Editor listens to complaints on article

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Her front pager on the criminal histories of City Grill victims outraged members of Buffalo's black community. Wednesday night, Buffalo News Editor Margaret Sullivan heard their complaints loud and clear.

Danyell Mackin's mother-in-law, Cheryl Stevens, said, "We want an apology."

It was a tough crowd for Margaret Sullivan. 300 people were at True Bethel Baptist Church, most of them angry at the Buffalo News Editor's decision to publish a front page story reporting that seven of the eight shooting victims from City Grill had criminal records. The victim's relatives spoke out.

"What you did to us was poured salt on the wound that had not even healed," said Stevens.

Willie McCaa's aunt, Rite McCaa, said, "The damage is done. You painted a picture saying they deserved this. These are the type of people that this happens to."

Tiffany Wilhite's father, Ray Wilhite, said, "What does the public have a right to know? That she was a human being, that she was my child, that I love her with all my heart, and I did not judge her!"

Then came Sullivan's chance to speak.

"There is nothing in that article that suggests that the victims deserved anything bad to happen to them. There was nothing," said Sullivan.

She said she's a parent herself.

Sullivan, "I am very sorry that the news has caused your pain to be deeper."

But Sullivan says if she had to make the decision again, "I have to be honest with you, it would be not entirely different, but would be substantially different, and you have affected me in what you've said."

Sullivan feels the criminal records were relevant facts. She admits the timing was unfortunate, the day after some funerals, but says, "When we have information, we don't withhold it."