Doug: I dunno if I have a story. I did some bad things and I had to make them right. I didn’t really want to hurt anybody.

Castanedo: Okay, so let’s start with who you are?

Doug: My name is Douglas Mancuso. Everybody just calls me Doug, except my cousin Lenny. He calls me Dummy all the time.

Castanedo: Lenny doesn't sound very nice.

Doug: Lenny ain't nice at all. He's been mean and pushed me around since we were kids.

Castanedo: Why do you hang around him?

Doug: Oh, I don't anymore. I got Nancy now. But I was lonely as a kid. Nobody wanted me around except Mama and Lenny.

Castanedo: I saw a twinkle in your eye when you mentioned Nancy. Who’s she?

Doug: Nancy owns the diner in town. She makes the best meatloaf and mashed taters I've ever had. And her pie.. uh, well there's just nothing like her pie.

 Castanedo: How'd you meet Nancy?

Doug: Well, Sheriff Parker and his sister Doreen left me at Nancy's when they went up the mountain at the end of town to check on Andrew and Destiny.

Castanedo:  Yes, Destiny and Andrew. They said you’re kind of a hero around here. What do you think of that?

Doug: Shucks. I really ain’t no hero. It was all my fault to start with. I just made it right. Destiny was the real hero. She came out strong and she trusted me when she probably shoulda shot me instead.

Castanedo: What did you do so wrong?

Doug: Well, I kinda shoved her out of a moving truck. But I swear, I thought she was dead when I did it.

Castanedo: Why did you think she was dead?

Doug: Cause I tried to kill her. Lenny made me do it. I didn't want to.

Castanedo: So how did you make things right?

Doug: Sheriff Parker told me I can’t answer that. It’s classy filed information.

Castanedo: Classy fi- oh, you mean classified?

Castanedo: The recorder can’t hear you nodding Doug. Please answer so I can write it all out later.

Doug: Yeah, classy-fied. Sheriff Parker told me I can’t tell you some things ‘cause there’s another writer who talked to all of us. I think her name was Clara. No, that’s not it. Claire. Yeah, Claire Collins came up here and she’s taking the whole story to make it into a book. You gotta get her book to find out the rest.

Castanedo: Well thank you for talking to me Doug. I will see if I can get a copy of it. What’s it called?

Doug: She called it “Fate and Destiny”. She tried to explain why she didn’t call it Andrew and Destiny, but I didn’t really get it.

Collins: Hey, Shadow.

Shadow: (Puts his paw up to shake)

Collins: You’re a good boy.

Shadow: (Tail wags)

Collins: I heard you found a body in the woods.

Shadow: Barks (runs in circles)

Collins: What did you think of her?

Shadow: (Head and shoulders down on the ground, back end wiggling happily. His tail goes crazy)

Collins: You like Destiny, huh? She must be a good person.

Shadow: (Rolls over to have his tummy scratched)

Collins: But didn't she shoot you?

Shadow: Whimpers (Rolls over and plays dead)

Collins: That’s how you were, and you still like her?

Shadow: (Jumps up, barks, and wags the tail more)

Collins: What did you think of Charles DeMont?

Shadow: Snarls then growls

Collins: Down boy. We won't talk about him anymore.

Shadow: (Raises one eyebrow and cocks his head)

Collins: Thanks for coming today Shadow. It’s always a pleasure rubbing your tummy.

Shadow: (Puts up paw to shake)

Collins: Hey, Shadow.

Shadow: (Puts his paw up to shake)

Collins: You’re a good boy.

Shadow: (Tail wags)

Collins: I heard you found an unconcious, half-dead woman in the woods.

Shadow: Barks (runs in circles)

Collins: What did you think of her?

Shadow: (Head and shoulders down on the ground, back end wiggling happily. His tail goes crazy)

Collins: You like Destiny, huh? She must be a good person.

Shadow: (Rolls over to have his tummy scratched)

Collins: But didn't she shoot you?

Shadow: Whimpers (Rolls over and plays dead)

Collins: That’s how you were, and you still like her?

