Please Read - Media Appeal

[golfmom]

GM, please understand, I think it is newsworthy, I think ALL murder and missing cases are newsworthy. But the sad truth is, so may are murdered and stolen away each day in our country, and very very few actually get any real media coverage.

We have extreemly short attention spans. i.e. The Groene case...2 adults and a child brutally murdered, 2 children kidnapped...yet it has all but vanished from the media.

yep Timex, been there, done that, and followed cases like that. I'm just at the point with this one where I don't want to see that happen. And if it means being a nag to the media ... well, so be it. My husband has said I could be a professional nag, so I'm going to put those skills to good use!

 

[SouthEastSleuth]

We often ask ourselves why some cases get the media spotlight while others seem to just sit in the sidelines. Ive been trying to think of reasons why the media hasnt picked up on this story, and I come up with 2 words...

Not Random

Those 2 words take the mystery out of the case, and reduce media interest. As sad as it is, it makes Janet just one more victim of domestic violence, a crime so prevelent in this country, that it doesnt even make headlines anymore.

IMO, there are several ways to look at it -

If it was indeed a random murder, then it creeps the hell out of everyone around. Neighbors demand action. The media freaks, and press and press for a suspect, etc. Thus, media attention.

"Not random" does almost give a sense of relief, if you will, to the public at large. Almost saying to yourself, "ok, that murder was a terrible thing, but, the police say it's not random at least, so they have a handle on it..."

Then, also in the realm of "not random," if in fact LE comes out and says, "this is not a random murder, and the community has nothing to worry about," and yet, no arrest is made, then the media is negligent, IMO. The presumption of safety and well-being in a community is often in the actions and words of LE..... IF the citizens have nothing to worry about, then that says, "ok, we're safe. They must know who did it, and they will arrest the perp soon." When the arrest is NOT forthcoming, then, IMO, it is the place of the media, citizens, whomever, to step in and be heard.

One last scenario, involving media and a non-random crime, has to do with the victim. As I've discussed before, another local murder currently IN the news, is the Sapikowski murders in Chapel Hill, NC. In this case, not only are the murders NOT random, but, the 16 yo son confessed, immediately. Yet, in this case, there are weekly media stories - why? The family is seemingly wealthy. They lived in a large house, in an upscale neighborhood. The son attended a local private school. On and on. In THIS scenario, even though the crime was not random, and they have the young man in custody, etc., the media is dogged in writing/presenting stories - on everything from the family's background, to business associates, etc, etc.

There should be no mystery required to focus attention of Janet's murder. Is that reality? Perhaps. And if so, a sad state of affairs. So how does one ever affect change in that regard?

HOUND THE MEDIA FOR RESULTS. No other choice.

 

[Timex]

yep Timex, been there, done that, and followed cases like that. I'm just at the point with this one where I don't want to see that happen. And if it means being a nag to the media ... well, so be it. My husband has said I could be a professional nag, so I'm going to put those skills to good use!

And Im glad you are taking such steps. I hope they pay off. I have been hounding the media on 3 cases for over a year now, with very little results. We beg folks to read and get involved in the missing forums here, but very few actually to get involved, because the cases just don't scream out to the media. How families manage to go on year after year juts amazes me, but somehow they find the strength to do so.

I was reading last week about an 80 year old lady that had passed away. She had spent the last 30 some years of her life looking for her daughter that had vanished at the age of 13. Going into drug dens, traveling to other countries...doing anything and everything she could think of to find her daughter. Sadly, she got more attention at her death than she had in years.

 

[golfmom]

Very interesting article on this topic

http://www.joplinglobe.com/story.php?story_id=186609&c=96

The forgotten of media attention

By Cynthia Tucker
columnist
5/13/05

A year ago, May 7, Stacy-Ann Sappleton took a taxi to Queens, N.Y., from LaGuardia, bound for the home of her future in-laws. She had flown in from Detroit to complete a few tasks for her planned September wedding.
She never made it. Her fiance, Damion Blair, his parents and Sappleton’s mother spent a frantic weekend searching before they learned of her tragic demise.
Never heard of her? Neither has most of America.
Like runaway Georgia bride Jennifer Wilbanks, Sappleton was missing for three days. Like Wilbanks, Sappleton was young (26), middle-class and planning a wedding.

..........
As American news consumers, we are discriminating about the sort of victims worthy of our concern. Pretty, middle-class, young, white — yes; old, ugly, poor, black, brown — apparently not.

 

[Timex]

As is often said...the color of justice is green. Seems that holds true when it comes to who is "newsworthy" also.

 

[Elliemae]

I sent emails out yesterday to everyone on the first list. I got a response from Brian Devroy. Here's what he says:


thanks for the email...I have been assigned to cover the US Open this week, but it certainly is an interesting story to look into. I will forward the info to our assignment desk and hopefully we can have someone cover this. Thanks and if there is still more to this next week after the US open I'd be glad to cover the story.

