Grand Rapids Institute for Information Democracy

Analysis:

This was a brief article that made its way onto the front page of the Grand Rapids Press. It is a report on a study released on May 26th by the Center for Public Integrity, a non-profit, nonpartisan watchdog group in Washington, D.C. In it, they named the top individual campaign contributors for both parties during the 2004 elections.

The article was taken from the Associated Press edited to about half its original size. Though it is news worthy of its front page slot, the edits subtly changed the tone of the story. Off the wire it read as an investigation into campaign finance reform. After edits it read more like “cheers” to the DeVos family for giving more money than anyone else. It even left out quotes from state Democratic and GOP party spokespersons, plus no where not in the original AP version or the GR Press version do they provide voices other than Democrat or Republican. Ask yourself if an independent, non-partisan voice from Michigan would be useful to voters.

Readers could also ask themselves is why is a story about campaign contributions from 2004 running midway through 2005? Could information like this have made an impact on elections locally and nationally? The data is required by candidates, most of which is part of the public record prior to Election Day. Late donations can be submitted after the Election, but the majority of the data is available to the public and journalists prior to the Election.

Story:

DeVos name tops political donors
By KEN THOMAS
The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans Dick and Betsy DeVos of Michigan were the nation’s largest individual campaign donors during the 2004 election cycle, according to a study released Thursday.

A report by the Center for Public Integrity said the couple, of Ada, contributed more than $2.3 million in 2003 and 2004, including more than $1.8 million to party committees registered in Michigan.

Jay Van Andel, who died in December 2004, was ranked third overall in individual contributions, giving $2 million of his personal fortune, including $1 million to Michigan GOP groups.

Second nationally was Arizona real-estate developer James Pederson, with $2.2 million to the Arizona GOP.
The DeVos and Van Andel families, who founded Amway Corp. in 1959, have been leading financial supporters of the Republican party. Alticor Inc., one of the world’s largest direct marketing companies, is Amway’s parent company and is privately held by the two families.

Dick DeVos is considering a campaign to seek the GOP nomination to face Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm. Betsy DeVos recently stepped down as chairwoman of the state Republican party.

• Dick DeVos’ parents, Richard and Helen DeVos, of Ada, donated $185,000 to Michigan political committees during the period.

The study puts Alticor, Amway and DeVos family interests among the nation’s top-five organizational donors, contributing more than $4.7 million in 2003 and 2004.

The donations ranked them just behind two major unions — the Service Employees International Union and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

By comparison, the Association of Trial Lawyers of America gave $2.6 million, the AFL-CIO contributed $2.35 million, and the United Auto Workers provided $1.66 million.

Text from the original article ommitted from the Grand Rapids Press version:

The Washington-based watchdog group’s study shows the DeVos family’s considerable political clout.
DeVos Sr. is the owner of the NBA’s Orlando Magic.

Other top donors include:
• C. Michael Kojaian, a Bloomfield Hills businessman, who gave $120,000 to Republicans during the cycle. He has been a leading financial contributor to President Bush’s campaigns.

The study also showcases the highly competitive environment between the state Democratic and Republican parties in a state with divided government: a Democratic governor, Republican control of the Legislature and a significant GOP edge in Michigan’s congressional delegation.

The Michigan Republican State Committee raised $14.3 million during the period, compared to $13.5 million by the Michigan Democratic State Central Committee. The Democratic organization outspent its GOP counterpart by more than $780,000.

Nate Bailey, a state GOP spokesman, said the report showed “how effectively using and spending money can really make the difference between winning and losing.”

Jason Moon, a state Democratic party spokesman, said it provided evidence that the DeVos’ are “kings of corporate and special interests. They spend their money to promote their right-wing ideals.”

Messages were left Wednesday for Dick and Betsy DeVos.

Nationally, the study found overall fund-raising for state political parties in the 2004 election cycle declined to $735 million, a decrease of $65 million compared to the 2000 election cycle and $85 million less raised in the 2002 midterm elections.

The nonpartisan organization attributed the drop to the McCain-Feingold campaign finance reforms, which barred unlimited “soft money” contributions to federal candidates or federal party organizations.