Shadow: (Jumps up, barks, and wags the tail more)

Collins: What did you think of Charles DeMont?

Shadow: Snarls then growls

Collins: Down boy. We won't talk about him anymore.

Shadow: (Raises one eyebrow and cocks his head)

Collins: Thanks for coming today Shadow. It’s always a pleasure rubbing your tummy.

Shadow: (Puts up paw to shake)

Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages - Publisher: Mira (January 1, 2005) - Language: English - ISBN-10: 0778321312 - ISBN-13: 978-0778321316

Back of the Book reads:

Buried under the ocean, deep within the Bermuda Triangle, lies a treasure worth killing for.

Having already lost two men in her life to the lure of the bounty beneath the sea, Samantha Carlyle wants nothing to do with treasure hunts. She wants to be left in peace to run her dive resort on Seafire Isle.

But unexplained events continue to happen. Adam O'Connor - Samantha's ex-lover - arrives unannounced on the tiny island. Samantha becomes the target of an attempted kidnapping. And she's beginning to realize that none of the resort's guests are who they claim to be.

Caught in an undertow of lies and murder, Samantha confronts the secrets that have, for centuries, been drawing men to their water graves. And she realizes that the little she knows about the lost treasure is more than enough to get her killed.

Eyes of Fire at Amazon.com

Eyes of Fire at Chapters.ca

Eyes of Fire at Amazon.ca

3-Oct-08 to 4-Oct-08

Review: Too many characters, plot not that exciting.

Samantha returns from taking her guests out diving to see the mail boat arrive with an unannounced guest on board. A guest that she knows and wishes he'd never returned. Adam O'Connor remembers clearly what Sam had been like years before and his heart still stops when he sees her. He introduces himself to some of her guests and to Sam like he's never met her before, which throws her off and has her fleeing from his presence in haste.

Once back in her cabin, she decides to soak in the tub and debate with herself on what to do about Adam. But she doesn't get to debate long. Someone has broken into her cabin, dressed all in black with a black mask, intent on drugging and kidnapping her right from her tub. Who should come to her rescue but Adam. Adam refuses to tell her why he's suddenly showed up, why he couldn't come to her aid when her father had disappeared, when her friend, Hank Jennings, disappeared.

Then he begins to point out that her guests aren't who they say they are. Suddenly Sam is suspicious of every single one of them. But one thing is clear; one or more of her guests are after something, a treasure under the sea that caused the disappearance of two men she cared about, the possible murder of same friends. Who can Sam trust?

Oh, where do I begin? I usually really enjoy Graham's novels, but I found this one fell almost flat compared to the others I've read. First: Too many characters and too many disconnections. It was getting hard to remember which character was which. Thoughts never completed. And while you get the story of the treasure aboard the Beldona, it's not as exciting as you're made to think.

I did like the tension between Sam and Adam. You find out what happened in the past between them and why it fell apart and you get a greater picture of how naive Sam was - and sort of still is. And while there are a couple of action scenes well worth reading, the rest of the story seems to fall flat, like there's no substance to it. A couple of little twists are a bit of a surprise, but seem to feel downplayed. I really believe that if there had been less characters in play and more substance to the story, the book would have been much better.

Rating:

'Henry Parker' series Book #3

Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages - Publisher: Mira (August 1, 2008 ) - Language: English - ISBN-10: 0778325725 - ISBN-13: 978-0778325727

Back of the Book reads:

Five years ago the boy vanished with a trace. Today he came back.

Five years after he disappeared, young Daniel Linwood returned to his suburban home for dinner as though he'd never left. It's a blessing for both his family and their community. And I've snagged the exclusive interview.

But it turns out Daniel is just one of a string of abducted children who have mysteriously returned to their families with no memory of their lost years. Some people want me to leave it be. Some want me to simply let the healing process begin. But these wounds are deeper than anyone realizes.

