"Fla. Ex-Commissioner Upset" & "Columnist Fired After Shooting Speaks Out"

[GreenPartyVoter]

"Fla. Ex-Commissioner Said Upset Over Story"

MIAMI (AP) - A former city commissioner who committed suicide was distraught about an online story that detailed his alleged contacts with drug dealers, reputed homosexual affairs and the corruption charges he faced, acquaintances said Thursday.

Arthur E. Teele Jr. killed himself Wednesday in the lobby of The Miami Herald after asking to speak with columnist Jim DeFede. Just hours before, The Miami New Times published a report online entitled "Tales of Teele: Sleaze Stories."

The weekly newspaper's story was largely based on police reports.

Before shooting himself, Teele spoke several times by phone with DeFede, a longtime acquaintance who described Teele as "very distraught."

http://apnews1.iwon.com/article/20050729/D8BKPVP81.html

"Columnist Fired After Shooting Speaks Out"

MIAMI (AP) - A Miami Herald columnist who was fired for taping a conversation with a man hours before he committed suicide in the newspaper's lobby said he thinks his dismissal was unfair.

The newspaper said columnist Jim DeFede recorded his telephone conversation with former city commissioner Arthur E. Teele Jr. without permission - a possible violation of state law and the newspaper's ethical standards.

But DeFede said he should only have been suspended because he told his bosses about the tape on his own.

Teele killed himself Wednesday after speaking several times by phone with DeFede, a longtime acquaintance who described Teele as "very distraught." Just hours before, The Miami New Times published a report online entitled "Tales of Teele: Sleaze Stories."

http://apnews1.iwon.com/article/20050729/D8BL2ECO0.html

[annabanana]

1. Once again.... they kill the messenger..

The reporter was just doing his job and was in no way responsible for what happened next..

Will journalists rise up for him like they have for Miller?