Phil

Why don't you all just leave this guy alone. Let the process work it self out in court. Allow him to make a living. I know you all have made some sort of mistake or done things you wish the public never find out.

John Barr

  (1:00 PM)

Phil - What our reporting revealed is that the Dekalb County, Georgia Police -- the same agency charged with investigating the Club Blaze shooting incident -- didn't have all the information until we asked them about certatin things in December. This was a situation where all of the information didn't come out and we felt obligated to present the information that didn't come out. The NEW information was about Pacman's alleged connection to Slugga Morris - the same man Pacman says threatened him after the Vegas shoorting. The NEW information was Marciell Easterling's allegation that Pacman arranged a "hit." That information never came out and, as far as we can tell, was not investigated by police in any meaningful way.

Rosanne Barr (Chicago)

Hi John. Do you think your report directly led to Pacman being released or do you think it just hurried the process along? Thanks.

John Barr

  (1:03 PM)

Nice username Roseanne! I think it hurried the process along. Every indication is Jerry Jones was strongly considering releasing Pacman Jones anyway -- perhaps as part of a larger house cleaning. I think it's fairly clear we upped the timetable. But it's hard to know for certain in the absence of any comment from the Cowboys. But cutting Pacman, of course, it sort of gets them off the hook for having to make a comment. Now they can simply say: "Hey, he's not our player anymore. We have no comment."

Steiny (NYC)

Do you think Adam Jones should play in the NFL next season?

John Barr

  (1:06 PM)

that's not for me to say, Steiny. What I do know is I have many questions I'd like answered. If Pacman wasn't friends with Slugga, for example, why doesn't he produce all of his phone records. Slugga's lawyer says Slugga and Pacman called one another all the time. If, as Pacman says, there's no friendship, seems to me phone records might be a good way for him to prove it.

Steiny (NYC)

What were your thoughts when you saw Stephen A. Smith interview Adam Jones?

John Barr

  (1:08 PM)

No comment! Actually, I thought Stephen A did pretty well, all things considered. Trust me, this is a lot to get your head around. And the simple fact is Pacman's lawyer/agent didn't respond to me. So,if we have an obligation to be fair and get Pacman on tv as well, do we accept that someone else might have to do the interview? That's the question I struggle with as the guy who did the story. In hind sight, I'm okay with how it played out.

Brantt McComb, OH

You keep investigating Adam Jones, how about you start investigating Ray Lewis for his role in a murder. This murder has never been solved and Ray Lewis was there but no threat of investigation by OTL what a disgrace.

John Barr

  (1:10 PM)

Geez, Brantt, you must REALLY not be reading all these ill-advised posts about us dredging up old news! How about I go back and figure out the O,J, case too! All kidding aside, we have no plans to investigate the Lewis case, which was at leasted heard in open court -- unlike the Pacman situation.

Alex (LA)

John, what makes you say, "Yeah, I've got to research and report on this"? I am extremely curious to see what intrigues a investigative sports reporter! You have to admit, you are not in a largely populated field.

John Barr

  (1:13 PM)

Alex, Great question. What motivated us in this case is that there's a guy named Tom Urbanski ( a victim in the Minxx shooting case) who very likely will never walk again. Some pretty smart people -- far smarter than me -- think the story Jones told Vegas police doen't add up. I'm not here to say it dod or didn't one way or another. But I feel like I owe it to Tom Urbanski and our viewers to do my best to get at the truth. That's what it's all about.

tre (washington)

How long have you been working on this story?

John Barr

  (1:14 PM)

Tre - On and off for a year plus... Plenty of other assignments pulled us away for long periods but we reported it for many months...

jason (nebraska)

you need to work on the bcs system and the playoff system

John Barr

  (1:15 PM)

I leave that to the President Elect!

Svoboda6(chicago) [via mobile]

Pacman seemed pretty confident about a return to the nfl in 09 with the cowboys, could jerry jones made a under the table with jones

John Barr

  (1:17 PM)

Hmmm. Are you suggesting Jerry Jones cut Pacman only to let this blow over so that he could then re-sign the guy? Interesting theory. You may want to dial back on the Oliver Stone movies! Seriously, though, nothing would surprise me at this point. I would not be shocked if Jones plays again next year.

Steiny (NYC)

Do you believe that Slugga Morris, tried to extort Jones after the first Vegas strip clubs shooting?

