Talk:Henry Earl

Source assessment table

I am aware that this article has some history, but I believe two things have changed because Earl passed away two years ago. One, WP:BLP (and WP:BDP) no longer apply. And two, we now have some high-quality obituaries to use as sources. I have included a source assessment table of WP:THREE sources.

Source assessment table prepared by User:HouseBlaster

Source	Independent?	Reliable?	Significant coverage?	Count source toward GNG?
https://www.newsweek.com/portraits-town-drunk-131555		Per WP:NEWSWEEK, there is consensus that pre-2013 Newsweek articles are generally reliable. This one was published in 2004.	Multiple paragraphs about Earl	✔ Yes
https://www.cnn.com/2013/12/04/us/kentucky-henry-earl-most-arrested		CNN is considered generally reliable	Multiple paragraphs about Earl	✔ Yes
https://www.newspapers.com/article/lexington-herald-leader-obituary-for-hen/201507522/ (continued)		Lexington Herald-Leader is a highly-regarded newspaper of record for Lexington, Kentucky.	Multiple paragraphs about Earl	✔ Yes
This table may not be a final or consensus view; it may summarize developing consensus, or reflect assessments of a single editor. Created using {{source assess table}}.

Best, HouseBlaster (talk • he/they) 00:45, 19 September 2026 (UTC)

The sourcing was never the issue. It became a contentious issue generally through a series of poor decisions that I (and others, but mostly me) made regarding BLP enforcement. Jclemens (talk) 03:56, 19 September 2026 (UTC)

Did you know nomination

(

• Comment or view
• Article history

)

• ... that Henry Earl was arrested about 1,500 times?
  • ALT1: ... that James Brown was arrested about 1,500 times?
  • Reviewed: Template:Did you know nominations/Iron Bridge, Lucknow
  • Comment: Driveby nom per tipoff at the unmentionable site; ALT1 is intended for WP:DYKAPRIL.

Created by HouseBlaster (talk). Number of QPQs required: 2. DYK is currently in unreviewed backlog mode and nominator has 433 past nominations.

Launchballer 03:54, 19 September 2026 (UTC).

• I oppose running a hook about the arrests; I don't believe that is in good taste. Best, HouseBlaster (talk • he/they) 04:01, 19 September 2026 (UTC)

Not sure I see the problem given BLP no longer applies and those hooks will get more views, but ALT2: ... that Henry Earl received a nickname referencing a popular soul singer due to the dance moves he would perform for money while homeless?.--Launchballer 04:11, 19 September 2026 (UTC)

BLP doesn't apply, but he was still a human. Best, HouseBlaster (talk • he/they) 04:34, 19 September 2026 (UTC)

I agree. A DYK is in poor taste: the chapter is closed, the man has died, and there's nothing further to be gained from scrutinizing his story other than as a testament to how poorly suited the criminal justice system is to address substance abuse disorders. Jclemens (talk) 21:57, 19 September 2026 (UTC)

Also on hold pending AFD. ミラP@Miraclepine 14:31, 21 September 2026 (UTC)