Let’s hit all of your concerns “Nelson Gossiper” since you refuse to use your real name.

-First we have no idea where you are getting your information about the radio traffic being put out that a trooper had been shot and then the suspect shooting himself. No such radio traffic took place according to authorities. As for the charges, we obviously can’t speak for police, but do know they were serving a misdemeanor assualt warrant, and a state Order of Protection on Mr. Spencer. The Order of Protection is issued in cases where the court has reason to believe that serious harm would come to another person. A judge makes that decision based on evidence. I personally served over a hundred of these in my previous law enforcement career first as a deputy sheriff early on then later as an administrator, long before entering the news and publishing business.

Second, we dispatched Ms. Garland to the area of the (active police manhunt) at the time. She was there at our request, if you have a problem, take it up with us. In active police scenes, it is proper policy to be where police are as long as they have no objection. Nelson Sheriff, David Brooks was aware of our photographer’s presence and she was always behind police lines. Shooting with telephoto lenses. Again in active police scenes (pursuit and manhunt in this case) it is considered accepted policy to be where the police units are as long as they are aware of your presence and have no objection. I assure you, Ms. Garland was well outside the perimeter of any secured areas and was not purposely trespassing, if that was the case.

Our magazine staff has well over 30 years of combined news gathering experience in both network television and print all over this country – in situations far greater than last weeks. We pride ourselves on being accurate and following proper news gather techniques always.

Tommy Stafford
Publisher.