SF Press Embarrassing Lack of Reporting in Jeff Adachi Death; Wednesday Open

THE MYSTERY OF JEFF ADACHI; WHERE'S THE REPORTING?

Jeff Adachi, the former Public Defender of SF, died the other week under mysterious circumstances. His memorial service was Monday


You would think, in a city where too many times, a cause of death is undetermined and therefore, conspiracies abound.

And boy have conspiracies been abound in the Adachi case yet no one, no.one. has bothered to investigate the circumstances surrounding Adachi; the evening he died; the mystery woman who was with him (not his wife) and her whereabouts; the conduct of the police and how they handled the crime scene; crime scene?

Yeah, what the city officials first said was a crime scene before a voice in the SFPD PI division said, "there is no evidence of 'foul play'". Really? Then why were the cops knocking on the door, loudly, and shouting, "This is the police! Open up!" at the Telegraph Hill residence that was set up for Adachi's weekend the night he died. We still don't know why the cops were screaming at his doorstep. Wouldn't some reporter, TV/radio/newspaper, want to investigate?

There's more.

Who was the woman that was with Adachi and why did she suddenly disappear into the night, her whereabouts unknown to this date. I talked to an ex-police source who told me that the woman was from South America and went by the name, "Katarina" --presumably, she was a highline hooker. Supposedly, the cops know this yet we still have no idea whether she was involved in Adachi's death. One would think logically if a big city's Public Defender died under mysterious circumstances, some one would get to the bottom of it.

Dan Noyes of KGO-TV interviewed a woman who gave keys to Adachi on Telegraph Place for his rendezvous but that's about it.

"He died of an apparent heart attack," said a local radio reporter. Really, I haven't heard anything official. In fact, I've heard nothing official about Adachi's death but the cops didn't like him; did someone in the local press investigate the PD and their handling of the crime scene in Telegraph Hill where Adachi died? Hello, anyone home?

Phil Matier has been mum; then again, the Chronicle long ago gave up its investigative reporting to concentrate more on real estate pictures and where to get the best burrito in town.

A controversial figure like Adachi and his mystery lady not his wife collapses and dies? Eh, who cares!

Oh well.

Sussman and Green Act Irresponsible on KSFO Morning Show; Speculation on Nia Wilson Murder Case as Possible 'Gang Hit' Shows No Respect for Victim and Family (AUDIO)

Brian Sussman and Katie Green

YOU'VE ALL BY NOW HEARD about the senseless murder of an 18 year-old woman at the MacArthur  BART station Sunday night.

Nia Wilson was stabbed to death and her sister was also attacked but survived.

A suspect was apprehended days later.

On their KSFO Morning Show on Tuesday , Brian Sussman and Katie Green act irresponsible and become home-grown detectives --as if they're experts and clearly they're not.

In the show's second hour, Sussman talks about the incident and says "there's more to this" and makes light of what he calls "gang pictures" of Ms. Wilson, the young lady who essentially bled to death.

(AUDIO) At around 14: 45 of the tape, (SECOND HOUR 6AM) you can hear both Sussman and Green insinuate that maybe Green was an intended target because of her "gang signs on social media"; this despite police saying the stabbing appeared that of a random attack by some nutjob who has a lengthy rap sheet. (I'm not using his name)

Nia Wilson

The discussion; the rambling by Sussman and Green show a total disregard for Nia Wilson and her grief-stricken family, at best. At worse, the armchair analysis insinuates that perhaps because she's seen in pictures with a cell phone case that looks like a gun, maybe she (Wilson) had it coming. That's clearly inferred in the tape. Just listen and by the way, several e-mails from readers suggest the same conclusion.

I asked a lawyer about this on-air hijinks and he said if the Wilson family listens to this that they'd have a "great" case against KSFO and Cumulus. Sussman should know better. An 18 year-old stabbing victim hasn't even been buried and he conducts this crap-fest on the radio.

KTVU Has Another 'Oh Crap' Moment This Time on Nia Wilson Murder; UPDATE: Picture of Victim Holding Gun Was No Gun; Somerville Says Sorry (Again) On Behalf of Station

This photo of murder victim, Nia Wilson, made KTVU's air

YOU WOULD THINK THEY'D HAVE LEARNED BY NOW

How could KTVU let the photo of the stabbing victim, Nia Wilson, make it on the air? Its Noon News (that's a jinxed spot)

Incredible.

