Saturday, October 16, 2010
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Court upholds Wash. ban on voting by inmates
Case had charged that rule against inmate voting disproportionately disenfranchised minority voters
By Gene Johnson
The Associated Press
Related Article:
Va. debates essay requirement for felons seeking to vote
SEATTLE — A federal appeals court reversed course Thursday and upheld Washington state's ban on voting by prison inmates in a case that challenged the disproportionate effect it has on minority voters.
A three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals caused a stir by ruling in January that Washington's inmates should be allowed to vote. That decision was expected to give momentum to other efforts to expand voting to inmates; only Maine and Vermont allow those behind bars to cast ballots.
But an 11-judge panel reconsidered the case at a hearing in San Francisco last month and came to a different conclusion.
The judges said that to challenge the ban under the Voting Rights Act, inmates would have to demonstrate intentional discrimination in the state's criminal justice system — not just a disparity in the racial make-up of the prison population.
The inmates suing in Washington made no such showing, they said.
"Felon disenfranchisement laws have a long history in the United States," the court said. "These laws predate the Jim Crow era and, with a few notable exceptions, have not been adopted based on racial considerations."
The suit against Washington's law — which dates to 1866, before statehood — was filed by Muhammad Shabazz Farrakhan, formerly of Bellevue. He was serving a three-year sentence at the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla for a series of felony-theft convictions when he sued the state in 1996.
Five other inmates, all members of racial minority groups, later joined as plaintiffs. They argued the voting ban "results in a denial or abridgement of the right ... to vote on account of race," and thus violated the Voting Rights Act.
The first milestone ruling in the case came in 2003, when a 9th Circuit panel ruled 2-1 that inmates could challenge the voting ban by presenting evidence of racial disparities in the prison population.
The 9th Circuit and the U.S. Supreme Court declined to reconsider that ruling, but on Thursday the 11-judge panel backed away from it, saying it was too sweeping and ran counter to opinions from other federal appeals courts. Instead, they adopted the rule that inmates must show intentional racial discrimination.
"This ruling affirms the rights of states to withhold the right to vote from those who've committed the most serious crimes against society," Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna said in a written statement.
By Gene Johnson
The Associated Press
Related Article:
Va. debates essay requirement for felons seeking to vote
SEATTLE — A federal appeals court reversed course Thursday and upheld Washington state's ban on voting by prison inmates in a case that challenged the disproportionate effect it has on minority voters.
A three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals caused a stir by ruling in January that Washington's inmates should be allowed to vote. That decision was expected to give momentum to other efforts to expand voting to inmates; only Maine and Vermont allow those behind bars to cast ballots.
But an 11-judge panel reconsidered the case at a hearing in San Francisco last month and came to a different conclusion.
The judges said that to challenge the ban under the Voting Rights Act, inmates would have to demonstrate intentional discrimination in the state's criminal justice system — not just a disparity in the racial make-up of the prison population.
The inmates suing in Washington made no such showing, they said.
"Felon disenfranchisement laws have a long history in the United States," the court said. "These laws predate the Jim Crow era and, with a few notable exceptions, have not been adopted based on racial considerations."
The suit against Washington's law — which dates to 1866, before statehood — was filed by Muhammad Shabazz Farrakhan, formerly of Bellevue. He was serving a three-year sentence at the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla for a series of felony-theft convictions when he sued the state in 1996.
Five other inmates, all members of racial minority groups, later joined as plaintiffs. They argued the voting ban "results in a denial or abridgement of the right ... to vote on account of race," and thus violated the Voting Rights Act.
The first milestone ruling in the case came in 2003, when a 9th Circuit panel ruled 2-1 that inmates could challenge the voting ban by presenting evidence of racial disparities in the prison population.
The 9th Circuit and the U.S. Supreme Court declined to reconsider that ruling, but on Thursday the 11-judge panel backed away from it, saying it was too sweeping and ran counter to opinions from other federal appeals courts. Instead, they adopted the rule that inmates must show intentional racial discrimination.
