Reported by: Ashley Olmstead
Email: AOlmstead@TheCoastalSource.com
I consider myself part of a lucky breed as a journalist; as a group we generally cross paths with a wide variety of people we’d otherwise never meet. We meet politicians, celebrities, heroes, victims and criminals to name a few.
We also get to learn a little bit about…well, everything. I know how to shoot an M-16 (under strict supervision, I must add), how soldiers and marines prepare for war, how families cope with the stress of seeing loved ones leave for war. I know about cutting edge medical technology, how companies expand in poor economic times, and of course –I’m always learning about the legal system, as we often cover crime.
Similarly to meeting a lot of people and learning about a lot of subjects, every day I feel a lot of emotions. It’s not rare to experience boredom, nervousness, excitement, joy, laughter and sadness in a single day… talk about an emotional rollercoaster! The truth is this – stories can be enticing because they have a “wow” factor; they can be fun because they’re active and visual; they can be stressful because they’re complicated and I’m working against a tight deadline; and they can be exhausting because they’re emotional.
“Troy Davis” and “Mark MacPhail” were well-known names in the Savannah community long before I arrived in the market… since I’ve been here I’ve covered both sides of the story and spent time with family members of convicted killer Troy Davis and murdered Officer Mark MacPhail. I have to say, both families are made up of genuinely nice people, and both families are hurting in different ways. I enjoy interviewing and learning more about the case from each family and I always try to tell their stories fairly, keeping in mind there are always THREE sides to each story… what the MacPhail’s say, what the Davis’ say and what really happened that night… a side of the story we may never truly hear.
I found myself in a unique situation earlier this week. Monday I interviewed the Davis family, and my story was followed by a poll question related to the on-going murder case, which I also asked on my facebook page. A viewer responded to our request for comments saying HER father was supposed to work the night Officer Mark MacPhail was killed. Her name was Paulette Nelson and her dad was Officer MacPhail’s Sergeant in the police force; she said he carried immense guilt for a long time because it could have been HIM who was murdered if MacPhail hadn’t worked his shift. Her conversation with me was the first time she’d really opened up about her family’s connection to the MacPhail’s.
I asked her if I could interview her about her emotions and coincidentally I was interviewing Mark MacPhail’s son, Mark MacPhail Junior the very same day…his interview was scheduled for about an hour later than hers. I asked if she wanted to stay and meet him and through tears she said, “No…I don’t know what I’d say… what do you say to someone in this situation?” When our interview was over, we said goodbye…and that was that.
Mark MacPhail, Jr. arrived for our interview on time and while we were waiting for the photographer to set up his camera, we talked about how he was feeling as the 20th Anniversary of his father’s murder approached. He never knew his father, and his feelings weren’t describable. The twenty-year old sat with a somewhat expressionless face as I told him about my conversation with Paulette. He was expressionless not because he didn’t care…but I believe because he didn’t know what to feel. He said he felt bad she felt guilty…and he wanted to tell her not to feel guilty, it was his “father’s time to go…not her father’s.” I was in an interesting position, both Paulette and Mark Jr, were sharing their feelings toward each other with me.. .they had never met, yet had such a strong bond…and I was the ONLY person who knew both of them and talked with them about their connection… I didn’t know how to feel…I continued with my work for the day, watched my story about their strange connection air on television, then went home… and tried to leave my feelings about work in the newsroom.
The following day: Wednesday, August 19, 2009. This was the 20th Anniversary of Mark MacPhail’s murder and dozens of supporters gathered on honor of him and his family. The rally outside the courthouse was an emotional one, tears…anger…and then cheering as the MacPhail family called for what they believe is justice. Paulette was one of those people in the crowd… when the rally came to a close after an emotional speech from MacPhail, Jr… she came to me with tears in her eyes and said she was ready to meet him. She asked me to introduce her to him.
I felt involved in my stories…I felt emotionally connected to both as I introduced two people who had such a strong connection over a tragedy. And as I introduced them, all I had to say is, “Mark…this is Paulette.” The two hugged. They cried. And they said very little. Mark said, “Please don’t feel guilty. It was my father’s time… it was his time to go.” And Paulette just said she’s never stopped praying for him.”
And it was after these emotional few days… Monday with the Davis family, then Tuesday and Wednesday with the MacPhail’s that I had to return to the newsroom and write a fair story for our viewers. And though I was emotionally drained… I think I told their stories fairly – because as I said… in my eyes, there are always three sides. I’ve told the MacPhail’s. I’ve told the Davis’ and I’ll probably never be able to tell “what really happened” on August 19, 1989… because at this point, I don’t know if we’ll ever find out….
