The beat report
I recently received a phone call from a guy who wanted me to keep his third drunken-driving arrest out of the newspaper.
Sorry, man. I get that request a lot. And the answer is always no.
I don’t honor special requests. Everybody must be treated equally. It’s only fair.
I once received a call from a woman who told me her grandma would freak out if she found out about her arrest. She begged. I felt bad for her. Her request also was denied.
If charges are dismissed, however, I’ll print that, too. And I’ll also print any verdicts of not guilty.
LEFT IN THE NOTEBOOK
I’m pretty sure Janesville police officer Rod Hirsch took a fair amount of teasing after the front-page photo of him in Tuesday’s Gazette. In the photo, he was holding a large stuffed bear and a children’s book out the window of his squad car. It was a soft, cuddly photo that didn’t fit the stereotype of a tough, strong cop. The photo went with my feature story on police doing nice, little things to have positive interaction with children and adults. Giving away children’s books and stuffed animals is one example of how officers help families involved in police calls.
I’m surprised more news outlets didn’t cover the Charles Aegerter Sr. bank robbery sentencing. The case was a fascinating story of how one man’s life took a sudden turn for the worse. Aegerter was the man who lost his job at General Motors, got into financial trouble and then lost his son to a fatal shooting in Janesville. He had no criminal record, but then he suddenly decided to rob a bank. He was sentenced to three years in prison and seven years extended supervision.
RANDOM OBSERVATIONS
A lot of Rock County Courthouse employees and Rock County Sheriff’s Office workers were off work for Good Friday. They get all those little holidays.
The sheriff’s office has a huge pothole in the middle of its parking lot. That thing could wreck some tires and alignments.
I’ve been spending a lot of time doing clerical work because one of our newsroom clerks took a new job. Most of my time has been spent typing public record items at the Rock County Clerk of Courts Office. When I was still becoming familiar with the reports, I was awfully slow at typing them. I think the ladies in the office were laughing at how much time I spent there.
The sheriff’s office has already updated its Wall of Honor with the most recent award winners. They were on it right away. The wall includes framed portraits of employees who won Deputy of the Year, Correctional Officer of the Year and other awards.
QUOTABLE
“As far as we can tell right now, it’s a random thing,” Janesville Deputy Police Chief John Olsen, regarding the shootings from a vehicle along Interstate 90/39.
“He was crying pretty heavily and was pretty upset,” Hirsch, on a 9-year-old boy who was left in a store with his two brothers when his mom fled after getting caught shoplifting. “We sat on the bench inside Farm & Fleet and just read books—me and these three little boys.”
“It really helps break down that wall of what police are about. We’re there to help. So often, the stigma is we’re there to arrest. We are approachable, and a child can go to a police officer if they need help,” Janesville police Sgt. Brian Donohoue, on police programs promoting positive interaction with children and adults.
TWEETS WORTH RETWEETING
“The fact that people are wasting our PD's time with silly crap like this just angers me,” @tbrown1017, on a woman calling police because she received a text picture of what she believed was her ex-boyfriend having sex with his new girlfriend.
“Really … Just delete it,” @Dashrb20, on sexting pictures.
“What a spoiled baby. The parents will probably sue the school district,” @gobrewers1, on a Janesville student cussing at a teacher and leaving school because he didn’t want to throw away his soda.
FACEBOOK BANTER
“What kind of gang names are those???? There are punch lines in this I don't dare touch on a public forum,” N. W., on a man reporting a gang-related argument with two men known as “Toon" and "Pussychin."
“I don't normally feel sorry for criminals, but I do for this man,” L. H. F., on Aegerter bank robbery sentencing.
“Ya there is some sympathy there but damn how do you have a job makin that kind of money and a couple years later you have nothin left. He did wrong he has to serve the time for the crime,” J. W., on the Aegerter bank robbery sentencing.
“That is good parenting right there,” A.H., on a marijuana pipe found in a baby’s diaper bag.
“They're startin' 'em young on the weed these days,” A.M., on the pipe in the diaper bag.
“How did he get away on a flippin’ bicycle?” A. M. M., on a bank robber in Beloit fleeing on a bike.
“Now he has money to buy a car,” J. U., on the bicycle riding robber.
“Get over it and control your kid, all kids have temper tantrums,” T. V., on a woman calling police because her child was having a temper tantrum.
OFF THE BEAT
My wife called me the other day while I was in the middle of covering breaking news. She told me both our boys had stuffed peas in their noses. The pea in my little guy’s nose came out right away. The pea in my oldest boy’s nose was stuck up there for a few days. He wouldn’t let us take it out. It might still be up there. Way, way up there.
