It’s day two of the trial of Officer William Porter, one of six Baltimore police officers charged over the death of Freddie Gray in April of this year. As we all know, Baltimore was beset with protests and riots following Gray’s death, but as of the writing of this post, there’s not much of a protest going on at the courthouse this morning. Via Baltimore Sun reporter Kevin Rector:
Arthur B. Johnson, Jr., 71, retired Bethlehem Steel worker and Edmondson Village resident, stands as lone protester. pic.twitter.com/UqsIdjMJch
— Kevin Rector (@RectorSun) December 1, 2015
One guy? Rector went on to interview Johnson, which is actually pretty good:
Johnson said he plans to stand outside the courthouse every day "through the duration" of the officers' trials in the #FreddieGray case.
— Kevin Rector (@RectorSun) December 1, 2015
"I'm just trying to see justice done," he said. He doesn't think all the officers are guilty. Porter may have been following orders, he said
— Kevin Rector (@RectorSun) December 1, 2015
"All lives do matter, but #blacklivesmatter to me," he said.
— Kevin Rector (@RectorSun) December 1, 2015
"I've lived here for 71 years, and this city has gone to the dogs," Johnson said. Something must change, he said.
— Kevin Rector (@RectorSun) December 1, 2015
But back up a little bit. Rector’s reporting of the protester saying Officer Porter was just “following orders” isn’t going over so well. Here’s former Baltimore Cop Michael Wood Jr. — a vocal critic of the Baltimore Police Department — with his assessment of the protester:
Following orders got us Nazi Germany https://t.co/pN3NH8y4Ry
— TariqTouré طارق تورى (@TariqToure) December 1, 2015
@TariqToure @RectorSun Yeah, I saw that too. I dunno. Probably uneducated, little irritated with Rector for tweeting. Feels exploitative
— Michael A. Wood Jr. (@MichaelAWoodJr) December 1, 2015
“Probably uneducated”? Wow. If a conservative had said this about any of the Baltimore rioters or looters, what would Wood have said in response?
Wood wasn’t done, however. When told that Rector’s reporting has been “neutral” so far, Wood went after the reporter and journalism in general:
@MichaelAWoodJr @RectorSun To be fair his reporting has been very neutral
— TariqTouré طارق تورى (@TariqToure) December 1, 2015
.@TariqToure @MichaelAWoodJr Thanks. That's the goal. I don't tell people what to say, just report their thoughts and opinions, which vary.
— Kevin Rector (@RectorSun) December 1, 2015
@RectorSun @TariqToure I also, don't actually think that is journalism's goal, "balance" "objectiveness" has tarnished the profession.
— Michael A. Wood Jr. (@MichaelAWoodJr) December 1, 2015
@RectorSun @TariqToure I'd just like Kevin to let that idea be considered.
— Michael A. Wood Jr. (@MichaelAWoodJr) December 1, 2015
Too much “balance” and “objectiveness” has ruined the profession? What a clown.
Keep in mind, Woods is the cop we told you about in June who admitted to participating in police brutality, but said nothing at the time:
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