New Mexico House Candidates Father at Center of Unsolved Murder Case
Jack Volpato’s father was convicted of wife’s murder, but later cleared when reluctant witness came forward
Posted Aug 7, 2017 9:21 AM
Kyle Stewart
New Mexico pharmacist Jack Volpato followed in his father’s footsteps in a number of ways. Both worked as pharmacists before entering small-town politics.
But while the elder Johnny Volpato became most known as a figure in the notorious murder case of his own wife, son Jack hopes to make a name for himself with a successful run for Congress.
Jack Volpato declared his candidacy for the Republican primary in New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District. Rep. Steve Pearce is vacating the seat to run for governor.
The Volpato name is well known in New Mexico for the unsolved murder of Jack’s mother, Elaine. She was shot four times in a Volpato pharmacy late one night in February of 1980. Police eventually arrested Johnny Volpato for his wife’s killing and he was convicted of first-degree murder.
More:
http://www.rollcall.com/news/politics/new-mexico-jack-valpato-murder-steve-pearce
= new reply since forum marked as read
Not only is it not about the guy whose picture dominates the article and who dominates the headline, it goes on to say (after the snip in the OP) that his father was wrongly convicted and later released.
Still, many readers will think the article's story about the murder and conviction involve the most prominent person mentioned, the (R) candidate.
Others will be offended that he "stood by" his father during the trial and wrongful conviction because nobody should defend somebody who's accused. Accusations are sufficient proof for some people, in some instances. (In others, the conviction itself is meaningless without the need for a witness to come forward and say, "Nah, couldn't have been him, he was someplace else at the time."
This is news that rushes towards the "fake news" border at break-neck speed with the reader in tow, then swerves out of the way at the last second. The reader may not even notice that when he comes to a stop he's in fake-news territory. It's misleading--a cursory read gives false results, a close read doesn't.
