Women With Troubles - January 2007

We have over 50 entries in the compilation of women with troubles reported in the news during January 2007. Each name is linked to an Interested-Participant blog entry displaying details.

(AZ) Norma Mae Evans, 26,
licensed nurse - Charged with sex abuse of boy, 13, which was videotaped by boy, 15,

(CA) Lashuan Harris, 24,
mother of three dead kids - Jury murder verdict overturned by judge. Sent to mental hospital,

(CA) Anna J. Walker-Vogt, 35,
neighbor mom - Arrested for hosting teen alcohol/sex party,

(CO) Tammie Liberty Lee aka Tammie Lee Reed, 42,
1st-grade teacher - Charged with 11 counts related to methamphetamine addiction. Trial in March,

(CO) Carrie McCandless, 30,
teacher/principal's wife/cheerleading coach - Faces new charge of violating bail conditions. Sex assault of male student charges still pending,

(CO) Heather Rose Robbins, 30,
youth counselor - Guilty of unlawful sex with boy, 16. Sentencing in April,

(CT) Jillian Gehrkens, 28,
school guidance intern, married - Pleaded guilty to sex assault of boy, 15. Sentencing on March 12,

(DE) Rachel L. Holt, 34,
teacher - Pleaded guilty to rape of boy, 13,

(FL) Heather Lea Burroughs, 23,
teacher - Arrested for performing sex act on student,

(FL) Kathleen Garrett, 50,
teacher of disabled - Convicted of child abuse, sentencing in March,

(FL) Jennifer Smith, 31,
neighbor - Arrested for molestation of two boys, 7 and 8,

(FL) Tamara B. Tootle, 39,
teacher - Sentenced to three years probation for extorting cash from students,

(IL) Deborah Beauregard, 52,
neighbor - Sentenced to probation for aggravated domestic battery of boy between 13 and 16,

(IL) Kristen Buffington, 20,
neighbor, mother - Sentenced to probation for criminal sexual abuse of boy, 13,

(IN) Becci Hill, 31,
special needs counselor - Gets 2 years prison for sex with autistic boy, 15,

(LA) Francis Sarah Monette, 57,
neighbor - Arrested for indecent behavior with boy, 13,

(MI) Jami Lee Knox, 41,
neighbor, married mother - Sentenced to 3 to 15 years for criminal sex with boy, 15,

(MI) Michelle Perruzzi, 34,
neighbor mom - Arrested for sex with son's best friend, 14,

(MI) Dawn Marie Richards, 41,
neighbor, mother of two - Sentenced to year in prison for sex with boy, 14,

(MS) Rebecca Leighann King, 25,
neighbor - Sentenced to 12 years prison for sexual battery of girl, 4,

(NC) Betty Jo Herman, 29,
neighbor - Charged with rape of young boy,

(NC) Janet Botton Klatt, 44,
teacher - Gets probation for indecency with male student, 16. Faces similar charge in different county,

(ND) Kimberly Nack, 28,
teen counselor - Charged with sex assault and harboring runaway boy, 16,

(NH) Jessica A. Doty, 20,
neighbor - Faces child porn charges related to possessing images of children, about 10-years-old, having sex,

(NM) Frances Morales, 19,
neighbor and relative - Indicted for sexual penetration of boy, 12,

(NY) Kristine Brier, 30,
neighbor - Arrested for rape of boy, 15,

(NY) Lisa M. Frodella, 40,
neighbor, mother - Pleaded guilty to sexual misconduct with boy, 16, in exchange for probation,

(NY) Lauren Maggi, 35,
neighbor - In court Jan. 27 on harassment charge. Without provocation, she spit in soldier's face,

(OH) Christina Futchko, 35,
teacher - Resigned teaching position on allegations of sexual conduct with male student, 17,

(OH) Crystal McGrath aka Crystal Stewarz, 26,
neighbor mother of four - Pleaded guilty to sex with boys, 13 and 14, in plea deal for 9 months prison,

(OR) Naomi Morton, 33,
substance abuse counselor - Sentenced to 30 days for liquoring up and having sex with 17-year-old boy she counseled,

(PA) Melissa Ann Arnold, 31,
neighbor - Gets probation for preying upon Australian boy, 13, via the Internet,

(PA) Jody Blessing, 39,
neighbor, married - Sentenced to 6 1/2 to 20 years prison for rape of boy, 11,

(PA) Megan Fecko, 28,
teacher - Guilty of indecent assault of girl, 16,

(PA) Krystal Joy Gehret, 20,
neighbor, mother of one - Received 6 to 23 months prison for sex with boy, 14. Faces similar charge in different county with different boy, 14,

(PA) Robin Lee Hecker, 32,
teacher - Arrested for corruption/sex with boy, 16,

(PA) Tammy McPherson, 42,
neighbor - Arrested for smoking marijuana with son,

(PA) Angela Marie Reichart, 44,
neighbor - Arrested for growing/smoking marijuana with son, 11,

(PA) Julie Stimmel, 28,
teacher - Suspended for suspected sex with male student, 17,

(TN) Erica Kentoya Bell, 32,
teacher - Accused of unlawful sex with boy, 13, and girl, 15,

(TN) Tonya McLaughlin, 29,
neighbor - Faces rape and incest charges for sex with two boys, 13 and 16,

(TN) Pamela Rogers, 28,
gorgeous teacher - Already serving time for sex crimes involving boy, 13. Gets two additional years for solicitation to exploit same boy,

(TN) Patty Jo Singleton, 36,
teacher's aide - Indicted for soliciting sex from student, 15,

(TX) Shanikka Campbell, 26,
teacher - Guilty of sex abuse of boy, 16,

(TX) Laura Lee Cole, 42,
neighbor - Arrested for alcohol/sex crimes with boys, 13 and 15,

(TX) Michelle Manhart,
USAF Staff Sgt. - Relieved of duties for nude photos in magazine,

(TX) Alejandra Resendez, 22,
neighbor - Arrested for sexually assaulting and harboring runaway boy, 15,

(UT) Emily Catherine Alvarez, 22,
neighbor, deployed serviceman's wife - Arrested for sex with boy, 15,

(UT) Leslie Baird, 42,
teacher's asst.- Sentenced to psychological evaluation for forcible sex abuse of several students,

(UT) Melinda Lee Deluca, 30,
teacher, married mother of two - Gets 90 days jail for forcible sex abuse of male student, 16,

(UT) Kathy English, 54,
neighbor - Charged with felony rape and forcible sodomy of two boys, 16,

(WA) Rebekah M. Todd, 25,
teacher - Pleaded guilty to sexual assault of male student, 17,

(WV) Susanna "Susie" Mae Canterbury, 22,
neighbor - Arrested for sex assault of boy, 15.

As always, thanks to the tipsters.

Teacher Faces New Charge

(Fort Collins, Colorado) The story of former Brighton Charter High School teacher Carrie McCandless continues to develop.

The teacher/principal's wife/cheerleading coach surrendered to authorities at the Larimer County Detention Center earlier today after another warrant was issued for her arrest.

In addition to alleged sex assault of a male student, McCandless now faces a charge of violating her bond conditions by contacting the alleged victim.

McCandless is being held without bond pending a judge's review.


[Update 06/08/07]

McCandless sentenced.

Gray Lady Outsourcing Jobs to India

(New York) Previously one of the many banner-waving complainers about outsourcing, the New York Times looks to be going with the flow.

Observer:

On Feb. 12, the Times Company will begin an efficiency study of the newspaper's excitingly named Customer Order Fulfillment (C.O.F.) department, according to New York Newspaper Guild sources.

"Our belief is that they're planning to subcontract some office work -- billing, production, advertising," said Barry Lipton, president of the Guild. "Their probable decision is to outsource it, most likely to a company in India."

A Times Company spokesperson confirmed that the company is considering outsourcing jobs in the C.O.F. department to India.

This provides evidence that the utopian ideals of the liberal elitists are side-stepped when husbanding the business bottom line.

Heh.

UK Kidnap and Beheading Plot

(Birmingham, England) After a six-month surveillance operation led by the Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit, police have arrested eight people for allegedly planning an Iraq-style kidnapping and beheading in the UK.

