More on Ed Wendt
One final note on Ed Wendt via ye olde email inbox. His obit is now online, but the historical record offered in addition is worth noting as well. In particular, check who Wendt's lawyer was when he had to defend himself against City Hall ....
Houston Chronicle SAT 06/17/00 Section: A Page: 33 MetFrontCity recognizes reporter's rights in suit settlement
By DEBORAH TEDFORD
StaffThe city of Houston on Friday averted a costly federal trial when City Attorney Anthony Hall acknowledged a Houston journalist's First Amendment privilege - after Mayor Lee Brown refused to do so.
City Councilman Jew Don Boney and Houston police Sgt. Robert H. Jackson also affirmed the news media's contribution to the community.
Jared Woodfill, attorney for journalist Ed Wendt , said the acknowledgments were conditions of the settlement in Wendt 's wrongful arrest lawsuit against the city, Brown, Boney and two police officers.
In a two-paragraph letter to Wendt , Hall wrote that the city values the First Amendment and recognizes the public's right to participate in the governing process.
"And I believe that the right to communicate the happenings of government to those in the general public who do not have the opportunity to participate directly is just as vital to preserving our freedoms," Hall said.
"The city appreciates you and all journalists who are called to service in the community and has a high regard for those who help to make its citizens better informed."
Boney's letter complimented Wendt and the Forward Times newspaper, of which Wendt was news editor, for their contributions to the community.
"While I have sometimes strongly disagreed with the facts and editorial comment, I acknowledge that the Forward Times and you have provided positive contributions to the community over the years," the councilman wrote.
Woodfill said he and city attorneys wrote a letter for Brown to sign saying he recognizes Wendt 's contributions to the community, and noting that the journalist has won local and national awards for reporting.
The letter also said, "I have a great deal of respect for the role of the media in our society and am proud to live in a country that has constitutionally safeguarded the right to free speech."
But Brown refused to sign it, snagging the settlement negotiations until Hall intervened, Woodfill said.
The city also agreed to pay Wendt $15,000 - which Woodfill said would cover Wendt 's legal expenses in successfully fighting the city's illegal trespass charge against him - according to a June 16 letter from Assistant City Attorney John Elsner.
"The mayor didn't have the political courage to stand up for the First Amendment, so he had Anthony Hall, Councilman Boney and Officer Jackson do it for him," said Woodfill.
Elsner deferred comment on the settlement to his supervisors, who were out of town.
Wendt sued the city, Brown, Boney and two HPD officers this year for allegedly being wrongfully arrested because Brown and Boney were angry about his articles criticizing their policies. He also alleged that his First Amendment rights were violated.
Wendt was arrested Feb. 3 , 1998, and charged with criminal trespass after he refused police orders to leave the City Hall during a City Council meeting.
Wendt said he was working on a story about a $12,000 payment Boney's business received from a political action committee, and went to City Hall to photograph Boney during the meeting.
He said Boney threw a disapproving glance in Wendt 's direction and that Brown told him to sit down and be quiet, even though he was seated.
When Wendt left council chambers to conduct an interview in the hallway, he said, two police officers ordered him to halt and threw him up against the wall.
City officials claimed that Wendt was asked to leave because of his belligerent behavior, but a jury cleared him at his trespass trial.
Wendt developed liver cancer and left the Forward Times. He underwent a liver transplant. He could not be reached Friday.