A murder revisited
Journalist’s series is likely to reopen old wounds
Published Saturday, July 5, 2008
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Stumble It!A seven-day series to begin in Sunday’s News-Miner will be unlike any we have published before.
Part of that is because it is a cooperative local effort that technically is not staff-produced. For six years, Brian O’Donoghue, a University of Alaska Fairbanks journalism professor and former Daily News-Miner reporter and editor, developed this project with help from students.
As Mr. O’Donoghue’s former employer and strong supporters of the UAF journalism program, the News-Miner lent its name and some moral and financial support across the life of the project. During the past year —in fits and starts — editors here have worked closely with Mr. O’Donoghue to trim, check, challenge, debate and mold for publication a painstaking work.
“Decade of Doubt” examines in great detail the brutal murder of a 15-old-boy, John Hartman, who was beaten and left for dead at the corner of Ninth Avenue and Barnette Street in October 1997.
Parents and others who are sensitive about vulgarity and references to brutality, sex and drugs need to be aware that the content of this series, especially court records and audio files to be packaged with the story online at newsminer.com/hartman, may be unsuitable for some eyes and ears.
•••
This murder rocked our community.
Within days — hours, really — Fairbanks police had arrested and charged three young Native Alaskans and one Caucasian, recent graduates of the predominantly Native Howard Luke High School, with the murder. This set off a firestorm of racial tension that worsened as the trials progressed and the young men were convicted on scant physical evidence and confessions that they recanted. The crime caused people to voice concerns about the lack of public safety and ineffectual police presence in Fairbanks.
Publishing this work, we are quite well aware, may reopen some uncomfortable community wounds. The series does not promise a cure, but we are also quite well aware that cures do not come without open, careful and healthy examination.
Protests about this case continue to this day, as do court appeals — one of which is scheduled for Tuesday in Anchorage. Local Alaska Native groups continue to point at the Hartman convictions as a prime example of what they believe is racism played out in the state’s justice system. It has been the subject of many Tanana Chiefs Conference resolutions over the years.
Mr. O’Donoghue pointed to his time as letters editor as a springboard for this process. It would be a good exercise for investigative journalism students, he reasoned, to put to rest some of the allegations that letter writers had leveled at police and the state court system.
But the answers did not come easily — if at all.
The series, which raises more questions than answers, has been dubbed “Decade of Doubt.” It is a compelling examination of our legal system and a thought-provoking look at our town and its people.
Community Discussion
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this should start a fire under everyones butts!
I hope the DNM staff are going to watching these blogs day and night, because there is little doubt in my mine this will bring out the racism and hate in this community. Just look at what they write about homeless. Your timing couldn't be better, just before Fairbanks host the World Indian Eskimo Olympics and this community will have an influx of native people from around Alaska.
I read all of the court docs after Vent sent a letter from jail a couple months ago. I dont care if they recanted their confessions, the story they told at the confession was real and they killed an innocent boy over a bag of marijuana that someone felt like they got ripped off on. No racism, plain and simple drunk kids with gang mentality who committed an atrocious crime. Visit the website they have, google John Hartman, you will find the confessions and court docs on all of the cases including the appeals that have all been slapped down justifiably. http://www.uaf.edu/journal/extreme/Hartm...
Of all the things these students could work on, why this and at this time? The death was tragic, the imprisonment of young people for the best part of their lives also tragic. Whether or not justice was done, the case was heard, appealed and re-appealed. Isn't there something more timely and less divisive for these journalism students to tackle?
I am still curious as to why the young man had on his friends pants. I believe the reason why this specific case is revisited over and over is because of the way it was mishandled. Shoddy police work, jury tests, and the fact that the largest native organization in the interior still believe in the innocence of these young men, well, now, not so young men.
