Diane Tran Does Not Deserve A Criminal Record For Trying To Support Her Siblings and Attend High School

What is going on with the Texas legal system?  They let Robert A. Durst, a New York multimillionaire who admitted that he had butchered his 71-year-old neighbor with a bow saw and dumped his body parts into Galveston Bay, be acquitted of murder yet lock a 17 year-old honor student in jail for missing class because she is so tired from working two jobs to support her siblings.   LINK. 

From the video it appears Judge Moriarty simply thinks a 17 year-old girl spending a night in jail is no big deal. Has he lost touch with his constituents?  A criminal record for an honors student is no big deal? Diane Tran is a 17 year-old honor student working two jobs to support her siblings and he throws her in jail because she misses some school.  Can you say "black robe itis?" (Editor's note:  this is a phrase used to describe a judge whose time on the bench has destroyed his connection to common citizens.)

After listening to this judge speak, his rational appear at best troubling and more likely the words of a cold uncaring man undeserving of the position of "judge."  Exactly the kind of individual who needs to be scrutinized come election time. Diane Tran was forced to spend the night in jail last week

because she missed too much time from Willis High School.  This junior works two jobs and goes to high school in order to help support her two siblings since her parents divorced.  (Tran's parents no longer live in the area since the divorce.) Tran takes AP Spanish, college level algebra and dual credit English and history courses. When she is too tired, she sometimes misses school.  She continues to get good grades and turns in her homework.

While Texas law provides that a student with ten or more unexcused absences within a six-month period, MAY BE referred to a juvenile court, it is not mandatory.  Furthermore, jail time IS NOT mandatory. Consequently it appear that Willis Independent School District as well as the Judge failed to exercise the discretion common sense mandates in such situations. According to KHOU-11, Tran spent one night in jail and was fined $100!*  LINK. That makes no sense whatsoever with a girl who misses school because she needs to work.

HelpDianeTran.com has been set up by the Louisiana Children's Education Alliance in partnership with Anedot and Gatorworks.  However, a "help educate this judge on common sense and compassion site" may be even more appropriate. 


*Judge Lanny Moriarty did warn Tran last month to quit missing school. When she recently missed classes again, he issued a summons and had her arrested in open court

Should Former Porn Star Turned Teacher (Stacie Halas) Be Terminated Because of Her Past?

Should a teacher be fired just because she previously worked in the film industry as a porn star?  Stacie Halas is the Southern California science teacher who was placed on administrative leave because of her former career as a porn actress according to The Smoking Gun.  Stacie, 31, was apparently dismissed from her post as a seventh- and eighth-grade science teacher at Richard B. Haydock Intermediate School in Oxnard, Calif. because of her appearance in a pornographic film shot prior to her employment as a teacher.  Her pornographic career occurred from 2005 to 2007 which was prior to her being hired at  Oxnard in 2009.

However, when she appeared in "No Cum Dodging Allowed #7" in 2006, she was apparently employed by another California public school district.  She apparently admitted in an interview associated with the video that her film career was "very risky for me, 'cause I am a teacher," according to The Smoking Gun. The Oxnard school board voted unanimously to remove Halas in April.  According to the Los Angeles Times, Superintendent Jeff Chancer said, "We're dealing with the disruption that we believe it would cause our district, and the schools in our district, if she were to return back to the classroom...  Maybe it's not a crime as far as the penal code is concerned, but we feel it's a crime as far as moral turpitude is concerned."

Halas' contract apparently does not contain a moral turpitude clause. While California law prevents those convicted of certain crimes from working in public schools, Stacie apparently has broken no law. However she may be terminated if their is evidence that her private life is affecting student education.  There in lies the debate. The conduct occurred prior to her employment.  Furthermore, the filming did not involve the school or any students. What rights do teachers have outside of regular school hours? Teachers typically complain that they need two incomes in order to be financially comfortable.  Should they be prohibited from working at a strip club or even Hooters during the summer vacation?
Should school officials punish teachers who moonlight as bartenders, waitresses, or even lawnmowers if there is a chance it may disrupt student education?

Halas is appealing her dismissal.  The case will likely be heard by an administrative law judge.  Legal Pub is predicting that Stacie wins her appeal based in large par upon her star appeal in these photos.  LINK.

Has Antolin Garica-Torres DNA Solved the Murder of Sierra LaMarr?

Is another sick demented monster off the streets?  Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith said Antolin Garcia-Torres's DNA was found inside a bag belonging to Sierra LaMar. The 21-year-old Torres is in custody for the kidnapping and murder Sierra LaMar.  DNA evidence was allegedly found in Sarah's bag and unspecified property belonging to Garcia-Torres. ( Garcia-Torres's DNA had been in a law enforcement database following an arrest on suspicion of felony assault.)  It appears that this was a stranger abducting a young girl for no apparent reason. Sierra was apparently kidnapped while walking to a school bus stop. She hadn't been seen or heard from since she left her home in Morgan Hill on March 16.