John Barr

  (1:18 PM)

Steiny - What I believe is not important and I will never divulge it, even under threat of torture!

Terry (Phoenix)

Do you now feel that all the facts in this case are out there? what more do we need to know?

John Barr

  (1:20 PM)

We need to know why the Dekalb county police didn't know about Marciell Easterling's statement until we called them about it 14 MONTHS after Easterling made the statement. We need to see phone records for Slugga Morris and Pacman and to establish whether they did talk all the time, especially before and after the Club Blaze shooting. If, as Easterling suggests, Slugga called Pacman the day after the Club Blaze shooting to collect, seems to me a phone record would indicate that. So far we have no records.

Jeff Fisher (angry in Nashville)

John, can you do an OTL report on why the officials screwed us Saturday?

John Barr

  (1:21 PM)

I feel for you man! Jeff Fisher is one of the best guys I've come across as far as NFL coaches.

PJones (Nashvegas)

john you know my number and my agents if u want to talk u know how to reach me

John Barr

  (1:22 PM)

there's always one in every crowd!

Marvin Harrison (Philly)

John, are you going to investigate me next?

John Barr

  (1:22 PM)

or maybe two!

Earl, Saint Louis, Mo

What do you know about Marciell Easterling? and these other clowns? I know these guys and they are not the trust worthy sort

John Barr

  (1:26 PM)

Earl, there's no doubt Easterling is a rough character, That's putting it mildly. I would just remind you, and everybody, that his immunity deal falls apart if he lies. About anything. And if his deal falls apart he very likley will go to jail for the rest of his life. Is he an admitted killer? Yes. Does he have every motivation to tell the truth? You could make a case he does. It's fair, and smart, to question Easterling. I just wish the police investigating this Club Blaze shooting case would talk to him and make their own judgment as to whether he's credible.

Frank (Florida)

What about an OTL report on the economy and it's effect on sports?

John Barr

  (1:27 PM)

good idea. Any tangible examples?

Svoboda6(chicago) [via mobile]

You might be right on about the Oliver Stone movies. But that kind of move would seem like something a guy like Jerry Jones would make. Cowboys teams have never been known for there character right. Pacman just seemed too confident during both of his interviews

John Barr

  (1:28 PM)

He may know something we don't. As I said, nothing would surprise me.

Frankie (LA)

You run thugs and you'll get treated like a thug. Has Pacman changed his friends so to speak or is he still hanging around the thugs he was hanging out with before? Any word on this?

John Barr

  (1:30 PM)

Well, our reporting didn't get into his association with others but lets jsut say we have information that Mr. Jones hasn't exactly been running around with Eagle scouts.

Mike (AZ)

Yeah John, why don't you not do your job and let athletes continue to stay above the law? What were you thinking trying to bring the facts to the table!

John Barr

  (1:31 PM)

I loev it. A guy whose sarcasm approaches my own!

PlaxB(NYC) [via mobile]

Why haven't you been involved only investigation?

John Barr

  (1:32 PM)

I've been on Pacman and a few other stories... Not sure who is looking more into the Plax situation...

Joseph Goodwill (asburn, Va) [via mobile]

Although I am not a Pacman Jones fan I totally disagree with the feeling you seem to have that you must report on all information publicly. Sometimes there is good reason info isn't released publicly, it's the same with government infoRmation. I hope someday someone finds out some info you didn't want released and you too lose your job "because someone was doing their job." the joke used to be all lawyers were scum, but you are helping further the cause that journalists have taken over that honor!

John Barr

  (1:34 PM)

Ladies and gentlemen - please note the flattering opinion of the media! Wow!

Kevin (Houston)

How does Robert Langford sleep at night knowing he represents scum like pacman? Or does he just collect his paycheck and smile?

John Barr

  (1:35 PM)

Oh, I get it, so the media is not the only "scum." Whew... I was confused for a minute there!

Quinn (San Diego)

I know it's not technically a sport, but would you ever be interested in investigating all of the deaths of professional wrestlers (many at very young ages)?

John Barr

  (1:36 PM)

My son might disagree with your analysis of pro wrestling! That's actually a great story. I've seen some reporting on it... but probably not enough.

Jmerms (NYC)

Hey John, Whats going on with Pacman is he telling the truth or not? Did you think that "Slugga" Would lie about this subject?

