Newspaper Articles in 2002

The following articles appearend in newspapers, primarily in electronic editions, in 2002.

Articles

date	story	news outlet	comments
01/06/02	Over The Edge In Brattleboro no link available cached text	The Hartford Courant	ran under front-page masthead in Sunday edition. points out conflict of interest in Davis investigation. suggests worries about money may have triggered Woody to go 'over the edge', citing bounced rent check.
01/09/02	ACLU criticizes Woodward investigation no link available cached text	The Brattleboro Reformer	Berch and Scotch of the ACLU-VT point to potential conflicts of interest in Davis handling investigation
01/09/02	Shooting probe nears completion link cached text	The Rutland Herald	Woody described as 'armed intruder'. implies Woody held knife as entered church; mention of rumor Woody was carrying gun
01/15/02	Public invited to talk about church shooting link cached text	The Rutland Herald	description of upcoming community meeting in Brattleboro.
01/17/02	Forum on shooting seen as step in healing no link available cached text cached html	The Brattleboro Reformer	Announcement of meeting on January 20.
01/17/02	Woodward family pushes for details no link available cached text	The Brattleboro Reformer	AG Sorrell defends decision to keep information secret pending completion of investigation, rebuffing request of family attorney Thomas Costello.
01/17/01	New Web Site Seeks 'Justice for Woody.' link cached html	The Valley Advocate	points to the www.justiceforwoody.org website. Quotes a passage suggesting there is an official coverup.
01/18/02	Prosecutor recuses self in church shooting case link cached text cached html	The Rutland Herald	Dan Davis removes himself from case, reverts to AG. Family's to hold press conference to announce lawsuit. Woodwards, admitting "appearance of conflict." Town had asked FBI to investigate for civil rights violations.
01/19/02	Davis retreats from inquiry Town sought federal help in Woodward investigation no link available cached html	The Brattleboro Reformer	Dan Davis abruptly removes himself citing town and attorneys for Woodwards, admitting "appearance of conflict." Town officials reveal they sought a federal civil rights probe. Family's intention to file lawsuits indicated.
01/19/02	Prosecutor bows out of shooting investigation no link available cached text	The Associated Press	Much less detailed than the Reformer or Herald stories
01/20/02	Police shooting showing deep rift link cached html	The Rutland Herald	account of January 20 community forum
01/21/02	Answers elude community in shooting death no link available cached html	The Brattleboro Reformer	account of January 20 community forum. Davis says it will be months before information released
01/21/02	Woodward friends troubled, but praise community support no link available cached html	The Brattleboro Reformer	quotes from Carlson, Tomczak, Corvino, Holmes
01/21/02	Family of man shot by police in church sues town, officers link cached html	The Associated Press	mentions justiceforwoody.org
01/21/02	Woodward family sues town link cached html	The Rutland Herald	account of January 21 press conference - Woodwards' lawsuit announced. say they have been stonewalled by state AG office. Windham county legislators, Obuchowski and Darrow, promise to ask Governer to appoint special prosecutor.
01/22/02	Woodward family sues town for negligence Autopsy shows distraught man hit in the back by one bullet no link available cached html	The Brattleboro Reformer	Davis reveals some details of autopsy report, including bullet in back. Woodward attny Costello said state police prejudged investigation pointing to statements. calls return of shooters to duty appalling
01/22/02	Family of man shot by police in church sues town, officers no link available	The Burlington Free Press
01/22/02	Answers offered to some rumors no link available cached html	The Brattleboro Reformer	more on January 20 forum. Davis discounts story of FBI visit.
01/24/02	Dean sees no need for special prosecutor link cached html	The Rutland Herald	Governor rejects request by 2 Windham Co. legislators, Rep. Michael Obuchowski and Rep. Steve Darrow to appoint a special prosecutor. Sorrell asserts his office will remedy any flaws in State Police investigation. Says of proposed legislation 'It sounds like it's fixing something that isn't broken'
01/24/01	A family lawsuit and pending legislation turn up the heat in Woodward investigation. link cached html	The Valley Advocate	nice update on developments including town meeting, Davis' recusal, Woodwards' lawsuit, JFW's questions.