Terrorists planned to post a video on the Internet of the hostage being tortured and killed. The target was an unnamed man believed to be a soldier in his twenties. He has been placed in police protection.

From Sky News:

Officers swooped on a number of addresses in the Sparkhill and Alum Rock areas of east Birmingham at 4am.

West Midlands police said the eight were held "on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism under the Terrorism Act 2000."

Their statement added: "A number of addresses in Birmingham have been secured and sealed off and are currently being searched.

"Whilst this operation poses no specific threat to the West Midlands, as a precautionary measure we will have an enhanced police presence at these locations."

The West Midlands Police and the Metropolitan Police conducted the operation.

Bin Laden's Brother-in-Law Killed

(Madagascar) Jamal Khalifa, brother-in-law of Osama bin Laden, was killed by unidentified gunmen in an attack on his home in Madagascar. According to Jamal's brother, Malek Khalifa, the motive appeared to be a robbery.

From Khaleej Times:

Malek said a gang of 20 to 30 gunmen broke into his brother's bedroom on Tuesday, shot him dead "in cold blood" and stole his belongings.

It's reported that Jamal was a legit businessman who mined and traded precious stones in Madagascar.

On the other hand, it's also reported that Jamal allegedly helped finance Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) terrorists linked to al-Qaeda in the Philippines. Additionally, it's said that Jamal had no links to bin Laden, however, if he had ties to ASG and ASG is linked to al-Qaeda, it's hard to dispute at least a distant link to bin Laden.

Personally, I suspect Jamal was hip-deep in laundering money for terrorists. As a gem trader, it is just too easy.

Companion at The Jawa Report.

Woman Cuffed for Sex with Boy

(Cato, New York) A 30-year-old woman, Kristine Brier, was arrested by New York State Police for engaging in sex with a 15-year-old boy. She was also in possession of an image depicting a minor in a sexual pose.

Brier was charged with third-degree rape, possession of a sexual performance of a child and third-degree criminal sex act.

English Teacher Pleads Guilty to Sex with Student

(Houston, Texas) In May 2006, 26-year-old former English teacher at Carver High School, Shanikka Campbell, was accused of engaging in sex with a 16-year-old male student. Subsequently, she resigned her position at the high school.

Yesterday in a downtown Houston courtroom, Campbell admitted to having sex with the boy and pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual abuse of a child. Defense attorney George Parnham stated that the boy was at least partially responsible since he wrote mature and seductive poems and letters to Campbell.

Jury deliberations on sentencing begin tomorrow. Punishment may range from probation to 20 years in prison.


[Update 02/01/07]

Campbell sentenced to 2 years in prison. She must also register as a sex offender for the rest of her life.

Sherrod Brown's Predictions

During a speech at the City Club of Cleveland, rookie U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown related the future for Ohio.

Ohio's economy will benefit from rewriting trade policies, turning Ohio into the "Silicon Valley" of alternative energy and working with business groups to promote health care and biotechnology companies.

Silicon Valley, eh? I wonder if he's aware that Silicon Valley is a leader in outsourcing jobs to India -- Bangalore, to be precise.

Anyway, the new coach thinks that Ohio needs a West Coast offense. Good luck. It didn't work for the Browns.

Nun Approves Hooker Therapy

(Oxford, England) A terminally-ill young man, 22-year-old Nick Wallis, was allowed to use a prostitute so he could experience sex before he dies. Sister Frances Dominica, founder of Douglas House hospice and Helen House hospice for children, gave her support.

According to Nick Wallis, he badgered the Douglas House staff and his parents for two years for a hooker before he was allowed to do so. Ultimately, he used his own savings to procure a sex worker through an advertisement in a magazine for the disabled.

"It was not emotionally fulfilling, but the lady was very pleasant and very understanding. I do not know whether I would do it again. I would much rather find a girlfriend, but I have to be realistic."

Sister Frances stated that she was able to support Wallis' sexual episode despite the fact that she ran a Christian foundation because it is not her job to make moral decisions for guests at the hospice.

Wallis suffers from an inherited disorder, characterized by rapidly-worsening muscle weakness, called Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Typically, death occurs by age 25 from respiratory failure. Only two out of 10,000 people, primarily males, inherit the disorder.

Tip: slwlion

Youth Counselor Guilty of Sex with Boy

(Denver, Colorado) A 30-year-old security officer and youth counselor at Lookout Mountain Youth Services Center in Golden, Heather Rose Robbins, pleaded guilty yesterday to sexual assault on a child and unlawful sex in a penal institution.

Police learned that there were five or six sexual encounters with a 16-year-old boy between May 2004 and August 2005.

Robbins faces sentencing on April 23rd. Two years to life in prison are possible.

Tip: Don Morgenstern


[Update 04/24/07]

Robbins sentenced to 10 years prison.

Acinetobacter Baumannii Infections

Acinetobacter baumannii are bacteria commonly found in soil and water. Recently, a multidrug-resistant strain of the bacteria has been a prominent cause of infections among wounded American service members returning from duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. The germ thrives in hospitals with contamination found in virtually every facility treating wounded.

During January 1, 2002--August 31, 2004, military health officials identified 102 patients with blood cultures that grew A. baumannii at military medical facilities treating service members injured in Afghanistan and the Iraq/Kuwait region. All of these cases met the criteria for A. baumannii bloodstream infection on the basis of criteria established by CDC's National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance (NNIS) system.

The bacteria have infected patients at hospitals in Europe, reportedly killing dozens in France and Britain. It's also been discovered that hospital workers and members of soldiers' families can be infected.

Blame for the spread of the bacteria has been at least partially attributed to wide use of broad-spectrum antibiotics causing virulence and unsanitary treatment locations. The source of the bacteria is not clearly known and under investigation. Some evidence suggests that A. baumannii originally was introduced into the medical evacuation chain from Germany on contaminated equipment.

In the meantime, hospitals are diligently trying to halt the proliferation of the germ and disinfect contaminated facilities.

Tip: Marcia Hascall


[Update 01/30/07]

Steve Silberman, author of the Wired piece on A. Baumannii, comments that the germ is not "commonly found in soil and water" as stated by the CDC. In fact, that misconception is the key reason for the delay in searching for the true source of the military infections. Disputing the contention that A. baumannii is common was a main point of Silberman's article.

Mom Accused of Sex with Son's Best Friend

(Melvindale, Michigan) A 34-year-old married mother, Michelle Perruzzi, has been charged with two counts of criminal sexual conduct for engaging in sex with her son's 14-year-old best friend. The molestation allegedly occurred on four occasions in 2005 and only became known recently when the boy told his current girlfriend.

Perruzzi waived a preliminary hearing today before Judge Richard Page at the 24th District Court and opted to go straight to trial. She remains free on bond.

A trial date was not disclosed.


[Update 08/03/07]

Perruzzi convicted.

1,806 Honor Killings in 5 Years

(Ankara, Turkey) According to State Minister for Women and Family Affairs, Nimet Cubukcu, statistics indicate that the government of Turkey needs to be more diligent and determined in combating honor killings.

"It has been disclosed that 1,806 murders, that fell under the definition of honor killings were committed between 2001 and 2006. During the same period, 5,375 women, including foreign nationals, have committed suicide."

Sadly, the numbers reflect honor killings in only one country, not globally. One a day, rain or shine, and not a single man. Particularly depressing situation, I think. The feminists will surely express outrage.

Or, maybe not. They haven't so far.

Fat Police Put Children in Foster Care

Acting as a canary in a coal mine, the Brits are showing a logical progression of government controls resulting from national socialized medical care. Since fat kids use more of the British National Health Services (NHS) resources, the bureaucratic decision-makers are placing obese children into foster care so the government can put them on a lower-calorie diet. In simple, ugly words, parents are losing their children because of weight.

There's also a campaign to criminalize the actions of the parents of obese children with advocates wanting legal penalties. Presumably, a fat kid has been abused by his/her parents who are therefore in violation of child abuse laws. In ugly, simple words, if your kid is fat, you could go to prison.

