Hi Joanne2.

You are mistaken to compare the news coverage overkill for Natalee with that of the New Yorkers who were murdered.

In the initial posting, cdt got it right when he/she stated: "It will be interesting to see how the media weigh the relative values of these two stories." Point being that the coverage indicates the 'value' of the story rather than the value of the individuals.

No one and no family should have to experience such tragedy.

Regards,

mm

Relative news values

Author: cdt
Date: 06/17/2005, 09:05 am
AP reported today that two visitors from NYC were shot and killed on St. Thomas Wednesday. Police described them as black and said they were on the island to attend a wedding.

More info. is available from the VI papers (VI Daily News or onepaper.com). But I'll bet this will get a heckuva lot less attention than the continuing saga on Aruba.

It will be interesting to see how the media weigh the relative values of these two stories.



.........and 800 murders on the island of Jamaica (35 per week) and we read nothing of that either.
Even their political opposition leader calls the island the "murder capital of the World"

I choose not to get into the debate about crime in the islands, but perhaps there is less closure in the Natalee Holloway story as there is no body as of yet. Any parent wants to find their child. It just seems to have turned into a media circus there. I just went back and read the thread again echo tuxedocats thoughts.

Heard from a very reliable source that an arrest has been made in the double homicide in St. Thomas. Hopefully we will soon know what happened.

RL

Ron - that is good news. Hopefully there will be justice for such a tradegy.

They have arrested two brothers in the shootings. There was a witness at the scene that saw them. One is 20 and the other 17.

RonUSVI: was there anything on a motive? The victims' money and credit cards weren't taken so it wasn't a robbery.

"Officer Mario Stout, who testified at the hearing, added that the witness allegedly saw Hart and his brother approach Charlier and Roberts to ask for some money. According to the witness, when Charlier and Roberts refused, Hart and his brother shot them multiple times, then fled the scene."

From St Thomas Source newspaper: http://www.onepaper.com/stthomasvi/?...p;p=1105685832

Such a terrible thing. I am so sorry for you and your family.

Victimfamily, my deepest sympathies to you and all of your loved ones. I'm sure it is small comfort to have these young men arrested. It is such a senseless crime in light of the facts coming to light. If these guys are indeed the perpetrators, I hope the USVI punishes them to the fullest extent of the law. If they really want to protect tourism, they need to demonstrate that there is zero tolerance for violent crime.

"If they really want to protect tourism, they need to demonstrate that there is zero tolerance for violent crime."

Tuxedo, I do believe that by the way this was diligently investigated and reported, that they definately are sending a message about this. Hopefully their diligence will continue.

RL