01/25/02	FBI keeps eye on shooting probe link cached html	The Rutland Herald	FBI agent and spokeswoman Lisa Massaroni disagrees with Martin and Remillard's characterization that FBI had 'declined' to investigate case. Says they are monitoring situation, and that no written request to intervene was made by town.
02/07/02	Woodward cops placed on desk duty no link available cached html	The Brattleboro Reformer	Hollbrook and Parker reassign to desk duty by town officials, in response to their request. Quotes from IBPO rep Pineau, citing pressure, but does not disclose role of national office. Officers receive legal support from IBPO.
02/07/02	Officers who shot Woodward are assigned to desk jobs link cached html	The Rutland Herald	Hollbrook and Parker reassign themselves to desk duty. Quotes from shooting apologist Pineau. Cites pressure from letters to editors.
02/26/02	Officer in shooting worked three jobs no link available cached html	The Brattleboro Reformer	reveals that Woody's killer Parker worked 97 hours of overtime the month before the shooting, mostly patrolling Vermont Yankee, and continues to work on some kind of undisclosed duty at the plant.
03/07/02	Woodward investigation to continue at least another month, Sorrell says no link available cached html	The Brattleboro Reformer	Woodward attorney Costello says Sorrel refuses to cooperate. Sorrel says he needs more time to interview witnesses.
03/08/02	Town defends cop's overtime no link available cached html	The Brattleboro Reformer	Remillard says overtime taken by Parker did not violate policy. Martin said Parker showed no signs of fatigue or overwork (unnecessarily killing someone is not such a sign??)
03/08/02	Vt. attorney general to hold new interviews in shooting link cached html	NorwichBulletin	Quote from Joanne Woodward saying Sorrell needs to make a decision. Cites www.justiceforwoody.org. Quote from Tomczak.
03/12/02	AG seeks to slow Woodward lawsuit no link available cached html	The Brattleboro Reformer	The AG has filed a request with a federal court judge to halt all discovery by the Woodwards' attorneys.
03/14/02	Acting chief says town offered job no link available cached html	The Brattleboro Reformer	Acting police chief John Martin is offered the job of chief by Town Manager Jerry Remilard. The AG has filed a request with a federal court judge to halt all discovery by the Woodward's attorneys. No search for other candidates was ever conducted.
03/18/02	Vigil to honor man shot in church link cached html	The Daily Hampshire Gazette	announcement of vigil. Quotes by Keith Carlson.
03/20/02	Feds to mediate police relations no link available cached html	The Brattleboro Reformer	Board of Selectmen votes to invite US DOJ community relations team. Selectboard meeting coincided with candellight vigil outside. Summary of other business of board.
03/20/02	Friends gather for vigil no link available cached html	The Brattleboro Reformer	About 70 people 'braved the cold' to gather on Woody's birthday. Quotes from Tomczak, speaking of loss, calling for a fair and full investigation. Keynote speaker Emma K. Jones, said killing violated constitution, describes suffering for the 59 months since son's killing, says such horror could happend to anyone's child.
02/20/02	Vigil held outside: Inside, Select Board discusses forum to address police issues link cached html	The Rutland Herald	At vigil, Emma Jones talkes about son. Update on AG officials interviewing witnesses. Quotes from Polly Wilson.
02/20/02	Friends seek justice for Woodward no link available cached html	The Burlington Free Press	Account of 38th birthday vigil in Brattleboro by AP reporter Gram. Speech quotes from friends Tomczak and Reeves, and keynote speaker Emma Jones. Quote from Polly Wilson.
03/21/02	Mediators set to bridge town-police gap Justice Department team to troubleshoot community relations problems no link available cached html	The Brattleboro Reformer	Fed's CRS (community relations service) comes to Brattleboro. stuff from website like: During civil unrest, CRS helps to restore stability by opening the communication channels between law enforcement and community residents
03/27/02	Improprieties alleged against Vernon chief no link available cached html	The Brattleboro Reformer	alegations against Whellock include corruption, abusive language.
03/27/02	Martin named top cop no link available cached html	The Brattleboro Reformer	Selectboard Chairman Greg Worden said of wrongful death lawsuit: "We expect that the department will be cleared of any sense of wrongdoing"
03/29/02	Judge denies request from Woodwards no link available cached html	The Brattleboro Reformer	Federal judge Judge Garvan Murtha grants Sorrell's 60 day stay on release of evidence to Woodwards' attyorneys. Brief review of case. Plaintiff's offer of confidentiality mentioned.
