Maybe my phone will ring next week
Just a few words on this week's homicide involving suspect Rufus Atchley and victim Robert Banes.
It's fairly obvious that the shooting on 11th Street was of great interest and concern to you, as evidenced by the number of user comments on my stories, as well as this blog.
I've done my best to report as much information as I can on the crime, in addition to whatever information I could get on the suspect, Rufus Lee Atchley, and the victim, Robert Banes.
Unfortunately, if you can believe it, it's now Friday afternoon at 6 p.m. and I have not spoken to a police officer since the initial hours of the crime.
So far, I went to the scene during the standoff, and later used public records to look up Atchley's prison record. Thanks to a reader, I found Banes' MySpace page. Other efforts to talk to members of either man's family failed, but I have posted written comments as they have arrived for this blog.
But I have been unable to get any updates from police. Despite calls each day to police officials at the Harbor Division, no one with the authority to talk to the media has called me back. I have called various officials, left messages with their assistants, and sent one e-mail. Not a single person has returned a message.
I haven't even gotten a courtesy call to say, "Sorry, we aren't talking," which is pretty common in news media and police officer relations when it comes to a major crime.
So you know, the detectives assigned to the actual investigation -- those with the most knowledge of what has happened -- are not allowed to speak with the media. I've always had a pretty decent relationship with them.
They used to be allowed to talk, but in the last several weeks that hasn't been the case. Only their supervisors can talk. Those calls went unreturned.
So if you wonder why I haven't reported any other facts than were initially released -- including why this killing happened -- now you know.
I'm not angry or even stressed about it. What can I do?
I come to work every day to ask the questions you want asked. Unfortunately when police officers don't respond to a reporter, they really aren't responding to you.
It's fairly obvious that the shooting on 11th Street was of great interest and concern to you, as evidenced by the number of user comments on my stories, as well as this blog.
I've done my best to report as much information as I can on the crime, in addition to whatever information I could get on the suspect, Rufus Lee Atchley, and the victim, Robert Banes.
Unfortunately, if you can believe it, it's now Friday afternoon at 6 p.m. and I have not spoken to a police officer since the initial hours of the crime.
So far, I went to the scene during the standoff, and later used public records to look up Atchley's prison record. Thanks to a reader, I found Banes' MySpace page. Other efforts to talk to members of either man's family failed, but I have posted written comments as they have arrived for this blog.
But I have been unable to get any updates from police. Despite calls each day to police officials at the Harbor Division, no one with the authority to talk to the media has called me back. I have called various officials, left messages with their assistants, and sent one e-mail. Not a single person has returned a message.
I haven't even gotten a courtesy call to say, "Sorry, we aren't talking," which is pretty common in news media and police officer relations when it comes to a major crime.
So you know, the detectives assigned to the actual investigation -- those with the most knowledge of what has happened -- are not allowed to speak with the media. I've always had a pretty decent relationship with them.
They used to be allowed to talk, but in the last several weeks that hasn't been the case. Only their supervisors can talk. Those calls went unreturned.
So if you wonder why I haven't reported any other facts than were initially released -- including why this killing happened -- now you know.
I'm not angry or even stressed about it. What can I do?
I come to work every day to ask the questions you want asked. Unfortunately when police officers don't respond to a reporter, they really aren't responding to you.
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About the Blogger
Larry Altman has covered crime in the South Bay since 1990. He's seen it all - the missing model who turned up dead in the desert, the wives found dead in trunks, the high-school coaches who get a little too close to their players. He drives his young colleagues nuts with his "I remember when" stories. He welcomes your tips and observations about the present, and you can mix in a little Lakers basketball talk if you like.
E-mail Larry at larry.altman@dailybreeze.com.
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well that is so considered of you I just wonder who ask to release his records I have been reading mostly everything you wrote and ooooo haven't really seem that. But whatever pass the buck they all do it right thank for your time
I requested his records on my own. That's all public from the Department of Corrections and Superior Court system. Anybody can access that.
The previous convictions also are listed in the murder complaint against him as you can see in a previous entry. He could get extra time if convicted because he has previous convictions.
Listen Elly,
Enough is enough! Stop making an ass of yourself and posting your nonsense, gobbly-gook; it's embarrassing. I deserve to know what Saint Rufus was up to. If Dufus was concerned about people knowing he was a scumbag, he'd have chosen not to be one. Unfortunately, from what I've read in other posts, it seems as though he wasn't ever concerned about what anyone thought.
They probly aren't responding because they know how fucken stupid you are on turning storys up side down and letting personal private information able to the public.
The only call you should be receiving if from the DAILY BREEZE FRONT OFFiCE or who evere runs it and letting you your being released.
Your just an IDIOT
Could you gett the records online?
Or do u have to go to the court house?
Isabella ouch you are right enough is enough
But you need to sit down your are talking from the wrong hole I never said rufus was a saint.
I have the right to say what I want too.
seeeeeeeeeee yaaaaaaaaaa