Think about it. A bureaucrat determines the proper weight for a child. Too much, according to department guidelines, and mom and dad go to jail while the child is put in foster care.

Don't laugh, my American friends. It's coming here. Just keep voting the liberal politicians into office.

Tip: Joanne Jacobs

Teacher Convicted of Child Abuse

(Sanford, Florida) A 50-year-old teacher of disabled children for Seminole Public Schools, Kathleen Garrett, has been convicted of child abuse.

Garrett originally faced multiple charges of abusing autistic children, however, most were contended away. Nonetheless, a jury deliberated for two hours on Friday before finding her guilty of one count of child abuse. Garrett was found to be physically heavy-handed with the disabled boys and girls, occasionally causing injury.

Notably, Garrett rejected a plea deal two weeks ago which carried only five years probation and loss of teaching certification. With the conviction, she faces a possible five-year prison term. Sentencing is scheduled for March 7th.


[Update 03/27/07]

Garrett sentenced.

Maher Arar - Terrorist or Innocent Victim?

For being sent to Syria and reportedly tortured, Arab-Canadian Maher Arar will receive $12 million from the Canadian government. He also gets a formal apology and removal from the Canadian no-fly list.

Other countries, including the U.S., are not so forgiving and have not abandoned suspicion. Check out Right Truth for a clean run-through of the Arar case.

From my perspective, paying off suspected terrorism-linked individuals is as ludicrous as trying to negotiate with terrorists. Until Arar has been exonerated in a court of law, preferably a military tribunal, he's a suspect, not a victim. Originally, Arar became a suspect due to his association with Abdullah Almalki, a target of an anti-terror investigation called Project A-O Canada. It's noteworthy that Almalki is still being investigated.

Even Canadian citizens are skeptical about paying off Arar. In a poll, almost half of the respondents believe the Canadian government is paying Arar protection money to preclude acts of terror in Canada.

Heh.

30 Years for Making Meth

(Williamsport, Pennsylvania) A 47-year-old man, Christopher DeSivo, was sentenced last week to 30 years in federal prison after being convicted of conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine. DeSivo elected to be tried before a jury instead of accepting a 12-year plea offer.

More evidence that drugs cause people to make dumb decisions.

On the way out of court, DeSivo asked if he could collect Social Security while in prison. No, Christopher, you'll have to wait until you are released -- at age 77.

Teacher-Student Sex Lawsuit

(Barrie, Ontario) My furrowed brow hovers over this story.

From Toronto Sun:

The twin brother of a boy who received sex notes from teacher Laura Sclater has launched a $2.5-million lawsuit against another teacher, claiming they had repeated sexual encounters including oral sex in a portable classroom.

Sclater made headlines across the country after sending a 13-year-old student more than 65 lurid letters, calling the boy "hottie," and "big stud." She was acquitted of sexual offences in 2002 after a judge found the boy "not credible" as a witness.

Now the boy's identical 22-year-old twin is seeking $2.5 million in damages after alleged repeated sexual encounters with another teacher.

The sex with Amy Mullins, a teacher at St. Peter's Secondary School in Barrie, took place in the year 2000 when the twin was a 16-year-old virgin, the statement alleges.

"Mullins' classes were taught in a portable and she would often lock the portable's door and perform oral sex on the plaintiff during school hours," says a statement of claim filed with the Ontario Superior Court of Justice against the teacher and the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic district School Board.

The statement claims Mullins did the teen's schoolwork for him and wrote his essays. When the mother found out she moved her son to another school, the claim states.

Pretty sensational, eh? Teen twins, illicit sex, female teachers, portable classrooms, Canada -- all the elements of porn or a successful viral video. Yet, it seems suspiciously too outrageous I think.

Tip: Don Morgenstern

Puppy Cooks Plead Guilty

This case arguably provides a snapshot of the formative beginning to a life of crime.

From AccessNorthGa.com:

Police, responding to a report of a break-in on Aug. 21 at the Englewood Manor Apartments community center, found a dead puppy inside an oven in the center's kitchen. Officials found scratch marks inside the oven, indicating the puppy had been alive when placed inside it, the prosecutor's statement said.

A necropsy on the 3-month-old dog found the puppy's paws and snout had been duct taped and it had been doused with paint before being placed in the oven, the statement said.

The break-in appears to have started as an act of vandalism which escalated to other crimes, including aggravated cruelty to animals.

Joshua Moulder, 17, and his brother, Justin, 19, pleaded guilty to a ten-count indictment of charges that included two counts of burglary, a count of criminal damage to property in the second degree, and three counts each of terroristic threats and cruelty to children in the second degree, according to a statement from Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard Jr.'s office.

The terrorist and cruelty to children charges resulted from the Moulder brothers threatening neighborhood kids with death if they reported on them. Sentencing has been scheduled by Superior Court Judge Thelma Wyatt Cummings Moore for February 9th.

Tip: slwlion

Ping to Samantha Burns.


[Update 02/10/07]

Moulders sentenced.

Woman Booked for Sex with Boy

(Roy, Utah) A 22-year-old woman, Emily Catherine Alvarez, was arrested this week for engaging in a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old boy.

Deseret News:

Roy Police Chief Greg Whinham said the woman, whose husband is in the military, had fallen on financial hard times and had moved in with a family back in November.

"In the process of that, she became intimate with a 15-year-old son while in the home," he said Thursday.

Whinham said the woman would often baby-sit the family children, putting her in a position of trust. The boy's parents eventually learned of the sexual relationship and called police.

Alvarez has been charged with two counts of felony unlawful sexual activity. She has been booked into the Weber County Jail and is considered a flight risk since she's originally from Britain.

Tip: Don Morgenstern

Mom Arrested for Teen Alcohol/Sex Party

(Grayson, California) A 35-year-old wife of a policeman, Anna J. Walker-Vogt, was arrested yesterday in front of her husband and three children for allegedly buying beer for a teen party and engaging in sex with at least one minor.

Walker-Vogt has been charged with multiple counts of unlawful sex with a minor, child endangerment and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Stanislaus County authorities would not immediately say where or when the acts allegedly occurred, or whether the sex charges alleged two acts with one youth or if she had sex with more than one teenager.

Walker-Vogt is accused of buying alcohol for a group of Patterson teens after a high school basketball game on Jan. 19. The occasion was a party at her home to celebrate the return of her 16-year-old son, who had been in Oklahoma.

She allegedly told the teens they would have to leave before 3 a.m. because her husband, David Walker, an Atwater police officer, was due home from work.

Authorities say she paid one boy $50 to drive 11 other teens home in his sport utility vehicle. He crashed four miles away, injuring everyone in the vehicle.

Some of the injuries were serious with parents pondering lawsuits against Walker-Vogt. The driver, 18-year-old Robert Garcia, was charged with felony drunken driving.


[Update 03/30/07]

Walker-Vogt pleads guilty. Sentencing scheduled for May 31st.


[Update 06/01/07]

Walker-Vogt sentenced to jail.

No Jail for Sex with Boy

(St. Charles, Illinois) A 52-year-old woman, Deborah Beauregard, pleaded guilty to aggravated domestic battery in a case involving sexual abuse of a boy between 13 and 16 years old. Beauregard was originally indicted on multiple counts of criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual abuse for acts committed between May and December 2004.

It's not clear why Circuit Judge Grant Wegner accepted the sweetheart plea deal for Beauregard but, nonetheless, she was only sentenced to probation and will not have to register as a sex offender.

The sentencing decision in this case is arguably one of the most lenient I've seen for sex crimes against a child. In fairness, though, many of the details of the case haven't been reported so there may be many, many mitigating factors. Even so, I can't imagine a 52-year-old man, having engaged in sexual molestation of a young teen girl for at least six months, walking away from court with a sentence that is hard to even describe as a hand-slap.

A Soldier's Letter From Iraq

An American soldier writes and wants to be read. Here's an excerpt via Ace.

Know this, our soldiers will not quit. We win every battle, we hold any piece of ground that we want to take.

Do not listen to those in Washington who influence events by dishonesty, manipulation and greed. Listen to your hearts and know that America is a winner. We will not accept defeat.

