Why Lee must be freed! Thursday, Jun 4 2009

Where do we go from here?! -Email- – relative to intervening on the present system. Someone has to make the sacrifice on behalf of the speechless.  This is Louisiana. 

3rd official admits guilt
By JOE GYAN JR.
Advocate staff writer
Published: Nov 3, 2009
The longtime chief investigator for the local Public Defender’s Office admitted Monday to bribing a senior city prosecutor and other court officials to fix criminal and traffic cases in City Court and state District Court in Baton Rouge. Public Defense statewide should go on alert.  Especially so, since Jean Faria has admitted state public defense is still under-funded.  *Since, the La. AG is the de-facto defense attorney for state agencies, intervention is necessitated in the federal level.   

3Nov2009-Several Court appearances have been docketed for Lee, since the 2Aug post.  On August 19th from the OCC @ 9am via closed circuit.  On October 12th @ 9am, which was put-off to November 9th.  The attorney-of-record, a public defender, was in 4th District Court in Morehouse. In late October Lee was re-booked on a battery charge.  *Whatever the outcome of the original charges, now additional charges must be dealt with.

Ramifications?
Lee was attacked the last week of July by an inmate who has been incarcerated since January 2008, according to the inmate’s affadavit of pc. As of then, Lee had spoke with the court-appointed attorney only once- July 8th.

At the end of last week, Assistant District Attorney Mike Ruddick, who keeps up with the numbers, said pretrial detainees numbered 541. Of that number, only 51 inmates had been there for 11 months or more. Of that number, 36 are awaiting trials while the remainder have been found incompetent to proceed and are awaiting open beds at East Feliciana Forensic facility at Jackson.

4thJDC2Aug09
Lee is held currently in Ouachita Correctional Center, near Monroe, Louisiana.

A Public Defender has been assigned to Lee. However, as of today’s date June 16th 2009, that person assigned to assist Lee in his defense, has not talked with Lee. This is the norm! It was the norm in 2001 and it is the norm in 2009. Since the alledged reforms of the indigent defense apparatus in Louisiana; still, defendants wait. Lee’s next court date is 1 July 2009.  “What avenues must be pursued to access justice. Is it justice in play, when such a scenario as this can occur at this day and time. Still there must be a ‘revamping of the judicial process’ in Louisiana & America. How is ‘justice prevailing’ in a system such as this?” We shall see who will step in.

Will Lee receive ADEQUATE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL in the Criminal Justice System? Was there a set-up involved, seeing that the forty-two year-old suspect is attempting to lessen his penalty? Federal agents have questioned 19 year-old Lee!

Media intensity?-Why?

Lee was apprehended on the morning of May 8, 2009 with two individuals at a convenience store on US 165 South/MLK,Jr. Blvd in South Monroe. The affadavit of pc concerning Lee declares to the police, that he knew nothing of what the other two men with him had in mind.

Lee was the driver of the vehicle. The affadavit of probable cause cites video surveillance of the two suspects in the store. That video does not include Lee.

Was Lee a victim of circumstance? Did Lee drive away from the scene in fear of his life? Lee states under Miranda his not taking part in the robbery.

Lee, did not conspire with the other two men to commit armed robbery or any other crime. Lee went to S. Monroe to go clubbing. The nightclub FACES is directly across the four lane from the convenience store.

Will Lee be afforded – equal protection under the law – in the Indigent Defense System of Louisiana. Oh yes, the look on Lee’s face? The camera was hounding for his mug. Why?

Lee may be guilty of something, but it is not armed robbery -use of a firearm; or criminal conspiracy. And that’s final.
********************************************
News Story update June 23, 2009 | By Matthew Hamilton • mhamilton@monroe.gannett.com • May 14, 2009
********************************************
A Bastrop man charged with the armed robbery of a Shell gas station last week is a suspect in a string of armed robberies from Louisiana to the Arkansas line.

Maj. Don Bartley said Monroe police charged 43-year-old Benjamin B. Ware on Wednesday with the armed robbery of the Circle K convenience store at 1407 Sterlington Road. Bartley said a man came into the store May 5 with his face covered with a towel and brandished a black pistol. He demanded money and took an undetermined amount of cash.

The robbery victim later identified Ware in a photo lineup, and a search of Ware’s house revealed clothing identical to the suspect’s clothes in the store’s video surveillance, Bartley said.

Ware was already booked into the Ouachita Correctional Center in connection with an armed robbery that occurred at a Shell gas station near Wossman on Friday. He was charged with attempted first-degree murder, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, armed robbery and criminal conspiracy to commit armed robbery when he was taken into custody.