I attended the Brewers game Saturday. I went with my dad and brothers. I’m on a pretty big baseball kick right now. I recently watched the Ken Burns documentaries, “Baseball” and “The Tenth Inning.” I also watched the documentary, “Harvey’s Wallbangers: The 1982 Milwaukee Brewers,” and read the book, “Brewers Essential: Everything You Need to Know to be a Real Fan,” by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporter Tom Haudricourt.
I saw the movie, “The King’s Speech.” Great picture. I want to see “True Grit” next. Any good?
LOOKING AHEAD
James Humphrey, the motorcyclist who pleaded guilty to first-degree reckless homicide, is being sentenced Friday. I’ll be in the courtroom covering the story.
I’ll also be following up on the fatal crash that occurred in Janesville on Sunday. The driver was arrested on a charge of homicide by intoxicated use of a motor vehicle.
Ted Sullivan can be reached at (608) 755-8253, tsullivan@gazettextra.com or follow him on Twitter or Facebook at Rock County Crime.
Apr 28, 2011 at 9:30 a.m.
Suggest removal
TroubleMaker
Apr 27, 2011 at 12:51 a.m.
Suggest removal Innocent until proven guilty
correct and go to court and LET off with slap on the hand or less! WHEN guilty.
Apr 27, 2011 at 7:46 p.m.
Suggest removal
JustStoppingBy, I think you read my comment, second from the bottom, about the judge talking about the drinking and gambling. It wasn't in the blog, although I did write it in that comment below. That must be where you read it. Like I said, the blog has not been edited. -Ted
Apr 27, 2011 at 3:09 p.m.
Suggest removal
Ted, that is not true. I never saw the "news story" you mention, only this blog.
Your comments about Mr. Aegerter are what compelled me to comment yesterday at 4:35 p.m. (scroll down), so don't tell me they weren't there.
Apr 27, 2011 at 11:48 a.m.
Suggest removal
Another reason arrest records are made public is so the government can't round up people in secret.
Apr 27, 2011 at 9:27 a.m.
Suggest removal
JustStoppingBy, This blog has not been edited. The judge said Aegerter had a history of gambling and alcohol problems. I reported that in my news story. Not in this blog. -Ted
Apr 27, 2011 at 8:44 a.m.
Suggest removal
TroubleMaker is exactly right, this is completely slanderous, not to mention in poor taste.
Funny, looks like this blog has been edited since yesterday. What, did someone finally realize it wasn't the smartest idea to call Mr. Aegerter a big gambling drunk in a public forum?
Not only did you drag this man's name through the mud, but then you go on to talk about your kid stuffing a pea up his nose? Beyond tacky.
Perhaps something called "The Beat Report" should be solely a reporting of the public record. You can save your non sequitur laced babbling for another blog.
Apr 27, 2011 at 8:18 a.m.
Suggest removal
i LOVED True Grit movie and read the book afterward. I love the fact that the movie stayed true to the book, using the dialogue and pacing. Plus, a 10 year old could watch it. Very safe except for gunshot violence.
Apr 27, 2011 at 1:52 a.m.
Suggest removal
I notice no one mentions the time frame in which, even criminal traffic offenses, takes until it is convicted. If the news in this otherwise free country, is to be reported to the public in a timely manner, then the only way to do so is to do it when it is fresh news. Current events are about everything. It sucks being pointed out in the newspaper, but then again, it did not have to become a current event. Furthermore, it is not the smallest offenses being reported, but rather offenses subject to jail time after court. I like how someone pointed out basically how we would be on slippery slope if we decided to sensor these items. Where would it end? We have to maintain a free press and relatively open community news source, or we become something less desirable in this nation. Just remember, this current system can be abused also.
Apr 27, 2011 at 12:51 a.m.
Suggest removal
Innocent until proven guilty -- that's how it's supposed to be. It's enough that an initial arrest is listed in the Public Record in the Gazette and in the on-line edition -- that's factual information. However, repeating the details of the "juicy" arrests in an additional column and including the person's name is really slander if the individual is not convicted. No one notices a later (boring) notice that someone was found innocent. The public will only remember the initial charges. And be honest, you are not diligent about going back and printing retractions about every single event where the accused party was not convicted. It's a fair criticism that you should not name names in an additional column when the legal verdict has not yet been rendered. Ted Sullivan, I'm talking to you. Scott Angus, you need to be listening.
Apr 26, 2011 at 11:04 p.m.
Suggest removal
Username, sounds like you were involved in an interesting incident. We have guidelines to decide what goes in the public record. The guidelines are several pages and too extensive to get into here. Regarding stories, we write about stuff based on impact, timing, significance, human interest, etc. Thanks for your comment. -Ted
Apr 26, 2011 at 10:58 p.m.
