Was Guy Ward Hedrickson The Zodiac Killer As Alleged By Deborah Perez?

Has the Zodiac killer finally been revealed? Few mysteries are greater then the elusive Zodiac killer who killed five Bay Area people in the late 1960s. Fiction has exceeded reality. Now joining the fracas is Deborah Perez, age 47, who claims that the killer was her adoptive and long-dead father, Guy Ward Hendrickson. Perez even claims that she was present for at at least one of the killings. Furthermore, Perez claims that she authored some of the taunting notes the Zodiac sent to the police and press.

Ms. Perez is a 47-year-old real-estate agent from Southern California. Ms. Perez is represented by Kevin McLean. He arranged for a press conference for his client. Most claims about the Zodiac’s identity are the subject of rumors and tall tales. The last confirmed murder was of a San Francisco taxi driver forty years ago. Coded letters supposedly from the killer continued to turn up for several years. Most in attendance did not believe Ms. Perez story. Apparently Perez saw a 2007 episode of “America’s Most Wanted” and started thinking her father was the infamous killer. Perez offered little evidence her father was the killer at the press conference.

On the other hand, her attorney said that Ms. Perez had passed psychological exams and was competent. He also alleged that her handwriting claims had been confirmed by Bart Baggett, an “expert document examiner” from Los Angeles. Perhaps by more than a coincidence, Baggett is an executive producer and narrator of a coming documentary about the Zodiac killer. While the Zodiac killer is likely deceased, few currently believe Guy Ward Hendrickson was the infamous killer. I doubt the upcoming documentary will change many beliefs as to the killer's identity.

Was Emma Leigh Barker Murdered At The Hands Of Her Mother, Stacey Marie Barker?

Have the mysteries surrounding 18 month old Emma Leigh Barker's disappearance and death been solved? Her Southern California mother has been charged with her murder. As you may recall, Emma was initially reported missing last month.

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24 year-old Stacey Marie Barker originally reported that on March 18, 2009 she was knocked out by an attacker and that her daughter was abducted. She subsequently has recanted the story and led police to her daughter's body.

Emma's body was found in the brush beside a road in the Sylmar area of Los Angeles.
The cause of death appears to be suffocation. Emma most likely died four or five hours after she was reported missing. Barker's brother, Nick, told The Associated Press that his sister claims that the child's death was "an accident." Stacy is being held on $1 million bail. The arraignment is scheduled for May 11.

Stacy is to be presumed innocent unless otherwise proven in a court of law.

Keep Looking For Kara Kopetsky Who Has Been Missing For Almost Two Years!

Let's keep Kara Kopetsky from becoming a "Cold Case." While there are thousands of missing teens, Kara stands out among the crowd because she could be any one's kid. You know the type, attractive, independent, a sense of invincibility... all characteristics which can lead to a tragic Greek mythology type of ending without timely intervention. So let's intervene. Almost two years ago, on May 4, 2007, Kara Kopetsky, a 17-year-old high school junior in Belton, Missouri, disappeared without a trace. Kara was a 5'5" attractive girl who went to school during the day and worked at Popeye's Chicken at night.


On this particular school morning, she called her mom and asked her to drop off a text book she had forgotten. She also asked her mother to wash her uniform so she could work the evening shift at Popeye's Chicken. Shortly thereafter, Kara had an argument with a teacher. Kara got upset and walked out of school, never to be seen again. Kara's cell phone remained silent and her location has never been determined.

Police classified Kara as a runaway. But she never used her bank card and she left all her money and belongings behind. Two years later, her family believes Kara was a victim. According to police in Belton, the case remains "actively investigated" but there are little to no leads and Kara is classified as an endangered and missing adult case. Karakopetsky Web Site

Shortly after Kara disappeared, the abduction and slaying of Kelsey Smith came to the public forefront. Smith was taken from a store parking lot in Overland Park, Kansas. She was murdered and disposed of in a Missouri woods, six miles from Kara's home in Belton. However, in the Smith case, Edwin Roy "Jack" Hall was pleaded guilty to her murder and is serving a life sentence. Police found no connection between Kara's disappearance and Kelsey's death.

There is apparently a $30,000 reward for tips leading to the whereabouts of Kara Kopetsky or the arrest of anyone responsible for her disappearance. If you have information, call the Belton Police at 816-474-TIPS.

You may also visit a myspace page devoted to Kara by clicking on this LINK. The myspace has the above sketch of a male who may have been seen with Kara after her disappearance.

To the investigators and psychics, here is your chance to prove your worth!

Is Professor George Zinkhan On the Run After Shooting Wife, Marie Bruce?

Any body seen him? You know, the latest domestic violence poster "bad boy." Despite similar scenarios being played out all over the country, one can only assume the nay Sayers will once again turn a blind eye to the evidence. Police are searching for a University of Georgia professor, George Zinkhan, who allegedly killed his wife and two others at a community theater group's reunion. George Zinkhan does not initially fit the profile of a murderer. The 57 year old marketing professor at the school's Terry College of Business has been described as a "nice teacher."

