News::Koepp's Attorney Says He'll Ask For Reduced Bond: "An attorney for the man suspected in a triple murder in Rock County, but not charged with the slayings, says he'll ask for reduced bond.
James Koepp is being held on $60,000 bail on unrelated charges. Koepp is accused of leading police on a chase in the days following the murders of Danyetta Lentz and her children, 17-year-old Nicole and 14-year-old Scott Lentz. Their bodies were found January 12th.
Defense attorney Larry Peterson say a high cash bail might have been justified earlier because it appeared the homicide charges were imminent. But, he says too much time has passed to justify the high bond.
District Attorney David O'Leary said after Koepp was arrested they expected to charge him with the homicides within days. O'Leary says he's waiting for analysts to sift through more evidence before issuing any charges in the slayings.
Koepp will be in court Thursday to try to permanently block his corrections records from release."
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Bail bonds company on-call 24/7
Nevada Appeal - News: "The managers of Fallon Bail Bonds say they're available to those who need to bail themselves out of jail 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
'We're honest, we're ethical, we'll give you advice if we can and we are going to provide the best service,' said Kevin Kelly, owner of Fallon Bail Bonds. 'I don't care if you are the biggest criminal in that jail or the minister. You are going to get treated fairly, evenly and with respect, and if we can help you we will. People know that we are always going to give them a fair shake, and if I can help them I will. If I can't, I'll be honest and tell them that I can't.'
Kelly had originally worked for Bail Bonds Inc. in Fallon for four years. After he learned enough about the business, he decided to go out on his own. He worked 13 and a half years for the Churchill County Sheriff's Department. Agent Tom Connelly worked 10 years at the sheriff's department plus two stints in California police departments, giving them both a keen understanding of how the bail bonds system worked."
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'We're honest, we're ethical, we'll give you advice if we can and we are going to provide the best service,' said Kevin Kelly, owner of Fallon Bail Bonds. 'I don't care if you are the biggest criminal in that jail or the minister. You are going to get treated fairly, evenly and with respect, and if we can help you we will. People know that we are always going to give them a fair shake, and if I can help them I will. If I can't, I'll be honest and tell them that I can't.'
Kelly had originally worked for Bail Bonds Inc. in Fallon for four years. After he learned enough about the business, he decided to go out on his own. He worked 13 and a half years for the Churchill County Sheriff's Department. Agent Tom Connelly worked 10 years at the sheriff's department plus two stints in California police departments, giving them both a keen understanding of how the bail bonds system worked."
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Ski-Area Figure Accused Of Violating Bond In Domestic Attack Case - News
Ski-Area Figure Accused Of Violating Bond In Domestic Attack Case - News: "The son of Breckenridge Ski Resort founder Sigurd Rockne was free on bond Tuesday after he was charged with violating terms of his bond in connection with attempted murder charges in an earlier incident.
Erik Sigurdson Rockne had been jailed since Saturday on suspicion of violating the terms of his bond after his January arrest on investigation of second-degree attempted murder; first degree assault; intimidating a victim; false imprisonment; false reporting to authorities and domestic violence charges.
Authorities accused Rockne of beating his longtime girlfriend so badly last November that she needed emergency surgery to save her life."
Erik Sigurdson Rockne had been jailed since Saturday on suspicion of violating the terms of his bond after his January arrest on investigation of second-degree attempted murder; first degree assault; intimidating a victim; false imprisonment; false reporting to authorities and domestic violence charges.
Authorities accused Rockne of beating his longtime girlfriend so badly last November that she needed emergency surgery to save her life."
Slain woman unhappy, family says
Slain woman unhappy, family says: "Slain Surrey mom Amanpreet Kaur Bahia was unhappy with the controlling atmosphere in the home she shared with her husband and his parents, her three siblings told The Province yesterday.
They said she had practically no social life, was told not to wear makeup or jewelry, was rarely allowed to speak to her overseas relatives by phone, and had been unhappy since her marriage in India in 1995.
The picture they painted is in sharp contrast to statements made by her husband's family that there were no issues in the home prior to her death on Feb. 7.
The slain woman's brother, Jugraj Kahlon, a criminal lawyer in Punjab, his sisters Manjinder Gill and Sukhinderjit Kaur spoke to The Province one day after Bahia's funeral in Delta at which mourners screamed for justice."
They said she had practically no social life, was told not to wear makeup or jewelry, was rarely allowed to speak to her overseas relatives by phone, and had been unhappy since her marriage in India in 1995.
The picture they painted is in sharp contrast to statements made by her husband's family that there were no issues in the home prior to her death on Feb. 7.
The slain woman's brother, Jugraj Kahlon, a criminal lawyer in Punjab, his sisters Manjinder Gill and Sukhinderjit Kaur spoke to The Province one day after Bahia's funeral in Delta at which mourners screamed for justice."
'It's worse now': Ianiero family struggles with anniversary of killings
'It's worse now': Ianiero family struggles with anniversary of killings: "One year after the killings of a Woodbridge couple in their luxury Mexican resort room, the family is still no closer to understanding why the two were slain.
Domenic and Nancy Ianiero died on Feb. 20, 2006, after their throats were slit. Their bodies were found in their five-star Cancun hotel room.
The case has been riddled with surprising twists and angry exchanges between the family's lawyer and Mexican officials, but still no arrests.
The family says time has not eased the pain of the tragedy, but instead made dealing with the deaths of Dominic, 59, and Nancy, 55, increasingly difficult."
Domenic and Nancy Ianiero died on Feb. 20, 2006, after their throats were slit. Their bodies were found in their five-star Cancun hotel room.
The case has been riddled with surprising twists and angry exchanges between the family's lawyer and Mexican officials, but still no arrests.
The family says time has not eased the pain of the tragedy, but instead made dealing with the deaths of Dominic, 59, and Nancy, 55, increasingly difficult."
Problems Intensify for the Schenectady Police Force
WTEN: Albany, New York – News, Weather, Sports - Problems Intensify for the Schenectady Police Force: "Schenectady's P.D. problems intensify - this time, a sergeant on the Vice Squad is off the job.
It was a scandal that hit the Schenectady City Police Department when evidence in a drug trial, crack cocaine, turned up 'missing' from evidence lockers.
NEWS10 has learned Sergeant Daniel Diamond, who is on the Vice Squad, is now on paid administrative leave. Our John McLoughlin has exclusive details on the cop in question.
Sgt. Diamond was in charge of the evidence locker at the Vice Squad. He is also one of the highest paid police officers in the city, making 115-thousand dollars, including overtime.
Department brass are saying very little, only that Sgt. Diamond is relieved of his duties, with pay, and that it has to do, in general, with a State Police investigation into the disappearance of several bags of crack cocaine from the evidence safe."\
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It was a scandal that hit the Schenectady City Police Department when evidence in a drug trial, crack cocaine, turned up 'missing' from evidence lockers.
NEWS10 has learned Sergeant Daniel Diamond, who is on the Vice Squad, is now on paid administrative leave. Our John McLoughlin has exclusive details on the cop in question.
Sgt. Diamond was in charge of the evidence locker at the Vice Squad. He is also one of the highest paid police officers in the city, making 115-thousand dollars, including overtime.
