WEST MEMPHIS THREE WERE FREED IN JAIL UNDER ALFORD PLEA

The West Memphis Three whose real names are Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley, Jr., have been released from Arkansas prison today after they pleaded guilty under Alford plea.

Alford plea also called as Kennedy plea,   is a plea where the defendant admits that sufficient evidence exists with which the prosecution could likely convince a judge or jury to find the defendant guilty beyond reasonable doubt.

Alford guilty plea and Alford doctrine, under the law of the United States, it is a guilty plea in criminal court where the defendant does not admit the act and asserts innocence.   

In 1994, the three were convicted of triple Murder after killing 3 eight  year old boys by means of satanic ritual sometime in 1993. Baldwin and Misskelley had been sentenced to life imprisonment while Echols was on a death row.

The controversial case of West Memphis Three was made famous by the HBO documentary, Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills and was  made as a national story for many years. Reports said,  the three were wrongfully convicted of the crime they did not commit and DNA results prove their innocence. The DNA test failed to show of any evidence to prove the guilt  of the three accused beyond reasonable doubt. 

/Verity

PHYLICIA BARNES DEAD BODY FOUND IN SUSQUEHANNA RIVER

Two dead bodies were found the other day at Susquehanna River, Maryland, one of a man and the other is a woman. The woman has been confirmed through dental records that it was indeed the body of  PHYLICIA BARNES, 16, an honor student of Union Academy, Monroe, North Carolina who went missing since December 28 when she visited her family in Northwest Baltimore to spend Christmas vacation.

Phylicia's father likewise confirms that the dead body of a woman pulled at Conowingo Dam of Susquehanna River was the body of their daughter, Phylicia Barnes.

To date, the family of Phylicia and police investigators are still conducting an investigation to determine the cause of the death of Phylicia Barnes and if the other found dead body of a man is related to the death of Phylicia.

FORMER PRODUCER BRUCE BERESFORD-REDMAN ARRESTED FOR KILLING HIS WIFE

Former Producer Bruce Beresford-Redman of  CBS Hit Show Survivor and Pimp My Ride has been detained for allegedly killing her wife, Monica Burgos while the couple was on vacation in Cuncan.

Earlier today, the dead body of Monica Burgos was found  inside a sewer at the Moon Palace Resort, Cuncan since last seen Sunday after the couple indulged a heated argument where Bruce Beresford-Redman was reportedly seen by a  hotel witness with scratches and tried to hit his wife.

Attorney General Bello Rodriguez said while the cause of Burgos death has not yet been determined, Beresford-Redman is under investigation for allegedly strangling his wife.

CBS told Fox411.com that Beresford-Redman has not been involved with Survivor since 2004 where Beresford worked on seasons four, six and eight of the hit reality show.

IS CAPITAL PUNISHMENT WRONG?

"The law might be harsh but it is the law and we are bound to abide it."

(This article was originally published  at Ciao.com under Debate and Creative Writing category which obtained the rating of  Excellent. Since this is among the best Article that I wanted to share most, I decided to post it here to capture your  thoughts. - The Author)

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT IS NOT ERRONEOUS.

A R G U M E N T S

In the legal aspect, Capital Punishment is fair while in the spiritual aspect it is erroneous.

Now let us weigh both: The State and The Church.

The State shall act its rules and policies by the sovereign power vested on it through its Government to safeguard and protect the life, rights, liberty and property of its citizen which act cannot be questioned or made the subject of legal proceedings in a court of law.

While the Church is an institution purely engaged in ecclesiastical affairs directed by authorities which is barred from meddling in secular matters of the State to avoid encroachments by one against the other because of a misunderstanding of the limits of their respective exclusive jurisdictions. The separation of the State and the Church is inviolable therefore, the Church has no jurisdiction over the power of the State.

Since the sovereign power of the State through its Government in enforcing its laws shall always prevail, the same Capital Punishment is fair enough under the folds of law and it cannot be questioned by a legal proceedings because it is just enforcing what is necessary when a certain right of its citizen has been violated.