For any one wishing to help track him down, Zinkhan has relatives in Texas and a home in Amsterdam, Netherlands. He was last seen driving a red 2005 Jeep Liberty. The victims of the shooting have been identified as Marie Bruce, 47, Tom Tanner, 40; and Ben Teague, 63. The victims all worked with the Town and Gown Players, a theater group that was holding a reunion. Marie Bruce had worked with Town and Gown for over 20 years in every one capacity or another. She had served as leading lady to president of the board to chief cook and bottle washer according to a theater spokes person. Zinkhan and Bruce were apparently having marital problems. They apparently argued shortly before the shooting. Georgia professor sought.

Athens Police have confirmed that Zinkhan was not originally at the Town and Gown event. When he did arrive, he got into "a disagreement" with his wife. He left and went back to his car where the couple's children were waiting. He then returned to his wife and began shooting two handguns. At least eight shots were fired. Zinkhan then apparently drove his children, ages 8 and 10 to a neighbor's home in nearby Bogart, Georgia. Bob Covington, told CNN that Zinkhan dropped the kids off shortly after noon. An hour or so later, police arrived and took the children.

To date, Zinkhan has not used any of his bank cards or credit cards. A nationwide manhunt is being conducted. As details emerge, we will attempt to share what is learned of this "domestic violence case."

May 11, 2009: Professor Zinkhan dug his own grave. After he almost completely covered his own body, he apparently shot himself to death. Thus ends the search for the Prof on the run.

Was Dane Cook An Embezzlement Victim At the Hands of Darryl McCauley, His Half Brother?

Maybe Dane Cook just thought a dollar didn't buy what it used to. Or maybe he was too focused on his upcoming Nassau Coliseum gig on May 3, 2009. How else could the comedian explain not knowing that his half brother was allegedly embezzling perhaps in excess of a million dollars from him?

Comedian Dane Cook discussed with Larry King the "terrible betrayal" by Darryl McCauley, his half brother, who is accused of embezzling from him. Cook's half brother allegedly did the embezzling while he was the comics manager. McCauley was arrested in December and faces larceny, forgery and other charges in Boston. McCauley allegedly transferred Cook's money into his own account. He is also accused of forging a $3 million dollar check written on Cook's account. The Massachusetts attorney general's office is pursuing the investigation. Meanwhile, McCauley is incarcerated awaiting trial. McCauley denies all wrong doing and has plead not guilty. Interview with Dane Cook
Cook talked briefly about the ordeal Thursday.

According to Cook, he worked with his half brother for several years. One day he realized there was a lot of money not accounted for. He feels he has been betrayed. When Larry King asked Cook how he deals with his sense of betrayal., Cook replied: "Dance. Larry, you dance."

Update 3-12-10: Due to spamming on this thread, for further comments, please email legalpub@legalpub.com.

Madonna Constantine Seeks Compensation For Defamation Due To An Alleged Faulty Investigation By Columbia University Teachers College ~by Dollar Bill

Madonna Constantine, means business. She is not one to just go with the flow and accept the hand that is dealt to her. Especially if she thinks the dealer was unfair. Perhaps like the other "material girl," this Madonna may also cash in on her aggressive never back down attitude. Constantine is the Columbia University Teachers College professor who became a public figure when a noose was found on her office door. Constantine was later fired for alleged plagiarism which she denies. Constantine has now filed a defamation lawsuit against Columbia University's Teachers College. The plaintiff is seeking two hundred million dollars in the New York State Supreme Court lawsuit.

At issue is Constantine's scholarly reputation. Columbia University Teachers College claims she was terminated in June of 2008 only after an 18-month investigation into plagiarism allegations. The results of the investigation allegedly revealed "numerous instances in which she used others' work without attribution in papers she published in academic journals over the past five years."

Paul J. Giacomo Jr. is Constantine's attorney. He certainly recognizes that the termination and the noose incident have garnished much media attention. Professors receive hate mail. The timing of the noose incident may be critical because it occurred during the time the plagiarism investigation was taking place. Constantine, who is African-American apparently felt she was being unfairly targeted and that the two matters were definitely related. Plaintiff's are expected to contend that some evidence proving Constantine's innocence was suppressed and that journal editors may have original manuscripts proving her innocence on the plagiarism charges. The University denies any wrongdoing.

At this point folks, it may all be a question of how much is enough...

Dollar Bill

If Finances Caused Christopher Wood To Murder His Family, Can Those Responsible For Our Economic Woes Be Charged As Accomplices?

Can we really blame the economy for murder? A recent investigation revealed that Christopher Wood, the man who shot his wife and three children to death before committing suicide in Middletown, Maryland, last weekend was in financial distress. Wood had a $460,000 in mortgage and credit card debt and apparently he saw no way out. Authorities searched Wood's computer for a motive. They concluded that the precipitating factor in the deaths was "severe financial difficulties." (Note: This is not the same Christopher Wood who predicted the Subprime Crash. LINK) The debt included a mortgage on a home in Florida that the family had been unable to sell. Wood was not unemployed. He was a salesman for CSX Railroad. Wood earned about $97,000 a year. That definitely puts him in the upper 40 percentile of wage earners. So was the debt really that insurmountable?

