Buzzm1 said:
I said the very same thing back a ways. Seems there is a problem in understanding the CNN article was updated, from what was in Post #12 on 05-26-05., to what was in the CNN updated article on 05-27-05. If they don't agree with that, then they are saying the poster, of Post #12, fabricated the statement made in her post.
Here is a quote from the local news here.......
www.wsbradio.com
Negotiator Describes Talks With Roland
(WSB Radio) Atlanta Police Detective Vincent Velazquez says despite what some may think, the handling of the 56-hour stand-off with a murder suspect couldn't have been handled any better.
"I think it was textbook, to be quite honest with you," said Velazquez in an interview Monday.
WSB's Jennifer Griffies reports Velazquez was one of 13 Atlanta Police negotiators who all took turns trying to convince 41-year-old Carl Roland to come peacefully off a 350-foot-high construction crane on Peachtree Road in Buckhead last week. But it was Velazquez to whom Roland eventually seemed to warm up-almost literally.
"I'm the one that gave him the coat. I'm sure that played a part in it," says Velazquez. "He told me he appreciated that, and I think that probably played a role in him trusting me."
Velazquez emphasizes that it was a team effort, however, which led to Roland's capture. After nearly three days on the crane without food or water, Velazquez says, Roland's resolve was weakened, and police used a stun gun on him as he reached out for a cup of water.
Roland was hesitant to cross a spool of tension cable which separated him from negotiators on the platform at the crane's junction, but Velazquez says that was the only position from which police felt they could've taken him in safely-especially if he balked at the last moment. Finally, "he trusted us that he was going to be okay," Velazquez says, and crawled across the spool, stretching his arm out for the water. "To put it bluntly, he was worn down," says Velazquez. "Although he told me he could go another day, he felt he could go another day, I don't think he could've. I think inside he knew he had nothing left." Roland drank a bottle and a half of water after police had him safely handcuffed.
