The Sting

Bumfketeer · **Posted:** Sat Jan 11, 2003 1:01 pm

I worked on a story in slot last night in which a couple of upstanding local citizens were stabbed during a card game.<p>The story said the stabbing happened while the men were playing cards, and also mentioned one of the perps, who enjoyed about six minutes of freedom afterward, got away with about $70.<p>I sent the story back to the originating desk, asking whether this had been a poker game and if it was a robbery, or if they were playing Old Maid and someone got pissed off, stabbed a couple people and ran off with their wallets as an afterthought.<p>The city desk did not know and did not seem to think the distinction was important. I also note that one other local paper's coverage was very similar in its lack of detail, convincing me that it was just a matter of press-release cop reporting.

Guest · **Posted:** Sat Jan 11, 2003 2:05 pm

I think you asked for important distinctions. Is this an illegal or unregulated card room, or a bunch of cranky senior citizens canoodling over canasta? Was there a gambling element involved that might also be of interest to law enforcement?<p>I think the bottom line is that your reporter took what he/she was spoonfed, and didn't have the instinct to question it or the drive to follow up.

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