View Full Version : Hmmmm, Why the media pull the Mack Martin story?



BBatesokc
04-28-2011, 05:38 AM
Yesterday the leading story on KFOR at 6pm and their website was about local attorney Mack Martin; "Attorney accused of evidence tampering in MWC murders.‎" However, just after 10pm EVERYTHING about the story was pulled. Nothing on their website and they even took down the entire archived 6pm newscast video because that was the lead story.

Did a Google search and the few links that popped up are now dead.

Attorney accused of evidence tampering in MWC murders‎
KFOR - Jesse Wells - 13 hours ago
Specifically, a phone conversation recorded at the Oklahoma County jail details how Leblanc allegedly asked his attorney Mack Martin to cover up some ... Link: http://www.kfor.com/news/local/kfor-news-evidence-tampering-mwc-murders-story,0,6969251.story

Any ideas what's going on? I'm going to assume a few choice words from him about suing the station possibly? Wonder if KFOR caved or if they got the story wrong?

Doug Loudenback
04-28-2011, 08:23 AM
Good snooping, BBatesokc. I also clicked on the KFOR link and found nothing, but I didn't think anything further about it. But, using a quote from what you said, I did find this at a different KFOR url under the category of Midwest City: http://midwestcity.kfor.com/news/news/attorney-accused-evidence-tampering-mwc-murders/77057

BBatesokc
04-28-2011, 08:40 AM
Good snooping, BBatesokc. I also clicked on the KFOR link and found nothing, but I didn't think anything further about it. But, using a quote from what you said, I did find this at a different KFOR url under the category of Midwest City: http://midwestcity.kfor.com/news/news/attorney-accused-evidence-tampering-mwc-murders/77057

Bet that link's life is short for this world. I already ran SnapWeb on it (great little program for grabbing an entire web page as a .jpg for archiving, posting, emailing, etc. use it all the time).

Midtowner
04-28-2011, 09:55 AM
You can still get the Google cached copy of the story.

KFOR may have pulled it because some facts were in question. My immediate reaction is that I'm pretty shocked the jail would be recording conversations between attorneys and their clients. The only thing I could figure out is that it was over that prepaid phone service and that there's some sort of waiver of confidentiality a person has to sign to use it. If so, that's pretty dadgum shady.

BBatesokc
04-28-2011, 10:26 AM
You can still get the Google cached copy of the story.

KFOR may have pulled it because some facts were in question. My immediate reaction is that I'm pretty shocked the jail would be recording conversations between attorneys and their clients. The only thing I could figure out is that it was over that prepaid phone service and that there's some sort of waiver of confidentiality a person has to sign to use it. If so, that's pretty dadgum shady.

I have confirmed that Mack Martin did indeed contact KFOR's news producer and threw a fit and threw around threats of a lawsuit. In response they caved and pulled the story and even the 6pm newscast online. Apparently Martin made a similar call to MWC PD Chief's office.

As for phones at the jail. They have a system in place that lets them listen in and record ALL calls at will and authorized personnel can even listen in from a remote location - I know, I've seen it being utilized. That said, they are supposed to break off if they realize it is a protected conversation - like between a lawyer and their client. But, in reality that doesn't always happen.

BBatesokc
04-28-2011, 10:35 AM
Here's the affidavit... http://freepdfhosting.com/6cfd506844.pdf

kevinpate
04-28-2011, 01:44 PM
From the article Doug linked:


Assistant District Attorney Scott Rowland says it's "a dead issue" unless the OSBI determines files had been tampered with.

BBatesokc
04-28-2011, 07:11 PM
From the article Doug linked:

Every alleged crime is a 'dead issue' until they can prove you did something wrong.

Wouldn't be the first time the DA's office played like everything was A-Okay, only to rip someone a new one with charges.

I know 9 and 25 were all over this story today. Apparently 9 interviewed the chief of MWC PD and he gave a great interview, but Mack got them to drop it last I heard. I know 25 was out getting interviews too.

BBatesokc
04-29-2011, 05:06 AM
Also, the media reports ALL THE TIME when individuals are being investigated and have not yet been charged - this is no different. Police and the DA's office clearly stated the computer is being looked at to see if files were tampered with.

Fox ran a story last night but omitted Mack Martin's name (the reason they gave for this is beyond ludicrous) http://www.okcfox.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/kokh_vid_3240.shtml

TaoMaas
04-29-2011, 09:27 AM
The tv stations don't really want to fight over stuff like this so they'll fold many times if they think a situation might lead to a long, drawn out legal battle.

BBatesokc
04-29-2011, 02:44 PM
KFOR just killed the previously active link.

BBatesokc
04-30-2011, 01:43 PM
Fox25 did a followup last night that got more into the disturbing reality that the jail records and listens in on inmate calls with attorneys. http://www.okcfox.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/kokh_vid_3252.shtml