To get the story on these bizarre kidnappings, I need the help of the one woman who owes me nothing. I've got to find answers before another life is snatched away from sight and time and memory. But doing so means we could be the next ones to go...

The Stolen at Amazon.com

The Stolen at Chapters.ca

The Stolen at Amazon.ca

29-Sep-08 to 1-Oct-08

Review: Kidnapped and returned with no memory in between...

Six months have passed since Henry and Amanda broke up. His job as a reporter for the New York Gazette has taken dangerous roads and he broke up with her, just to keep her safe. And yet, painful as it is, he still loves her and thinks about her every day. But no matter how much he loves her, he doesn't want to see her harmed...

Daniel Linwood knocks on the door of his family's home, five years after he disappears without a trace. It's a miracle he's home. And out of all the newspapers and magazine fighting for an interview, they choose Henry Parker out of the stack. They've read his stories and believe that he'll be delicate enough to write the story. Upon arriving to the home, Senator Gray Talbot pulls Henry aside, indirectly telling him to report the story, then leave them be, to be delicate with Daniel and respect his family's wishes to just move on. And yet, while interviewing Danny (as he now likes to be called), one word is said in plural, and while Henry picks up on it, he doesn't understand what it means.

And as a relentless investigative reporter, Henry digs and digs, just to find a similar case a few years before. Michelle Oliviera had disappeared without a trace and simply returned, years later, with no memory. Henry doesn't believe in coincidence and digs for the truth. But to get any information on Michelle, he needs to speak to the one person who he didn't think would ever talk to him again... Amanda.

With her help, they dig and find clues, and yet they never thought of what it would amount to - until it was almost too late.

Pinter wanted to be a writer, and began as an intern in a publishing company. He loved it and became an editorial assistant when he was done school. That's when he set to work on his first book. This one's the third and I can't wait for more.

Henry Parker is a fine character. Strong, he's relentless. After interviewing Danny, the word 'brothers' kept popping up in his mind. Why the plural? He only has one brother. So Henry digs and digs, not liking what he finds. Not a believer of coincidence, he swallows his unease and calls Amanda, begging for help. She works with kids everyday, and doesn't like the sound of what Henry found. She helps by giving him a file and together, the story goes from there. As they piece together the story, they too end up in danger. Kidnapped, Henry tortured, both end up on the run yet again, hiding from two men that want them dead, believing they know too much and are getting too close to the truth.

But I wasn't anywhere close to what was actually going on and why it was going on. It was damn near frightening and I pray it doesn't happen in the real world. Pinter's characters seem so real to me, their feelings and reactions spur the reader to continue. Between mystery and suspense, there's actions and questions, searches for the truth behind it all. Pinter writes so convincingly, and his novels are 'unputdownable'. High recommendations, and I can't wait for more Henry Parker.

Rating:

--The transitional government of Somalia condemned the kidnapping of two medical workers, and pressed the international community to deliver more humanitarian assistance to help it eradicate the scourge of piracy and hostage-taking.

--Meanwhile, a senior British Royal Navy commander is asking that civilian ships be armed in order to face the growing threat of kidnapping by pirates in the Gulf of Aden.

--In positive news, an oil worker kidnapped in the Puntland region of Somalia today was freed only hours after he was seized.

A GLUM LOOKING O.J. PREDICTED TO FRIENDS
HE WOULDN'T SLIP PAST LADY JUSTICE THIS TIME.

Simpson slumped in his chair with a look of tired resignation just before District Court Judge Jackie Glass ordered him to stand for the reading of the juror's verdict... after 13 hours of deliberation, the jury returned to the courtroom.... All say one, one say all... Guilty on 12 counts.

October 3, 2008

LAS VEGAS -- 13 years to the day after being acquitted of killing his wife and her friend in Los Angeles, O.J. Simpson was found guilty of robbing two sports memorabilia dealers at gun point in a Las Vegas hotel room.  Among the numerous felonies charges, the all-white jury found Simpson unanimously guilty of;  robbery with a deadly weapon, burglary with a firearm, assault with a deadly weapon, first-degree kidnapping with use of a deadly weapon (which carries possible life sentence), coercion with use of a deadly weapon, conspiracy to commit robbery, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, and conspiracy to commit a crime.

