Talk:James Bonard Fowler

Birthdate

I was there when Fowler turned himself in, so I can confirm that his birthdate is Sept. 10, 1933. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 65.81.149.214 (talk) 01:02, 12 May 2007 (UTC).

See WP:ISAWIT. Toddst1 (talk) 14:55, 27 June 2019 (UTC)

Imprisonment on Narcotic Charges in Thailand

Perhaps it is relevant to include the <a href="http://www.annistonstar.com/breaking/2008/as-localupdate-1006-jflemingcol-8j06o5456.htm">following information</a> about Fowler's five year imprisonment for alleged heroin smuggling and connection to presidential candidate John McCain. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 138.28.43.238 (talk) 18:36, 7 October 2008 (UTC)

If the Anniston Star is a “reliable source”, then this should definitely be included. The Wikpedia entry on the Star calls it a “teaching” newspaper; I'm frankly baffled about what that's supposed to mean. —SlamDiego_←T 19:27, 7 October 2008 (UTC)

Definitely should be included. 68.224.206.168 (talk) 20:30, 18 October 2008 (UTC)

I'm certainly inclined to think that it should be included, but I'm concerned about the status of the Star as a “reliable source”. Has the story been picked-up by an established “reliable source”? If so, that would render the status of the Star as irrelevant; if not, that would amplify my concern that the Star is not “reliable”. —SlamDiego_←T 22:10, 18 October 2008 (UTC)

I've kept my eye out and looked around for the story being picked-up by a source that is more clearly “reliable”, but so far I've not seen it. Outside of the Star, when I've found any reference to this story on the site of a “reliable” source, it has been in a comment from a reader.

In my opinion, though the story is very plausible, it cannot be included in the article at this point in time, because of a lack of sufficiently “reliable” sourcing.

Amongst other things, I hope that interested editors will regularly check Google News. —SlamDiego_←T 14:18, 26 October 2008 (UTC)

I rate the Anniston Star as a Reliable Source - editor-in-charge John Fleming followed the story of Jimmie Lee Jackson and Fowler from early days; he found that a grand jury had declined to indict him, and his name was not released to the public (other than Fowler); he gained an interview with Fowler in 2005, before he was prosecuted in 2007; and conducted extensive research under the Freedom of Information Act to learn more about Fowler's involvement in a shooting death of another black man in 1966, but also about that man's history of alcohol abuse and mental illness; about the lack of DOJ investigation into the death of Jackson in 1965 (see 2005 article); about Fowler's later time as a AL state trooper (and his reason for leaving after physically attacking his supervisor) and his Army career, in addition to his sentence for heroin trafficking (which was also in a Washington Post obituary of Fowler). Fleming seems to have been a thorough reporter. Many of his articles on Fowler are at https://www.annistonstar.com/search/?q=James%20Bonard%20Fowler Parkwells (talk) 13:59, 27 June 2019 (UTC)

Fowler's wife from Burma or Thailand ?

So the Washington Post reported Burma, although the The Charleston Gazette story has Thailand:

"After his own release for narcotics trafficking in Thailand, Mr. Fowler returned to Alabama and lived with his wife, a native of Burma."

Bernstein, Adam (8 July 2015). "James Bonard Fowler dies; Alabama lawman was convicted 45 years after killing civil rights protester". Washington Post. Retrieved 12 June 2018.

"Baine said Fowler fell in love with northern Thailand while serving in the military and, for many years, made frequent trips there, where he owned land and had a daughter. His current wife is from Thailand, Baine said."

Rawls, P. (2007, May 12). Ex-trooper had rollercoaster career: ; man charged in historic killing was later fired for other reasons. The Charleston Gazette https://search.proquest.com/docview/331440327 (subscription required)

So The Charleston Gazette story is quoting from his friend, Geneva veterinarian Mickey Baine, while The Washington Post story is just stating that in the article itself.

So, as of now, it's just currently set as Burma based on The Washington Post obit, but maybe that's not totally accurate.

Jjjjjjjjjj (talk) 21:41, 12 June 2018 (UTC)

Since we're unable to verify which is correct, I've removed the info about his wife's origin. It's not a material fact anyway. Toddst1 (talk) 21:44, 12 June 2018 (UTC)