Perception can be more important than reality. Wood, 34, actually left six suicide notes. Deputies surmised that Christopher Wood shot himself with a shotgun Friday after killing his wife, Francie Billotti-Wood, and their children: Chandler, 5; Gavin, 4; and Fiona, 2 with a pistol as they slept. "Traumatic lacerations" were made after their deaths with a knife or saw. Clearly, Christopher Wood was a troubled man. Father's troubles
The wife and children apparently were killed while they slept Thursday night into Friday, Jenkins said.

Wood left individual suicide notes to his wife and each of the three children, expressing his sorrow and love. There was also a note for his mother, father and sister. A sixth note described his stresses, financial problems, and his struggle with depression.

Apparently, Woods had no criminal record nor any complaint of domestic violence in his home. So the question is this: If the crappy financial environment contributed to the cause of this murder suicide, should those responsible for our economy and banking crisis be charged as accomplices?

Did Phillip Markoff Attempt To Rob Julissa Brisman After Seeing A Craigslist Ad? Did A Failed Robbery Attempt Lead To Her Death?

CraigsList is once again in the news after a crime has been committed allegedly using their service. Who could forget Michael John Anderson who apparently used Craigslist to commit murder. LINK. Almost like deja vu, Phillip Markoff, a medical student, will be arraigned on a murder charge in Boston Municipal Court on Tuesday after the death of a woman who he may have contacted through a Craigslist ad. Julissa Brisman, a beautiful model, advertised massage services on Craigslist (an on line classified ad site.) Julia was found unconscious and suffering from multiple gun shot wounds on April 14, 2009 at the Boston Copley Marriott Hotel. Shortly thereafter she died at Boston Medical Center. She was 26 years old.

The suspect, Philip Markoff, initially does not fit the profile of a killer. He is a 22 year-old pre-med student at Boston University with no criminal record. He has good technical and Internet skills and is above average in intelligence. Yet how smart can he be. He apparently left quite an electronic footprint. He is also charged with the armed robbery and kidnapping of another female victim. Apparently, the Boston P.D. had Markoff under surveillance prior to his arrest.

Police theorize that the initial confrontation between Brisman and her killer started as an attempted robbery and ended up in murder. Boston Police Department. WMUR: Boston med student charged . Killing possibly linked to Craigslist

Hotel surveillance video shows a tall, clean-cut young blond man in a black windbreaker leaving the property. The Boston Police Department, requested the public's help in identifying the man.
Needless to say, authorities think the man is Markoff. Four days before Brisman's killing, Markoff is accused of robbing a 29-year-old woman at gunpoint at a Westin Hotel in Boston. Suffolk County District Attorney Dan Conley apparently thinks the two crimes are related.
Apparently the first victim also advertised similar services on Craigslist.

Conley thinks other victims may also come forward. Boston investigators are working with police in Warwick, Rhode Island, in what could be a related case. Apparently on April 16, 2009 a man tied up a 26 year-old dancer and demanded money at a Holiday Inn Express in Warwick. Apparently the dancer had posted an ad on Craigslist. The robbery was interrupted when the woman's husband entered the room causing the suspect to flee. Similar crimes have occurred in the Boston area and the connection is not yet clear. Police think assailant reads Craigslist ads.

Craigslist CEO is Jim Buckmaster. Buckmaster informed the press that Craigslist would evaluate the incident to see if additional safety measures are in order. Markoff is to be considered innocent unless otherwise proven in a court of law.

Update 4-24-2004: Markoff's fiance is supporting her man and apparently believes that they have the wrong man. Unfortunately, a gun found in Markoff's appartment appears to be consistent with the murder weapon. There may also be finger print evidence. One previous study companion of Markoff relayed an under grad incident where Markoff was apparently drunk and tried to kiss her. She had to fight off Markoff's advances. But in general, even after that incident she thought he was a "good guy." A web site supporting Markoff's innocence has been set up for those interested. In the meantime, Phillip Markoff is in jail on a suicide watch.

Keep in mind that Phillip Markoff is to be considered innocent until otherwise proven in a court of law.

Chanton Jenkins Alleged Drinking And Driving Serves As A Reminder How Bad Judgment Can Ruin Lives?

As Texas talks of secession from the union heat up, a Texas man may illustrate two problems not limited to Texas: drunk driving and cell phone usage. Unfortunately, Chanton Jenkins, 32, has not only embarrassed himself, he apparently also has destroyed his family. Perhaps Jenkins will serve as an example of our nation's drinking and driving epidemic and the tragic results that may follow. The Houston man has been charged with four counts of intoxication manslaughter in the Saturday drownings of four children riding in his Lincoln Town Car. The apparently intoxicated Jenkins, drove his vehicle off the road into the Green Bayou.

Four children drowned. A fifth child who was also in the car is missing. It is believed that this three year old also drowned. It was not intentional. There was a heavy rain storm taking place.
The Lincoln Town Car was driven by Jenkins with six children and his brother as passengers. Jenkin's brother and one child survived. Three of the children who apparently drowned were Jenkins' children. The other two that drowned were friends of the family. The child who survived is also Jenkin's child. The deceased are believed to be a girl, 1, boys age 4, 5, and 7.

