talk.politics.misc

/metro/content/metro/stories/2007/08/29/

Richard Jewell found dead in home
Olympic security guard suspected but cleared in bombing

By MIKE MORRIS, JEFFRY SCOTT
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 08/29/07

Richard Jewell, the former security guard once suspected of the
Centennial Olympic Park bombing — then cleared — died at his home
Wednesday morning in Woodbury.

For the past three years, Jewell, 44, worked as a deputy sheriff for
the Meriwether County Sheriff's department, said Sheriff Steve
Whitlock. He said Jewell had been out on medical leave.
Richard Jewell

Map data ©2007 Tele Atlas - Terms of Use

Woodbury in Meriwether County
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Meriwether County coroner Johnny Worley said Jewell's wife, Dana,
discovered him unconscious at about 10:30 . Worley said an autopsy
would be performed by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to determine
how Jewell died, but there was "no suspicion of foul play.

"He had been having some pretty serious medical problems," Worley
said.

He said Jewell had been diagnosed with diabetes in February and had a
couple of toes amputated. "He had been going downhill ever since,"
Worley said.

Whitlock described Jewell as "a good officer. A go-getter."

"You know how they say people live their work. Richard ate and drank
his job. He loved it," Whitlock said.

Jewell was initially lauded as a hero after a bomb went off on July
27, 1996, during an Olympic celebration in Atlanta. He called
attention to the suspicious knapsack that held a bomb and helped
evacuate the area.

Days later, he became the FBI's chief suspect, as The Atlanta Journal
Constitution and other media outlets reported. The FBI cleared Jewell
of any wrongdoing. He was never charged with a crime.

Eric Robert Rudolph pleaded guilty to the bombing in 2005 and is
serving life in prison for it and other attacks.

After he was cleared, Jewell sued the AJC and other media outlets for
libel, arguing that their reports defamed him. Several news
organizations settled, including NBC and CNN.

The Journal-Constitution did not settle. The newspaper has contended
that at the time it published its reports Jewell was a suspect, so the
articles were accurate. The newspaper also has asserted that it was
not reckless or malicious in its reports regarding Jewell. Much of
Jewell's case was dismissed last year. One claim, based on reports
about a 911 call, is pending trial.

However, Jewell's death Wednesday "is not a day to consider lawsuits,
rather a day to pay respect," said John Mellott, AJC publisher.

"Richard Jewell was a hero, as we all came to learn," Mellott said.
"The story of how Mr. Jewell moved from a suspect in the Centennial
Park bombing to recognition as a security guard who averted a greater
tragedy is one The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has reported fully
even as it defended itself in a libel suit brought by him."

A year ago this month, Jewell was commended by Gov. Sonny Perdue at an
event marking the 10th anniversary of the bombing.

"The bottom line is this: His actions saved lives that day," said
Perdue. "Mr. Jewell, on behalf of Georgia, we want to thank you for
keeping Georgians safe and doing your job during the course of those
Games."

Jewell, his voice choked with emotion, responded:

"I never sought to be a hero. I have always viewed myself as just one
of the many trained professionals who simply did his or her job that
tragic night. I wish I could have done more."

— Reporter Rhonda Cook contributed to this article.

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talking
about wiretap, it requires -- a wiretap requires a court order.
Nothing has
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we're
talking about getting a court order before we do so"
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