tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post3500696454438809986..comments2024-03-25T20:06:39.794-05:00Comments on Grits for Breakfast: Grits' 2008 Criminal Justice PredictionsGritsforbreakfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-32475786840032235312008-01-03T21:49:00.000-06:002008-01-03T21:49:00.000-06:00Okey Dokey, Moron. Happy New Year!!Okey Dokey, Moron. Happy New Year!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-91434996723470338502008-01-03T21:02:00.000-06:002008-01-03T21:02:00.000-06:00Dear "Obama"All i can say is: I don't believe Hill...Dear "Obama"<BR/><BR/>All i can say is: I don't believe Hillary is the anti-christ, but that's because i'm a heathen and don't believe in christ. so, no i wouldn't vote for anyone based on their christian credentials (or lack of). just call me a gullible moron! <BR/>And i must admit you're right, i shouldn't have made the remark about not voting. i didn't mean it, i don't care if you have a tat of Rush Limbaugh on your forehead-the privelege to vote is the most important responsibility Americans have as citizens and I hope more people will get involved, educate themselves and get out to vote.<BR/><BR/>PEACE!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-62508904564248851602008-01-03T20:26:00.000-06:002008-01-03T20:26:00.000-06:007:48-Wow, did you forget to take your meds today? ...7:48-<BR/>Wow, did you forget to take your meds today? I'm sensing a lot of free floating anxiety, anger and confusion. Chill out brotha!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-88732546374778198272008-01-03T19:48:00.000-06:002008-01-03T19:48:00.000-06:0011:03 comments!!!!I see you failed to negate that ...11:03 comments!!!!<BR/>I see you failed to negate that Hillary is the anti-christ??<BR/>I personally care not what Obama claims to be or not unlike yourself. Are you stating since he is a Christian you will vote for him? It's people like yourself that are soooooo gulable that you believe everyting you read on a blog. If you saw the comments prior to mine you should have figured out what I was saying. Please go out and vote I wish everyone would instead of the paltry 38% we see every year, maybe it's because of morons like yourself that keeps people from voting with your "I hope your not registered to vote". <BR/><BR/>And finally big man/woman whatever you claim to be, try not to tell others what to do or not to do unless of course you decide to come from the annonymous tag. Feel BIG now????Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-3624554740761860492008-01-03T11:03:00.000-06:002008-01-03T11:03:00.000-06:00To: 1/02/2008 07:13:00 PMRegarding your comment ab...To: 1/02/2008 07:13:00 PM<BR/><BR/>Regarding your comment about Obama believing in Islam (as if that's so terrible), here's some news for you:<BR/><BR/>His wife, Michelle, and his two daughters, Malia, 9, and Sasha, 6, live on Chicago's South Side where they attend Trinity United Church of Christ. <BR/><BR/>7:13, I sure hope you aren't registered to vote. And if you are, do yourself a favor and LEARN something about the candidates and issues before running off at the mouth.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-34721298318345855012008-01-03T03:43:00.000-06:002008-01-03T03:43:00.000-06:00The fact is, even in the United States, restitutio...The fact is, even in the United States, restitution for those incarcerated is certainly not guaranteed. In fact, in many states, there are more government resources for those released on parole than there are for those who have been wrongly incarcerated and later exonerated and released.<BR/><BR/>Currently, an overwhelming number of people who have been exonerated of a crime are not compensated for the toll the incarceration took on their lives socially and economically.<BR/><BR/>Thus far, only 22 states in the US have laws in place to provide some level of compensation for those who were wrongly convicted. This means a majority of those who went back to court and proved their innocence are then required to sue for this compensation.<BR/><BR/>This process utilizes significant resources that a recently released inmate typically does not have. For those who do have the knowledge or financial ability to bring a case, the enormous cost of the additional legal wrangling involved may soak up much of the payout. <BR/><BR/>Many victims of this outrageous process are handed the more daunting challenge of simply restoring their name, let alone consideration of a lawsuit that may or may not result in restitution for the time that has been lost.<BR/><BR/>What's more, the payout often times received is meager in comparison to what is usually lost. Marty Tankleff for example was sentenced to a New York state prison after being wrongly convicted of killing his parents. Although his case was recently overturned, Marty just recently visited his parent's graves for the first time since their deaths.<BR/><BR/>Ronnie Taylor, a Houston man who was recently exonerated of a crime he didn't commit was engaged to be married before his arrest in 1993. DNA testing proved his innocence 14 years later - allowing him to finally marry his bride Jeanette Brown. (source)<BR/><BR/>The Innocence Protect, one organization established in 1992 utilizes DNA testing as a means to force new hearings for those who are wrongly accused. It's website lists hundreds of cases of wrongly convicted individuals who's cases were overturned after a conviction.<BR/><BR/>While the Weekly Vice does not subscribe to every point of view of the Project's mission statement, one has to wonder where our culture would be without such advocates. Many wrongfully accused individuals have languished in prison for decades before their faulty convictions were tossed out.