Lawyer charged with $8 million property fraud. 

Detected Manipulations & Suggested Changes

Omission of key information

Leaving out relevant context or perspectives that would help readers fully understand the situation.

The article presents only the police/prosecution narrative: that the sale was completed, funds were paid into the lawyer’s account, she failed to disburse the funds, could not be contacted, was named a person of interest, apprehended after a brief standoff, interviewed, and charged. There is no mention of any explanation from the accused or her attorney, no indication of whether she has entered a plea, and no explicit reminder that charges are allegations, not proof of guilt.

3 suggestions

Add a clear presumption-of-innocence statement, e.g., "Samuels has been charged with fraudulent conversion. The charge is an allegation, and she is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law."

Include any available response from the accused or her attorney, e.g., "Attempts to reach Samuels’ attorney for comment were unsuccessful" or, if available, a brief statement of her position.

Clarify what is known and what is alleged, e.g., "Police allege that…" rather than stating all elements as settled fact.

Unbalanced reporting

Presenting one side’s account in detail while giving little or no space to the other side.

The article relies entirely on police and investigative sources and procedural facts. The accused’s perspective is only indirectly referenced (she was interviewed in the presence of her attorney), with no indication of her version of events or any defense position. This creates a subtle tilt toward the police/prosecution side, even though the tone remains neutral.

3 suggestions

Explicitly note the lack of the accused’s perspective, e.g., "Samuels or her attorney have not yet publicly commented on the charges."

If available, add a short, factual summary of any statement from the defense, without editorializing.

Clarify sourcing, e.g., "According to a statement from the Jamaica Constabulary Force…" so readers understand that the narrative is from law enforcement, not an established judicial finding.

Appeal to authority (mild, structural)

Relying on the authority of institutions or officials in a way that may lead readers to accept claims as unquestionably true.

The article is built almost entirely on police actions and statements (Fraud Squad, FSFCID, Specialised Operations Branch). While this is standard for crime reporting, the absence of any other source or explicit framing as "allegations" can encourage readers to treat the police narrative as definitive.

3 suggestions

Consistently frame claims as allegations from authorities, e.g., "Police say…", "Investigators allege…" instead of presenting them as uncontested facts.

Where possible, supplement police information with court records or official charge documents, and label them clearly ("according to court documents filed on…").

Add a brief note that investigations are ongoing and facts may be tested in court, to signal that the authority’s account is not the final word.