Jenkins apparently failed a field-sobriety test at the scene. A blood test apparently confirmed intoxication. To further complicate the alcohol use, the crash apparently occurred right after Jenkins concluded a cell phone call. Relatives watch attempted rescue

The car was submerged in over 9 feet of water. The young children stood little chance in the cold swift water. Based on the police reports, I doubt even a famous DWI lawyer like Adam Reposa can keep Jenkins out of jail. But keep in mind, Jenkins is to be considered innocent of all charges until he is otherwise proven in a court of law. While Jenkins may not deserve any sympathy for his mistake, innocent children who lost their lives certainly do.

Jody Hoover Exercises His Bill of Rights Privelege Which Sends Jerry Lee Jones, Jr. To His Maker

Time for some hard core? How about the right to defend one's home? The reason why the Bill of Rights preserves the right to bear arms is illustrated right in Ms. Calabaza's neck of the woods. Picture this scenario: a man calls 911 because some one appears to be trying to break into his home. He hands the phone to his wife, he warns the would be intruder that he has a gun and should stop. The intruder persists, the man shoots and hits his mark. Sounds almost like the wild west back in the day when our grand fathers rode a horse to work. These were the days when 'the law" was sometimes decided over a barrel of a gun. In those days, there was no 911, but cattle rustlers proceeded only with extreme caution. While this story could have taken place back in the late 1800's (except for the phone call), it actually occurred last week.

Jody Hoover, 46, called Botetourt County police on April 10. He said a man was in his yard "hollering" and "crying out." The man's actions apparently escalated so Hoover handed the phone to his wife. He got his double barreled 12 gauge and once again warned the would be intruder.

The would be intruder, later identified as Jerry Lee Jones, Jr., bangs on the homes sliding glass door. Hoover tells him to go away and not force him to use his gun. Jones then crashes through the door. Hoover empties both barrels of his shotgun into Jones. Hoover's wife asks 911 to send someone real quick.

The Roanoke Times reported.

Skip over this contentWDBJ7.com.

Turns out Jones had had a little too much to drink. In fact his blood-alcohol content was apparently four times the legal limit. His sister, Margaret Jones, told the Roanoke Times press that her brother had been depressed because it was their late father's birthday. Needless to say, Jones died. According to police, Hoover will not face any charges as his actions were "justifiable."It is nearly impossible to disagree. In times when our life, property, or liberty are threatened, the Second Amendment allows citizens a right to bear arms. However, it is a right which should be exercised responsibly. While Jone's death is tragic, the actions of Hoover were appropriate.

Blond Bombshell Shares Attraction Common Sense- by Blond Bombshell

Perhaps no one knows more about kissing than me. I have kissed famous actors on set, I have kissed "bad actors" (whom my parents did not approve.) I have kissed those whom I have loved and those whom I was happy to say good bye. I have kissed folks butts to get a head and I have been told to kiss off by directors. So believe me, I am experienced in kissing. So when I share some not scientific advice with you folks, who I have come to love over the years from reading and contributing to this special forum, listen well despite my lack of a Ph.d.. For when it comes to attraction, it is not an exact science that should guide you, it is your heart.

Scientist are trying to say that kissing, biochemical odors, face shape and voice pitch govern whether you are attracted to another. Why recently, Kendra Schmid pontificated why Halle Berry scored very high on an attractiveness scale. After all she has such symmetrical features. Does Kendra even know Halle? The real reason why men find Halle Berry to be attractive is because she is smoking hot. Plain and simple. Halle could smell like yesterday's beer and men would still line up to be near her.

Karl Grammer and Elizabeth Oberzaucher have conducted research on the effect of a human's smell and their perceived attractiveness. (Can you believe folks get paid to sniff t-shirts?) These scientists claim that when women are ovulating, they produce copulins, a scent that attracts men. Come on. It is more basic then that. When women are ovulating, their boobs swell and that stimulates the eyeballs of nearby men. Scientists may pontificate that it is the woman's smell of copulins that boosts the mans testosterone, but they miss the point. It is the attractive swollen boobs that cause a rise in a certain part of a man's anatomy. (Can I get a hell yeah, men?)

The scientists further opine that the woman's smell causes men to secretes androstenone, an odor that repels women who aren't ovulating. Give me a break. Again it is much more simple explanation then that. The ovulation swells the woman's boobs, which cause men to get hot and bothered which causes men to sweat. All are repelled by the sweaty male pigs except for horny ovulating woman looking to get lucky.

Dr. Laura Berman may come closer to the truth when she told Oprah, "We are innately all puppies in heat." Oprah.com: Dr. Berman's better sex. While Dr. Berman claims that the odors reveal the time to produce, I submit that any man who sees Halle Berry at any time during her cycle is up for the opportunity to breed. (Test my theory. Put Halle in a bathing suit inside a glass tube which prevents any of her smell from escaping. Then ask which men in the club want to spend an intimate evening with her. Bingo 99 % positive response. And the 1% are liars!)

Getting past the breeding ramifications, Dr. Berman says too many women complain that they love their partner, but they're not in love with him. (Well, what do you expect? Who is going to be attractive to a sweaty, stinking swine at any time other then a woman who is horny? Crude but true.) When we are horny, Dr. Berman suggests that we want a man who smells like he has good genes (MHC studies). How wrong. When we are horny, women want a man who looks good in and out of his jeans. The rest of the time we want a man who is a good listener and who treats us as an equal.

