Archive for July, 2009


July 30th, 2009

JUDGE WATCH: Justice Keller Trial Set to Start August 17 in San Antonio, Civil Trial Judge Berchelman Presiding

It’s going to be hard to get a parking space around the Bexar County Courthouse in San Antonio later this month — because starting August 17th, the impeachment trial of Justice Sharon Keller will begin in the courtroom of State District Court Judge David Berchelmann Jr.

A State Civil District Judge Will Preside Over the Impeachment Trial of the Chief Justice of the Highest Court in the State for Criminal Proceedings

That’s right. Judge Berchelmann will have the duty of acting as “special master” in the Keller impeachment. And, while it’s like a civil trial (which he presides over regularly), things will be a bit different. He will hear opening statements and closing arguments. Witnesses will take the stand and documents will be entered into evidence. (more…)

Posted by Michael Lowe at 7:07 pm

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Labels: Judge Watch


July 27th, 2009

Crime News: Texas Police Get More Power to Control You

Effective this September 1st, about six weeks from now, two laws are going into effect that could have a big impact on your freedom. They give lots of power to Texas law enforcement in their dealings with the public — and if you’ve been following this blog and the antics of Texas cops these days, these new tidbits of legislation should really give you pause.

First one: The Cops Can Arrest You if You Don’t Evacuate Your Home on Their Order – The Lemming Law

That’s right. Starting 09/01/09, cops are allowed to use “reasonable force” on anyone in this state that doesn’t meekly abide by an evacuation order — you know, those orders to leave town because a fire is coming, or a tornado, or a hurricane. Remember all those stalled highways in Houston with everyone in a panic trying to escape a disaster that never happened? Well, now the cops can add to this ARRESTING anyone who doesn’t jump on the bandwagon …. (more…)

Posted by Michael Lowe at 6:04 pm

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Labels: Cop Watch, Crime News, Media Watch, Orwellian Threats to Rights


July 22nd, 2009

Crime News: Paris TX Protests and the Pending Death Penalty for Hate Crime Law

Perhaps you’ve seen some of the news reports from Paris, Texas, about simultaneous demonstrations planned by the New Black Panther Party and the Ku Klux Klan after murder charges were dropped by the authorities against the two white men accused of killing a black man by running him over by a truck and then dragging him. The Nation of Islam and the Concerned Citizens for Racial Equality were also rumored to be attending. (more…)

Posted by Michael Lowe at 2:04 pm

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Labels: Crime News, DA Watch


July 20th, 2009

Cop Watch: Local Cops Crazy-Taser on Video, Suspensions Follow in One Instance

This blog continues to collect stories from around the state involving law enforcement’s inappropriate use of stun guns, or “Tasers.” Today, two more stories unfold – both captured on video.

1. Setting in Back of the Car, Get Tasered in Dallas – “Take It!! Take It!!!”

Dallas cops were chasing a Honda through the West End back in March. There were three men inside the Honda, and they were thought to have beat up another man in the downtown area earlier that night. (more…)

Posted by Michael Lowe at 2:29 pm

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Labels: Cop Watch, Orwellian Threats to Rights


July 15th, 2009

Cop Watch: Exotic Dancer’s Testimony Believed Over Dallas Cops and Felony Drug Case Thrown Out by Dallas Judge

Scarlett Haley is an exotic dancer here in Dallas. On Monday, Scarlett testified before District Judge Pat McDowell, telling the Court that the Dallas cops had lied. The Judge believed her, not the police. Wow. And, yes, this is a true story.

Here’s what happened – according to Scarlett.

Scarlett was asleep, at home, when there was a knock at the door. Her mother answered, and Dallas police came in. They were looking for Scarlett’s boyfriend. They were looking for drugs. (more…)

Posted by Michael Lowe at 12:22 am

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Labels: Cop Watch, Corrupt Cops, Orwellian Threats to Rights


July 13th, 2009

Cop Watch: FBI Busts 2 Sheriff’s Deputies in Major Meth Distribution Biz Run by Motorcycle Gang

Of course, this was a drug dealer’s dream.

For many years, the Hockley County Sheriff’s Lead Investigator Deputy Gordon Bohannon and Narcotics Officer Jesse Quintanilla were working with Motorcycle Gang leader and drug dealer Bobby Duwayne Froman by helping him avoid getting caught as he ran a big meth distribution business out of the Lubbock area, which networked over to California and up north to several Plains states. (more…)

Posted by Michael Lowe at 2:46 pm

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Labels: Cop Watch, Corrupt Cops


July 8th, 2009

Death Row: Rodney Reed Loses Appeal Despite Evidence that Cop Was Real Killer

Death Row inmate Rodney Reed, 41, brought an appeal of his case before the highest court in our state for criminal matters, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, arguing that there is new evidence in his case. And, this evidence points to the victim’s boyfriend – who was a cop at the time – as the real killer.

The victim, Stacey Stites, was sexually assaulted and then murdered. Her boyfriend, Jimmy Fennell, was a Georgetown policeman at the time of her death. (more…)

Posted by Michael Lowe at 3:07 pm

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Labels: Court Opinions, Death Row


July 6th, 2009

Cop Watch: Webster Cops Taser Pastor at His Church and Pepper Spray the Congregants

These stories about Texas police and their tasers just keep coming – and you gotta wonder which story is the worst. And when something is going to be done about Taser-Happy Police in this state.

The latest story: cops use a taser on a pastor – at the church!

Over in Webster, Texas (which is close to Houston), the police claim that they were just doing a routine traffic stop when this guy interfered with them.

This guy who was interfering was the Pastor of the church whose property they were standing on … and whose church member was the person made the subject of the traffic stop.

Pastor Jose Elias Moran says he was trying to help his congregant, and he got tasered for his efforts. He’s got over 40 other church members who will be witnesses to the event, and they’ll be testifying that they were pepper-sprayed for their efforts to help.

While the cop says the pastor was interfering and pushed him (the cop), the pastor and his following dispute this, reportingly claiming that the cop was angry, the pastor went into the church for help, and after the cop kicked the door of the church these congregants came out where the altercation insued with the tasering and the pepper spray.

Latest on this story: the pastor was hospitalized, and he’s called a lawyer.

Within the past year, taser-targets of Texas Police just seem to get more and more obviously wrong…these stories are hitting us on a monthly basis:

In July 2009, we’ve got a Pastor being tasered by Webster police.

In June 2009, we had the Austin cop tasering the 72 year old grandma (twice) .

In May 2009, we had the drunk who got tasered to death by Galveston cops.

In April 2009, we had the Oakwood Police Chief who tasered his own WIFE.

In March 2009, we had the Houston cops tasering the Father of the Bride at a wedding where family friend Houston Astros pitcher Brandon Backe was arrested.

Tasers are dangerous. And while it’s true that it’s better to use a taser than a gun (and obvious deadly force), it’s nonsensical to think that a Taser is really necessary in dealing with an incapacitated drunk, a 72 year old woman, a Father of the Bride at his daughter’s wedding, or the Pastor at a church … much less a cop’s own wife.

Something needs to be done about this. Now.

Posted by Michael Lowe at 3:36 pm

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Labels: Cop Watch