"This ruling affirms the rights of states to withhold the right to vote from those who've committed the most serious crimes against society," Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna said in a written statement.
Ariz. sheriff uncovers inmate's murder-for-hire plot
Inmate allegedly convinced his girlfriend to hire a pair of hit men, who were undercover deputies
By myFOXphoenix
Trouble viewing the video? Download Flash player here
Related Article:
Inmate accused of plot to kill Dakota County prosecutor
PHOENIX — Sheriff's detectives have uncovered a murder-for-hire plot, orchestrated from inside the 4th Ave Jail.
An inmate and his girlfriend have been accused of conspiring to kill the key witness in a home invasion case.
Shawn Tonge allegedly convinced his girlfriend Shanna Lee Parent to hire a pair of hit men — and those hit men were undercover deputies.
The undercover investigation began when the sheriff received a tip that Tonge and his 24-year-old girlfriend set up a hit.
By myFOXphoenix
Trouble viewing the video? Download Flash player here
Related Article:
Inmate accused of plot to kill Dakota County prosecutor
PHOENIX — Sheriff's detectives have uncovered a murder-for-hire plot, orchestrated from inside the 4th Ave Jail.
An inmate and his girlfriend have been accused of conspiring to kill the key witness in a home invasion case.
Shawn Tonge allegedly convinced his girlfriend Shanna Lee Parent to hire a pair of hit men — and those hit men were undercover deputies.
The undercover investigation began when the sheriff received a tip that Tonge and his 24-year-old girlfriend set up a hit.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Thank You!!
I want to say thank you to everyone that has taken time to visit my blog! Trust me, I'm not blowin' the doors off of the internet world, but knowing that some of you care enough to read some of the stuff that is important to me means alot. Please feel free to join or follow the blog if it's not to much trouble. I'm going to try to post on a more regular basis, with a decent size post at least once a week. Again thank you so much and it means a lot!
Friday, October 8, 2010
Us 1 - Bad Guys 0
Calif. police TASER man on meth attempting murder
The man is being booked on suspicion of attempted murder, making terrorist threats, multiple attempts to assault officers, possession of explosive devices and burglary
By Greg Welter
Chico Enterprise-Record
WILLOWS, Calif. — A Willows man is at Glenn Medical Center under double guard today after allegedly threatening Wednesday morning to kill a Willows woman and harm police with an explosive device, while high on methamphetamine.
For authorities to take the man into custody, ending a tense 30-minute stand-off, they had to subdue him with two bean bag rounds, pepper spray bullets and a Taser stun gun.
Glenn County Sheriff Larry Jones said the strange incident began when the suspect, Timothy J. Gurule, 44, called the 44-year-old woman early Wednesday morning, then shortly before 10 a.m. showed up at her home in the 500 block of Fourth Street in northwest Willows, armed with knives and a hammer.
She retreated inside her house, locked the door, and called 9-1-1.
When a Willows officer and a Glenn deputy arrived, they found Gurule allegedly attempting to pry open the woman's door with a claw hammer and reportedly yelling he was going to kill her. He had already broken windows in the home, attacked her car with the hammer, and slashed tires on several cars nearby.
Gurule fled but was spotted moments later outside his home in the 400 block of Garden Street. The first officer on the scene said he was waving a small propane tank wildly above his head.
A Willows officer and Sheriff Jones held the man at gunpoint as other officers arrived.
Jones said the man's pants pockets and waistband were jammed with knives. He was holding some knives in one hand, and a hammer.
The tank he held in his other hand had an ignition device attached to it and was wrapped in a gasoline soaked rag.
Jones said he was determined not to let Gurule retreat into the home, where innocent members of his family had taken shelter. He also ordered several streets in the area shut down, with residents advised to shelter in place.
After several minutes of talking with Gurule, during which he put down some of the knives, authorities became convinced he wasn't going to surrender. He reportedly continued to threaten to blow up the tank he was holding.