We may know that DEATH is a Capital Punishment imposed against an accused who committed a capital offense, such as Murder, Rape, Rape with Homicide, Kidnapping with Homicide and all other Heinous crimes. These are offenses where the guilt of the accused has been proven beyond reasonable doubt to warrant his conviction and sentenced to death.

Any accused who have been charged of these offenses are being heard and tried based in law and in facts under fair disposition of cases before final judgment is promulgated.

When judgment over the case has been rendered thereby sentencing the accused to Death, the same judgment has been perfected on the basis of the established quantum of proof of evidence provided by the parties, the plaintiff and the accused. The controverting evidence submitted is essential to determine the guilt of the accused otherwise failure of which may result to the dismissal of the case. 

In the event that the controverting evidence submitted is so strong to prove the accused' guilt beyond reasonable doubt to warrant his conviction hence, the accused shall suffer the sentenced of Death Penalty.

Again, the judgment is rendered by the Court clearly and distinctly expressing the facts and the law on which it is based.

We may bear it in mind that the Law is fair and will never impose penalties or punishment not within the nature of the crime committed by the accused as well as on the evidence adduced over the case because to curtail a human life is inhumane.

The State  is just enforcing the folds of law that is appropriate to respond its citizens' complaints, redress or grievances against threat, violence, grave abuse and intimidation from anybody who made once life become miserable and vulnerable which act cannot be tolerated under the Rule of Law and the same shall be punished and penalized accordingly.

Wherefore, in light of the foregoing, CAPITAL PUNISHMENT or DEATH PENALTY is just fair and it is not erroneous. 

Thanks for reading.

/The Author

AMANDA KNOX VERDICT: FOUND GUILTY

PERUGIA, Italy - The Italian jury just rendered its verdict today, December 4, 2009 against Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollicito of the crime of Murder.

Knox was sentenced to 26 years imprisonment and an indemnity of 7.5 million dollars while Sollicito was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment.

Amanda Knox of Spencer, Indiana, USA and a student of Seattle, Washington, D.C. pursued her studies at the University for Foreigners, Perugia, Italy was charged of the crime of Murder, Sexual Assault and Theft together with her ex-boyfriend Raffaele Sollicito and a certain Rudy Hermanne Guede, a small-time drug dealer from Ivory Coast. The three were accused as principal in direct participation and in conspiracy in killing Meredith Kercher.

Amanda and Raffaelle were also convicted of the crime of sexual assault. Another accused Rudy Hermanne Guede was also convicted in a separate "fast-track trial" and was sentenced to 30 years imprisonment of the crime of Murder and Rape for killing and raping Meredith Kercher.

Guede fled to Germany shortly after the incident but was tracked by computer and apprehended by authorities after emailing a contact suggesting that he was in need of financial assistance. He was extradited to Italy to finally face the charges against him.

Meredith Kercher, a British student of the University of Leeds was sent to Italy to complete her degree course under the university exchange program. She lives in the same flat occupied by Amanda Knox together with other 2 Italian women students in Perugia, Italy.

November 2, 2007, Meredith Kercher, 21, was found dead by Italian police at the whitewashed house shared by Knox, in a pool of blood, half-naked with a slashed throat or suffered stab wounds on her neck with the use of 6.5 inches knife after being raped. The stab wounds on her neck that failed to cut her carotid artery causes her death thereafter.

Meredith was killed on the evening of November 1, 2007 by a group attacked with her roommate assailants which were under the influence of drugs and alcohol after she refuses to participate in "extreme sexual experiences.

Knox was arrested on the morning of November 6, 2007 and denied the accusations against her being innocent, having different version of her statements when investigated. Evidence adduced and corroborating witnesses testified that Knox with cohorts, Sollicito and Guede, willfully helping one another by feloniously attacking and sexually assaulting Kercher on the night of November 1 at the flat occupied by Knox and the victim.

Sollicito and Guede also denied the accusations which denials failed to prove after Forensic investigations and DNA test showed that Sollicito and Guede had actively participated by direct participation and in conspiracy in killing the victim, Meredith Kercher.

Curt and Edda Mellas, parents of Amanda Knox will be leaving to Italy to appeal the verdict against their daughter. Parents of the victim also vowed that the accused will not "profit" from the death of their daughter.