Analysis:

This story is framed as a meeting between the US President and Afghani President Karzai to “iron out problems.” The story does mention the issue of prisoner abuse at US military bases, but provides no context to the “accusations.” According to Human Rights Watch the prisoner abuses at US bases in Afghan pre-date those at Abu Ghraib.

What is omitted from this story was the real reason for Afghan President Karzai’s visit to the White House, to sign a long term deal with the Bush administration to keep US military bases there. Another major issue not discussed in this news article is over the fact that Afghanistan has become the world leader in Heroin production since the US invasion and defeat of the Taliban in 2001-2002.

Story:

WZZM 13 News reader – President Bush is trying to iron out problems with Afghanistan’s leader, Afghan President Hamid Karzai visited the White House today. He and President Bush discussed accusations of prisoner abuse at an American base in Afghanistan. Karzai says he blames the people responsible for the abuses, but not their country.

Afghan President – These things happen everywhere. As we are sad, we recognize that the American people, kind as they are to Afghanistan, have nothing to do with that.

WZZM 13 News reader – In an earlier appearance this weekend Karzai said he wanted the Americans who miss treated prisoners to be brought to justice.

Total time – 38 seconds

Analysis:

This is basically a minute and a half of self-promotion. While websites often can be a useful source of additional information, this story is more about increasing the stations online traffic rather than providing news. As with the news broadcast itself, the website derives its revenue from advertisements, so increased web site visits mean increased profits.

Story:

Newsreader#1: Well, we’ve done some remodeling online and WZZM13.com has a new look that we think is easier for everyone to use.

Newsreader #2: And Lee and I put together this explainer of all the new features.

Newsreader #1: Let’s start up here at the top. Our weather ball is still here in the left-hand corner and so is one easy way to find what you want on the site, and that’s the search box.

Newsreader #2: Now moving over to the right is one of our newest, and I think the coolest, features; our tab weather section starts with the latest X-Rad image. But slide your cursor over and look what happens—the box changes!

Newsreader #1: Now choices include the current temperatures, the forecast, and a place to login or sign-up for “My 13 On Target Personal Forecast.”

Newsreader #2: Here in the middle are still today’s top local news stories and our most current videos.

Newsreader #1: Now back over on the left side navigation bar are the main sections of our website and our most popular sections like Take-5 and all our contests.

Newsreader #2: Now, keep moving the page with us and you’ll find another new feature. These nine boxes feature our top partnerships, station projects and more all in a very clear, easy to understand format. Click on the icons to get more information.

Newsreader #1: Now there is a lot to remember, and let’s say we didn’t show your favorite section of WZZM13.com. You’ll find everything right here at the bottom in our table of contents.

Newsreader #2: From Super-Savers and Try-Its to our recipes and 13 Friends For Life information, you will find what you’re looking for right down here.

Newsreader #1: If you already haven’t seen it on the new WZZM13.com.

Total time – 1 minute, 24 seconds

Analysis:

In some ways the story is very informative. It reveals to readers that video gamers are teaming up with corporations to increase the amount of product placement in video games such as a Jeep brand vehicle in Tony Hawk’s game Underground 2, or Ericsson cell phones in Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell. The article boldly states “games can do what no other medium can – force players to interact with an ad.” The story also states that Nielson Entertainment plans to track the player response to ads in games.

The only perspective readers get in the AP story is that of someone from Nielson Entertainment, the gaming industry and one of the companies currently advertising in video games. So, in a sense the article, while providing some useful content on this trend, is a promotional piece for ads in video games. We should also ask why there was no perspective provided from groups which monitor the social impact of video games or hyper-commercialism in media, particularly as it relates to younger audiences. Some good sources on video games and youth, particularly the hyper-commercialism can be found online at Campaign for Commercial Free Childhood and the Kaiser Family Foundation.

Story:

Ads invade fast-growing video game market
by Gary Gentile

As a member of the Elite Operations Division in the video game “True Crime: Streets of LA,” the character Nick Kang must find his way to a truck heist at the flagship Puma sportswear store.

Lucky for him, he has a Motorola handset with built-in global positioning system technology.

In the online game Everquest II, players don’t need to leave their fantasy world to satisfy hunger pangs. They can click an icon and have food delivered from the nearest Pizza Hut – within 30 minutes.

