Parents Need to Get A Grip at Youth Sporting Events.

Here in the U.S. we take our high school sports seriously.  Sometimes, too seriously.  For example, an Elgin, Illinois father may have become a little over the top in regards to his 17 year-old daughter.  It appears that  John Kasik was arrested after he allegedly threatened his daughter's volleyball coach after she was removed from a game.  The 61 year-old Kasik should have known better.  Now he is charged with misdemeanor counts of battery and disorderly conduct.  In addition he is faced with felony telephone harassment related to the incident.  It appears the hostility all arises because Kasik's daughter was removed  from the team during a playoff match.  Over the top, yes. Unprecedented? No.

Last month, a Pennsylvania man was charged with making terroristic threats after allegedly saying he would “put a bullet” in the head of the coach of his son's youth football team if his son was benched. Similarly, during a Memorial Day pee-wee baseball game a Long Island, N.Y. father threatened to beat up the opposing coach.  The suspect than allegedly stalked and threatened the opposing coach and his family for months.   Furthermore, numerous fights have occurred between fans at youth sporting events all too often.
Recent events scream for an attitude adjustment in order to keep matters in proper perspective. Consider the following quote by Charles R. Swindoll:

“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, the education, the money, than circumstances, than failure, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company… a church… a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past… we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you… we are in charge of our Attitudes.”-Charles R. Swindoll

All suspects are innocent until proven otherwise in a court of law.

Radcliffe Franklin Haughton Enraged From Domestic Dispute?

The saying used to be "behind every good man is a woman."  Now it is increasingly starting to be that behind each bizarre killing there is a history of domestic violence.  Legal Pub's Proposal.  The latest murder in Brookfield Wisconsin seems to confirm the trend.  Radcliffe Franklin Haughton (photo at left courtesy of AP) apparently shot and killed three women and injured four more Sunday at a suburban Milwaukee spa where his wife worked. The deceased suspects ex wife had previously plead in legal documents that Radcliffe had threatened to throw acid in her face and burn her with gas. Police haven't indicated whether Zina Haughton was among those killed or wounded. It was also alleged that Radcliffe thought she was cheating on him, and that he threatened to kill her if she ever left him. 

Zina was granted a four-year temporary restraining order this month after her husband was arrested for slashing her tires. (She told the court he threatened to burn her and her family with gas.)

After Radcliffe killed three women and wounded four others, he took his own life.  His bizarre behavior coincides with a history of domestic abuse.   Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agent confirmed that a .40-caliber semiautomatic handgun was used in the killings.  A 1-pound propane tank was found at the scene.  It is believed it might have been intended as an explosive device.Radcliffe was found dead in one of the small locked rooms in the spa. Radcliffe Franklin Haughton was 45.

Did Ashley Davis Have a Topless Mug Shot? Perhaps not but...

Ashley Davis was intoxicated.  She was perhaps disorderly.  But did the Leesburg police cross the line?  This 32-year-old woman claims that she was left topless by law enforcement officers after being arrested at a Leesburg's Bikefest in Florida.  She claims that when police they tackled her during a drunk and disorderly arrest, her top came off.  She claims she was then forced to remained topless in a Leesburg Police Department holding cell.  She claims officers gawked and ridiculed her.  She even claims that one officer put his hand over his mouth so she bit him.  She claims he retaliated by slamming her face into the ground chipping three teeth.  Ashley has now filed a lawsuit seeking compensation for what she claims is mistreatment. 

Stan Plappert, an Ocala attorney representing Davis, said even when officers transported her they refused to cover her up. The lawsuit was filed against the Leesburg Police Department and Lake County Sheriff's Office in Marion County.  The general theory of liability is alleged excessive force.

This may be a case to keep an eye on.

Justin Kowalczik Found?

Imagine the shock.  Farmingdale authorities were looking for information about Justin Kowalczik who if alive, would be about three years old.  A Suffolk County Child Protective Services worker arrived at the house to check on Alex, the half brother of Justin. When an inquiry was made about Justin, Kowalczik allegedly said the boy was with relatives in Orange County. When workers suggested this was fabricated, a  missing person’s investigation was initiated.

Unfortunately, police began digging in the back yard and soo discovered the remains of an infant in the backyard of the Hallock Road residence in Farmingdale, New York.  The story has since been widely reported based upon information released by Troop L Headquarters, State Police.  Justin had been unaccounted for and his death had gone unreported for about a year and a half.  Heather Kowalczik apparently shared a possible location for the remains of her son with police according to State Police Major Patrick Regan.
Police obtained a search warrant for the home of Kowalczik and Robert Rodriguez at 1 Hallock Road in Farmingdale, New York.  An extensive dig of the yard apparently produced the remains of what appeared to be a 17 month old child believed to be Justin. Robert Rodriguez is not a suspect but has been labeled  a "person of interest."  Rodriguez and Kowalczik have two older sons: Robert, 9, and Alex, 6. Kowalczik was the mother of Justin, but Rodriguez was not Justin’s father. Rodriguez and Kowaczik were tenants of landlord Louis Lancia.  The New York Daily News has suggested that Rodriguez was not cooperating with the investigation; however, police have not confirmed the lack of cooperation. Furthermore, neither Rodriguez nor Kowalczik have been charged with any crime.

All persons of interest and all suspects are presumed innocent unless otherwise proven in a court of law.

Anyone with any information is urged to contact Troop L State Police at (631)756-3390.

VFW Shootings Occur In Florida Not Afghanistan

Are veterans becoming targets? One might expect this sort of thing in Afghanistan. But in Florida? Apparently so.  In Florida, two people were killed and another injured after a shooting at a Veterans of Foreign Wars post. A charity motorcycle ride was supposed to depart from the post when the shooting occurred Sunday morning.  Shots rang out while the riders were eating breakfast. Apparently an unknown number of armed men came into the VFW and began shooting. It's unclear if anyone returned fire.

It has been reported that some type of argument may have occurred in the parking lot before the shooting.  Several people have been detained and a number of weapons confiscated. The VFW has helped establish the Veterans Administration as well as helped improve education benefits and medical centers for veterans. Its also a fun place to play cards, bingo or grab a drink.  At this point, it's unclear why the shooting occurred.