Awards For This Weeks Potential Bad Moves... And Teacher Lap Dance Wins!

There has been a series of bad moves in the news of late. Perhaps the most controversial was Johnny Depp's latest move to step into the field of justice. Rather than promoting his new movie 'Wonderland,' Depp will appear on CBS's '48 Hours Mystery' on Saturday to advocate the release of the "West Memphis Three." Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley were convicted in 1994 of murdering three boys during a satanic ritual. Depp joins stars like Eddie Vedder, Winona Ryder, the Dixie Chicks and Demi Lovato in insisting the men were erroneously found guilty because of their fascination with heavy-metal music and Stephen King. "I firmly believe Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley are totally innocent. It was a need for swift justice to placate the community, " exclaimed Depp. In the mean time, Damien Echols is on death row subject to lethal injection. NY Post:

Will DNA and forensic evidence clear Echols, Baldwin and Misskelley of the crimes? The three defendants were tried and convicted of murdering Christopher Byers, Michael Moore and Stevie Branch (three eight-year-old boys) in West Memphis, Arkansas in 1993. A CBS show argues that juror misconduct may have contributed to the guilty verdict. Meanwhile, advocates for the defence continue to claim that police bungled the gathering of evidence, compromised the crime scene, ignored possible suspects and misplaced DNA samples. Jessie Miskelley, a mentally handicapped seventeen year old, was questioned for 12 hours without the benefit of a parent or a lawyer. Miskelley provided an error-filled confession that implicated Echols, himself and Jason Baldwin. Miskelley later recanted the confession. No physical evidence was offered to link the teens to the murders. Evidence that may have exculpated the defendants such as blood left behind the night of the murders by a bloody man were apparently lost by the West Memphis Police Department. The latter argument is potentially the most troublesome.

So just what are the DNA results? After years of legal argument, Echols' lawyers and West Memphis prosecutors agreed to DNA testing of almost 200 items. DNA results are being completed. Dennis Riordan (Echols' attorney) and the prosecution are keeping quiet about what the results show. Most believe the DNA testing will lead to a new trial.

Damien Echols was sentenced to death. Jessie Misskelley, Jr., was sentenced to life in prison plus 40 years and Jason Baldwin was sentenced to life imprisonment. All three were teens at the time of their arrests. Depp is not alone in his support of the West Mephis Three. In 2002, Henry Rollins produced the album 'Rise Above: 24 Black Flag Songs to Benefit the West Memphis Three.' In 2003, Winona Ryder hosted a benefit exhibition at a Los Angeles art gallery, featuring artwork by Raymond Pettibon, Shepard Fairey and Marilyn Manson. (Note: Ryder herself was convicted of grand theft and vandalism in a 2002.) USA TODAY . Johnny Depp Photos. While convictions of the three may well be reversed, critiques question the wisdom of Johnny Depp's public involvement in this controversial case at this specific time in his career. Should Depp consult his agent before he publicly offer such comments? Third place finish for potentially bad moves.

In second place concerning potential bad moves, a lawsuit has been filed by John Coomer against the Kansas City Royals that alleges that the team mascot "Sluggerrr" threw a hot dog that caused serious eye damage to him in 2009 according to the Kansas City Star. John Coomer claims the errant hot dog hit his left eye and led to a detached retina and cataracts. Coomer's alleged medical costs exceed $25,000. Why is it a potentially bad move? The Royals have signs up warning fans that they might be hit by a foul ball. So is it unreasonable to expect fans to also look out for promotional items being flung into the stands by the mascot? Did there need to be a sign specifically warning fans to be ware of flying hot dogs? Are hot dogs really that dangerous if you don't consume them?

In Conner's corner is the argument that the Royals should have known not to do this and therefore should have stopped the stunt before it ever took place. After all, Sluggerrr fired hot dogs into the crowd, either with a powerful air gun or with his super strong paws. Yet, on the other hand, the event is a real crowd pleaser. The marketing stunt generated more applause than the Royals team gets on the field. (The Royals have genuinely been unwatchable for the last decade.) Thus, extracurricular events may be about the only reason to attend a game. Was the hot dog dangerously hot? I suspect not. After all, it was apparently loaded into the air gun and shot through the air. What would the better move appear to entail? Early dialogue and compromise. Amicable settlement appears to be in order. Not that we want to eliminate attorney's fees in this time of recession; however, prudence suggests that The Royals should pay this man's medical bills and discontinue using the air gun to discharge hot dogs into the crowd. But we all know that prudence does not always prevail once the lawyer's brief cases are opened.

First place for potentially bad moves is in a class all by itself! Chrystie Fitchner is one of two teachers, asked to perform at a high school pep rally. The teachers exercised what appears to be incredibly poor judgment when they acted out a strip club like lap dance. Fitchner appears in a Youtube video receiving a lap dance from a male teacher. The two were performing as part of a dance-off for the school's spirit week. Four teams of teachers competed. Both Chrystie and the male who is believed to be a substitute teacher were apparently suspended without pay. VIDEO LINK

What is so wrong with a harmless dance? There appear to be head near crotch moments and at least gestures similar to "fondling." In sum, not appropriate entertainment for the pupils. On the other hand, some will argue that the dance is pale in comparison to many of the dances teens are routinely seen doing during school functions. Regardless, hands down Chrystie's display of lack of judgment tops this weeks potential bad moves.