People In Cages

For the first time ever, more than one in every 100 Americans is either in jail or prison - thats 2.3 million people. We lead the world. Texas leads America.

Right wingers begin the Slow Clap.

You Mess With The Bull And . . . .

PETA protests the "Running Of The Bulls."

Ladies, I find your argument very persuasive.

Oh, My

Fort Worth Star Telegram story.

The death had already been reported by the Messenger and other sources a couple of weeks ago. The big news is that the death has been determined to have occurred in Decatur. That means that the Wise County Courthouse now has jurisdiction over the case.

Because the child is under six, it qualifies as capital murder. I'm not sure we've had one of those in quite some time.

Edit: Fox 4 video here.

Hey, Now

Hey, I'm tired.

Hey, Now

So I'm in trial all day only to find out people would think I would be interested in the Star Telegram's pictures of Brazilian girls in their underwear.

I'll incorporate it into closing argument tomorrow. Maybe. Or not.

Slow Again

Yep, another DWI trial in the same week. As I write this, I'm sitting in the courtroom with two potential jurors in the gallery (and it's before 8:00 a.m.). I try to get here earlier to at least give the jurors the impression I'm prepared and ready to go. This case will be a little trickier because it involves a breath test. But it's both a comfortable and stressful life practicing in Wise County. On the way up to the courthouse, I was able to look over to see if the prosecutor's car was in its normal spot behind Sweetie Pie Ribeye's (it was.) Then the judge honked at me as he drove by. And I entered the courthouse to see the same friendly faces as I always do. I'll try to keep you updated. Edit: Jury picked. Three men. Three women. Trooper has finished direct examination. Break for lunch. We'll show the video when we get back. Followed by officer cross. Then the "technical supervisor" of DPS who is allegedly in charge of the Intoxliyzer 5000. Had two clients on the jury panel. They didn't make it on the jury. Edit: Officer done. Video played. Edit: Ok, both sides rested and closed. It went much quicker than I thought it would. Technical Supervisor testified (she drives me nuts, but was fairly cooperative today.) And then my guy testified. Closing arguments tomorrow morning followed by jury deliberations. I'll let you know more tomorrow. I seriously doubt any of the jurors read The Blog but, just in case, I'll let you know more about the facts once this thing is over. Edit: Friday morning. Closing arguments begin at 9:00 a.m. Feel like I'm catching a cold.

Mugshot Is Gold

Story behind the mugshot is golder-er-er.

I'm Talking Denton?

I don't know anything about the Denton County race for a particular county commissioner position, but when one candidate runs this pic of his opponent, it makes me sad that Wise County is so civil.

Hugh Coleman v. Cynthia White. In the octagon. Now.

An Open Letter To U.S. Senate Hopeful Rick Noriega

Dear Rick:

LBJ called. He wants his hat back.

Love,

Barry

Meet Eric Gahagen

I saw this story of Fox 4 last night and now the Star Telegram has picked it up. This 27 year old guy from Pennsylvania had a buddy drive him to the home of a 14 year old girl in Bedford that he had met on The Internets. He stays with her on Sunday night (she kept him in the closet) but the jig was up when the girl's mother found him sleeping in the teen's bed while she was at school.

I keep picturing Mom walking by her daughter's room and having a huge question mark form over her head when she saw this fine fellow asleep on her sweet daughter's bed.

Four? Count 'em, Four?

The Messenger's paper edition today has four letters supporting Phil King. (I'll save you time: Vote for him because he supports "family" and "traditional" values and he doesn't like gambling. Yep, Phil King hates blackjack.)

Edit: Tison's latest shot across the bow.

Love and Marriage

While waiting to enter a plea this morning in district court, I had to wait until some "temporary orders" were entered in a divorce case. It's not that unusual. A couple, normally with lawyers, dictate their agreement into the record regarding property and children until a divorce can be finalized.

This one was unusual because the young soon-to-be-ex-wife was crying pretty hard. It was sad. I looked out in the gallery and saw a couple of people wiping their eyes.

Upon reflection, I surprised I don't see that more often.

Randomly Interesting

A spare talk show hosts introduces John McCain by trying to rev up the crowd. He refers to Obama's middle name. McCain backtracks.

CINCINNATI, Ohio—A conservative radio talk show host who helped introduce Senator John McCain before a rally here Tuesday used Senator Barack Obama’s middle name, Hussein, three times, while disparaging him, prompting Mr. McCain to apologize and repudiate the comments afterward . . . .

“It’s my understanding that before I came in here a person who was on the program before I spoke made some disparaging remarks about my two colleagues in the Senate, Senator Obama and Senator Clinton,” he said. “I have repeatedly stated my respect for Senator Obama and Senator Clinton, that I will treat them with respect. I will call them ‘Senator.’ We will have a respectful debate, as I have said on hundreds of occasions. I regret any comments that may have been made about these two individuals who are honorable Americans.”

That should bring out the nut cases.

Greatest Publicity Stunt Ever?

I could not care less about Starbucks closing across the nation for three hours yesterday for "training" (I haven't bought a Starbucks coffee in three years). But that bit was nothing more than a publicity stunt. You don't need to close all the stores at the same time to school your employees. It was done to get attention.

And, man, did it work. That story is everywhere. (I saw it on the local news, on ABC's World News Tonight, and now The Today Show). The amount of free advertising dollars had to be astronomical. (And I guess I'm part of it.)

Anyone? Anyone?

Link.

Constructive Criticism For Star Telegram Home Page

And Another

Well, kinda.

Facts: This former stripper and (up until last week) special-ed teacher's aid is accused of renting a hotel room where minors partied with her. "New Kensington police said they found suspected crack cocaine, empty beer cans and used condoms in a room that Abbiejane Swogger, 34, of Harrison, shared with minors Thursday night at New Kensington's Clarion Hotel. The room contained drug paraphernalia and a marijuana odor when officers arrived just before noon on Friday to follow up on reports of missing teens, said Detective Dennis Marsili."

Verdict: Do you think I'm going to convict someone named Abbiejane Swogger who used to be an exotic dancer? No way! Especially when she had dedicated her life to helping special-ed kids? Double no way! This is obviously a set up by kids who are jealous of her presumably hot body and love for the disadvantaged. Abbiejane, you ask for a dismissal and an apology. Godspeed.

Next case.

Hey, I Got A Letter To The Editior

The stealing of Yard Signs happens every election cycle, but that is not an excuse. It is still illegal and shameful to do so. The signs, which supporters of the candidates put in their yards, cost approximately $5 a piece. The campaign money that buys those signs is donated money from some hard working Americans and taxpayers. The “Tradition” of stealing Yard signs is almost as old as Voting itself. Politicians, both Democrat and Republican, would more than likely like this “tradition” to stop. For me personally, theirs something about stealing campaign signs, whether they be Democrat or Republican that is truly UNAMERICAN and not patriotic in the least and somehow the spirit of Democracy is broken when it is done. Being a Democrat, I feel that the reason that our Democratic Political signs are being stolen is because we have very strong candidates this year. I will assume that the person(s) responsible for taking down the signs are supporters of the Democrats and would like a sign for their yard to show their neighbors how they feel this election cycle. If I am wrong than I will think that you feel threatened by their popularity. Either way, this Democrat of Wise County will continue to support our Democrats and be proud to do so. If you need Political Yard signs for any Democrats, you may visit www.wisedems.org and contact us through our contact information page and we will be happy to bring you some.

Just in case anyone was wondering, the signs were placed legally and I have already checked with city inspectors, the police and the locations they were placed just in case they were mistakenly taken down, and they were not.