Email Author Melanie Asmar

Awards

• 2012 - GLAAD Media Awards, published May 5, 2011

  "Coming Out in America"

• 2012 - National Association of Black Journalists Awards, published March 17, 2011

  "Say What?"

• 2012 - Clarion Awards/Association of Women in Communications, published May 26, 2011

  "Passing on Education"

• 2011 - Education Reporting Awards/National Education Writers Association, published June 10, 2010

  "Teacher's Fret"

More

2010 Stories by Melanie Asmar

• Cynthia Buschagen, 66, claims Castle Rock's Faith Lutheran Church fired her for being too old -- and too female

  published Mar 30, 2010

  Cynthia Buschagen isn't leaving Castle Rock's Faith Lutheran Church quietly. On Friday, the 66-year old filed a lawsuit against her former employer -- as well as its parent organization, Rocky Mountai... More >>

• Syringe-exchange programs: Bill to legalize them introduced in state legislature

  published Mar 26, 2010

  A lot has happened in the eleven months since Westword last wrote about Colorado's lack of a legal syringe exchange program -- and how a group called Underground Syringe Exchange Denver, or USED, for... More >>

• Meet Denver's newest, cutest baby!!!!!!

  published Mar 25, 2010

  Don't try to fight it: Baby monkeys are the most adorable. Like, six-exclamation-points adorable. Like, OMG!!!!!! THAT BABY MONKEY IS EFFING ADORABLE!!!!!! In light of that proven fact, say hello to... More >>

• The Denver Roller Dolls pack in the fans -- more than 4,000 of 'em -- in Broomfield

  published Mar 25, 2010

  The question of whether Denver Roller Dolls fans would follow their derby league to Broomfield has been answered with a resounding, "Hell yes!" The Dolls report that a record 4,429 fans attended the... More >>

• Darrent Williams murder trial: Why did a jury find Willie Clark guiltyr

  published Mar 24, 2010

  How did Denver police go about charging Willie Clark with the 2007 murder of Broncos cornerback Darrent Williamsr By using witnesses' own criminal charges as a "vice grip" that convinced them to tell ... More >>

• The Rocky Mountain Rollergirls want YOU (to write them an anthem)

  published Mar 23, 2010

  Everybody loves a good fight song. You know, a boisterous ditty that makes you want to hoist your beer and rip the other team's face off. The Rocky Mountain Rollergirls, Denver's first roller derby ... More >>

• 

  COVER STORY

  In the hunt for Darrent Williams's killer, the cops went on the offensive early

  published March 25, 2010

  Denver Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams was riding in the back seat of a white Hummer limousine in the early hours of New Year's Day 2007... More >>

• The evidence that put Willie Clark away

  published March 25, 2010

  For Darrent Williams, New Year's Eve 2006 started with a football game. After a disappointing loss to the San Francisco 49ers, the Denver... More >>

• Child-abuse deaths: Department of Human Services director apologizes to lawmakers for late reports

  published Mar 22, 2010

  Earlier this afternoon, state Department of Human Services Director Karen Beye sat before a committee of lawmakers and apologized. It's "clearly unacceptable" that the department failed to complete ti... More >>

• Denver Roller Dolls make their big debut

  published Mar 19, 2010

  The Denver Roller Dolls -- the fourth-best roller derby league in the country, according to the Derby News Network -- have one of the best deals in derby. They've partnered with promoter AEG Live an... More >>

• DPS board member Andrea Merida hijacks district's media mailing list

  published Mar 18, 2010

  Update, 2:10 p.m.: Westword just spoke to Andrea Merida. To read what she had to say, click on "More" and scroll to the bottom. Denver Public Schools board member Andrea Merida has been raking muck w... More >>

• Traveling trunk: Big wooden elephant arrives at Denver Zoo

  published Mar 12, 2010

  What's six feet tall, made of wood and never forgetsr Why, the Denver Zoo's new elephant statute, of course! Forgive our bad joke. It's Friday afternoon and our brains are mushy. It's true, however... More >>

• 

  FEATURED STORY

  Darrent Williams murder trial, day thirteen: Willie Clark found guilty

  published Mar 11, 2010

  Westword is covering the trial of Willie Clark, accused of murdering Denver Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams early on New Year's Day 2007. The most recent updates for the day will be at the top; t... More >>

• Darrent Williams murder trial, day twelve: Another dismissed alternate juror would have voted to acquit

  published Mar 10, 2010

  Westword is covering the trial of Willie Clark, accused of murdering Denver Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams early on New Year's Day 2007. The most recent updates for the day will be at the top; t... More >>

• Michael Andre: Lawyer who killed himself after police standoff had unlikely connection to Darrent Williams murder trial

  published Mar 10, 2010

  Sometimes, stories intersect. Westword is covering the trial of Willie Clark, accused of murdering Denver Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams early on New Year's Day 2007. Testimony in the case has ... More >>

• Darrent Williams murder trial, day eleven: Better get ready, jury

  published Mar 10, 2010

  Westword is covering the trial of Willie Clark, accused of murdering Denver Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams early on New Year's Day 2007. The most recent updates for the day will be at the top; t... More >>

• Elephants You’ll Remember

  published March 11, 2010

  There’s a giant Las Vegas-style buffet at City Park today, but humans aren’t invited to eat. No, the vittles are for Mimi and Dolly, the... More >>

• Darrent Williams murder trial, day ten: Willie Clark says he's been threatened not to testify

  published Mar 08, 2010

  Westword is covering the trial of Willie Clark, accused of murdering Denver Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams early on New Year's Day 2007. The most recent updates for the day will be at the top; t... More >>

• Darrent Williams murder trial, day nine: Willie Clark's team gets defensive

  published Mar 05, 2010

  Westword is covering the trial of Willie Clark, accused of murdering Denver Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams early on New Year's Day 2007. The most recent updates for the day will be at the top; t... More >>

• Darrent Williams murder trial, day eight: "Are there people in your community who believe you to be a very scary guyr"

  published Mar 04, 2010

  Westword is covering the trial of Willie Clark, accused of murdering Denver Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams early on New Year's Day 2007. The most recent updates for the day will be at the top; t... More >>

• Darrent Williams murder trial, day seven: Tattoos, street slang and a worried witness

  published Mar 03, 2010

  Westword is covering the trial of Willie Clark, accused of murdering Denver Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams early on New Year's Day 2007. The most recent updates for the day will be at the top; t... More >>

• Darrent Williams murder trial, day six: Making deals and pointing fingers

  published Mar 02, 2010

  Westword is covering the trial of Willie Clark, accused of murdering Denver Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams early on New Year's Day 2007. The most recent updates for the day will be at the top; t... More >>

• Darrent Williams murder trial, day five: Bullets and blood

  published Mar 01, 2010

  Westword is covering the trial of Willie Clark, accused of murdering Denver Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams early on New Year's Day 2007. The most recent updates for the day will be at the top; t... More >>

• Darrent Williams murder trial, day four: Aren't Mexico and Venezuela the same thingr

  published Feb 26, 2010

  Westword is covering the trial of Willie Clark, accused of murdering Denver Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams early on New Year's Day 2007. The most recent updates for the day will be at the top; t... More >>

• Darrent Williams murder trial, day three: Reluctant testimony and the Billion Dollar Scholars

  published Feb 25, 2010

  Westword is covering the trial of Willie Clark, accused of murdering Denver Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams early on New Year's Day 2007. The most recent updates for the day will be at the top; t... More >>