A look at 1999 Ozark murders, current discussions, and journalism ethics — Is there a fire behind all the smoke?

I am a little hesitant to broach this subject, but here goes anyway because I think some things need to be said about the case, those of us in the media and the media in general.

The 1999 Ozark murders of two Dothan teenagers—J.B. Beasley and Tracey Hawlett—remain unsolved and in recent weeks the case has been brought back to the forefront, at least on social media and in community murmurings. Lots of talking and whispering. Rumors. Theories. Accusations. Most, if not all, cannot be verified at this point, and that one point is the reason you will not see the mainstream media touch this story, at least not yet.

As of this writing, newspapers, television and radio outlets in the local area and beyond have not reported on the current trail of conversations, nor the innuendoes that are circulating. Many have asked why. Why isn’t the local media reporting on this story? There have even been some people who have expressed, on various social internet channels, and to me personally, that they think the media is in cahoots with alleged unscrupulous authorities or that members of the media are in “the pocket” of the police and other officials.

I can’t speak for anyone else or any other news organization, but I am more than confident in saying that myself, my coworkers and the newspapers I work for—The Southeast Sun and the Daleville Sun-Courier—are not in cahoots with anyone. Technically, the murders occurred outside of our coverage area, but should we come upon verifiable information to report on in such a big case, I assure you that we will report it quickly and accurately.

The vast majority of new and alleged new information about the murders was revealed by the Henry County Report on henrycountyreport.com. The online media source is considered a fully independent entity in the journalistic world. Independent, in that the HCR is not related to any known news agency or source.

The HCR website states that the site originates from Iceland and is not under any jurisdiction of any agency in the United States. It also states, “The Henry County Report is a nonprofit community news site serious about protecting our sources. With our SecureDrop server, you can share messages and files with our journalists in a way that you remain secure and anonymous, even from us, if that is your preference. Messages and files that you send to us will be encrypted…We are committed to revealing the stories of people who are victims and hold those responsible that have made Alabama be ranked as one of the most corrupt states in the nation, at the judicial and legislative levels, at the Center for Ethics at Harvard University. To do that we are committed to following the principles set forth by the Freedom of the Press Foundation.”

While the need for a completely independent news source may be necessary, it is important to remember that, as humans, we all tend to find it easier to talk about uncomfortable subjects if we are doing so in secret. While some people on the HCR have revealed their identities on their comments or even as an interviewee of the HCR, most, it seems, remain anonymous. Anonymous because they might have something to hide, they might feel they are in danger, or they might possibly be lying.

Until the things being claimed can be verified in some upfront way, there will be unanswered questions. Of course, there have been many unethical and criminal activities brought to the public’s attention over the years because of anonymous sources. So, I do not mean to discount the importance of resources like the HCR or those who reveal information to them, just simply to caution and explain why the mainstream media has not jumped on the bandwagon.

As a member of the media I can tell you that the things being said in regards to the murdered teens are not being discarded and ignored by us, as some might think. But, we cannot report on things that are unproven or without upfront sources.

The preamble of the Society of Professional Journalists states, “…public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy. Ethical journalism strives to ensure the free exchange of information that is accurate, fair and thorough. An ethical journalist acts with integrity.”

Ethics and integrity play the largest role in what and how we report. I am glad there is a resource for people to go to who might not otherwise speak out, but I can’t ethically report on things I cannot verify and certainly not on things that come from essentially unknown sources or known sources but who have chosen to only speak to one organization.

At this point, an auxiliary officer from Ozark has told the HCR that she knows who killed the girls and that person is or was an Ozark Police Department member. A video was posted Nov. 9 of an audio interview with an alleged former Ozark police officer—voice distorted and he was, of course, not named. He, too, indicates there was or is a cover-up in regards to the murders and that there is some sort of corruption in the Ozark Police Department. If what he said in the recorded interview is, in fact, true, one can only hope he and others will come forth to publicly verify their claims.

It is also hoped that the officials and former officials that are alleged to have been involved in a cover up and alleged drug trafficking will decide to speak out. I suppose those involved are hoping to let sleeping dogs lie, regardless of their own guilt or innocence. The truth always comes out. I think the dogs have begun to awaken. Citizens want answers.

My point in this column is not to point fingers, determine guilt, conspiracy or anything else. My mind is open to all the possibilities, though it’s sickening to think that the current accusations being made are even a little bit true or that persons would make such accusations without merit. Scary, in either case.

I respect so many law enforcement members and the tough jobs they do, that to even think there is as much corruption as what is being alluded to, is simply unfathomable to me. Still, if facts can be proven and reputable sources step up, reporting it all will be the only ethical thing to do. The same goes for reporting should these sources be proven wrong.

Where there is smoke there is usually fire. In my opinion there is a lot of smoke in this case and, very likely, there is a fire to be discovered somewhere behind all the smoke. One day, the dots will all connect and an answer, I predict, will be found and it will be reported accordingly and ethically. I think present-day and past officials need to address all of this head-on, good or bad.

Let the chips fall where they may.