Ugly Consequences

The deaths of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, and Eric Garner in New York City, have fueled chaos and unjustly reinforced stereo types of both police and minorities. Both killings involve an unarmed black male and one or more white police officers.  More troublesome, both involve a relatively minor crimes. No one videoed Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson's  shooting of Mike Brown; however, officer Daniel Pantaleo's choking of Garner was recorded and shown to by the media. Different yet similar in that both result in the dark side of humanity.

• The motherwe a bracelet bearing her son's name and a shirt with his photograph on it as she talks to The Associated Press during an interview in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2014. Michael Brown's parents expressed anger at Ferguson police who wore bracelets expressing support for Darren Wilson, the police officer who shot their unarmed 18-year-old son last month. McSpadden says that lets her know "how they feel." (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Wilson apparently fired his gun 12 times at Brown.  Probably 5 or 6 bullets hit their mark. Was Brown trying to surrender or was he attacking the officer?  We may never know. As for Garner, he did offer some resistance to arrest when he apparently refused to be handcuffed; however, was his death from compression of his neck and chest unwarranted?

Both Garner (6-foot-3 and 350 pounds) and Brown (6-foot-5 and 289 pounds) may have played a factor leading to aggression in the officers. Regardless, however, the deaths are troublesome even if the grand juries found the actions not warranting criminal charges. However, even more troublesome are the angry protests, riots and destruction that have taken place. Non peaceful reaction by minorities only fuels the stereo type that minorities are dangerous and thus excessive force may be needed for a police officer to enforce compliance.   

A law enforcement officers job is very stressful and can at any time end in disability or death. The life of a minority growing up with the constant struggle of overcome prejudice and inequities can be taxing and also extremely stressful.  Education of both police and young males of all ethnic backgrounds need to take place with true dialogue, not shouting or violence.  A police force's diversity should be consistent with the ratio of ethnicity of the community that they serve and protect.  Funding should also be raised for mandatory body cams on officers.  Video tape of encounters would keep both officers and detainees on their best behavior and quite frankly, document behavior that is inconsistent with common sense.  

End the darkness, the violence and the ignorance.  Now is the time for education, dialogue and solutions so that the day may be near when color becomes relevant only to the crayola that one chooses to use..

What Was This Australian Mom Thinking?

One natural response is to stare at this article in disbelief.  Postpartum depression is a disease. It can make a mother do things that she might not otherwise do; however, what possibly could this 30 year-old Australian mom have been thinking when she allegedly abandoned her baby in a place that it was unlikely to be found?  This mother, Saifale Nai, is accused of trying to kill her newborn son who was found abandoned in a roadside drain by bicyclists. The newborn may have been in the eight foot deep drain for a few days before he was discovered and taken to Westmead Children's Hospital.  The young lad is now in serious but stable condition where he is surrounded by nurses and doctors providing much needed affection as well as medical attention.

Saifale Nai, the newborn's mom will undoubtedly be subjected to an evaluation to see if she is competent to stand trial.  She is currently in custody without bail.  If found guilty, she could be sentenced to 25 years in jail. Abandoning a newborn without food for several days can cause the child to have serious impairment, including brain damage. Yet, newborns can truly be amazing with their resilience. 

The infant was discovered wrapped in a hospital blanket.  The mother was identified using hospital records. Presumably the state will find a good home for the child after he is released from the hospital.  

Of course, this mom must be presumed innocent unless otherwise proven in a court of law.

Bill Cosby, A Moving Target? ~by Legal Pub

  Scott Simon of NPR Weekend Edition has been busy tweeting. Simon recently interviewed icon Bill Cosby. Cosby is 77-years-old, but the comedian is still a target for accusations and criticism.  Cosby recently refused to answer questions about multiple sexual assault allegations that keep popping up.  Simon asked Cosby about the "serious allegations raised" against him.  In a Christ like move, Cosby remained silent, shaking his head "no." After he was again asked by Pilot...  I mean Simon, Cosby again shook his head.

Simon's tweets apparently are designed to explain his line of questions during this interview which was suppose to be about charity.  Now, Cosby's publicist, David Brokow, announced Bill Cosby will decline to appear on the Nov. 19 episode of The Late Show With David Letterman. Cosby allegedly cancelled an October 30, 2014 visit to The Queen Latifah Show after comedian Hannibal Buress brought attention to rape allegations during an earlier stand-up routine.

At this point, allegations are merely allegations. Whether they have merit or not; what does become clear is that African American Role models appear to be targets at a time when children need role models not tabloid stories.

Follow the Criminal Allegation against Bill Cosby at this link: http://legalpublication.blogspot.com/2015/12/bill-cosby-trial-of-2016-by-legal-pub.html

Rodgers City Attorney Clashes With City Hall ~by Legal Pub

What happens when a city attorney in Arkansas does not see eye to eye with the mayor?  Folks in Arkansas may get an answer.  The Rogers city attorney, Ben Lipscomb, has sued city leaders in Federal Court, claiming that the city broke the law by stripping him of many of his city attorney duties.  (Mayor Greg Hines and city council members are defendants included in the suit.)  The city denies liability and claims that the city council ordinance passed last month is lawful.

