Ashlee Buzzard Faces Court: Defense Seeks Permanent Gag Order in Child Murder Case. 

Detected Manipulations & Suggested Changes

Misleading headlines

A headline that implies more certainty or guilt than is established, or frames the story in a way that prejudices the reader before they see the facts.

Headline: "Ashlee Buzzard Faces Court: Defense Seeks Permanent Gag Order in Child Murder Case" The phrase "child murder case" in close association with the named defendant can be read as implying that the murder is an established fact tied to her, rather than an allegation. Inside the article, it is correctly stated that she "entered a plea of not guilty" and is "accused" and "charged," but the headline does not emphasize the presumption of innocence or that the murder is alleged.

3 suggestions

Revise the headline to clarify that the murder is alleged, for example: "Ashlee Buzzard in Court as Defense Seeks Permanent Gag Order in Alleged Child Murder Case".

Alternatively: "Mother Accused in Daughter’s Death Seeks Permanent Gag Order, Appears in Court" to keep focus on the legal status (accused) rather than implying guilt.

Ensure consistency between headline and body by mirroring the careful language used in the article ("accused," "charged," "alleged") in the headline.

Appeal to emotion

Using emotionally charged content or quotes that primarily evoke sympathy, anger, or outrage rather than inform, especially when not balanced with context.

Quote from the grandmother: "I don’t know what’s going through her mind that she did what she did," Melodee’s paternal grandmother, Lily Dennes, who attending the hearing, told reporters. "But she could have gave us the baby." This quote is understandable as a family member’s grief, but it is presented without any reminder that the accused has pleaded not guilty and that the facts are still being adjudicated. The phrasing "that she did what she did" presupposes guilt and may emotionally bias readers against the accused.

3 suggestions

Add immediate contextual framing around the quote, such as: "Dennes, speaking from a place of grief, expressed her belief that Buzzard is responsible, despite Buzzard’s not-guilty plea and the ongoing legal process."

Include a brief reminder of the presumption of innocence near or after the quote: "Buzzard has pleaded not guilty, and the court has not yet determined the facts of the case."

Balance the emotional quote with a neutral or procedural statement from the defense (if available), or clearly label the quote as an expression of personal opinion rather than fact.

Framing effect

Presenting information in a way that influences interpretation through emphasis or choice of details, even when the facts themselves are accurate.

Examples: 1) "Police arrested Buzzard at her Vandenberg Village home on December 23, after prying open the front door at her home." 2) "During the hearing, Buzzard, seated next to her attorney Sutherland, showed 'no visible emotion,' according to KSBY News. She spoke only to affirmatively respond 'yes' to Judge Dunkle’s questions and avoided eye contact with the crowded courtroom." Both details are factual but selectively emphasize imagery that can shape perception: a forced entry suggests danger or resistance (though no such behavior is described), and the focus on "no visible emotion" and "avoided eye contact" can prime readers to see her as cold or guilty. There is no balancing explanation (e.g., that defendants are often advised to remain quiet, that demeanor can vary under stress, or that forced entry may be standard procedure).

3 suggestions

For the arrest detail, add procedural context if accurate: e.g., "Police arrested Buzzard at her Vandenberg Village home on December 23, forcing entry after receiving no response at the door, which is standard procedure when executing certain warrants."

For courtroom demeanor, either omit subjective characterizations like "no visible emotion" and "avoided eye contact" or clearly attribute them and contextualize: "According to KSBY News, observers said she showed little visible emotion, though defendants often speak minimally and may avoid eye contact during court proceedings."

Balance such framing details with neutral or exculpatory context where available (e.g., reiterating that she has pleaded not guilty and that demeanor is not evidence of guilt).

Oversimplification / Presumption of guilt through language

Using wording that subtly treats allegations as established facts, simplifying the legal status of the accused.

1) "Buzzard, charged with the murder of her 9-year-old daughter Melodee..." 2) "She’s faces charges that include: First-degree murder..." 3) The grandmother’s quote: "that she did what she did" is not explicitly counterbalanced. Most of the article uses correct legal language ("accused," "charged," "plea of not guilty"), but the overall narrative structure and inclusion of emotionally loaded quotes without repeated reminders of the presumption of innocence can lead readers to treat the allegations as settled facts. The article does not explicitly state that evidence presented (e.g., cartridge case, live round) is alleged by investigators and has not yet been tested in court.

3 suggestions

Where evidence is described, clarify that it is part of the prosecution’s allegations: e.g., "Investigators say they found an expended cartridge case..." or "According to the search warrant affidavit, investigators reported finding..."

After listing charges, add a brief clarifier: "These are allegations, and Buzzard is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court."

When including statements that assume guilt (such as the grandmother’s), explicitly label them as personal beliefs and contrast them with the defendant’s not-guilty plea and the ongoing nature of the case.