Don't Shoot the Messenger

I’m used to taking heat for the stories I pursue. When you try to right a wrong, expose government corruption or mismanagement, or stand up for the little guy, someone is bound to be upset. But, I have to admit the level of vitriol and personal insults I’m receiving over the Yale Choir story surprises me.

Few people can really quarrel with the facts we’ve reported, but some accuse us of ignoring the “other side”. But, we based our reports on direct witness accounts, police reports, and sources close to the investigation. We also took many steps to try and speak with the young men accused of assaulting the singers – reached some of them, their friends and family over the phone, on e-mail or on the social networking sites. They declined to comment. I visited the Aicardi family in their home the night before we broke the story, and repeatedly explained to Dr. Aicardi and her husband that we needed to hear their perspective. Before I called, their sons hadn’t told them about the incident a full week earlier; they hadn’t told their parents they spent hours speaking with SFPD investigators that very afternoon. By the time our conversation wrapped up, it became clear to the Aicardis that they needed a lawyer – they declined to be interviewed, as did their sons. I’ve checked back in with them several times since our first story aired. The attorney they’ve hired also declines to be interviewed on camera, but we’ve quoted him in our reports. Let me say here definitively – this is a standing invitation for any of the parties involved to be interviewed, or for anyone who has specific, verifiable details of what happened that night.

I’ve developed a thick skin over the years – take what shots you want. But, try to be kind to each other on this blog. Let’s not make this about personal attacks and focus on the issues.

Finally, some question why the young men from Yale and their families are being so public with their complaints. They came to me because of the I-Team's track record of investigating local government. You have to keep in mind that police apparently violated common practices and procedures. They didn’t make any arrests that night, even though they detained four young men who were identified by members of the Baker’s Dozen as assailants. They didn’t interview the detainees or the victims that night, when their memories would be freshest and statements most valuable. Police waited a week to interview the suspects, and almost two weeks to interview the Baker’s Dozen. The singers were in town for three full days after the incident, but police did not approach them. Inspectors had to catch up with them in Southern California, where they went on their concert tour. My point is there are so many unanswered questions about that night and about the investigation as it plods along. We’ll be pursuing all the angles. Stay tuned.

Comments

[lookingfor fame]

No shit, if your identified as an attacker by the media why would you speak with them. Criminal complaints are investigated by the law and fairy reporters. Any attorney worth a dime would not allow their clients to speak to you . How stupid are you Dan Noyes?

[Zandant]

Ken Garcia over at the Examiner seemed to have no problem getting the other side of the story. Your version has been completely one-sided to the point where it appears you are being used by Aziz and his lawyers or Reno Rapagnani and his wife. How will you feel if it turns out that Aziz and his buddies were intoxicated,that Aziz and his actions may have started the confrontation,and that Aziz and the Dozen were willing to take the matter outside when the odds were in their favor?

[SF 4 Life]

Ken Garcia hits the nail on the head with this article.

http://www.examiner.com/a-515113~Ken_Garcia__Politics_bubble_beneath_Yale_Baker_s_Dozen_case.html

[Malone Dikk]

don't shoot the messanger....hahaha what a joke....just like the biased news reporting of Dan Noyes

[Malone Dikk]

by the way everyone should read the article posted by "SF 4 Life" because maybe now people can somewhat see the other side of the story...because abc sure isn't for it

[Skewed]

Oh yeah, Garcia sure nailed this one. He included a single quote (and not even an important quote at that) from an unnamed "department source" to support his take on the story. The rest was speculation and aspersion. I didn't see *any* Q&A with the Aicardi boys or their attorney. Yep, he really took the wind out of Dan Noyes's reporting.

Frankly, you guys sound as one-sided and blind as you accuse Noyes of being. The difference is his story is backed up by facts, recorded interviews, and pictures of the victims' injuries. Yours is backed up by emotional outbursts, cussing, and name-calling.