This time, unlike the day O.J. Simpson was found guilty in a civil trial for the double murder of Nicole Brown and Ron Goldman, he won't be going out to ice cream with friends as a free man.  Immediately after an all-white jury found O.J. guilty of the robbery charges, he was handcuffed and taken directly to his new, temporary residence; a cell in the Clark County jailhouse in Las Vegas, Nevada.  There he will stay until his December 5 sentencing date where it is widely believed by legal experts, that District Court Judge Jackie Glass will condemn Simpson to life behind bars in a Nevada State prison.  Even if the judge decides to be somewhat lenient, giving Simpson perhaps only 18 years, that will be "LIFE" for Simpson or close to it. O.J. is 61 and that means he would be released from prison at 79 years old.  Simpson shouldn't be too much of a threat to society at nearly 80 years Old... but then again, who knows?

====================

====================

OJ SIMPSON TIME LINE...

THE FALL AN AMERICAN FOOTBALL HERO

July 1947
Orenthal James Simpson is born in San Francisco. Simpson makes his name as a gridiron footballer.

June 1967
On June 24, 1967, Simpson married Marguerite L. Whitley. Together they had three children.

December 1967
Simpson wins the Walter Camp Award, voted on by writers and coaches for the player of the year in the NCAA.

December 1968
O.J. Simpson wins the coveted Heisman Memorial Football Award. He also wins the Maxwell Award, as well.

April 1969
O.J. Simpson was drafted by the Buffalo Bills.  He was the number one pick in the first round.

December 1973
Playing for the NFL franchise Buffalo Bills, Simpson rushed for a record 2,003 yards, becoming the first player ever to pass the 2,000-yard mark.

November 1977
Simpson wins a small role on the 1977 television miniseries ROOTS, based on a novel by Alex Haley.  Simpson was cast as an African slave Kadi Touray.

January 1979
After a mediocre season with the San Francisco 49ers, Simpson retires from the NFL and started his career in football broadcasting.

August 1979
Simpson's third born child, Aaren drowns in the family's swimming pool a month before her second birthday. That same year Simpson and Whitley divorced.

1983-1985
Simpson had stints as a commentator for Monday Night Football and The NFL on NBC.

February 1985
Simpson married Nicole Brown. They had two children, Sydney and Justin.

August 1985
Simpson was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, his first year of eligibility.

June 1989
Simpson pleads no contest to a domestic violence charge and legally separates from Nicole Brown

July 1992 O.J. Simpson and Nicole Brown Simpson divorce.

June 1994
Simpson's former wife, Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman are found stabbed to death outside her Los Angeles house. Millions watch as the police pursue OJ in a low-speed car chase.

January 1995
The double murder trial begins, shown live on television. Simpson hires the legal services of the so-called "Dream Team" including; F. Lee Bailey, Johnnie Cochran, Barry Scheck and Robert Shapiro.

October 1995
Simpson is found not guilty after doubts about DNA evidence, police conduct and a blood-stained black leather glove.

February 1997
A civil judgment finds Simpson responsible for the deaths of his former wife and Goldman, and orders him to pay $33.5m compensation to the Goldman family. As of 2008, not one single penny has been paid to the families of the victims.  OJ promises to never work a single day to pay back the $33.5 million owed.

2006
Simpson, with the assistance of a ghostwriter, writes a book called "If I Did It". The book is withdrawn by Harper-Collins before publication due to the huge negative outcry by the public to have the books taken off the shelfs.

August 2007
A Florida bankruptcy court gives the rights to the book to the Goldman family, who publish it under the title "If I Did It: Confessions of the Killer", in a bid to garner some of the damages they are still owed.

September 2007
Simpson is arrested on charges of kidnapping two sports memorabilia dealers and robbing them at gunpoint in a room in a Las Vegas hotel.

