The Worcester DA’s office has not traditionally been a bastion of media accessibility. Under the long reign of former DA John Conte, interviews were a step short of verboten. Even under the much more media-savvy and friendly Joe Early Jr. (and media relations guru, former Telegram journalist Tim Connolly), it’s generally been a very “just the facts ma’am” administration.
But the Nathaniel Turner case is different, having captured state and national attention for its inherently profound tragedy and senselessness. Already, the case has sparked a renewed effort by some legislators to reestablish the death penalty in Massachusetts.
Indeed, there was a media frenzy at Tuesday’s arraignment, with print and broadcast outlets staking out courthouse exits hoping for a glimpse of the family after the hearing, and a pool video feed being supplied by WBZ.
What was odd about Tuesday was not the frenzy, but the manner in which the press was invited and welcomed in by the DA. In a bit of a departure from the norm, Early issued a press release early in the week announcing the arraignment and a proceeding press conference. It was the first time in his tenure Early had ever sent out a release about an arraignment, according to multiple members of the local media. Ironically, the release came almost exactly seven years after the murder of Candace Scola, a case that has long frustrated the media for the lack of news.
Everything at the courthouse on Tuesday was arranged for the press, including a removal of all other cases to another court room and a reservation of the grand jury room for the press conference. This was despite the fact that there was little more for Early to say other than the already widely reported chronological facts.
It’s too early to tell whether Tuesday represented a new direction for the DA’s office or merely a recognition of the significance of the Schuler trial, and the fact that, at least until the trial is over, there’s going to be a lot more attention on the DA’s office and its handling of the case.
