Opinion ID: 515812
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Television

Text: 41 The Court first examines the television news scripts submitted by petitioner. The initial coverage which aired on July 17, 1974, the day of the Gans murders, cannot be said to have been unduly prejudicial because it consisted primarily of factual news reporting. Petitioner was referred to as an alleged killer or a suspect. One clip, originating from the suspect's neighborhood and shown on Channel 10, the ABC local station, mentioned that the suspect was from a black section of Opa Locka and had marital problems, but reported also that the suspect was liked by his neighbors. The same clip reported that the suspect was described by his neighbors as one who loved children. The clip concluded with the on-scene reporter stating that [e]veryone I talked to said the same thing: 'I can't believe he would do something like this.'  42 Another film that was shown on Channel 10 on July 17th at 6:00 p.m., and 11:00 p.m., reported that a man is in jail charged with a brutal machine-gun slaying. 43 A news story which aired on July 17th on Channel 7, the local NBC affiliate, reported that the suspect surrendered meekly and that WCKT newsfilm showing the suspect's face has been withheld at the request of the Public Safety Department ... until witnesses can try to identify him in a police lineup. 44 Another July 17th newscast referred to the victims as a wealthy Miami industrialist and his wife. Later in the broadcast, the petitioner was referred to as an unidentified black man, the abductor, the kidnapper, and the killer. Describing the capture, the broadcast mentioned that [t]he young black man with his hair in numerous braids seemed relatively unconcerned and even smiled a few times as he was put into a car for a trip to Jackson Memorial Hospital. 45 A newscast which aired on July 17th reported that Thomas Knight was found with a weapon and the money. 46 In a newscast of July 17th it was reported that a few teenage boys said Thomas Knight was nuts, dumb ... but mostly people said he spent time on his car. 47 On July 18th, a news brief reported that [t]he suspect in the Gans kidnap murder is picked out of a lineup and arraigned. The same news show concluded by mentioning that Florida Attorney General Robert Shevin reacted to the kidnap murder today, ... calling on the Supreme Court to reinstate the death penalty. 48 A July 18th newscast show at 6:00 p.m. on Channel 7, the NBC affiliate, focused on the arraignment and stated that [t]he suspect appeared rather nonchalant as he was escorted back to his cell ... Knight appeared in a police lineup and according to Metro Public Safety officials--was positively identified as the man driving around town yesterday in the Gans' (sic) auto. The same newscast also reported that Knight's co-workers say he was basically a loner ... he was also known in the neighborhood as a quiet guy. Knight's arrest record is quite extensive, dating back to 1965 when he was placed on five years probation for a breaking and entering conviction. His (sic) had another bout with police last month when he was arrested and charged with grand larceny. 49 The remainder of the television coverage until September 20, 1974, has been reviewed by the Court. I do not find anything unduly prejudicial to the defendant in this period of television coverage, as whatever scant coverage existed focused on the factual aspects of the crime and not upon the guilt or innocence of Petitioner. 50 Petitioner became newsworthy again when he, along with ten other prisoners, escaped from the Dade County Jail on September 20, 1974. A newsclip that aired on September 20th at 6:00 p.m. reported that police were searching for nine of eleven men who escaped from the Dade County Jail, and that the men were considered dangerous. 51 An editorial shown on Channel 4, the CBS affiliate, on September 20th, complained about the lax security at the jail that allowed eleven prisoners to escape. The editorial mentioned that [O]ne still on the loose is charged with the murder of Sidney and Lillian Gans two months ago ... one of the most frightening crimes in recent local history. 52 Another September 20th newscast described the escape, reporting that 5 prisoners are still at large, including Thomas Knight, the alleged killer of industrialist Sidney Gans and his wife. All are described as extremely dangerous. 53 A newsclip which aired on September 20th at 11:00 p.m., mentioned that Knight might have been the coordinator of the jailbreak. 54 A September 21st newsclip which aired at 11:00 p.m. on Channel 7 reported that [a]mong the 3 inmates still missing is 23-year old Thomas Knight of Opa Locka. Knight is charged with two counts of murder in the kidnap-slaying of wealthy businessman Sydney Gans and his wife. Police say Knight may have been the leader of the escape. At this hour, police have set up a perimeter in the area of N.W. 27th Avenue as Knight was positively identified by 15 customers as the man who held up a food store in the area. 55 Another September 20th newscast reported that the leader [of the jailbreak] and most sought-after one, Thomas Knight, continues to follow his police predicted behavior: elusive and smart. The newscast then briefly described a holdup in which Knight was allegedly involved earlier that day. 56 Another September 21st newscast which aired at 11:00 p.m. on Channel 7 gave a description of the holdup that Knight allegedly committed. 57 While Knight was at large, there was coverage of the escape which featured on occasion Wanted pictures of Knight and brief updates of reported sightings of him. Some of this coverage mentioned in passing the Gans murders, but the Gans murders and the guilt or innocence of Knight therein was not made the focus of the Knight escape reporting. 58 On September 25th a brief mention was made of a $500.00 reward offered to anyone who turned in Thomas Knight. 59 On September 30, 1974, it was twice briefly reported that [t]oday Dade State Attorney Richard Gerstein announced a reward for information leading to Knight's arrest. Gerstein says an anonymous donor has promised 2,500 dollars for information leading to Knight's arrest. 60 On October 16th, it was reported at 11:00 p.m. that Knight had been the subject of an intensive manhunt that day after he was reputedly spotted in South Dade. The newscast reported that Knight is the most sought-after man in Dade County. He's wanted to stand trial for the brutal slaughter of a wealthy Miami couple. 61 On November 13th it was reported on the 6 o'clock news that [t]he Miami FBI office wants accused slayer Thomas Knight placed on the 10-most-wanted list ... He's now wanted by the FBI for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. Georgia officials want Knight in connection with robbery and homicide. An accomplice of Knight's was captured in that case .... 62 On December 31, Channel 4 reported on Knight's capture, stating [w]hen Knight escaped from the Dade County Jail in September, he was described as cunning and vicious. But today, at a federal court hearing in Orlando, he seemed confused and was caught in a simple error. The report also mentioned that [t]he FBI says Knight is wanted for a slaying in Georgia and for several robberies, all of which occurred while he was a fugitive. 63 On January 2, 1975, Channel 7 reported on the transfer of Knight from Orlando to Miami, and stated Knight smiled and made obscene gestures to newsmen as he entered the Dade Jail. Knight was held in solitary confinement in the Orlando jail, and jail attendants said he went in a rampage last night ... tore up be[ds] and he attempted to set the mattress in his c[ell] on fire. The report mentioned in one line the murder of the Ganses and also reported that he is also wanted in Cordele, Georgia, where police say he shot and killed a liquor store clerk during a robbery.The remainder of the television coverage is not remarkable.