A few months back I watched a Discovery Channel's program on attraction. They not only considered smell, but also voice pitch. Researchers like Gordon Gallup, Ph.D., claim that women with higher estrogen levels have higher voices and thus are more attractive to men. Men with deeper voices are considered more attractive. (No wonder Lurch was such a sex symbol.) Now here is the most brainiac research conclusions yet. When a man makes a lot of money, a woman will rate him higher on an attractiveness scale than she would that same man with a smaller income. NO KIDDING! So this is how Hugh Heffner and Donald Trump do it. How much in grants did someone pay to discover that rich guys get more action then similarly looking poor guys? Common sense asks us what woman wants to support a dead beat guy of average or below average looks? A good looking dead beat is not a man. He is a toy. And even us trendy women grow tired of our toys.

Now, let's get to the advice. How you tell if you have chemistry with another is by a kiss. A first kiss that makes your toes curl is an indication of attraction. If a first kiss leaves you wanting a second, you have found attraction. Similarly, it does not take an expert to know that "kissing frequency" is a good gage of how successful a relationship is in terms of happiness. Hundreds of thousands of dollars have been spent on such "attraction research." Yet, Blond Bombshell shares her common sense with you for less then the price of a cup of coffee. Keep it real, girls.

Shell

Alejandra Arriaza, Angel Ponce, and Joel Boza Illustrate That Greed Can Overcome Good Parenting And Common Sense

Sorry to the few of you who oppose LEGAL PUB'S SOLUTION TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, but the next story is one which may once again illustrate the greed and desire for control that CAN occur with dissolution of marriage.

At first the headlines read that Alejandra Arriaza, a mother and her teenage son were kidnapped and being held for Ransom. You see, mom takes her 17 year old son to Wal-mart to buy an I-Phone. (See, cell phones are harmful to one's health.) When they return from the store, a masked person armed with a gun is in their backseat. The intruders says they are "kidnapped." Thick tape is placed over the son's eyes and the mom is instructed to drive to a remote "hide away" in South Miami where they are joined by a second kidnapper who introduces himself as "El Negro." The 17 year olds hands and legs are bound and his torso fixed to a chair with shrink wrap. He is placed in a dark closet where he is forced to spend the night. The next day the kidnappers call the boy's father on a cell phone that they were thoughtful enough to place in his car so they could conveniently communicate their ransom demands. The father is told that his son is being harmed by a blowtorch. Mom pleads with her ex to pay the requested ransom. The FBI records the conversations and begins its tracking of the perpetrators. With the FBI's help, the father arranges to pay the kidnapper's ransom demands. But on April 10, 2009, prior to the payment of the ransom, the FBI storms the mobile home where the kidnappers are holding the boy hostage. The boy was able to identify his kidnapper as Angel Ponce, his mom's boy friend. A fake gun and a real blow torch were found in the mobile home.

This is the type of story that would be appropriate for a movie such as TAKEN. But the plot is a bit too unimaginative and apparently one orchestrated by the mother to extort money from her ex-husband. (In some states this would not even be a crime. It would be called alimony. SEE VIDEO LINK.)

In the above linked video, you hear a woman with a similar motive, extracting money from their spouse or former spouse. Fortunately in this Florida case, The mother, Alejandra Arriaza, her boyfriend, Angel Ponce, and his nephew, Joel Boza, have all been charged with federal kidnapping counts. If found guilty, they could spend the rest of their lives in prison. This is just a small victory in the long battle for justice in the marriage strike circle. As a mitigating factor, the three suspects apparently admitted to the FBI their respective roles in the extortion plot.

According to Scott Wilson's FBI affidavit, the plot was Arriaza's idea which started when she discovered that her ex-husband had recently come into some money from the sale of a business. The father, referred to as "H.P." and to his 17-year-old son referred to as "N.P." in the affidavit were true victims of this crime.

The son had no involvement in planning this caper. And good old mom, probably didn't mean to harm her son, but as the FBI so aptly summarized, in the end, "the basic motive of greed" prevailed. Alejandra Arriaza should have used commons sense. Instead of trying to exhort her ex husbands money, she should have earned her own the old fashion way... sell her idea to Hollywood.

Pirates Are Taking Command On The High Sea While Phil Spector Gets Convicted!

Pirates are in the news. And we are not talking baseball in Pittsburg. Real Pirates hijacked a 35,000-ton Greek-owned bulk carrier in the Gulf of Aden on Tuesday. This comes on the heals of pirates capturing the U.S.-flagged Maersk Alabama. As the world knows, the crew was unhurt and three pirates were killed by U.S. Navy Seals. The crew was unhurt and ships have been warned to stay clear of the area for fear of further attack.

U.S.-flagged Maersk Alabama was captained by Richard Phillips who was held hostage. A fourth pirate was arrested. Watch Navy Tactics. The fourth pirate is believed to be around 16 years old.
In the mean time, pirates in the area pledge that they will seek revenge for the death of the three pirates. Speaking about justice as a result of death, get a load of Katfish's story on Phil Spector:

Phil Spector Gets Convicted by Katfish:

Monday, April 13, after a trial that lasted almost 6 months and after nearly 30 hours of deliberations, a Los Angeles Superior Court jury convicted Phil Spector, an eccentric music producer of the 60's for the second degree- murder of actress Lana Clarkson. The jury also found Spector guilty of using a fire arm to commit the crime. For video coverage of the verdict and the pressor after the verdict click here.