 

Meredith Kercher

 

Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollicito

Amanda Knox

Amanda Knox

Amanda Knox

RALPH AND KAREN GUASTAFERRO PLEADED GUILTY

 

 

 

NEW YORK - Spouses Karen and Ralph Guastaferro of Amherst who have been charged for money laundering pleaded guilty after admitting that indeed they committed the crime.  

 

The couple who appeared on the ABC reality TV show "Wife Swap" admitted of laundering a government funds in the amount of $1.2 million under a Canadian Telemarketing scheme. Ralph Guastaferro, 62, has been sentenced for Five years imprisonment while his wife, Karen Guastaferro, 55, has to serve the sentence of 1 year and 4 months or 16 months imprisonment.

 

Above photo was Karen (left) and Ralph (right) Guastaferro along with their daughter Alicia, a Reality Teen Princess on ABC show "Wife Swap" who was also arrested for Prostitution.

 

 

Alicia Guastaferro, 20, admitted that she had sex with a 54-year-old attorney in Rochester,

 

 

 

New York twice a month in exchange of $500 to $700 every time they met. 

 

Alicia Guastaferro pleaded not guilty to the offense charged.

SHOCKING SCENE: MASCOT UGA VII DIED BY GUNSHOT WOUND

ATHENS, AP - English bulldog UGA VII, mascot of the University of Georgia named as Loran's Best died not by a heart related causes but a gunshot wound.

Early Thursday according to its owner, Frank "Sonny" Seiler of Savannah, Georgia, UGA VII died by a related heart causes however, an exclusive report of EDSBS.com stated that the untimely death of UGA VII was due to a gunshot wound sustained by the mascot.

EDSBS.com has the exclusive footage of the crime scene where the 4-year-old UGA mascot died after being shot over a disputed poker match Thursday afternoon and was pronounced dead on the scene. T

The mascot was shot after a heated argument for accusations of cheating during a regular poker lunchtime game between UGA and several local players he knew and played with frequently. He was seen clamping an ace in his toes under the table.

Georgia fans were shocked of the mascot death announcement. The English bulldog has been serving as mascot of the University of Georgia since 1956. Although the University is located in Athens, Georgia, the dogs lived in Savannah. The bulldog also performs as Hairy Dawg at Georgia Athletic events.

Speaking on conditions of anonymity, once source close to the program offered the following verdict: "How we can lose a damn good dawg like this and still have Willie Martinez is... it's just not right."

There are no suspects yet of the shooting but investigation is underway. Details are still forthcoming and any information that may give a hint of the assailant, please contact Clarke County Sheriff Department.

EVANGELIST TONY ALAMO SENTENCED TO 175 YEARS FOR SEX CRIMES

 

TEXARKANA, Ark. - Tony Alamo, who proclaimed himself as a prophet has been sentenced to a maximum allowable 175 years of imprisonment for sexual abuse by forcing underage girls into sham marriages with him. 

 

The Evangelist took advantage of his influential figure as a father and a pastor to force himself upon impressionable girls who feared "the loss of their salvation." 

 

U.S. District Judge Harry F. Barnes warned the 75-year-old preacher of another kind of justice awaiting for him and said, "Mr. Alamo, one day you will face a higher and a greater judge than me." "May he have mercy on your soul." Barnes leveled the maximum sentence against Alamo, who preyed on followers' young daughters and took child "brides" as young as age 8. 

 

Alamo was convicted by a jury in July for 10 counts of child indictment in taking the girls across state lines for sex.

 

Alamo made millions through his ministry and must pay $250,000 fines. The next hearing will be scheduled on January 13 whereby Barnes will determine if the five women who testified against Alamo will be paid restitution presumably in the amount of $2.7 million each of them for the physical and mental abuse they suffered.

 

"You are described by others who testified as a prophet of God, a person of trust, a person of supreme authority in the church," Barnes said, staring the pale preacher. "It's hard to imagine the scenario and the damage that occurred to these five young girls."

 

Alamo, who had muttered and cursed through his two-week trial, stood silently when the sentenced imposed to him, dressed in a yellow prison uniform and a blue windbreaker. 

