Murder in Sawmills is about the trial of a man from Sawmills, N.C., named Jerry Anderson. Anderson is charged with the first-degree murder of his wife, Emily Anderson. She was reported missing Dec. 29, 2005. Her body was found on Jan. 7, 2006, stuffed in the toolbox of her truck. She had been shot twice. Her husband was charged with the crime on Jan. 27, 2006.
The blog covers testimony, evidence and events as the trial progresses. I’m blogging four times a day, five days a week from the courthouse.
I am the cops reporter for the Hickory Daily Record in Hickory, N.C. The blog is a focused effort to inform family, friends, neighbors or anyone interested in the Anderson case who can’t be at the trial. It’s a chance to know what’s happening at the moment.
We wanted to give those folks who can’t be at the trial a chance to find out what’s going on. Since Emily Anderson went missing, this has been one of the Hickory Daily Record’s top stories. People follow this case. There are two online forums about it. I’m supplying a front-row view of the trial, several times a day.
The trial began May 14, 2007. I’ve tried to post something every business day since. I’ve posted pretty much four times a day, every business day, since June 8, 2007.
I don’t exactly have the number of visitors. I do know the site itself gets more than 3,300 page views a day. We have received more than 45,000 page views since the blog began May 14.
Not sure what a blog income is? I get paid to do my job as a reporter. Currently, the blog does not have any ads. I wish it did, though.
Well, of course, anyone who knew the victim or the suspect. It also attracts folks in Caldwell and Catawba counties, as well as Gaston County, since the trial was moved there because of publicity. It’s also attracted folks interested in crime, law, the court system … or well anyone who’s captivated by a mystery playing out in court.
We have a 15-minute break around 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. I write as much as I can in about 10 minutes. At the lunch break, around 12:30, and at the end of the day, 5 p.m., I probably spend 15 or 20 minutes blogging.
I would never encourage anyone to get comfort or joy from someone’s death. Everyone I’ve spoken to had nothing but nice things to say about the victim, Emily Anderson. This is a very interesting case, especially since the victim’s husband faces the death penalty if found guilty of first-degree murder. It’s also interesting because at least half the town of Sawmills, population of about 3,000, believes Jerry Anderson is innocent. It’s intriguing and thrilling to sit through all of this (or read about it) and then hear what the jury decides. It’s also almost like a soap opera to read the comments. Many folks are passionate about this trial.
Well, this is the second blog I’ve written, and this is first blog I’ve put together in so many consecutive days. Also, any advice I will share also will be coming from a journalist’s point of view. I believe with whatever I write accuracy is a top priority. I also believe in fair and balanced reporting. That might not always seem the case when covering a trial because the prosecution calls its witness first, who typically testify toward the prosecution’s theory, and then the defense will call its witnesses, who typically will testify toward the suspect’s innocence. I am just trying to be fair to those involved with this. This is a capital murder case. I’m also enjoying the work. The blog is a challenge. It’s also a great opportunity to share information with others as events unfold.
This blog can be visited at http://www.murderinsawmills.blogspot.com/
Jennifer,
What you have done here has been a great thing. I have never participated in anything such as this. Being from the Andersons community and quite interested in this case made your blog an exciting expierence. I would personaly like to thank you for your time and patience regarding this. I am sure I speak for a lot of folks here in Sawmills…Again…Thank you..
Craig
You have done a wonderful job in reporting each day about the trial. I will miss this when it is over.
I review this blog everyday from Columbia, Kentucky. It has been a wonderful way to know what is going on since I can’t be there and it seems so tough to ask the family of Emily how things are going. The link to this blog has been suggested by our local on-line paper columbiamagazine.com. Thanks for the great coverage!
Jennifer. I have been reviewing the blog serveral times daily since the trial began. I live in sawmills. About two miles from the farm. Just wanted to tell you what a wonderful job you have done. Thanks so much. Robert
Jennifer, You have done a wonderful job covering everything. Thanks for all your hard work.
Jennifer, The job you have done on this blog has been tremendous. For those of us unable to travel to Gastonia for various reasons we greatly appreciate what you have done. You have not alone kept us aware of the goings on in the courtroom but you have also allowed the citizens of Sawmills an arena to discuss the case anonymously. In a small community such as ours opinions run deep and we have been able to hide behind screen names and discuss possibly with our next door neighbor a subject that brings feuding when being discussed face to face. Again, I say thank you.