tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post1974442535707202025..comments2024-03-25T20:06:39.794-05:00Comments on Grits for Breakfast: Progress and Its Discontents- Or, What I Learned From An Article in Texas MonthlyGritsforbreakfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-70084936956357324602010-10-18T22:03:24.978-05:002010-10-18T22:03:24.978-05:00If Mr Blackburn is so passionate about this why di...If Mr Blackburn is so passionate about this why did he remove himself from the case? Maybe evidence.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-20997763565526708322010-09-19T16:45:14.847-05:002010-09-19T16:45:14.847-05:00Do any of you have anyone in tdcj? Let me enlighte...Do any of you have anyone in tdcj? Let me enlighten you on a few things! First off you can kill or shoot someone and or sell drugs in a school yard,you can walk free, but if you screw up with people who know those sitting on that big bench, that is your first and only big mistake. No matter what weapon charge was done on the indictment, real or not, it will not ever be taken off under those circumstances. While it is so very true that a disgraceful many don't get anywhere near what they deserve, many others will rot for close to twenty years or more with what they don't deserve. Until the public realizes how much the good old boy system is embedded in tx not only on the city, county, and state level, the corruption will never change. While there are some good people in the tx system, nobody is above their minute of glory. If someone with some power who cared would take the time to look at the court records of some no a bunch of the cases, they would find what a shabby disgrace the court appointed lawyers really are and what the judges and da's are allowed to get away with good or bad!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-37841526355172449142010-09-18T22:35:06.107-05:002010-09-18T22:35:06.107-05:00As I see it, the problem is universal. It is the ...As I see it, the problem is universal. It is the lack of taking oaths seriously. "... to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies ..." Our Constitution gives a guide to what our actions should be. "The purpose of a trial", we are taught, "is to seek the truth.". Both of these statements are forgotten moments after the government official lowers their right hand.<br /><br />Winning at all costs is now paramount. Politicians are elected based on either successes or lack of competition. Judges are immune from criticism from their peers (people in glass houses don't throw stones).<br /><br />People accept the excuse of "There is no controlling legal authority". The legal system centers on process, and not justice.<br /><br />The voters just want to be left alone so long as it does not affect them. This results in electing poor law enforcement, prosecution, and judging.<br /><br />Attorneys are more interested in making money than they are in making "right".<br /><br />LEOs and DAs work in concert to convict, not to find the truth.<br /><br />It is easier to deny wrongdoing than it is to work to prove the existence of of it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-17586171460697607662010-09-17T21:47:58.578-05:002010-09-17T21:47:58.578-05:00Texas justice is not "tuff" when those w...Texas justice is not "tuff" when those who are supposed to uphold the law make things just happen so that they can wrap up their work and go home to their supper and the latest American Idol show... that is PATHETIC! It's not just our state, it's the entire country in every state big and small. These cowards that participate in this path of "justice" are no better than the gangs, the dopers, the smugglers and anyone else who's character is lacking in any sense of right and wrong... it's the very same crap just in reverse!<br /><br />-BartAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-4002965113609089042010-09-17T14:35:58.332-05:002010-09-17T14:35:58.332-05:00how did we get here?as americans,texasans? who by ...how did we get here?as americans,texasans? who by the slip of decite,believed if a person was guilty and a price of time was declared WHERE they went jail ,prison,or safp they would be handed off to unhuman situation to the point a person NEVER gets over it .they are labled hard headed or rotten to the core.do we even take a number in suicides as many many are profiled.look up synanon on the web and see where gateway the solution for rehab and prerelease was adopted .people with driving with suspended driving lics.can be sent and reprogramed by methods of crawling on all fours and barking like a dog to ensure they wont repeat the crime !most would say if you do the crime pay the time but how are these yelling and screaming at each other over somthing made up so when you hit the street nothing will faze you helping us build a greater neighborhood,town,state,usa,?and the innocent who live within those walls are praying their nightmare ends and go home alive for the ones that have such horrific lables of lies are treated the worse.there is an answer,there is a way ,as humans we have to say its enough embrace those who are involved (on both sides)and see another way to heal our problems.yes there is crime commited ,but its on both sides.pray for a greater solution or what are the odds, within your family you wont deal from one side or the other a story you thought couldt touch you...