October 2008
Thirteen years to the day since his acquittal, Simpson is found guilty of kidnapping, armed robbery and assault with a deadly weapon. His sister Sandra collapses on hearing the verdict. Simpson stands for the reading of the verdict, looking tired and resigned, being found guilty on all 12 charges levied against him by the prosecutor. Simpson could be sentenced to life in prison without parole.  He made no visual reaction to the verdict.

WHAT A SHAMEFUL WAY TO TAKE A GODGIVEN GIVEN OPORTUNITY AND THROW IT ALL AWAY...

It was heard that the former All-American hero and football star kidnapped two sports memorabilia dealers and robbed them at gunpoint in Las Vegas on September 13 last year. The prosecuter, District Attorney David Roger, also accused Simpson of leading a conspiracy and told the court that the men whom accompanied Simpson had next-to-little interest with the memorabilia in the room, suggesting that OJ had further plans.

OJ and his ‘forgotten’ co-defendant Stewart were both found guilty of all 12 charges, these were two counts of first degree kidnapping, two counts of armed robbery, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon, two counts of coercion with a deadly weapon, burglary while in possession of a deadly weapon and conspiracy to commit a crime, kidnapping and robbery.

Sucks to be you OJ :)

Last week, I held an anti abduction workshop for the Columbia community, teaching children what to do if approached by a stranger.  I covered topics including body language, using your eyes, power of your voice, use of passwords and techniques to use if a stranger tried to take them away. 

The world can be a dangerous place and it's important that we make our children aware of the threat without making them scared.  There are some basic tips to share with your children: 

A.  Teach your child to run away from danger, never towards it.  Danger is anyone or anything that invades their personal space.

 B. Teach them to yell loudly.  Their safety is more important than being polite. 

C.  Teach your children that if they are ever followed by a car to turn around and run the other direction to you or a trusted adult.

 Listed below is a more complete list of safety tips for you and your child to learn to help keep them safe.  At Samurai Karate Studio, we are dedicated to helping the lives of all our students and we treat stranger danger very seriously in our children's classes. 

1. Teach your child to run away from danger, never towards it.  Danger is anyone or anything that invades their personal space. Teach them to yell loudly.  Their safety is more important than being polite.  Teach your children that if they are ever followed by a car to turn around and run the other direction to you or a trusted adult.
2. Never let your children go places alone. And always supervise your young children or make sure there is a trusted adult present to supervise them if you cannot.  Make sure your older children always take a friend when they go somewhere.
3. At all times know where and who your children are with.  Remind children never to take anything or respond in any way if approached by someone they do not know.  Teach them to run as quickly as they can to you or a trusted adult.
4. Talk openly to your children about safety and encourage them to tell you or a trusted adult if anyone or anything makes them feel frightened, confused, or uncomfortable.  Discuss security issues with your children so they will understand the need for precautions. Advise your older children about steps they can take to help safeguard them. Know your children’s friends and their families. Pay attention to your children and listen to them.  If you do not, there is always some one else who will.
5. Practice what you teach by creating “what if” scenarios with your children to make sure they understand the safety message and can use it in a real situation.
6. Consider installing an alarm system in your home with a monitoring feature. Make sure your home is secured with deadbolt locks, and ensure that landscaping around it does not provide places for people to hide.  Check other access points, such as gates, and make sure that your home is fully secured before you go to sleep, and items such as; ladders have been stored inside.  Prepare a plan to vacate your home in case of any emergency. This should include but is not limited to a fire. Have a plan if an intruder tries or gets into your home.
7. Make your children part of securing your home.  If you have installed an alarm system, demonstrate it to your children and show them how to make certain that doors and windows are locked.  This will not only help calm their fears but will also help make them part of your “safety plan” at home.
8. Have a list of family members who could be contacted in case of an emergency.
9. Be alert to and aware of your surroundings.  Know the “escape routes” and plan what you would do in different emergencies.  Practice “what if” scenarios, so you will be well prepared.  Know the location of local hospitals and best routes to reach them. Know how to reach the nearest local law enforcement agency.
10. Know your employees and coworkers.  Do background screening and reference checks on everyone who works at home, particularly those individuals who care for your children. Their knowledge of your family is extensive so make sure that you have an equivalent understanding of who they are
11. Consider varying your daily routines and habits. Do not take the same routes or go at the same time on your regular errands. If you take your children to school change the route as well.
12. Take steps to secure personal information about yourself. Consider getting post office box and a safety deposit box. Have your personal bills sent to your place of work or post office box. Be discreet about your possessions and family’s personal habits and information.
13. Report any suspicious persons or activities to law enforcement. If you feel that you or your children have been targeted or are being stalked, report this information to law enforcement authorities immediately. Do not wait.
14. Remember that you are your best resource for better safeguarding your family. Do not become    complacent about personal issues.
15. Amber Alert internet site-www.codeamber.org

