Our brilliant youth

No one deserves to get hurt no matter how 'dumb' the decision is. Everyone should have him in your prayers and keep negative thoughts to yourself. There are family and friends involved that are extremely upset by the situation and this piece of so called journalism is a disgrace.

It's funny how anyone can read a "news" blog and make judgements about someone they dont even know. I also think it is a shame that when writing an article almost 5 days after the incident, the writer makes it seem like Danny was doing something wrong. As Dan Ton stated above, the majority of the facts in this article are false. Now the blogger will respond with a comment saying "all information given to us was reported by the NPD". Well guess what, that very excuse is why The Daily news cant get anyone to subscribe anymore. It is easy to write a one sided story when you havent done any research on the topic. I was a supporter of The Patch until I read this article... Get your facts straight!

Everyone: Thank you for your comments, we appreciate them. We reported this incident just as we report every police log, and disclaim that the reports are taken directly from the police log. NPD just brought this incident to our attention this morning, and the details above were taken from the police report.

I'd also like to remind everyone that it is against our terms of services to use vulgarities and to name call. Please be respectful.

Another Darwin award winner

No need for "name calling", these words say it all: 3AM, 3rd floor balcony, drinking, and - of course - "loogie".

Anyone reading those four phrases can easily draw their own conclusions right there.

Ms Kenefick, did you speak with his family? Yeah. I thought not. We have all done crazy things. I have and I'm sure you have. Your article is nothing more than another example of yellow journalism. This boy is from a well-respected local family. He almost lost his life in that 30' fall. He was very lucky an awning broke the impact. He'd have been dead otherwise. Where is your humanity?

If you truly "read" the police log, you'd have seen that he, well let's get real, had extensive damage to his face from falling face down and also broke a number of bones. A few stitches? Try talking to the doctors at RI Hospital who had to stitch him up. Did you get to see the pictures the police took at the scene of the accident? Oh that's right--it's private information.

Was he drinking shots over the balcony--no. He was having a contest--B*D. Did you visit the scene of the accident and get a visual on the distance he fell? Have you so little regard for someone's life that you can cavalierly print such a piece of trash? You have made light of what was a tragic accident.

You owe an apology to his family. They have been by his side 24/7 since this happened. It's a miracle he's alive. In case you're wondering, that boy is my nephew, whom I love very much.

Why even have a comment board if you're going to delete the comments people make? Its purpose is to facilitate conversation and clarify facts--deleting them is doing the opposite, and Patch is not upholding journalistic ethics by doing so.

But why should I expect any adherence to journalistic ethics from a "news" organization that publishes a blatantly biased and one-sided article? Why didn't Ms. Kenefick contact any of his friends who witnessed the accident to get their perspectives? I'm sure the tone of this article would have turned out differently if proper journalism was done. To me, it seems like the reporter got lazy, copied some quotes from a police report, and published an article without doing any ACTUAL journalism. Ms. Kenefick cannot call herself a journalist. The victim is 21. He fell three stories. He's in the hospital and seriously injured (MUCH more injured than this article reports--I was at his bedside). THAT'S the real story here.

And the headline just sickens me. A young man is in the hospital, and an article is published mocking his injury. How dare you. I think the entire community would be grateful if you would delete this article from your website, or revise it so the facts are accurate.

Have never figured out why people blame the messenger on these police repots on the patch, No matter the town. You have to realize most of what is in thisarticle was the officers take on what he found out at the scene. That is not the fault of the editor.

It is also why on criminal complaints a disclaimer is posted. Like all incidents, until the facts of an investigation are complete, no-one, not family nor anyone else, knows what happened for sure, unless you were there at the time.

I agree we should all be thankful a young adult (and franky he has someone loking out for him) Fell and could have been brain damaged or killed in a fall like this. What ever the reason for the fall, it is not a laughing matter.

One wonders ow some of the commenter would feel if the railing or something was faulty? Not that I know or you, but would you have the same callousness then, or for your own family.

Again, it is not the messenger. Do not bother to argue the point as, a writer taking information from a police log, is not an investigative reporter, (who you could blame for inaccuracies) in my opinion.