Second-degree murder carries a penalty of 15 years to life in prison. The use-of-a-gun enhancement adds three, four or 10 years in prison, according to the district attorney’s office.This isn’t the first time that Phil Spector has faced a jury on these charges. The first jury deadlocked 10-2, favoring conviction in 2007.
Phil Spector’s claim to fame has not only been as the inventor of the “Wall Of Sound” recording technique, but also as the producer of teen anthems and working with a number of recording artists from The Crystals to the Righteous Brothers and Ike and Tina Turner to the Beatles.Spector’s first claim to fame was “To Know Him Is to Love Him" a song written by Phil Spector and recorded by his first band, the Teddy Bears, that went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in 1958. The chorus of the song is “To know, know, know him is to love, love, love him. And I do, yes I do.”
After Spector’s most recent claim to fame, being charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of a film actress at his mansion six years ago and this conviction on that charge, we might rewrite that chorus to read…To know, know, know him is to convict, convict, convict him. And we did, yes we did.
The jury heard from prosecutors that Spector had a history of threatening women with guns when they tried to leave his presence. As in the first trial, they presented testimony from five women who told of being threatened by a drunken Spector, even held hostage in his home, with a gun pointed at them and threats of death if they tried to leave.
The defense in both trials tried to portray Lana Clarkson as an aging, depressed, has been who used Spector’s gun to kill her self.

The 40-year-old Lana Clarkson, star of the 1985 cult film “Barbarian Queen,” died of a gunshot fired in her mouth as she sat in the foyer of Spector’s mansion in 2003.
The jury also learned that Spector, 69, who had long lived in seclusion at his suburban Alhambra “castle,” was out on the town in Hollywood when he met Clarkson on Feb. 3, 2003, at the House of Blues. The tall, blond actress, who had recently turned 40 and was unable to find acting work after breaking both her wrists in a fall at Christmas 2001, had recently taken a job as a hostess in the VIP room of the House of Blues with hopes of making some connections. When the club closed in the wee hours, she accepted a chauffeured ride to Spector’s home for a drink. Three hours later, she was dead.

Spector’s chauffeur, said he heard a gunshot, then saw Spector emerge holding a gun and heard him say: “I think I killed somebody.” IMO that was the most damning testimony of this trial, a confession of sorts or in legal terms an "excited utterance".Defense attorney Doron Weinberg said he believed the case was swayed by the judge’s erroneous rulings, particularly one that allowed the five women from Spector’s past to testify. He said it would be the basis for appeal and a request for a new trial.Deputy District Attorney Alan Jackson said Monday that “justice ... was unserved up until today. Today is when the Clarkson family gets their justice.”
The jury forewoman, who refused to be identified, cried as she described how the panel made its choice. “It just is a painful decision,” she said. When asked if there was any one thing that stood out for the jury in favor of conviction she said, “ There was no one thing , we looked at all of the evidence, and based our decision on the totality of the evidence.”
Spector who has been out on a $1 Million cash bond since February 3, 2003 was remanded to custody until his sentencing on May 29.For the most in depth coverage of this case visit Sprocket’s Trials and Tribulations blog. Sprocket attended most of the first trial and blogged about the case. When it turned out that there was very little media interest in the second trial, Sprocket attended everyday of the trial and delivered great play by play coverage of the trial. Thank You Sprocket! For more great stories by Katfish see: LINK

Saudi Arabia Judge Upholds 8 year old Girls Marriage to 47 Year Old Man- by Brenda

Just to whom did our President bow in respect? The leader of a country that forces children to marry grown men? CNN has reported that a Saudi judge has once again refused to annul a marriage between an 8-year-old girl and a 47-year-old man. After the case was sent back by the Appellate Court, the judge affirmed his original verdict of last year which rejected a petition from the girl's mother to annul the marriage.

Judge, Sheikh Habib Al-Habib, affirmed his decision and announced that the child "could petition the court for a divorce once she reached puberty." The first denial was based on the girl's mother not being the girl's legal guardian. Apparently the girl's father arranged the marriage in order to settle his debts with a close friend. (The judge required the girl's husband to pledge that he would not have sex with her until she reaches puberty.) When she reaches puberty, she will have the right to petition for a divorce. An appeals court in Riyadh will now hear the case next. In the mean time, the marriage remains valid.

In Saudi Arabia, women do not enjoy many freedoms. Punishment is sometimes harsh for liberated behavior. Saudis order 40 lashes for mingling. In such a society, the likelihood of a successful appeal is speculative at best. "It is incorrect to say that it's not permitted to marry off girls who are 15 and younger," Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Sheikh, the kingdom's grand mufti to the Al-Hayat newspaper. "A girl aged 10 or 12 can be married. Those who think she's too young are wrong and they are being unfair to her." Sharia law is Islamic law. (Saudi Arabia follows a strict interpretation of Islam called Wahhabism.) If such marriages are not only allowed, but encouraged, then perhaps it should be called "Pedophiles Club."

Did Richard Poplawski's Hatred Fuel An Attack On Police?