The product placement – benign, interactive and sometimes aggressive – belongs to a growing push by advertisers to reach big-spending males from 18 to 34 who log long hours playing video games.

Analysts say in-game advertising could generate as much as $1 billion in new revenue for the fast-growing industry by the end of the decade because it almost assures advertisers quality time with an audience they crave: Young men.

Research by Nielsen Entertainment has found that prime-time television is losing younger male viewers, while Sony Computer Entertainment America notes that several million people are glued to their PlayStation 2 consoles playing online games during prime-time TV viewing hours.

The strategy of insinuating ads into video games was a hot topic at this week’s E3 video games trade show, where Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft unveiled their next-generation game consoles.

“Game publishers have to recognize that there are millions, if not billions, of dollars in advertising money coming their way in the next few years,” said Justin Townsend, chief executive of IGA Partners Europe, an agency that places in-game ads for clients.

Until very recently, advertisers weren’t rushing to place products in video games. They spent only $34 million in 2004 on in-game ads _ a far cry from the billions spent on television advertising.

But that amount is expected to explode to $562 million by 2009, according to The Yankee Group research firm. Including “advergames” _ games built solely to promote a product _ game advertising will approach $1 billion by the end of the decade, the firm predicts.

Advertisers were wary in the past, partially because there wasn’t a way to measure the effectiveness of the ads. Now, Nielsen Entertainment, which measures TV ratings for advertisers, is testing a system to gauge the impact of in-game ads.

“We kind of have a pretty good idea of how people are watching TV,” said Michael Dowling, a Nielsen executive. “With a video game, because of its nonlinear nature, we have no idea how people are navigating their way through the game.”

Nielsen already has paper diaries in the homes of some gamers to document their game-playing. Now, in conjunction with Activision and Jeep, Nielsen has embedded an electronic marker in each Jeep image included in “Tony Hawk’s Underground 2.”

Each time a Jeep vehicle is used or appears on the game screen, the electronic tag sends a signal over the Internet to Nielsen, which tracks the hits.

Much of the advertising in the works for games mirrors reality. A virtual recreation of Times Square, for instance, would include billboards for products. A NASCAR game might include actual car models decorated with real ads.

And games can do what no other medium can _ force players to interact with an ad.

In “Underground 2,” players have to perform tricky skateboard stunts involving a Jeep. In the Ubisoft game “Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell,” players must use a Sony Ericsson cell phone to deal with some challenges.

The interaction is likely to produce stronger product recognition and sales than traditional ads, said Jeff Bell, vice president of marketing communications at Daimler Chrysler, the maker of Jeeps.

“We have plenty of chances to put 30-second advertisements on television and not know whether people really watch them or not,” Bell said during an E3 workshop.

The tactics have emerged as the industry wrestles with increasing costs. Developing a top-level video game with sophisticated graphics can now cost as much as $15 million _ a price tag that could triple in the next few years to keep up with the capabilities of the latest consoles.

Game makers are balking but say they will likely have to raise prices to cover some increasing costs. The hikes are risky because many customers are teenagers who can’t afford steep increases.

That has made revenue from in-game advertising even more important.

“It’s not a ‘nice to have,’ it’s a must have,” said Yankee analyst Mike Goodman.

Text from the original article ommitted from the Grand Rapids Press version:

The increased spending is another sign of the booming popularity of video games. In 2004, $7.3 billion worth of video and PC games were sold in the United States. By comparison, the domestic movie industry saw ticket sales of $9.4 billion.

On the first day it hit stores last November, the hugely popular game “Halo 2” generated $125 million in sales, while the Pixar animated film “The Incredibles” reeled in $70 million in ticket sales over the same weekend.

Some companies have found another way to reach young male gamers _ market their own games.

Chrysler said the simple sports and puzzle games it has distributed in magazines, CDs and Web sites have led to sales. The games require players to register and provide data that can then be matched to subsequent purchases.

Of 3.5 million people who registered and downloaded games in the past 18 months, 10,000 eventually bought Chrysler vehicles, Bell said.

“That was a wake-up call for us,” he said.

