Yesterday, the Bellevue Police Department announced it is recommending the city attorney file charges against a woman said to have made bogus assault allegations against Seahawks star running back Marshawn Lynch. In the same announcement, the Bellevue PD said Lynch had “no involvement” in the case, indicating that probable cause exists to charge the woman with “making a false or misleading statement to a public servant.”
While Lynch had been cleared in the case back in August, the news surely came as a relief to Seahawks fans. And it also surely angered a few who didn’t take kindly to someone allegedly dragging Beastmode’s good name through the mud. As one of my Facebook friends put it, “Lock her lying ass up!!!! No one messes with my Marshawn!!!!”
It’s a sentiment likely shared by many a Seahawks fan. So when Amy Clancy, a reporter for KIRO TV, tweeted a photo of the probable cause document filed in the case last night, which included the woman’s name, address and phone number, it was enough to raise eyebrows. The tweet carried the message “Wanna know WHO accused Marshawn Lynch of assault?”
Media watchdog blogger Jim Romensko quickly took note, posting a letter said to be from a Seattle journalist in which Clancy’s actions were questioned. “The documents are public record, but I found this troubling. Her name, address and phone number are now out there to the thousands of Seahawks fans,” the letter reads. “And she hasn’t been charged with a crime. I’m wondering what your readers might think.”
It’s a tricky situation. As Clancy has accurately pointed out in subsequent tweets defending herself, the information is public record, and anyone interested could have easily obtained it without her. That said, most average football fans would never go to that length, and they’re now armed with the info without having to do anything but follow Clancy on Twitter. If the woman – who, as the Romenesko letter writer notes, has not yet been charged with a crime – faces harassment, is that Clancy’s fault? Or even something she should feel guilty about?
What’s your take?
UPDATE: KIRO issued the following statement and has removed the tweet in question.
Yesterday, KIRO 7 tweeted out a police report. Please see linked jpeg for response. pic.twitter.com/jUhJxivlyZ
— Jake Milstein (@MilsteinKIRO7) October 3, 2014