Department brass are saying very little, only that Sgt. Diamond is relieved of his duties, with pay, and that it has to do, in general, with a State Police investigation into the disappearance of several bags of crack cocaine from the evidence safe."\
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Jury: Law firm must pay in sex suit
Auburn Journal : Top Stories: "A Placer County jury recently awarded $368,000 to a Roseville woman who successfully proved she had been the victim of sexual harassment at the law firm where she worked.
The victim, whose name is being withheld to protect her privacy, worked for the Martinez-Senftner Law Firm in Roseville -- a firm that advertises to take sexual harassment cases.
The suit named the law firm as well as Jim and Wayne Senftner, the owner Gloria Martinez-Senftner's husband and son.
Mina Ramirez, the Modesto attorney for the victim, said the jury in the two-week trial found that the law firm should have been aware of the allegations, did nothing to stop them and therefore awarded the victim $68,000 in general damages and $300,000 in punitive damage.
'My client was employed at the law firm as a paralegal (in 2003),' Ramirez said. 'She alleged that she was subjected to a hostile work environment and sexual harassment by Jim and Wayne during the time she was employed.'"
The victim, whose name is being withheld to protect her privacy, worked for the Martinez-Senftner Law Firm in Roseville -- a firm that advertises to take sexual harassment cases.
The suit named the law firm as well as Jim and Wayne Senftner, the owner Gloria Martinez-Senftner's husband and son.
Mina Ramirez, the Modesto attorney for the victim, said the jury in the two-week trial found that the law firm should have been aware of the allegations, did nothing to stop them and therefore awarded the victim $68,000 in general damages and $300,000 in punitive damage.
'My client was employed at the law firm as a paralegal (in 2003),' Ramirez said. 'She alleged that she was subjected to a hostile work environment and sexual harassment by Jim and Wayne during the time she was employed.'"
Oxford bus driver tracks down man accused of threatening students with gun
Oxford bus driver tracks down man accused of threatening students with gun: "Last week, around 15 Oxford city school students were terrorized by a man pointing a gun at their school bus.
If it wasn't for the quick response from the school bus driver the situation may have been worse.
During his nine years of driving a school bus, Russell Boles says he has never seen anything like this.
Boles was on his regular route when he got to the bus stop off County Road 181.
That's when he noticed a young man standing around. Boles said the man started to yell at some of the kids on the bus.
And then, Boles says the man reached around his back and pulled out a gun, 'he pointed it up at the windows then turned around and pointed it down at the bus. Then turned back. By that time the kids that was in the windows started running away from the windows and that's when I started telling the smaller kids to get away from the windows and get down.'"
If it wasn't for the quick response from the school bus driver the situation may have been worse.
During his nine years of driving a school bus, Russell Boles says he has never seen anything like this.
Boles was on his regular route when he got to the bus stop off County Road 181.
That's when he noticed a young man standing around. Boles said the man started to yell at some of the kids on the bus.
And then, Boles says the man reached around his back and pulled out a gun, 'he pointed it up at the windows then turned around and pointed it down at the bus. Then turned back. By that time the kids that was in the windows started running away from the windows and that's when I started telling the smaller kids to get away from the windows and get down.'"
Newport News police ID man killed in officer-involved shooting
ARTICLE: Newport News police ID man killed in officer-involved shooting (The Virginian-Pilot - HamptonRoads.com/PilotOnline.com): "Police on Monday released the name of a man who was shot to death Sunday in an officer-involved incident.
Robert Lamont Harper had apparently violated a $5,000 bond for several traffic violations, said Lou Thurston, spokesman for the Newport News Police Department. When the man's bail bondsman went to pick him up on a warrant, the man resisted and the bondsman called police, Thurston said.
Harper, 38, lived 'off and on' in the 1200 block of 25th St. where the shooting occurred, but had no permanent address, Thurston said. Harper, according to police, had failed to show up in court to answer his original charges.
Six officers responded to the boarding house in the southeast part of the city about 9 p.m. Sunday. The officers lined up on a stairway after being warned by the bondsmen that the victim 'had something in his hand,' Thurston said. When the victim made a sudden move in the direction of the stairs, the first officer in line fired his weapon. Harper died about 9:15."
Robert Lamont Harper had apparently violated a $5,000 bond for several traffic violations, said Lou Thurston, spokesman for the Newport News Police Department. When the man's bail bondsman went to pick him up on a warrant, the man resisted and the bondsman called police, Thurston said.
Harper, 38, lived 'off and on' in the 1200 block of 25th St. where the shooting occurred, but had no permanent address, Thurston said. Harper, according to police, had failed to show up in court to answer his original charges.
Six officers responded to the boarding house in the southeast part of the city about 9 p.m. Sunday. The officers lined up on a stairway after being warned by the bondsmen that the victim 'had something in his hand,' Thurston said. When the victim made a sudden move in the direction of the stairs, the first officer in line fired his weapon. Harper died about 9:15."
Melton: Mayor must obey law like anybody else
Melton: Mayor must obey law like anybody else - The Clarion-Ledger: "The Jackson American Civil Liberties Union is rightly urging Hinds County Circuit Judge Tomie Green to review if Mayor Frank Melton had violated his probation.
Melton is on probation after pleading no contest in November to carrying a gun on a school campus and guilty to two misdemeanor gun charges. He is also out on bail bond on five felony charges pending trial on allegations he and others damaged a home with sledgehammers.
Melton's recent actions involving raiding nightclubs, using the police department's Mobile Command Unit, his proximity to minors and adhering to a curfew appear to violate the agreements.
The ACLU is right to question if Melton is abiding by his probation and bond agreements, not as part of any vendetta, but as a simple matter of law."
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Melton is on probation after pleading no contest in November to carrying a gun on a school campus and guilty to two misdemeanor gun charges. He is also out on bail bond on five felony charges pending trial on allegations he and others damaged a home with sledgehammers.
Melton's recent actions involving raiding nightclubs, using the police department's Mobile Command Unit, his proximity to minors and adhering to a curfew appear to violate the agreements.
The ACLU is right to question if Melton is abiding by his probation and bond agreements, not as part of any vendetta, but as a simple matter of law."
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His law career over, ex-addict from Sunrise now helps others recover
His law career over, ex-addict from Sunrise now helps others recover: South Florida Sun-Sentinel: "John Cates let drug and alcohol addiction ruin a successful career as a criminal attorney, husband and father. Now, the 49-year-old from Sunrise is helping others as the co-owner of a drug and alcohol treatment center.
Cates lost his license to practice law in March 1993, after felony convictions for selling narcotics and grand theft in 1991 and 1992.
Lacking a law license, Cates opened a paralegal business and was convicted in 1996 and 2000 of defrauding at least 13 people out of more than $20,000. He served more than 2 1/2 years in jail.
'I fell into disgrace as a practicing attorney,' Cates said. 'Drugs were OK then. It was part of my fast life of being a lawyer. After a while I began to live to use [drugs]. I was always using. My disbarment and incarceration was the end result of that life.'"
Cates lost his license to practice law in March 1993, after felony convictions for selling narcotics and grand theft in 1991 and 1992.
Lacking a law license, Cates opened a paralegal business and was convicted in 1996 and 2000 of defrauding at least 13 people out of more than $20,000. He served more than 2 1/2 years in jail.