Analysis:

This story is basically a public relations move by the US Army to put a good spin on some embarrassing recruitment tactics that have been exposed lately. The video footage used by channel 13 is exclusively of military recruitment offices or soldiers setting up tables in public places for recruiting purposes. The story mentions that the Army is failing to meet their recruitment quotas and then says “Some blame the war in Iraq.” Viewers should ask themselves what kind of a source is “Some?” Who is saying that the war in Iraq is contributing to a decrease in people signing up for the military?

The story does mention one instance where an Army recruiter used a questionable tactic, but doesn’t provide any details, nor does it explore the larger questions around military recruiting tactics, such as on college campuses or in high schools. There is also only one perspective provided, that of the US military. Viewers should ask themselves why no other perspective was provided particularly that of groups doing counter-recruitment work.

Story:

WZZM 13 News reader – The Army has ordered its recruiters to stand down today for retraining. 8,000 soldiers spent the day watching videos on Pentagon recruiting policies. The service has not met its recruitment quotas. Some blame the war in Iraq. The Pentagon also punished some recruiters for violating military policy in seeking new recruits. One soldier threatened to arrest a teenage if he didn’t sign up with the Army.

Army Recruitment Commander – We are a very dispersed command and as a result we rely on the personal integrity and the adherence to Army values of every single recruiter in order to live up to the standards of those values.

WZZM 13 News reader – Well the goal for this year is 80,000 new soldiers, but the recruiting so far is about 15% its year to date goal.

Total Time – 49 seconds

Analysis:

This is another example of television news as a conduit for official voices. Several claims are presented here that are not questioned by the reporter. Two different voices are presented speaking about the Iraqi insurgency, stating as fact claims that are debatable. President Bush states that the insurgents are inspired by ideology or religion, saying, “murderers are inspired by an ideology that is…barbaric and backwards.” This is followed by the head of the Arab-American Institute stating that the insurgents are Sunni Muslims affiliated with Saddam Hussein. Neither of these two depictions of the Iraqi insurgency is either confirmed or challenged by the reporter.

The other voice heard in the story is a Bush administration spokesman. In this quote the spokesman says that the US has investigated and prosecuted those responsible for the prison abuse scandal in Iraq. Aside from the fact that this is only tangentially related to the story of the Saddam pictures, it is a statement which could easily be challenged by a reporter but is not. According to reports by Seymour Hersh, the military did not do anything about the torture of detainees until the torture issue became public, and even then, no officers at the upper end of the command structure were prosecuted.

The reporter does not question the government’s statement that the pictures of Saddam “possibly violate the Geneva Convention.” When Saddam was captured over a year ago, the government released pictures of him being examined by doctors. The government also released photos of Iraqi prisoners of war in 2003. These actions could also be considered violations of international law and yet the reporter does not question this apparent double standard.

Story:

Newsreader – Tonight the Pentagon is condemning the publication of some shocking new photos. First released in Britain, they also showed up in this morning’s New York Post. The most graphic image shows Saddam Hussein wearing nothing but his underwear. FOX 17’s Grant Rampy has the latest on the photo controversy.

Reporter – Saddam Hussein in his underwear on the front page of a British tabloid. Inside the paper he is seen washing out his laundry by hand. Many Iraqis are offended.

Iraqi – What we saw on TV is not right. Saddam Hussein is an Iraqi and we are a civilized country.

Reporter – Others say the pictures may be humiliating but their former dictator deserves this and more. As the White House makes it’s displeasure clear, the president expressing confidence that the images won’t spark a new wave of violence, a matter that’s up for debate.

Bush – I don’t think a, uh, a photo inspires murderers. I think they are inspired by an ideology that is so barbaric and backwards that it’s hard for many in the Western World to comprehend how they think.

Jean Abi Nader (Arab-American Institute) – Remember, the insurgency is primarily fueled by Sunni Muslims who were affiliated with Saddam Hussein, so this is just going to add more fuel to the fire.

Reporter – the Pentagon meanwhile is hunting for the leaker. Officials say the pictures were taken in clear violation of DoD directives and possibly Geneva Convention guidelines. They’re also expressing disappointment that some one responsible for the security, welfare, and detention of Saddam would provide these photos for public release. The administration points out the military personal who took the Abu Ghraib photos are being dealt with.

