By Megan Eichhorn
On October 31, 2009, the Calgary Herald reported that the first case heard in the Calgary Court Centre’s new high-security courtroom was a high-risk preliminary hearing for a gang-related shooting. The room features floor-to-ceiling Plexiglass. The alleged gang members on trial will face charges of attempted murder and weapon offences in relation to last year’s exchange of gunfire with a rival gang.
The article only quotes the lawyer of one of the men facing charges, but no one else involved in the case. Dates and locations are also stated, which could be considered facts. The article seems to emphasize the dangerous nature of these gangs by using the words “high-risk” and “high-security.” The mention of the extent of the plexiglass also accomplishes this.
This article continues in the same direction as the many previous pieces about what measures the city of Calgary is taking in relation to gangs. There seems to be many reports on this topic, which makes sense because it is a matter of public safety. Calgarians clearly want to know what the government is doing to protect citizens.
References
Four alleged Calgary gangsters to stand trial in high-risk courtoom. (2009, October 31). Calgary Herald. Retrieved November 5, 2009, from http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Four+alleged+Calgary+gangsters+stand+trial+high+risk+courtroom/2166344/story.html
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Thursday, November 5, 2009
By James Wilt
On October 30th, 2009, the Calgary Herald published an article titled, “Calgary's gang slayings tops in nation in 2008” that summated the shocking results of a recent statistical study reporting that Calgary has now moved into the position of leading Canadian cities in regard to gang-related slayings.
Within the article, the author, Gwendolyn Richards, included numerous statistics from the study (which was performed in 2008) as well as quotes from the Calgary Deputy Chief of police, a gang expert, and a Mount Royal University criminologist to support the claim. In addition, the author included a quote from the report that stated the increase in homicide total in Canada was
"almost entirely to increases in Alberta and British Columbia, much of which was gang-related"
as well as a graph indicating the results of the gang-related homicides per 100,000 people within each respective major city.
Although the article was very intriguing (as well as being very relevant to the Calgary read), upon further investigation it appears that the statistics were slightly twisted in order to create the compelling story.
The title states that Calgary “leads [Canada] in gang-related slayings”, when the article stated later that “The Toronto area recorded 24 gang-related homicides”. The reason is discussed in the following sentence, which described the study accounted for population.
Another similar fault is discovered in the presented graph, where it shows both Vancouver and Montreal had more gang-related homicides (19 and 17 respectively), but due to the fact Calgary had more such murders per 100,000 people, it came first.
Although it is difficult to understand why the author would make the facts appear differently than it they actually were, it would be extremely simple to remedy.
Rather than claiming that Calgary leads the country in gang-related homicides, they could truthfully present the facts as Calgary leading the country in gang-related homicides per 100,000 citizens. As soon as such a change was made, the graph would become a legit presentation of the statistics.
Asides from the misleading title, I believe the article was an objective, factual representation of the study. The Richards did an excellent job of providing the reader multiple perspectives (which included quotes, statistics, analysis, and the brief story of a gang victim) and presented the reader a very detailed and accurate understanding of the situation.
In conclusion, asides from the misleading title, I believe the author did an excellent job of collecting information and presenting it effectively and compellingly.
Richards, G. (2009, October 30). Calgary's gang slayings tops in nation in 2008 [Electronic version]. Calgary Herald.
On October 30th, 2009, the Calgary Herald published an article titled, “Calgary's gang slayings tops in nation in 2008” that summated the shocking results of a recent statistical study reporting that Calgary has now moved into the position of leading Canadian cities in regard to gang-related slayings.
Within the article, the author, Gwendolyn Richards, included numerous statistics from the study (which was performed in 2008) as well as quotes from the Calgary Deputy Chief of police, a gang expert, and a Mount Royal University criminologist to support the claim. In addition, the author included a quote from the report that stated the increase in homicide total in Canada was
"almost entirely to increases in Alberta and British Columbia, much of which was gang-related"
as well as a graph indicating the results of the gang-related homicides per 100,000 people within each respective major city.
Although the article was very intriguing (as well as being very relevant to the Calgary read), upon further investigation it appears that the statistics were slightly twisted in order to create the compelling story.
The title states that Calgary “leads [Canada] in gang-related slayings”, when the article stated later that “The Toronto area recorded 24 gang-related homicides”. The reason is discussed in the following sentence, which described the study accounted for population.
Another similar fault is discovered in the presented graph, where it shows both Vancouver and Montreal had more gang-related homicides (19 and 17 respectively), but due to the fact Calgary had more such murders per 100,000 people, it came first.
Although it is difficult to understand why the author would make the facts appear differently than it they actually were, it would be extremely simple to remedy.
Rather than claiming that Calgary leads the country in gang-related homicides, they could truthfully present the facts as Calgary leading the country in gang-related homicides per 100,000 citizens. As soon as such a change was made, the graph would become a legit presentation of the statistics.
Asides from the misleading title, I believe the article was an objective, factual representation of the study. The Richards did an excellent job of providing the reader multiple perspectives (which included quotes, statistics, analysis, and the brief story of a gang victim) and presented the reader a very detailed and accurate understanding of the situation.
In conclusion, asides from the misleading title, I believe the author did an excellent job of collecting information and presenting it effectively and compellingly.
Richards, G. (2009, October 30). Calgary's gang slayings tops in nation in 2008 [Electronic version]. Calgary Herald.
Hearing Set for Men Involved in Calgary Restaurant Triple-Shooting
By Kelsey Andersen
On April 19, 2010, three of four men will face their two week preliminary hearing regarding the triple homicide that happened at the Bolsa Restaurant on New Years of 2009.
