This month marks 20 years since Josh Warburton started The Independent. As a senior writer, columnist, photographer, and investigative journalist of sorts, I consider it a privilege to have been on board here for the better part of five years now. I unabashedly consider The Indy’s role as a source of uncensored, unbiased journalism, among other things, to be a necessary component to the infrastructure of publications here in St. George.
American abolitionist and liberal activist Wendell Phillips famously stated, “Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.” This, in my view, is the very crux of the matter when it comes to the role of news publications. And such a role is hardly fulfilled with consensual journalism, prevalent here locally, but rather by a willingness to incite rigorous dialogue and debate on matters … a role perhaps an advertiser or church-pleasing rag might veer away from.
Simply put, honest and rigorous civil discourse must be put forth if for no other reason than that dishonest and sophomoric discourse must be answered. Suffice it to say that the work in this regard here locally is plentiful.
So bid The Indy a hearty congratulations for two decades of consistent publication — or heave us the proverbial bird for all we care — because as Michael Stipe wrote, “Closing on a promise after / After all we’ve done today / We have earned our voice.”
Now, on to the work at hand.
There are a total of four publications in this town that are following the case of Varlo Davenport and the assault charges brought upon him by the City of St. George. In my tenure here as one who has written for three of them and still currently writes for one, I am somewhat encouraged at the tenacity of the journalists and their editors to be diligent in reporting on this matter of interest to the general public.
Interest to the general public?
That’s you I’m speaking of, you who will read this and perhaps other stories on the case. You who upon reading and learning the facts of the case and eventually hearing of the rendered verdict after the presumably upcoming trial — as Davenport staunchly maintains his innocence — will perhaps have the insight and civil vigilance to judge for yourselves if the city and its attorneys justly prosecute a criminal case. Based on the facts available thus far, there are some who maintain that the city is inadvertently defending the college in its public and humiliating firing of Davenport last year.
I cannot implore you enough to give a damn about this. To not allow it to fall into the sea of ten-minute-or-less sound bytes masquerading as news. To not allow even my own persistence, as well as that of my fellow writers, in updating you with news articles and articulate op-eds to become a dull white noise that your brain assimilates and no longer hears, no matter how loud it is.
Because one day, right or wrong, this could be you. And if that day comes, it will matter to you that everyone involved, especially those elected or appointed to uphold the law, follow those laws prudently, justly, and without bias or malice of forethought.
So now that the soapbox portion of this is over, I want to share something from a court document in the case.
This took place on Dec. 5, 2014 — the same day Davenport was fired without notice or apparently any semblance of due process of law. Campus police chief Don Reid conducted an interview with the alleged victim’s parents and offered them the following hypothetical situation documented as a direct quote from him:
“Let’s say [Dixie State University goes to] the far end of the spectrum and let’s say [Davenport] loses his job and his career, would that make a difference to you as to whether or not you want to file criminal charges? Cause then you are looking at he’s fired, his career is done, and he is still also facing criminal charges. In your mind are you saying “that’s how far I want it to go” or are you saying it might make a difference? A lot to think about and you guys ought to go and think about it. So you need to tell us what justice would be for you and you know more of how you felt and you know more of what you think his intent was and all those kind of things and so if it was something like this guy lost his job, meaning his pension and everything else, if you felt like that was enough and justice was done for you and if that is not enough. Or it would, it wouldn’t be justice to you until this guy had a criminal history. Those are the kinds of things for you to talk about. …”
Tell us what justice would be for you? If you felt like that was enough justice or not? Or you have the option to say not enough justice until a criminal history is invoked?
I read this and felt my hair stand up as I realize that this cop, a Utah-certified police officer sworn to uphold the law, was engaging in what appears to be the brokering of a deal, presumably in exchange for the parents not taking action against the college.
Davenport was fired that same day.
All of the curiously suspect behavior on the part of the school and the city in this case notwithstanding, and it is important to be versed and aware of this, I want to belabor an obvious fact.
