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Aiden Kearney | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | American |
| Other names | Turtleboy, Clarence Woods Emerson |
| Alma mater | UMASS Amherst |
| Occupation(s) | Author, Journalist |
| Mother | Mary Mullaney |
| Awards | The Valley Patriot First Amendment Award |
Aiden Kearney (born December 26, 1981) is an American author, award-winning journalist, social activist and entertainer[1] -- known as Turtleboy. He is the Senior Editor of TB Daily News.
Kearney has garnered media attention surrounding his investigative journalism tactics and coverage of an ongoing case regarding the death of a Boston Police Officer.
The name Turtleboy is a nod to the Burnside Fountain located in Worcester, Massachusetts depicting a young boy riding a sea turtle.
Early Life
editBorn in Worcester, Massachusetts, he is the son of a former Worcester School Committee member Mary Mullaney.[2] Kearney attended South High Community School, graduating in the Class of 2000.[3]
He is a father of two and currently resides in Holden, Massachusetts.
Career
editEarly on in his career, Kearney worked as a History teacher at Shepherd Hill Regional High School in Dudley, MA[2] and coached boys varsity track at Doherty Memorial High School in Worcester, MA.[3]
As a hobby, he started an online blog called AidenFromWorcester.com which voiced his opinion on a variety of issues. This blog earned him a suspension from teaching and prompted him to start the anonymous site, Turtleboy Sports, which he eventually turned into a full-time career in journalism after leaving the education field.
In 2021, Kearney ran for Wachusett Regional School Committee but was not elected into the role.
As 'Turtleboy'
editAfter founding the online publication Turtleboy Sports, Kearney wrote investigative articles anonymously under the pen name Uncle Turtleboy and Clarence Woods Emerson. He grew the site into a team of contributors who contributed articles anonymously under a variety of nom de plumes.
In 2015, his identify was unmasked and he began openly using the Turtleboy alias in his writing.[2] He changed the name of his publication to TB Daily News in 2017.
In 2018, Kearney spoke out about big tech companies like Facebook and Google, citing online censorship.[4] This prompted him to write and publish a book titled, I AM Turtleboy: A teacher turned blogger battles big tech censorship, threats, and political correctness to protect free speech and democracy.
Investigative Reporting
editMassachusetts State Police Scandal
editIn 2018, Kearney covered alleged misconduct within the Massachusetts State Police regarding a K-9 trooper's history of drug dealing and money laundering.[5] In the early 2000s, the trooper participated in a large scale marijuana business run by her then-live-in boyfriend. The trooper failed to disclose this criminal activity when applying for the State Police, but was uncovered during a testimony against her former boyfriend. The uncovering of this information led the State Police to implementing new background checks and hiring protocols.[6] Because of her criminal history and subsequent dishonorable discharge from the force, cases she participated in during her tenure were called into question. Three District Attorney cases were thrown out due to her involvement.[7]
He was also cited as the first to break news of a Massachusetts state trooper who faced disciplinary actions for including incriminating details in an arrest report concerning a judge's daughter.[8]
Commonwealth vs. Karen Read
editIn April 2023, Kearney began covering a news story surrounding a Massachusetts woman named Karen Read.[9] Read, a professor at Bentley University, was accused of hitting her boyfriend John O'Keefe, a Boston police officer, with her car outside of a home in Canton, Massachusetts in January 2022.