Indefensible too.

The suspect in the murder case has been apprehended.

KTVU has (more) explaining to do.

Again.

UPDATE: The picture of Nia Wilson appears to show her holding a gun; in fact, the photo is that of a cell phone case. It could be interpreted as an honest mistake by KTVU but given their 2013 Asiana Airlines fake names blunder, they should have been more careful. MUCH more careful.

*Anchor Frank Somerville once again had to apologize for the station.

KTVU's Claudine Wong Gets Robbed at Concord Costco

KTVU veteran anchor, Claudine Wong, was robbed at the Concord Costco Friday.

She writes about her experience on Facebook.

Yes, even local celebrities are subject to life's cruelties.

Wong wasn't hurt although her purse, cell phone and other belongings were taken.

Police are investigating.

While The Orlando Mass Shooting that Took 50 Lives Was Covered, KTVU and 'KTVU Plus' Ran Infomercials; News Judgment Asleep at the Wheel; Imbeciles at Jack London Square

 KTVU and its Fox affiliation lauded (and continues to laud via many commercials) its secondary channel, KTVU Plus, as a supplemental outlet for Breaking News and major news stories.

Except for the worst mass shooting in US History.

After its initial coverage during the weekend "Mornings on Two", the main KTVU went to infomercials and stayed off its Fox News coverage. On KTVU Plus, infomercials played throughout even though all other Bay Area TV stations went with their respective network coverage; KPIX stayed with CBS; KGO-TV stayed with ABC News (a great moment for George Stephanopoulos) and KNTV with NBC News; as usual, KRON was selling patio furniture but keep in mind KRON isn't really a legitimate news station.

Yeah, it's not a local story. It's a BIG story, admittedly almost as big as 9/11 --at the very least, KTVU should have placed the network coverage on Plus but instead went with infomercials on a Sunday in June, 2016 --a date and terrorist attack that will forever be remembered as one of the worst tragedies in US history.

But KTVU and Plus opted instead for plastic surgeon doctors and cooking plates.

I would say it's a disgrace and a total lack of proper news judgment but then again, I'm not shocked anymore. The people who get paid quite a lot of big money to make these decisions are eternal Neanderthals forever asleep at the wheel.  

What complete imbeciles.

The next time KTVU tells you to "trust us", hit off an e-mail to the GM and News Director and ask them about Orlando, June 12, 2016.

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Breaking: KTVU News Crew Robbed In Hayward; Camerman Knocked To Ground; Tara Moriarty Witnessed Take Down

 A KTVU News crew were robbed in Hayward on Wednesday morning.

The crew, with reporter Tara Moriarty witnessing the robbery, wasn't hurt but a cameraman, Keith Crook was knocked to the ground according to one of my sources.

It isn't known whether the crooks were armed. But they made off with a ton of equipment and camera gear.

This latest robbery in Hayward is nothing new to KTVU which has seen some of its reporters and crew having been involved in takedowns in the past.

Police have no suspects in custody.

*Developing...

Lots of Live Shots in Front of 49ers' Ray McDonald's House

 Sports Talk shows, Live Shots Galore, Bay Area water cooler event--even trumped latest Storm Watch reports.

The 49ers are probably not thrilled with this.

Just a guess ...

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49ers PBP Broadcaster, Ted Robinson, Defense Attorney Michael Cardoza and Esteemed NY Times Writer Dave Anderson on Lieberman Live Today From 2-4 PM

Ted Robinson

 TODAY ON MY RADIO SHOW:

Ted Robinson/49ers PBP Broadcaster: 2: 05-2: 20 PM

Michael Cardoza/Defense Attorney/Former Prosecutor/CNN Legal analyst 2: 30-3 PM

Dave Anderson: Award-winning sports-writer, NY Times: 3: 05-3: 30 PM

To listen live: ksco.com --click on my link, you can also listen later on demand on podcast.

Michael Cardoza

Dave Anderson/NY Times

KPIX Runs Story On KRON Reporter Robbed At Gunpoint Without Mentioning KRON; UPDATE

 Take a good look at this story about the TV news reporter robbed at gunpoint on 280 Monday.