'I fell into disgrace as a practicing attorney,' Cates said. 'Drugs were OK then. It was part of my fast life of being a lawyer. After a while I began to live to use [drugs]. I was always using. My disbarment and incarceration was the end result of that life.'"
Sri Lankan Drug Smuggler Jailed
Sri Lankan Drug Smuggler Jailed: "A Sri Lankan man who smuggled over two grams of cannabis into the country has been jailed for life.
The Criminal Court passed the life sentence on Rathnayaka Mudiyanselaga Jayasintha on February 8, the Attorney General’s website says.
He had smuggled the cannabis leaves wrapped in tissue and jammed into a cigarette packet. Jayasintha worked as onboard MV Anakuree which sailed from Tuticorin, India, on the December 12 last year. He was arrested when Customs and Maldives Police Service officials found the drugs.
Jayasintha pleaded guilty to drug smuggling, but said that while he was an addict, he was not a dealer and he did not realise importing cannabis into the Maldives was illegal."
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The Criminal Court passed the life sentence on Rathnayaka Mudiyanselaga Jayasintha on February 8, the Attorney General’s website says.
He had smuggled the cannabis leaves wrapped in tissue and jammed into a cigarette packet. Jayasintha worked as onboard MV Anakuree which sailed from Tuticorin, India, on the December 12 last year. He was arrested when Customs and Maldives Police Service officials found the drugs.
Jayasintha pleaded guilty to drug smuggling, but said that while he was an addict, he was not a dealer and he did not realise importing cannabis into the Maldives was illegal."
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Friday, February 23, 2007
Trial moved to Feb. 27 for former Lonoke police chief, 2 others
Trial moved to Feb. 27 for former Lonoke police chief, 2 others: "The trial of a former Lonoke police chief, his wife, and a bail bondsman has been postponed a week, to February 27th.
Special Judge John Cole granted a request from defense attorneys to move the trial from next Tuesday to give the lawyers more time to examine 14-hundred pages of documents they received from Prosecutor Lona McCastlain.
Former chief Jay Campbell, his wife Kelly Campbell, and bondsman Bobby Junior Cox were among six people charged in a public corruption investigation. They are accused of a criminal conspiracy involving money, drugs and sex."
Special Judge John Cole granted a request from defense attorneys to move the trial from next Tuesday to give the lawyers more time to examine 14-hundred pages of documents they received from Prosecutor Lona McCastlain.
Former chief Jay Campbell, his wife Kelly Campbell, and bondsman Bobby Junior Cox were among six people charged in a public corruption investigation. They are accused of a criminal conspiracy involving money, drugs and sex."
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Mexican Court -- "Dog" Must Stand Trial
Mexican Court -- "Dog" Must Stand Trial - TMZ.com: "Duane 'Dog' Chapman, star of A&E's 'Dog the Bounty Hunter,' may have to return to Mexico to stand trial for deprivation of liberty, reports the AP, after a Mexican court ruled today that he should be extradited. The charge stems from Chapman's capture of convicted serial rapist Andrew Luster in Puerto Vallarta in 2003.
'Our attorneys have not even been formally informed of the court's decision, as of yet,' said Dog and wife Beth Chapman on AETV.com. 'We are obviously deeply disappointed and fearful of what will happen, and are currently absorbing the news and discussing our options at this time.' No further details were available."
'Our attorneys have not even been formally informed of the court's decision, as of yet,' said Dog and wife Beth Chapman on AETV.com. 'We are obviously deeply disappointed and fearful of what will happen, and are currently absorbing the news and discussing our options at this time.' No further details were available."
No Criminal Charges for 'Tigger' Actor Who Hit Teen at Disney World
FOXNews.com - No Criminal Charges for 'Tigger' Actor Who Hit Teen at Disney World - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News: "Criminal charges will not be filed against a Disney employee accused of hitting a teenager while in costume as the Winnie the Pooh character 'Tigger,' authorities said.
The State Attorney's Office announced Thursday that it will not press charges against Michael J. Fedelem. Prosecutors made the decision after reviewing a complaint from New Hampshire resident Jerry Monaco.
Monaco videotaped his 14-year-old son, Jerry Jr., posing with a costumed Fedelem at Disney-MGM Studios in January. At some point a confrontation occurred between the boy and Fedelem. The father later watched the videotape and said Fedelem intentionally hit his son 'on or about the head,' Orange County Sheriff officials said."
The State Attorney's Office announced Thursday that it will not press charges against Michael J. Fedelem. Prosecutors made the decision after reviewing a complaint from New Hampshire resident Jerry Monaco.
Monaco videotaped his 14-year-old son, Jerry Jr., posing with a costumed Fedelem at Disney-MGM Studios in January. At some point a confrontation occurred between the boy and Fedelem. The father later watched the videotape and said Fedelem intentionally hit his son 'on or about the head,' Orange County Sheriff officials said."
Attorney Indicted Over Probe at Church That Elder Bush Attended
1010 WINS - On-Air, Online, On Demand - Attorney Indicted Over Probe at Church That Elder Bush Attended: "A prominent Greenwich defense attorney was charged Friday with obstructing justice and destroying evidence in a probe of child pornography involving the music director at a church where former President Bush once worshipped.
Philip Russell, 48, of Stamford, was charged in a two-count indictment unsealed Friday, authorities said. He appeared in U.S. District Court in Bridgeport and was released after posting $100,000 bond.
Russell pleaded not guilty to the charges, said his attorney, Thomas Williams.
'Mr. Russell maintains his innocence to these charges,'' Williams said. 'He plans to continue with his law practice. He's optimistic that if the case is not dismissed, that a jury will find his conduct was lawful.''
Russell allegedly obstructed justice on Oct. 9, 2006, by destroying a laptop computer containing child pornography that was owned by Robert F. Tate, the former music director at Christ Church in Greenwich. Tate pleaded guilty in January to possessing child pornography."
Philip Russell, 48, of Stamford, was charged in a two-count indictment unsealed Friday, authorities said. He appeared in U.S. District Court in Bridgeport and was released after posting $100,000 bond.
Russell pleaded not guilty to the charges, said his attorney, Thomas Williams.
'Mr. Russell maintains his innocence to these charges,'' Williams said. 'He plans to continue with his law practice. He's optimistic that if the case is not dismissed, that a jury will find his conduct was lawful.''
Russell allegedly obstructed justice on Oct. 9, 2006, by destroying a laptop computer containing child pornography that was owned by Robert F. Tate, the former music director at Christ Church in Greenwich. Tate pleaded guilty in January to possessing child pornography."
Fourth person charged in Dec. 23 beating of Timothy Mayhew
Beatrice Daily Sun: "A fourth person has been charged in connection with the Dec. 23 beating of Timothy Mayhew in Blue Springs, according to Gage County Court documents.
Jarod R. Hicks, also known as Bubba Hicks, 20, of Blue Springs, has been charged in Gage County Court with aiding and abetting first degree assault, a Class III felony, in connection with the beating of Mayhew, 41, of Beatrice, during a family argument in Blue Springs on the night of Dec. 23.
Hicks was also charged in county court this week with second degree assault, a Class IIIA felony, in connection with a separate assault in November.
Billy A. O'Keefe, 20; Jesse C. Orr, 25; and Christopher O'Keefe, 14, all of Blue Springs, were arrested earlier in connection with the Mayhew incident and charged in Gage County Court with first degree assault, a Class III felony.