03/29/02	Vernon mulls complaints about police no link available cached html	The Brattleboro Reformer	much more detailed than Herald article.
03/29/02	Vernon police chief begins defense link cached html	The Rutland Herald	Whellock employs Woody's killer, Parker, for patrol of the VY plant.
04/02/02	Vt. AG Rules Shooting Was Justified link cached html	Newsday.com	Very brief summary of report and the case by David Gram.
04/02/02	Police Shooting Justified link cached html	Vermont's Own Channell 3 News	Brief report describing reaction to AG report at press conferece, recapitulating the shooting.
04/02/02	Attorney general: Church shooting was justified link cached html	The Rutland Herald	Quote by shooting witness Adelbert Ames protesting finding that shooting was 'appropriate'.
04/03/02	AG: Woodward shooting justified no link available cached html	The Brattleboro Reformer	Details of events leading up to shooting, such as misinformation by dispatchers. Quote from Jim Herrick.
04/03/02	Reactions to state's findings varied link cached html	The Brattleboro Reformer	Mostly describes reactions at press conference. Quote from psychiatric nurse Ann Walker decrying implication of AG report that it's OK to shoot people who are psychotic.
04/03/02	Police cleared in church shooting link cached html	The Rutland Herald	Detailed report from press conference, describing reaction of audience, and a number of quotes of Sorrell.
04/03/02	Synopsis of state report on Woodward shooting link cached html	The Rutland Herald	The summary findings section of the AG's report.
04/03/02	No Charges In Vermont Killing link cached html	The Hartford Courant	Summary of Sorrell's report, including Woody's alledged confession. Quotes from Steven 'Zak' Tomczak, 'You killed Woody and now you have killed him again,' and Mary. Quote from Faxon, 'He's acting as judge and jury. I consider that outrageous'.
04/03/02	State declares Brattleboro shooting justified no link available cached text cached html	The Burlington Free Press	Detailed quotes of Polly Wilson contradictiong Sorrell's conclusions.
04/03/02	Brattleboro looks to heal rift no link available cached text cached html	The Burlington Free Press	quote from Jim Herrick
04/03/02	SHOOTING REPORT CLEARS POLICE; MAN WITH KNIFE IN VT. HIT 7 TIMES link cached text	The Boston Globe	Brief synopsis of conference and case. Quote from Mary Hunt
04/04/02	Church-shooting civil case will be tough to proove no link available cached html	The Burlington Free Press	some analysis by Joshua Diamond, a Montpelier lawyer.
04/05/02	Armed man subdued after 3-hour standoff no link available cached html	The Brattleboro Reformer	In stark contrast to to the shooting of Woody after 1 minute of 'negotiation', Joseph Scione was taken into custody, unharmed, after three hours of negotiation, having threatend harm to others with a gernade.
04/11/02	Woodward Supporters Face Setback link cached html	The Valley Advocate	Summarizes Sorrell's report. Quotes Paul Borneo pointing out biases in report. Mentions justiceforwoody.org.
04/12/02	Transcripts of shooting made public no link available cached html	The Brattleboro Reformer	Quote by Sherry Manning. Shows discrepancy between Italia's December 2 statement and those made to Sorrell's team on March 12. Notes that civilians didn't support officials report that Woody said he wanted the police to shoot him.
04/12/02	Woodward shooting files cite officers' fear factor link cached html	The Rutland Herald	Reveals several new details, based on the release of 911 transcript. Clifton Johnson called State Police after the shooting, saying the police used stun guns. Capt. Brian Patno convinced the police to remove the handcuffs. Said "He definitely was not there mentally when we were working on him." Recounds Woody's allegations about being injected with cancer.
04/14/02	Questions raised about death of state native link cached html	New Haven Register	AP article (apparenty largely by David Gram) highlights justiceforwoody.org. Describes Woody's life, his career of service. Quotes Dan Covino, Steven Tomczak, witness Mary Hunt, Jim Hoffman.
04/15/02	For Emma Jones, fighting for justice is now her life link cached html	New Haven Register	Account Emma Jones rally for police-slain son Malik. Recounts Malik's shooting. Mentions presence of JFW members, quotes Steven Tomczak.
