Two articles on yesterday's happenings
Today's News Sentinel carries two articles about yesterday's proceedings in Editor Jack McElroy's suit against Knox County Commission, both of which are well-written and stick to the facts. This story, above the fold on page A1, details "the most contentious day of testimony so far" in the trial. Although the story begins in a somewhat breathless tone, I think that tone is probably appropriate, given the fact that McElroy himself took the stand yesterday.
It isn't every day that a newspaper reports on its own editor testifying in court.
Yesterday's testimony by Commission Chairman Moore involved questions regarding Moore's repeated phone calls during Commission breaks on Black Wednesday. The sequence of Moore talking to John Valliant on the phone, Valliant escorting Chuck Bolus to be sworn in, and Bolus taking his seat before any other newly-appointed commissioners in order to break a tie vote all combine to paint an unflattering portrait of Commission's actions on that day. The article avoids sensationalizing what is already a sensational story, and instead lets the bare facts of yesterday's testimony stand on their own.
The other article in today's paper appears on page A12 and discusses Chancellor Fansler's refusal to declare Commissioner Lambert summarily guilty for refusing to turn over his mobile phone records. Fansler does intend to instruct the jury that "they could infer from his refusal that he had something to hide in the case." It also discusses Fansler's re-consideration of his earlier ruling that appointed Commissioner Josh Jordan's criminal past wasn't relevant to the case. As with the first article, this one sticks to the facts and lets the story tell itself.
Both articles use direct quotes from parties on both sides, while avoiding narrative characterizations that could bias the reader's perception. As I've said before, the facts of this case speak for themselves; the News Sentinel's coverage is at its very best when this story is allowed to tell itself merely by sticking to the facts. Today's articles are good examples of that.