Trent Duffy (Press Secretary)- People are going to jail, people are serving time because of those abuses, and likewise there will be a thorough investigation into this instance and similar accountability measures will be taken.

Reporter – the editors of the British tabloid The Sun say they paid their source around $900 beyond that they’re keeping quiet. The shots may end up costing them though; Saddam’s lawyer says he plans to sue. At the Pentagon, Grant Rampy FOX News at ten.

Newsreader – In the Arab world, some see this as another insult to Muslims. The photos are believed to have been recorded by a security camera or shot by a prison guard early last year.

Total time: 2 minutes, 8 seconds

Analysis:

This story is nothing more than an ad for Netflix and Wal-Mart. In fact, it almost reads as a Press Release. The video “file” that they use could be a VNR created for Netflix, but the clip is not sourced. Unfortunately, viewers do not get regular news stories that are critical of Wal-Mart to balance out these pro-Wal-Mart stories.

Story:

WXMI 17 News reader – Well, if you can’t beat them, join them. That is what the world’s largest retailer is doing, when it comes to online DVD rentals. Wal-Mart says it is turning over its entire rental services to the competition, Netflix. Under the agreement, they’ll cross promote. Existing Wal-Mart customers can transfer their agreement to Netflix for the same price. And Netflix will redirect people to buy their DVDs at Wal-Mart.

Total Time – 21 seconds

Analysis:

This story is like one big promotional piece for the 3 big video game makers. Viewers are subjected to comments from company reps, sales people and customers who are big video gamers. The majority of the video footage used is that of people playing games, footage directly from video games or in stores with people who buy or sell video games. Some of the footage is from ABC, specifically that of the E3 Expo in Los Angeles. The rest of the footage was shot at Best Buy in the Grand Rapids area. Viewers should ask themselves if it is problematic to highlight one retail store over another, particularly one as big as Best Buy?

The story also mentions several times that the news game systems will be available to buy soon – “most of the games will be hitting the shelf in the Fall and at Christmas time;” and “Some of the new consul systems should be available in time for the holiday shopping season.” At one point near the end of the story the reporter asks a young boy and a college age guy how much they play video games. The young boy replies “4 hours a day at least.” Do you think it would be appropriate at this point for the reporter to ask questions about the impact of that much video game playing, especially for children?

Story:

WZZM 13 News reader #1 – Video games are about to get faster, brighter and smarter.

WZZM 13 News reader #2 – The big 3 video game companies are all coming out with their latest generation of game systems. WZZM 13’s Phil Dawson is here to show us what’s coming up.

Reporter – Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft all they will introduce new systems in the next 12 months. It will be the first major upgrade in 5 years, and in West Michigan the buzz has already begun.

In the gaming department at Best Buy the staff is getting ready to sell and to play the next generation of video game consuls systems.

Best Buy Staff – Clearer picture, better sound. It is gonna be awesome. I am very excited about it.

Reporter – Some future products are coming to electronic stores are on display this week at the E3 Expo in Los Angeles.

Video Game Producer – This is where we saw all the newest games that are gonna be coming out and it is actually most of the games will be hitting the shelf in the Fall and at Christmas time.

Video Game Salesman – In order to succeed in your goals you’re going to have to think fast, move fast, and kill fast.

Reporter – But you don’t have to be in LA to know what is on the horizon in the gaming industry. Sony is coming out with Playstation 3, Nintendo has a new Cube, and X-Box 360 is the new offering from Micro-soft.

Microsoft Manager – It’s huge, it’s a big, big statement for us. The next generation of consuls starts now.

Reporter – Some of the new consul systems should be available in time for the holiday shopping season. Players are eager to experience the next level.

Young Boy/Player – The graphics and a lot more different games that don’t really play on other systems.

Teenage Game Player – More hi-tech games, they got more graphics to it.

Reporter – How much time do you spend playing video games, per day?

Young Boy/Player – 4 hours a day at least.

Teenage Game Player – If I got a day off, I’ll play, I’ll be on there for hours.

Best Buy Staff – So I think everybody is ready for this new system. It’s been 5 years, it’s been a long wait. Everybody has been waiting for the new thing. It’s coming, it’s on its way.

Reporter – These new systems will cost about 300 dollars.