If you would like more information about our programs, please contact me, Sensei Feldt at 803-462-9425 or email me at samuraikarate@bellsouth.net.  Or you may visit my website at www.samuraikaratestudio.net.

Samurai Karate Studio is located at 2000 Clemson Road, Suite # 9, Columbia, SC 29229.

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds defended his accusations of Obama terrorist ties by stating today:

"Americans need to ask themselves if they've ever befriended an unrepentant terrorist, or had a convicted felon help them buy their house -- because those aren't smears, those are true facts about Barack Obama."

Actually Tucker they are smears, as well as false and misleading.

See the CNN fact check story below to see for yourself.

But hey Tucker? Since we are discussing associations with felons, what about:

Robert Asher - PA Republican and convicted felon. Convicted of public corruption charges and a member of the McCain campaign. That's a fact Tucker.

Raffaello Follieri- convicted con man. Posed as Vatican CFO in order to dupe the wealthy and influential. McCain spent his 70th birthday with him. Check out the link below the video for the full story in the Nation magazine. That's a fact Tucker.

Oh, and let's not forget Charles Keating of the Savings and Loan scandals of the 1980's.

You remember that one Tucker?  - www.keatingeconomics.com

The one where Senator John McCain (who was one of the Keating Five) was admonished by the Senate Ethics committee for using his "poor judement" in that scandal. He didn't understand finances back then and he still doesn't.   

And how about John McCain taking donations from, and appearing on, the radio talk show of G. Gordon Liddy? Remember him?

Liddy is an unrepentant felon from years as a dirty tricks agent for Richard Nixon. He has plotted murders and kidnappings of American's and is a convicted felon, yet McCain has appeared regularly on his show during the presidential campaign and accepts donations to his campaign from Liddy.

They are very close. Much closer then Obama ever was to Ayers.

Liddy referred to McCain as an "old friend" when they saw each other last year and McCain said to Liddy "I'm proud of you, I'm proud of your family."

McCain went on to say "It's always a pleasure for me to come on your program, Gordon, and congratulations on your continued success and adherence to the principles and philosophies that keep our nation great."

Wow...never repentant...McCain supports his principles and philosophies...I'm almost speechless. Except for my surprise that McCain thinks its ok to pal around with him. That's a fact Tucker.

Come on Tucker, aren't you guys being a bit too hypocritical?????

Related articles:

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20080929/berman_ames

By KEN RITTER – 2 hours ago

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Jurors had been told to ignore what they knew about O.J. Simpson's past, but for many observers, the line connecting the former NFL star's murder acquittal last decade and his new conviction for robbing memorabilia peddlers couldn't have been clearer.

The attorney for the family of Ronald Goldman — who was killed along with Simpson's ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson in Los Angeles in 1994 — said he thought his hounding of Simpson for years to collect a $33.5 million wrongful death judgment pushed him to a desperate gambit to recover personal items he had lost.

"We drove him into that room to grab the sports memorabilia before we could seize the stuff," said David Cook, who represents Goldman's father, Fred. "Going to jail for beating Fred Goldman out of footballs and family mementos. Is this closure for Fred Goldman? No. Is this closure for America? Yes."

