Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: The News Leader Entry Title: 33 years for an unloaded BB gun; one-man police force Entry Credit: Brad Zinn Judge Comment: Three strong stories in this entry, particularly the two on the mandatory minimum sentence of 33 years for 15-year-old. Reporters can gain a lot of traction by getting someone to trust them, an clearly the reporter has done that. Well written, good color and scene-setting of prison and the backstory of his troubled youth. Well done.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: Martinsville Bulletin Entry Title: Public safety articles by Bill Wyatt Entry Credit: Bill Wyatt Judge Comment: Good breaking news coverage on fatal shooting. Star of the entry is the detailed report into the frustrated prosecutor in story of husband shooting his wife. You can almost hear the frustration from him, while also painting the difficult picture of a chaotic scene.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: Northern Virginia Daily Entry Title: Charles Paullin Public Safety Writing Entry Credit: Charles Paullin Judge Comment: None