Two other suspects were charged in the Friday robbery.

Ware may face still more charges as police departments in Bastrop and Crossett, Ark. investigate his involvement in other robberies.
Capt. Curtis Stephenson with the Bastrop police confirmed Ware is a person of interest in two armed robberies and a failed armed robbery that occurred last week.

On May 6, an armed robber struck the Check Into Cash payday loan center on 933 E Madison Ave., in Bastrop. On the same day, an armed robber took an undetermined amount of money from the EZ Mart convenience store on 1231 N. Washington St., Bastrop.

The day before, a gunman walked into the Shoe Show store at 2031 E. Madison Ave., Bastrop, but the store clerk left before the gunman could demand money, according to Stephenson.

He said the spate of robberies was unprecedented during his time with Bastrop police.

“We’ve never had anything like that happen here in that short a period of time,” Stephenson said.
Crossett Police Investigator Shelbi Hughes said Ware is the lead suspect in an armed robbery in the southern Arkansas town.
Hughes said an armed robber took money from the Factory Connection around 5:42 p.m. on May 7.
She said she soon expects to charge Ware with the armed robbery.
“We still have to do a few more things, but that’s where we’re headed,” Hughes said.

****************MORE*****MORE**************
May 8, 2009
Three from Bastrop arrested in connection with armed robbery at Wossman Shell
By Johnny Gunter
jgunter@thenewsstar.com
********************************************
Three Bastrop residents were arrested in connection with an armed robbery early Friday morning.

One of them is accused of attempted first-degree murder after the convenience store attendant was shot in the leg because he couldn’t open the store’s safe.

Benjamin B. Ware, 43, was booked into Ouachita Correctional Center on charges of attempted first-degree murder, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, armed robbery and criminal conspiracy to commit armed robbery.

Two others arrested for armed robbery and criminal conspiracy are Lee A. XXXXXXX, 19, and XXXXXXX E. XXXXXXXXX, 22. No bond had been set Friday.

Police received a call at 3:45 a.m. from the Wossman Shell convenience store at 1601 U.S. 165 South and a witness provided a description of the suspects and the pickup truck they were using that had temporary tags.

Maj. Don Bartley said the vehicle was stopped on U.S. 165 North headed toward Bastrop at the Brookshire’s grocery store where the three were apprehended. “Two guns and the money were recovered and other items tying them to the robbery,” Bartley said.

Bartley said the victim was carried to St. Francis Medical Center “where he appeared to be OK.” The victim’s name was not released.

Leave a Response »

 

The Travesty that is Mychal Bell Friday, Dec 14 2007

Everyone must understand,  it wasn’t Mychal’s ultimate decision to take the plea.  It was evident that Mychal was in rough waters, when he in open court asked Judge J.P. Mauffray to explain the plea (deal) to him step by step.  This was, resignation by design.

Some of those who don’t understand, I pray they are in Mychal’s shoes real soon.  Court,  when you are the target; is a living, nightmarish hell.   Ask,  Robert Bailey, Jr.’s  former attorney  Sam Thomas of Tallulah; who recently received his own conviction in Donald Washington’s Western District of Louisiana Court in Monroe, Louisiana.

And this is the insanity of the Travesty.  The final road to Mychal’s plea begins with the dismissal of Sam Thomas by Caseptla Bailey the “Jena Six Parent” of Robert Bailey, Jr.   A grouped effort of the Color of Change, Friends of Justice,  ACLU & Left Turn.Org aided & abetted in the “intrusion of  Justice”,  that we have now.   Sam Thomas had the change of venue motion on the table in the 3rd Circuit.  But, on one hot “autumn dog’s day”  an injustice rebirth,  Caseptla Bailey was taken to New Orleans to meet a high powered lawyer, who turned out to be Attorney Jim Boren; of which lawyer the Sothern Poverty Law Center  described him as an,  SPLC retained lawyer of  Baton Rouge “as a cooperating SPLC attorney to assist the defense. ”   Splc goes on to say it is “working with other advocates at the grassroots and national levels that are deeply involved in the fight  and share a commitment to racial justice.”  

A commitment to racial justice.?  How Such?  The Travesty of injustice for Mychal Bell was in its infancy when Caseptla was escorted to meet Boren.  The week of November 4th, saw the plots and plans begin to play-out.  The families and there lawyers were duped, in some instances, while others were in secret collaboration with the forces (SPLC & Walters/Mauffray) of LaSalle court system to derail equal justice & maintain un-equal justice.  