Notice anything unusual?

For goodness sake, is KPIX that petty as to not mention that it was a KRON reporter? Is PIX so petty as to not want to acknowledge call letters and refer to "a TV reporter?"

Yes, how ridiculous. Adding further shame, the webmaster refuses to include "KRON" in the labels. As if by mentioning KRON, PIX is providing free pub to a competitor --really guys? Embarrassing.

Petty PIX.

This has zero to do competing stations and everything to do with simple common sense and tact. If PIX runs a story about a local TV News reporter who was robbed at gunpoint then it should include the call letters, damn how tacky and irresponsible.

And did I mention petty too?


UPDATE: 10: 46 AM PT: The webmaster just inserted "KRON" into the first sentence of story. How thoughtful, PIX.

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The Curious Case of Airplane Stowaway Marilyn Hartman--Is She Nuts? Bay Area Media Coverage

I don't need the story--I already know the curious case of Marilyn Hartman.

Hartman is the airplane stowaway that has dominated both the local and national news.

It's not apparent whether she's crazy, quirky, eccentric or lonely, downtrodden or all of the above.

But you know what? I'd love to know. I'm curious because I sort of feel sorry for Ms. Hartman, given her status and that's pretty sad, who knows, maybe I've been duped.

Maybe she likes the attention.

You would think some investigative reporter out there in the TV world would try to talk, one-on-one with Hartman and see if there's a there there.

I hear she has plenty of time on her hands.

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KTVU's Heather Holmes Purse Stolen From News Truck Outside OPD HQ; Oakland Takes Hit Too; Tuesday Opener

 Heather Holmes of KTVU was doing a live shot outside the Oakland Police headquarters Monday Night when her purse was stolen from an adjoining news truck.


Ironically, Holmes was reporting on a mugging that took place in the city earlier in the day.


Unfortunately, this isn't the only time KTVU has been hit.


And a KGO-TV news crew was robbed at gunpoint.


This is total bs. This is an embarrassment to Oakland. And it's a bummer too because by and large Oakland is a cool city; a city on the rise with a vibrant downtown, new restaurants and a booming art scene and renaissance in many neighborhoods.


But Oakland, my hometown, is still full of crime. It stinks too that Oakland doesn't have enough cops on the street to combat crime. What took place on Monday night, as bad as it was, and I'm talking about both the woman who was mugged and Holmes having her purse swiped, could have been worse, nonetheless it was bad,plain and simple.


I've mostly stayed away from reporting on these incidents because it's happened elsewhere but more so in Oakland. That sucks.


I've been asked about this subject numerous times and I don't have an answer. Does it mean that stations will be covering less news in Oakland because of these incidents? I hope not.


Oakland, as I said, has a lot going on, positively too, not just the crummy news about crime and the lack of cops on the streets. How sad is it that a city of over 400,000 people have barely 600 policemen? But that's another story.


That news people and their staff are getting robbed and in some cases at gunpoint, needs immediate attention and right away. Not that when it involves news media people is it any worse than the citizens on the street who are themselves victims of crime.


But Oakland has to move on this and immediately. This is serious business. And it needs to be dealt with right away.





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The Mysterious Ryan Chamberlain Story Gets More Murky--Maybe Some Investigative Reporters Will Go To Work

 OK, so they caught the bad guy.


A bad guy we've been told had explosives in his SF apartment. For all we know they could have been firecrackers. We still don't know a whole lot about this mystery story. You would think, (I hope), that some of our celebrated Investigate Reporters would be at the HOJ right now trying to get some information.


We'd all like to know what the hell is going on.





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Busted Leland Yee Received Honor from Journalist Society for 'Efforts to Bring Greater Govt. Transparency'

 You want irony? You got irony and you got it FIRST from 415 Media!


Senator Leland Lee, who was arrested by the feds on Wednesday, just last week received an honor from the Society of Professional Journalists "for his efforts to bring greater government transparency."


It gets better:


“I am honored to receive this award," said Yee.  “I’m proud to share the stage with so many who have done so much to keep our government open and accountable.”


Yee received the award in recognition of his opposition to efforts to weaken the California Public Records Act by loosening disclosure requirements for local governments.