Don't be fooled by the news media who so dishonorably portrays one side of the story for gain and sensationalism. We are not losing, we are not running, the enemy is reeling and is scared.

A thousand dishonorable pieces by the elite media are outed by the honesty of one American soldier. More at the link.

Doper Parents

(Hanover, Pennsylvania) About two weeks ago, 44-year-old Angela Marie Reichart was arrested after admitting to police that she smoked marijuana with her 11-year-old son to discourage him from trying harder drugs. During a search of Reichart's house, police found 18 marijuana plants growing in a bedroom.

Reichart has been charged with possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance, manufacture of marijuana, corruption of minors and endangering the welfare of minors. She is being held in Adams County Prison in lieu of $30,000 bail.

Reichart's case follows the case of 30-year-old Amanda Lynn Livelsberger who was sentenced to three months in prison for smoking marijuana with her son and his friends, all minors. She claimed the marijuana was a reward for her son doing his homework.

Awaiting trial in Perry County is 42-year-old Tammy McPherson who is accused of giving marijuana to her son on three occasions, ostensibly so the boy would not like it nor grow it. She faces charges, along with 42-year-old boyfriend Lawrence Myers, of unlawful delivery, criminal conspiracy, endangering the welfare of a child and criminal conspiracy.

Teach your children well.

Shipping Containers for the Homeless

(St. Augustine, Florida) Former St. Augustine Mayor and current City Commissioner, George Gardner, has an idea to purchase used shipping containers for the homeless.

"Because of the market and the international economy, used shipping containers are now being stacked up all over the place," Gardner said. "And I'm told they're very inexpensive to buy."

Seeing a need for transitional housing for homeless in his city and county, Gardner is kicking around the idea of using containers as homeless shelters.

Gardner has no suggestions on where they should be put nor how they will be paid for other than "possibly private and public funds." Notably, used shipping containers come without electricity or running water.

It's commendable that St. Johns County is taking action to help the homeless, however, it's also naive. Like Volusia county to the south, which wants to construct a homeless-only village, St. Johns County can expect to magnetically draw new vagrants to the vicinity, ready to take advantage of the generosity.

University Computer Programmer Deported as Terror Threat

(Seattle, Washington) Yesterday, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced the deportation to Saudi Arabia of Majid Al-Massari, a computer programmer at the University of Washington Nursing School.

The government claims that al-Massari is a national security threat because of ties to his father, Muhammed al-Massari, an outspoken critic of the House of Saud, the Saudi royal family.

Al-Massari's father founded the Committee for the Defense of Legitimate Rights, which federal agents consider a front group for al-Qaida. Mohammed al-Massari won asylum in Britain, where he is able to continue his criticism of Saudi Arabia and its ties to the United States.

Immigration and Customs officials say Majid al-Massari solicited funds and helped administer the committee's Web site.

Al-Massari has been in legal trouble with the government since July 2004 when he was arrested for overstaying his visa. He's also been convicted of a felony drug charge. Defense lawyer Damon Shadid fears that the Saudis may detain and torture Al-Massari because of his father's activities in support of Osama bin Laden.

Woman Accused of Molesting Two Boys

(Largo, Florida) A 31-year-old woman, Jennifer Smith, has been arrested twice for lewd and lascivious molestation of a child under the age of 12.

The first arrest was in January 2006 and the second was about a week ago. It's alleged that Smith inappropriately touched two boys, 7 and 8 years old.

In both cases, Smith was booked and bonded out of jail. She has yet to go to court.

Wolf's Smiling Victims

Anyone else see this?

MediaBistro:

NBC and Dick Wolf have averted a casting crisis on Law & Order SVU, inking Mariska Hargitay ("Olivia Benson") and Christopher Meloni ("Elliott Stabler") to two-year deals.

Insiders said the new pact gives both stars substantial raises over their existing deals, with annual salaries of more than $6.5 million each.

I wanna be a special victim.

Woman Gets 12 Years for Sex Crimes

(Pascagoula, Mississippi) A 25-year-old woman, Rebecca Leighann King, pleaded guilty on January 10th to sexual battery and fondling of a 4-year-old girl. Yesterday, King was sentenced to 12 years in prison for the crimes.

According to Assistant District Attorney Angel Myers, the child was possibly tortured during the sexual molestation and, therefore, a meaningful prison term was warranted. The parents of the girl stated in court that their daughter had been "forever changed" both "emotionally and physically."

King was also sentenced to post-release supervision for eight years, a $3,000 fine and ordered to register as a sex offender.

Abu Sayyaf Leaders Janjalani, Solaiman Dead

(Manila, Philippines) President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo of the Philippines announced spot promotions for troops involved in last September's firefight death of Abu Sayyaf chieftain Khadaffy Janjalani. Also, receiving spot promotions were troops involved with the killing of No. 2 Abu Sayyaf leader, Abu Solaiman, aka Sulaiman. Both men were wanted for planning and conducting terrorist bombings and kidnappings throughout the Philippines.

Al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf leader Janjalani was first reported dead in December 2006 on tips from captured members. Remains were located and taken for DNA testing which last week confirmed Janjalani's demise.

No. 2 Abu Sayyaf leader Solaiman was killed on January 16 on the island of Sulu. It's reported that S/Sgt. Raul Suacillo found Solaiman squatting in the woods, relieving himself.

"I waited for him (Solaiman) to finish (relieving himself). So that we will not be compromised, I called him because I want to apprehend him. We even had an eye contact. I told him 'don't make a noise'," said Suacillo.

Suacillo said instead of surrendering, Solaiman ran and chanted "Allahu Akbar (God is great)."

He said he opened fire at Solaiman to stop him from shouting that could warn other Abu Sayyaf members.

The Abu Sayyaf camp was in a heavily-wooded area so government troops had the advantage of surprise. I'm sure Solaiman was surprised and also deserving of some theological demerits for yelling Allahu Akbar while pinching a loaf.

In summary, two leaders of Abu Sayyaf are dead and two tipsters will each be collecting $5 million reward money. All the while, the Filipino government continues its ramped up assault on the terrorist group with notable successes.

Companion at The Jawa Report.

Honest, Judge, It Just Fell On Me

(Atlanta, Georgia) Twenty-four-year-old Ezekiel Dejesus-Rodriguez was casually enjoying his hobby of vandalizing a cemetery when a gravestone fell on top of him. He was pinned with a leg crushed and only ghosts heard his screams until hours later when the police were called.

Dejesus-Rodriguez attacked about ten gravestones at the Luxomni Church Cemetery in Lilburn before being trapped.

Logically, a clever consumer health and safety lawyer could defend Dejesus-Rodriguez, claiming he is the victim of improperly anchored thousand-pound stones which, incidentally, are not adequately marked as to which end is up.

An avaricious tort lawyer could then sue the cemetery and the decedent's family for compensatory and punitive damages. Following would be a liberal political group prompting legislation requiring all gravestones to be properly annotated with warnings to indicate the danger of pulling or pushing on them. This action, of course, would require the formation of a cemetery regulatory agency with enforcement powers.

Alternatively, he could be fined and sent to jail for a handsome stint, hopefully arriving unpopular.

Teacher Suspended for Alleged Sex

(McCandless, Pennsylvania) A 28-year-old English teacher at North Allegheny High School, Julie Stimmel, was escorted from campus after being suspended from her teaching position due to a suspected sexual relationship with a 17-year-old male student.

Allegheny County Police and the school system are investigating the situation. To date, no charges have been filed.


[Update 01/31/08]

From ThePittsburghChannel.com:

A woman has given up her teaching certificate amid allegations that she had sex with a 17-year-old North Allegheny student.

Julie Stimmel, 29, surrendered her teaching certificate from the state, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

To date, no charges have been filed against Stimmel. However, Allegheny County authorities are reportedly continuing to investigate.

Tip: SuidaeEmpathy

Teacher Pleads to Indecency with Girl

(Erie, Pennsylvania) A 28-year-old former teacher at Villa Maria Academy, Megan Fecko, pleaded no contest to two counts of indecent assault related to molesting a 16-year-old female student during a long-term acquaintanceship.