Total time – 1 minute and 56 seconds

Analysis:

This is a fairly long story as local TV news goes. Notice how little actual information was provided in this story. It is useful that channel 8 tells viewers that the White House created and orchestrated the look of Bush’s visit, by even dictating “what the TV will show 90% of the time.”

One question for viewers to ask themselves is, is there a journalistic obligation for differing perspectives, especially when one perspective make disparaging comments directed at the other? If people or groups that organized the protest had made critical comments of Peter Seechia, do you think channel 8 would have let it go at that?

Story:

WOOD TV 8 News reader #1 – The countdown is on until the most powerful man in the world arrives in West Michigan.

WOOD TV 8 News reader #2 – So how exactly did Calvin College land President George W. Bush as a Speak? Brad Edwards is live at Calvin with the answer.

Reporter – Well it is a little bit of who you know and a little bit of luck. Officials here say that this years graduation ceremony will be a spitting image of last years and every other year for that matter, except for the Presidential part. Better sounds system, check. More fencing, check. Industrial renting air conditioning unit, check, which is as close as we get to inside, with the Secret Service now in charge. The President is coming. How?

Peter Secchia – It feels wonderful to know that the President is going to come to our town.

Reporter – The two credited by college officials for landing the President, Peter Secchia, businessman and former Ambassador, and former Calvin student, prof and now Congressman Vern Ehlers. So how again?

Peter Secchia – Well, we are always making suggestions. Whether it’s Tulip festival or Grand Valley, Calvin, Michigan State and sometimes we hit and sometimes we don’t.

Reporter – And under the promise of perfect whether, this will be a hit.

Calvin Vice President – I chair the task force that is coordinating the specialness of this day.

Reporter – Calvin Vice President Tom McWherton says this year will be different. The speaker of course and the speech.

Calvin Vice President – Normally our commencement speeches are 12 to 15 minutes, but I am told the President’s speech will be about 20.

Reporter – Are you gonna give him that 5 minutes?

Calvin Vice President – I think we are going to give it to him.

Reporter – And they have had to make changes, like…

Calvin Vice President – We had to change the back drop so that there was a good color there for television.

Reporter – The White House’s school came up with this. The Presidential podium and a Calvin burgundy back drop. The note on the rendering says what the TV will show 90% of the time. It’s all nearing ready. The only concern for the former Ambassador, a key in the big get, to promise of protesters.

Peter Secchia – No full page ads, no….Let’s not major in minors, let’s get things done, let’s build our community up. Those people who are unhappy he is coming here, let’s not have him come here, let’s have nobody.

Reporter – With that said it’s the prep, the work, the walk all rolled into one make for a Saturday visit by a sitting President. And as for the tickets, they are all gone, all free mainly to student’s families. As for the original guest speaker, a former professor here and at Yale University, a noted religious philosopher. Well, he graciously stepped aside this year. He’ll be speaking next year.

Total Time – 2 minutes and 38 seconds

Analysis:

WOOD 8 TV reported that local man Willy Winters was found innocent of charges of “hindering and opposing” police officers during a incident involving a traffic stop. The all white jury decided to take the word of Mr. Winters, an eighteen year old African American over the five police officers who were involved with the arrest. Reportedly, the jury was swayed by the injuries that Mr. Winters sustained to his face, hands and knees as well as police video footage showing officers spraying mace at Mr. Winters. The video shows Mr. Winters exit his car and walk toward the officer who sprays him while several feet away. Also shown in the video is Mr. Winters Mother who approaches the officers, and who, according to testimony, was taken to the ground and handcuffed by officers as well.
While this was the first mention of Willie Winters in the local TV news, it was not the first time the footage had been used. In a previous news deconstruction, GRIID looked at the story of the Urban League’s report on disproportionate arrest rates for African Americans by the GRPD for hindering and opposing. In these stories the footage of Mr. Winters being sprayed with mace was shown without any explanation of what the particulars of the case were. The footage was shown multiple times by all three local TV stations as background footage while the news readers talked about hindering and opposing arrests. At the time that this footage was originally shown, none of the stations gave any information about the particulars of Mr. Winters case, or even that he was on trial and that a verdict had not yet been reached. When Mr. Winters was found innocent, Channel 8 ran a story about it, unlike the other two local stations. So essentially, for two of the local news stations, this footage was used only when they needed to show a black man “hindering and opposing the GRPD. When that same man was found innocent of those charges, they choose not to run that story.

