'The Capital' Has Issues in Covering Merrill's Suicide

By: Joe Strupp It's not surprising that today's edition of The Capital in Annapolis, Md. leads with the tragic suicide of Publisher Philip Merrill, whose body was found earlier this week in Chesapeake Bay. But what may be a surprise is the sourcing for the story.

Unable to get confirmation from Merrill's family or investigators about the exact cause of death, The Capital is having to attribute the report that he died of a gunshot wound to the head to the sometimes-rival Washington Post.

"That is definitely unusual," admits Tom Marquardt, executive editor of the Capital. "We had to attribute it to the Post because we couldn't get anyone on or off the record to confirm that. This is a story that is easier to report on the outside. It was just awkward from day one."

While the story is the lead piece of news in today's paper, taking up about 25% of the front page, Marquardt said family members would not reveal how Merrill died, releasing a statement that offered comments on his death and life and that he had killed himself. The editor said he even worked with the family to help release the statement, which it later posted on the paper's Web site.

"The family is going through its own grief and they are not about to think about the competitive edge here," Marquardt said about the limited information. "We are just trying to cover the story and get the word out."

The Post reported in its Wednesday edition that the cause was gunshot wound to the head, citing confidential sources.

Marquardt said his reporters had been trying to get the cause of death from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police, which had been overseeing the investigation since Merrill disappeared on June 10. His body was found on Monday. "One of our reporters left 17 messages for them in one day but no one responded," Marquardt said. "We have had a real problem getting any information from official sources."

As the Merrill story was breaking, Marquardt was supposed to be on a week's vacation, he said. Having traveled two hours on Monday from Annapolis to the resort town of Ocean City, Md. with his wife, Marquardt was just checking into his hotel when his cell phone rang with word that Merrill's body had been discovered.

"Then the rumors of the cause started circulating," Marquardt said, noting that he had to work on the story for two days from his hotel room, local restaurants and even on the beach. "There are a number of levels we have to look at this story. One is someone important who dies in the community and the other is that it is someone you work for."

Along with directing reporters and coverage since Monday, Marquardt said he has also had to respond to some 50 or 60 inquiries from outside media. "One thing I have learned about this is that you have to respond to the media," he said, noting calls from radio, television and major newspapers. "Every reporter has called with grace and condolences. One of the major newspapers called and offered to give us full credit if we gave them the exclusive rights to the story. It was the most bizarre call I have ever gotten."

Capital staffers, meanwhile, remained in shock at news that Merrill had killed himself. None of the numerous employees contacted by E&P would comment on the death.

Although reports indicate he might have been distraught over having to be on medication following heart surgery, the editor said no one saw any signs of troubling behavior.

"He was here a couple of times during each week, but he was known more by reputation than being in the newsroom," said Marquardt, who added that the newspaper building's flag had been flying at half-staff. "He would let the editors and the general manager run the paper. This came as a surprise even to the family."