<BR/><BR/>Here are a few more examples of justice gone horribly wrong:<BR/><BR/>Dennis Brown from Louisiana was convicted of a 1984 rape and spent 19 years in prison before DNA testing confirmed that he could not have been the rapist.<BR/><BR/>Marvin Anderson became the ninety-ninth person in the US to be exonerated of a crime due to post-conviction DNA testing. Even when another individual confessed to the crime Lamont was accused of, the Judge upheld the conviction until DNA evidence finally confirmed Lamont's innocence. He wasn't exonerated until 1992, nearly 20 years after his arrest.<BR/><BR/>Orlando Boquete's wrongful conviction of attempted sexual battery was vacated a staggering 24 years after his arrest back in 1982.<BR/><BR/>Robert Clark, wrongly convicted of rape, kidnapping and armed robbery in 1982, languished in prison primarily by mistaken eyewitness. Mistaken identity seems to be a common theme with the cases that later get overturned by post-conviction DNA evidence. Clark was finally vindicated 24 years later.<BR/><BR/>Luis Diaz was wrongly convicted in 1980 as the 'Bird Road Rapist', where 25 women were attacked, many of them sexually assaulted. Diaz was convicted for 8 of them. His case was overturned 25 years later in 2005.<BR/><BR/>Conclusion:<BR/><BR/>These are only a handful of the cases you can view HERE, however they are a sampling of the many instances where our legal system goes horribly wrong to such degree that compensation for one's life cannot be calculated as a mere loss of wages as most restitution awarding states provide.<BR/><BR/>The Weekly Vice supports tough sentencing guidelines for all sexual assault cases, particularly those of minor children. <BR/><BR/>We also believe however, that states should be equally aggressive with some level of state subsidy, restitution or other adjudged compensation that is deemed appropriate for each individual case. A dismal 22 states is not a goodwill showing for a nation who prides itself on a Justice For All philosophy.<BR/><BR/>Thanks For Accepting Comment<BR/><BR/>Danny Vice<BR/>The Weekly Vice<BR/>htt://weeklyvice.blogspot.comDanny Vicehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15673607931919895783noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-86083300976686760832008-01-02T22:02:00.000-06:002008-01-02T22:02:00.000-06:00Listen to your "Momma", I will do the same. Call i...Listen to your "Momma", I will do the same. Call it the way you see it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-37667561223180089822008-01-02T20:39:00.000-06:002008-01-02T20:39:00.000-06:00Ethics is something TYC has been without since the...Ethics is something TYC has been without since the TDCJ regime took us over!! It's hilarious that Sponge Bob will be teaching that class after all his fiasco's. I hope someone has the sense to film the event cause he suffers from selective hearing and memory!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-3761425663871735332008-01-02T19:51:00.000-06:002008-01-02T19:51:00.000-06:007:20,I had some really good comments regarding Haw...7:20,<BR/><BR/>I had some really good comments regarding Hawthorne, but I am going to take the high road, and do what mama always told me to do which is keep my mouth shut if I can't say nothing good. Hope you learn something productive at training. LOLAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-57463171996386230022008-01-02T19:20:00.000-06:002008-01-02T19:20:00.000-06:00Where are you Richard Nedlekoff?? Your agnecy awai...Where are you Richard Nedlekoff?? Your agnecy awaits you and you will need to roll up your sleeves.<BR/><BR/>Were still waiting for REAL leadership. Heck, we were told that the training (Assistant Superintendent Training) we will attending next week in Sam Houston will be conducted by Gwan Hawthorne (2 months as a Superintendent, 6 as an Assistant), Chuck Jones (3 months as an Assistant and 2 as a Superintendent), I cant keep from laughing. But then it got better, Billy Humphrey would be teaching ethics!!!!! Is this a great agency or what??Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-28234452381220923732008-01-02T19:15:00.000-06:002008-01-02T19:15:00.000-06:00I heard Pope is running for President as an Indepe...I heard Pope is running for President as an Independent, which means she will not utlize Whitmire to assist her in gaining this position.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-41488522935580059712008-01-02T19:13:00.000-06:002008-01-02T19:13:00.000-06:00Your not wrong, Hillary is the anti-christ, and Ob...Your not wrong, Hillary is the anti-christ, and Obama believes in Islam. We can do better, just dont know who just yet??Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-69520133251200599882008-01-02T10:35:00.000-06:002008-01-02T10:35:00.000-06:00Looks like your prediction about the death penalty...Looks like your prediction about the death penalty lows is at risk--oral arguments are January 7th. If they come back with a decision any time soon, Texas can start the conveyor belt up again. <BR/><BR/>I'm really torn on this one. The Rhenquist Court would have said the method was bad, but the death penalty acceptable. I think ol' Roberts will say that there's no 100% good way to out someone down, so this method is as good as the next.<BR/><BR/>Any bet takers? How about a new poll?