You know why the parochial thugs won't speak to reporters? Because *they did it*. As a counter-example, look at the Duke students accused of raping the stripper. They came right out and said to the media that was roasting them alive: we're innocent, here's why, and here's the evidence supporting our assertion. It's pretty clear where THAT case is going. So nuts to you're "identified by the media as an attacker" theory.

[Beware of Dunces]

Malone Dikk: "don't shoot the messanger [sic]....hahaha what a joke....just like the biased news reporting of Dan Noyes"

Yet you seem to have nothing better to do with your time than to watch his stories and read his blog. I think we both know where the real joke lies. Still, it's mildly entertaining to watch how your mind works; sort of like visiting the sideshow at the carny.

[Freedom fighter]

Wow Ken Garica actually shows us another side of the story. And to the posts above me according to you facts are Yale kids and their daddies testimonies. Your so ignorant, these rich losers saw they had 16 people and for once in their life were not scared to talk trash, so he tried and of course he got beat up. I seriously doubt the Yalies got beat up, yet didnt provoke whatsoever. And why did no Yalies call the cops on their satellite phones???

Dan Noyes is a joke, and a liar, facts arn't what comes out of a rich Yale kids mouth.

[Malone Dikk]

"Beware of Dunces" why dont you go to New Haven and have a nice little yuppy tea party with the rest of the rich yuppy little choir boys...it sure sounds like you are looking forward to it....but these Yale yuppies got jumped...right? c'mon are you kiddin me? when is the last time you've seen catholic school white boys jump anyone in San Francisco...there was shit talking by both sides...and the Yale yuppies don't know how to fight...so they had to go home and cry to their rich banker daddies for some synpathy from the media

[william smith]

noyes, you’re a pathetic liar and coward. you are lucky that you still have a job on abc. abc was once known for it excellent, unbiased and moderate news stories. however since you began making false claims about a "jumping" all you've done is hurt your reputation as a newscaster as well as hurt the image of abc news. i'm sure that for you this yale attack is just another story. however, for the city families involved all you have done is cause stress, anxiety, depression and anger. you truly don't understand the pain and suffering that you have caused the families and the city. all you have done is make San Francisco look like it’s a dangerous and frightful city. however if you were actually born and raised in this wonderful and beautiful city, you would realize that true san francisians are some of the most friendly people in the world. if you dont believe me just ask any one from another state that has come to visit in san francisco, i'm sure they will agree with me. i think it would be best if you left san francisco and went back east were you belong. i'm sure aziz sr. could find you a job as a banker, after all bankers and now news reporters all have similar qualities such as lying, taking advantages of people and lets not forget having no morals. dan, its about time that you realize that this case is insignificant compared to the important issues of today. how about doing an i-team report on a story where two young children witnessed their parents shot to death? the two young children are forever without their parents. how about trying to find out the killer? those two little children have actually gone through a tragedy. shayir aziz only went through a mutual drunken fight. i don't know if aziz and the yale yuppies will be able to get through their encounter with the white catholic school boys from sh and si. god can only hope that their daddies have enough money and power to get them through this depressing and hard times. Lastly, no one in their right mind is going to tell you the other side of the story because no one can trust you. you'll just bend and twist the story to the point where it makes the yale boys look like angels. if you have any morals and consider yourself a man, you should admit that you were wrong to air this story and apologize to the families and the city. their are going to be lots of facts coming out in the next few days which will tell the real story. you better realize the consequences of your actions and words. you now must realize that not only is the mayor and sfpd upset with you but true native san francisiancs are upset as well. all you did was gain some friends from yale, which is fine if you live and work in new york. however, you live and work in the bay area. your story will only cause you to lose respect and trust in the bay area. i think i speak for san Franciscans when I say please leave and never return

[Lance Louie]