Authorities had apparently surveiled several suspects before focusing on Garcia-Torres.  Sierra's handbag with clothing and a cellphone were found along the side of the road near her home. Investigators also discovered a red Volkswagen Jetta that may have been connected to Sierra's abduction. Garcia-Torres apparently owns the Volkswagen. Garcia-Torres has yet to admit guilt and thus is to be presumed innocent unless otherwise proven in a court of law.

Does Zenaida Gonzlez Deserve Her Pound of Flesh?

Most of the United States probably remembers the Casey Anthony's criminal trial.  LINK.  But now Casey faces a civil trial for defamation. The media claims she has been hiding, but her face is about as familiar as those on Mount Rushmore.

Anthony has been staying out of the limelight as she serves her probation for fibbing to police, the only charge she was convicted of in the criminal trial.  Casey, 26 years old, will soon have to defend herself in the civil action in Orlando.  Zenaida Gonzlez claims in the civil lawsuit that during the initial investigation into the whereabouts of 2-year-old Caylee, Casey claimed her daughter was kidnapped by a babysitter named Zenaida Gonzalez.  

Gonzalez never met Anthony.  She never babysat Caylee and she was not involved in the case.  However, she claims when Casey Anthony mentioned her name to police, she was publicly defamed.  She claims the defamation ruined her reputation by using her name in association with the toddler's disappearance.  The civil case is likely to be tried in January of 2013. Does she deserve a a big monetary judgment against Anthony? Did the 20 minutes of fame for Gonzlez really "ruin her life?"  Perhaps a civil jury will let us all know very soon.

Update 5-23-12:  When will the media stop sensationalizing things?  Casey Anthony has not been on the run or hiding.  She has been staying out of the public spotlight and complying with the terms of her probation.  Her attorneys accepted service for her in the civil case.  The media will only stop when the public starts to demand responsible journalism.

James Willie Arrested For Rape, May Be Tried For Capital Murder

Looks like Mississippi governor finally got his man.  Police have arrested James D. Willie who is suspected of murdering two people along Mississippi highways. James D. Willie, 28, of Sardis, was arrested when Tunica police responded to a reported disturbance at an apartment on Old Highway 61. A woman at the scene claimed Willie had raped her.  Willie had in his possession a Ruger 9 mm, semi-automatic handgun that the state crime lab believes is a ballistic match to the weapon used in two murders in northwest Mississippi last week

The murders occurred 50 miles apart over a span of three days. Both victims' vehicles were found on the side of the road. The murder of Thomas Schlender, 74, occurred on May 8. Schlender's wallet and several hundred dollars were missing. Lori Anne Carswell, 47, was murdered on May 11. She was found lying in the road next to her car on State Highway 713. Investigators originally believed that the suspected the killer was posing as a police officer but that has not been confirmed. Willie is being held on charges of aggravated assault, kidnapping and rape. He will also likely be charged with two counts of capital murder.

"Hundreds of man-hours have been devoted to tracking down and arresting this individual," Gov. Phil Bryant said in a statement. "Public safety is of paramount concern to us... we see the effective results of a unified effort of several law enforcement agencies working together."

All suspects are presumed innocent unless otherwise proven in a court of law!

Lil Boosie Beats the Rap! ~by Legal Pub

As we always say, suspects are presumed innocent unless otherwise proven in a court of law.  Exhibit one, rapper Lil Boosie, a.k.a Torrence Hatch, was recently found not guilty of first-degree murder. The "Bad Azz" rapper was accused of soliciting Marlo Mike, a.k.a Michael Louding, to murder Terry Boyd for $2,800.

Boyd, 35, was died in October 2009. Louding, allegedly originally admitted killing Boyd but later said that he had been forced by police into a confession. Prosecutors tried to tie Louding's statements, cell phone records and Lil Boosie's gun-loving rap lyrics (i.e."five dead in six months" and "Yo Marlo, he drive a Monte Carlo, dat' bitch grey, I want him dead today, here go the cake") together as evidence of Lis Boosie's involvement. However, all the king's men and all the king's horses ( almost 30 witnesses) could not convince a jury of nine women and three men that Lil Boosie was guilty. 

Boosie has not always been so fortunate.  In 2011, Boosie was convicted of trafficking illegal substances into two separate correctional facilities.  Lil Boosie was sentenced to eight years in prison, a sentence he is still serving. WARNING PROFANITY   (One suspects that Senator Edwards might be hoping for a similar fate:   LINK.  LINK2

Adam Mayes, the Mississippi man on the run from a double-homocide and sought for the kidnapping of Alexandria Bain (12) and Kyliyah Bain (8) may actually be the Bain girls' biological father.  The Bain girls are believed to still be with Adam Mayes as he flees authorities. Adam's wife, Teresa Mayes is currently in jail in connection with this case. Meanwhile, Adam Mayes has been placed on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted List. Mayes may have changed his appearance by cutting off his ponytail since he went on the run.  Gunstown, Mississpi video shows him in a market with short hair. Adam may also have changed the girls' appearance by cutting their hair.