<BR/><BR/><BR/><BR/>All of those 4-way voters won't have an impact this time. It is very likely that Clinton would not have been elected either time without Ross Perot, and we have no strong presidential independent to make it a spoiler. In the absence of a Ross Perot, I still see the issues as drawing more people just to vote against a woman or a black man than I do the issues driving people to continue the sweeps. I know a ton of people who claim to be independent and/or disenchanted with the Republicans. So I always get a kick out of asking "so if Clinton or Obama gets the nod you'll vote for them, right?" When faced with that alternative, their response is universally the same "HELL NO!" <BR/><BR/>You'd be surprised in what people will put up with in a Republican just because they think Clinton is the anti-Christ. It's in their genes or something. They love to claim they're "not Republican" but they refuse to vote for any meaningful alternative.<BR/><BR/>Like I said, I hope I'm wrong.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-15399147895417527472008-01-02T10:24:00.000-06:002008-01-02T10:24:00.000-06:00An off-year election with a four-way Governor's ra...An off-year election with a four-way Governor's race! Harris' numbers have been inching in that direction for a decade. If it's not '08 it will be '10 that the Dems start taking countywide seats. But with Rosenthal so weak, he could help move that process along more quickly, in my judgment, particularly if local Ds run a strong race and Bradford doesn't turn out to be a complete flake on the campaign trail.<BR/><BR/>IMO, the local GOP was right to ask him to step down - not because what he did was so terrible, but because he could stop some Harris GOP voters from choosing a straight ticket, with all the judges below him on the ballot risking fallout from his misfortune.<BR/><BR/>Time will tell. That's why it's fun to make beginning of the year predictions - there's no way to tell until we get there!Gritsforbreakfasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-10500902402991032202008-01-02T09:47:00.000-06:002008-01-02T09:47:00.000-06:00Grits--re: Dems year at the polls...You cite an of...Grits--re: Dems year at the polls...<BR/><BR/>You cite an off year election while the Republicans were at their lowest. Now, Iraq seems to be cleaning up, and I think the democratic strategy of saving the hot button issues until closer to election time has flopped. Mainly because the average Joe doesn't know that a small obstructionist group of Republicans can thwart legislation, so they run around claiming that the Democratic Congress has a lower approval rating than Bush. Those who know how the process works know what the real story is (some continue to propagate the lie for the benefit of their brand f politics anyway), but the general public believes that the Democrats didn't press the issues hard enough to fulfill their "mandate." Now, they went along with increased Iraq funding, and re-upped the Goddamn Patriot Act of all things, and they're no different than the Republicans--which they promised to be. <BR/><BR/>The result for this particular race is that while Harris County actually is having a record number of registered voters, they are actually registering at a slower pace, which tells me that people are luke warm on the upcoming election cycle. That always hurts Democrats. Plus, Republicans will show up en masse to vote against [insert name of white woman or black man here] for president, in greater numbers than people will show up to vote for them. <BR/><BR/>In short, I think you're placing too much hope in national politics driving voters to the polls, and not enough on the "vote against" factor.<BR/><BR/>But I hope that come November I am saying you were right and I was wrong.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-37049884875087860182008-01-02T09:21:00.000-06:002008-01-02T09:21:00.000-06:00I don't know about that theory from your amigos in...I don't know about that theory from your amigos in Saltillo - Los Zetas are the enforcement arm of the Gulf Cartel, and from my observation it's been nearly the exclusive target of drug enforcers on both sides of the border since the Tijuana Cartel was taken down.<BR/><BR/>If anything, I've speculated that Calderon's strategy may be to "pick sides" AGAINST the Gulf Cartel and the Zetas, banking on violence declining when one mega-cartel runs the whole show. Most of the original Zeta turncoats are supposedly dead. Far from receiving preferential treatment, in a way the Zetas get scapegoated - not that they aren't terrible, but it's not like they're the only corrupt police or military officers in Mexico, by a longshot. Both local and federal police are extremely corrupted - Los Zetas' US special forces training makes them especially dangerous and iconic, but not atypical. Personally I doubt Calderon is in league with Los Zetas, and wonder in fact if he might be in league with their enemies.Gritsforbreakfasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-24996763242579705352008-01-02T08:40:00.000-06:002008-01-02T08:40:00.000-06:00One comment on Zetas. A recent Rolling Stone artic...One comment on Zetas. A recent Rolling Stone article you mentioned on Grits described why Pablo Escobar kept several of his people on perpetual trial: To conduct open records requests on the DEA, which would provide their "playbooks" and lists of agents and informants. Considering this elegant tactic gives some credibility to a theory that some friends in Saltillo mentioned over the holiday, which goes something like this:<BR/><BR/>The Zetas are still working for the Mexican government, and their main objective is to violently exterminate as many different heads of the hydra as possible without creating any official public record of their strategies and tactics. Much like drug distribution being underground, drug law enforcement has also gone underground...