Simpson lawyer Yale Galanter said Saturday, the day after Simpson and Clarence "C.J." Stewart were convicted of all 12 charges against them in the hotel room confrontation, that the Las Vegas jury was "on an agenda" to make up for Simpson's murder acquittal. The two face up to life in prison.

"This was just payback," Galanter said.

"A lynching from the first second to the end," agreed Thomas Scotto, a close Simpson friend who testified and was overcome by emotion in the courtroom after the verdicts were read. "It's a total injustice."

Scotto later told reporters he would remain in Las Vegas to seek out witnesses and show they were forced into their testimony.

"I need these witnesses to come forward and start telling the truth," he said.

The case against Simpson was won the moment the jury was chosen, according to the consultant who helped prosecutors pick the panel.

"That was the best possible jury prosecutors could ever have," said Howard Varinsky, who drafted a questionnaire for the prosecution that formed the basis of a survey used to cull 12 jurors and six alternates from a pool of 500 prospects.

"I was surprised that we got all the counts," he said Saturday. "But it wasn't an accident that the jury wound up looking like that."

Whatever the jury was thinking, Fred Goldman praised the verdict.

"We're absolutely thrilled to see the potential that he could serve the rest of his life in jail where the scumbag belongs," he told CNN.

Brown Simpson's relatives said in a statement that they want to be left alone as they "work through many mixed emotions." They said they are primarily concerned about the children from the marriage, Sydney and Justin.

The jury that convicted Simpson consisted of three men and nine women, including one woman who identified herself as Hispanic, a court spokesman said. The jury contained no blacks, the race of both defendants.

Jurors declined interviews and avoided the media after the verdicts were read.

According to jury questionnaires released Saturday, five of the 12 jurors wrote that they disagreed with the 1995 verdict that cleared Simpson of murder. Most others claimed to be uncertain or did not answer the question.

Redacted versions of the questionnaires were made public by Clark County District Judge Jackie Glass after The Associated Press and Stephens Media LLC, owner of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, petitioned for their release.

Prosecutors have declined to comment throughout the trial.

Lawyers and jury analysts recalled that prosecutors succeeded in removing two black jurors from the final panel.

Varinsky insisted that Simpson and Stewart got fair trials, saying jurors answered several questions attesting to their ability to set aside their feelings about the Los Angeles case.

But he acknowledged the questions also reminded jurors about that case.

AP Special Correspondent Linda Deutsch and writers Kathleen Hennessey in Las Vegas and Christina Hoag in Los Angeles contributed to this report. ]]> http://epicponyz.wordpress.com/?p=1717 Sun, 05 Oct 2008 14:59:11 +0000 epicponyz http://epicponyz.com/2008/10/05/owned-j-simpson/

Just 13 Years after being acquitted by a jury, OJ Simpson finds himself facing life in prison. On Friday, the verdict was read that literally floored people in the court room. On ALL 12 counts, OJ was found guilty, and seemed stoic to say the least. After the verdict was read, he was hauled away in handcuffs and straight to prison. The 61 Year old will likely face life in prison with his sentence hearing on December 5,2008. Well....What goes around, comes around.

Former professional football star O.J. Simpson has been found guilty on all charges relating to his armed robbery and kidnapping case in a Las Vegas court.  The 12 charges he and his co-defendant C.J. Stewart are facing could lead them to a sentence of life in prison.

The verdict came 13 years to the day Simpson was acquitted of double murder in the highly publicized case in Los Angeles.  This time around, it didn't turn out as fortunate.  Simpson showed little emotion before he was handcuffed and led away from the courtroom.  He now awaits a sentencing date on December 5 to find out whether or not he'll spend the rest of his life behind bars. 

The tumultuous case has been quite intriguing from the beginning.  First it involves the public figure O.J. Simpson and his disputed history.  Then you have a number of people involved rolling over, making deals and testifying against Simpson.  People are selling their accounts for six figures, victims are not really agreeing on Simpson's guilt and law enforcement officers are being called out of character.  Whether or not the victims, witnesses, deputies, or law and order system is "out to get" Simpson, this whole thing had to have been slanted from the start even if he was innocent. 