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Monday TV News Headline Sunday: KGO-TV's I-Teamer, Noyes, Explores Possible New Zodiac Suspect

 The Zodiac case has always been one of the most eerie, bizarre and signature SF murder mysteries.


And unfortunately, there's been a few.


Although, as far as anyone knows, the Zodiac was never apprehended. He could be dead now.


Maybe not.


Dan Noyes, the investigative reporter at KGO-TV, has an interesting I-Team report Monday night about a possible new suspect.


It's worth watching.




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The Shooting at LAX

 So, you know the story so far...

Another made-for-cable event; a sad one at that but come to think of it, not all too unfamiliar in America.

Question to all of you: has coverage of these types of incidents become saturated? I know this involves a major airport and travel considerations; give me your thoughts.

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The Santa Cruz Police Tragedy; A Personal Story

It was your normal Tuesday afternoon.

I was finishing up my interview and began talking about various subjects on my KSCO/KOMY radio show, based in Santa Cruz and the Central Coast.

My producer and the station's news and traffic anchor, Dave Michaels, was busy manning the computer inside the studio. He was silent.

I asked if something was going on. Dave indicated that, yes, there was some "police activity" and "shooting taking place" in Santa Cruz. He didn't sound particularly worried and I had thought nothing of it other than it sounded unusual because Santa Cruz isn't known as a violent town--more a beach resort, although in recent months there'd been a noticeable increase in crime, including a murder, numerous assaults, and most recently a woman/student being attacked at UC Santa Cruz.

All that said, I thought nothing of Dave's report and immediately after I signed off at 4 PM, I met a friend for coffee and returned home hours later and had seen that 2 Santa Cruz Police officers had been gunned down and a suspect shot and killed in an incident only hours earlier I had heard about when concluding my show.

Needless to say I was shocked. Numb really. It brought back memories of the Oakland Police tragedy almost four years ago when 4 OPD officers, (one of whom I had known well and a good friend, John Hege), were all shot and killed in multiple ambushes.

After learning of the Santa Cruz incident I immediately went to Facebook and posted a "Condolences to SCPD." Minutes later a few people began writing gun-control spiels --pro and con--I was irritated and angry. The bodies of the victims had not even been taken away from the scene and already a few clueless wonders already began spewing political rants. Unbelievable. But nothing surprises me anymore.

I have said lately that the idea of talking about gun-control on radio is the equivalent of talking about abortion--worthless, because both sides are dug in and the mere idea of trying to have a reasonable dialogue with civil discourse is a waste of time. It is simply impossible. Common sense has been pushed aside to the act of a lot of screaming and yelling. The "2nd Amendment" and "law-abiding citizens" are the new code words.

One of the Facebook posters--a frequent commenter on this site--took me to task because she indicated that I'd bring up the police tragedy to my Santa Cruz listeners. Well, yeah, I might bring it up. Ignoring it would be kind of insensitive and professionally absurd. That's hardly getting involved in the gun debate because both sides don't know how to have a civil debate. How uncivil, how senseless.

Just like what took place in Santa Cruz on Tuesday afternoon.

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Anna Chavez: The Mystery of her Disappearance Explained; Former Popular Bay Area TV News Anchor Victim of Stalking; 415 Media Exclusive

Anna Chavez was a very popular and engaging news anchor who spent 21 years in the business, (mostly in SF at KGO-TV and KPIX).

Suddenly, out of the blue, she announced she was quitting and said she wanted to pursue another career. Her co-workers were stunned. How could such a talented newswoman leave an industry she excelled in and was widely admired and respected.

In fact, one of the main reasons why Chavez left TV was because she was being pursued by stalkers--several, in fact, and one individual who was considered, "very dangerous", according to sources who worked with Chavez. The stalking episode lasted several months and years, according to the sources who spoke on condition of anonymity.

"It was unnerving and scary enough to her to a point where she wanted out," said one source who added that Chavez was concerned about her family and its welfare.

Most stalker victims are understandably unwilling to go public. However, one victim told me, "It's well known in the industry, (TV news), that many women and some men have had very scary stalkers." The source said it's not uncommon for police to become involved, including providing private protection by off-duty officers.

Attempts to contact and reach out to Chavez were unsuccessful.

It is generally assumed she now leads a quiet and private life.

*Rich Lieberman 415 Media Exclusive

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