Caller-Times journalists recognized for First Amendment reporting – Corpus Christi Caller-Times

Reporters Krista Torralva and Natalia Contreras teamed up for a story about the days leading up to the death of Noemi Villarreal, a victim of domestic violence. The article earned them the First Amendment Award in the Defending the Disadvantaged category.(Photo: File photos)

Three Caller-Times journalists were recognized in April by the Society of Professional Journalists.

Reporters Krista Torralva and Natalia Contreras teamed up for a story about the days leading up to thedeath ofNoemi Villarreal, a victim of domestic violence. The articleearned them First Amendment Award in the Defending the Disadvantaged category. The category highlights stories that illustrate the problems of the powerless in society.

More:Six days after reporting domestic violence, Noemi Villarreal was dead

Six days after seeking help from Corpus Christi police after her boyfriend held her captive,Noemi Villarreal's naked body was foundstuffed in a trash can in a grassy field near Oso Bay.

Villarreal's income came from dancing at a strip club and a disability check. She became dependent on drugs and her boyfriend, Lance Taylor, provided her with sedatives and antidepressants, her sister,Nydia Villarreal, said to Contreras. Taylor was indicted in September for murder in her death.

Contreras saidNydia Villarreal's candid disclosure of Noemi Villarreal'ssocial blemishes epitomized a vulnerabilitythat can influence a victims' credibility, which Contreras said should never be the case.

"Your background doesn't matter," Contreras said. "You're supposed to be protected."

The Corpus Christi police Department's family violence unitclosed on the weekends when the story published. The articlehighlightedNoemi's chance of survival if that weren't the case.As of July 28, family violence detectives are rotated for weekends and after hours duty.

Caller-Times reporter Chris Ramirez was named a finalist in the award's Business News category for a story about the effects of the drop in oil prices in South Texas.(Photo: File photo)

Caller-Times reporter Chris Ramirez also was named a finalist in the award's Business News category for a story about the effects of the drop in oil prices inSouth Texas.

More:As oil jobs dry up, unemployment spikes in Coastal Bend

Using the voices ofresidents inAlice, coupled with oil price shifts and unemployment rates of area counties, the storypainted a clear picture of how South Texas townsonce economically supported by Eagle Ford Shale activity are now hurting.

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Caller-Times journalists recognized for First Amendment reporting - Corpus Christi Caller-Times