R.I.P. Richard Jewell

By Jeralyn, Section Off Topic
Posted on Wed Aug 29, 2007 at 03:30:01 PM EST
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Richard Jewell, falsely implicated in the Atlanta bombing murders, died today. He was 44 and is believed to have died of natural causes, probably kidney or diabetes-related problems.

Jewell will always be known as a casualty of a police rush to judgment:

After 12 weeks of scrutiny following the bombing, Jewell was cleared by the FBI and U.S. Attorney Kent Alexander in an unprecedented government acknowledgment of wrongful accusation. "I am not the Olympic park bomber," Jewell told reporters after being cleared. "I am a man who has lived 88 days afraid of being arrested for a crime I did not commit."

Jewell's name was leaked to the media by the FBI. Thanks to Atlanta attorney Lin Wood, he was able to collect damages from several news organizations, including NBC.

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R.I.P. Richard Jewell | 8 comments (8 topical)

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It would have been nice (none / 0) (#1)
by Deconstructionist on Wed Aug 29, 2007 at 03:36:38 PM EST

if the headline was "Olympic bombing Hero Dies" rather than "Former Security Guard."

: Even worse is the CNN headline: (5.00 / 1) (#2)
by Deconstructionist on Wed Aug 29, 2007 at 03:37:39 PM EST

One-time Olympic park bombing suspect Richard Jewell dies

: True enough (5.00 / 1) (#3)
by Patrick on Wed Aug 29, 2007 at 05:23:59 PM EST

Everyone seems to forget that he observed the suspicious backpack that contained the device and started moving people away just before it detonated. I would imagine that qualifies him as a hero well enough.

The future (none / 0) (#4)
by manys on Wed Aug 29, 2007 at 05:26:00 PM EST

Part of me can't wait to see what the DHS version of this story is going to be when it comes up. Will even more of the person's foibles be leaked to the world?

at least (none / 0) (#5)
by cpinva on Wed Aug 29, 2007 at 07:02:53 PM EST

he finally did receive some recognition for his actions, from the city of atlanta. i hope that helped his mom with her friends.

Mainstream Media Screwed Him! (none / 0) (#6)
by notime4lies on Wed Aug 29, 2007 at 07:09:35 PM EST

Let us not forget that when Richard Jewell tried to sue the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, they successfully argued that Jewell had thrust himself into the public domain by appearing on "Today," "Nightline" and other shows and thus was a semi-public figure and not eligible for one measly dime for his troubles.

You see, if courts had ruled that Jewell was a private person, he would've only had to prove that his good name was ruined by a negligent publisher to establish libel. Otherwise, harken back to the Paul Newman/Sally Fields flick, "Absence of Malice" and the much higher bar.

And so all the bigwigs in the media breathed a sign of relief and said the bastard had it coming.

thanks but please in the future (none / 0) (#7)
by Jeralyn on Wed Aug 29, 2007 at 07:18:07 PM EST

refrain from using profanity on this site. It's not allowed due to censor software used at law firms. Please see the comment policy. An asterisk in place of a letter is okay now and then.


: Sorry... (none / 0) (#8)
by notime4lies on Thu Aug 30, 2007 at 01:20:14 AM EST

I'm not one to normally use profanity in my posts; and gosh, I guess I forget it could be considered as such:(