Item one: No, I don't agree to using Jake Mahoney's name in the today's story. Even though there is no law against reporting the name of a minor involved in a crime, Jake is eleven years old and these stories tend to be controversial when the name is used. Regarding the television station as having identified Mahoney as a "person of interest,"we can report that statement, but I wouldn't push it further.
Item two: Avoid this issue altogether and cross-reference the illegal alien's information with another tenant. Someone should be able to confirm this.
Item three: He is still not convicted and he is a minor. We cannot use his name yet.
Item four: Yes, this case was elevated to a murder and the boy is arrested. So, yes, we can now identify him as a suspect.
Item five: With Jake's confession comes the search for the missing evidence that is key to solving this case. I wouldn't have waited long enough to forget something like this tucked away in a drawer. I would have brought the can to the police straight away, explaining and apologizing profusely. In a small town, the police are a source that we cannot afford to lose.
Item two: Avoid this issue altogether and cross-reference the illegal alien's information with another tenant. Someone should be able to confirm this.
Item three: He is still not convicted and he is a minor. We cannot use his name yet.
Item four: Yes, this case was elevated to a murder and the boy is arrested. So, yes, we can now identify him as a suspect.
Item five: With Jake's confession comes the search for the missing evidence that is key to solving this case. I wouldn't have waited long enough to forget something like this tucked away in a drawer. I would have brought the can to the police straight away, explaining and apologizing profusely. In a small town, the police are a source that we cannot afford to lose.
Item six: Yes, this reporter should have been well aware of the legal and ethical issue here.
Item seven: Yes, if the police have a search warrant, then we must cooperate. Again, the police are a source we cannot afford to lose.
Item eight: It depends on how the public reacts. First and foremost, I would write an editorial apology in the paper as soon as possible and talk with my higher editors. If they feel readership will be affected in the future from these actions, then I would consider resigning.
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