Suggest removal
Dumbledorf, I didn't write about private sector employees getting the day off because I don't cover the private sector. I cover public employees in the criminal justice system. This blog is about the beat that I cover. So, no mention of the private sector. No intent. No hidden agenda. Not stirring the pot. Also, I'm not sure what your gripe is about the school district story that I wrote weeks ago. Here is a section from the story, which no one ever complained to me about: "The district's boundary lines committee met Thursday to review the analysis of elementary school space. Committee members decided to ask district officials to review the savings if Wilson, Roosevelt, Jackson or Jefferson elementary schools were closed.
The committee will meet again March 3 to review the numbers and decide whether to recommend closures to the school board. Officials said it would be difficult to pick which school, if any, would close and whether the savings would be worth it."
Apr 26, 2011 at 10:47 p.m.
Suggest removal
Kenny Powers, You are right. Not everyone is convicted. However, we do report cases that are dismissed and suspects found not guilty. In some cases, such as the deputy, we explain the circumstances so readers understand what happened with the case. We can't just wait to report convictions. Then we wouldn't be reporting people suspected of homicides, sexual assaults or other serious crimes that put the public at risk. We also wouldn't be reporting the names of dangerous suspects police need the public's help in finding. The public's right to know outweighs the individuals right to privacy. Imagine if we didn't report the name of triple homicide suspect James Koepp or serial rapist Michael Huber. People would be outraged. -Ted
Apr 26, 2011 at 10:12 p.m.
Suggest removal
Didn't like the True Grit remake. BORING!
Apr 26, 2011 at 8:05 p.m.
Suggest removal
How do you guys determine what goes up? A few months ago my husband chased down a guy that was breaking into cars- there was a high speed chase, a run through a cornfield- and then he got one of the guys and handed him over to police- in 20 degree weather in his boxers. That didn't make the beat, and it would have been an interesting story! Oh, and one person was manhandled by the sheriffs- and it was me. For giving the guy who trashed my car the finger.
Apr 26, 2011 at 6:18 p.m.
Suggest removal
So why don't you write that people who work in the private sector have those little holidays off? Don't try to downplay what your intent was. How come when the boundary committee met again and I was sitting in the back Greg said it was too bad u weren't there to explain yourself? How about this for a random observation...think before u write.
Apr 26, 2011 at 5:49 p.m.
Suggest removal
I am all for public record, but why not wait to publish something until after they have been convicted. If arrests are published in the public record (in some cases articles written), there really is no need for an actual trial as those people are already guilty in the eye of the public. I am sure an overwhelming majority of the individuals having their name appear in the public records are actually convicted, but I know that not all of them are.
.
A few months back an article was published about a Rock County Sheriff’s deputy that was arrested on suspicion of child abuse. If memory serves me correct; those charges were dropped, but the damage already done (to the officer). No retraction or follow up story will change the opinion of the vast majority of people that read the original article.
.
Just my two cents.
Apr 26, 2011 at 5:43 p.m.
Suggest removal
Dumbledorf, I'm not trying to stir anything up. It was just an observation. No big deal. Also, here is what I wrote regarding the school story: "The district's boundary lines committee met Thursday to review the analysis of elementary school space. Committee members decided to ask district officials to review the savings if Wilson, Roosevelt, Jackson or Jefferson elementary schools were closed." That was accurate. I don't care what anyone else told you. -Ted
Apr 26, 2011 at 5:26 p.m.
Suggest removal
Random observation about courthouse employees having all those little holidays off? I am in the private sector and get those little holidays off too. Doesn't seem like an observation Ted, seems like u r trying to stir something up. Just like the report about possible school closures and u ran the story naming four schools when according to Greg he never stated which schools would be closed! Nice random observations Ted. Lame
Apr 26, 2011 at 5:05 p.m.
Suggest removal
I did the public record yesterday for today's paper. Yes, the reporter working over the weekend made a mistake putting the arresting officer's name down as the offender. We're running a correction. -Ted
Apr 26, 2011 at 4:56 p.m.
Suggest removal
tsullivan...Who did the public record(drunk driver)April 25-yesterday?? Will say it was nice to see the CORRECT name in todays paper and not a police officer.
Apr 26, 2011 at 4:35 p.m.
Suggest removal
It's one thing to print public records, it's quite another to print them and then follow up with reminders about them because "more news outlets didn’t cover the story" and you think it's "fascinating".
He committed the crime, he is paying the price and all of that has been printed for the public. I'd say he's had a pretty rough time and you should stop dragging his name through the mud. Leave the poor guy alone!
Apr 26, 2011 at 12:39 p.m.
Suggest removal
Oh im sure some Gazette employees have been out of the paper and when some elected officals get arrested and case is later dismissed, they dont do the followup on the story.
They pick what they want to run.....
Apr 26, 2011 at 12:18 p.m.
