Friday, November 20, 2009
But He Didn't Fire the FATAL Shot
For some reason, the Pardon Board, and of course the Houston Chronicle wanted Governor Rick Perry to spare the life of Robert Lee Thompson. Thompson and another man were on a robbing spree back in 1996 in Houston. They robbed a store in which two clerks were shot, one fatally. The other man fired the fatal shot, but for some reason the jury couldn't be convinced that the robber intended to kill the clerk when he fired at him. The article states that the prosecution failed to prove the element of intent. I guess nobody heard of the element of knowing. Anyhow, the article harps on the fact that Thompson didn't fire the fatal shot. I guess as long as he didn't actually kill the clerk that Thompson doesn't deserve the death penalty. Even though he shot the other clerk four times and tried to shoot him again in the neck but he was out of ammunition. I guess that kind of person doesn't deserve the death penalty in the eyes of the Chronicle. The article also says that Thompson and his buddy targeted stores that Thompson felt "were exploitative of blacks." That means Thompson targeted stores ran by immigrants so shouldn't that be a hate crime? Yet, he didn't fire the actual fatal shot so the Chronicle and the board of pardons (for some odd reason) felt this worthless piece of trash should be spared.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Houston Wants it Both Ways
Apparently the City of Houston wants it both ways.
First of all, the city goes to the state legislature to make running a red light a civil infraction rather than a criminal one. The purpose of this is to reduce the level of proof in order to issue citations to generate revenue. The plan gets enacted and the citations are practically flying through the mail. Also ticketed are emergency workers (i.e. police, firefighters, and EMTs). I'm not talking about the emergency vehicle operators who ran red lights with no cause. I'm referring to the instances where emergency vehicles were cited for running the red lights while running priority calls. The citation would arrive at the agency owning the vehicle and more often than not the operator would have to pay the citation or challenge it on their own time. This was annoying to emergency workers who said in frustration they would quit running emergency traffic to life threatening calls out of fear of getting a red light citation from the city of Houston. This year the state legislature slapped Houston by passing legislation that forbade red light citations to the owners of emergency vehicles (however they can still send notice to the agency and let them deal with the matter internally).
For the past couple of years, the city of Houston has been trying to work a deal with Harris County to block the registration of vehicles with outstanding red light violations. What many people probably didn't know until this article came out was that there are outstanding toll road violations due to city owned vehicles. The city tried to say that the individual operators alone were responsible for the violations. The exact same procedure other agencies used when they got the red light citations. Just like the red light citations, toll violations come into the mail to the registered owner (the city). Sounds like they just passed it off and let the matter lie. How many registered car owners had to appear in municipal court saying they no longer had the vehicle, or let someone else drive it and the judge said no? With this embarrassing little piece the city is now stating they will handle the outstanding fines and better monitor their people. Does this mean they will be more sympathetic to registered vehicle owners who appear in municipal court? Doubt it!
First of all, the city goes to the state legislature to make running a red light a civil infraction rather than a criminal one. The purpose of this is to reduce the level of proof in order to issue citations to generate revenue. The plan gets enacted and the citations are practically flying through the mail. Also ticketed are emergency workers (i.e. police, firefighters, and EMTs). I'm not talking about the emergency vehicle operators who ran red lights with no cause. I'm referring to the instances where emergency vehicles were cited for running the red lights while running priority calls. The citation would arrive at the agency owning the vehicle and more often than not the operator would have to pay the citation or challenge it on their own time. This was annoying to emergency workers who said in frustration they would quit running emergency traffic to life threatening calls out of fear of getting a red light citation from the city of Houston. This year the state legislature slapped Houston by passing legislation that forbade red light citations to the owners of emergency vehicles (however they can still send notice to the agency and let them deal with the matter internally).