Billy O'Keefe was bound over to Gage County District Court earlier this month on his charge along with another first degree assault charge in a separate case, while Orr was bound over to district court in late January.
Christopher O'Keefe's case has been transferred to juvenile court."
Jarod R. Hicks, also known as Bubba Hicks, 20, of Blue Springs, has been charged in Gage County Court with aiding and abetting first degree assault, a Class III felony, in connection with the beating of Mayhew, 41, of Beatrice, during a family argument in Blue Springs on the night of Dec. 23.
Hicks was also charged in county court this week with second degree assault, a Class IIIA felony, in connection with a separate assault in November.
Billy A. O'Keefe, 20; Jesse C. Orr, 25; and Christopher O'Keefe, 14, all of Blue Springs, were arrested earlier in connection with the Mayhew incident and charged in Gage County Court with first degree assault, a Class III felony.
Billy O'Keefe was bound over to Gage County District Court earlier this month on his charge along with another first degree assault charge in a separate case, while Orr was bound over to district court in late January.
Christopher O'Keefe's case has been transferred to juvenile court."
Hit man case suspect tells judge he's dying
Hit man case suspect tells judge he's dying: "Homer Alonzo Thomas, a prisoner in the Madison County jail suspected of trying to hire a hit man to kill his daughter-in-law, asked Circuit Judge Laura W. Hamilton on Thursday to release him so he can die at home.
Thomas' attorney, Larry Morgan, told the judge in a hearing Thursday that his client has stomach cancer and that his bladder has been removed. Thomas also suffers from coronary artery disease and has blockage in four mayor blood vessels, he said. He is so weak that he spends a lot of time in a wheelchair, Morgan said.
Assistant District Attorney Bill Starnes argued that Thomas is in jail without bond waiting for trial on serious felonies. Starnes said Thomas poses a serious threat to the community if he is released."
Thomas' attorney, Larry Morgan, told the judge in a hearing Thursday that his client has stomach cancer and that his bladder has been removed. Thomas also suffers from coronary artery disease and has blockage in four mayor blood vessels, he said. He is so weak that he spends a lot of time in a wheelchair, Morgan said.
Assistant District Attorney Bill Starnes argued that Thomas is in jail without bond waiting for trial on serious felonies. Starnes said Thomas poses a serious threat to the community if he is released."
Attorneys don't know of 'capping' list
Article - News - Attorneys don't know of 'capping' list: "Part II of the bail bonds scheme attorney Joe Cavallo is charged in.
Yesterday: Jail 'tank workers' and 'cold-callers' steered inmates to Xtreme Bail Bonds, which allegedly sent them to Cavallo. Prosecutors say Cavallo kicked back one-third of his retainer back to Xtreme. He has pleaded not guilty.
I'll never forget John Barnett the first time Cavallo appeared in court on his indictment. Barnett's normally ruddy face was even ruddier and he seemed barely in control of his anger as he told the press he believed the D.A.'s Office was targeting Cavallo because he was an aggressive defense attorney and not well-liked.
We didn't hear much about it after that, as Barnett's motion to challenge the D.A. on the grounds of selective prosecution went behind closed doors. But at my request Tuesday, a clerk in Judge Carla Singer's 10th-floor courtroom tore open the envelope that had sealed Barnett's motion and handed me a packet about three-quarters of an inch thick. I went to the empty jury box and, while Singer conducted pre-trials in other cases, I read at my leisure."
Yesterday: Jail 'tank workers' and 'cold-callers' steered inmates to Xtreme Bail Bonds, which allegedly sent them to Cavallo. Prosecutors say Cavallo kicked back one-third of his retainer back to Xtreme. He has pleaded not guilty.
I'll never forget John Barnett the first time Cavallo appeared in court on his indictment. Barnett's normally ruddy face was even ruddier and he seemed barely in control of his anger as he told the press he believed the D.A.'s Office was targeting Cavallo because he was an aggressive defense attorney and not well-liked.
We didn't hear much about it after that, as Barnett's motion to challenge the D.A. on the grounds of selective prosecution went behind closed doors. But at my request Tuesday, a clerk in Judge Carla Singer's 10th-floor courtroom tore open the envelope that had sealed Barnett's motion and handed me a packet about three-quarters of an inch thick. I went to the empty jury box and, while Singer conducted pre-trials in other cases, I read at my leisure."
Town May Pay Up to $100,000 in Federal Case
Town May Pay Up to $100,000 in Federal Case - WestportNow.com - Westport, Connecticut: "The Town of Westport may pay up to $100,000 in a settlement of a case that involves three bail enforcement agents and Westport police officers.
Town Attorney Ira Bloom said there are settlement talks in a federal case between Lawrence and Mary Tirreno, Westport residents, and Barbara Mott, a bail bondsman, and two agents employed by her. The town is also named in the case.
The parties have been talking for weeks about a settlement in the case, he said, but there is no settlement and a trial date is set for March 13.
The Board of Finance approved a resolution at a special meeting Tuesday for the town to pay up to $100,000 in any potential settlement in the case, he said."
Town Attorney Ira Bloom said there are settlement talks in a federal case between Lawrence and Mary Tirreno, Westport residents, and Barbara Mott, a bail bondsman, and two agents employed by her. The town is also named in the case.
The parties have been talking for weeks about a settlement in the case, he said, but there is no settlement and a trial date is set for March 13.
The Board of Finance approved a resolution at a special meeting Tuesday for the town to pay up to $100,000 in any potential settlement in the case, he said."
Affidavit: Wife named Kenney as shooter
Salinas Californian - www.thecalifornian.com - Salinas, CA: "Court documents filed last week in a Carmel Valley double-homicide reveal dramatic details about a 9-1-1 call made moments before the deadly gunshots were fired.
John 'Jack' Kenney, 72, is charged with fatally shooting his neighbors, Melvin Grimes, 58, and Elizabeth Grimes, 55, on Jan. 31, during a quarrel over the placement of a boulder. The two sides had been engaged for years in a nasty property-line dispute.
An affidavit and search warrant, filed Friday by the Monterey County Sheriff's Office in Monterey County Superior Court, chronicle Elizabeth Grimes' emergency phone call on the day of her death. According to the document, Grimes called 9-1-1 at 5:38 p.m. reporting that her neighbor, Kenney, had blocked their driveway with a boulder and her husband, who had a heart condition, was trying to break the rock up with a sledgehammer."
John 'Jack' Kenney, 72, is charged with fatally shooting his neighbors, Melvin Grimes, 58, and Elizabeth Grimes, 55, on Jan. 31, during a quarrel over the placement of a boulder. The two sides had been engaged for years in a nasty property-line dispute.
An affidavit and search warrant, filed Friday by the Monterey County Sheriff's Office in Monterey County Superior Court, chronicle Elizabeth Grimes' emergency phone call on the day of her death. According to the document, Grimes called 9-1-1 at 5:38 p.m. reporting that her neighbor, Kenney, had blocked their driveway with a boulder and her husband, who had a heart condition, was trying to break the rock up with a sledgehammer."
Charges dropped against driver of Altar Valley school bus, for now
Charges dropped against driver of Altar Valley school bus, for now | www.azstarnet.com ®: "Criminal charges against an Altar Valley School District bus driver suspected of allowing children to misbehave on a school bus have been dropped, but they will likely be refiled in the next couple of weeks, a Pima County prosecutor said.