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-3891969888246398632010-09-17T06:10:58.720-05:002010-09-17T06:10:58.720-05:00Mr. Blackburn:
In Texas, you cannot be convicted ...Mr. Blackburn:<br /><br />In Texas, you cannot be convicted on the uncorroborated testimony of an accomplice so my question is what evidence was presented during trial to corroborate the accomplice testimony?<br /><br />Retired LEAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-17865293577571323652010-09-15T22:30:09.705-05:002010-09-15T22:30:09.705-05:00"Texas Justice is tough and that is because t..."Texas Justice is tough and that is because the Texas criminal element is tough.<br />"<br /><br />The nex time you see Tim Cole, ask him how tough Texas Criminal Element is... Oh wait you CAN'T, he was murdered by the state.<br /><br />Texas Justice is created to allow LEO and the rich to get by.. Don't believe me, Find DeLay in the TDCJ ...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-44788481128145994042010-09-15T15:31:20.611-05:002010-09-15T15:31:20.611-05:00The only way to guarantee that no innocent person ...The only way to guarantee that no innocent person is ever convicted is to never arrest anyone. <br />Every man, woman and child for themselves!!<br /><br />If Graves ever gets out I doubt he'll be eating grits for breakfast at any of your homes. <br /><br />It is remarkable how a Capital murderer's statement exonerating a co-defendant is taken as Gospel; while a statement by the same murderer implicating the same co-defendant is no doubt erroneous. <br /><br />If no obvious motive is apparent does that preclude guilt?<br />Maybe Graves was paid in money or in kind...we'll never know so let's let him go.<br />Were Leopold and Loeb really innocent as well?<br />What about the motive of a true sociopath? And for those of you who think that the violence associated with some mentally ill folks is fixed with meds I'll bet you also think they'll be compliant with their meds on the outside living next to someone other than you. <br /><br />Texas Justice is tough and that is because the Texas criminal element is tough.<br /><br />Just Sayin'Just Sayin'noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-17182316357677922372010-09-15T13:25:21.568-05:002010-09-15T13:25:21.568-05:00"How will you know when you've reached a ..."How will you know when you've reached a point where there are absolutely, without a doubt, no "wrongful" convictions?"<br /><br />if this was your 'question' that you didn't think anyone would ask, let me give it a try.<br /><br />The answer is, you will NEVER know if there are continued wrongful convictions, all systems are flawed. However, knowing that wrongful convictions will always occur is not a reason to throw up ones hands and say, hey it doesn't get any better! <br /><br />You identify the problems 1 at a time, and fix them as you run across them. <br /><br />For someone to believe that because there will be wrongful convictions no matter what you do, to allow a known corrupt system to continue, is a crime itself.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-25234431591527611802010-09-15T04:49:01.670-05:002010-09-15T04:49:01.670-05:00@Jackie
Maybe you just hate Texas.@Jackie<br /><br />Maybe you just hate Texas.escalante bloggerhttp://www.escalantebloggers.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-63736452474040972162010-09-15T00:07:49.931-05:002010-09-15T00:07:49.931-05:00TJP ~ interesting that only you so far has mention...TJP ~ interesting that only you so far has mentioned that the Judges and many other law makers and enforcers in Texas (and the rest of the US) are elected. I'm at a loss to know why everyone thinks this is always a good idea.<br /><br />How can someone who is elected remain impartial, when matters of justice and life and death are concerned? They are always looking over their shoulder or into the future to the next election, just to keep their job. They work for the people who elect them, not for all of the people.<br /><br />One other thing that perplexes me (well, there are lots, but this one seems pertinent at the moment) is why appeals have to be agreed and heard by the original trial judges. That seems particularly bizarre. If the Judge is not willing to admit that they may have got it wrong first time, nothing is going to move them.