The job of a journalist is to report the situation with an unbiased opinion. Due to the initial reports by Dan Noyes, it appears as if there is an all out attack on his part on the SFPD, the mayor, and the individuals involved. Mr. Noyes, your job as an investigative journalist is to uncover a story and reveal the story to the public that provides a 360 degree view enabling your audience to make their own decision based on information. Yes the information (police investigation) is sketchy at the moment, but you have failed to provide information about the other side. Yes, you've attempted to contact the other side for information but you've failed to balance the sides. You've failed to provide information backing the other side. You haven't said anything about what the Yale students were doing besides singing. Could it be perhaps that they could have engaged in other activities at the party besides singing? You've attacked the mayor, the SFPD, and the individuals involved except for the Yalies. It's very easy to criticize, perhaps you should make this city better by actually doing more than reporting maybe running for mayor or a city official position. It's very easy for me to sit here and criticize you, but I would sure like more unbiased information. Why not get more out of this story rather than blaming everyone? So in a way I guess I'm attacking you and your style of reporting. It's your job to provide an unbiased story, and clearly in my humble opinion you have failed. Hopefully a drop of this gets through your thick skin.

[GLEEGATE SCANDAL]

http://www.examiner.com/a-515113~Ken_Garcia__Politics_bubble_beneath_Yale_Baker_s_Dozen_case.html

It is offensive that Dan Noyes tries to assume the position of an unbiased journalist who is simply "stating the facts." A squabble between young men has transformed into a sort of "Glee-gate Scandal" by Noyes' sensationalist reports. For him to pretend that this report is not outrageously skewed is ridiculous. He knows exactly what he's doing. Quit playing dumb.

http://www.examiner.com/a-515113~Ken_Garcia__Politics_bubble_beneath_Yale_Baker_s_Dozen_case.html

[Miss Spell]

Dear Moderator:

Miss Spell is appalled at the atrocious spelling, horrible grammar, and sloppy usage that pass for discussion on this site. The education system in San Francisco is obviously in a shambles.

You can be assured that Miss Spell will be writing the San Francisco Superintendent of Schools to insist that several participants' high school diplomas be retracted until they satisfactorily complete a remedial English course in summer school.

And don't get Miss Spell's cousin, Miss Behave, started on this thread. She has some choice words to offer on these miscreants' public behavior, I assure you. The next thing you know, she'll be petitioning the school board to have them all put back in kindergarten again until they truly understand the meaning of "play nicely."

For shame.

Yours sincerely,
Miss Spell

[Aboneforyou]

Miss Spell please meet Mr trouser trout.

[CityPrideForever]

I'm just sick of people saying San Francisco is the worst and better yet, most dangerous city in America now. That everything this country revolves around is money and connections. But overall no kid coming from Sacred Heart, or St. Ignatious is honestly a damn thug no matter how hard one fronts to be.

[concerned spelled correctly]

i feel that you (DAN NOYES) ARE biased and have NO business being an investigative journalist. as someone else said before a "gossip columnist for star magazine or US! weekly" maybe... dont give me all this "standing up for the little man" bs. everyone with half a brain knows that when people get in a fight the police simply break it up. if the yale guys lost so bad that they would have left the scene, the cops arent going to go out of their way on one of the busiest nights of the year to find them! thats obvious! the new interview with hunter fairman is not credible since i literally cant count how many times i have seen her passed out drunk or stumbling around at parties, including new years a year ago so i cant believe she would be coherent enough to make any statements. enjoy your 15 mins hunter!!! also dont act like you innocently gave the aicardis a chance to be interviewed. as many know the city is a small place and all natives know natives and stories get around. the way you tricked your way into their house for an interview is shameful! GET OUT OF MY CIY! go report in LA with all the other fake people. or better yet... go report in new haven where you can be close to your beloved FAKER's DOZEN! ps i find it funny to see that you have no friends on your myspace (which is pathetic that you have one at all) and only one on your facebook... loser. by the way i am on a mission to find your personal phone number and address so i can post it on here, which would be ok since you allowed that to be done to the aicardi's... i am done with my angry post that i promised myself i would not do but i guess thats changed... have a good day

[New KGO I-team watcher]

The fact that those who are posting the vitriolic messages want to turn this into an ad-hominem attack, instead of being concerned about the proper workings of city government, indicates their motivation. They are part of a smear-campaign, and the participants are not limited to immature illiterates posting on KGO blogs. On the other hand, the messages are so ridiculous it's possible they are part of some fraternity prank. Anyway, there is no reason to take them seriously. I-team seems to have uncovered a multi-leveled rat's nest. Good for I-team.

