What the Prosecution Thinks About Media Reporting in this case

[SeriouslySearching]

I have a good idea! If people do not like the way things are being reported by one station or another...turn the channel or just walk away. If no one is watching them, they will change the way they report the news.

 

[Devon]

No magician's hat neccessary when they present their facts and they weave together a planned, cold blooded killing of an innocent child at the hands of her mother. Evidence, testimony, and forensics will be more than enough to prove this. They don't need a COD. They don't even need a motive.

Bolded by me

Don't get me wrong - I'm all for rightful convictions and for Justice (with a capital 'J'), but it's the 'weaving' that frequently occurs in order to secure convictions that worries me. Far too many people have been wrongly convicted, either of crimes they did not commit, or of a greater crime than they actually committed, by the often overzealous and sometimes even corrupt use of the 'weaving' technique.

 

[Spangle]

So does that give the networks an excuse for practicing irresponsible, misleading, sensationalized journalism? Because they did not like what Baez did to them they have a right to respond in anger and report biased news to the public? I say that should not play any part on how the media reports news to the public and is reprehensible! If I want an opinion I'll go to the op/ed section which is where OPINION belongs.

The people who work for the news, and those whom own the news, media,etc.... The last time I checked, they were all humans.

And the last time I checked, humans tend to report facts, as they see facts. How one feels about a subject, etc.... can determine what a human sees as facts or relevant facts.

Another words, they truly are no different then the rest of us. If someone personally pissed you off enough to see red... I doubt you would be able to see anything about them in a good light.. for a long time.

You would not piss off a doctor before he cut you open. You wouldn't go to him unless you had to. Because we understand the process. Really we do.

JB uses the media just like everyone else. It's a give and take process. He was trying to control it for his side only. It doesn't work that way. He thought HE could punish the media for not reporting the way he wants stuff reported. IT doesn't work that way either. It back fired.

JB wants to bulldoze people. The media didn't have to play nice. The court is bending over backwards, to keep from it being called a mistrial when he errors like this. But the media doesn't have to.

 

[SeriouslySearching]

Well..wouldn't it be great if the perp would simply tell the truth as to what really happened so the prosecution wouldn't have to "weave"?! What a concept!!

 

[Marina2]

Ah, from my studies.. I would have to say you have been wearing rose colored glasses my dear. Sigh, isn't it sad.

Actually, when we agree with what is being said/written, we don't notice it's being leaned one direction or another. Same if we don't have an opinion. Most of the time, unless we are involved our selves, we have no way of realizing the reporting is leaning in any direction at all. How would we??

Most folks will not watch the videos and catch what you did. They will not be confused. They 'know' what happened. It is what everyone 'knows'. And that is what the news media reported. After something is considered commen knowledge, good luck trying to change it. I've watch political reporting enough.. that I'm just so over the shock of it all.

Bolding mine

You just described my entire experience on this site. :banghead:

I've not had the same experience with WS as you've had Chilly. Granted, there are some who play into the media sensation of this case but they are quickly shot down by members with the facts surrounding the matter. For the most part, WS members are the first to ignore media reporting that's false, erroneous, misleading, and sensational. We have our own sticky to clear up myths that usually arise from media reports on this case as well as threads devoted to "Facts Only". Emails have been fired off to reporters who get their story wrong. I've been impressed with WS members' devotion to getting to the bottom of this through facts only.
When I see a sensational or otherwise wrong report on this case, I come directly to WS because it's here where I usually find what is fact or fiction.

 

[Devon]

almost right Devon. In the phrase "slain toddler" the word "slain" is not used as a noun or verb. It is an adjective, which was missing out of your definition. The word "slain", when used as an adjective, has only one meaning, and it means killed. If you look up "slain as an adjective", none of the definitions imply that the death had to be violent.

Fair enough - but IMO the word still conjures up an image of a violent act and that's why I object to it's use.

