zlacker

It's a common technique in journalism to describe and attribute someone's recollection of events in a series of narrative paragraphs. It does not imply "we just took his word for it", though it does imply that the reporter finds his account to be credible enough to be given some prominent space.

This arrest happened 6 months ago. Who else besides the suspect and the police do you believe reporters should ask for "basic corroboration" of events that took place inside a police station? Or do you think this story shouldn't be reported on at all until the police agree to give additional info?

>>danso+(OP)
It should at least be very clear at the paragraph level what is established fact and what is speculation/opinion.

>>phendr+Ax
Well, it was “according to someone familiar with the matter”