<br /><br />Develop an independent body to decide when there is enough evidence to bring someone to court, and a system where judges never hear appeals of cases they originally tried, and you might be getting somewhere.sunray's wenchhttp://www.helium.com/items/1653749-parent-in-prisonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-68805775485913149782010-09-14T19:19:51.126-05:002010-09-14T19:19:51.126-05:00I didn't think any of could answer the questio...I didn't think any of could answer the question. Truth is, you don't want it answered.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-39807176385537616042010-09-14T00:13:32.743-05:002010-09-14T00:13:32.743-05:00The good thing about your information is that it i...The good thing about your information is that it is explicit enough for students to grasp. Thanks for your efforts in spreading academic knowledge.Alpha malehttp://www.themodernman.com/how_to_become_an_alpha_male.htmlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-38589456785555891032010-09-13T23:53:10.223-05:002010-09-13T23:53:10.223-05:00This isn't just a problem with the criminal ju...This isn't just a problem with the criminal justice system, but with all state and local govt entities that I've ever dealt with. The bottom line is that even when you do get to sue for damages, they have an endless supply of taxpayer money to defend themselves with.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-81327981061101140822010-09-13T23:09:20.057-05:002010-09-13T23:09:20.057-05:00Part of the solution could come from public exposu...Part of the solution could come from public exposure of these types of criminal justice "crimes" through media outlets such as Texas Monthly and/or the internets blogsphere. Since prosecutors, judges and legislators are all political animals who ultimately must be concerned about negative media that could hurt their chances of re-election, the media has some potential leverage. The only caveat is that the medias own perspective standards about what it prints or broadcasts being grounded in a committment to ethics and the truth. Most media operates first as a business so they use public interest and response as a gauge, via sales data, letters to the editor etc., to determine how much time and space a story will get. Their patrons need to let them know that they are interested in hearing about these issues. Investigative reporting is one of the best tools there is today, be it on the web, blogs, t.v., mags., newspapers, radio etc.<br /><br />The biggest enemy to truth is the ability to be invisible followed by apathy of the citizenry. That includes me and you. I know that I am guilty of getting angry when I read about such travesties of justice, but often don't do anything more than get upset. I don't take the time to write letters or make phone calls. Truthfully, in part because there is always a risk to standing up and speaking out. I guess we are all social cowards at times.JTPnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-42859804205147038852010-09-13T19:43:16.649-05:002010-09-13T19:43:16.649-05:00An entire family was stabbed and bludgeoned to dea...An entire family was stabbed and bludgeoned to death in Somerville. That really happened...under circumstances which strongly suggest multiple perpetrators. the Carter "recantation" was suspect from the beginning. Anyone want to wager on the the prospect of Graves being convicted again?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-34260215996661319022010-09-13T18:38:26.404-05:002010-09-13T18:38:26.404-05:00How will you know when you've reached a point ...How will you know when you've reached a point where there are absolutely, without a doubt, no "wrongful" convictions?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-14231445444504689972010-09-13T17:34:41.366-05:002010-09-13T17:34:41.366-05:00Hey Charles, good to hear from you and what a nice...Hey Charles, good to hear from you and what a nicely put comment that was. Your words will live on in the PNG "Quotes & Words You'll Never Forget" (above the fold). Thanks.The Teamhttp://www.projectnotguilty.conoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-32276067321937132472010-09-13T17:25:46.454-05:002010-09-13T17:25:46.454-05:00Like the article and your closing could be a templ...Like the article and your closing could be a template for Texas CJ agencies.