Rather reserve your comments for hoping for a speedy recovery. Just saying

yea, leave the editor alone. She simply reported what happend as told to her by the police. If she were to do everything you people wanted she would be out of a job. maybe mantryingtospitfallsfrombalcony.patch.com would hire her for her in depth anylisis of an incident at 3am. There are a lot of stories out there, other than this, frankly, uninteresting story
Did you really want her to call the family of the "faller"? "hey, i know your beloved nephew just fell three stories, but I would like to ask you a few questions, since you know, you were not there"

Give me a break...go visit him in the hospital. Next time I get a urinating in public i'll be sure to tell the daily news or the patch to call my mommy so everyone knows im actually, in fact, a good boy.

Hey- at least he was a local and went home afterwards :)

I am very upset with the comments I have been reading under this post and it actually makes me sick to my stomach. I understand the author is trying to state the "facts", but this article does not express the truth. You are basing your comments off what you are reading and it is simply wrong.
Also, to make light of this situation is extremely appauling to me. A young man almost lost his life, and possibly should've, and you are going to make this into a laughing matter? I just don't understand.

@ Cara Kenefick.....do the homework...don't create a story from a police report...I happen to know what happened that early morning..."According to reports"....you needed to interview people who were there....maybe go to the hospital and talk with Mr Breen and his family..."reportedly said"...unless you hear it youself, you can't just fluff up a police report and have it become an article fit for publication and fodder for public discussion....your facts are not fully researched....grow into your profession with a little more compassion for the people you target in your work....

Hey eileen, last time i checked it was spring not "fall", what an idiot, how do you fall from spitting, he was messed up, just get over it

If you want to see what a respected community online newspaper does with seasoned reporters at the helm, then check out the following link. The Daily Greenwich happens to be one of our local online news sites. www.thedailygreenwich.com. We also have The Patch, but it is considered a rag reporting the lowest common denominator of local gossip.

Our youth are among the most creative and resourceful on the planet, but they frequently regret their actions. Have I made mistakes and wished I had thought before I acted? Absolutely. And I don’t fall under the category of “our brilliant youth.” I’ve simply educated them for the last 40 years.

I find it incredulous that some readers feel the need to “add insult to the life threatening injuries” this youngster has suffered. And, yes, at twenty-one he is still a youngster! Those who are quick to criticize this young man, and by extension all youth, based on the “facts” presented in this article, need a reality check.

I am the parent of two children. Both of them are “guilty” of doing things they regret. I am also the grandmother of three children, and without doubt, they too will have regrets one day. I am also an aunt. I have six wonderful, intelligent, well-mannered nieces and nephews all of whom have made mistakes for which they have regrets. Danny Winters Breen is one of them.

Newportpatch’s article is syntactically slanted to disparage my nephew’s character and in turn my family’s. This is unacceptable, and using a disclaimer to cover shoddy reporting is reprehensible.

Due diligence is fundamental to credible journalism. Do your due diligence, Newportpatch.

Mary Winters Stoner

Mary Winters Stoner
Houston, Texas
Newport, Rhode Island

In defense of Cara, she is not a hack, nor a callous person. She is also not an investigative journalist. She is an editor covering local events. She reported basic details from a police report. The passionate feelings of the family of this young man are understandable. They almost lost someone they loved. Emotions run high at those times. However, calling Cara vile names is uncalled for. The details were taken from witnesses at the scene and given to Newport Police. Don't shoot the messenger.

speaking as a neighbor who lives right next door and shares a wall with the apartment in question, they had a keg and were partying since 10pm that night. i didnt even get out of bed when i saw flashing cop lights because i thought they were just breaking up the party. this a prime example of how nothing good happens at 3am.

now, i dont know if this kid was there getting drunk too, but regardless of what happened, doesnt anyone else find it a bit peculiar that no one reported about this until 4 days after it happened? the daily news didnt print it until wednesday, too.

Touche kb.

Dear Chad I'm Danny's older brother and in my eyes it's pretty obvious you don't understand the magnitude of this situation for my brother, family, friends and myself. If you would like to meet in person at the accident scene I will gladly "educate" you on exactly what happened to him. Otherwise I recommend you keep your juvenile and ignorant comments to yourself because we live on a very small island and lets just say after what you have said......you are not a local favorite.