I by no means are saying the boys are guilty or not guilty, but I have been following this for awhile now and have read the documents, and interviews. I think there is something missing in this whole thing, something does not fit right. I don't know if it is the time line, or a key player in this. I am looking forward to seeing what the DNM puts out, maybe it will answer some things for me. I just hope that they watch out and make sure they are not one sided about what they print.
What kills me is how everyone starts yelling racism no matter what has been deceided in the court,they yelled racism when Mr.Vents cousin got shot trying to run over the officer.These guys admitted to doing wrong and a jury convicted them for it,doesen't matter what color there skin is if you do wrong accept the punishment.
Wow this is going to get ugly. The tourists are going to love this one. I don't think that a newspaper is the appropriate forum for this journalistic experiment.
Wonder if the race roles were reversed if this story would be printed. Yeah didn't think so.
"..the News-Miner lent its name and some moral and financial support across the life of the project."
I notice "ethics" were not lent to this project.
Why is everyone so shocked that this material is being presented to the public? The News-Miner stands to profit big time with this. Heck, they could even get one of their big oil companies to sponsor this series.
Echoing the previous comment: the News-Miner is not an appropriate forum for this experiment. The 'firestorm' set off was not generated (and carefully cultivated) until later. I hold in utter contempt those who exploit human tragedies - for any reason. And also those who claim the high ground, and especially those who claim the high ground while pretending to disclaim it, by exploiting human tragedies. The News-Miner is nuts to consider printing anything mentioned in the editorial. Constructive? Surely not. Exploitative? You bet.
Once again, rabid sensationalism trumps journalistic integrity, discretion, and common sense. What part of this sounded like a good idea to you, News-Miner?
the students that worked on this story are long gone, as it was part of a senior class in the spring of 2004. As I'm sure you'll find out by reading further, O'Donoghue has been working on it since.
And why would this be something inappropriate for the News-Miner to cover? What medium do you suggest it be presented in? Why is it inappropriate for students to work on when this kind of situation pops up in real life journalistic endeavors?
Sometimes you have to cover things that will make people be "divisive" in order to bring the truth out. Journalism isn't all about making people feel warm and fuzzy and happy, and everyone just gets along, it's about reporting on what happened.
I pray for those four men in jail and thank God my brother didn't end up being one of them in that witch hunt. Unless your a native man in Alaska then none of us know what it is like to feel rasism. I pray that it will change for the better as my sons become men.
Horrible idea DNM -
typical decision based on exploitation and nothing more
hope it helps your profit margins
14 comments and the piece isnt even published yet...
To say its gonna get ugly doesnt even come close. I have to agree with most of these posts; DNM is fueling a fire for profit.
I hope I'm wrong, but for sure this will be my last comment on this story.
Here's an idea: Why don't you all actualy wait and READ it before spouting off yer opinions, ya bunch of negative finger-pointers.
I agree with SlyArcticFox. The deepest, most painful wounds require the most healing. I don't like thinking about what happened, but if we can find out the truth behind the story, hopefully it can be resolved.
Newsminer, why, with the issues facing Fairbanks and the Interior are you doing something like this? It is NOT going to be a whodunit but the old '60s racial issue. Very critical, very serious times face us ahead. Why don't you put your journalism students onto something such as energy prices, the pipeline, etc.? This is only going to be a series or articles done to inflame, sensationalize and 'pretend' the DNM can be 'just like the bit newspapers in the lower 48.' You are only seeking to divide and inflame the community racially for profit. How sad.
I only have one thing to say. Lat year when AFN came to Fairbanks the News Miner let Hoffman write and editorial that had to do with "our inebriate problem". First off, it of course pointed fingers to the Native community, secondly it was awful timing. Yes it is an issue, but it is a community issue and we do not need to hash it out when conventions are coming to town. Same with this- what timing! It is not a bad idea to deal with it- but it is a bad idea to do it when WIEO is coming, or when we have tourists to entertain. Lets do it in the winter, when it is just us- those who have been most effected by it. This is pathetic timing, and that will not be overlooked by many in this community. Not to mention that many in the community will not want this can of worms open to begin with.