 

[Jolynna]

Bolded by me

Don't get me wrong - I'm all for rightful convictions and for Justice (with a capital 'J'), but it's the 'weaving' that frequently occurs in order to secure convictions that worries me. Far too many people have been wrongly convicted, either of crimes they did not commit, or of a greater crime than they actually committed, by the often overzealous and sometimes even corrupt use of the 'weaving' technique.

I think you need to talk to more victims.

My experience is that LE and prosecutors are more likely to be UNDERZEALOUS than the other way around.

This is definitely just my opinion.

 

[Jolynna]

Well..wouldn't it be great if the perp would simply tell the truth as to what really happened so the prosecution wouldn't have to "weave"?! What a concept!!

Amen and good post.

 

[radio]

The people who work for the news, and those whom own the news, media,etc.... The last time I checked, they were all humans.

And the last time I checked, humans tend to report facts, as they see facts. How one feels about a subject, etc.... can determine what a human sees as facts or relevant facts.

Another words, they truly are no different then the rest of us. If someone personally pissed you off enough to see red... I doubt you would be able to see anything about them in a good light.. for a long time.

You would not piss off a doctor before he cut you open. You wouldn't go to him unless you had to. Because we understand the process. Really we do.

JB uses the media just like everyone else. It's a give and take process. He was trying to control it for his side only. It doesn't work that way. He thought HE could punish the media for not reporting the way he wants stuff reported. IT doesn't work that way either. It back fired.

JB wants to bulldoze people. The media didn't have to play nice. The court is bending over backwards, to keep from it being called a mistrial when he errors like this. But the media doesn't have to.

Yes, people do report their take on the subject - supposed to suppress the bias, but that is no longer practiced.

Baez has orchestrated his own relationship with the media - thats a fact and a big mistake on his part.

Everything that has happened in this case by all parties does not justify the locking into the prosecution or the defense to the point of blindness - to the point of going over the cliff and never even knowing it. That becomes nothing more than wishful thinking and a lust for winning. :hand:

 

[Nana46]

I don't think "slain" is improper in this context at all-- to slay is to kill or murder. When a defenseless child victim is found dead, in a trash bag, in the woods, and duct tape is found over her mouth, that can pretty reasonably be described as a slaying.

I do agree that a lot of media reports are sensationalistic-- especially those reports that seize upon trivial or seemingly immaterial details.
BUT, some media coverage is IMO somewhat softer than it should be (and effectively better for the defense or unfair to the victim)

*Some media reports continue to refer to Caylee as a three year old. Dr. Phil did it on Friday. Caylee was never allowed to reach her third birthday and reports which fail to recognize that fact are IMO doing a disservice to the victim.

*Some media reports still refer to Casey as being charged with the first degree murder "in connection with her daughter's disappearance." Caylee didn't disappear, she was killed. She isn't missing, she was found dead.

:clap::clap::clap::clap:
Wonderful post IMO...at the end of the day the facts are the same...she was gone, her mother did not look for her or apparently care, partied the whole time and she was found murdered....

 

[Marina2]

almost right Devon. In the phrase "slain toddler" the word "slain" is not used as a noun or verb. It is an adjective, which was missing out of your definition. The word "slain", when used as an adjective, has only one meaning, and it means killed. If you look up "slain as an adjective", none of the definitions imply that the death had to be violent.

Good example of misleading reporting. The original definition certainly wasn't a lie but it can be said that it was very slanted.
That's how reporters do it. They may not lie but certain facts are left out that don't support their story.

 

[TruthSeeker]

I hear what you're saying, and get what the prosecution is trying to express, but thats not really the point of JBs motion. Isnt the point that they are leaking info, and hiding behind a cloak of anonimity? And then laying the blame on the media?
I have believed all along that the prosecution is leaking information to people like LP, NG and MF, to name a few.
How is it that NG has had the inside story on doc dumps prior to their release? If it hasnt been handed to the defense yet, then it can only be coming from one other place.
What the media does with it then is a seperate issue, but doesnt change the fact that these people claim to not be leaking info when they clearly are.

