Tobias was wrongly associated with charges of burglary and cocaine.Previous entry:
[MA] Firefighter Tobias still on force, now up to attempted murder - NEWTON FIREFIGHTER JEFFREY ALAN TOBIAS HAD A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CHARGE IN 2006, 2 IN 2007, AND NOW ATTEMPTED MURDER. HE'S NOT TAKING RESPONSIBITLITY - HE BLAMES PTSD. HE'S WORKED HIS WAY UP FROM CHARGES OF ASSAULTING HIS WIFE, HER FATHER, AND HER PREGNANT SISTER - TO BEING CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER. WHAT'S NEXT?
Published letter to the editor, sent to me via email today:
TAB incorrectly implicated Jeff Tobias
Letters
Newton TAB,
Tue Jul 29, 2008
We are writing to express our concern about the reporting in a story published in the July 16 TAB. In the story about a Newton firefighter charged with attempted murder, there was very misleading information alleging that this same firefighter, Jeff Tobias, was also implicated in crimes including burglary and cocaine possession. That information appears to have been quoted from an April 2007 Boston Globe story which, when read closely, makes clear that it was two other different firefighters that were involved with the burglary and cocaine charges, not Mr. Tobias.
When a person is facing serious charges, and now public knowledge of those charges, it is careless and irresponsible journalism to sensationalize the tragic situation by suggesting additional involvement in entirely unrelated criminal activity.
We are neighbors of Jeff Tobias and have known him for the past four years. He has devoted himself to service to our country in the Army — including tours in Kuwait and Iraq — and to his community through the fire department. Circumstances of his current legal problems are complex and nuanced, not “black and white.” While the court will have to sort out the facts of the current charges against Mr. Tobias, he certainly deserves a fair trial without further slander of his character by careless journalism.
We expect the TAB will correct the error in reporting in this story.
Thank you.
Michele J. Karel
Mark P. Green
Editor’s note:
The TAB did, in fact, publish inaccurate information about Jeffrey Tobias’ criminal history in the July 16 issue. We thank Ms. Karel and Mr. Green for bringing it to our attention. We regret any suggestion of Mr. Tobias’ involvement in other criminal behavior. [LINK]
Jeffery tobias is a very diturbed man. A man of many faces,it doesn't surprise me that he would have people fooled. He kept his wife in constant fear for her life as well as her children's life. This is not an oustanding servant of the community.He is a coward who is best described as a manipulator. although I feel sympathy for his victim,I thank god every day that my dear friend and her wonderful children are safe and in a healthy environment Ipray he gets help,butI doubt it. A leopard will never change its spots. If you think you know this man,then I feel sympathy for you.
ReplyDeleteI have known of Jeff Tobias for the past two years.
ReplyDeleteWithin conversations with Mr.Tobias, I have discovered his love and concerns of our USA, his proud 17 years of service in the military and including his love of his fire fighting service.
Anonymous claims "coward" yet maybe is a "coward" for not leaving a name to make a stand for the decriptive statement of "coward".
-Mark Leone-