We won't see any more 'truth' from this article (or series). We may see some 'truthiness,' i.e. revisionism, half truths and manipulation. Maybe if it's well done, we'll see the prison circumstances of those convicted.
Racism is real (also unnecessary and destructive). Violence is real (disgusting and idiotic, but real). The use of pot and other drugs and alcohol by youth (and by all ages, all races) is real. Exploitation of the circumstances all these folks found themselves in is also real. Maybe this is a good time to point out that some exploitation of the parties' circumstances is probably what partially led to the events that occurred.
Not only do I hold those who exploit human tragedy in contempt, always, but also those who wink and nod in agreement w. it because they feel they can utilize some facet of it. Wasn't ok to exploit this in the last few years; isn't ok to do so now. It's got nothing to do with race. It's got everything to do with ethics. And no winking and nodding at that word, now. PT Barnum was not known as a major builder of communities.
The U.S. Supreme Court needs to look at all the facts on this case again. Our hearts go out to the Hartman family but one of the kids locked up is truly innocent. He had witnesses saying he was at wedding. Marvin Robets is the kids name locked up unjustly.
It is wonderful to know that DNM staff are using the readers as part of a college experiment in journalism. You talk about community cures and then say the series will open more questions than answers, Your lack of journalist ethics is already showing its questionable quality. I doubt if the DNM will win a Pulitzer for this series. Glad after almost thirty years of paying for the News Miner, I did not renew my subscription. It looks like the paper is worth what you pay for it on line. I remember one time way in the past the News Miner won national recognition, the series was on Alaskan Natives.
"Newsminer, why, with the issues facing Fairbanks and the Interior are you doing something like this?"
"Yes it is an issue, but it is a community issue and we do not need to hash it out when conventions are coming to town. Same with this- what timing! It is not a bad idea to deal with it- but it is a bad idea to do it when WIEO is coming, or when we have tourists to entertain. Lets do it in the winter, when it is just us- those who have been most effected by it. This is pathetic timing, and that will not be overlooked by many in this community. "
I have to wholeheartedly agree. Racism is evil and so immature. It is something that needs healing. Why fan it into a burning flame? Any why make our guests feel unwelcome and uncomfortable by the racism this will stir up?
Did the National Enquirer acquire DNM or is it simply aspiring to develop a full-fledged tabloid journalism reputation?
This is the most ill-advised, journalistically unethical, and potentially inflammatory action the DNM could have undertaken at this time in this community. This case does NOT need to be the focus of an academic social experiment her and now - WHAT are the DNM decision-makers thinking???
It certainly appears that DNM is carefully crafting a firestorm for profit. Hopefully the staff people who decided this was a great way to sell papers and advertising will step up and take responsibility for the backlash this is going to create. And even people like SlyArcticFox above know it's going to do just that.
(Just curious: besides reporting for a small town newspaper and writing "My Lead Dog Was a Lesbian" about his mushing experience, what qualifies Mr. O'Donoghue to design, develop and lead a highly-visible social experiment that has the potential to dramatically effect an entire region?)
I hope the truth can finally comes out many people know that at least some of these young men are innocent. No time is the wrong time to find justice.
Wow. Interesting. When the DNM actually does something resembling journalism, the negative reaction is overwhelming -- even before a single word of it is printed.
How many of you have ever studied journalism or been a reporter of any kind? I have. And I think the journalism class exercise was entirely valid and appropriate. This is not a "social experiment." What a strange thing to say. In my experience, that term is used by reactionary and extreme conservatives to decry something they don't approve. I don't see how this fits.
I don't know yet whether the series will be worth reading, whether it will deserve a Pulitzer or whether it will be sensationalism. I'm not willing to assume anything about it until I've read it.