Did white supremest beliefs supply the motive for Richard Poplawski shooting rage? Polawski is the man believed to have ambushed and killed three Pittsburgh police officers last week. Prejudice is being bantered around as a possible motive. Poplawski apparently posted on the internet under the name "Braced for Fate." Anti Semitic postings believed to be his are rather disturbing. Some may have even foreshadowed the fateful shooting as he wrote that he was "probably ramping up the activism in the near future." Could prompt action have prevented this fateful tragedy? 3 officers slain

Poplawski referred to himself as a "skinhead" in some posts. He wrote about the "ultimate victory for our people" by "taking back our nation." He pontificated that " ... A revolutionary is always regarded as a nutcase at first, their ideas dismissed as fantasy."

Poplawski's act of shooting more than 100 rounds at officers on April 4 was more then delusional, it was a psychotic act of terror. The police had little chance of knowing this 911 call concerning a domestic disturbance would turn into a full fledged ambush.

In fairness, Poplawski is to be presumed innocent unless otherwise proven in a court of law. In the interim, don't be surprised if his defense team pursues an insanity defense.

Jiverly Wong's Shooting Spree Warants Congressional Work Besides Granting Posthumous Honorary Citizenship!

Congress is finally starting to act. But what good does granting posthumous honorary citizenship to victims of the April 3, 2009 shooting in Binghamton, New York accomplish? Legislation introduced by Sen Chuck Schumer and Sen. Kristen Gillibrand would award posthumous citizenship to 11 of the victims. (The other two victims, Maria Zobiw and Robeta Bobby King were already U.S. citizens.) As you may recall, Jiverly Wong, 41, walked into the American Civic Association and shot 17 people. Thirteen died before he committed suicide.

It is unclear why the American Civic Association was chosen as the target. The organization helps educate immigrants and refugees. In fact, Wong had taken English classes at the facility. Speculation was that Wong was upset about losing his job and not being able to find suitable employment. So if Congress really wants to do something, why not concentrate on fixing the economy and our unemployment problem?

Korean Religious Retreat At California Camp Site Turns Deadly

What is it about California that brings out the unstable element in some people? A recent shooting at a religious retreat is just one more bizarre example of irrational behavior. Little is known other than that one person was killed and three others were wounded during a shooting at a religious retreat yesterday evening around 7:23 p.m. at a remote campground in southern California. It occurred at a camp ground near Temecula. Sgt. Dennis Gutierrez is the public information officer for the Riverside County Sheriff's Department which is investigating the shooting.

The religious retreat was apparently for a Korean group. The suspect was apparently critically wounded in the incident. The wounded are believed to be in critical condition.
Learning the detail of exactly what happened may take some time due to the language barriers and the size of the crime scene. Apparently the victims were found in different locations leading to the inference that some tried to run away.

More as the story develops.

Sandra Cantu Murdered And Put Into A Suitcase By A Coward

So it is finally over. But will closure result until justice is done? Sandra Cantu was found Monday inside a suitcase pulled from a San Joaquin County irrigation pond. As you recall, this is the eight year old California girl who disappeared on March 27th from her Orchard Estates Mobile Home Park in California. Sandra was apparently identified by her clothing. Needless to say, this is being treated as a homicide.

Home security video showed the girl skipping down the road immediately before she disappeared. Ironically, her next photographing will occur at her autopsy today.
In the meantime, a few search warrants have been executed and several people questioned.

Daniel Cantu, was interviewed and polygraphed by the police. in Tracy. Cantu lives in Mexico and so far has cooperated with police. At this point in time, there are no suspects. There are people the police are interested in interviewing.

Update 4-8-09: Tracy police Sgt. Tony Sheneman confirmed on CNN's Nancy Grace that they searched the Clover Road Baptist Church. He did not reveal what persuaded a judge to sign a search warrant.
Lane Lawless, the church's pastor, told KCRA he was questioned for about three hours by police, adding that he had nothing to do with Cantu's disappearance.

Update 4-12-09: Melissa Huckaby, 28, has been arrested for the kidnapping and murder of Sandra Cantu. Huckaby lives in the same area as the Cantus with her own 5-year-old daughter. The two children were close friends. Sandra's body was found Monday in a suitcase in a pond. The suitcase is believed to be owned by Melissa Huckaby who is pastor Clifford Lane Lawless granddaughter. Suspect . Arrest California girl, 8, disappears after playing with friend

Huckby apparently acknowledged to the Tracy Press that she owned the black rolling suitcase but claimed she reported it missing the day before the child's body was found. Huckaby is to be considered innocent unless otherwise proved in a court of law.

Update 5-10-10: Apparently Huckaby has entered a plea agreement to spare the death penalty.

James Harrison, Another Example Of Fathers Going Off The Deep End?

It's not right, but it is reality. Domestic violence is on the rise. One perceived reason that is whispered among judges and attorneys in private conversations is the disparity in treatment between men and women when it comes to divorce. Face facts, men appear to have a disadvantage when it comes to custody, decision making, alimony and support.The result can be a depressed Dad, an angry Dad, and even a violent Dad. A proposed step in the right direction has been offered: SUGGESTION. This is not to say that it would have prevented James Harrison's recent rage. But certainly the feelings of seeing his wife with another man and understanding the ramifications of the current divorce laws and practice which would likely cause him to pay alimony could have been a contributing factor. We won't know for sure because he took his own life. But one thing that is certain, the gravity of the situation can no longer be tolerated.