The U.S. District Court in Fayetteville may host a jury trial, as well as a bench trial to determine whether the ordinance is constitutional.  A key question may be whether the ordinance unfairly singles out one person, Lipscomb.  Will it be easy to determine if the city attorney was stripped of duties as “punishment?” Clearly, the September 23, 2014 Rogers City Council Ordinance appears to specifically deal with the city attorney’s duties involving proprietorial matters. Furthermore, a new staff attorney, Chris Griffin, has assumed control over many civil matters and is serving as a legal adviser to the city.   These are roles exclusively of the city attorney, according to Lipscomb. Given that change has occurred, why were the changes in job duties put in place?

Lipscomb was initially elected city attorney in 1997.  At the time, the duties outlined by city ordinance apparently included all civil and criminal matters. The duties also included representing the city and acting as a legal adviser on city issues.  Lipscomb was recently reelected in 2010. It appears that Lipscomb was involved in a criminal investigation.  Specifically, a special prosecutor, Marc McCune, apparently investigated whether Lipscomb broke any laws by using a city badge to gain entry into a VIP tent at a concert over the summer.  McCune announced September 5, 2014 that Lipscomb would face no criminal charges concerning the concert incident.  Yet, Mayor Hines allegedly told the news media (5 NEWS) that Lipscomb’s actions were “egregious” and “troubling.” Hines reportedly told 5 NEWS:

“The greater concern is an elected official thinking it’s OK to use his position to gain access to a restricted area for the sole purpose of obtaining a cocktail,” Hines said. “If getting a drink is so important, buy the VIP tickets.”

Qualifications of Chris Griffin do not appear to be an issue.  Griffin served as the deputy city attorney from 2005 to 2008.  Consequently, the issue appears to revolve around constitutionality and alleged punishment for an innocent that resulted in no charges.

All allegations remain unproven in any lawsuit until there is a determination by a court of competent jurisdiction as to the merits.

Michael Skiadas is Added to the "What Was He Thinking" List. ~by Legal Pub

Some men have a ridiculously low tipping point.  Dr. Samson killed his wife after their wedding reception. LINK.  Now another man has been added to the "what was he thinking list."  In Long Island, Michael Skiadas murdered Frank Panebianco and then committed suicide in front of 28 year-old Jessica Kasten..  Why?  

Is there ever a real reason?  Kasten previously dated Skiadas. Kasten and Panebianco were leaving a bar around 11:20 pm when Skiadas confronted them.  Skiadas apparently left only to return with a shotgun. Jack Schneider tried to calm Skiadas down unsuccessfully.  Panebianco and Kasten attempted to drive away but Skiadas fired two shots at them. One of the shots fatally wounded Panebianco.   WCBS.

Skiadas then reloaded his shotgun and killed himself. Kasten was not physically injured. If men are to earn respect in this world, such unhealthy behavior needs to stop.

Enterovirus D68 Is A True Halloween Predator! ~by Legal Pub

Enterovirus D68 is a rare, deadly viral infection.  It comes with little warning and often ends in respiratory failure. Its symptoms are hard to distinguish from a common cold: cough, runny nose, a low-grade fever. Yet, the virus is deadly.  Since September, five children have died after getting the virus know as Enterovirus D68.  Enterovirus D68 was first recognized in the U.S. in 1962.  The virus can cause respiratory problems and low blood-oxygen levels. The effects of the virus are much more harsh for children. At this point, death is still considered a rare event.  But for the 5 families who have lost children this year to the virus, that is of no consolation. 

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Indiana Doctor Weds Wife Than Kills Her and Himself ~by Legal Pub

You can't write scripts any more bizarre than reality. Dr. George Samson, an anesthesiologist,  married his bride, "Kelly," who was a nurse at Union Hospital in southwestern Indiana.  The couple lived in a gorgeous house at 4025 Creal Street in Vigo County.  After a beautiful wedding and reception at the Ohio Building in Terre Haute, the couple left separately for what was suppose to be an after hours celebration at their home.  Unfortunately, a murder-suicide ruined the weekend.  Just what triggered the dispute?  It appears that the good doctor's credit card was rejected at the reception.  Could it be that his new bride charged the card over its limits?  Officially, the Vigo County Sheriff's department is still investigating what appears to be a murder suicide.  But behind the scenes, folks say the relationship was troubled even before the red wedding. Apparently, the couple did not see eye to eye on money issues and the topic apparently surfaced at the reception and again when they returned home.

A 911 call originated around 1:20 am Sunday. An excited woman said her new husband had threatened to kill her.  The line went dead.  The woman called back and then gun shots could be heard. (Chilling audio tape of the 911 calls are  available on the internet but will not be posted here.) When police arrived, a woman was dead.  The man had barricaded himself in the basement. An elder couple (relatives) and a fifth grade boy (son of the woman) were removed from the home.  After a robotic camera search of the house, it was revealed that the man in the basement had taken his own life.

The name of the male and female was not initially released.  However, it did not take long in the Terre Haute community for the word to get out that the doctor was George "Scott" Samson and the woman was Kelly Ecker Samson.  This was the doctor's second marriage. It was apparently Kelly's third or perhaps her fourth.  Samson was a 54 year-old anesthesiologist who collected guns.  He had many guns in the house and a federal dealers license. Kelly was 50 years-old.  Her ten year-old son was inside the home at the time of the tragedy. Fortunately, the young man was not physically harmed.  Vigo County Sheriffs Deputy Clark Cottom served as a spokesman for law enforcement.  Cottom is running for sheriff in neighboring Sullivan County, Indiana and has been recognized on "Cold Cases." While the investigation continues, it is unlikely that any reason other than rage will surface as the motive for this tragedy.