Irresponsible Reporting

On August 31, 2021, I read a newspaper article from the San Diego Union Tribune that had been published on August 16, 2021. The article was entitled Exonerated Carlsbad Man and Police Collaborating on $50,000 Reward to Solve 1978 Murders. A week or two before this I had learned about RDK putting up a $50,000 reward for “new information that results in the conviction of the person or persons who murdered Rhonda Wicht and her son Donnie, November 11, 1978, in Simi Valley, California.”

The reporter interviewed RDK, XCV and the chief of the police. Instead of just reporting on the main topic of the interview the reporter chose to attack Rhonda’s character and state an outright lie. She said, “…on the night of Nov. 10 when Wicht was partying in her apartment with up to five men.” I consider this irresponsible reporting and just plain cold-hearted.

I spoke to a detective involved in the current investigation as well as a detective involved in the original investigation in 1978 and both assured me there was no proof of Rhonda having anyone in her apartment the night before the murder, partying or otherwise!

Once again this is proof of tabloid reporting on the part of this journalist for ratings instead of reporting the truth. Journalists like her attack the victim, especially if they are deceased and unable to speak for themselves and in turn make the perpetrator the victim. As I’ve said before, most media aren’t interested in the other side of the story because it’s not nearly as interesting or popular as RDK’s story.

Unfortunately this isn’t the first time the media has attacked Rhonda’s character. Back in 1978 a local Simi Valley newspaper, The Mirror, also chose to make Rhonda look like a “loose” woman (my words) because she had been with another man other than RDK. In 2017 about the time RDK was getting released from prison an article mentioned Rhonda having multiple partners (I wish I could remember where I read that but I can’t and was unable to find it). And now this article stooped to this accusation as well.

I wonder if RDK or XCV happen to mention the issue with RDK’s mental state back in 1978. Did she read the testimonies of those who encountered RDK’s odd behavior in 1978? Did RDK or XCV happen to mention that RDK’s story in 1978 as to how that semen stained t-shirt came to be in his apartment has now changed to having been planted evidence in his request for clemency (which resulted in his pardon in 2017)? Funny nobody has mentioned how that story changed.

I am writing a letter to that journalist to tell her all this and a bit more. She may not have chosen to ask for my opinion but by stating lies about Rhonda’s character she will now hear my comments. I will let her know that I am the only voice left to speak for Rhonda and Donnie and I will not tolerate defaming my sister’s reputation. She has done what so many other journalists have done to victims, degrading their character to empower themselves. I hope in the future this journalist will be more responsible in her reporting. People matter more than ratings.

If you would like to know real names for the acronyms just email me, or just have any questions I will be more than happy to respond: RandDjustice@gmail.com

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