The fact that Mychal took a plea deal is evident of the corrupt system that exist pervasively in Louisiana,  The poor huddled masses are browbeat & legally out maneuvered until they are so wearied, that they just give in.   This is “classic un-equal justice” in its bestest exhibition by a judicary and prosecution run amuck  in its own quest for power and avarice.   

Now comes the real test.  Will the powers that be, influence the truth of this matter.  Laws were violated by the dispensers and administrators of  criminal justice.  Judge Yeager let slide a clerk of court malfeasanace, in relations to the media litigants.  The actual filing of the Barker et al suit is suspect because of the actual & perceived dates.    Eventhough Mychal took a plea deal,  he was under duress & subtile coercion.  The outcomes were so well manaaged that the U S  Department of Justice held a  forum at 1st Baptist Church in Jena.  U S Attorney Donald Washington was in attendance.  It was December 6th 2007,  the day which would have been Mychal’s date for trial!  This Travesty is not over.  Open the Court’s Records, we pray,  so the light of Justice can shine through and through!             

Leave a Response »

 

America’s Six Saturday, Aug 25 2007

Good Government Advocates Press To Place Judicial Accountability On The Agenda Of 2008 Presidential Candidates

Rice University of Houston, Texas was the site of what may turn out to be one of the most important civil rights and constitutional liberties conferences in recent history. On August 11, 2007, National Judicial Conduct and Disability Law Project, Inc. (NJCDLP) hosted a free conference at the prestigious university campus to solidify a national grassroots movement for important judicial reforms.

Crown Point, IN (PRWEB) August 20, 2007 — Rice University of Houston, Texas was the site of what may turn out to be one of the most important civil rights and constitutional liberties conferences in recent history. On August 11, 2007, National Judicial Conduct and Disability Law Project, Inc. (NJCDLP) hosted a free conference at the prestigious university campus to solidify a national grassroots movement for important judicial reforms. The conference title asks the rhetorical question “Silencing of the Lambs?”, prompting consideration of whether average Americans truly have a say about the quality of justice dispensed by American courts. Zena Crenshaw, NJCDLP Executive Director, explained that “we begin our analysis with a consideration of how effective average Americans seem to be in holding the gatekeepers of justice accountable for their conduct.”

Attending the NJCDLP conference were many good government advocates representing more than a dozen states – Texas, Maryland, Illinois, Indiana, California, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Minnesota, Virginia, District of Columbia, Florida, New Mexico, and Georgia. The gathering summoned the spirit of Washington Whistleblower Week (WWW) which brought scores of activists to Washington, D. C. to protest government waste, fraud, and abuse in May 2007. While strengthening and expanding federal legislation was a key focus of WWW, its participants largely understood that law breakers essentially act with impunity when legal processes and courts are not affordable, reasonably prompt, and fair.

the halls of justice are supposed to be open in America
Sheriffs, prosecutors, and judges tacitly aligned to deny the civil and constitutional rights of Blacks among others, even at the height of America’s civil rights movement. Attending the NJCDLP conference in Houston were Louisiana’s infamous “Jena 6″ as well as poor and minority residents of Abilene, Texas who could relate to that problem and saw through conference presentations its potential link to inadequate judicial accountability. Crenshaw reminded the audience that “the halls of justice are supposed to be open in America”, noting the “large number of dollars and supporters it (otherwise) takes to access justice when your name is not Scooter Libby.” Marcel Reid, a NJCDLP conference presenter and President of the D. C. chapter for ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now) added “if there is no justice for the least of us, then there is no justice for the rest of us – Without Justice for All there will be Justice for None.” ACORN is the nation’s largest community organization of low and moderate income families with over 350,000 member families.

The appointments of Supreme Court Justices Roberts and Alito and recent controversial High Court decisions assure that America’s judiciary will be on the agenda of 2008 Presidential candidates. NJCDLP and most who convened with the organization in Houston seek to ensure that appropriate judicial reform and accountability are part of the Presidential debate. Attorney Michael R. McCray, chairman of “The 3.5.7 Commission”, confirmed that “an unaccountable and unassailable judiciary is a serious threat to democracy and can literally destroy the American way of life.” His newly formed private commission will examine the propriety of summary judgments entered against federal employees under Title VII, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and certain employees seeking relief under the False Claims Act.

Matthew F. Fogg, a high profile government whistleblower presenting at the NJCDLP conference, lauded the event and WWW for uniting patriots who fearlessly combat government corruption. Fogg referenced impending federal legislation, initiated by the D. C. based No FEAR Coalition which he co-chairs. No FEAR II would amend the Notification and Federal Employee Antidiscrimination and Retaliation Act of 2002 and is presently co-sponsored by U. S. Representatives Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Tx), Albert Wynn (D-Md), and John Lewis (D-Ga). According to Fogg, “No FEAR II closes loopholes hindering enforcement of various antidiscrimination and government whistleblower protection laws.” It also harkens to a concern expressed by famed civil rights activist Thomas N. Todd at the NJCDLP conference.