[Jon]

We hope that Dan Noyes' thick skin allows himself to apologize for his shoddy, biased "investigation". He's a disgrace to the profession of journalism.

[missionary]

This is hilarious. The westside catholic crowd was caught with its kids altar boy robes hiked up to reveal their pasty white asses, so now it hunkers down to protect one of their own.

It turns out that the San Francisco of SH and SI no longer exists.

Too bad that the implosion of the SFPD and westside white Catholic royalty is costing so many people's lives, limbs and injuries.

But at the end of the day, the SFPD's hubris in playing politics with our safety is about to grind to a screeching halt.

Dan Noyes works for the media. The product the media sells is you to advertisers. Noyes will put on anything that draws your attention nand makes a buck for his station and advertisers.

You're watching, you are interested and for once, the media led by Dan Noyes is challenging the consensus of the elites because there is division amongst them as to Newsom, the SFPD and maintaining the Catholic royalty in positions of power and immunity.

First it was Conroy to go, now with gleegate it will be the prerogatives of the papists.

[crediblebutangry]

The person you interviewed, the new interview (Hunter Fairman) is not credible at all. If you looked on her myspace page, she is clearly an in the clouds, drunk, jessica simpson wannabe. She is part of that rich kid crowd who gets everything. The Bootsy Baker's Dozen deserved what they got and if it was anybody else without that rich privelege then the story wouldnt even be on the news

[sweet william]

It turns out there really is no "i" in team. In I-Team it is supposed to refer to investigating. As more facts emerge about the fight (not attack) that night, it becomes clear to all that the team did not investigate anything. Rather, Noyes simply took the version of individuals whose agenda was to cover their own wrongdoing. Of all the media coverage, only Noyes has mentioned any names and only Noyes went on a crusade to villify this family in the public's view. Noyes' ambition is blinding his judgment, journalism and good taste. And now you hide behind "don't shoot the messenger." You are not the messenger here, Dan. You are the problem.
Question: when did the westside become elite?

[Erika McDonald]

Dan has done an excellent job with this story and all of his reporting. The mean-spirited comments on this blog are clearly by people who care nothing for justice. Perhaps the suspects in this case and their friends are posting the vitriolic comments, since they are the type of people who clearly love to pick fights and engage in acts of violence against other human beings.
As for the Ken Garcia article, everyone knows Ken Garcia is a liar and apologist for corrupt politicians and bad cops. That is why Ken is a columnist and not a reporter. When you are a columnist, you can tell all the lies you want and the newspaper bears no responsibility. What is unfortunate is that the SFPD has so much trouble solving crime in this town. This case is not unique in that regard. Keep up the good work, Dan and the I-Team.

[Be Fair]

What's with all the people bashing Dan Noyes? Even if you don't agree with Dan's reporting, seek the truth and don't jump to conclusions. The Baker's Dozen have already spoken to the police, what about the Aicardis'? Bottom line: if you have nothing to hide and did nothing wrong, why do you need a lawyer?

[be smart]

be fair.... the bakers dozen went to the cops because their parents are making them... the aicardis have also spoken to the police, hello? its an obivous part of an investigation! the aicardis aren't talking to the media to avoid being slandered any more than they already have. theres a difference. since i know the people involved i know that the angry posts are all very accurate, where as the lovey-dovey-dan-noyes-is-awesome posts are the inaccurate ones. wait until after the trial and you will be saying "wow, im an idiot for telling people who had all the facts to get them when i had none!"
peace out

[Old McDonald]

Erika MacDonald,

The SfPD does not have a problem solving crime as you put it. The problem lies with people who don't want to come forward and testify as witnesses to crimes, therefore cases get left open. The fact that you have no clue what you are talking about is evident and to put it more bluntly, you sound like a fool. Stay out of SF's business if you don't have a clue.