<BR/><BR/>Anyhow, that's THEIR theory...I wonder if their are any articles to support it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-91481511351714272432008-01-01T23:26:00.000-06:002008-01-01T23:26:00.000-06:00I speak with no knowlege of just how this new prog...I speak with no knowlege of just how this new program CoNExtions actually will work. I have only the short summary of the program.<BR/><BR/>From what I have seen and heard it is going to be a disaster for TYC in the behavior dept. Sorry, these are teenagers, bad attitude teenagers who are not going to give a rats a,,, about privileges and they certainly do not have enough sense at this age to really want an education. There will be a few, but those few will loose the chance for education due to the other 99% that will be behavior problems.<BR/><BR/> These privileges, better be some really good deals to get the attention of these kids. They are not going to behave for a peppermint or a piece of stale pie.<BR/><BR/> I hope it works and things just get lovely in TYC for all, but I am afraid that is a big oh pipe dream. Job hunting is on my New Years Resolution.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-3083391996116066792008-01-01T22:27:00.000-06:002008-01-01T22:27:00.000-06:00My predictions: First,the Mart II unit will endur...My predictions: First,the Mart II unit will endure some "changes" that will not help matters regarding TYC (they are already happening with Simmons trying to run it like TDCJ) parents were already complaining and so are staff. A riot will break out because they locked those damn kids up all day and night. Second, I agree with the mounting law suits prediction for TDCJ and TYC because many will be exonerated and it insight "racial" tension and feuds. As summer comes and the lessened "priviledges" will cause both male and female, young and old to revolt....3) the public will take a hot and aggressive interest because the "dirt" will be exposed 4) TYC and the new conservator will be out of "wedded bliss" and all hell will break loose....5) their will be a new DA in Harris County 6) Judge Keller will suffer more attacks and prayerfully step down 7) The new connextions program will be a mounting scrutiny and the youth will reveal even more horrible and current treatment 8) The public will demand the Gov and Leg finally do something....9) Pope will "retire"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-3492701698038019362008-01-01T21:56:00.000-06:002008-01-01T21:56:00.000-06:00Why would anyone think that placing a TYC facility...Why would anyone think that placing a TYC facility near Waco, much less 800 plus beds within a 100 mile radius (CRTC, MOAO, MART I, II) would ever work when the epicenter of it all (Waco) has the lowest unemployment rate of any area of Texas? Way to go guys. That's mud in your face for the ledge.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-86675179518468721732008-01-01T21:45:00.000-06:002008-01-01T21:45:00.000-06:00For TYC the ticking time bomb is Mart and it will ...For TYC the ticking time bomb is Mart and it will have to be closed.<BR/>The facility is too large to staff and the next scandal will arise there. One can only blame the lege and guv. <BR/><BR/>On another note, does anyone know why d'Pope visits Victory Field so often?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-17432482444931057312008-01-01T20:26:00.000-06:002008-01-01T20:26:00.000-06:00FWIW, the last I heard the inmate pop was already ...FWIW, the last I heard the inmate pop was already below 3,000 - the question is how far will it decline further, if any?<BR/><BR/>It'd be fascinating to see monthly intake and outflow numbers by county to get a sense of who's sending kids more frequently and what the effect is on overall inmate pop. I've never seen that data.Gritsforbreakfasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-30983012819331852562008-01-01T20:17:00.000-06:002008-01-01T20:17:00.000-06:00You guys/gals keep slamming your own, and continue...You guys/gals keep slamming your own, and continue to play right in your occupying forces hands. When will you ever learn?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-42931722047619328602008-01-01T19:35:00.000-06:002008-01-01T19:35:00.000-06:00The review panel is not public but comprised of Ce...The review panel is not public but comprised of Central Office leftovers. They scramble every time the whip is cracked to release youth, and damn the consequences.<BR/><BR/>What are their qualifications, they just look at the youths MLOS and what the youth has/has-not done during this time and have no contact with the offender. Kind of like playing Russian Roulette!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-18012738095688963932008-01-01T18:56:00.000-06:002008-01-01T18:56:00.000-06:00Amen. The March-April released kids by that public...Amen. The March-April released kids by that public review team are back and crying that they want a release review. I saw 12 at my facility that are already back. Committed parole violations, some were recommitted, some caught new charges. I'm sure the others that went out either (1) are in another facility or (2) are dead. I think we said early in the process of that "reform," you need to think. It was said right here on this website. We knows these kids better than anyones, maybe someone should listen. JCO V - 9 years in TYC - San Saba, Marlin, Mart. It sucks now.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com