A Really Bad County Commissioner

Since this video report, Stephen Nodine was indicted for the murder of Angel Downs, a Mobile Alabama-area realtor;  and,  a Mobile County Grand Jury "impeached" commissioner Nodine according to AI.Online.  Alabama law is very interesting, if you watch he video you'll see that County Commissioners can not only be issued vehicles for their use, but County officials are issued guns!  It'll be remarkable if Angel Downs proves to have been slain by a county-issued firearm.  Of course, in Alabama, killing your girlfriend with a county-issued handgunn is probably some sort of protected right under the state consitution. 

Nodine who carried on an extramarital affair with Angel Downs was seen partying with her at a local beach on the day of her homicide.  The Commissioner's county issued "pick up" was seen speeding away from the scene or Angel Down's fatal shooting.  Marijuana was seized from the county-owned truck;  and,  after the shooting Nodine hospitalized himself. 

In March, Nodine, a Republican  accused the democratic District Attorney of "hurting crime fighting" becuase of efforts by the District Attorney to crack down on illegal gambling.

One of the more interesting aspects to this story is that the "impeachment" proceeding appears to be embedded in the indictment procedure before the County Grand Jury.  

Oh well, I guess, Stephen Nodine had some unresolved issues.  They appear to be resolved. 

Murder or Manslaughter, Certainly Mayhem In Springfield, Mass

Murder or manslaughter, you decide.  MassLive.com is reporting on murder charges leveled against 22 year old Lucas Allen (pic) of Springfield, Massachusetts.  Allen, who was arraigned on murder charges, then denied bail (?), following an altercation at the Fat Cat Bar (pic) where Allen either worked as a bouncer, or was working as a bouncer, or had worked as a bouncer.   This fact is unclear--based on statements by the Bar owner's attorney who rest assured is doing his best to muddy the waters in an effort to help the bar owners avoid civil liability for the death of patron 25 year old Francis Fasanelli.
According to the report at MassLive Fasanelli had been trying to gain entrance into the nightclub but had been denied entry because of a "dress code violation," but had twice gained entrance and twice been ejected.  Outside the bar he got into an altercation with Mr. Allen.  Here are the facts that are supplied in the report:

"This was an unusual circumstance," defense lawyer, Ferrara said, saying that there could have been a situation where a blow was struck but there was a 'secondary impact' with the victim hitting his head.  Allen was originally charged with assault and battery with intent to commit serious bodily injury.  Police obtained surveillance footage from cameras outside the bar that shows the start of the altercation between Fasanelli and Allen but not any exchange of blows.  Police said the investigation revealed that Fasanelli had apparently been denied entry into Fat Cat for a dress code violation. At some point, he managed to sneak inside the bar’s outside courtyard through a fence, but was discovered and escorted outside. He apparently tried to sneak in again, and at that point while still outside the bar he got into a verbal dispute with Allen that escalated into a fight."

That's it.  Murder?  How does, this guy get charged with murder? 

This week in the comments section of the post about the guy who stabbed his live-in girlfriend.  My cyberpal, Gayle has had me thinking about first principles in the law.  As ususal she is writing eloquently about justice in connection with the Merchant of Venice.   

Regarding first principles, doctrinally, when we discuss the crime of murder is to recognize that two elements are required to be shown: the criminal act of homicide, in other words a human kills another human plus necessary criminal intent or mens rea.  Returning to first principles you might be surprised to lear that the concept of murder is discussed repeatedlyin the Torah or Old Testament.  In fact the idea of "malice aforethought" is directly from the Book of Numbers attributed to none other than the lawgiver, Moses at Ch.35:20.  Amazingly, Moses also deals with the lesser act of mansluaghter 35:22-24.  While the penalty for muder is in the Old Testament is death, the provisions for reaching this judgment require a certitude that I'm not sure we approach in all of our sophistication, Deuteronomy 19:15-19 which also makes for provisions for Citys of Refuge for lesser acts of killing not arising to malicious acts of intentional murder--remember Cain?

So back to Mr Allen, how is it that this guy--who may or may not be a bouncer for the bar--gets himself charged with murder.  Something is a little off, and we need to mark this matter for follow up.

Ann Arbor Author--Shot Her Father In the Ass, Going to Jail

Back in November I told you about the case of Lisa Reardon (pic), an Ann Arbor crime novelist who showed up her parents' house and opened fire on her father, George Hicks, as he hightailed it through the kitchen in an effort to avoid hot lead. 

The original news reports of the attack reported that Ms. Reardon's beloved cat, Godfrey, died;  and, there was speculation that this may have represented the last important "anchor" to her then,  domesticity. 

A little research turned up her author's web page with titles and plot summaries that suggested a backgound steeped in alcoholism, child abuse, self-mutilation and other childhood horrors. 

So no surprise that Ms. Reardon's pre-sentence investigation is replete with references to her being a victim of child molestation by the piece of shit that she blasted. Lisa Reardon entered a plea of guilty to two counts of atttempte murder and if I understand the news account at AnnArbor.com she will do 4-6 years.  Good luck to Ms. Reardon.  I hope she finds some peace.