The charges against Fran Yourn, 42, were dismissed without prejudice, which means they can be refiled, said Chief Criminal Deputy Attorney David Berkman.
The Pima County Attorney's Office needed to obtain additional evidence before going to trial, Berkman said.
Pima County Sheriff's Department deputies arrested Yourn on Dec. 12 on suspicion of endangerment after a video surfaced of children acting rowdy on the bus."
The charges against Fran Yourn, 42, were dismissed without prejudice, which means they can be refiled, said Chief Criminal Deputy Attorney David Berkman.
The Pima County Attorney's Office needed to obtain additional evidence before going to trial, Berkman said.
Pima County Sheriff's Department deputies arrested Yourn on Dec. 12 on suspicion of endangerment after a video surfaced of children acting rowdy on the bus."
Inside an alleged bail bonds scheme
Article - News - Inside an alleged bail bonds scheme: "My mistake. Joe Cavallo apparently has already tried his selective-prosecution defense – and has been shot down. I didn't realize this because the hearing on the subject was conducted in secret because it involved grand jury testimony. So yesterday, I sat in Judge Carla Singer's courtroom and went through the entire case file, getting a look at previously sealed documents that lay out an illegal scheme prosecutors say Cavallo and a bail-bonds company conducted to drum up business.
The two men who owned Xtreme Bail Bonds in Santa Ana pleaded guilty last week and will get four months in jail. Cavallo, who has pleaded not guilty, is supposed to go to trial in July. One of his lawyer's key arguments is that the D.A.'s Office selectively targeted Cavallo for his aggressive defense in the Haidl and Jaramillo cases. We'll get to that, but first let's take our most detailed look yet at the way the weirdly named crime of 'attorney capping' supposedly worked in the O.C. Jail. The following is based on testimony by former inmates, as well as by former employees of Cavallo and Xtreme."
The two men who owned Xtreme Bail Bonds in Santa Ana pleaded guilty last week and will get four months in jail. Cavallo, who has pleaded not guilty, is supposed to go to trial in July. One of his lawyer's key arguments is that the D.A.'s Office selectively targeted Cavallo for his aggressive defense in the Haidl and Jaramillo cases. We'll get to that, but first let's take our most detailed look yet at the way the weirdly named crime of 'attorney capping' supposedly worked in the O.C. Jail. The following is based on testimony by former inmates, as well as by former employees of Cavallo and Xtreme."
Windy city set for Black trial
TorontoSun.com - Joe Warmington - Windy city set for Black trial: "The Big Show begins in the Windy City exactly one month from today.
This is the 2007 version of Chicago and just like the famous play this one will be a musical, dramatic and theatrical all rolled into one. The stage is set and the curtain is getting ready to fall. It promises to be a blockbuster.
If only the scalpers could sell tickets. What a media storm this will be!"
Need a Criminal Lawyer? Find one on AboutBail.com:
AboutBail.com - Directory of Criminal Lawyers
This is the 2007 version of Chicago and just like the famous play this one will be a musical, dramatic and theatrical all rolled into one. The stage is set and the curtain is getting ready to fall. It promises to be a blockbuster.
If only the scalpers could sell tickets. What a media storm this will be!"
Need a Criminal Lawyer? Find one on AboutBail.com:
AboutBail.com - Directory of Criminal Lawyers
Lawyer defends Lokuta’s former secretary
Times Leader | 02/13/2007 | Lawyer defends Lokuta’s former secretary: "Judge Ann Lokuta’s claim that former secretary Susan Weber engaged in theft by giving documents to state investigators is “shocking, obscene, and insidious” and done for only one reason, an attorney said.
“It can only be meant to intimidate the … witness by suggesting (Lokuta) has a basis to prosecute Weber for criminal activity,” an attorney for the state Board of Judicial Conduct said in response to the judge’s claim. “It is even more reprehensible to carry this claim forward and charge the Board with ‘participating in the criminal activity of Ms. Weber.’”"
“It can only be meant to intimidate the … witness by suggesting (Lokuta) has a basis to prosecute Weber for criminal activity,” an attorney for the state Board of Judicial Conduct said in response to the judge’s claim. “It is even more reprehensible to carry this claim forward and charge the Board with ‘participating in the criminal activity of Ms. Weber.’”"
Monday, February 19, 2007
Willacy County district attorney posts bond
The Brownsville Herald - Online Edition: "A judge Monday arraigned Willacy County District Attorney Juan Angel Guerra on $22,000 bail after he was charged with three felony theft charges and a misdemeanor charge stemming from his reported attempt to stop police from entering his office.
Guerra, 51, who is serving a third term as district attorney, posted bond about 1 p.m. after spending the night in the Willacy County Jail.
Police arrested Guerra on Sunday afternoon following an investigation in which state District Judge Migdalia Lopez appointed former District Attorney Gus Garza as special prosecutor.
In his arraignment before Municipal Judge Hector “Tiger” Huerta, Guerra sat alongside attorney Gilberto Hinojosa, the former longtime Cameron County judge, as brother Aurelio Guerra, a county commissioner, stood behind him."
Need a Bail Bond Agent? Find one on AboutBail.com:
AboutBail.com - Directory of Bail Bond Agents
Guerra, 51, who is serving a third term as district attorney, posted bond about 1 p.m. after spending the night in the Willacy County Jail.
Police arrested Guerra on Sunday afternoon following an investigation in which state District Judge Migdalia Lopez appointed former District Attorney Gus Garza as special prosecutor.
In his arraignment before Municipal Judge Hector “Tiger” Huerta, Guerra sat alongside attorney Gilberto Hinojosa, the former longtime Cameron County judge, as brother Aurelio Guerra, a county commissioner, stood behind him."
Need a Bail Bond Agent? Find one on AboutBail.com:
AboutBail.com - Directory of Bail Bond Agents
Mo. kidnap case challenges young lawyers
Mo. kidnap case challenges young lawyers: "The two young lawyers who have taken on the defense of alleged child abductor Michael Devlin are eager but they‘re being seen as underdogs in a costly and complex case.
'If you had said ‘do I know these guys?‘ I‘d have said ‘I have no clue,‘' said Chet Pleban, who‘s practiced criminal law in St. Louis for 33 years.
Corlija and Kielty are undeterred.
Devlin is the 41-year-old pizzeria manager charged with kidnapping 11-year-old Shawn Hornbeck in 2002 and 13-year-old Ben Ownby Jan. 8, both from rural areas of eastern Missouri. Both boys were found in Devlin‘s apartment in the St. Louis suburb of Kirkwood Jan. 12.
'The evidence is going to be overwhelming,' said Arthur Margulis, a criminal lawyer here for 35 years. 'This is not a whodunit. ... The odds of achieving a satisfactory result are very remote.'"
Need a Criminal Lawyer? Find one on AboutBail.com:
AboutBail.com - Directory of Criminal Lawyers
'If you had said ‘do I know these guys?‘ I‘d have said ‘I have no clue,‘' said Chet Pleban, who‘s practiced criminal law in St. Louis for 33 years.
Corlija and Kielty are undeterred.
