Common_Sense's Blog

I've been following the story on WKYC about Hope Steffey, the woman who was arrested and "strip searched" (according to WKYC). WKYC's slogan is "Report the Facts. Respect the Truth." Yet, they are doing neither in this twisted, slanted story. They are pandering to the plantiffs in a civil lawsuit, and they are smearing the Sheriff's Office. I hope the sheriff sues WKYC.

The FACTS and the TRUTH: Police were called regarding a family fight. When they arrived, they began to interview the parties.  Hope Steffey then provided the officers with "her" indentification...which was determined to be her dead sister's driver's license.  Providing false ID is a crime.  When the officer refused to return the license, Steffey ATTACKED him and tried to take the license from him.  She became abusive and hysterical.  She refused to calm down, and was arrested for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.

Upon reaching the jail, Steffey continued to scream and shout demands.  As is routine, deputies asked Steffey if she had thoughts of hurting herself.  Steffey replied something to the effect of "now or later?"

As is policy in virtually EVERY jail in America, if a prisoner even hints that they may be thinking of harming themselves, they are put on "suicide watch."  "Suicide watch" means that their clothing is removed, and they are put into a special cell with absolutely nothing they can use to jarm themselves.  They are then observed every few minutes and the visits are logged.  This policy has reduced jail suicides to virtually none.

Steffey was asked to disrobe.  She refused.  Women deputies then attempted to disrobe her.  Steffey violently resisted to the point that the female officers asked for assistance from male officers.  Steffey was then placed into the suicide watch cell.

WKYC continues to claim that Steffey was "strip searched."  That's a complete lie.  WKYC continues to call Steffey a "victim."  Steffey changed her status from victim to suspect when she provided a fake ID and then attacked a police officer.

WKYC quotes Steffey, her husband, and their attorney as if their word is gospel...while brazenly accusing the sheriff's office of lying.  Thanks to the support of WKYC, the Steffey's and their ambulance-chasing lawyers are hoping to profit from Steffey's tantrum via a lawsuit against the county.

WKYC's reprehensible twisting of this story is why in polls people put the integrity of the news media below even that of personal injury lawyers.  This is pure sleazy sensationalism coupled with lies being foisted off on the public by WKYC. 

In order to keep the "story" going and cause as much damage as they can, WkYC is trying to get the U.S. Justice Department and the state Attorney General involved.  I call that "creating the news."  Pure sleaze.