Judge Shad Connelly has scheduled sentencing for February 13, 2007.

Tip: Don Morgenstern

Noriega Scheduled for Release from Prison

(Miami, Florida) After being convicted in 1990 for drug-trafficking and racketeering, former Panamanian President Manuel Noriega was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison. With time off for good behavior, he is scheduled to be released this year -- September to be exact.

Noriega's legal problems may not be over, though, since he is still a wanted man in France and in Panama. It's reported that the U.S. Attorney's office will pursue his extradition to France.

Notably, Noriega is now around 70 years of age so his capacity to cause future trouble is limited.

K-Fed Super Bowl Ad Disses Restaurant Workers

I don't get it.

From AdAge.com:

The National Restaurant Association is upset with Nationwide Insurance's planned Super Bowl spot with the wannabe rapper.

In a letter sent today to Nationwide CEO Jerry Jurgensen, the restaurant association's president-CEO, Steve C. Anderson, complains that the company's Super Bowl ad -- featuring Mr. Federline in various rap-video cliches, but in fact daydreaming while making fries at a fast-food restaurant as his manager yells at him to get to work -- denigrates restaurant workers.

The restaurant assn. is calling the ad a "strong and direct insult" to the millions of workers in the restaurant industry. I haven't seen the ad but I lean toward agreeing with the restaurant assn. anyway.

What I don't get is why an insurance company would use Kevin Federline to market its products. As a rapper, he appeals primarily to the demographic group that is more frequently associated with stealing cars, not insuring them. But then, I'm neither an insurance nor a marketing expert.

Lost Canadians

As new laws go into effect requiring Canadians to have passports for travel to the U.S., hundreds of people are learning that they are not citizens of Canada.

CBC:

Many applying for a Canadian passport have been informed their chance to remain a citizen expired years ago because of an obscure provision in the Citizenship Act, a little-known law that applied between 1947 and 1977.

The law states that if you lived outside Canada on your 24th birthday and failed to sign the right form, you automatically lost your citizenship.

It sure doesn't make a lick of sense to me other than the fact that legislative bodies habitually pass stupid laws.

Estimated to number as high as 20,000, the Lost Canadians are able to apply for a grant of citizenship which takes eight months. According to Citizenship and Immigration Minister Diane Finley, "We're trying to right the wrongs of the past and do the reasonable thing, the right thing, for what are essentially Canadians in all but name." Some interest has been expressed to have Parliament pass a new law to specifically address the Lost Canadians.

Teacher Booked on Sex Charge

(Erie, Pennsylvania) A 32-year-old English teacher at Northwestern High School, Robin Lee Hecker, was arrested Monday and charged with corruption of minors for engaging in sex with a 16-year-old male student. According to police, Hecker had sex with a tenth-grade boy at her home between June and August 2005.

Hecker has been suspended from her teaching position with pay. She was booked into the Erie County Prison and held in lieu of $10,000 bond.

Tip: Don Morgenstern


[Update 04/03/07]

Robin Lee Hecker pleaded guilty today to one count of corruption of a minor in accordance with a plea deal. She admitted to engaging in at least five sexual episodes with a 10th-grade, 16-year-old male student in her class. Hecker faces a maximum of five years in state prison and she must surrender her teaching license.

A sentencing date was not reported.


[Update 05/12/07]

Hecker sentenced.

"Man Law" Repealed

Miller Brewing Co. has shelved its "Man Law" advertising campaign. Beer sales have been flat.

As a consequence, it's assumed that putting fruit in beer is now permissible.

Mummified Baby Found

(Delray Beach, Florida) Sometime in 1957, a newborn baby boy was stuffed into a suitcase and put aside. Yesterday, the mummified corpse of the boy was found by a woman in her departed parents' rented storage unit.

Yes, it's a mystery right now. Forensic anthropologists are reviewing the evidence.

Woman Nabbed in Alcohol/Sex with Boys Case

(College Station, Texas) A 42-year-old local woman, Laura Lee Cole, was arrested last Friday for providing alcohol to boys between the ages of 13 and 15 and having sex with one of them.

Parents of the teen boys alerted the Brazos County Sheriff's office that Cole was providing alcohol to minors.

The purported victim of sexual abuse stated that Cole had performed oral sex on him and the two had intercourse. He also stated that Cole provided him with alcohol and marijuana. And, he reportedly described several tattoos on Cole's body.

Cole has been jailed on sexual assault and contributing to the delinquency of minors charges. Bond was set at $230,000.


[Update 04/07/07]

Cole indicted.

Councilman Fined for Wrong Opinion

(Kamloops, British Columbia) Got an opinion? If it's contrary to the politically correct mindset in Canada, you'd better keep it to yourself. Kamloops City Councilor John DeCicco, a Catholic, didn't and he has to pay $1,000.

In August, homosexual activist couple John Olynick and Greg Koll filed a complaint against DeCicco with the human rights commission over remarks he made at the council meeting and repeated in media interviews. In line with Catholic teaching on the matter, he described homosexual acts as "not normal and not natural."

The B.C. Human Rights Tribunal made DeCicco pay the homosexuals $1,000.

It appears that the threshold for criticism of homosexuals is unreasonably low. After all, DeCicco didn't make a vulgar slur or resort to name-calling. He merely expressed an opinion.

Tip: slwlion

Teach Tagged for Sex with Student

(Pahokee, Florida) A 23-year-old substitute teacher at Pahokee Middle-Senior High School, Heather Lea Burroughs, was arrested yesterday by Palm Beach County law officers for allegedly performing a sex act on a student. Burroughs has been charged with sexual assault.

The alleged sex act occurred last Friday while Burroughs worked on the school's "exceptional student education" program. Neither the type of sex act nor the gender and age of the student were disclosed.

In an interesting side note, a source indicates that Pahokee Middle-Senior High School has a student body of approximately 1,000 kids. Of those, only 32 are non-Hispanic whites among mostly black and Hispanic students. So, whites are about three percent of the population at Pahokee Middle-Senior High School. No point to be made here, just mentioning ....

Teacher Holt Pleads Guilty to Rape

(Wilmington, Delaware) In April 2006, 34-year-old science teacher at Claymont Elementary School, Rachel L. Holt, was charged with 21 counts of rape for allegedly engaging in sex with a 13-year-old boy on 28 occasions in a seven-day period.

It's alleged that Holt also gave alcohol to the 13-year-old, let him drive her car, and even allowed a 12-year-old friend to watch the sexual activity.

In August, Holt was indicted on 28 counts of first-degree rape by a Superior Court grand jury.

Yesterday, Holt, now 35, pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree rape. Apparently, all other charges were dismissed. She remains in custody with sentencing scheduled for March 16.

Okay, so this case goes from 28 counts of first-degree rape to one count of second-degree rape and any mention of the allegation that Holt liquored up the boy prior to repeatedly engaging in sex is erased. Reportedly, revision to the charges happened during case review. Boy, it's a good thing they stopped reviewing or there would be no charge left. However, given that this case involves a female teacher, it's all understandable.

I don't think it's a stretch to speculate that Holt will likely receive only probation at her sentencing. The way her case is progressing, I wouldn't be too surprised if the court ended up giving her tickets for a Caribbean vacation and an apology for her trouble. You never can tell when the justice system delivers wheelbarrows more equality to women than men. In fact, the 13-year-old salacious delinquent should logically be sent to juvenile prison for a term since he caused teacher Holt all the problems. Teach that troublemaker a lesson.


[Update 03/16/07]

Holt sentenced.

Woman, 57, Indecent with Boy, 13

(Baton Rouge, Louisiana) A 57-year-old woman, Francis Sarah Monette, was arrested by East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's deputies for alleged indecent behavior with two juveniles, aged 9 and 13. The alleged incident occurred last Sunday.

It's reported that the 13-year-old boy's mother "walked in on Monette while she was standing nude and trying to remove the boy's boxer shorts" as the 9-year-old observed.

Monette has been booked into Parish Prison on two counts of indecent behavior with juveniles.

Tip: Don Morgenstern

Somali Islamist Leader Surrenders

(Nairobi, Kenya) This Reuters report has been confirmed by a couple unnamed Western diplomats.