James Harrison, 34 years old, shot and killed his five children in their Washington state home. Then he killed himself. The precipitating event was an argument with his wife, Angela, after he apparently saw her with another man at a convenience store. (Harrison and his 16 year old daughter found his wife with another man on Friday night after tracking them with a cell phone GPS function. Angela apparently told James that she would not be returning to the marital home.) James returned home and about 15 hours later committed a heinous crime. His children, ages 7 to 16, were found dead in their Pierce County, Washington, home Saturday. The murderer, James Harrison, returned to the convenience store and committed suicide. He was found dead inside his SUV in an adjacent county according to CNN Radio. Angela Harrison, Jame's estranged wife was not physically harmed. But the deaths of the children: Maxine, Samantha, Heather, Jamie and James are bound to leave a mark.

After Harrison and his 16-year-old daughter found his wife with another man on Friday night, the couple argued. Harrison and his daughter then returned to the family home without his wife. Harrison and the children then held a family meeting. A few other relatives were present. Sometime after the other relatives left, Harrison shot four of his children as they slept in their beds. A fifth died in the bathroom. Legal Pub recognizes that James Harrison was no angel. Candy Johnson, Angela Harrison's aunt, has given a statement to the press describing Harrison as a strict, controlling husband. She said that he did not allow his wife to make any decisions without consulting him first. James apparently impregnated Angela when she was 13.

James apparently worked as a diesel mechanic. He may have also worked part time as a security guard. Angela apparently works at the convenience store. Ron Vorak, a neighbor, has described Harrison as "not too friendly." Harrison apparently had no criminal record; however, he was placed on a parenting plan by state child welfare officials in 2007 because of a minor physical altercation with one of the children. It was a relatively minor matter as he agreed to the plan and the case was closed according to the police.

This massacre comes follows a Los Angeles, California shooting two months ago where a father killed his wife and five children after he and his wife were fired from their jobs. Police are still investigating another California family shooting last week in which a man killed two adult family members, three children and wounded his wife. The man also committed suicide after the shootings. Whatever the reason behind this savage behavior, it is unacceptable. Yes the laws need to change. But the violence must stop now.

Bjorn Johnson Appears On ER As Joel Cohen M.D. Writes About Real Life ER Protocols For Patients

Perhaps most of America tuned into ER last night for the final episode. For me, an old friend Bjorn Johnson was to have a small role as the parent of a child who was in a coma due to alcohol consumption. For those of you unfamiliar with Bjørn, he gained a cult like following for his portrayal of Mr. Schniedelwichsen in Beerfest. Bjorn is probably best known for his stage work and his directing. While his role last night was relatively small, I suspect it was a huge honor to join the cast in their final performance. Originally, the intent was to write a story about alcohol abuse and its danger in teens. (It's dangerous kids, don't do it. If a friend is drunk, passed out, throwing up, get your friend to a hospital immediately. The delay can be fatal or cause brain damage.) With that being said, given so much discussion of hospital emergency rooms, it was thought best to share with a book written by Joel Cohen, MD.

Cohen is the author of ER: Enter at Your Own Risk -- How to Avoid Dangers Inside Emergency Rooms. Dr. Cohen shares why you should research several local emergency rooms before you ever need to visit one. The book outlines six tips that will get you better treatment in any emergency room. He also shares what injuries and diseases are best handled outside the emergency room. Cohen recognizes that today's emergency rooms are overcrowded due to hospital economics and lack of insurance. Dr. Cohen shares his perspective of how to protect yourself against the dangers of the ER.

One of Cohen's suggestions is to go to an emergency room only if your symptoms prevent daily routines. A second is to always visit the ER with a companion if possible. The third suggestion is to always be polite but yet still firm. Under no circumstances should you be confrontational. That is a battle that you will always lose. Fourth, ask the right questions of the triage nurse, staff nurse and ER doctor. Fifth, refuse any treatments or tests that you think are unnecessary, irrelevant, or potentially more dangerous than valuable until you have the opportunity to discuss them with your private physician.

The book also contains some Web sites that you can visit for basic medical information. Our suggestion is to start with Google, Ask.com and Medline. And of course, ask Dr. B. on Legal Pub.

Burger King Settles Jacob Buckett's Fall Down Injury For An Alleged 20 Million Dollars.

A Burger King franchise in Southern California has apparently agreed to pay $20 million to an 11 year old child, Jacob Buckett, who was severely injured in one of their playgrounds. Apparently in August of 2005, Jacob Buckett (8 years old at the time,) his father (Kevin Buckett) and 3-year-old sister visited Burger King in Temecula, Calif. Jacob climbed up the horizontal support poles of the play structure and fell, hitting his head on the tile floor. Jacob suffered a traumatic brain injury. He was in a coma for two months. When he got out of the hospital six months later, he was diagnosed with permanent, lifelong impairments.

Plaintiffs contend that that Burger King knew the jungle gym was dangerous but never bothered to fix the problem. Significant safety risks included the absence of "no-climb netting" around the structural poles and lack of floor padding. There apparently had been prior accidents but admittedly less secure.