As you organize the story, ask yourself what belongs in the lead? What about the second and
third paragraphs? You don’t know who the young woman is. All the police have told you is
that she was in the mayor’s car and was arrested on suspicion of public intoxication. She was
released to her parents’ custody. So how does she figure in the story?
This is a one-sided story, because you don’t have the mayor’s account of what happened. His
spokesman has not offered a ringing defense. Instead, he is asking that you not make hasty
judgments.
In time the Hillman may present his version of events. For now, you have an official report of
alleged criminal behavior by a local elected official. This is enough to produce your story. If
the information is properly attributed this will be a fair and reasonably comprehensive story.
third paragraphs? You don’t know who the young woman is. All the police have told you is
that she was in the mayor’s car and was arrested on suspicion of public intoxication. She was
released to her parents’ custody. So how does she figure in the story?
This is a one-sided story, because you don’t have the mayor’s account of what happened. His
spokesman has not offered a ringing defense. Instead, he is asking that you not make hasty
judgments.
In time the Hillman may present his version of events. For now, you have an official report of
alleged criminal behavior by a local elected official. This is enough to produce your story. If
the information is properly attributed this will be a fair and reasonably comprehensive story.
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