Jones had called for a shotgun to be brought to the scene loaded with bean bag rounds. A deputy fired at Gurule and hit him twice. Jones said the suspect staggered backwards, but didn't fall.
From his expression, Jones said he believed the man thought he had been shot with bullets.
Willows Police Chief Bill Spears next fired pepper spray rounds at the man, surrounding him in a cloud that should have incapacitated him, but didn't.
The suspect allegedly continued to resist and a Glenn County detective hit Gurule with a Taser round before a swarm of officers could move in and take him into custody.
Jones said Gurule is a large man nicknamed "Bear."
Jones said the victim appeared to have been picked completely at random. He said the two knew each other years ago when she managed a local apartment community, but hadn't seen him in years.
Gurule is a convicted felon, Jones said. He believes Gurule recently burglarized a local residence, where he obtained several of the knives.
A search of his residence turned up a second explosive device, a Molotov cocktail, which the suspect reportedly had ready to use.
About a month ago, Jones had to shelve his K-9 program due to budget cuts. "Ironically," he said "a police dog could have ended this stand-off before it got started."
After he is medically cleared, Jones said Gurule will be booked into the Glenn County Jail in Willows on suspicion of attempted murder, making terrorist threats, multiple attempts to assault officers, possession of explosive devices and burglary.
A man who was with Gurule but didn't participate in the violence, was also arrested. Johnnie Vivian Penn, 46, of Willows, was found in possession of drugs and was wanted on a warrant. Jones said Penn has 10 aliases and was found in possession of three drivers' licenses under different names.
Although the ordeal lasted only 30 minutes, Jones said officers from the Probation Department, Glenn Narcotics Task Force agents, several deputies and two Willows officers were on hand when it ended.
The Glenn County Arson and Bomb Task Force arrived to clean up the propane tank.
Jones said three crime scenes were involved and are being investigated.
The man is being booked on suspicion of attempted murder, making terrorist threats, multiple attempts to assault officers, possession of explosive devices and burglary
By Greg Welter
Chico Enterprise-Record
WILLOWS, Calif. — A Willows man is at Glenn Medical Center under double guard today after allegedly threatening Wednesday morning to kill a Willows woman and harm police with an explosive device, while high on methamphetamine.
For authorities to take the man into custody, ending a tense 30-minute stand-off, they had to subdue him with two bean bag rounds, pepper spray bullets and a Taser stun gun.
Glenn County Sheriff Larry Jones said the strange incident began when the suspect, Timothy J. Gurule, 44, called the 44-year-old woman early Wednesday morning, then shortly before 10 a.m. showed up at her home in the 500 block of Fourth Street in northwest Willows, armed with knives and a hammer.
She retreated inside her house, locked the door, and called 9-1-1.
When a Willows officer and a Glenn deputy arrived, they found Gurule allegedly attempting to pry open the woman's door with a claw hammer and reportedly yelling he was going to kill her. He had already broken windows in the home, attacked her car with the hammer, and slashed tires on several cars nearby.
Gurule fled but was spotted moments later outside his home in the 400 block of Garden Street. The first officer on the scene said he was waving a small propane tank wildly above his head.
A Willows officer and Sheriff Jones held the man at gunpoint as other officers arrived.
Jones said the man's pants pockets and waistband were jammed with knives. He was holding some knives in one hand, and a hammer.
The tank he held in his other hand had an ignition device attached to it and was wrapped in a gasoline soaked rag.
Jones said he was determined not to let Gurule retreat into the home, where innocent members of his family had taken shelter. He also ordered several streets in the area shut down, with residents advised to shelter in place.
After several minutes of talking with Gurule, during which he put down some of the knives, authorities became convinced he wasn't going to surrender. He reportedly continued to threaten to blow up the tank he was holding.
Jones had called for a shotgun to be brought to the scene loaded with bean bag rounds. A deputy fired at Gurule and hit him twice. Jones said the suspect staggered backwards, but didn't fall.