Devlin is the 41-year-old pizzeria manager charged with kidnapping 11-year-old Shawn Hornbeck in 2002 and 13-year-old Ben Ownby Jan. 8, both from rural areas of eastern Missouri. Both boys were found in Devlin‘s apartment in the St. Louis suburb of Kirkwood Jan. 12.
'The evidence is going to be overwhelming,' said Arthur Margulis, a criminal lawyer here for 35 years. 'This is not a whodunit. ... The odds of achieving a satisfactory result are very remote.'"
Need a Criminal Lawyer? Find one on AboutBail.com:
AboutBail.com - Directory of Criminal Lawyers
Friday, February 16, 2007
Female Bounty Hunter / Private Investigator
Female Bounty Hunter / Private Investigator - PR.com: "Andy and Traici Crutchfield are not your typical bounty hunters; they are a normal husband and wife with a taste for excitement. This crime fighting couple works together solving mysteries, tracking down bail jumpers, finding lost loves, locating dead beat dads, catching cheating spouses, and more!
When it comes to bounty hunting, Andy says, “We have a 98% return rate. We have traveled as far west as Phoenix and as far north as Maine to track down fugitives that no one else could find. We once sat on a house for five days straight! We don't give up. To us, it is our reputation at stake. The bond may only pay us $1,000, but that means the bondsman stands to lose $10,000. That matters to us.” "
When it comes to bounty hunting, Andy says, “We have a 98% return rate. We have traveled as far west as Phoenix and as far north as Maine to track down fugitives that no one else could find. We once sat on a house for five days straight! We don't give up. To us, it is our reputation at stake. The bond may only pay us $1,000, but that means the bondsman stands to lose $10,000. That matters to us.” "
Officials: 'Fake cops' were bail bondsmen
The Beaufort Gazette: Officials: 'Fake cops' were bail bondsmen: "The robbery of two men in a greater Bluffton home Wednesday morning was not the work of two police impostors, the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office said Friday.
Rather, investigators now believe two bail bondsmen from a unidentified bonding company in Beaufort are responsible, and it's possible they had the wrong house, Capt. Toby McSwain said.
According to McSwain, the two victims -- both men, ages 48 and 20 -- living in the targeted All Joy Road home have not had jail bonds posted by a bondsman.
Sheriff's investigators are working with the South Carolina Department of Insurance, the licensing agency for bail bondsmen, to figure out what happened and whether a crime was committed.
'We've got to get to the bottom of whether these guys had the authority to take the money,' McSwain said."
Rather, investigators now believe two bail bondsmen from a unidentified bonding company in Beaufort are responsible, and it's possible they had the wrong house, Capt. Toby McSwain said.
According to McSwain, the two victims -- both men, ages 48 and 20 -- living in the targeted All Joy Road home have not had jail bonds posted by a bondsman.
Sheriff's investigators are working with the South Carolina Department of Insurance, the licensing agency for bail bondsmen, to figure out what happened and whether a crime was committed.
'We've got to get to the bottom of whether these guys had the authority to take the money,' McSwain said."
Bail-bond board issues licenses to four businesses
Bail-bond board issues licenses to four businesses: "Local bail-bond businesses have taken a liking to the recently created Angelina County bail bonds board, which regulates and oversees county bondsmen.
'It's more security for the county right now,' said Lester Bellows of ABC Bail Bonds. 'And it puts more legitimate people in the business.'
Since the first of the year, the board — spearheaded by District Judge Barry Bryan — has approved and licensed four businesses for bailing out people arrested and booked in Angelina County Jail, including ABC Bail Bonds, Affordable Bail Bonds, American Bail Bonds and Bail America.
The board was created to add structure and provide those who deal with the process most some input, Bryan said.
Board members include local lawyers, judges and county leaders, including Pct. 1 Justice of the Peace Billy Ball, former County Judge Joe Berry, County Clerk JoAnn Chastain, County Attorney Ed Jones, District Clerk Reba Squyres, Treasurer Lois Warner, state District Judge Paul White, Sheriff Kent Henson and District Attorney Clyde Herrington."
'It's more security for the county right now,' said Lester Bellows of ABC Bail Bonds. 'And it puts more legitimate people in the business.'
Since the first of the year, the board — spearheaded by District Judge Barry Bryan — has approved and licensed four businesses for bailing out people arrested and booked in Angelina County Jail, including ABC Bail Bonds, Affordable Bail Bonds, American Bail Bonds and Bail America.
The board was created to add structure and provide those who deal with the process most some input, Bryan said.
Board members include local lawyers, judges and county leaders, including Pct. 1 Justice of the Peace Billy Ball, former County Judge Joe Berry, County Clerk JoAnn Chastain, County Attorney Ed Jones, District Clerk Reba Squyres, Treasurer Lois Warner, state District Judge Paul White, Sheriff Kent Henson and District Attorney Clyde Herrington."
Bail bondsman has big ideas for community’s future
Bail bondsman has big ideas for community’s future | LJWorld.com: "Sam Fields has never been able to get the big ideas out of his head.
That’s probably why Lawrence residents will hear Fields talking about Egypt during his campaign to fill one of three at-large seats on the City Commission.
“The problem with a lot of people is that they just live in today’s world,” Fields said. “They don’t think 20 to 30 years down the road.”
Fields said making sure the city doesn’t fall into that trap is one of his major goals. So, enter Egypt.
Here it is in a nutshell: Lawrence is looking to build a new public library. Fields thinks it should be along the banks of the Kansas River in the former Riverfront Mall — which is owned by members of The World Company, which owns the Journal-World. The location would be unique, but Fields wants to go further and dedicate the whole library to the lost Library of Alexandria, Egypt, which was on the banks of the Nile."
That’s probably why Lawrence residents will hear Fields talking about Egypt during his campaign to fill one of three at-large seats on the City Commission.
“The problem with a lot of people is that they just live in today’s world,” Fields said. “They don’t think 20 to 30 years down the road.”
Fields said making sure the city doesn’t fall into that trap is one of his major goals. So, enter Egypt.
Here it is in a nutshell: Lawrence is looking to build a new public library. Fields thinks it should be along the banks of the Kansas River in the former Riverfront Mall — which is owned by members of The World Company, which owns the Journal-World. The location would be unique, but Fields wants to go further and dedicate the whole library to the lost Library of Alexandria, Egypt, which was on the banks of the Nile."
Bondsman's car stolen; suspect calls for bail
Inside Bay Area - Bondsman's car stolen; suspect calls for bail: "The moral of the story is: When you steal your bail bondsman's car, don't call him and ask to be bailed out when you're caught. At least, one bail bondsman doesn't recommend it.
John Yonan, owner of Minuteman Bail Bonds in Tracy, walked out of his home last year and discovered his fire engine red Mitsubishi Eclipse sports car was gone.
The car was recovered later the same day in Oakdale, and Yonan drove to pick it up from a car dealer the next day. He found damage: dents, scratches, bald tires, and the engine eventually needed to be replaced twice. Yonan found a letter the thief had written. It was a list to his mother of what to do with his belongings when he went to jail.
He gave it to police — it served as 'a road map to the thief' — and they arrested a suspect, Yonan said.
The next day, Yonan answered the phone at his bail bonds business and the man on the other end asked for money to be posted so he can be released from jail.