04/19/02	Woodward lingering questions no link available cached html	The Brattleboro Reformer	Piece by AG Sorrell defending his report by addressing why the police didn't use two (of many) non-lethal means of restraint, reasserting (without support) his theory that Woody 'charged' the officers.
04/30/02	A wound unhealed no link available cached html	The Boston Globe	Emphasizes liberal bent of Brattleboro population. Cites differing perspectives of brothers Jim and Mark Herrick. Witness Jane Worley calls for nonviolence training workshops, rejected by Chief Martin.
05/17/02	Officers return to duty no link available cached html	The Brattleboro Reformer	Quotes form Town Manager Remillard, who is 'comfortable'; and police union president Joseph Pineau.
05/??/02	Cops seek special weapons to avoid use of deadly force link cached html	The Stowe Reporter	Citing Woody's shooting, Stowe Police Chieve Ken Kaplan calls for non-lethal weapons for police such as beanbag and pepper-ball guns. Article summarizes case.
05/27/02	Group renews justice pledge no link available cached html	The Brattleboro Reformer	Quotes Mary Rives about the goals of the group, including getting the governor to appoint a special investigator. Quotes Tom Nanaya about the community relations service. Mentions the inability of citizens to see complaints against the police department.
07/20/02	Woodward group will rally for new probe no link available cached html	The Brattleboro Reformer	Summarizes the five points of the petition for an independent investigation.
07/25/02	Discussion group edges towards drugs, racism issues no link available cached html	The Brattleboro Reformer	Subject of shooting of Woody arises even though it is placed off limits.
07/26/02	FBI to probe Woodward shooting link cached html	The Brattleboro Reformer	FBI opens investigation of whether Woody's civil rights were violated. Will examine Sorrell's 'investigaton'.
07/27/02	FBI investigates Brattleboro church shooting link cached html	The Burlington Free Press	AP article. Sorrell is surprised but welcomes investigation.
07/27/02	FBI to investigate Woodward shooting link cached html	The Daily Hampshire Gazette	Longer version of AP article.
07/?/02	Prosecutors would find tough going no link available cached text	The Brattleboro Reformer	Quotes from law professor Michael Mello about difficulty of proving criminal intent.
08/01/02	Justice For Woody at Last? link cached html	The Valley Advocate	Quotes from Rives welcomming the Federal probe. Quotes from Justice Department spokesman Mark Corallo. Locals apparently were not informed of the decision.
08/22/02	Community dialogues could start Sept. 25 no link available cached html	The Brattleboro Reformer	Five-week series of dialogs to start sept 25. Tension between constituting panel of law enformecement officials versus residents.
09/20/02	The Shooting of Robert Woodward link cached html	The Voice News	Hard-hitting account of the shooting and the official response, in many ways the most thorough accounting of the events in any article to date. There are some minor errors, like stating supporters said the officers compared and corroborated their written statements when in fact they only suggested that possibility, but in all major respects the article is accurate.
09/24/02	Vermont shooting death raises questions. Family, friends claim probe into Norwich native's killing biased no link available cached text	New London Day	Rather poorly researched article, buys Sorrells misrepresentation that witnesses disagree about central facts of shooting. Article is about JFW report, but does not present it's most important conclusions. Misrepresents eyewitness testimony, despite extensive interview with Ursula, who accurately described it.
09/24/02	Woodward friends question official account of shooting link cached html	The Boston Globe	Briefly recounts story of shooting, and Justice for Woody Report, focusing on it's contention that the police failed to assess the situation upon arriving at the church, and touching on it's challenge to the veracity of Woody's alledged confession.
09/25/02	Group questions Woodward report no link available cached html	The Brattleboro Reformer	Begins by summarizing goals of JFW report, how presenters addressed question of bias. Quotes report on implications of bullet under skin observed by Phyllis Woodring. Quotes report on bias of Sorrell's report, Sorrell's fishing expedition in March to get witness statements to use in his report. Quotes Paul Borneo, Polly Wilson, Steven Tomczak, Michael Badamo, Dennis Lee.
