tell you this... Ken Garber has a lot of reporters scratching their heads saying "we can view depositions?" I did a small (and definitely not scientific) poll of our newsroom and found no one has ever seen deposition during discovery. No one could even tell me what a deposition looks like or who to ask to see one. Apparently we are entitled to it though!
AND NOW TO SANIBEL....
Tuesday, a judge could sign off on a deal to put David Baugher away for 15 years for murder. We already know how Kevin Davis (victim's widow) feels about it. If you missed his comments scroll down to his post.
I wonder how prosecutors feel about the deal.
We interviewed State Attorney Stephen Russell about it after we first learned about it. Because of ethical considerations, he couldn't really comment on it. However, once the deal is accepted in court, Russell should be free to speak. I will be curious to hear why they went for this.
For journalists who cover crime and those involved in law enforcement this deal is appalling. 15 years for a murder is about half of what typically murder convictions end with (25 years to life.) There obviously has to be a reason or something missing/inadmissible for this decision.
I wonder what Baugher thinks about the deal.
As much as I would like to think he's pumping his fist in the air like he just scored a touchdown... I don't think he is doing that. 13 years (with good behavior) is a long time. 13 years ago he was in high school. 13 years from now... 2019... He will be 43.
Aside from the time, he will have to live with the fact he killed Stacie. A mother of two. One of those kids is so young he will only know mom by pictures... The other will soon be fighting time... As memories of mommy fade. That alone is a lot to live with.
I'm sure the jail experience has not been pleasant. But prison will be worse... Not knowing what to expect.
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