Richard Jewell, Media Patsy, Dies at 44

[Centaur]

I saw this today:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070829/ap_on_re_us/obit_jewell

This gentleman was the security guard that alerted police to a suspicious backpack at a park concert during the 1996 Olympics in Altanta. He began moving people out of harm's way just before the backpack exploded.

One person was killed and 111 were injured.

Within three days, his status as a hero was challenged after the Atlanta Journal-Constitution called him "the focus" of the FBI investigation into the bombing. The FBI neither arrested nor formally charged him, but he was crucified by the press.

An anti-government extremist was later convicted of that bombing, along with other bombings in the Atlanta area.

 

[mete]

" I never sought to be a hero. I have always viewed myself as just one of the many professionals who simply did his or her job that tragic night . I wish I could have done more " Richard Jewell He was a patsy of both the AJC and the FBI !!

 

[MikeH]

He never really got the positive credit that he deserved.

I have wondered how much his appearance played a role in the perception of him. He just didn't "look" like the hero that he was.

 

[Lanza]

This makes one wonder how many others have been "railroaded" in order to close a case. May he RIP.

 

[mycroftt]

They FBI also tried to railroad Dr. Hatfill in the anthrax attacks. They leaked reports that he was a "person of interest", destroyed his career and his life, and then just dropped the whole thing. It is just about the quality of work I expect from an agency that thinks there is such a thing as a "lie detector."

 

[Centaur]

This makes one wonder how many others have been "railroaded" in order to close a case.

Like the McMartins? Google "McMartin Preschool." Overzealous prosecutors, wild & unsubstantiated accuasations, media abuse.

 

[JD Mandrell]

Richard Jewell is the perfect example of what our sensationalist media can do when they run wild. They pretty much destroyed that poor guy.

 

[jackknife]

Richard Jewell is the perfect example of what our sensationalist media can do when they run wild. They pretty much destroyed that poor guy.

I think its also the specialty of the Federal Bureau of Intimidation!

 

[JD Mandrell]

I think its also the specialty of the Federal Bureau of Intimidation!

Yeah, 2 groups that need to learn some restraint. Although I will say, that the FBI questioned him as a person involved because he was there, the media just went nuts and dissected his whole life for their own amusement.

Any more, the media is not allowed to publish the names of victims of certain crimes, I sometimes wonder if they shouldn't be allowed to publish/release the names of ANYONE until after they are convicted of something.

 

[Esav Benyamin]

Like the McMartins? Google "McMartin Preschool." Overzealous prosecutors, wild & unsubstantiated accuasations, media abuse.

Totally false child abuse allegations. What else is wrong about that case is, the ones who implanted false memories in those kids were never charged.

Same sort of prosecutorial misconduct as the Duke lacrosse players case, choosing to believe incredibly poor evidence.

 

[jackknife]

Totally false child abuse allegations. What else is wrong about that case is, the ones who implanted false memories in those kids were never charged.

Same sort of prosecutorial misconduct as the Duke lacrosse players case, choosing to believe incredibly poor evidence.

Yes, but at least the Duke DA was held accountable and lost his job and any future career in that field. Was'nt he disbarred? I hope he's flipping burgers at McDonalds for the next 20 years.