Since first featuring this story in his online publication, Kearney has uncovered new details and theories surrounding the death of John O'Keefe. He has organized protests throughout the Town of Canton and related pre-trial hearings, coining the phrase Free Karen Read. The case has garnered national attention as the result of Kearney's coverage of the case in a series called Canton Coverup.[1]
Kearney was arrested on October 11, 2023 and charged with one count of conspiracy and eight counts of witness intimidation[10] related to his investigative reporting of the Read Case and subsequent protests.[11] In December 2023, it was alleged that Kearney violated the conditions of his bail and was subject to arrest. He turned himself in to law enforcement and was arranged in Dedham District Court on December 27th, 2023. His bail was revoked and is being held in Norfolk County jail for up to 90 days.[12][11][1]
Kearney has retained a defense attorney for what they are arguing is a violation of Kearney's First Amendment rights on the basis of his work a journalist is protected under Freedom of Speech.[13]
Awards & Recognition
editAwards
editUnder the Turtleboy Sports name, Kearney has won four Worcester Magazine Best of Worcester awards:
- Best Local Blog: 2015, 2016
- Best Local News Source: 2017, 2018
In 2018, Turtleboy was also among five nominees to be selected for The Valley Patriot First Amendment Award, a designation given to those who have "made a significant difference in holding public officials accountable, fought for transparency in government, and gone above and beyond the call of duty to defend and protect our right of free speech, a free press, freedom of religion and/or has been a whistle-blower against corruption."[14]
Press
editKearney has received national press coverage regarding his investigative journalism involving the Karen Read Case. He has been a recurring guest with Howie Carr on The Howie Carr Show.[10][15] He has also been featured on CourtTV to provide commentary on the Karen Read Case and associated felony witness intimidation charges.[16]
References
edit- ^ a b c Machado, Jess (2024-01-15). "Exclusive first interview with Aidan "Turtle Boy" Kearney from jail". Fall River Reporter. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
- ^ a b c McFarlane, Clive. "Turtleboy blogger unmasked". The Worcester Telegram & Gazette. Retrieved 2024-01-06.
- ^ a b McFarlane, Clive. "Track coach says fix is in for school job". The Worcester Telegram & Gazette. Retrieved 2024-01-06.
- ^ Mullaney, Tim. "The tale of Turtleboy and how Facebook stifles free speech". MarketWatch. Retrieved 2024-01-06.
- ^ "Mass. state trooper with criminal past dishonorably discharged". WCVB. 2018-08-25. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
- ^ Moulton, Cyrus. "State trooper with drug-dealing past is ousted". The Worcester Telegram & Gazette. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
- ^ "Mass. state trooper with criminal past dishonorably discharged". WCVB. 2018-08-25. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
- ^ Lips, Evan (2018-02-23). "TRIALS OF TURTLEBOY: Worcester Blog Takes On Boston Newspapers Over Coverage Of Massachusetts State Police Scandals". NewBostonPost. Retrieved 2024-01-06.
- ^ Kearney, Aidan (2023-04-18). "Canton Cover-Up Part 1: Corrupt State Trooper Helps Boston Cop Coverup Murder Of Fellow Officer, Frame Innocent Girlfriend". TB Daily News. Retrieved 2024-01-06.
- ^ a b "The Howie Carr Radio Network: TURTLEBOY: "There's a reason they're being investigated by the FBI and I'm not" | 12.20.23 - The Howie Carr Show Hour 4 on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
- ^ a b Vega, Ashley (2023-12-28). "Everything we know about Aidan Kearney". The US Sun. Retrieved 2024-01-06.
- ^ Patkin, Abby. "Turtleboy blogger Aidan Kearney's bail revoked amid new charges". www.boston.com. Retrieved 2024-01-06.
- ^ "Judge hears First Amendment argument from 'Turtleboy' blogger charged with witness intimidation". Boston 25 News. 2023-11-02. Retrieved 2024-01-06.
- ^ Duggan, Tom (2018-03-06). "Valley Patriot BASH Committee Announces the 2018 Nominees for our 1st Amendment Award". The Valley Patriot. Retrieved 2024-01-06.
- ^ Staff, Howie Carr Show (2023-11-22). "Corruption in Canton? Turtleboy joins the show | 11.21.23 - The Howie Carr Show Hour 4". HCRN. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
- ^ "Karen Read Supporter 'Turtleboy' Talks to Court TV". Court TV. Retrieved 2024-01-16.