 

Before Barnes' ruling, Alamo told the judge, "I lean on the lord Jesus Christ."

 

FORMER DEMOCRATIC LOUISIANA CONGRESSMAN WILLIAM JEFFERSON SENTENCED TO 13 YEARS FOR BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION

 

Alexandria, Va. - Former Democratic Louisiana Congressman William Jefferson was sentenced today for 13 years imprisonment after being charged of multiple charges including bribery and corruption in its judgment rendered by US District Judge T. S. Ellis III. 

 

The sentenced was the longest term ever imposed to congressman on bribery charges.

US District Judge T. S. Ellis III said he did take Jefferson's life history into account but that public corruption must be dealt with severely. "Public corruption is a cancer on the body politic," said Ellis who lamented that so many other congressmen have been convicted on similar charges. "There must be some sort of greed virus that attacks those in power."

When sentenced, Jefferson showed no visible reaction to the verdict, nor did his wife and five adult daughters who attended the hearing.

 

The two jurors who convicted Jefferson also attended the hearing. Jefferson maintained his stand as a private businessman and was innocent of the multiple charges against him, however, investigation finds prima facie evidence to warrant his conviction as on the early of 11th of August this year.

 

Jefferson was convicted for 16 counts including bribery, depriving citizens of honest services, money laundering and racketeering.  

 

Investigation also finds in his home $90,000 wrapped in a foil placed inside in his freezer which evidence was also submitted in court.  

 

Jefferson through his counsel filed a motion to fix bail bond in order for him to post a bond for his temporary liberty while his case is pending appeal before an appellate court.

 

OH MY GOD! CHARLA NASH HORRIBLE FACE

 

 

When I saw the photo of Charla Nash after she was attacked by a chimp, I was terribly horrified. 

 

Yes, Charla Nash was viciously attacked by a chimp owned by a friend of her. Travis, the chimpanzee attacked Charla that almost got rid of her face off. 

 

 

 

Travis was born on October 21, 1995 in Festus, Missouri at the Chimpanzee Sanctuary. He was taken from his mother when he was 3 days old and sold to Jerome and Sandra Herold for $50,000. His mother Suzy escaped from the sanctuary and later killed. Travis was named after country music star Travis Tritt in Stamford, Connecticut. He became a local celebrity going everywhere with the couple and often accompanying them. 

 

 

The  Herold couple treated Travis as their own child. He always paid close attention whatever directions the couple gave him.

 

Travis who had gained national celebrity over the years become increasingly erratic in his behavior when Jerome Herold died of cancer. 

 

The report that Charla was dead is not true. She is alive and in fact will appear on Oprah's TV show today. 

 

Charla who is 55, lose her nose, eyes and jaw as the chimp eat her alive. 

 

Sandy Herold, Travi's owner used a butcher knife to stab the 14-year old chimp, who was suffering from Lyme disease and had consumed Xanax but the rampage only ended when cops shot the animal dead. 

 

The aftermath of the incident would definitely affect Charla not only psychologically, physically and emotionally but likewise her normal labor condition.

 

 

POLICE SGT. KIM MUNLEY AMERICAN WOMAN HERO

 

Had it not of the immediate respond of Police Sergeant Kimberly Munley, the shooting rampage in Fort Hood might have caused hundreds of casualties which shooting rampage was the worst massive shooting ever happened in the American Military Base. 

 

Three minutes after Major Malik Nadil Hassan jumped on the table and opened-fire his gun by shooting his comrades at their back, Civilian Police Sgt. Kimberly Munley was able to talk to the assailant and pumped four bullets into him despite being hit.

 

What an outstanding performance. Her bravery as a woman in uniform inspires everybody and salute her for commendation. Her heroic deed is a landmark to everyone to have that strong courage to serve and protect the people and her country, its either a military or civilian. 

 

The hero cop is now in stable condition while some of the injured victims might die because of the serious gunshot wounds inflicted to their bodies, hospital resources said.

 

Sgt. Kim Mundel, I salute your bravery and excellent performance. Keep up the good works!