Q: Why has the Ross Harris trial generated so much media attention? There are other parents who have been guilty of this negligence, but I don’t recall all this publicity for them.
—Margo Griffith, Suwanee
A: Harris' trial has generated national attention because of the nature of the crime and the "sensational details" attached to it.
Those include the allegations of Harris sexting with minors and searching for terms like “child-free” and “how to survive in prison” on the Internet, Rachel Stockman, the senior editor of LawNewz.com, told Q&A on the News in an email.
Investigators say Harris also researched “hot car deaths.”
“I think many people have an emotional connection to the young boy, and are trying to understand how something so horrific could have occurred,” she wrote.
Stockman is a former reporter for Channel 2 Action News. LawNewz.com covers high-profile cases and streams trials.
It is providing regular updates on the Harris trial.
“The Justin Ross Harris case has garnered national attention, which has made it increasingly difficult during jury selection,” Stockman wrote. “It seems that everybody has made up their mind as to whether or not Justin Ross Harris is guilty or innocent.”
In addition to facing murder and cruelty to children charges in the death of his 22-month-old son, Cooper, in June 2014, Harris also has been charged with two counts of sexual exploitation of children and six of disseminating harmful material to a minor in relation to his sexting.
Q: What was the first year Masters participants were allowed to use their own caddies as opposed to using Augusta National Golf Club caddies?
—David A. Manecke, Mableton
A: The Masters Tournament in 1983 was the first year that golfers could use outside caddies.
Andy Johnston with Fast Copy News Service wrote this column. Do you have a question? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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