It is always interesting to see how an individual is portrayed in the news media. If you want to show someone in an unsympathetic light you run their mug photo (left) when they are looking their absolute worst. However, if you want to show the person in a positive light then you use a photo supplied by their attorney as the Kansas City Star does in its stories (right). The difference can be quite dramatic.
Sofia Salva "after"
UPDATE: The judge has now ruled (1/22) in favor of the second police officer in the Salva arrest incident. Steve Bukaty, the attorney for the officers, said on the "Morning Show With Chris Stigall" on KCMO-710 that both officers "have been totally vindicated." Bukaty also said he felt the Kansas City Star covered the entire incident "unfairly." He pointed out that the judge's latest ruling did not receive any mention whatsoever in the newspaper or even on-line.
"There is NO STORY on this officer today online or in print," said Stigall. "It's shocking. They didn't cover it." Note: KC Star reporter Tony Rizzo filed a story on the Star's Web site at 9:55 a.m. on 1/23/08 (below).
01-23-2008
KMBC-TV9 Reported the Ruling (1/22)
Judge: Fired Officer Should Get Job Back KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A judge has recommended that a second Kansas City police officer get his job back after a controversial traffic stop. Officers Melody Spencer and Kevin Schnell were terminated last year for not calling an ambulance for a pregnant woman during a traffic stop in February 2006. Sofia Salva was pulled over on suspicion of having a temporary tag in the back window of the car she was driving. Salva told police she was three months pregnant and bleeding and that she wanted to go to a hospital, but only after allegedly lying to officers and refusing to provide personal identification, police said. When Salva said she was bleeding, Spencer's response is heard on police dashcam video. "Don't cop an attitude with me. It's called a menstrual cycle," Spencer said on the tape. Schnell and Spencer said Salva had multiple outstanding warrants and that the officers saw Salva place a fake license tag on her vehicle. Citing a lack of evidence, the officers didn't call an ambulance. Salva was taken to jail, and 10 hours later, she prematurely delivered a baby boy who then died. Both officers claimed they didn't know they were not allowed any discretion when an suspect requested medical help. The chief of police fired both officers. A judge who reviewed the case recommended Tuesday that Schnell get his job back. Last week, a different judge made the same recommendation about Spencer. The former officers have both filed civil lawsuits against the police department for wrongful termination. Salva is suing the department for the loss of her baby.
Posted on Wed, Jan. 23, 2008; 9:55 a.m.
Judge recommends second officer be reinstated in Salva case By Tony Rizzo, KC Star A judge has recommended reinstatement with back pay for a second Kansas City police officer involved in the arrest of a pregnant woman who later miscarried. Police Chief Jim Corwin had recommended that officers Melody Spencer and Kevin Schnell be fired for their actions on Feb. 5, 2006, while arresting Sylvia Salva who has filed a lawsuit. The recommendation in Schnell’s case by Senior Jackson County Circuit Judge Jack Gant was made public this week. Gant had previously heard testimony and reviewed the evidence, including the widely-disseminated videotape of the incident. A second judge issued a similar ruling earlier this month in Spencer’s case. The disciplinary matter for both officers will now be taken up by the Board of Police Commissioners who will make the final determination of whether the officers should be fired.
Bottom Line: An attorney representing a police officer involved in a controversial arrest says that the Kansas City Star left out some important details in its story following a judge's ruling in the case. 01-18-2008
ATTORNEY SAYS KEY FACTS MISSING FROM KC STAR STORY Was it a case of not letting the facts get in the way of a good story? That seems to be the case of a highly controversial story that has gone nationally as an example of police insensitivity. The entire incident, shown on a police Web cam, outraged people across the country and led to the dismissal of the police officers involved. However, after reviewing all the facts pertaining to the arrest, a judge has recommended one of the police officer's be reinstated with full back pay and have all policy violation charges against her dropped. The second officer will have a hearing regarding his status. In an interview on KCMO-710 (1/18) the attorney representing the police officer says the Kansas City Star neglected to mention some key facts about the incident that led to his recommendation. Steve Bukaty, an attorney with the firm representing KCMO police officer Melody Spencer, said the article in the Star (below) failed to mention some key facts about the case:
* The woman pulled over by the police had 10 outstanding warrants for her arrest, including for mistreatment of children. * The police had been monitoring her actions for quite a long period of time prior to pulling her over. * While watching Salva the police officers saw her linger in a liquor store and then climb into a car and help post a fake license plate tag in the window before driving off.
Judge recommends reinstatement for KC police officer involved in arrest of woman who miscarried By CHRISTINE VENDEL The Kansas City Star
A Jackson County judge Thursday disagreed that a Kansas City police officer should be fired for ignoring a pregnant woman’s repeated requests for medical care.
The woman, Sofia Salva, later miscarried.
Police Chief Jim Corwin recommended termination for officers Melody Spencer and Kevin Schnell after viewing a videotape of them arresting Salva on Feb. 5, 2006, for having a fake temporary tag on her car. Corwin’s release of the videotape early last year generated national news coverage and outrage. Link to rest of story: http://www.kansascity.com/105/story/449906.html
In Star poll readers are agreeing with the Judge's opinion (3 p.m./01-18-2008):
Who do you support in the Sofia Salva controversy?
Who do you support in the Sofia Salva controversy?The judge - I don't think the police were at fault.277
48%
The chief - I think the officers abused their discretion.195