Somali Islamist leader Sheikh Sharif Ahmed has surrendered to Kenyan authorities at the Somali border, Somali intelligence officials and Western diplomats said on Monday.

Ahmed, considered a moderate in the Islamist movement ousted from power by Somali and Ethiopian forces in late December, surrendered on Sunday and was in Kenyan custody, they said.

I'd like to believe that American AC-130 gunships pulverizing Mogadishu helped Sheikh Sharif Ahmed in his decision to surrender.

Huge Child Porn Bust

It's reported that only one police officer was involved in the takedown.

From Radio Sweden:

Police in the province of Sormland, just south of Stockholm, have seized the largest amount of child pornography ever uncovered in this country.

According to reports they have confiscated between 2,500,000 and 3,000,000 images on 290 CD and DVD disks and two hard-drives.

The volume of the confiscated materials provides a snapshot of the extent of child sexual abuse around the world. It's likely that the images were produced in many countries.

Companion post at Conservative Thinking.

Muslims Want Special Health Care

(London, England) It appears that the British National Health Service (NHS) isn't exhibiting the appropriate level of tolerance and diversity. Muslims want religion-based health care.

Professor Aziz Sheikh is also calling for women patients to see same-sex medics, better access to prayer facilities in hospitals and more information so Muslims can avoid alcohol and pig-derived drugs.

Writing in the British Medical Journal, the University of Edinburgh professor also claims Muslims should be given health advice on attempting the Hajj pilgrimage-to Mecca which he insisted was a "religious obligation and not a holiday."

Actually, this pronouncement was predictable. Muslims want everything to be religion-based.

Tip: John Ray

Homeless-Only Village

(Daytona Beach, Florida) The Volusia County Council has launched discussion on a proposed city for the homeless, called Tiger Bay Village, to house Daytona Beach's estimated 2,500 vagrants.

Tiger Bay Village will provide shelter and psychiatic treatment to the homeless in a 5,600-bed community on 125 acres of rural real estate. The fact that the project creates 5,600 beds for an estimated 2,500 people is telling. Either everyone will have two beds or an influx is expected.

Supporters of the project believe that the cow can actually jump over the moon -- the cash cow, that is. Critics rightfully see the idea as another expensive do-gooder giveaway project which will magnetically attract vagrants from other communities. Other cities will logically be thankful when they can print a destination on the bus tickets shoved into vagrants' hands.

Developer Michael Arth proposed the idea. I'm guessing he will be able to buy a bigger yacht.

In summary, Daytona Beach has a problem with vagrants and a solution has been proposed to consolidate the homeless in a defined area, giving them shelter and treatment. This action may bump Daytona Beach into the top tier of The Best Cities for the Homeless.

Pilot Collapses, Dies In-Flight

"Houston, we have a problem!"

(McAllen, Texas) Yesterday, Continental Flight 1838 took off from George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston bound for Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. A few minutes into the flight, the pilot collapsed and the passengers were alerted. One passenger described the episode:

"The co-pilot came over on the loud speaker saying if there was a doctor on board and after about 10-15 minutes they asked if there was a pilot on board."

According to Continental spokeswoman Macky Osorio, it's believed the pilot, whose name was not immediately released, died of natural causes. The flight, carrying 210 passengers, was diverted to McAllen International Airport and later continued to Mexico with a different crew.

Rats at IHOP

(Fresno, California) Try not to think of this report the next time you visit the International House of Pancakes.

Ellington Jordan says he came to this downtown Fresno IHOP hungry but left irritated and flustered Saturday, after an unexpected encounter with what the health department says was a rat.

Jordan says, "It went halfway up my ankle, went down, and then came back up and went down again."

The place was closed for a day or so and Jordan was given a $50 gift certificate for his discomfort. He says he may not go back but, if he does, he won't sit next to the wall.

One has to question the extent of the IHOP rat problem if the critters feel comfortable enough to mingle with the customers. Usually, they hide. Nonetheless, IHOP should be thankful that animal control authorities didn't get involved since rats are protected from cruelty under California law.

Denny Doherty

(Mississauga, Ontario) A founding member of the 1960s music group The Mamas and the Papas, Denny Doherty, died yesterday at his home in Mississauga.

Cause of death has not been disclosed, however, it may be related to complications resulting from recent surgery. He was 66.

For those who live in caves, Denny Doherty sang lead on a number of the Mamas and the Papas enduring hits with California Dreamin' likely the most familiar. Along with the sounds of the Beach Boys, Jefferson Airplane and others, the 1965 release of California Dreamin' by the Mamas and the Papas helped set the tone for the migration of many young people to the beautiful opportunities of California, reaching its high point in the 1967 "Summer of Love" in San Francisco.

Sadly, Doherty, along with John Phillips, Michelle Phillips and Cass Elliot, disbanded the Mamas and the Papas in 1968 after less than three years together. Their music, however, lives on.

John Phillips died in 2001 and Cass Elliot died in 1974. Only Michelle Phillips survives.

Denny Doherty, rest in peace. When the leaves are brown and the sky is gray, we'll be thinking of you.

Freshman Picking Cheaper Colleges

According to a survey, about half of this year's freshman picked their second-choice school even though they were accepted by their top pick. More than one-third attending their third and fourth choices had also been accepted at their first. It appears that cost was a primary factor.

It would be a positive development to see widespread competition among schools based on tuition rates. It's needed.

Soliciting Sex from Student Alleged

(Roan Mountain, Tennessee) A 36-year-old teacher's aide at Cloudland High School, Patty Jo Singleton, was indicted by a Carter County grand jury on Tuesday for soliciting sex from a 15-year-old student. Investigators said there currently is no evidence of sexual contact.

Singleton was suspended without pay from her teaching position pending the outcome of the investigation. The gender of the student was not disclosed.

Singleton was booked into the Carter County Jail and released on bail.


[Update 02/13/07]

Singleton pleads not guilty. Court date scheduled for April 19th.

Chinese Missile Destroys Satellite

There is concern that the Chinese have not only launched a missile to shoot down a satellite but, at the same time, they have launched a new weapons race. Just ducky.

From The Age:

The US State Department has confirmed that on January 12, China used a land-based ballistic missile to collide with its ageing satellite, which was orbiting 865 kilometres above the Earth.

The enormous forces involved smashed the satellite into tens of thousands of pieces, creating a mass of space debris.

China's move appears to have caught Western nations by surprise. Experts believe that China has been provoked into staging this very public demonstration of its capabilities by the US's insistence on creating its global anti-ballistic missile system, in which Australia is to play a part.

They fear China's feat will encourage other countries to follow suit, placing the world's transportation, navigation and communication systems at risk.

The Chinese have introduced the new field of anti-satellite warfare to counter the American global anti-ballistic missile system. So, in response to a U.S. defensive weapon, China develops a new offensive capability, while creating an orbit full of debris.

Companion at The Jawa Report.

Psittacosis Case Pays Big

(Bulwell, England) A 35-year-old retail asst. manager, Glyn Atherton, received compensation of 700,000 British Pounds ($1.38 million) from his employer after catching psittacosis from a pet store parrot.

It's reported that the lung disease psittacosis, similar to pneumonia, left Atherton disabled and wheelchair-bound. Atherton apparently acquired the disease by inhaling dried secretions from the infected parrot which died a few days afterward.

Psittacosis is transmitted by avian fecal and nasal discharges carrying a bacterium called Chlamydophila psittaci (formerly Chlamydia psittaci). Psittacosis (aka parrot fever and ornithosis) is considered rare with fewer than 50 cases reported in the U.S. yearly. In some cases, it leads to endocarditis, hepatitis, and neurologic complications. Severe pneumonia requiring intensive-care support may also occur and some fatalities have been reported.

Pet owners, pet shop workers, veterinarians and poultry handlers are most at risk, however, human infections have been documented from poultry and free-ranging birds, including doves, pigeons, birds of prey, and shore birds. Although all birds carry the bug, not all are infectious. Some birds are only infectious some of the time, particularly when under stress. Cold environs, relocation, hunger can bring on the disease in birds (called avian chlamydiosis).