'The guy starts describing how much his bail is and what his charges are,' Yonan said. 'He said 'Grand theft auto,' and I said, 'Was that a red car?' He said 'Yeah,' then I asked, 'Was it a Mitsubishi Eclipse?' He said 'How did you know that?' I told him 'You stole my car.''"
John Yonan, owner of Minuteman Bail Bonds in Tracy, walked out of his home last year and discovered his fire engine red Mitsubishi Eclipse sports car was gone.
The car was recovered later the same day in Oakdale, and Yonan drove to pick it up from a car dealer the next day. He found damage: dents, scratches, bald tires, and the engine eventually needed to be replaced twice. Yonan found a letter the thief had written. It was a list to his mother of what to do with his belongings when he went to jail.
He gave it to police — it served as 'a road map to the thief' — and they arrested a suspect, Yonan said.
The next day, Yonan answered the phone at his bail bonds business and the man on the other end asked for money to be posted so he can be released from jail.
'The guy starts describing how much his bail is and what his charges are,' Yonan said. 'He said 'Grand theft auto,' and I said, 'Was that a red car?' He said 'Yeah,' then I asked, 'Was it a Mitsubishi Eclipse?' He said 'How did you know that?' I told him 'You stole my car.''"
Bail bondsman only takes exact change
WDAM.com Laurel-Hattiesburg, MS The Pinebelt's Choice For News, Sports and Weather | Bail bondsman only takes exact change: "Hattiesburg police say two vending machine bandits are behind bars after being captured near Forrest General this weekend.
HPD and hospital police arrested 39-year-old Thomas Oswalt and 50-year-old Donald Ray Jordan Saturday night at the intersection of Pine Street and Highway 49.
Allegedly Jordan and Oswalt tried to pry open some hospital vending machines. Both have been charged with possession of burglary tools.
Police say the arrest of Oswalt will clear other local vending machine and commercial burglaries."
HPD and hospital police arrested 39-year-old Thomas Oswalt and 50-year-old Donald Ray Jordan Saturday night at the intersection of Pine Street and Highway 49.
Allegedly Jordan and Oswalt tried to pry open some hospital vending machines. Both have been charged with possession of burglary tools.
Police say the arrest of Oswalt will clear other local vending machine and commercial burglaries."
Morristown bondsman sentenced to 18 months for income tax evasion
Tri-Cities, Tennessee Personal News and Media Center: "A Morristown bondsman who failed to report more than $325,000 in income to the Internal Revenue Service has been sentenced to 18 months in prison.
Roy Lee Noe pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Greeneville in September to two counts of income tax evasion. Last week, Noe received an 18-month prison sentence, three years probation and was ordered to pay $323,123 in restitution to the IRS, which encompasses tax years 1999 through 2003 and tax previously owed for 1995.
Four remaining counts of income tax evasion were dismissed as part of the plea agreement. Noe faced a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count.
Prosecutors say Noe admitted to attempting to evade income tax for the year 1999 and attempting to evade the payment of income taxes for the years 1994 and 1995."
Roy Lee Noe pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Greeneville in September to two counts of income tax evasion. Last week, Noe received an 18-month prison sentence, three years probation and was ordered to pay $323,123 in restitution to the IRS, which encompasses tax years 1999 through 2003 and tax previously owed for 1995.
Four remaining counts of income tax evasion were dismissed as part of the plea agreement. Noe faced a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count.
Prosecutors say Noe admitted to attempting to evade income tax for the year 1999 and attempting to evade the payment of income taxes for the years 1994 and 1995."
Bondsman's action was legal
Shelbyville Times-Gazette: Story: Bondsman's action was legal: "A Shelbyville-based bail bondsman has not violated a state law against unprofessional conduct because the signs at his recently-opened office next to the Marshall County Jail are advertising, not solicitations.
That's the ruling from Circuit Court Judge Robert Crigler who denied a motion from Assistant District Attorney General Eddie Barnard on Wednesday when the prosecutor cited a law defining unprofessional conduct by bail bondsmen as soliciting business directly or indirectly, by active or passive means.
Bail bondsmen found to have acted in an unprofessional manner may be stricken from a list of approved bonding companies, according to state law."
That's the ruling from Circuit Court Judge Robert Crigler who denied a motion from Assistant District Attorney General Eddie Barnard on Wednesday when the prosecutor cited a law defining unprofessional conduct by bail bondsmen as soliciting business directly or indirectly, by active or passive means.
Bail bondsmen found to have acted in an unprofessional manner may be stricken from a list of approved bonding companies, according to state law."
County limits a third of its bail bond companies
The Monitor - McAllen, Texas: "The sheriff’s department corrected the computer loophole in their bail bonds system this morning, effectively shutting down a third of the bondsmen in Hidalgo County.
“We just did it a little while ago,” said Cmdr. Danny Garcia of the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Department.
“They don’t really start bonding out until the afternoon time, so we wouldn’t have had any problems yet. I don’t think there will be.”
For years bail bonding companies have been operating under wildly inflated limits, allowing them to bond out an almost unlimited number of prisoners with limited collateral. County officials have attributed to the situation to a programming error made during former sheriff Enrique “Henry” Escalon’s administration.
Last week the Hidalgo County Bail Bonds Board voted to enter the companies’ correct limits, preventing any bondsman in debt to the county from bonding out any more prisoners.
According to sheriff’s department records, eight bail bondsmen are presently over their limits, in some cases by more than $1 million. Two bonding companies that were over Friday have since had their limits increased, presumably after providing the county with more collateral."
“We just did it a little while ago,” said Cmdr. Danny Garcia of the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Department.
“They don’t really start bonding out until the afternoon time, so we wouldn’t have had any problems yet. I don’t think there will be.”
For years bail bonding companies have been operating under wildly inflated limits, allowing them to bond out an almost unlimited number of prisoners with limited collateral. County officials have attributed to the situation to a programming error made during former sheriff Enrique “Henry” Escalon’s administration.
Last week the Hidalgo County Bail Bonds Board voted to enter the companies’ correct limits, preventing any bondsman in debt to the county from bonding out any more prisoners.
According to sheriff’s department records, eight bail bondsmen are presently over their limits, in some cases by more than $1 million. Two bonding companies that were over Friday have since had their limits increased, presumably after providing the county with more collateral."
Assault raises questions about freedom for accused rapist
Wtnh.com, Connecticut News and Weather - Assault raises questions about freedom for accused rapist: "State officials are investigating after a social services client out on bond for an alleged rape was accused of raping another woman.
Michael Quiles was charged with rape in December 2005, when he was still under state care.
A persistent public defender and a sympathetic bail commissioner talked a judge into releasing him back into a state program while his case was pending."
Michael Quiles was charged with rape in December 2005, when he was still under state care.
A persistent public defender and a sympathetic bail commissioner talked a judge into releasing him back into a state program while his case was pending."
Youthful lawyers hired in high-profile abduction case
Journal Gazette | 02/12/2007 | Youthful lawyers hired in high-profile abduction case: "The two young lawyers who have taken on the defense of alleged child abductor Michael Devlin are eager, but they’re being seen as underdogs in a costly and complex case.
Ethan Corlija, 32, and his 33-year-old law partner, Michael Kielty, are relatively unknown even within the clubby world of St. Louis lawyers.
“If you had said, ‘do I know these guys?’ I’d have said, ‘I have no clue,’ ” said Chet Pleban, who’s practiced criminal law in St. Louis for 33 years.