From his expression, Jones said he believed the man thought he had been shot with bullets.
Willows Police Chief Bill Spears next fired pepper spray rounds at the man, surrounding him in a cloud that should have incapacitated him, but didn't.
The suspect allegedly continued to resist and a Glenn County detective hit Gurule with a Taser round before a swarm of officers could move in and take him into custody.
Jones said Gurule is a large man nicknamed "Bear."
Jones said the victim appeared to have been picked completely at random. He said the two knew each other years ago when she managed a local apartment community, but hadn't seen him in years.
Gurule is a convicted felon, Jones said. He believes Gurule recently burglarized a local residence, where he obtained several of the knives.
A search of his residence turned up a second explosive device, a Molotov cocktail, which the suspect reportedly had ready to use.
About a month ago, Jones had to shelve his K-9 program due to budget cuts. "Ironically," he said "a police dog could have ended this stand-off before it got started."
After he is medically cleared, Jones said Gurule will be booked into the Glenn County Jail in Willows on suspicion of attempted murder, making terrorist threats, multiple attempts to assault officers, possession of explosive devices and burglary.
A man who was with Gurule but didn't participate in the violence, was also arrested. Johnnie Vivian Penn, 46, of Willows, was found in possession of drugs and was wanted on a warrant. Jones said Penn has 10 aliases and was found in possession of three drivers' licenses under different names.
Although the ordeal lasted only 30 minutes, Jones said officers from the Probation Department, Glenn Narcotics Task Force agents, several deputies and two Willows officers were on hand when it ended.
The Glenn County Arson and Bomb Task Force arrived to clean up the propane tank.
Jones said three crime scenes were involved and are being investigated.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
My Lovely Bride
My wife has decided to jump into the blog world by blogging about her passion.....Food. And not just any type of food. Food that is AWESOME! She just recently found out that she is hypoglycemic and needs to watch what she eats. So.....she has tweaked her recipes from more low fat and low cal to stuff she can eat and not feel terrible. I hope that you all decide to check it out. It's probably a lot more fun than mine. www.bacontimeforthehungryhypo.com Check it out!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Horrible Weekend for LEO's
What a horrible weekend for those of us in the Law Enforcement community! Thursday afternoon 04/29/10, a California Dept. of Corrections Officer was stabbed 4 times, and also suffered slash wounds by an inmate in the officers housing unit. The officer was treated and released at a local hospital. On Friday 04/30/10 an Arizona Deputy was shot while investigating possible drug smuggling by illegal aliens. On Saturday morning 05/01/10 Sgt. Joseph Bergeron, a St. Paul, MN police officer was gunned down in an ambush after responding to a call for service. Early Monday morning 05/03/10 a Detroit, MI police officer was killed and 4 other officers were shot after responding to a 911 call for help.
To the officers that were killed........My most heartfelt prayers and love go out to your families. I am truly honored that you would give the greatest sacrifice so that my family and I can be safe. To the other officers that were wounded, I truly appreciate what you do every day, and will continue to do every day because it's just what we do. Try to remember that there are people out there that do appreciate the day in and day out battle that we face, whether they are directly involved or not.
There is a lot of discussion out there right now over a very controversial law that has been passed in Arizona. I mentioned earlier that a deputy was shot in Arizona after investigating a large amount of marijuana he found in the desert. When the illegal alien discovered that he himself had been discovered he shot at the deputy taking out a chunk of flesh just above one of the deputy's kidneys. I don't think this assault on a peace officer could have come (for lack of a better word) at a more opportune time. (Please know I don't mean any disrespect or condone the actions of the illegal.) This just shows that something MUST be done about what is going on at our nations borders. I'm not saying that the law passed is the right way to accomplish this task, but the fact that the governor of AZ had the guts to make such a landmark stand shows that finally someone is doing something.