For treatment, tetracyclines are the preferred medications. Notably, the occurrence of psittacosis is quite difficult to diagnose. Incidence of the disease is reportable in many jurisdictions.

Of course, it's worthwhile to mention that psittacosis is not the avian flu that's been scaring the pants off everyone worldwide. That would be the H1N5 strain of influenza caused by a virus. Psittacosis is caused by a bacterium.

Boy-Sex Nets Woman Year in Jail

(Ann Arbor, Michigan) Last month, a 41-year-old mother of two, Dawn Marie Richards, was arrested and charged for engaging in sex with a 14-year-old boy. Also last month, she pleaded no contest to an accosting charge and an additional count of intent to committ sexual penetration. In exchange, prosecutors dropped a criminal sexual conduct charge.

This week, Richards was sentenced to one year in jail by Chief Washtenaw County Circuit Judge Archie Brown. She was also ordered to complete five years probation and to register as a sex offender.

Richards protested being deemed a sex offender, claiming that she didn't know registration as a sex offender was part of the plea agreement. Even so, it stands. Other conditions in the sentence include no contact with the victim, treatment for substance abuse and orders for her to move out of the trailer park when her jail term is over.

Richards blamed alcohol addiction for her behavior.

Tip: Don Morgenstern

Woman Kills Kids, Ruled Insane

(San Francisco, California) On October 19, 2005, 24-year-old Lashuan Harris undressed her three children, one by one, and threw them into the cold water of San Francisco Bay.

Six-year-old Trayshaun Harris, two-year-old Taronta Greeley Jr. and 16-month-old Joshua Greeley drowned. Only the body of Trayshaun Harris was ever found.

After six weeks or so of trial, a San Francisco Superior Court jury found Harris guilty of second-degree murder. Judge Kay Tsenin quickly acted to overturn the jury's verdict and ruled that Harris was not guilty by reason of insanity. A determination will be made on February 7 on which hospital will treat Harris.

Defense attorney Teresa Caffese said afterward that it was obvious the mental health system shared blame for the deaths of the children because insufficient help was given to Harris. Now, according to Harris' family, Lashuan will get the help she needs.

Help for six-year-old Trayshaun Harris, two-year-old Taronta Greeley Jr. and 16-month-old Joshua Greeley was apparently not a consideration in the final ruling.

By the way, I understand that Andrea Yates, who murdered her five young children by drowning them in the bathtub, is now getting the help she needs. Also, Susan Smith, who strapped her two young boys in car seats before letting her vehicle roll into a lake and drown them, is also getting the help she needs.

Don't let it be suggested that the American justice system isn't helpful.

DEA Raids Pot Clinics in LA

(Los Angeles, California) DEA agents swarmed about a dozen medical marijuana clinics yesterday and seized several thousand pounds of pot, along with weapons and cash. Five dispensaries in West Hollywood and six others in Venice, Hollywood and the San Fernando Valley were searched and several people were detained.

According to Sarah Pullen, a spokeswoman with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, no arrests were made and details of the investigation and search warrants won't be disclosed.

"Today's enforcement operations show that these establishments are nothing more than drug-trafficking organizations bringing criminal activities to our neighborhoods and drugs near our children and schools," said Ralph W. Partridge, head of the DEA in Los Angeles.

Heh.

Hef Talks of Fathering

At 80 years of age, one would imagine that Hugh Hefner's procreating days are over. Apparently, there's some doubt.

"I wouldn't say that there's a plan, but there has certainly been a conversation," the centerfold sovereign said.

Hef's latest squeeze, Holly Madison, seems to be promoting the idea.

Is this a good idea? I think not. There is no way for Hef to be a meaningful part of the life of a new child. Let's be honest. Hef's going to be falling apart in the near future, with or without wonder drugs and 21st Century medicine. It's a simple fact of life.

Newspaper Blog Traffic Multiplies

Reuters:

The number of people reading Internet blogs on the top 10 U.S. newspaper sites more than tripled in December from a year ago and accounted for a larger percentage of overall traffic to those sites, according to data released on Wednesday.

Unique visitors to blog sites affiliated with the largest Internet newspapers rose to 3.8 million in December 2006 from 1.2 million viewers a year earlier, tracking firm Nielsen//NetRatings said.

Newspapers are starting to realize the value of informal opinion and analysis offered by blogs. About 30 million unique visitors were drawn to the top newspapers last month. Blogs accounted for 13 percent of the total.

No Spanking Law Proposed

(Sacramento, California) The California legislature is considering a proposal to make spanking of children a crime. It's seen as a misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail or a fine up to $1,000 and applicable to all children under three years of age.

Mercedes-For-Sex Mom Gets No Jail

(Garden City, New York) Last year, married mother of two, Lisa M. Frodella, 40, was arrested and charged on two counts of rape and two counts of criminal sexual acts for engaging in sex with a 16-year-old boy, a friend of her daughters.

The boy's mother alerted police after Frodella gave the boy a souped-up black 2002 Mercedes-Benz S430, valued at $35,000.

Yesterday, Frodella pleaded guilty to sexual misconduct and Nassau County Court Judge John Kase sentenced her to three years' probation. Frodella was also ordered to register as a sex offender and receive mental health treatment.

The boy didn't get to keep the Mercedes.

Relations with 12-Year-Old Boy

(Las Cruces, New Mexico) A 19-year-old woman, Frances Morales, has been charged with engaging in sex with a 12-year-old boy who is related to her in some manner.

A Dona Ana County grand jury indicted Morales on 14 counts of criminal sexual penetration of a minor. The relationship allegedly occurred between August 2005 and February 2006.

Morales admitted the sexual relationship and said the boy's mother knew about it. The mother denied any knowledge.

Weather Channel Agenda - Suppress Dissent

My previous post about the Weather Channel and political propagandist Heidi Cullen could not have been more timely. She's the religions and history expert who purports to be a guru regarding climatology on the Weather Channel, however, her primary focus has been to create massive public alarm about global warming.

Thus far, Cullen has realized less than desired results in achieving her alarm goals. In fact, more and more people are entertaining a healthy skepticism about being alarmed, therefore, Cullen is adopting new tactics.

Cullen, along with her Weather Channel boss and leftist alarm shill, Wonya Lucas, are now going after the entire meteorological profession. They want to silence all TV weathermen who don't spew the alarmist mantra.

"If a meteorologist can't speak to the fundamental science of climate change, then maybe the AMS shouldn't give them a Seal of Approval. Clearly, the AMS doesn't agree that global warming can be blamed on cyclical weather patterns," Cullen wrote in her December 21 weblog on the Weather Channel Website.

So, if TV weathermen don't agree with Cullen, rip away their credentials. As a reminder, Galileo was in a similar situation regarding his opinion about the heavens and Earth. Galileo said the Sun is the center of the solar system, the Vatican was not amused and sentenced him to death.

Now, agreed, Cullen is not calling for any TV weathermen to die, she just wants to kill their careers by decertifying them. Think about it. TV weathermen may be the brunt of some occasional humor but, in reality, they are scientists in every sense of the word. Daily, hourly, sometimes minute-by-minute, they collect and analyze scientific data and then report, theorize and predict meteorological conditions locally, regionally and even continentally. The AMA Seal of Approval attests to their capabilities to perform those tasks. However, despite their competence as TV weathermen, Cullen wants to take the Seal of Approval from them if they have the wrong opinion about global warming.

This whole campaign by Cullen and the Weather Channel is sickening but it's not surprising, fitting the leftist template perfectly. If you don't agree with the leftists, they will try to silence you. Let's agree that leftists have largely succeeded in silencing dissent on most college campuses. Professors risk losing their reputations, grant money for research and tenure if they speak up. More dramatically, reflect upon what happens when conservatives are invited to speak at a college. If they successfully hurdle the pre-event protests, they are shouted down at the event, effectively silenced by crowds of leftist students and organizers. In the realm of science, which climatology surely is, open debate and skepticism are hallmarks which should be embraced, not suppressed.