For the past couple of years, the city of Houston has been trying to work a deal with Harris County to block the registration of vehicles with outstanding red light violations. What many people probably didn't know until this article came out was that there are outstanding toll road violations due to city owned vehicles. The city tried to say that the individual operators alone were responsible for the violations. The exact same procedure other agencies used when they got the red light citations. Just like the red light citations, toll violations come into the mail to the registered owner (the city). Sounds like they just passed it off and let the matter lie. How many registered car owners had to appear in municipal court saying they no longer had the vehicle, or let someone else drive it and the judge said no? With this embarrassing little piece the city is now stating they will handle the outstanding fines and better monitor their people. Does this mean they will be more sympathetic to registered vehicle owners who appear in municipal court? Doubt it!
Thursday, October 1, 2009
In Remembrance
It was two years ago today I got a phone call about Deputy Jason Norling being struck by a careless driver while on a traffic stop. That was a terrible day for many people. I will never forget his fascination with the Vampire Chroincles and the long discussion we had about it. Rest in Peace Jason!
ODMP tribute here
Cantinas Important in Houston?
I came across this article on Channel 13 Houston's website. It tells of a cantina in the Heights neighborhood that the residents are complaining about. La Bola Loca is another of many cantinas that litter Houston. Residents have been complaining to the Houston Police Dept. and Mayor Bill White's office yet the bar remains open. Residents probably weren't that surprised when two people were shot outside that bar recently.
"So we went in there about 3am one morning. There were prostitutes and they propositioned us. So it was real straight forward. There was no secrecy behind it. It was pretty clear what was going on. We bought beer at 3:30am in the morning like the TABC requested that we do," said Josh Judd."
Don't depend on TABC.
"There is no prostitution, there is no drugs, nothing," said Martin Arguta (owner)."
He is lying!
"If this place had prostitution, it would be closed already, because we have visits from TABC, the police very often. They checked, everything is OK," said Aguta."
Again he is lying and I will tell you why. For years there was a cantina that we tried to get closed. We busted people coming out drunk at 7 in the morning! Half of them had cocaine. Many of them had no identification and were not old enough to enter a bar legally! Despite the number of arrests made, the number of complaints made with TABC little was ever done. Eventually the cantina closed, but is no open under a new name. So pardon me if I don't have a lot of faith in TABC to shut down a cantina.
"So we went in there about 3am one morning. There were prostitutes and they propositioned us. So it was real straight forward. There was no secrecy behind it. It was pretty clear what was going on. We bought beer at 3:30am in the morning like the TABC requested that we do," said Josh Judd."
Don't depend on TABC.
"There is no prostitution, there is no drugs, nothing," said Martin Arguta (owner)."
He is lying!
"If this place had prostitution, it would be closed already, because we have visits from TABC, the police very often. They checked, everything is OK," said Aguta."
Again he is lying and I will tell you why. For years there was a cantina that we tried to get closed. We busted people coming out drunk at 7 in the morning! Half of them had cocaine. Many of them had no identification and were not old enough to enter a bar legally! Despite the number of arrests made, the number of complaints made with TABC little was ever done. Eventually the cantina closed, but is no open under a new name. So pardon me if I don't have a lot of faith in TABC to shut down a cantina.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Police Shootings Up in Harris County
The Houston Chronicle is back on its rant about police shootings. Today we have this article about how shootings by law enforcement in Harris County have risen this year. According to the article, as of September 24, there have been 44 police shootings in Harris County. This has already surpassed the total number of police shootings for the last two years. Read the explanations offered by our community.
First, HPOU President Gary Blankenship cited the end of the city's paid overtime program. He also cites rising unemployment due to the state of the economy as of late. I can understand that. However, maybe I'm being naive but not everyone who is out of a job is out committing a crime. We're hearing that excuse from people however it's from the people who were out screwing up when the economy was good.
Next we have our very own media appointed community activist (I still have yet to see what community he has made a difference in) Quanell X. Of course he won't change. He wants to see more officers charged regardless of the facts. He still makes his living jumping in front of a camera although he is more careful since the Joe Horn incident.