Its interesting that you have noted the very same point the prosecution was talking about prior to the proceedings, and patting themselves on the back for (#8). You're not one of them are you?
I never thought I'd say this, but I think JB behaved in a more professional manner than the state this time round. He cant write a motion to save his life, but the behaviour in that courtroom by the state had me shaking my head in shame. (I wasnt just watching KC) They're supposed to be the good guys!!

They shouldnt be recused, but they do need to pull their socks up, show some professionalism and remember that they are seeking justice for Caylee, not playing a game of strategy, and stroking each others egos. JMO

LOL! No, i am not one of "them", I was mearly pointing out the irony that while LE has used the press to leak info, they take the position that no one should listen to what the press has to say because they are unreliable unresponsible in their reporting!

I personally believe they have even leaked false info on purpose to see what reactions they will get from key people. Oh the tangled web we weave!

I am just so sick and tired of the games that are being played with peoples lives (by LE) and the "news" media relying on sensationalism to try to win their popularity contests against each other.

I am an intelligent person. Lay it all out there and I can come to a conclustion on my own. I hate to have to wade thru all the Bulls**t to find the facts in this case. Grrrrr!

 

[TruthSeeker]

In defense of WFTV, you have to give Kathi Belich credit for being a very good reporter.
She brought us the story about Dennis (felon) Milstead.
She got Lee's lawyer Luka so confused he did/did not/I take that back/I did not see that video.
If WFTV is biased it is not without cause, Cindy called Kathi "stupid" very early in the case. KB is far from being stupid.

The news should NEVER be biased! It should report the news, not opinions and should NEVER be slanted to "get back at or get even with" someone! What kind of editor allows their staff to do this?

As I have said before, there is an OP/ED section in any news reporting agency to express OPINIONS. That is the proper place to express anger, if there ever is a place for the news media to do so.

 

[nancy botwin]

definition of 'slay':

slay (sl)
tr.v. slew (sl), slain (sln), slay·ing, slays
1. To kill violently.
2. past tense and past participle often slayed Slang To overwhelm, as with laughter or love: Those old jokes still slay me.

Another:

slay
One entry found.

Main Entry:
slay Listen to the pronunciation of slay
Pronunciation:
\ˈslā\
Function:
verb
Inflected Form(s): slew Listen to the pronunciation of slew \ˈslü\ also especially in sense 2 slayed; slain Listen to the pronunciation of slain \ˈslān\ ; slay·ing
Etymology: Middle English slen, from Old English slēan to strike, slay; akin to Old High German slahan to strike, Middle Irish slachta stricken
Date: before 12th century

transitive verb
1: to kill violently, wantonly, or in great numbers ; broadly : to strike down : kill
2: to delight or amuse immensely <slayed the audience>

I know what slay means and I am also familiar with the definition of violently and violence. Casey was charged with first degree murder and aggravated child abuse, meaning her death was caused by the deliberate and harmful acts of another. Giving a baby an overdose of Baby Benadryl or Xanax or Chloroform= violence. Duct taping a baby's mouth shut= violence. Suffocating a baby with a pillow = violence, etc etc. Slain is a completely appropriate description, given the known facts and the charges Casey faces.

I know there are some people who believe Caylee's death was accidental. I suppose if you believe this was an accident, "slain" seems inappropriate. I don't think an accidental drowning victim tends to be found six months later, dead, in a trash bag, in the woods, with duct tape over her mouth. If Caylee really did accidentally drown and Casey was, for whatever reason unable to respond normally and call 911 or tell the truth, that's Casey's problem at this point. LE practically begged her to say Caylee drowned. Instead, Casey allowed her daughter to sit and decompose, in a trash bag, in the woods, with duct tape over her mouth.

It's not the media's job to render a softlight depiction of what seems to have happened to Caylee. Nor is it the media's responsibility to pander to our human impulse to deny that the young, pretty smiling mother in the pictures could intentionally cause harm to her beautiful baby.