But wait, there's more. Cullen is also complicit in promoting Nuremburg-style trials for those not echoing the global warming alarm. Logically, TV weathermen are not her only opponents so formal trials need to be convened to silence the others. You read that right -- Nuremburg-style trials! The message is simple. Shut up and toe the party line or risk losing your professional career, your livelihood, and, if we get our way, your freedom.

As can been seen, leftism and the open expression of ideas are incompatible. This is panoramically demonstrated by Heidi Cullen and the Weather Channel in their heavy-handed campaign to suppress opposing opinions regarding global warming. Pieter Dorsman suggests that Cullen is crushing dissent and manipulating the global warming debate. I agree and would guess that Cullen's most salient personal characteristic is arrogance.

Woman Guilty of Sex with Boys, 13 and 14

(Steubenville, Ohio) In August 2006, 26-year-old Crystal McGrath, aka Crystal Stewarz, was arrested and pleaded not guilty to two counts of unlawful sexual conduct with two boys, ages 13 and 14. In October, Crystal D. McGrath was indicted on the charges.

Reportedly, mother of four McGrath got drunk with the boys and had sex. The boys' parents notified the authorities.

This week, in accordance with an agreement between the defense and prosecution, McGrath pleaded guilty to having sex with the two boys. In exchange, McGrath will be sentenced to nine months incarceration. Formal sentencing is expected next week.

Prisoner Eats Cellmate

(Rouen, France) I've heard people rave about French cuisine, however, I'm sure they weren't referring to the fare in this report.

A FRENCH prisoner who killed a cellmate and apparently ate part of his chest and lungs was sentenced today to 45 days in isolation while awaiting trial, his lawyer said.

Nicolas Cocaign, 35, has been charged with premeditated murder and "violating the integrity of a corpse" over the gory incident early this month and is to appear on Tuesday before a judge in the northwestern city of Rouen.

The lawyer defending Cocaign says he needs care instead of isolation in a cell. Okay, but keep him away from the kitchen and the caregivers.

Cocaign - who was awaiting trial on charges of armed rape - has confessed to the attack, saying he was overcome with a sudden violent urge.

His 31-year-old victim was beaten, cut with scissors and a razor, strangled and finally asphyxiated with a plastic bag.

Cocaign apparently devoured parts of his lungs and chest, possibly after preparing them in a cooker. Detectives were still awaiting test results from samples of fat and onion taken from the cell.

Mmmm ... sauteed cellmate with onion.

Teacher Gets Probation for Indecency with Boy

(Concord, North Carolina) In May 2006, a 44-year-old history teacher at the private Cannon School, Janet Botton Klatt, was arrested by Concord Police for engaging in indecent liberties with a 16-year-old male student. The charged stemmed from an intimate episode between Klatt and the boy in a restaurant parking lot sometime between April 28 and May 5, 2006.

This week, Klatt pleaded guilty in Cabarrus County Court to indecent liberties with a student. She was sentenced to six to eight months probation and ordered to pay a $1,000 fine. It's not known whether she will be required to register as a sex offender.

Notably, Klatt's troubles are not over. She faces similar charges in Wake County where it's alleged she had sex with a 16-year-old male student in a hotel while on an overnight field trip.


[Update 01/18/07]

This report indicates Klatt will not have to register as a sex offender. Parents expressed surprise.


[Update 02/09/07]

Klatt sentenced in Wake County.

Septic Citizen Story

(Syracuse, New York) Remember Lauren Maggi? She's the 35-year-old woman charged with harassment for spitting into a soldier's face without provocation. Well, her court date has been set for January 27 and I hope the judge hits her with every conceivable punishment allowed by law. The NixGuy has more.

Somehow I suspect that Maggi is a member of the crowd that's against the war but supports the troops - the orthodoxymorons.

Woman Collared for Sex with Boy

(Brownsville, Texas) A 22-year-old Brownsville woman, Alejandra Resendez, was arrested Monday (1/15) for allegedly engaging in sex with a 15-year-old boy and harboring a runaway. Responding to a complaint, Brownsville police searched Resendez's home and found the boy hiding in the bathtub.

Yesterday, Resendez was arraigned on charges of sexual assault of a minor and harboring a runaway. She was booked into the Carrizalez-Rucker Detention Center with bond set at $26,000.

Tip: Don Morgenstern

Murdered for Picky Eating

(Shanghai, China) An old woman broke her femur in an accident involving a neighbor girl's bicycle in January of last year. To save money, the neighbor agreed to care for the woman during her recovery period. Unfortunately, the old woman was an intolerably picky eater.

Xinhuanet.com:

A Shanghai woman killed an elderly woman who was living in her home because she was "too picky about the food she was served and was very bad-tempered."

The woman, surnamed Huang, surrendered herself and admitted to killing the woman to police in Chongming County on the same day she committed the crime last May, Youth Daily reported today.

Huang told the court that she lost all patience and couldn't bear the old woman any longer.

I don't suppose it dawned on Huang that many senior citizens have very sensitive digestive systems. There is also the possibility that Huang is a poor cook and her food was terrible.

Some of my acquaintances are picky eaters but I've never thought about killing them. Well, uh, not before today, that is.

Hmmm ...

Senior Taliban Commander Captured

(Kabul, Afghanistan) Last night, NATO and Afghan government forces captured a senior Taliban commander in the Helmand Province in the southern part of the country.

Khaleej Times:

"During the night Afghan National Security Forces and ISAF soldiers conducted a meticulously planned and executed raid," NATO said in a statement, referring to its Afghan force known as the International Security Assistance Force.

"The raid succeeded in the capture of a prominent Taleban commander who was wanted for questioning by the Afghan National Police in relation to a large number of criminal acts," it said.

The force declined to identify the commander but said he had fled from a recent NATO operation in neighbouring Kandahar province to Helmand.

Wanted for questioning! What?

I would imagine that he's guilty of something. So why would NATO hold back his name? Come on, murdering Talibanditos need recognition too.

Male Teacher Gets 70 Years in Prison

(Brevard County, Florida) Former sixth-grade teacher at Endeavour Elementary School, Daniel Cliatt, 30, was sentenced yesterday to 70 years in prison for performing sex acts on a male student.

Sheesh! If he were a woman, I'd speculate that the sentence would have been probation. No complaints. Just saying ....

Woman Jailed for Sex with Boy

(Charleston, West Virginia) A 22-year-old mother of two, Susanna "Susie" Mae Canterbury, has been arrested for engaging in sex with a 15-year-old boy. The boy's mother alerted the State Police that her son had been sexually assaulted by Canterbury. According to the criminal complaint, Susie Mae knew the boy was only 15 when she had sex with him.

Canterbury has been charged with third-degree sexual assault which carries up to five years in prison upon conviction. She was booked into the South Central Regional Jail with bond set at $10,000 property or 10 percent cash.

Tip: Don Morgenstern

Top Gay Icons

OnePoll, a British market-research company, conducted a survey of 5,000 gays and lesbians to identify the most popular icons of the homosexual community. Here are the results:

1) Kylie Minogue
2) Dolly Parton
3) ABBA
4) Judy Garland
5) Marilyn Monroe

6) David Beckham
7) Madonna
8) Audrey Hepburn
9) Peter Andre and partner Katie Price
10) Liza Minnelli

11) Cary Grant
12) Victoria Beckham
13) Girls Aloud
14) Barbra Streisand
15) Pink

16) Sharon Osbourne
17) Take That
18) Cher
19) Will Young
20) Elton John

21) Barbie
22) Richard and Judy
23) Cilla Black
24) Simon Cowell
25) Julie Andrews

Nos. 26 through 50 can be found here and there are some notables listed. Boy George, Doris Day, The Village People and Beyonce are included.

Not being a member of the alternative sexual orientation demographic disqualifies me from gleaning any substantive meaning from the polling results. Even so, I think it's interesting that Dolly Parton is more a gay icon than Elton John, Barbra Streisand and Liza Minnelli. I would have thought differently. One also has to wonder whether Simon Cowell enjoys being more homosexually attractive than The Village People. Sorry, Sully, you didn't make the list.

All in all, this polling may seem to be frivolous but I'd suggest that it provides useful information to businesses selling products and services to gays and lesbians.