Next was a shock. Spokeswoman for the District Attorney's Office Donna Hawkins blames permissive gun laws!!!! What???? No disrespect to Ms. Hawkins, but what planet is she living on? Or was she reading a bad script? She was quoted as "if more people have the access and it becomes easier to carry them, there tends to be more shooting and more situations involving police officers." I really hate to repeat myself. Remember when Texas first enacted the concealed handgun laws? Everyone was screaming that Texas would be the wild west and guess what? It didn't happen! When the legislature changed the gun laws to essentially make carrying a handgun in one's car legal that changed nothing. I wonder if anyone at the DA's office realize that criminals will always carry weapons illegally. Criminals break the law, that's what they do. The law abiding citizen, even armed, will not present a threat to a police officer. Does the DA's office realize it is already illegal for felons, gang members, illegal immigrants to have guns? Apparently not because I know of an incident in which a stolen car with six illegal immigrants was stopped. A ski mask, a pistol, and a shotgun were found and the DA's office only charged one person with a weapon charge and let the rest go! Maybe if the DA's office would quit declining good cases for ridiculous reasons that could help the police a little bit.
Next comes a Sam Houston State University researcher who comments about the numbers. Out of respect for my alma mater all I'm going to say is do a few ride-a-longs and see what the streets are like instead of looking at numbers and coming up with theories.
Next we hear from JoAnne Musick, President of the Harris County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association. She is a former public integrity prosecutor (and a very good attorney). She said she wondered if the shootings are a "lingering effect from police confrontations with criminals mixed with the wave of Hurricane Katrina refugees.." The Katrina people aren't as numerous as they were in 2006, but some of them are still here and occasionally they still make the news as getting in trouble with the law, or involved in crimes. Ms. Musick has a better understanding of officer-involved shooting than the District Attorney's office apparently. She also cited the stress of limited back up and single man patrols. I would agree that limited back up can be stressful. However single man patrols are the norm around here. Remember this incident where the officer was ambushed? With people like these running around naturally police are going to be more cautious. She quotes the old proverb perception is reality. When an officer perceives a threat he/she will react accordingly and that reaction will have to be documented and reviewed. One thing people need to understand the best way not to elicit a reaction from a police officer is not to do anything threatening, or that maybe perceived as so. However many people feel they can challenge the police without any consequence (and sometimes they are right thanks to the District Attorney's office refusal to prosecute many cases of officers being assaulted).
The article concludes with the HPOU President citing that many people shot are under the influence of some substance and/or mentally ill. Sadly this is true to an extent. People under the influence are emboldened to act out against their families and the police. People with mental issues can act out presenting a danger to themselves and others and the police have to deal with them. However, contrary to the wishes of some in the mental health community and the media police are not going to lay down and get injured or killed because the intent is not there.
First, HPOU President Gary Blankenship cited the end of the city's paid overtime program. He also cites rising unemployment due to the state of the economy as of late. I can understand that. However, maybe I'm being naive but not everyone who is out of a job is out committing a crime. We're hearing that excuse from people however it's from the people who were out screwing up when the economy was good.
Next we have our very own media appointed community activist (I still have yet to see what community he has made a difference in) Quanell X. Of course he won't change. He wants to see more officers charged regardless of the facts. He still makes his living jumping in front of a camera although he is more careful since the Joe Horn incident.
Next was a shock. Spokeswoman for the District Attorney's Office Donna Hawkins blames permissive gun laws!!!! What???? No disrespect to Ms. Hawkins, but what planet is she living on? Or was she reading a bad script? She was quoted as "if more people have the access and it becomes easier to carry them, there tends to be more shooting and more situations involving police officers." I really hate to repeat myself. Remember when Texas first enacted the concealed handgun laws? Everyone was screaming that Texas would be the wild west and guess what? It didn't happen! When the legislature changed the gun laws to essentially make carrying a handgun in one's car legal that changed nothing. I wonder if anyone at the DA's office realize that criminals will always carry weapons illegally. Criminals break the law, that's what they do. The law abiding citizen, even armed, will not present a threat to a police officer. Does the DA's office realize it is already illegal for felons, gang members, illegal immigrants to have guns? Apparently not because I know of an incident in which a stolen car with six illegal immigrants was stopped. A ski mask, a pistol, and a shotgun were found and the DA's office only charged one person with a weapon charge and let the rest go! Maybe if the DA's office would quit declining good cases for ridiculous reasons that could help the police a little bit.
