Comments on: Newberg Disappoints in ‘Big Get’

By: Viewer

Viewer — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 21:31:52 +0000

Unfortunately, Jackson only went to 4 because Jackson has gotten profiled on there all the time. He’s camera hungry. It was a disappointing job by 4′s staff.

By the way, Alan…. Why don’t you ever talk about YNN in your blog? They’ve been doing a pretty good job as of late. On top of their stuff just like 2/4/7? Nicki Mayo would have been a good get if he turned himself in there, but that’d be too close to downtown?

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 15:32:38 +0000

I’d be walking on eggshells if a suspected murderer wanted to surrender to me. Who wants to take the risk of “offending” that dude? Frankly, I’m glad all of the WIVB folks are safe. As a manager I would have to seriously consider evacuating the building of all but essential staff. Who knows what that dude could have been thinking.

By: Louis

Louis — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 15:29:45 +0000

For being a journalism professor, I’m disappointed in your critique of Rich Newberg’s treatment of this situation. WIVB posted a ten minute interview with the alleged killer on their website. By watching it, it quickly becomes clear why Rich was not so direct and cutting with McCray. This was not an interview without limitations. Rich was in a room with a handful of people, including Bishop Davis and activist Jackson, who consistently threw up roadblocks. They were essentially there to “protect” McCray in the absence of a lawyer and Rich was doing his best to get information without stepping on toes.

As for the information he got, I’d argue that given the circumstances, and the fact McCray himself was skittish and terrified knowing he’d be turning himself into the cops, Rich did a great job. He got McCray to admit he was at the party, say he wasn’t the shooter, describe in his own words what he remembers that night, and more. As for going after Ch. 2, I didn’t watch the 11, but I know that at 5, Rich had McCray saying he was in Buffalo for the past few days and found out through a cousin that the police were after him. As for other details you wanted – McCray told Rich he was afraid of the police and Jackson told Rich that McCray came to him for the same reason.

All-in-all I was disappointed by your article on this Alan. I checked and all of this information is easily accessible on Ch. 4′s website. I usually enjoy and laugh at your critiques, but maybe if you had caught other reports you would have had a better understanding of this story.

By: Tom Dolina

Tom Dolina — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 14:38:49 +0000

Rich, time to ditch the comb-over; it only works from one camera angle, if at all…

By: BobbyCat

BobbyCat — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 13:50:46 +0000

If I was Rich Newberg, I would worry – If this guy really is the shooter, is he armed, is he crazy, will he shoot me if I start asking tough questions? Maybe he’s here to surrender but maybe not. Maybe he’s here to go out in a blaze of gunfire or “suicide by cop”. Usually when murder suspects are questioned they are shackled to a heavy steel table. If I was Newberg, I might have stapled the guy to the floor before I asked my questions.

Interestingly, the other TV Channels would not mention “Channel 4″ in their coverage, gave them zero credit, wouldn’t mention their name. They called it “a local TV station”. It reminds me of pissy mean girls feuding in High School. This was a big story. They should grow up.

By: Bev Cortese

Bev Cortese — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 13:15:52 +0000

Agree with you Alan.