The Oklahoma Publisher Official Publication of the Oklahoma Press Association www.OkPress.com Vol. 86, No. 8 www.Facebook.com/okpress 16 Pages • August 2015 INSIDE McAlester writers win NNA awards OKLAHOMA SUMMER: “A well-stated case about protecting the public rather than gov- See the last fun moments ernment image. Nice,” the judges commented. of summer featured on News-Capital reporter James Beaty received two awards in the newspapers’ front pages. contest. He placed second in the Best Serious Column category PAGE 9 with his entry from December, “Remembering Heroes.” The col- INTERNS: The ONF interns umn chronicled the bravery of McAlester twin brothers Claude write about their experiences at and Clyde Stokes during World War II. Oklahoma newspapers. “Fine, personal piece. Emotional without being maudlin,” the judges said. PAGE 12-13 Beaty also placed third in the Best Review category for his LEGAL TEMPLATES: December piece “Dylan Digs Deep,” which reviewed the “Base- ment Tapes” CD by Bob Dylan. Wilma Newby explains how “There’s a lot of info here, and the piece is a little long. But it’s to build a template for legal jam-packed with details that Dylan fans will revel in and newcomers affidavits. might be interested to learn,” the judges commented. PAGE 14 News-Capital Publisher Amy Johns said the awards demonstrate the talent in the newsroom. DONATE TO ONF to receive Executive Editor Glenn Puit and Senior Editor James Beaty. “I am humbled to be surrounded by such talent,” Johns said. this Will Rogers print. Details at Photo by Kevin Harvison/McAlester News-Capital “The energy and commitment we have to doing good work for our OkPress.com/will-rogers. The McAlester News-Capital was named as a winner in the community is second to none.” National Newspaper Association’s 2015 Better Newspaper Contest. There were 1,413 entries in the Better Newspaper Editorial An editorial by Executive Editor Glenn Puit finished second in Contest. Judging was performed primarily by active community the Best Editorial, Daily & Non-Daily Division, circ. 3,000-5,999. newspaper editors and publishers. Puit’s December 2014 editorial, “Public deserved more information All winners in the contest will be recognized during the NNA’s on inmate walkaway” described how authorities failed to notify the 129th Convention and Trade Show, set for Oct. 1-3 in St. Charles, public about a murder suspect walking away from Jackie Brannon Mo. Correctional Center in McAlester. Longtime Norman Transcript editor retires For more than 35 years Andy Rieger has Rieger joined the copy desk at the Okla- worked for Oklahoma newspapers. homa City Times, moving to police and city The longtime editor at The Norman hall reporting beats and editing a communi- Transcript retired on Aug. 1, after working ty section. He left there to co-found a weekly at his hometown newspaper for more than newspaper in Noble and attend graduate 20 years. school, and then returned once again to The Rieger plans to return to teaching part- Norman Transcript. time at the University of Oklahoma Gaylord He was faculty adviser to OU’s student College of Journalism, as well as pursue newspaper, The Oklahoma Daily, and also some other non-journalism interests and served as chairman of the advisory commit- writing an occasional column or story for tee of the Ethics and Excellence in Journal- The Transcript. ism Foundation. “It’s been a wonderful ride in an industry In 2010, Rieger was inducted into the that changes almost daily,” Rieger said. University of Oklahoma President David Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame. “While news gathering and writing remains Boren, right, congratulates Andy Rieger on his Although Rieger has spent many years virtually unchanged, the delivery platforms retirement. as a journalist, penning thousands of words, and speed are very different today.” he still remembers the day he truly became His knowledge of Norman is legendary and he says it’s been a journalist. It was 35 years ago and Rieger was a young police rewarding to have worked in the community where you have reporter at an Oklahoma City newspaper. He had been following always lived, editing a newspaper that’s as old as the city. His chil- the story of a kidnapped child for a week when word came that she dren are fifth-generation residents of Cleveland. had been found. Readers of The Norman Transcript have read his columns that Rieger sped to the scene for details, then fed coins into a pay offer a personal glimpse into his life. phone to dictate this lead: After graduating from Norman High School, Rieger earned “An unemployed man scavenging for aluminum cans found the bachelors and masters degrees at the University of Oklahoma. young girl kidnapped from her south Oklahoma City home just In high school, he worked at The Transcript as a carrier, mail- before noon today, police said. She was found under a carpet scrap room and switchboard employee; in college, he worked at the on a rural road near Lake Stanley Draper, dirty, cold and hungry student newspaper, The Oklahoma Daily. but very much alive.” 