MY TRUTH: Allegedly – NO!

By Cheryl Smith
Publisher

Last week, I told you about the murder of Money Mitch 223. Yes, he was a rapper and people talked about his lifestyle.

Still everyone, and I don’t care who you are, deserves just treatment.

The stories surrounding his death are numerous. It was reported: there was a shootout, the suspect ran, police followed a blood trail and found a deceased “suspect.”

Frank DeMario from the Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office said, “We followed him to a building, and on the second floor, we noticed some blood droppings on the first floor. We thought he was wounded. We didn’t have any involvement in the shooting.”

Then the story later changed and there was no blood!

Wouldn’t that make you ask questions, like: were there body cams, is there an autopsy, or why did the officer change the story?

A lot of criticism has been lodged at the media, and at times, for good reason.

There’s always a call for fair, accurate and ethical coverage; but sometimes coverage is all wrong, like the time it was reported as established fact, in a lead suggestion, that police believe Trayvon Martin hit George Zimmerman “with a single punch” before Zimmerman shot the young man to death.

Use of “alleged” in stories:

Members of a regional church community are mourning after news that a 29-year-old pastor had allegedly been shot to death by his wife in Lemon Grove early on Monday evening.

SHE TOLD POLICE SHE ‘ACCIDENTALLY’ SHOT HER HUSBAND

Police: 2 UO football players facing charges for allegedly shooting people with air soft gun.

The two suspects were cited in lieu of being taken into custody for three counts each of reckless endangering, assault, unlawful discharge of a firearm and disorderly conduct, the EPD spokesperson said.

DRAW YOUR OWN CONCLUSION!

Houston police said officers shot and killed a man who allegedly opened fire on them as they conducted a traffic stop.

Reports on Money Mitch all before an autopsy:

Aspiring Florida rapper Money Mitch died from a self-inflicted gunshot after a shootout with Palm Beach sheriff’s deputies.

Rapper Money Mitch died on Friday, July 23 from a self-inflicted gunshot after a shootout with Palm Beach County Sheriff’s deputies.

However, The Mirror reported:

Rapper Money Mitch allegedly turned his gun on himself after opening fire on police officers during a traffic stop in Florida last month.

There’s more to the story of Money Mitch 223 and questions need to be asked and answered.

Which brings me to my truth.

Doing the right thing is important, regardless of who or what is involved.

Unfortunately we are in a world where you need to have a camera on at all times. There was a time we didn’t have cameras, but now that we do, USE THEM!

Don’t demonstrate selective journalism. Do the right thing, all the time.

It is imperative that we wrap our heads around the word “alleged” and do the re- porting we need to do.

We owe it to our audiences and everyone. And yes, we owe it to Money Mitch 223.