I heard on the news the other night that it's not fair that possible 3rd generation Hispanics might be profiled by law enforcement in AZ just because LEO's think that they might be illegal aliens. The person speaking said they shouldn't be harassed while out buying ice cream with their children to prove their citizenship. If you are an American citizen.......shouldn't you be proud to prove that your an American? If there was only a way......dream cloud......dream cloud......
If we made having an identification card proving your a citizen available, it wouldn't be a problem at all. You could couple that with a driver licence issued by the state, not the feds, and it would be pretty simple. Keep in mind this is just an idea, and I'm just a simple minded guard, but come on. I don't care if you are an illegal from Mexico and have brown skin, or from Ireland and have white skin, or From Nambia and black skin......you are an illegal alien, and shouldn't be allowed in my country with out the proper paperwork. If you want to live here.......fine. Just go about it the right way. Don't show up here in America and demand the same privileges and rights that my fellow Americans have. Look at immigration laws in other countries. If an American was to show up in Mexico and not have the proper paperwork?!?!?! You might as well hang it up.
Like I said, I'm a simple minded guard that just barely got my knuckles to stop dragging the ground, but I think I can rationalize just as well as anyone. We need to fix the problem and start taking care of the people that built this wonderful country. I know bring me your poor, your weak, etc. Immigrants did help to build this country, but they did it legally and were more than proud to become AMERICANS!
Saint Michael the Archangel,defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host -by the Divine Power of God -cast into hell, satan and all the evil spirits,who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.
To the officers that were killed........My most heartfelt prayers and love go out to your families. I am truly honored that you would give the greatest sacrifice so that my family and I can be safe. To the other officers that were wounded, I truly appreciate what you do every day, and will continue to do every day because it's just what we do. Try to remember that there are people out there that do appreciate the day in and day out battle that we face, whether they are directly involved or not.
There is a lot of discussion out there right now over a very controversial law that has been passed in Arizona. I mentioned earlier that a deputy was shot in Arizona after investigating a large amount of marijuana he found in the desert. When the illegal alien discovered that he himself had been discovered he shot at the deputy taking out a chunk of flesh just above one of the deputy's kidneys. I don't think this assault on a peace officer could have come (for lack of a better word) at a more opportune time. (Please know I don't mean any disrespect or condone the actions of the illegal.) This just shows that something MUST be done about what is going on at our nations borders. I'm not saying that the law passed is the right way to accomplish this task, but the fact that the governor of AZ had the guts to make such a landmark stand shows that finally someone is doing something.
I heard on the news the other night that it's not fair that possible 3rd generation Hispanics might be profiled by law enforcement in AZ just because LEO's think that they might be illegal aliens. The person speaking said they shouldn't be harassed while out buying ice cream with their children to prove their citizenship. If you are an American citizen.......shouldn't you be proud to prove that your an American? If there was only a way......dream cloud......dream cloud......
If we made having an identification card proving your a citizen available, it wouldn't be a problem at all. You could couple that with a driver licence issued by the state, not the feds, and it would be pretty simple. Keep in mind this is just an idea, and I'm just a simple minded guard, but come on. I don't care if you are an illegal from Mexico and have brown skin, or from Ireland and have white skin, or From Nambia and black skin......you are an illegal alien, and shouldn't be allowed in my country with out the proper paperwork. If you want to live here.......fine. Just go about it the right way. Don't show up here in America and demand the same privileges and rights that my fellow Americans have. Look at immigration laws in other countries. If an American was to show up in Mexico and not have the proper paperwork?!?!?! You might as well hang it up.
Like I said, I'm a simple minded guard that just barely got my knuckles to stop dragging the ground, but I think I can rationalize just as well as anyone. We need to fix the problem and start taking care of the people that built this wonderful country. I know bring me your poor, your weak, etc. Immigrants did help to build this country, but they did it legally and were more than proud to become AMERICANS!