Sincerely, A very angry older brother

it was not a crime, like you said it was a tragic accident. mightve/shouldve been on the front page during a weekday, no different from a car or boating accident. DEFINITELY shouldve been reported asap, but wasnt. i just think that that fact is kind of strange. i never said he personally was intoxicated, though.

in retrospect, yes, i do wish i had called. but we have a 42" railing on our balcony. no one in the square could even think that something like this could happen.

Bill. What in the world are you talking about?? Are you inferring from my comment that there is a threat of violence? You simply don't have a clue. My daughter's husband happens to have been an EMS in Austin, Texas. He can explain in great detail the injuries Danny suffered. Now he's a key player in a large Houston IT business. He has been been sought after to present motivational speeches to young Hispanics in Texas. He's also the father of three children. He is not a person whom you'll find brawling in the parking lot. I don't know your background (And "frankly, Bill, "I don't give a damn."), but your response is way off base as are your comments.

yikes!

Zooport . . . It's only because writing takes me no time that I have responded to these inane and unfounded posts. Maybe living in a slightly more cosmopolitan area has made me forget the "hobgoblin of little minds." Figure out the allusion on your own. I will not speak for my nephew, but I will speak for myself. Who are you people who make inferences based on your inability to read? I'm not violent. My son-in-law is not violent, and he doesn't even really know Danny. None of us in Texas has any idea who Chad is . . . I appreciate neither the lack of credibility nor the vilification of my nephew by mean spirited individuals such as you. And now you're going to bring in the whole Breen and Winters families?? Well, you'd better add the Navarrete family, the Orr family, the Hessler family, and maybe even most of the Irish families on the island and a huge family of Texans. Now if I write "Don't Mess with Texas," will you say I'm threatening you??? Again, you'll have to figure out the allusion on your own.
And as I offer this piece of advice to my students, I'll offer it to you: "It's better to let someone think you're a fool than to open you mouth and dispel all doubt."

Mary, do us all a favor and please stop posting. You seem out of sorts and you are now completely embarrassing yourself with each post. Get a hobby or something.

Well ZOOPORT I'm glad you came out of nowhere into a conversation that shouldn't concern you at all making wild assumptions about myself and my family. I absolutely am upset and may be speaking mildly out of anger but what would you have said to Chad's remark of calling my brother an idiot and mocking his accident? My response was not "cuckoo" by any means.....it was pretty human and defensive in my opinion. I would ask you to put yourself in my shoes and think about it but unfortunately you would never be able to fill them

Well this has spiraled down to the gutter. I cannot understand the vitriolic criticism of some of these posters who think Danny got what he deserved.

The title of this article is what drew attention to it in the first place--let alone the content. The only news organizations that would print this kind of sensational headline are those like the National Enquirer and other rags of this ilk. Take, for ex., a headline in the Enquirer today: "Beer Bash Bloodbath Equals Killer Party." Maybe Patch aspires to journalism that relies on sensationalism and lurid exaggeration to attract readers. This is what yellow journalism is. Making fun of a tragic accident has no place in any ethical news organization.

I hope this will be the last thing I feel the need to comment on.

Yes, there was an after hours party going on in that apartment. Were these kids drinking responsibly? The answer is probably no. Kids do crazy things when they're out partying. They think they're invincible because that's what we do when we're young. One hopes age and life experience will result in maturity.

Out of that party came a horrific accident that by the grace of a higher power did not end in death. I hope this serves as an example of what can happen when kids
drink too much. BUT, to say that Danny or any other kid at that party deserved to die because they were drinking and partying are not the words of a sane person. I am shocked that people would even make these comments, and trust me, I am not naive.

Patch should do the right thing and issue an apology to the Breen family. If Patch's mission is truly to "... strengthen communities and improve the lives of their residents..." then it should not be reporting news in ways that wrench a community apart.

I'm amazed at how many fifth warders have computers!