If I can read this court document and ascertain the possibility of egregious wrongdoing, then so can you, and so can both the prosecution and defense in this case as well as local law enforcement. If in fact this statement by Reid is accurate, as court documents allege, just how exactly did the city attorneys come to decide to prosecute such a case? Does an elected or appointed attorney not work for the citizens? Hence they have an ethical if not fiduciary duty to investigate illegal behavior on all sides. And if they do not, they withstand the scrutiny of the semblance of appearance that said attorneys may be doing the bidding of a college that is in serious trouble if this case is not won. This instead of prosecuting someone they believe in earnest to be a criminal based upon credible and unbiased facts provided by a campus police department that appears to have the competence of mall security but the teeth of a gestapo.
Because what they do to others, right or wrong, they may someday do to you. The Varlo Davenport case matters.
Think about it.
See you out there.
This is the first that I’ve read about Varlo Davenport. I will endeavor to learn as much as I can before I render my own judgement. I have lived in Washington County for about 5 years now and I have observed that the LDS Cult has an overwhelming influence on the elected and appointed community leaders. I’ve taken it upon myself to become a thorn in the side of the entitled class; to do whatever I can do to expose their incompetence and to speak out in social media, on internet web sites and in public forums about the appalling lack of integrity, ethics and critical thinking that is apparent in the leadership of our local communities.
Having said that, I do want to give a big shout-out to State Senator Steve Urquhart (R – St. George). He is a breath of fresh air in the otherwise overpowering stench that is the Republican controlled Utah State Legislature.
I agree about Urquhart. Really too bad he is not standing for reelection. I believe Ipson is running for that seat and he is OK but no Urquhart. My worry is that if Ipson is elected Senator who takes his seat? Another Ken Ivory or Mike Noel? OMG !!
I would applaud your “integrity” except for the fact that your efforts are being done anonymously. Don’t care to put your money where your mouth is?
“Confused” anonymous pot, meet anonymous kettle. I feel it is necessary to hide behind anonymity to protect my safety and my identity, not because I’m ashamed of my beliefs, but because I must live and survive in the stifling judgmental environment we all live in. My extreme Leftist Political views and my Atheist/anti-religious beliefs do not require that I have “integrity” but rather that I have the intellectual capacity, critical thinking ability and the writing skills to clearly enunciate and explain what I believe to be the truth. I am curious though, what’s your reason for questioning my anonymity while hiding behind your own?
I have no comment on the merits of the case against Davenport but the way the matter has been handled is a disgrace. It shows the dangers of organizational inbreeding among the power centers when their members are nearly identical in their religion, politics and culture. If the power centers decide to protect you, you will be protected. If they decide to get you, you will get got.
Congrats to The Independent. Comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.
Dallas — you mention four publications. I assume that in addition to The Indy they are the Spectrum and St. George News. Who is the fourth?
The Dixie Sun. Albeit that it is a college/classroom newspaper, it had done its fair share of some hard hitting reporting in spite of threats from “The Administration.”
Hey, thanks.
Nice work Bre.
I agree that this case is important as is any case where someone is facing a stain on their reputation and possibility of losing their ability to provide for their family. I agree that sometimes things are done the wrong way here. But to be fair it is no different than in any other city. Their are back room deals in small towns and large metropolises. Washington DC is a prime example. But to also call out what I see as a misspoken statement that Dallas states that the independent is unbiased. Really? I have seen bashing on people because of their religion and their political affiliation. Try to just tell the truth if you don’t like a religion them say it but don’t claim to be unbiased. That makes your credibility fall deep into a crevice that is almost impossible to climb out of
I have known Varlo Davenport for 15 years. He is a fine and upstanding gentleman and I would stand behind him… in front of him… and beside him… I took acting classes in Virginia… These people have no idea what is required to make you touch into your soul to learn the craft of acting. It is a crime for this whole episode to even see the light of day. The girl should have been ask to leave the class as she had no idea what acting is about and no business even being in this class. The College is a joke when you fire one of the best instructors money can buy. For the city to bring charges is a waste of tax payer money… and remember these people when elections come around… Blackhawk Walters
I have been following this matter sense day one and I will continue to to so until a verdict is rendered on the merits of criminal intent of this professor. I’m also glad Davenport didn’t take a plea deal and just disappear. Being biased, I’m not qualified to be seated on the jury, but I expect a full procedure accounting from Dallas Hyland of the Independent.
(Now, If I were a gambling man), I would bet the State of Utah could stand to lose a bundle for the actions of their appointed DSU President in a follow up civil case. We’ll see how that turns out.