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Fallis case: Local reporter on becoming part of the story

October 23, 2016 / 02:15

This episode discusses the investigation of a case involving a sheriff's corrections officer, Tom Thas, and the challenges faced in the judicial process. Key topics include the initial handling of the crime scene, the role of the Evans Police Department, and the impact of media reporting on the trial.

The conversation highlights how the lack of thorough investigation at the crime scene can hinder justice. The guest reflects on the importance of treating such cases as homicides from the start, noting that Tom Thas was not immediately treated as a suspect.

The guest shares personal experiences from the trial, describing the emotional toll of having their reporting used in the defense's arguments. They also discuss the decision to move into management after the case, citing the grueling nature of the investigation.

Ultimately, the guest emphasizes that the jury's decision reflects more on the systemic issues in the investigation rather than on Tom Thas himself.

TLDR

The episode discusses the flawed investigation of Tom Thas, a sheriff's corrections officer, and its impact on justice.

Episode

2:15
00:00:00
what was that that made you decide this was a case worth investigating well you know as a reporter uh you have to fish
00:00:06
through stories every day that's all you do is get news tips and you have to decide which of these tips is worthy of
00:00:13
your time and your resources to really go forward um in this case the fact that he was a sheriff's corrections officer
00:00:21
um the fact that um there was a lot of things they pointed to in terms of the evidence that didn't make sense you've
00:00:27
found that as we have that unless the police do a very thorough examination of the
00:00:34
death scene or the crime scene on the night it happens that can really cause a problem later on down the road for
00:00:41
finding Justice absolutely and all of the sides agree these types of cases you have to look at them as a homicide from
00:00:48
the beginning and if you look at the facts of the case it does not appear this was treated like a homicide
00:00:53
investigation from the beginning he wasn't separated from his children he wasn't separated uh he wasn't
00:00:59
immediately treated as a suspect and is allowed to roam around the property using his phone um that's not how you
00:01:05
treat someone who you uh suspect of a homicide I think that they were from the beginning the Evans Police Department
00:01:12
was out of their league was it hard knowing when this trial started that it wasn't just Tom FS who was really on
00:01:19
trial in some way you were and your reporting sure it was that was difficult it was difficult to listen to um my
00:01:27
reporting become part of the defense Theory as to why we were all courtroom when I knew that wasn't true I'm curious
00:01:33
to see what you'd say with this you're not reporting right now did you move into Management in part because this
00:01:41
case involved more uh than you ever expected or ever encountered before in a case you know it's a question I've asked
00:01:48
myself a lot um it it was grueling and it was draining I mean that's one of the reasons why in the end I I decided it
00:01:54
was I I needed a break and I want to try my hand at something else yeah it's definitely part of the reason I don't
00:02:00
know what happened that night I don't know whether Tom thas had a role in his wife's death I can tell you what the
00:02:04
facts suggest but ultimately the jury didn't feel like there was enough investigation and so that's an
00:02:10
indictment on the system more than it's an indictment on Tom phas

Badges

This episode stands out for the following:

  • 60
    Most intense

Episode Highlights

  • Questioning Police Procedures
    Critique of how the police handled the investigation from the start.
    “These types of cases you have to look at them as a homicide from the beginning.”
    @ 00m 44s
    October 23, 2016
  • The Weight of Reporting
    The reporter reflects on how the case affected them personally and professionally.
    “It was grueling and draining.”
    @ 01m 51s
    October 23, 2016
  • Systemic Failures
    The jury's decision highlights issues in the investigative process.
    “That's an indictment on the system more than it's an indictment on Tom.”
    @ 02m 13s
    October 23, 2016

Episode Quotes

  • That's not how you treat someone who you suspect of a homicide.
    Fallis case: Local reporter on becoming part of the story
  • It was difficult to listen to my reporting become part of the defense theory.
    Fallis case: Local reporter on becoming part of the story
  • I needed a break and I want to try my hand at something else.
    Fallis case: Local reporter on becoming part of the story

Key Moments

  • Investigation Challenges00:10
  • Trial Difficulties01:15
  • Systemic Issues02:10

Words per Minute Over Time

Vibes Breakdown

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