Suggest removal
Janesvillean: I know all about compulsive gambling. I am not compulsive, but do admit to going through a slight withdrawal on "Black Friday", April 15, when Poker Stars online was busted for USA players. Meanwhile I just transfered over to bodog.com. Nothing wrong with wagering a few bucks here and there in my opinion. Don`t see any real difference in doing it online or buying a lottery ticket.
I wish the Gazette would do a piece on that. :)
Apr 26, 2011 at 11:45 a.m.
Suggest removal
JohnDenver, I'm sure you're right. I just thought I would explain. Also, I love the username. I just bought my brother a John Denver record. He is in to vinyl. -Ted
Apr 26, 2011 at 10:05 a.m.
Suggest removal
Guys, I'm pretty sure Sigma says stuff just for everyone's reaction. I mean go back and read some of the things he says. He doesn't truly beleive that the story should not be printed about a criminal. He just like everyone reacting to it.
Apr 26, 2011 at 9:30 a.m.
Suggest removal
The character "Pepper" in True Grit was played by an actor named Pepper.
More importantly, it looks like Pussychin is keeping a low profile these days.
Apr 26, 2011 at 9 a.m.
Suggest removal
FromJanesvilletoWaukesah, I don't know the cost of the awards ceremony or whether attendees were on the clock. I'll check that out. Good idea.
Sigma40, we don't let people tell us what we can and cannot print in the paper, arrests or otherwise. That's why we don't honor requests to leave out an arrest. It wouldn't be fair to others whose arrests are printed. Also, imagine if we let city council members, law enforcement agencies or politicians tell us what what we could print? What do we do if a city manager or police chief gets arrested? Leave it out at their request?
Fightfraud, thanks for the tip. And, yes, I have to see "True Grit." -Ted
Apr 26, 2011 at 8:48 a.m.
Suggest removal
Sigma, it's all public information. If you don't want the news of your crime written about in the newspaper, then don't commit the crime.
Apr 26, 2011 at 7:57 a.m.
Suggest removal
Tip from my dr on getting small objects out of child's nose. Plug the other nostril and blow into child's mouth like CPR. The object should blow out unless it is lodged and needs to be removed by the dr. Good luck:)
Apr 25, 2011 at 7:32 p.m.
Suggest removal
Agreed, go see True Grit, very enjoyable, great acting.
Apr 25, 2011 at 7:21 p.m.
Suggest removal
I thought maybe he did a crime to get to prison to get revenge for the death of his son.
Apr 25, 2011 at 7:19 p.m.
Suggest removal
So will they stop drunk driving so they aren't in there for the FOURTH time?????? Doubt it!!
Apr 25, 2011 at 7 p.m.
Suggest removal
I don't understand how the Gazette doesn't allow posts for the actual article of the "crime", but it's ok to open it up here under the guise of a blog.
Apr 25, 2011 at 6:54 p.m.
Suggest removal
Watch True Grit. Not my very favorite movie but definitely worth seeing.
Apr 25, 2011 at 6:38 p.m.
Suggest removal
Why cant you grant peoples request for not publishing their case? Isnt it bad enough the trouble they face you have to be a jerk and print it anyway?
-
About the bank robber guy... No one is a criminal until they commit a crime...duh. Who cares he lost his job, who cares about his tragic family events... committing a crime is just that....a crime and now hes a criminal regardless of his past. Anyone convicted of their first murder was not a murderer prior... so who cares? The sympathy card played well for him.. he should rot in jail... hes a criminal who held up a bank at bomb point. ..thats no joke.
Apr 25, 2011 at 5:47 p.m.
Suggest removal
If anyone needs to be reminded of how lucky we are to have the professional police force we have in Janesville, this article about corrupt and dangerous cops in New Orleans should do the trick:
http://www.newstatesman.com/north-americ...
.
Compulsive gambling, IndyColtFan, can be a devastating problem that is exacerbated by external events. If you or someone you know is a problem gambler, I hope they know where to seek treatment before their situation becomes as dire.
http://www.wi-problemgamblers.org/
Apr 25, 2011 at 5:44 p.m.
Suggest removal
Hey Ted, any idea on the cost of the Sheriff's award ceremony and if anyone there was being paid to attend? Thanks
Apr 25, 2011 at 5:08 p.m.
Suggest removal
Yeah, I reported that he gambled away the money he stole in the robbery. I also reported that the judge said he had a history of gambling and alcohol problems. -Ted
Apr 25, 2011 at 5:01 p.m.
Suggest removal
From what I`ve read Aegerter was a gambler. He went to the casino and blew all the money that he got from the robbery. After 42 yrs at GM his house should have been paid for but supposedly it was under foreclosure. Yep, sounds like a gambling problem even before his son lost his life.
Before you post a comment, consider this:
Note: GazetteXtra.com does not condone or review every comment. Read more in our User Policy AgreementPost Comment
Commenting requires registration.