Texas Journalist Recalls Covering Selena's Death 30 Years Later

Covering Selena's Tragic Death

• 🎤 Dave Johnson, a former television reporter in Corpus Christi, shares his experience covering the murder of Tejano star Selena on the 30th anniversary of her death.
• 📸 Behind-the-scenes footage, captured by an intern, shows the reality of reporting on the fateful day, including reporters and photographers at the crime scene.
• 📍 Johnson was working at the local CBS affiliate, kztv, and was in charge of breaking into programming with the shocking news that Selena had been shot.

The Crime Scene and Investigation

• 🚗 Johnson went to the crime scene at the Days Inn, bringing tape to the crews on site and gathering information with other reporters while waiting for investigators.
• 🗣️ He recalls the event as a defining moment for Corpus Christi, stating that Selena put the city and Texas on the map, more so than any hurricane.
• 🏠 The TV station's proximity to the crime scene allowed Johnson to easily move between the studio and the scene to report the news.

Impact and Lasting Memories

• 😔 Covering Selena's death was particularly tough because she was admired by the Corpus Christi press, known for being friendly and approachable.
• ⚖️ Johnson also covered the Selena trial in Houston and kept all press passes and media kits from the time.
• 💡 He reflects on how different reporting was without cell phones, emphasizing the value of the intern's footage in capturing the behind-the-scenes reality.