 

[Nosey Parker]

I've not had the same experience with WS as you've had Chilly. Granted, there are some who play into the media sensation of this case but they are quickly shot down by members with the facts surrounding the matter. For the most part, WS members are the first to ignore media reporting that's false, erroneous, misleading, and sensational. We have our own sticky to clear up myths that usually arise from media reports on this case as well as threads devoted to "Facts Only". Emails have been fired off to reporters who get their story wrong. I've been impressed with WS members' devotion to getting to the bottom of this through facts only.
When I see a sensational or otherwise wrong report on this case, I come directly to WS because it's here where I usually find what is fact or fiction.

:clap::clap: I totally applaud your perspective, Marina. I pay no particular attention to media reports until I find them verified by an official doc, statement, etc. I'm really only interested in the facts, and they are sensational enough in this case. WS is a fantastic base for fact seekers. Debators seem to enjoy it, too.

 

[TruthSeeker]

Probably because COD was ruled "homicide" by Dr. G, IIRC

the meaning of the word "slain" from answers.com:

IN BRIEF: Killed violently

As a noun:

Meaning #1: people who have been slain (as in battle)

As an adjective:

Meaning #1: killed; `slain' is formal or literary as in"slain warriors"

Caylee was not a warrior nor is there any evidence she dies violently. The use of this word was designed to inflame people!

 

[Nana46]

I guess I am just a stubborn "old" woman,lol
in my book she was murdered....slain or whatever term you want to use....she died and was tossed away like a sack of garbage...and it breaks my heart every time I read it or type it no matter who says it....she is dead....and the murderer needs to be punished.

I would have not needed a newspaper or a radio to give me an update on the hearings....seeing her reactions in court said more than any newspaper or commentator can ever say....at the end of the day guilty or not she shows NO emotion for her dead baby. That says it all for me. I have lost a child...I know what emotion is....she apparently does not or does not care.

 

[TruthSeeker]

Okkkkk...IMO, she died in a manner which in some way entailed having her head wrapped in duct tape....sounds MAYBE slain to me...BUT, not gonna get into semantics with ya...[SNIP]
ETA : A little hard to go for "manslaughter" with the duct tape....JMO

The duck tape could have been put on her after she died to try to keep bugs, dirt, etc out of her mouth. This statement is just as valid as as yours, since we do not know how the duck tape got there or who put it there.

 

[Jolynna]

I know what slay means and I am also familiar with the definition of violently and violence. Casey was charged with first degree murder and aggravated child abuse, meaning her death was caused by the deliberate and harmful acts of another. Giving a baby an overdose of Baby Benadryl or Xanax or Chloroform= violence. Duct taping a baby's mouth shut= violence. Suffocating a baby with a pillow = violence, etc etc. Slain is a completely appropriate description, given the known facts and the charges Casey faces.

I know there are some people who believe Caylee's death was accidental. I suppose if you believe this was an accident, "slain" seems inappropriate. I don't think an accidental drowning victim tends to be found six months later, dead, in a trash bag, in the woods, with duct tape over her mouth. If Caylee really did accidentally drown and Casey was, for whatever reason unable to respond normally and call 911 or tell the truth, that's Casey's problem at this point. LE practically begged her to say Caylee drowned. Instead, Casey allowed her daughter to sit and decompose, in a trash bag, in the woods, with duct tape over her mouth.

It's not the media's job to render a softlight depiction of what seems to have happened to Caylee. Nor is it the media's responsibility to pander to our human impulse to deny that the young, pretty smiling mother in the pictures could intentionally cause harm to her beautiful baby.

I 100% agree.

 

[californiared]

Fair enough - but IMO the word still conjures up an image of a violent act and that's why I object to it's use.

I agree, I think it does for many people, and that's exactly why it's used. As Marina stated, it's a perfect example of the media being misleading. That small change between verb and adjective makes an important distinction that95% of people aren't aware of. I sympathize with you though, I don't like the word one bit either.