Behind the News 1940

Jeff Flavin joins The Enquirer as a scholarship reporter

Recently graduated journalist Jeff Flavin secures a six-month scholarship at The Enquirer. On arrival, he is paired with the paper's renowned reporter, Stuart Woodrow, creating high expectations and tension from the start. The editor Vic Archer hopes the arrangement will rekindle Woodrow's spark and restart his career.

Harsh mentorship and Jeff's rough start

The collaboration proves rocky; Jeff endures harsh treatment from Stu as they begin work together. Jeff is pushed into the most demanding assignments while Stu keeps a critical distance. The tension foreshadows conflict over the Face case, highlighting the older reporter's doubts about Jeff's potential.

Face's prison break and Jeff takes the lead

Face escapes prison and Stu is too hungover to cover the breakout, so Jeff steps in and breaks the story. The incident marks Jeff's first major responsibility at the paper. He earns tentative respect through swift, on-the-ground reporting.

Jeff witnesses murder and reports in Stu's name

During his independent investigation, Jeff becomes a witness to the murder of Face in his sister's apartment. He relays the events to the editor under Stu's name, and the old reporter expresses gratitude for Jeff's initiative. This dynamic begins to shift Jeff's standing at the paper.

Stu worries about Jeff's future in journalism

Stu becomes protective of Jeff's future in journalism, believing the young man deserves a different career path. He starts steering Jeff away from daily newspaper reporting, signaling a potential mentorship pivot. The tension between mentor and mentee continues to shape Jeff's choices.

A fake story lands Jeff in trouble with the editor

Stu tricks Jeff into covering a fake story, provoking the editor's fury. The punishment is public and humiliating, as Jeff is assigned to read funny strips on radio instead of serious reporting. The incident tests Jeff's resolve and loyalty to his craft.

Court encounter exposes discrepancies in the murder case

While visiting a young listener at the courthouse, Jeff observes the trial of Face's murderer, Carlos Marquez. He uses his language skills to gauge the proceedings and notices inconsistencies in the testimony. His observations plant seeds for later challenges to the case.

Interpreter's mistranslation leads to a wrongful conviction

Jeff discovers that the court interpreter mis-translates the accused's words, making Carlos Marquez appear to confess to the murder. The wrongful conviction becomes a critical flaw in the case, reinforcing Jeff's push for truth. He tries to set the record straight but meets resistance.

Jeff seeks help to correct the record

Jeff attempts to tell his editor about the misinterpretation and the potential miscarriage of justice, but his credibility is compromised by the fake-story episode. Stu finally agrees to help him investigate the matter more thoroughly. The duo begins to reassess the case behind the scenes.

The trio investigates in the DA's office

Stu, Barbara, and Jeff sneak into the district attorney's office to search for crucial evidence. They uncover documents and traces of corruption that implicate Hardin S. Kelly in the broader conspiracy surrounding Face's murder. The dig marks a turning point in their investigation.

Evidence surfaces; Kelly arrested; Carlos released

The trio's discovery leads to a witness who can reveal Kelly's involvement in Face's murder and the false conviction of Carlos Marquez. With the new testimony, Kelly is arrested, and Carlos is released from custody. The case begins to unravel under renewed investigative pressure.