Attorney Thomas N. Todd, widely known for his dynamic oratorical skills as TNT, personally called on House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich) to move towards federalizing the regulation of speech among lawyers. In an explosive pre-recorded interview, Todd calls for a complete overhaul of professional disciplinary rules purporting to preserve the sanctity of America’s judiciary. He projects that in some communities, lawyers are likely unwilling to accept cases that may place them in “bad standing with the judiciary”. This “chilling effect” on a right as fundamental and critical as free speech, particularly troubles Todd when lawyers are called in 2007 to represent “very, very unpopular clients, just as they did in the South”. Noting the “consistent” concern about equity and justice of Chairman John Conyers, Todd envisions that relevant hearings before the House Judiciary Committee may lead to a “national (lawyers’) commission with one standard” for free speech.

Others riveting the NJCDLP audience at Rice University included attorney Mark A. Adams of Florida; attorney Dale Nathan of Minnesota; Dr. LeRoy Gillam, national president of Southeastern Christian Association; school reform activist Peyton Wolcott; NJCDLP director Thomas Saunders; and attorney Caroline Douglas. Keynote remarks were made by the stately, 2006 congressional candidate Byron De Lear. “Coming from all walks of life and from a diverse set of political affiliations, we all see and feel the urgent necessity for a more representative and fair justice system supporting the principles of equal protection under the law and equality for all” says De Lear.

Participants left the NJCDLP conference, committed to pursue their lofty ideals through practical, effective action. Rodney Logal, a NJCDLP board member and primary benefactor, emphasized that “meaningful government reform will likely come on a grassroots basis through the small financial contributions of many if it is to be afforded at all.” Echoing that sentiment and other tenets of grassroots activism, NJCDLP Project Coordinator Andrew D. Jackson announced the formation of “You Can Count On Me”. This new commercial venture of NJCDLP is a professionally administered network of organizations and individuals, pledged to provide each other a manageable level of simple, but vital support.

NJCDLP is a nonprofit, grassroots organization combating abuses of the American legal system that are facilitated by judicial misconduct. NJCDLP is also a member of the No FEAR and Make It Safe coalitions which advocate for federal workers, including Title VII claimants and government whistleblowers.

Leave a Response »

 

A Diligent Search Thursday, Jul 12 2007

In a diligent search, all the facts are turned up.  In the Jena, Louisiana trials of six black students and one former student, many of the exact facts are missing from the public purview.  Subsequently, there has not been a diligent search for all the facts at any time, then or now; concerning all the incidents that led up to the nooses and the subsequent fights, including the charges and the high bonds, and if such high bonds were applied in other instances of  similar events.  The Legislators of LaSalle parish are responsible for the societal conditions in their district.  They are sworn to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Louisiana State Constitution.  The laws that prosecutors use to defend society from criminals are promulgated by legislators.  In light of what has occurred in the courts of LaSalle Parish’s 28th Judicial District court in the conviction of Mychal Bell, some authority must act.  However, new legislation must be introduced that requires all district judges, to conduct there courts, in the same manner.

In a call to the LaSalle parish judges office about meeting with Judge J. P. Mauffray about a bond reduction, office personnel on today July 11th, stated that the District Attorney would have to be the one contacted to obtain a bail reduction, and that if the D. A. okayed a bond reduction, that then would be okay; but if the District Attorney wasn’t okay with a reduction, then a motion would have to be filed and heard by the Judge.

If these debacling situations existed merely in a vacuum of

some specifically designated portion of the state, that would be

different.  But this situation and similar situations are occuring

all over Louisiana.  What we need is a national movement

against such actions.  The people must stand up,  against the

incredulous affects of unscrupulous court room setttings.  I

must say, however;  there is a great awakening.  It could be

said, that we the people need a more perfect government in

this union,  and we shall have it.

We must turn the tide and make the persons who are running

for elected office this cycle,  agree with what we the people

want and demand.   We are not secure in our persons, when our

children are judged differently from the majority.  We are not

secure when police call crimes what they are, according to the

color of a man’s skin.  We are not secure, when the courts,

judicate unequally.   We are not free, nor are we secure when

prosecutors can choose whom ever they please and begin to

destroy a man’s life “with the stroke of his pen”.

This is unconciounable and it is Sin!  Gross sin and negligence.

Leave a Response »