College students assigned to solve Daniel Pearl case

Posted Aug 14, 2008 by ■ David Silverberg in Education 4 comments

The tragic murder of journalist Daniel Pearl occurred in 2002 but his killer was never captured. But a group of journalism students at Georgetown University are undertaking a task the FBI has ignored: solving the case of the beheaded journalist, tracking down Pearl's possible killers, and making long-distance phone calls to Pakistan in order to interview suspects and leads.

Journalist and activist Asra Nomani said she wants to finish the work the FBI started, telling Marie Claire: "The FBI says this is an open investigation, but in talking to officials, it's clear there's no work being done on the ground. You can argue over whether it's right or wrong, but the FBI has moved on to other priorities."

The Pearl Project, as this assignment is being called, bands together 20 students who track down the clues and contacts scattered across the Web. They make phone calls to families and lawyers associated with the case.

The students' parents are worried the grisly nature of Pearl's murder could be detrimental to the kids. But the students are determined to plough through their difficult work load in order to be leaders in investigative journalism.

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Aug 14, 2008 by ■ Bob Ewingflagged as abuse - show comment
#1

Now there is an intriguing assignment.

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Aug 14, 2008 by ■ Debra Myersflagged as abuse - show comment
#2

I wish them success. Very sad that the killer(s) haven't been found.

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Aug 14, 2008 by ■ skeptikoolflagged as abuse - show comment
#3

Given that six years have passed, a thoroughly daunting task. Without fresh clues perhaps the result can be nothing more than strengthened suspicions - if even that. One must always wonder about the seriousness of the initial investigation.
What a heck of coup, if they were to succeed.

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Nov 6, 2008 by ■ David A. Boyingtonflagged as abuse - show comment
#4

The Pearl Project is an extremely grand and noble investigative idea; Pearl was assassinated as the world watched, a staged political event to send a strong message to other investigative journalists who might travel the same trails of question that Pearl did. It's my understanding that Pearl had established a powerful deep source base which eventually revealed to him-I argue-latent U.S. backed intelligence that played a huge part in the planning and execution of the attacks on 9/11 which ultimately brought George W. Bush to power--the most powerful individual in the world who, then, persuaded Congress to fund his attack on Iraq, going after the enormous oil reserves staggering military and construction contracts to become, also, (with Cheney) among the wealthiest on the planet. Justification, with license, to commit alleged human atrocity American style-war crimes-gains arguable support from a critical power-conflict perspective fueled with the close examination and analysis of THE HUMANITIES found in the audio/video short story, soon to be released, with 3 chapters: The Preface To The Essay, The Essay and The Slave Ship (a radio play) in the extremely politically sensitive presentation, known as: Boyington’s Theory: 9/11 Connection, A King’s Philosophy. The students must succeed in their investigation; I’ll certainly be following this effort. I argue, therefore, Pearl was assassinated by U.S.A. intelligence, explaining FBI apathy; Pearl’s assassin never was supposed to be caught!
Peace,
David A. Boyington
Radio Producer

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