John Barr

  (1:38 PM)

You could make a case -- as Pacman's lawyer does -- that Slugga has motivation to lie. After all, he's the guy behind bars, right? He may need to cut a deal and give somebody up to save his own backside. That's why I say phone records would go a long way in bringing more light on this subject.

Mike (NY, NY)

What is the benefit to revisting these incidents? The courts, the NFL and each team (Titans and Cowboys) investigated the circumstances and facts surrounding the many allegations and incidents involving Pacman. If the authorities or the league have not found evidence incriminating Pacman of further wrongdoing, why is ESPN engaging in a no-beneficial witchhunt of Pacman. And furthermore, who cares? Pacman is a screw up. We all know that. I dont need another story from OTL that may or may not be true to confirm what we all know about Mr. Jones.

John Barr

  (1:41 PM)

Mike, if you think the NFL and the Cowboys are fully investigating these incidents, I have a call waiting for you from the tooth fairy. Get real! THE POLICE haven't even fully investigated this case, or haven't you been following along!

Scott (Indy)

How many hours does a story like this take to put together?

John Barr

  (1:42 PM)

Try how many months as your starting point. We worked on this for many months.

Jmerms (NYC)

Did you guys think your story is accurate?

John Barr

  (1:44 PM)

We would not have aired it (nor would our attorneys have allowed us to) if we thought otherwise!

mikol oceanside ca [via mobile]

Hey John, You would think a million dollar athlete would be able to stay out of trouble considering they're making millions, why do you think pacman can't stay out of trouble?

Ethan (NY, NY) [via mobile]

Allegedly Adam Jones had a gun with him in the club. The video clip on OTL showed security guards searching patrons for illegal weapons as they walked in. The clip cuts off as soon as Adam Jones walks to the front. Do you know whether or not he was searched? And if he was, would the club be responsible for allowing Pacman to walk in with an illegal weapon?

John Barr

  (1:50 PM)

Yes, he was searched for weapons. What we reported in our online story is that when Pacman left the club, according to a former security guard, he said "F - this! I'm going to my car to get my gun." Now, nobody ever say Pacman with a gun. And shortly after he made that comment, according to the former security guard, Pacman was asked to leave... and by all accounts he did leave. Also, just to put it out there one more time, nobody is saying Pacman's vehicle was at the shooting scene. BUT the shooting victims have identified the vehicles involved in the shooting as matching those they saw members of Jones' entourage loading into moments before.

Scott (Indy)

Why do you think society casts a suspicious eye towards attorneys and reporters? I mean, they are just defending the individual and reporting on it, right?

John Barr

  (1:51 PM)

spoken like an attorney or reporter! Right on Scott!

Josh(Butler,TN)

John, If Tony Dungy is steeping down as colts head coach. Do you think he will be in the hall of fame.

John Barr

  (1:55 PM)

Another off topic but... boy I sure hope so. You won't meet a more decent, approachable guy.

Chris (FL)

I think a lot of people are jumping to conclusions here. Pacman, like every other US citizen, is innocent until proven guilty. Just because he has prior offenses doesn't change that.

John Barr

  (1:57 PM)

Chris, you could not be more right and we never said otherwise!

gesus charlotte nc [via mobile]

do these guys get paid to be on OTL? if so don't they have everything to gain by selling lies on jones?

John Barr

  (1:58 PM)

We never pay anyone. EVER. Period. Never have. Never will.

Scott (Indy)

I assume that some topics of reporting carry grudges if something not so flattering is written about them. Have you had any really bad experiences with that? How bad does it get?

John Barr

  (2:02 PM)

I'm sure Jones and his people aren't terribly happy with us. They've already threatened to sue us. And that's happened before. It's all the more reason to re-double efforts to get the story right. We didn't solve any criminal case here. That's not our job. But it is our job to raise questions, even when those questions aren't terribly popular. Have I ever been threatened by people with bodily harm? No. Threatened with lawsuits? Sure. That's usually a sign we're doing our job.

Steiny (NYC)

John thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. I really appreciate it. I enjoyed watching Outside The Lines this weekend and I think you guys did a great job on the Adam Jones story. Keep up the great work.

John Barr

  (2:05 PM)

Steiny, the fifty bucks is in the mail! Seriously, I apprecaite your feedback -- good, bad and indifferent. Time for me to check out and go get some other work done. As for my next assignement - Stay tuned!