Some of the city’s leading criminal lawyers wonder whether they have sufficient experience and resources to mount a proper defense in a case where every legal step will be scrutinized."
Ethan Corlija, 32, and his 33-year-old law partner, Michael Kielty, are relatively unknown even within the clubby world of St. Louis lawyers.
“If you had said, ‘do I know these guys?’ I’d have said, ‘I have no clue,’ ” said Chet Pleban, who’s practiced criminal law in St. Louis for 33 years.
Some of the city’s leading criminal lawyers wonder whether they have sufficient experience and resources to mount a proper defense in a case where every legal step will be scrutinized."
At Libby’s Defense Table, a Tough but Deft Lawyer
At Libby’s Defense Table, a Tough but Deft Lawyer - New York Times: "One of Theodore V. Wells Jr.’s past clients slipped quietly into the courtroom recently to watch a day in the perjury trial of I. Lewis Libby Jr. Mike Espy, agriculture secretary under President Bill Clinton, sat watching Mr. Wells, whose defense of Mr. Espy against criminal charges that he had accepted illegal gifts ended in 1998 with a stunning verdict of not guilty on 30 counts."
The Espy case is one reason Mr. Wells is regarded as a celebrated defense lawyer with a reputation for a sure and supple touch with criminal juries. In that case, Mr. Wells prepared himself by asking Mr. Espy to move into his house in New Jersey, where, Mr. Espy recalled, for two months the two men talked “over and over about the facts of the case” until Mr. Espy felt that Mr. Wells had become his alter ego.
Reid Weingarten, another well-known criminal lawyer who shared the defense table with Mr. Wells in the Espy case, said: “The real truth about Ted is that it’s not about the flash, the geniality and the big smile. He is a prodigious worker. He loves facts. No one outworks him. No one.”
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Bail Bonds News Roundup, Feb. 8, 2007
Bail Bonds News Roundup, Feb. 8, 2007 - AboutBail.com Bail Bond Agent Directory: "Bail News Roundup - February 8, 2007
It was a busy week in the bail bondsmen and bounty hunter world this past week. News of arrests, lawsuit and even bizarre cases gave the staff at AboutBail.com plenty to discuss:
Bail Bondsman Can Legally Advertise
According to a news item in the Shelbyville Times-Gazette on Thursday, February 1, 2007, a Shelbyville bail bondsman has been allowed by a court to have signs at his offices. Assistant District Attorney General Eddie Barnard raised a motion that the signs near the Marshall County Jail were solicitations and so was violating a state law against unprofessional conduct. However, Circuit Court Judge Robert Crigler denied the motion and instead ruled that the signs constituted advertisements.
Why Criminals Can’t Always Turn to Bail Bondsmen
According to an article that ran in a Bay Area newspaper on Wednesday, January 28, 2007, a bail bondsman in John Yonan, owner of Minuteman Bail Bonds in Tracy recently solved a crime – and turned down a request for a bail bondsman. Yonan had his car stolen and in the damaged vehicle that was eventually recovered he found a letter from the thief. Yonan’s sharp eye allowed police to track down the thief and arrest him..."
It was a busy week in the bail bondsmen and bounty hunter world this past week. News of arrests, lawsuit and even bizarre cases gave the staff at AboutBail.com plenty to discuss:
Bail Bondsman Can Legally Advertise
According to a news item in the Shelbyville Times-Gazette on Thursday, February 1, 2007, a Shelbyville bail bondsman has been allowed by a court to have signs at his offices. Assistant District Attorney General Eddie Barnard raised a motion that the signs near the Marshall County Jail were solicitations and so was violating a state law against unprofessional conduct. However, Circuit Court Judge Robert Crigler denied the motion and instead ruled that the signs constituted advertisements.
Why Criminals Can’t Always Turn to Bail Bondsmen
According to an article that ran in a Bay Area newspaper on Wednesday, January 28, 2007, a bail bondsman in John Yonan, owner of Minuteman Bail Bonds in Tracy recently solved a crime – and turned down a request for a bail bondsman. Yonan had his car stolen and in the damaged vehicle that was eventually recovered he found a letter from the thief. Yonan’s sharp eye allowed police to track down the thief and arrest him..."
Monday, February 12, 2007
Bounty hunting a shaking and stirring business
The Breeze - Top Stories: "Doug Dunkle works a lot.
“I’ve got one of the worst jobs in the U.S., as far as I go,” Dunkle said.
Dunkle is the owner of 1-800-FOR-BAIL — a bonds business on Liberty Street, which operates 24 hours a day, and it’s not unusual for Dunkle to drive 200 miles a day on a case, looking for someone who might be delinquent on a bail payment. Currently, he’s been working on a case for three weeks, driving about 1,500 miles from Rockingham County, to Fairfax, to Winchester and out of state.
Dunkle said most people don’t realize bondsmen are licensed insurance agents first and foremost — they assess risk. However, bonds agents don’t assess the risk of the criminal, they instead determine the risk of the co-signer of the bond.
Different people present varying degrees of risk, and Dunkle said someone who has no ties to the community poses a higher risk of skipping town and dodging court than someone who does."
“I’ve got one of the worst jobs in the U.S., as far as I go,” Dunkle said.
Dunkle is the owner of 1-800-FOR-BAIL — a bonds business on Liberty Street, which operates 24 hours a day, and it’s not unusual for Dunkle to drive 200 miles a day on a case, looking for someone who might be delinquent on a bail payment. Currently, he’s been working on a case for three weeks, driving about 1,500 miles from Rockingham County, to Fairfax, to Winchester and out of state.
Dunkle said most people don’t realize bondsmen are licensed insurance agents first and foremost — they assess risk. However, bonds agents don’t assess the risk of the criminal, they instead determine the risk of the co-signer of the bond.
Different people present varying degrees of risk, and Dunkle said someone who has no ties to the community poses a higher risk of skipping town and dodging court than someone who does."
Friday, February 02, 2007
Mock Shooter Takes Waterman
Mock Shooter Takes Waterman - News: "Before students returned for the second semester, UVM Chief of Police Gary Margolis and University of Vermont Police services initiated an exercise to test the effectiveness of police services against a shooter on campus.
The exercise occurred Jan. 8 at the Waterman Administration building. Margolis brought relevant groups in, such as the Burlington Police Department and the Vermont State Police's Tactical Service Unit to assist in the exercise and gain training.
Exercises, such as the one held on Jan. 8, are planned and implemented to test the security and safety of the University of Vermont, and also to practice for crisis situations on campus.
'They are emergencies and crises because they are outside reality. You're never quite prepared, but I think we are as prepared as we can be. However, you're never quite sure who is going to show up,' said Margolis on the effectiveness of the exercise."
The exercise occurred Jan. 8 at the Waterman Administration building. Margolis brought relevant groups in, such as the Burlington Police Department and the Vermont State Police's Tactical Service Unit to assist in the exercise and gain training.
Exercises, such as the one held on Jan. 8, are planned and implemented to test the security and safety of the University of Vermont, and also to practice for crisis situations on campus.
'They are emergencies and crises because they are outside reality. You're never quite prepared, but I think we are as prepared as we can be. However, you're never quite sure who is going to show up,' said Margolis on the effectiveness of the exercise."
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