As for why now? When is a good time? When nobody would read it? This is an issue that affected and affects all of us: Native and nonNative alike. The fact that we will have many Native guests here may actually be a good thing, if the series manages to focus on facts and dispel doubts -- or even ask the right questions.
Maybe we'll find Jim Hayes was innocent also,sorry lol.
There is never a good time for the truth when it exposes a horrible rush to judgement. It is hard for a community to believe those whom are entrusted to serve and protect would be advocates for a lie just to prove they can "solve" a crime. One must remember at that time there were 3-4 unsolved murders on their plate and they could not stomach another. The confession everyone likes to refer to came from only two of the boys and their statements were regarding a fight that happened two to three hours after John Hartman was attacked and also five blocks away. The star witness for the prosecution recanted his story on at least two separate occasions and stated he was pressured to lie by an officer of the Fairbanks Police Department. If one was to check this person's record, one would hate to have their fate dependent on the word of such a person. There are many more details to this case, hopefully all of them will make it to print. Everyone should know the truth. The stain of the shame this community has done to these young men will be with us for a very long time
Does anyone actually think they are going to allow comments on the series?
I personally think things like this is a good idea. Forgetting the past isn't going to make it better, and good investigative journalism has done a lot for this country.
What does Mr. O'Donoghue and the DNM hope to gain by dredging up all the pain and controvery of the Hartman case...again?? This isn't good journalism, it's bad judgement. One more reason why I haven't subscribed to the DNM in years.
Wow... I'm disgusted... and speechless.
After reading the evidence and having a degree in Psychology: I see, objectively, the facts:
1) The State had (has) no physical evidence,
2) The officers and detectives used psychological suggestion and non-standard, out-of-line interrogation tactics on young, drunk men for hours and days which is purely psychologically draining (a form of torture).
3) The star witness changed his story several times which was the deciding factor for the juries,
4) As a sober, tax-paying, voting, non-criminal NATIVE male, college-educated citizen, I say THESE BOYS WERE RAILROADED, FRAMED, AND SCAPE-GOATED, ESPECIALLY MR. ROBERTS.
I believe the convictions are pathetic and were racially motivated.
The info is in depth and accurate, people are going to read it. Most of the people who scream the loudest are the ones reading it the most. This DNM article isn't saying much that hasn't already been available via the web for a few years now.
How many today will say that their freedom of speech rights have been violated by not having a comment section. I for one am what to thank you for not having it.
This article is ridiculous. I can't believe that the Newsminer thinks that rehashing old wounds is helpful. The burden of proof in criminal cases is ridiculously high, "beyond a reasonable doubt." The burden of proof for the Newsminer is, well, whatever they say it is. If you let this newspaper article raise doubts in your mind about whether or not the system treated these kids unfairly, then I think you are showing a bit of ignorance.
People don't give false confessions for murder unless they have significant mental health issues. This isn't "The Shield." Cops don't interrogate by beating it out of the suspect like on TV. And the juries who had all the facts convicted these kids, and did so THREE TIMES.
Shame on the Newsminer for sinking so low with this petty rabble-rousing. They slam the system for unsolved murders one minute, then slam the system for the solved ones the next.
authenticalaskan,
I just re-read your comments and one thing really stood out. You are frustrated that you think these kids were convicted on shaky evidence, but you turn around and play the race card, saying, "I believe the convictions are pathetic and were racially motivated." What evidence do you have of this racially motivated conspiracy, allegedly committed by the police department, in collusion with the prosecutor, judge, and three juries? Do you have any?
What does that say about your judgment, when you accuse others of acting without evidence, then turn around and level a very serious charge at them without one of your own?
Do we need to do this? Who is this helping? Was the verdict wrong? We're all people, regardless of color of skin, hair, or heritage.
Let this go. I'm saddened by John Hartman's death.
Until we stop blaming racism for people's actions, we'll always be racists.
Hey everyone. We want to move this conversation over to the main series page: http://newsminer.com/hartman/
There's a forum set up there, so go check it out and comment away.