Saint Michael the Archangel,defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host -by the Divine Power of God -cast into hell, satan and all the evil spirits,who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Cooking Contest
I recently helped my lady with a project she wanted to complete. She wanted to enter a cooking contest put on by Philidelphia Cream Cheese and Paula Dean. You had to make a video of yourself preparing a dish that fit into one of the four categories of the contest. Entree, appetizer, side dish, or desert. She chose appetizer and had a great recipe to go along with it. She did her hair and makeup while I being the professional camera man that I am, set up the lighting in the kitchen (side note......she just came out of the bedroom where she was exercising and told me that she wants to make ANOTHER video with a new recipe.) and worked on where I thought the best shots would come from. Let me tell you that trying to make a good quality video with a very inexpensive camera is next to impossible. I guess that it helps to know how to work the video editing program as well. In true Hollywood fashion, it took about an hour to shoot the ten minute long video. The takes weren't perfect, the sound not great, and the lighting with a whole bunch of shadows.......but other than that, I think she did a great job, and it actually turned out pretty good if I do say so myself. With that, I need to prepare for the next one she wants to make.
Saint Michael the Archangel,defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host -by the Divine Power of God -cast into hell, satan and all the evil spirits,who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls.Amen.
Saint Michael the Archangel,defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host -by the Divine Power of God -cast into hell, satan and all the evil spirits,who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls.Amen.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Longer still
Now is the time.
First and foremost, my heart goes out to the families of Deputy Joel Wahlenmaier and Officer Javier Bejar. Two men that chose to selflessly protect the citizens of the communities that lived in were killed in the line of duty doing what they swore to do. The COWARD that ended their life chose to take his own life instead of facing the consequences of his actions. There is nothing to say to those families who have suffered this gigantic loss except Thank You. Thank You for your sacrifice, and I'm deeply sorry for your loss.
Saint Michael the Archangel,defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host -by the Divine Power of God -cast into hell, satan and all the evil spirits,who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.
I have had issues, in the past, with being committed to anything other than my family and job. Sometimes I start off great guns with something new.....ie.....getting in shape, keeping the house clean.....that type of thing. I think this time I am going to take the group approach. In the small community I live in, there are a bunch of people that like to stay in shape and have done some amazing things to help people. I NEED to be committed to staying healthy. For me and for my family. So, here's the plan.
While I was still on graveyards, I really got into training for a triathlon, and I think some of the other folks I work with would like that also. Therefore, I am going to start a "club" of sorts for folks that would like to train for triathlon. Daily workouts at specific meeting points, training schedules, and maybe a friendly little competition 2 or 3 times a year. With everything that you can do online now for fitness tracking....I think that it might be a pretty fun thing to do. Who knows, if it is a success, we can have a program for all 3 watches so nobody is left out, and everyone can get healthy.
First and foremost, my heart goes out to the families of Deputy Joel Wahlenmaier and Officer Javier Bejar. Two men that chose to selflessly protect the citizens of the communities that lived in were killed in the line of duty doing what they swore to do. The COWARD that ended their life chose to take his own life instead of facing the consequences of his actions. There is nothing to say to those families who have suffered this gigantic loss except Thank You. Thank You for your sacrifice, and I'm deeply sorry for your loss.
Saint Michael the Archangel,defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host -by the Divine Power of God -cast into hell, satan and all the evil spirits,who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.
I have had issues, in the past, with being committed to anything other than my family and job. Sometimes I start off great guns with something new.....ie.....getting in shape, keeping the house clean.....that type of thing. I think this time I am going to take the group approach. In the small community I live in, there are a bunch of people that like to stay in shape and have done some amazing things to help people. I NEED to be committed to staying healthy. For me and for my family. So, here's the plan.
While I was still on graveyards, I really got into training for a triathlon, and I think some of the other folks I work with would like that also. Therefore, I am going to start a "club" of sorts for folks that would like to train for triathlon. Daily workouts at specific meeting points, training schedules, and maybe a friendly little competition 2 or 3 times a year. With everything that you can do online now for fitness tracking....I think that it might be a pretty fun thing to do. Who knows, if it is a success, we can have a program for all 3 watches so nobody is left out, and everyone can get healthy.
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