Object of story fights back

[Bubba]

This video is a bit graphic with the violence. I'm not sure how I feel about this. On one hand the guy that is the object of the news story did apparently break the law and it was uncovered and could be deemed newsworthy. On the other hand, some reporters/paparrazi don't know when to quit while they are ahead. They are doing a story about how hot-tempered and violent the guy can be from previous run-in's with him, yet they keep after him trying to provoke him knowing what the outcome will probably be.

It almost makes me cheer for the "bad" guy to kick the reporter's butt. It seemed pretty obvious to me that they were trying to provoke a response like this so they could have a better news story and better ratings for their news program.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9b5EQQU6nA

[wordsmythe]

They were interviewing a victim when the criminal's wife came up and started getting in the crew's face.

Then her husband showed up and turned it even more violent.

Gee wouldn't it be GREAT if every criminal or subject of a news story could just beat the hell out of the reporters trying to cover the story.

Then ALL the reporters would be afraid to cover these kinds of stories and it would make it much easier for criminals to commit their crimes.

[littlemom]

I don't agree with what took place but I watched them interview the reporter and this wasn't his first story on the guy and it sounded like Harrassement and stalking if you ask me. The reporter was out of line in my opinion and I don't care how important a story may be you don't harrass someone to get it. If the guy was any kind of reporter there are other ways to get a story and the facts that go along with it.

[Bubba]

I thought the reporter was doing extra provoking just to get a better story and that kind of response.

[TexKan]

When a reporter or a news agency become the judge and jury then that also is wrong. No one should hit another person over this kinda stuff - that's what the courts are for. Too bad news agencies have come to believe they know the story before the court has had a chance to decide.

Over all it was wrong on both sides. The supposed real estate scammer should have filed a harrasement suit or a stalking suit or something relating to obstruction of justice. I think the newsagency was the first to "get in the ways" of justice. Not every story is something that needs to be on the news. We just don't let justice take it's course too much anymore.

[Highwayman]

I’ve been following this mostly because of the real estate fraud angle. It appears that the couple was using ID theft to buy properties under someone else’s name. Then they would rent out the property, collect the rent and not pay the mortgage. The victims end up with a foreclosure against their credit on a property they knew nothing about. This is bank fraud and mortgage fraud. Because it’s like robbing a bank it becomes Federal.

When you say let the justice system do its job you need to understand it takes more that just calling the FBI and telling them you think this guy is a crook. That message will get lost in a big stack of other tips. You almost need to do a lot of background for building a case to get something looked at seriously. I’m cheering for the reporters on this one.

BTW, the woman is in more serious trouble than her husband because in California smacking someone with a plastic water bottle is assault with a weapon!

[Bubba]

I'll buy that to an extent, but if you listen closely to the first part of the story, they said the guy had been making threats all week, they knew he was violent from previous incidents. So, why keep pushing him unless this was the result that you were going for? If that is the result you are going for, then you are no longer reporting the news you are trying to make the news.

[Highwayman]

The reporters were interviewing someone else that had been threatened when the woman came up and got in the reporters face. If the reporters were chasing her I might agree with you.

[Bubba]

and how did she know that FOX news was there doing that? I wouldn't doubt that FOX news called her up and told her!

[TexKan]

Our investigative reporter in Houston Wayne Delficino has been shotat, had a hit guy, beat up, and god knows what else - but he still keeps goin after the stories - it's what they do. Kinda like Marvid Zindler and the chicken ranch - yep ole Marvin is still at channel 13 in Houston - still chasin the bad guys! He must be well into his 80's and has had somuch plastic surgery he has gotten awards from the Plastic Surgery Medical Association and is often a keynote speaker...... gotta love Marvin.....and Eyeeeeee Witness news!