Focus on Bomb Suspect Brings Tears and a Plea
Focus on Bomb Suspect Brings Tears and a Plea
1 Barbara Jewell stared into the unblinking eyes of the television cameras she has come to despise and spoke in tears today of how life had changed for her son, Richard, since he was named a month ago as a suspect in the bombing in Centennial Olympic Park. “ Now my son has no real life,” said Mrs. Jewell, a little gray-haired woman, speaking out for the first time since her 33-year-old son was suspected – but never arrested or charged – in the bombing that killed one person and injured 111 others.
2“ He is a prisoner in my home,” Mrs. Jewell said at a news conference this afternoon. “ He cannot work. He cannot know any type of normal life. He can only sit and wait for this nightmare to end.”
3 She begged President Clinton to clear her son’s name and asked reporters to spread the word that her son was innocent of any wrongdoing in July 27 bombing. After her tearful request, her son’s lawyers said they will file civil lawsuits over reporting on the case.
4 Richard A. Jewell, a security guard in Centennial Olympic Park and former sheriff’s deputy, was at first hailed as a hero for discovering the bomb and helping to clear people from the area. The news accounts, including a special edition of the Atlanta Journal, named him as a suspect. Since then, television and news executives have repeatedly debated the intense attention focused on Mr. Jewell, with most deciding that too many people knew he was a suspect for his name to be avoided or suppressed.
5 “ I do not think any of you can even begin to imagine what our lives are like. Richard is not a murderer,” said Mrs. Jewell, and insurance claims coordinator. But she said, “ He has been convicted in the court of public opinion.”
6 Meanwhile, the Jewells continue to be besieged by reporters. “ They have taken all privacy from us,” Mrs. Jewell said. “ They have taken all peace. They have rented an apartment which faces our home in order to keep their
1 Barbara Jewell stared into the unblinking eyes of the television cameras she has come to despise and spoke in tears today of how life had changed for her son, Richard, since he was named a month ago as a suspect in the bombing in Centennial Olympic Park. “ Now my son has no real life,” said Mrs. Jewell, a little gray-haired woman, speaking out for the first time since her 33-year-old son was suspected – but never arrested or charged – in the bombing that killed one person and injured 111 others.
2“ He is a prisoner in my home,” Mrs. Jewell said at a news conference this afternoon. “ He cannot work. He cannot know any type of normal life. He can only sit and wait for this nightmare to end.”
3 She begged President Clinton to clear her son’s name and asked reporters to spread the word that her son was innocent of any wrongdoing in July 27 bombing. After her tearful request, her son’s lawyers said they will file civil lawsuits over reporting on the case.
4 Richard A. Jewell, a security guard in Centennial Olympic Park and former sheriff’s deputy, was at first hailed as a hero for discovering the bomb and helping to clear people from the area. The news accounts, including a special edition of the Atlanta Journal, named him as a suspect. Since then, television and news executives have repeatedly debated the intense attention focused on Mr. Jewell, with most deciding that too many people knew he was a suspect for his name to be avoided or suppressed.
5 “ I do not think any of you can even begin to imagine what our lives are like. Richard is not a murderer,” said Mrs. Jewell, and insurance claims coordinator. But she said, “ He has been convicted in the court of public opinion.”
6 Meanwhile, the Jewells continue to be besieged by reporters. “ They have taken all privacy from us,” Mrs. Jewell said. “ They have taken all peace. They have rented an apartment which faces our home in order to keep their