Brian DeRoy
News Reporter
WNCN-TV NBC 17
Raleigh, NC
919-306-6558 (C)


Maybe this will be the start of some investigative reporting! :dance:

 

[golfmom]

thanks for the email...I have been assigned to cover the US Open this week, ..... :dance:

Well shoot ... I wish I got that email!

 

[Jenifred]

Maybe this will be the start of some investigative reporting! :dance:

:clap: Congratulations! BTW, what did you say to him that made him get off his duff?

 

[Elliemae]

:clap: Congratulations! BTW, what did you say to him that made him get off his duff?

Nothing special - I just copied the first letter and blasted it to all of the names on the list.

 

[lauriej]

heard back from k. wallace... at least we know they're reading our emails...)

Thanks for your e-mail,however authorities have not released many details in this case.

As the investigation continues, we will have the latest information on
WRAL.com.

Thanks for using WRAL.com.

Kamal Wallace, Online Producer
____________________________
Kamal Wallace, Online Producer
WRAL.com
Raleigh, NC
[email protected]

 

[Elliemae]

heard back from k. wallace... at least we know they're reading our emails...)

Thanks for your e-mail,however authorities have not released many details in this case.

As the investigation continues, we will have the latest information on
WRAL.com.

Thanks for using WRAL.com.

Kamal Wallace, Online Producer
____________________________
Kamal Wallace, Online Producer
WRAL.com
Raleigh, NC
[email="[email protected]"][email protected][/email]

Well, Kamal seems to be a bit lazy, don't ya think??? Wouldn't want him to break a sweat and maybe do some investigative reporting before he goes on the air.

:doh:

I wonder how much money he makes? Too much, I'd say.

 

[helloyellow]

WebSleuths members, guests –

More and more it seems the we are exhausting new "leads" to pursue in Janet’s murder. Revisiting information, discussing theories, speculation on the who, the what, the where, the when….all extremely important, I think anyway. But in order for this case to truly be SOLVED, we need FACTS.

LE remains quiet about this case – hopefully as they work the case towards a resolution.

Media remains quiet about this case – Well, I can’t imagine WHY, quite frankly.

We have put out the word, if you will, to anyone who has first hand information, insights, whatever, about ANY aspect of this case, to share that information here….if they feel comfortable doing so. We’ve had new members provide amazingly insightful information.

What we need now, I think, is a broader appeal – to the media.

The media has power, whether you like it or not, they do. The media also has investigative resources that are often not available to us here. And, I maintain anyway, the media has a RESPONSIBILITY – to viewers, to readers, to citizens. Reporting an event is not the end of a story. True investigative journalism is about two things – INVESTIGATION and REPORTING.

Accordingly, I suggest we start an email campaign to every local media outlet. (Broaden nationally if necessary, but certainly only a local level at minimum.)

If each and every member of this forum, as well as our frequent guests, would send an email to every person on this list, MAYBE, JUST MAYBE, it could LIGHT A FIRE under someone, somewhere – to dig into this case. To pressure LE if necessary. To, quite simply – INVESTIGATE.
If you do choose to contact any or all of these media resources, it will be very helpful to post that information here as well – who you contacted, when, and any feedback you receive.

The following is just an EXAMPLE of a POSSIBLE email to send:

******************************
Dear _________,

As you know, on April 26, 2005, Janet Abaroa was brutally murdered in her home at 2606 Ferrand in Durham. Janet was a wife and the young mother of a 6-month-old son, Kaiden. Janet was only 25. Her friends and family have described Janet as one of the kindest, gentlest people they had ever known. She was an athlete, having been a star soccer player in college. She was by all accounts, a loving wife and mother. She was a dedicated and faithful member of her church.

Janet was a good person. And, her life was taken.

If you search online, theories abound on what happened to Janet that evening. But, as informative as they are, they are just that – theories.

Please, help find justice for Janet and her family.

While I’m sure that local law enforcement is doing all it can in this case, the days continue to pass by. Durham Police stated that Janet’s murder was "not random," and that Durham citizens had nothing to fear with regards to this case. Yet, over six weeks have passed, with no arrest, no mention of suspects. Thus, somewhere, the murderer of Janet Abaroa still walks free.

Please, help find justice for Janet and her family.

There are online message boards loaded with information about this case. I have no doubt that you, personally, have investigative resources at your disposal. So, please do anything in your power to keep the spotlight on this case. Every victim needs a voice. Every family member needs a voice. Please, be that voice for Janet Abaroa.

Sincerely,

******************************


Just an example folks. Write what you want, but I ask you, PLEASE WRITE. We need help.
The following is a list of local media. Some actually wrote the early stories, some are just direct contacts,etc. If you know of others, please add to the list!

