Michael Berry Accoused Of A Hit And Run Charges Comming

[DJboutit3]

I just saw this on the news this is not good for him

http://www.click2houston.com/news/Police-watch-bar-video-in-hit-and-run-probe/-/1735978/8784614/-/fb6y59z/-/index.html

[TheSpinMan]

I listened to his opening monologue this morning, he certainly raised more questions than he answered in his usual "I am the victim here" screed. He never once mentioned the situation directly.  I would really like to here his explanation of what he was doing there, given that he is caught on video tape as being there. Someone in the Houston Police Department seems to be looking out for him, they sure are dragging their foot on the investigation. DUI Leaving The Scene, is what it looks like to me.

Why is it that the conservatives always get caught up in these sexual messes?

[Drucifer]

OH MY! Say it ain't so  

Michael Berry in a gay bar? Doesn't he loathe gays?  

[rageradio]

Isn't it usually those that are so vocal and viciously stand against something.. such as homosexuality. 9 times out of 10 they themselves are hiding something? Just saying

[Drucifer]

Anytime you get up on a soapbox or in this case a radio show, people are going to look for that "gotcha" moment. That being said, Michael Berry at a gay bar in Montrose is just priceless on so many levels. Hypocrite? Time will tell but there is a lot to answer for here. The former City Councilman has friends at City Hall and in the H.P.D. but with video proof and a television station breathing down their necks, it's hard to see how Berry and Clear Channel Houston will be able to spin their way out of this one.

[bturner]

It will be interesting to see how all of this plays out.  I have always been amazed at how much control the media has with the power of suggestion.  One could broadcast that the sky is really green and not blue, saying it is the color we see because of the way our eyes filter light and many would never question it but take it as fact because it was broadcast.

My position is not molded at this point.  I do not yet have a position.

I have questions. Is KPRC the only one reporting this?  How does KPRC connect to media ownership?  If the video is 'open and shut', why no charges?  Is the DA waiting for some reason or trying to solve this with the most economical option?  Are we holding Michael's radio persona to be his real personality?  Is this 'incident' related to something we might never know?  Does anyone have anything to gain by this story coming to light?  Are things really as they seem?

My opinion on the radio talk show host is he is doing what he needs to do to get the ratings he needs to keep his job.  I read nothing else into his on air work.  Likewise, I see KPRC doing what it needs to do to maintain its ratings.  I read nothing else into this.  Am I implying Michael is different on air than off air?  Yes and no.  I do not personally know him.  Am I saying KPRC would risk a story that might hurt their integrity?  No, not intentionally.  A newsman I thought was wise once told me the truth is not always the truth.  Sometimes an open and shut case of 'truth' turns to a 'lie' over time as further research proves the 'truth' to not be what it seems.

So, I wait, watch and hold off on molding my position as all of this begins to play out.  It should be interesting at the very least.  Most interesting to me will be how upper management of all parties reacts.  Who will demand it stop now regardless of the outcome?

[DToTheJ]

The million dollar question is, has News 92.1 reported this yet? 

[FilioScotia]

****Is KPRC the only one reporting this?  How does KPRC connect to media ownership?***

KPRC TV is owned by the Post-Newsweek Corporation, which owns TV stations all over the country. It has no connection with KPRC Radio.

As for whether News92 is using the story, personally I hope not. If I was still directing news I wouldn't use it. As someone who made news judgement decisions every day for years, I don't think a minor "failure to stop and give information (FSGI) accident where no one was injured is especially newsworthy, even if it's a former city councilman.

BTW-FYI: This story is in the Chronicle Online.

http://blog.chron.com/newswatch/2012/02/bouncer-claims-michael-berry-rammed-vehicle-at-gay-club/

[Drucifer]

KTRH has pulled both it's Facebook fan page and Michael Berry's Facebook fan page. Here is the crash report from Houston police:

http://www.click2houston.com/blob/view/-/8784170/data/3/-/1575xo9/-/Berry-Ax-PDF-pdf.pdf

[FilioScotia]

If this accident happened as has been presented on KPRC and in the Chron, it's probable that the worst thing Berry can be charged with is FSGI - Failure to Stop and Give Information to police and/or the owner of the car he hit.

I could be wrong, but I'm guessing he didn't stick around to talk to cops because had probably had a few drinks, and he knew he would fail a sobriety test and be charged with DWI. Since it happened two weeks ago, the night of January 31st, any alcohol evidence of DWI is gone, and I don't think they can charge him with DWi, which leaves only misdemeanor FSGI.

Typically, with first offense FSGI, and we don't know if it was his first, if he had driven to a police station and turned himself in the judge might give him deferred adjudication, a suspended sentence or probation, along with fines and restitution.

The apparent fact that Berry didn't turn himself in, and police had to go looking for him, doesn't bode well for him. He doesn't seem to be showing many signs of remorse or contrition. Judges frown on that.

Yes, I would say that Mr. Berry is in some deep doo-doo, and it's getting deeper by the day. He has only himself to blame for it.