<br />Multiply the cover-yourself-at-all-costs mentality on display in the Anthony Graves case a few hundred times and you get at least part of the answer to the question of why the legislators, judges and prosecutors that run this system can’t seem to fix it: it would make them look bad. <br />Someday they might get convinced that it is better to be honest than to look good. Until then, the rest of us are going to have to be honest for them. Ms. Colloff’s article is a good example of the power that comes from telling the truth. <br />For example<br />Multiply the cover-yourself-at-all-costs mentality on display in the ‘tyc’ a few hundred times and you get at least part of the answer to the question of why the jco’s, caseworkers, central office managers and legislators that run this system can’t seem to fix it: it would make them look bad. Someday they might get convinced that it is better to be honest than to look good. Until then, the rest of us are going to have to be honest for them. Ms. Colloff’s article is a good example of the power that comes from telling the truth. <br /><br />Great points, have thought that for a while now. Look forward to reading the artical when it comes in the mail.<br />SheldonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-19247847235572563302010-09-13T17:21:28.747-05:002010-09-13T17:21:28.747-05:00Hey Jeff, appreciate the lesson and solutions. Kee...Hey Jeff, appreciate the lesson and solutions. Keep 'em coming.<br /><br />Like PAPA mentioned, we must point out those that allow the problems to fester and never heal. Voters that vote just to be voting end up voting to convict just because everyone else is and/or are ready to go home. Then there are the almighty Taxpayers that blindly contribute without concerning themselves as to exactly what they are funding. These same people will moan and groan over gas going up but will say absolutely nothing in response to paying out settlements/bribes to the cherry picked subsection of those humans falsely arrested & wrongfully convicted. <br /><br />Since the Voters and Taxpayers are guilty by association and the solutions start with them, would an extra Tax that is specifically intended to go towards paying for mistakes made by the police and courts get their attention? As it is now, these ‘mistakes’ are paid out from tax dollars and people really don’t know their true individual portion. Would an ‘extra’ mandatory $100. bucks a year - per taxpayer going to the ‘Falsely Arrested & Wrongfully Convicted of Texas Fund’ (FA&WCTF) box on your tax returns wake any of you up? Thanks.The Teamhttp://www.projectnotguilty.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-69952962380886618072010-09-13T14:05:05.621-05:002010-09-13T14:05:05.621-05:00LEO and prosecutor ego. From the Tyler Municipal ...LEO and prosecutor ego. From the Tyler Municipal Courth that churns out traffic money to the dead Davidian Kids. Kills people. Perverts the justice system. They will never voluntarily reform.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-85539952694221502010-09-13T13:03:43.369-05:002010-09-13T13:03:43.369-05:00Don3330
I think the punitive vengeful attitude is...Don3330<br /><br />I think the punitive vengeful attitude is rooted in Texas. New book, "Texas Tough," thinks so. Not restricted to Texas by any means. Curtis Flowers, probably innocent, is on death row in Mississippi. Same thing for Troy Davis in Georgia. A lot of info on Curtis Flowers, and some on Troy Davis, available on Friends of Justice blog.<br /><br />Charles KikerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-69992403263173762772010-09-13T11:33:08.626-05:002010-09-13T11:33:08.626-05:00I keep posting about the COST of the Criminal Just...I keep posting about the COST of the Criminal Justice System...HEY VOTING TAXPAYERS this comes out of your pockets.I wonder how much it cost to execute Carter, court cost, trial, attorneys, appeals, housing on Death Row, how many years X minumum cost of $50,000 per year, then the cost of execution, probably around a $1,000,000.00 yes a million dollars minium. WAKE UP America, the prisons are full of NON Violent Inmates, never hurt one person costing you for their long long long sentences of about $35,000.00 to $50,000.00 per year while on the inside, if they are healthy Inmates, BUT, by the time they are raped, beaten by gangs, brutalized by guards, neglected in medical care, and on it goes, the cost gets really expensive to the TaxPayers. Then when they get out, if they ever get out, they have to have housing (can't rent because have felonies on their record, can't get a job because they are not physically able to do manual labor-most of them due to the disabilities acquire while in prison) they can't pay their parole fees because they don't have jobs or a place to live so they go back to prison on a Tech violation or they commit another crime so they have a place to go to live or they come out of prison so full of RAGE that they need major counseling PTSD counseling so they can control the RAGE from the abuse of the system...ER rooms are full of ex-offenders needing medical care, counseling, just