Story:

Newsreader #1 – Not guilty…a Grand Rapids teenager says he will sue the Grand Rapids Police Department for physical and emotional damages.
Newsreader #2 – A jury yesterday found 18-year-old Willie Winters not guilty of criminal charges…charges that some people say police are trumping up and abusing.
Newsreader #1 – Twenty-four Hour News 8’s Dray Clark is live tonight outside police headquarters in downtown Grand Rapids to bring us the latest on this story…Dray?
Reporter – Well Suzie, from day one Willie Winters said he was not guilty and would fight the criminal charges all the way to court. It was his word against that of five Grand Rapids Police officers. The case was left in the hands of seven jurors who came back with a “not guilty” verdict. We want to warn you…some of the images you’re going to see in this story are graphic.
B-Roll – “…9:40 AM, you’re on the line with Robert S. …”
Reporter – He’s off the hook, and now on the airwaves. Eighteen-year-old Willie Winters thanked the community for its support.
B-Roll – Winters: “…I love you, thanks…”
Reporter – Winters’ story begins last September on Fox Avenue. Grand Rapids police, dashboard cameras rolling, pull over a car for speeding…Winters’ neighbor is the driver. The officer first tells the passenger to sit down.
B-Roll – Police: “Get in the car!” Winters: “Man, take me…”
Reporter – Seconds later, the driver jumps out.
B-Roll – Driver: “Man, f*** you motherf***ers! F***! Man, f*** you!”
Reporter – The officer draws back and sprays Mace.
B-Roll – Winters: “Hey man! *time elapse* my Mom…she’s handicapped.”
Reporter – Here you see the driver’s mother, wearing a robe, confront officers, but she’s taken away. Winters says when his mother tried telling police the woman was handicapped she was handcuffed, and when he rushed over to help his mother he claims he was cuffed, pushed to the ground, and beaten.
Willie Winters – I was scared…I didn’t thing I was gonna make it through the night.
Reporter – Winters’ mouth was busted, his hand were bloody, and his leg was bruised. Winters’ attorney Kevin Floyd.
Lawyer – This young man has sat in this chair in my office with his mother and just, you know, sheer tears, him and his mother, sheer tears over this whole incident.
Reporter – Winters was charged with hindering and opposing and creating a disturbance. He rejected a plea deal in favor of a trial. Five officers testified; two of them claimed Winters pushed an officer and had to be forced to the ground. But that was the one thing the police video didn’t show, which hurt their defense. Police chief Harry Dolan.
Police Chief Dolan – They can only capture what’s occurring in front. The officer can’t stop or call a time out, go back to the car and turn the camera.
Reporter – But an all-white jury didn’t believe the officer’s testimony and delivered not guilty verdicts for Winters.
Winters – I said “thank God”…thank God.
Lawyer – I think the jurors ultimately made a…a call to accept the facts based on a human given testimony.
Reporter – But Chief Dolan says despite the verdict the truth is in the tape, which he says clearly shows Winters and his neighbors turned on police.
Dolan – This case has been resolved. We conducted a complete and lengthy investigation into this matter, and the officers have been exonerated. They used appropriate force given the totality of the circumstances they were confronted with.
Winters – You just can’t do that to everyone and think nothing is going to go unjustified, you know?
Reporter – And Willie Winters’ attorney Kevin Floyd says someone has to pay for his clients pain and suffering, so he plans to file a civil lawsuit against the Grand Rapids Police Department. Willie Winters says at the very least the officers involved should offer him an apology. We’re live in downtown Grand Rapids—Dray Clark, 24-Hour News 8.
Newsreader #2 – Thanks you, Dray. Meantime, the Grand Rapids City Commission is considering now an ordinance to, it hopes; better define the charge of “hindering and opposing.” The proposal would allow charges against anyone who willfully and, now here’s the key word, “knowingly” impedes, interferes, or obstructs an officers investigation. The word change comes at the recommendation of County Commissioner Paul Mayhew…we ought to know more in a few weeks.