Zooport: LOLOLOL. How long did it take you to look that up? Again a lack of reading skills. Nowhere did I say I was quoting anyone . . . I simply offered a piece of advice which you obviously didn't heed. Are you saying, "Put down the scotch and soda cookie" or are you trying to say, "Put down the scotch and soda, Cookie" ? The only "voice" I'm hearing is that of an intellectual bore who hides behind a screen name to avoid embarassment. I've "dumbed down" my posts to enable you to understand what is being discussed. It's obviously hopeless. I have no time for proles.

is the title of the article false? because i dont think one person has said that it WASNT because he was trying to spit...

this whole thing easily couldve been prevented.

Rhody: Are you practicing online psychology? I will only respond to you this one time. I am so far from "out of sorts." These ridiculous posts have kept me laughing all day. Those who know me understand what I'm saying. Now, you come aboard and resort to insults? Embarrassing myself with writing hasn't happened yet, and considering the audience, it's not going to happen here. Oh, I already have a hobby. Can you possibly guess what it is? C'mon take a chance. It's right in front of you; your eyes are scanning across it. Zooport takes a stab quoting Twain. I venture to say he had to look-up the quote. Let me offer this tidbit, which I did not have to research: In his "Descent of Man," Twain states, " Man is the only [animal] that harbors insults and injuries, then broods over them and waits for a chance offer to take revenge.” I entered this conversation to voice my support of a family member - not to duel with unarmed chickens.

mary, get a life....please....you look bad

it's like the dorks vs the actual people

i just feel like the wiggens have no life

winters*

mary....none of us know you, and we all think your bonkers

I'm laughing at all the rediculous "go around" about this poor kid. The guy fell, because he was obvioulsy obliterated on alcohol. That's it. He is in the hospital and will be recovering for quite some time. Again, that's it. You people are arguing like dogs fighting over table scraps. It is so laughable. Six months from now, most of the commentators here won't even remember this poor guy. I know I won't. Just being honest. I wish Mr. Breen a quick and healthy recovery. He can thank his lucky stars that he is not dead. 30ft is quite a fall. I wish him the best for his future.

I just want to point out that, given most of the islanders I know and love, I don't think the majority of us would be having conversations like these in 'real life'. Please keep the online-immunity factor in mind while leaving comments - let's all please act like neighbors and friends.

I dont understand why this article is still here on your site. The first comment from a family member above was very respectful and all that was asked was that this horrible piece of journalism be taken down. That is what it is, right? A story made up of very few facts and even more assumptions. Why not just take the article off of your site and end this professionally? I agree with each and every member of the Breen family (which I am not one of) and I would be just as mad if this were written about a member of my own. Why would you write an article based on something you heard? I believe that is how rumors are started...

Get well Danny and dont let any of these pathetic comments stop you from recovery.

I cannot understand why people are faulting Patch for this. It's a police report and they reported it, just like every other police report. There were no assumptions. Get over it and move on. If the facts, as reported in the police report, have been misrepresented then the editor should amend it, otherwise, take it up with the Newport Police. This is beyond ridiculous.

What's rediculous is that' the so called "journalist" can't take this down after so much argument. You are making your self and the newspaper look completely un-professional & idiotic.
As most people would agree, this is a severe case that Danny was in. He almost died, he still is alive thanks to a miracle. I dont understand why the "Newport patch" not the journalist cannot take this down if it is causing such a bad look on them. This is someone who almost passed away, not a broken glass. Someones LIFE you guys are all arguing about like adolescents.
The journalist and the defendants of the journalist need to put your big people pants on and realize that if someone was putting false information of their relative up and making them look like a horrible person you'd step up to. But you probably don't have a heart. But it's okay, because you'll be the one being un-happy in the end.

At the end of the day, the only thing that matters is family. Through thick & thin. So to Danny's family, im sure he appreciates how much you guys stand up for him, don't stop. Stand up for what you believe in because the good(intelligent) guys always win.

Xoxo my prayers go out to Danny.

I heard he was a Gingrich supporter before the first bounce!

it's not rediculous that people are defending the right to free press, and speech for that matter. it's also obvious that the article is 100% fact. this is not agruement about the victums welfare, but more a defence of the article, and writer. people care about these things.

now also feel that mary winters-stoner owes the newport patch some sort of payment for all the advertising she has done over the last few days. so far, I know her resume, her son-in-laws resume, and apparently everyones a journalism major.

everyone likes a good arguement. they also like a good trainwreck, which seems to be happening on the other side. i doubt there will be an article with this many comments for a while.

