What You can read while teasing the Bird...

[lurker]

I took a little time to torment the Bird this morning and saw some big words on the cage floor:

Garrison gives Alford plea to reduced charges

My first thought was that I didn't know we had a judge named Alford; but I decided later that the headline shudda read "Garrison makes Alford plea to reduced charge."

The story continued: "Garrison was being held at the Ford County Detention Center on charges of first-degree murder and criminal threat."

Yelpers, that would (indeed) make him a bad-boy.

I learned what an "Alford" plea is:

Although Garrison maintains his innocence, he agreed that he was aware of the benefit of pleading guilty to lesser charges. The amended charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon is a severity level seven personal felony and could result in a sentence of 11-34 months in jail and/or a fine of up to $100,000.

The Alford plea is one in which the defendant does not admit to the act, but agrees that there is enough evidence to lead to a conviction by a judge or a jury. The plea will count as a "strike" if a three strike law applies.

Judge Keith Whitney set bond at $25,000....

As this story goes; First Degree Murder and Criminal Threat becomes Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon and the bond is 25K.

Is there something wrong with the story or our judicial system?

[Army_of_One]

There is something....many things wrong with our judicial system....and our school system and our tax system and our immigration system....

[NoLongerInRadioGuy]

Just to clarify, without reading the globe story...

He ws charged with ATTEMPTED first degree murder, he did not actually kill anyone as of this writing...

The evidence in the case was strong, I believe...but one element was lacking when it was all said and done. The officers on the case did everything right, the assistant CA did everything right...but some cirumstances are out of our control I guess...I know the officers were not happy with the plea agreement and I dont think the CA was real happy with it either.

[Jolly Rancher]

Originally Posted by NoLongerInRadioGuy

Just to clarify, without reading the globe story...

He ws charged with ATTEMPTED first degree murder, he did not actually kill anyone as of this writing...

The evidence in the case was strong, I believe...but one element was lacking when it was all said and done. The officers on the case did everything right, the assistant CA did everything right...but some cirumstances are out of our control I guess...I know the officers were not happy with the plea agreement and I dont think the CA was real happy with it either.

You are very correct.

[TexKan]

Well ya know in law enforcement and life - ya win some ya lose some. Things have a way of catchin up with those that seem to beat the system. Ya have to sleep at night knowin ya did what ya can do. Higher powers will take care of the rest.

[lurker]

Thanks NoLonger.... for the clarification. I was having trouble believing the Globe's version of the story.... Too bad the Judge had to take the plea AND I hope this mis-reporting doesn't further complicate this case.

Tomorrow will surly provide more paper from the bird cage.

[Jolly Rancher]

Originally Posted by lurker

Thanks NoLonger.... for the clarification. I was having trouble believing the Globe's version of the story.... Too bad the Judge had to take the plea AND I hope this mis-reporting doesn't further complicate this case.

Tomorrow will surly provide more paper from the bird cage.

Great rule to live by: Believe none of what you read and hear, and only 50% of what you see.

[lurker]

I wuz teasing the bird today and noticed a story about how the Sit-ee is punishing some businesses for selling beer to a 19 year old... (prolly too smart to be a soldier in Iraq).

Anywhoo, that's not what struck me as funny. There is was! Printed in black on yellow and just below the drippings and droppings:

Tianguis Grocery, Presto, King Kwik Mart and Wal-Mart will be barred from selling alcohol to minors from Dec. 11-26.

I'm beginning to understand why the globe doesn't want just any old netizen to read their .... without registering. It's not quite Leno material; but very funny.

[Tee]

Only you would catch that!

I read that article a couple of times and missed it altogether.

[Army_of_One]

I caught it yesterday reading it over lunch...I giggled and wondered if these stores had special licenses so they can only sell to minors...guess during that time the minors will have to take their business elsewhere.

Do you guys think that the fines imposed are too harsh or not harsh enough?