Next comes a Sam Houston State University researcher who comments about the numbers. Out of respect for my alma mater all I'm going to say is do a few ride-a-longs and see what the streets are like instead of looking at numbers and coming up with theories.
Next we hear from JoAnne Musick, President of the Harris County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association. She is a former public integrity prosecutor (and a very good attorney). She said she wondered if the shootings are a "lingering effect from police confrontations with criminals mixed with the wave of Hurricane Katrina refugees.." The Katrina people aren't as numerous as they were in 2006, but some of them are still here and occasionally they still make the news as getting in trouble with the law, or involved in crimes. Ms. Musick has a better understanding of officer-involved shooting than the District Attorney's office apparently. She also cited the stress of limited back up and single man patrols. I would agree that limited back up can be stressful. However single man patrols are the norm around here. Remember this incident where the officer was ambushed? With people like these running around naturally police are going to be more cautious. She quotes the old proverb perception is reality. When an officer perceives a threat he/she will react accordingly and that reaction will have to be documented and reviewed. One thing people need to understand the best way not to elicit a reaction from a police officer is not to do anything threatening, or that maybe perceived as so. However many people feel they can challenge the police without any consequence (and sometimes they are right thanks to the District Attorney's office refusal to prosecute many cases of officers being assaulted).
The article concludes with the HPOU President citing that many people shot are under the influence of some substance and/or mentally ill. Sadly this is true to an extent. People under the influence are emboldened to act out against their families and the police. People with mental issues can act out presenting a danger to themselves and others and the police have to deal with them. However, contrary to the wishes of some in the mental health community and the media police are not going to lay down and get injured or killed because the intent is not there.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
MLK a Republican?
Lisa Falkenberg of the Houston Chronicle has an opinion piece in the Houston Chronicle regarding the billboards in Houston declaring Martin Luther King was a republican.
Read the article and of course the whole ad is painted as nonsense. However the dirty little secret is that there is some truth to this. Let's review some facts shall we?
It was the democratic party who attempted to filibuster the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
In cities with a large black population that live in poverty and crime, which political party rules it? That's right! Democratic!
Read the article and of course the whole ad is painted as nonsense. However the dirty little secret is that there is some truth to this. Let's review some facts shall we?
It was the democratic party who attempted to filibuster the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
In cities with a large black population that live in poverty and crime, which political party rules it? That's right! Democratic!
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Good Luck With This One!
Long story short:
14-year old gets kidnapped in San Antonio and brought to Corpus Christi. Said, teen girl is forced to work at a strip club with a fake ID.
A club manager is arrested and charged with employment harmful to a minor.
Now, the club is suing the kidnapper, the teenage girl, and her parents!
The club (The Cheetah Club) wants "The suit seeks unspecified damages from Campbell (the kidnapper), the girl and her parents, as well as a declaration from a judge that it did not intend to hire a minor."
“We’re the victims here,” Alan Yaffe, attorney for the club said.
Obviously the club is grasping at straws here. I have to wonder did the attorney or his clients consider for a moment there might be a negative backlash to this?
14-year old gets kidnapped in San Antonio and brought to Corpus Christi. Said, teen girl is forced to work at a strip club with a fake ID.
A club manager is arrested and charged with employment harmful to a minor.
Now, the club is suing the kidnapper, the teenage girl, and her parents!
The club (The Cheetah Club) wants "The suit seeks unspecified damages from Campbell (the kidnapper), the girl and her parents, as well as a declaration from a judge that it did not intend to hire a minor."
“We’re the victims here,” Alan Yaffe, attorney for the club said.
Obviously the club is grasping at straws here. I have to wonder did the attorney or his clients consider for a moment there might be a negative backlash to this?
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