Newspapers

The News and Observer

Samiha Khanna [email protected]
Michael Biesecker [email protected]

Herald-Sun

Eric Olson [email protected]
Brooks Dareff [email protected]
Television

WTVD

Darla Miles http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/bios/
Erin O’Hearn (this is an online email for both)

WRAL

Julia Lewis [email protected]
Kamal Wallace [email protected]

WNCN

General [email protected]
Ryan Young [email protected]
Brian DeRoy [email protected]

News14 Carolina

General [email="[email protected]"][email protected][/email]

I have sent an e-mail to all of the ones on this list. I hope this will do something.

 

[golfmom]

I have sent an e-mail to all of the ones on this list. I hope this will do something.

helloyellow! thank you so much for pitching in and making your voice heard.

Let us know if you hear anything back! :blowkiss:

 

[juliagoulia]

I've emailed all the addresses above, but thought I could spark some interest in the SVU/Buena Vista VA community where Janet attended college:

The News-GazettePublisher - M.W. Paxton, IV
e-mail: [email protected]

Editor - Darryl Woodson
e-mail: [email protected]



WDBJ7 News: (http://www.wdbj7.com)

Joe Dashiell email: [email protected]

WSLS10 News (http://www.wsls.com/)

• Phone: 540-981-9126
• News hotline: 1-800-SEE-NEWS
• email: [email protected]
• Fax: 540-343-2059

 

[SouthEastSleuth]

I've emailed all the addresses above, but thought I could spark some interest in the SVU/Buena Vista VA community where Janet attended college:

The News-GazettePublisher - M.W. Paxton, IV
e-mail: [email protected]

Editor - Darryl Woodson
e-mail: [email protected]



WDBJ7 News: (http://www.wdbj7.com)

Joe Dashiell email: [email protected]

WSLS10 News (http://www.wsls.com/)

• Phone: 540-981-9126
• News hotline: 1-800-SEE-NEWS
• email: [email protected]
• Fax: 540-343-2059

Great idea Juliagoulia! I will certainly zip off emails to all of these guys today!

 

[juliagoulia]

Great idea Juliagoulia! I will certainly zip off emails to all of these guys today!

Mr Dashiell responded today:

Hello,

Thank you for your e-mail. I was not aware of this case, but will share it with others in the newsroom this morning. Would you or someone else at Southern Virginia be willing to talk about the case?

If so, please send a phone number where I can reach you or others.

Thanks

Joe Dashiell

***IF ANY OF YOU OUT THERE ARE AFFILIATED WITH SVU AND WISH TO TALK TO HIM, PLEASE CONTACT HIM VIA EMAIL: [email protected]****

 

[SouthEastSleuth]

Mr Dashiell responded today:

Hello,

Thank you for your e-mail. I was not aware of this case, but will share it with others in the newsroom this morning. Would you or someone else at Southern Virginia be willing to talk about the case?

If so, please send a phone number where I can reach you or others.

Thanks

Joe Dashiell

***IF ANY OF YOU OUT THERE ARE AFFILIATED WITH SVU AND WISH TO TALK TO HIM, PLEASE CONTACT HIM VIA EMAIL: [email protected]****

OK, to me anyway, this is REALLY IMPORTANT!!!

This is the only media response, that has been posted here anyway, where the person actually expressed interest in talking to someone, gathering some additional info, etc.

He mentions SVU connections specifically. So, as juliagoulia points out, if there is ANYONE READING WITH SVU CONNECTIONS, please, give some thought to contacting Joe Dashiell....

One story, anywhere, is all we need maybe to start some action on this case.

 

[juliagoulia]

Dear Viewer:

Thank you for writing to America's Most Wanted. We're so sorry to hear
of the terrible tragedy you've had to endure. We know you would like a
response as soon as possible; however, America's Most Wanted only
accepts requests for stories or segments through the mail. Please send
your request to:

America's Most Wanted
P.O. Box Crime TV
Washington, DC 20016-9126

Please send a concise letter regarding the occurrence, a photograph of
the victim and suspect, any newspaper clippings, police reports and the
name and phone number of the detective investigating this case. Please
allow 8-10 weeks for a response from the producers. All material sent
to the producers will not be returned.

Sincerely,

AMW

 

[newkid]

Got an email reply from Danielle Wang at News14. My name is Danielle Wang, I am an assignment editor with News14 Carolina. We are interested in doing a story this weekend about Janet’s murder, and I wanted to see if you would be interested in talking to us. From your email, I am assuming you were friends with her, and we would like to focus our story on how her family and friends are dealing with the event. If you can be of any help, please give me a call at (919) 882-4040 or email me back at this address. Thanks for your email and your help.



Sincerely,

Danielle Wang

Assignment Editor

News 14 Carolina

[email protected]

 

[SouthEastSleuth]

I did hear, privately, from someone today working in local media in Durham:

"this case is brought up in almost every editorial meeting we have....people here do think this is a very newsworthy story"

Hopefully this means something will be forthcoming someday soon! It tells me at least that Janet has not been forgotten, and that hopefully our appeals for media assistance will yield something, soon!