The date was set by provincial Judg,e Les Grieve, on Thursday for the three men charged. Nicholas Rodrigo Hovansian, 24; Nathan Zuccherato, 23; and Michael Joseph Roberto, 25 are all facing three counts of first-degree murder.
The gang related shootings claimed three victims, Sanjeev Mann, Aaron Bendle and bystander Keni Su'a.
Shane Parker, crown prosecutor, claims that Zuccherato and Roberto will join before the spring hearing along with Hovanesian, who was arrested early October in Lethbridge.
Christian Honorio, age 25, also faces charges related to the gang-related killings, along with three first-degree murder charges. He is scheduled to be in court November 19, 2009, and his preliminary hearing will most likely be set at the November court appearance.
Investigators have reason to believe that victims Mann, 22, and Bendle, 22, were targeted because of a gang feud that has been linked to at least 25 homicides in recent years.
Su'a, 43, was a bystander who fled Bolsa Restaurant when the shots began. Su'a was met by a third gunman outside who gunned him down, according to police investigations.
I believe that this article is very compelling. It's short, sweet, and gets right to the point. All the articles that I have used, once again, show no room for opinions at all. They all seem to be very fact-based. It would have made it more legit if the article could have used some quotes.
I also think that we will be hearing a lot more about this trial coming up because it was big news back in early 2009 and people are interested in hearing what is going to happen.
We should be hearing more about this after the November 19, 2009 preliminary trial happens. Also, we should be hearing a lot more news after the other 3 convicted men have reached their preliminary hearing date.
Calgary Herald. 2009. Trial dates set in fatal Calgary restaurant triple-shooting. The Calgary Herald.Retrieved on on November 1, 2009, from http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Trial+dates+fatal+Calgary+restaurant+triple+shooting/2161722/story.html
On April 19, 2010, three of four men will face their two week preliminary hearing regarding the triple homicide that happened at the Bolsa Restaurant on New Years of 2009.
The date was set by provincial Judg,e Les Grieve, on Thursday for the three men charged. Nicholas Rodrigo Hovansian, 24; Nathan Zuccherato, 23; and Michael Joseph Roberto, 25 are all facing three counts of first-degree murder.
The gang related shootings claimed three victims, Sanjeev Mann, Aaron Bendle and bystander Keni Su'a.
Shane Parker, crown prosecutor, claims that Zuccherato and Roberto will join before the spring hearing along with Hovanesian, who was arrested early October in Lethbridge.
Christian Honorio, age 25, also faces charges related to the gang-related killings, along with three first-degree murder charges. He is scheduled to be in court November 19, 2009, and his preliminary hearing will most likely be set at the November court appearance.
Investigators have reason to believe that victims Mann, 22, and Bendle, 22, were targeted because of a gang feud that has been linked to at least 25 homicides in recent years.
Su'a, 43, was a bystander who fled Bolsa Restaurant when the shots began. Su'a was met by a third gunman outside who gunned him down, according to police investigations.
I believe that this article is very compelling. It's short, sweet, and gets right to the point. All the articles that I have used, once again, show no room for opinions at all. They all seem to be very fact-based. It would have made it more legit if the article could have used some quotes.
I also think that we will be hearing a lot more about this trial coming up because it was big news back in early 2009 and people are interested in hearing what is going to happen.
We should be hearing more about this after the November 19, 2009 preliminary trial happens. Also, we should be hearing a lot more news after the other 3 convicted men have reached their preliminary hearing date.
Calgary Herald. 2009. Trial dates set in fatal Calgary restaurant triple-shooting. The Calgary Herald.Retrieved on on November 1, 2009, from http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Trial+dates+fatal+Calgary+restaurant+triple+shooting/2161722/story.html
Fourth Man Charged in Gang-Related Calgary Weapon Seizure
By Nicolle Amyotte
This story is likely intended to encourage Calgarians to show that the police force is doing a competent job of protecting our city. It is a very brief article, but I feel that this message is evident.
Once again, this article is not particularly opinionated but still valuable. On the online version, two comments from anonymous sources were posted as well. One of them was not particularly valuable, but the other expressed a legitimate concern- the possibility of weapons being brought into the city even after the seizing takes place.
The article by Chiang was written to inform readers of a fourth member being charged in a discovery earlier this year, specifically in April, of a large amount of weapons seized in Carburn Park.
Five men were reported acting suspiciously, and as of Sunday, four have been captured. While it has taken months for these individuals to be caught (two were exposed as culprits last month), the fact of the matter is that the police have made eventual arrests in the case. The city should feel secure, the article suggests.
Chiang, C. (November 3, 2009) Fourth man charged in gang-related Calgary weapons seizure. The Calgary Herald. Retrieved November 3, 2009 from http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Fourth+charged+weapons+seizure/2178078/story.html.
This story is likely intended to encourage Calgarians to show that the police force is doing a competent job of protecting our city. It is a very brief article, but I feel that this message is evident.
Once again, this article is not particularly opinionated but still valuable. On the online version, two comments from anonymous sources were posted as well. One of them was not particularly valuable, but the other expressed a legitimate concern- the possibility of weapons being brought into the city even after the seizing takes place.
The article by Chiang was written to inform readers of a fourth member being charged in a discovery earlier this year, specifically in April, of a large amount of weapons seized in Carburn Park.
Five men were reported acting suspiciously, and as of Sunday, four have been captured. While it has taken months for these individuals to be caught (two were exposed as culprits last month), the fact of the matter is that the police have made eventual arrests in the case. The city should feel secure, the article suggests.
Chiang, C. (November 3, 2009) Fourth man charged in gang-related Calgary weapons seizure. The Calgary Herald. Retrieved November 3, 2009 from http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Fourth+charged+weapons+seizure/2178078/story.html.
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