general help that the VOTING TAXPAYERS pay through their TAXES, oh that is Federal Taxes, City Taxes, County Taxes, Property Taxes, Hospital Taxes, etc. that keep going up and up.What say you? next time on a jury and they are talking about the long-long sentences for this person, do your multiplications, does the sentence really fit the crime and the price that TAXPAYERS have to pay not to mention what the Inmate might have to pay all the way up to his/her life.Make the Criminal Justice System prove with hard strong evidence and not on just someones say so, that includes the law enforcers, prosecutors, police - give evidence (what happen to the Constitution Rule of in the eye of two or more witnesses is the only way for eye witnessess) Drug Rehabilitation takes care of a lot of these woes for many Texas Inmates about 85% of the Prison System, but not if the programs are more government sponsor programs or ran by government. Let us put the free enterprises program back in place so it can be a "GOOD THING" Thank you, PAPAPAPAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05778667657874134437noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-55176421606295864342010-09-13T11:32:33.025-05:002010-09-13T11:32:33.025-05:00I keep posting about the COST of the Criminal Just...I keep posting about the COST of the Criminal Justice System...HEY VOTING TAXPAYERS this comes out of your pockets.I wonder how much it cost to execute Carter, court cost, trial, attorneys, appeals, housing on Death Row, how many years X minumum cost of $50,000 per year, then the cost of execution, probably around a $1,000,000.00 yes a million dollars minium. WAKE UP America, the prisons are full of NON Violent Inmates, never hurt one person costing you for their long long long sentences of about $35,000.00 to $50,000.00 per year while on the inside, if they are healthy Inmates, BUT, by the time they are raped, beaten by gangs, brutalized by guards, neglected in medical care, and on it goes, the cost gets really expensive to the TaxPayers. Then when they get out, if they ever get out, they have to have housing (can't rent because have felonies on their record, can't get a job because they are not physically able to do manual labor-most of them due to the disabilities acquire while in prison) they can't pay their parole fees because they don't have jobs or a place to live so they go back to prison on a Tech violation or they commit another crime so they have a place to go to live or they come out of prison so full of RAGE that they need major counseling PTSD counseling so they can control the RAGE from the abuse of the system...ER rooms are full of ex-offenders needing medical care, counseling, just general help that the VOTING TAXPAYERS pay through their TAXES, oh that is Federal Taxes, City Taxes, County Taxes, Property Taxes, Hospital Taxes, etc. that keep going up and up.What say you? next time on a jury and they are talking about the long-long sentences for this person, do your multiplications, does the sentence really fit the crime and the price that TAXPAYERS have to pay not to mention what the Inmate might have to pay all the way up to his/her life.Make the Criminal Justice System prove with hard strong evidence and not on just someones say so, that includes the law enforcers, prosecutors, police - give evidence (what happen to the Constitution Rule of in the eye of two or more witnesses is the only way for eye witnessess) Drug Rehabilitation takes care of a lot of these woes for many Texas Inmates about 85% of the Prison System, but not if the programs are more government sponsor programs or ran by government. Let us put the free enterprises program back in place so it can be a "GOOD THING" Thank you, PAPAPAPAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05778667657874134437noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-34217061449703451252010-09-13T11:19:06.561-05:002010-09-13T11:19:06.561-05:00I agree with you, Charles, but I don't see the...I agree with you, Charles, but I don't see the Texas CJ system and the U.S. system as being the same. The overall system may be designed for mass incarceration, but Texas seems to have a unique mindset toward punishment, revenge, etc., as well as the tendency to agree with the system and reluctance to admit a mistake, regardless of whom gets hurt. The stories of Tim Cole, the Tulia mess with which you and Jeff are all too familiar, this story, and many others that are coming to light every day or so (it seems), just serve to make me think that Texas is a very special place when it comes to punishing the innocent. One thing that might help is try getting some of the politics out of the system. Maybe stop electing prosecutors and judges.??don3330https://www.blogger.com/profile/13138425968285308158noreply@blogger.com