2 The Oklahoma Publisher // August 2015 not legal because a potential juror who “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who expressed doubts about using the death has strengthened me, because He con- penalty was excused. The charges were sidered me faithful, putting me into ser- not refiled. vice; even though I was formerly a blas- In the 11 years Coleman had been phemer and a persecutor and a violent on death row, his case had been heard aggressor,” the scripture states. “And more than 20 times by five different yet I was shown mercy because I acted courts. ignorantly in unbelief; and the grace of In 1987, Coleman was within 36 hours our Lord was more than abundant, with of execution when he won a stay from the faith and love which are found in the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals. Christ Jesus.” But here, three years later, his luck At 12:26 a.m., Coleman took a heavy ran out. breath, followed by a light cough or gasp. His eyes closed and his lips slight- THE 11 OTHER REPORTERS and I select- ly parted. ed to witness and report on Coleman’s The lethal drugs continued to be execution climbed into state Department administered for several more minutes. of Corrections vans and were driven just By 12:30 a.m., Coleman’s face had before midnight to the nearby front gate turned a dark blue. Bearing witness to a death of the state penitentiary. An unidentified doctor then entered We were led into the viewing room the execution room, checked for a heart- It was the only lottery I ever won. COLEMAN WAS SENTENCED TO DEATH about 12:15 a.m. A short time later, cur- beat and said: “I pronounce death at As I recall, there were 99 media rep- Oct. 12, 1979, for the shotgun slaying of tains were pulled back from the window 12:35 a.m.” resentatives registered at the Oklahoma John Seward, 68, of rural Muskogee and we saw Coleman strapped to the State Penitentiary in McAlester to cover County. Seward’s wife, Roxie, 62, also gurney. ONCE OUTSIDE THE PRISON WALLS, I a midnight execution. Eight were guar- was killed, but Coleman was not tried in Covered with a white sheet from stopped the media witnesses and asked anteed a witness seat by state law. Four her death. his feet to his chest, Coleman looked that we review our notes and confirm other reporters were selected by luck of Police believed the couple interrupt- nervous and apprehensive. His tattooed Coleman’s last words. When we deliv- the draw – my name was the first one ed a burglary Feb. 9, 1979, at the home arms were restrained by black straps ered our pool report to the other waiting drawn. of John Seward’s sister and brother-in- and his opened hands were held secure media, I wanted to make sure that we all I would later joke that I couldn’t win law, Delphia and B.L. Warren, who were with white tape, with both palms upward. agreed on the final statement. a new car, only a ride to an execution. away at the time. Coleman refused an offered sedative In front of television cameras, wit- With that kind of luck, I don’t gamble. Coleman was stopped by police later or to have his face covered, officials said. nesses offered their views: The Sept. 10, 1990, execution of con- that day for speeding, and officers found The warden later said Coleman, while “It was very upsetting. My chest victed murderer Charles Troy Cole- the Sewards’ billfolds and custom-cut being strapped down, appeared to be tightened up and I had kind of a tight man attracted national media attention meat from the Warrens’ home in his afraid and shed some tears. throat,” said Jacqueline Scott of United because it would be a new method of pickup. At 12:25 a.m., warden James Saf- Press International. execution – lethal injection. While awaiting trial, Coleman escaped fle ordered, “Let it begin,” and three OETA’s Emory Bryan said, “It was I never wanted or sought to witness from the Muskogee County Jail. Author- unnamed executioners shielded by a like a macabre play.” an execution, but when asked to cover ities said he fled to Luther, where he cut one-way mirror started the fatal delivery “It seemed to me to be an eternity this important news event for The Okla- the throat of a Luther police officer and of drugs into Coleman’s left arm.