Mayes and his wife, Teresa, are charged with first-degree murder of Jo Ann Bain, 31, and her daughter, Adrienne, 14. Their bodies were found buried outside the Mayes' home. There is a $100,000 reward for Adam Mayes' arrest. Mayes' wife allegedly told investigators that Adam killed Jo Ann and Adrienne Bain in the garage at their Whiteville, Tenn., home on April 27 and then abducted the two Bain sisters.Teresa than allegedly drove Adam, the younger Bain sisters and the bodies to Mississippi. 

Adam Mayes has been described as a friend of Gary Bain, and the abducted children considered him an uncle. Adam apparently often visited the Bain home. Adam allegedly spent the night at the Bain residence  so he could help the family to pack for a planned move to Tucson, Ariz.

Alexandria Bain is described as having brown hair and hazel eyes. She is 5 feet tall and 105 pounds. Kyliyah has blond hair, brown eyes and stands 4 feet tall and 57 pounds.



Adams mother, Mary Frances Mayes, has also apparently been charged with conspiracy to commit aaggravated kidnapping; however, she may have been acting under duress from threat of harm.  Mary Mayes' attorney, Somerville attorney Terry Dycus, said his client is not guilty. Teresa Mayes faces six felony counts in the case: two first-degree murder charges and four aggravated kidnapping charges.

Update 5-11-12: Adam Mayes, the Mississippi fugitive died Thursday night from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The two young girls he abducted are alive and safe, The Bain sisters were taken to a hospital and are in good condition except for some poison ivy.

AS ALWAYS, ALL SUBJECTS ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNIL OTHERWISE PROVEN IN A COURT OF LAW.

Mini Madoffs, Nelson Grant Hallahan and Janet Hallahan Captured

Sooner or later the running had to end.  Everyone gets caught and after 12 years, it was more than time to pay the piper.  Acting on a tip, U.S. marshals in Arizona caught Nelson Grant Hallahan, 65, and Janet Hallahan, 54, the Illinois couple who for 12 years have evaded punishment for running a Ponzi scheme that targeted friends, the elderly, and even family members.  The fugitives, Nelson and Janet lived in several states in the Southwest and had used a number of aliases.  The two were arrested by deputy marshals Saturday afternoon in Tonopah, Arizona. 

The Hallahans were also known as the `Mini Madoffs.' According to authorities, their investment scams involving family, friends, and the elderly, ruined many lives. Apparently the agency received a tip about their location after they were featured on "America's Most Wanted."  The couple had plead guilty in Illinois federal court to bank and mail fraud, conspiracy charges, and money laundering; however, they never showed up for their sentencing.

Apparently the Hallahnas had operated a Ponzi scheme, repaying earlier investors with proceeds from new investors.  They also apparently defrauded investors by selling interests in a tanning salon they later sold without telling investors.  The couple allegedly netted millions of dollars from victims. Nelson Hallahan was at one time a successful life insurance salesman. Janet Hallahan was his assistant.  The couple had been married since 1988. However, somewhere down the road things all went wrong. The Hallahans owed nearly $1.2 million to investors at the time they disappeared. The Hallahans were living apart at separate homes at the time of their arrest.

When does the madness end?  Another little kid missing.  Are there monsters out there or sick friends or family?  Isabel Mercedes Celis is a 6-year-old girl who is missing in Arizona. She was reported missing from her parents' Tucson home on Saturday, April 21. Police say that her mom and dad are not suspects.  Yet little is publicly known as to who is a person of interest.  A potential key witness has come forward; however, nothing has been released as to the witnesses account of the evening in question.

According to ABC, Tucson police describe the witness as one of five individuals seen on surveillance footage near the home of Isabel Celis on the night she disappeared. The video recorded outside a nightclub show three women and two men walking toward the Celis family home at approximately 1:30 a.m. on April 21. Isabel was last seen around 11 p.m. Isabel's father reported her missing the next morning at 8:00 a.m. According to ABC, a screen from Isabel's room had been removed. 

Is a monster on the loose?  Last month, a man allegedly entered a house and molested a girl half an hour north of the Tucson home where Isabel Celis disappeared.  Police say a white man in his 20s entered a house in Arizona's Pima County around 2 a.m. Monday and went into a bedroom where three sisters, aged 6, 8 and 10, were sleeping. The intruder reportedly molested one of the girls. While Pima County investigators say they that the two incidents are likely unrelated, who knows. Richard Kastigar of the Pima Co. Sheriff's Department may know more than what he is sharing with the public. In the meantime, U.S. marshals asked Mexican authorities to expand the search for Isabel to include hotels, bus stations and businesses in the town of Sonora.

Local bodies of water near the Tucson area have also been searched with no clue of the child. Sergio and Rebecca Celis, Isabel's parents, say they will "never give up" on finding their daughter. Isabel is just under 4 feet tall, weighs approximately 44 pounds. She has brown hair and hazel eyes. Anyone with any information about Isabel should call 520-88-CRIME.