So KG, we are supposed to accept the fact that Danny's name is reflected in a negative light, for all of the community to see, AND NONE OF THE FACTS ARE TRUE??!!!! If I was to ask you to print me a shirt and you printed the opposite of what i wanted, I am supposed to accept it and not complain? No, you are responsible for doing your job and DOING IT RIGHT! So you would either CORRECT THE MISTAKE or not make the sale... Am I Wrong? Is that rediculous?

And as for Greg Dawley... I hope someday you run into Danny's ticked off older brother. I bet you turn as cowardly as your not funny "joke". No, thats not a threat, just a wish!

I am Danny's uncle. Of course what he did was stupid. But of course young kids (and he's still a kid in my estimation) do stupid things. I certainly did and almost every one of my friends did at that age, if not all. I have a close friend who was a major TV news producer in major markets like DC and Miami. He believes in journalism today with 24/7 news and so many more outlets, that a lot of inexperienced young "kids" get put in positions of authority that never would've happened years ago in an environment with limited outlets. I think we can write this off to two young "kids" (I assume the author of the original article was young) making mistakes. Yes, Danny made a mistake in judgement but so did the editor by not doing proper due diligence. I trust BOTH will learn from this experience,

I am sad to read all the negative comments on Danny. Just because he was at a party and they had a keg or did not have a keg, does not mean he deserves to be disrespected by our community. He's a 21 yr. old, who was at a party...please try not to pass judgement on him and maybe offer up some prayers for him. He did not do anything unlawful. He didn't want to fall, it was an accident. Thankfully, it was not tragic! I say this to you Danny....I hope you have a speedy recovery. To your parents and family..... whoever you are....I will hold you in my thoughts and prayers while Danny mends from a truly terrible accident.

My thanks go out to all of you who have been compassionate to Danny and his family--my family--during a time of considerable stress and angst. I can't imagine how my sister felt when she got that phone call. I can tell you that I was hysterical when she called me, as was my daughter. I drove 80 mph to RI Hospital. It is reprehensible to me that anyone could disregard the human side of this story. A young man almost lost his life--in this case it was my nephew. It could've been your nephew, son, or daughter. This is no joke, it is a wake-up call to the fragility of life.

Do you want some cheese with that whine ?

Still have yet to hear what was incorrect about this article, only that it is wrong? but i did learn alot about law, ethics, journalism, son-in laws, EMS, major news producers in D.C., texas, and winters

So dude there ya go again. Nothin but a hater. missin MS? Ha. All she did was show us how to play someone the right way. Lots of us are just laughin at you now. I mean lots. Remember "Don't mess with Texas."

You play you pay. Deal with it. Screw around on a balcony you take your chances. End of story. The rest of you need to go out and find a hobby or SOMETHING to do. Quit trashing each other AND the editor. She is only reporting what info she was given. If any of you know more than she get out there and re-write the article. Until then, get a life.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery. Rich, if you need anything. You know how to find me.

MMT
Pertaining to most of the stories/comments on this site I just find myself stunned all around. Seems everyone is going back and forth over such trivial points. Blame the editor, blame the P.D., blame the parents, blame the victim, etc., While all of these stories here impact those from many walks of life and that is tragic. After reading a few of these articles, stories, as well as the comments, I just keep thinking to myself ....people should be happy and thankful that our local news headlines aren't as gruesome as those in major high crime cities, even here in RI. Remember...we could be reading hundreds of horrifically tragic stories. So instead of fighting, just take the info in and be thankful that we don't live somewhere that has an overabundance of these inexcusable, devastating tragedies happening every single day. This is a great place to live even though a lot has changed over the years but when compared to other places like it, both the crime and cost of living increase. We have it pretty good here so maybe we don't have to verbally attack those just wanting to get the info out for the reader. The last thing a victims fam member needs to read is strangers bickering with slim, limited information about someone they love.