09/25/02	Police Criticized In Woodward Killing link cached html	The Hartford Courant	Short article summarizing case and issues raised by JFW report - failure of police to assess situation, failure to use nonlethal restraint, shoots after Woody collapsed on floor, handcuffing, and delay in ambulence transport.
09/25/02	Brattleboro church shooting unjustified, friends say link cached html	The Burlington Free Press	Quotes conclusion of JFW report that Sorrell's report is a "brilliantly crafted deception." Mentions witness evidence Woody wsa shot while down. Includes quote by Sorrell suggesting that if Woody were "resisting at all" after falling, subsequent shots were justified. Quotes Ellen Berrios about loyality of friendship, Polly Wilson wishing the witnesses had formed a human chain to protect Woody.
09/25/02	Friends criticize shooting probe link cached html	The Rutland Herald	Quotes JFW report conclusion. Points out divide between police and eyewitness accounts. Innacurately states report cited bullet under skin as proof of down-shooting. The three officers had declined to be interviewd by Sorrell. Statements by Sorrell, Martin, about what is shown by autopsy, ballistics reports. Website mention.
10/15/02	Candidate calls for response to Justice for Woody report no link available cached html	The Brattleboro Reformer	State's Attorney Candidate Gwenn Harris calls for a response to the JFW report. Dan Davis quotes Caledonia County State's Attorney Dale Grey saying Sorrell's report appeared to be thorough and complete.
10/21/02	Attorney general race highlights differing priorities link cached html	The Burlington Free Press	Progressive challenger Cindy Hill raises Woodward shooting issue. Sorrell says he stands by his decision.
11/30/02	Justice eyes Woodward FBI probe no link available cached html	The Brattleboro Reformer	FBI probe partially completed and is under review by DOJ. Probe continues to delay Woodward civil suit. U.S. District Court Judge J. Garvan Murtha is concerned about delay and seeks to learn status of probe from Brattleboro defense attorney William Ellis. Vermont FBI supervisor John Kavanagh said his office had completed preliminary investigation and forwarded info to DOJ 6 weeks ago. Did not re-interview witnesses. Delay in dispositions due to probe is second delay in Woodwards' suit. Ellis filed a motion for a protective order on Sept. 30. Woodwards' attorneys question existence of probe in court papers.
11/30/02	A year later, friends still struggle with Woodward's death no link available cached html	The Brattleboro Reformer	Quotes from Keith, Elena, Diana on loss, Mary Ellen recalls last dance, Ellen on travels in Europe, and value of circle of support from friends found after Woody's death. Paul and Keith on investigation, Zak hasn't lost outrage, report raises more questions.
12/01/02	One year: Friends demand 'Justice for Woody' link cached html	NorwichBulletin	Broad review of the case. Impact on parents. Quotes from Zak, Dan, and Ellen.
12/02/02	Police training little changed since shooting link cached html	The Brattleboro Reformer	Martin tries to downplay and minimize the difference between lethal and non-lethal restraint, and say things like: "We tend to shy away from close-range impact weapons such as those since they are considered too destructive when used." The BPD is getting new non-lethal equipment, but is just unboxing it, and no-one is trained in it's use, betrays Martin.
12/03/02	Woodward friends push review board no link available cached html	The Brattleboro Reformer	Quote from Pamela Jeffreys. Number of quotes, issues like civilian review boards. Contains inaccurate sketch of shooting: "... brandishing a small knife and disrupting a religious service that was under way by shouting incoherently."
12/03/02	Friends gather, remember Woodward link cached html	The Rutland Herald	Martin is Skeptical that FBI investigation exists. Asks why shot first and asked questions later. (Editor's note: it's shoot first, don't ask questions later.) Gary Sachs compares to Canal Street standoff outcome. Ends qouting Polly.
12/03/02	Brattleboro shooting reverberates a year later link cached html	The Burlington Free Press	Detailed account of experiences of different ASUUC members. Manning quoted as thinking shooting justified and that some churchmembers are 'politicizing' it. Shooting created rift in the ASUUC, but rift appears to be healing, thanks in part to new minister.
12/17/02	Prof decries AG's report no link available cached html	The Brattleboro Reformer	Excellent summation of T. Wilson's analysis of Sorrell's report.
12/17/02	Professor disputes attorney general's report link cached html	The Rutland Herald