Not for nothin', but because many people are still feeling pretty raw about how his last trial ended up, there was no way he was going to get a fair trial.  Not saying that he's was innocent, that's not for me to decide, but if strong evidence showed his innocence I doubt it would have made a difference.  People were involved in this case to the degree they were involved in it because it was O.J. Simpson they were dealing with.  Some type of notoriety would be to gain for anyone involved.  I'll leave it to the sentencing to be proven right.  With O.J. technically being a first time offender, then he probably shouldn't get the max penalty.  His chances of fairness increase as the number of people's opinions decrease.

Click here for source.

O. J. Simpson, the former American Football star and actor, has been found guilty of kidnapping and armed robbery, 13 years to the day when he was acquitted by a Los Angeles jury of killing his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman.
 
Simpson and his co-defendant Clarence Stewart were found guilty last night by a Las Vegas jury on all 12 counts.  They will be sentenced on December 5.
 
Simpson, 61, is facing the prospect of life imprisonment for a six-minute confrontation with two sports memorabilia dealers last year at the Palace Station hotel and casino in downtown Las Vegas.
 
Simpson's attorneys pledged to appeal. His longtime lawyer, Yale Galanter, cited jury selection as one basis for a new trial. The defense has charged that prosecutors purposefully excluded African Americans.

"His only hope is the appellate process," Galanter said at a late-night news conference.

Although none of the 12 jurors was black, two of the six alternates were. The panel of nine women and three men deliberated more than 13 hours after listening to nearly three weeks of testimony. Their discussions had begun Friday morning.
 
Prosecutors painted Simpson as masterminding the alleged robbery of two sports collectibles dealers in a hotel room last year. The Hall of Fame running back, the prosecution contended, rounded up five cohorts, told two of them to bring guns and ordered one of the armed men to brandish his weapon and "look menacing."

Simpson and Stewart, 54, were charged with a dozen crimes, including armed robbery and kidnapping, which carries a potential life sentence. Four of their former codefendants agreed to plead guilty to lesser charges and testified for the prosecution.
 
Simpson, who did not take the stand, was here in September 2007 to take part in a friend's wedding. Simpson has said he and his associates were trying to retrieve stolen mementos from collectibles dealers Bruce Fromong and Alfred Beardsley in the Palace Station hotel room.

"We may quibble with how it was done, what was done," said Simpson attorney Galanter in his closing argument. "You may all say he didn't use common sense. But the real issue is whether he had criminal intent to commit a crime."

Prosecutors, however, say the group stole up to $100,000 in footballs, plaques and baseballs at gunpoint from the dealers, who had been tricked into thinking they were meeting a wealthy buyer.

Simpson and his associates "thought they could spin it that, 'It's all OK; it was my stuff,' " said prosecutor Chris Owens in the state's final rebuttal. That mind-set, he said, showed the football icon's "arrogance."
 
Simpson, wearing a dark suit with a white shirt and gray tie, blew out his cheeks and nodded as the verdicts were read out.
 
The second he was convicted, the lights in Clark County District Court went out, the automatic timer is set to switch them off at 11 p.m.  They came back on after a few seconds.
 
Later, Simpson's hands were cuffed behind his back and he was led out of the court by a Clark County marshal.

[Based on reports by the Los Angeles Times and The Daily Telegraph.]

"Guilty!"

A panel of nine women and three men deliberated more than thirteen hours before rendering their decision.

Mr. Simpson, and his accomplice - Clarence Stewart - were convicted on twelve counts stemming from a much-publicized armed robbery and kidnapping incident which took place last year in Las Vegas (NV).

After the verdict was read, the Heisman Trophy winner was cuffed by a deputy and led away to await sentencing.

Although there were three weeks of testimony to sift over, insiders say it was a handful of secret audio recordings, that probably turned the screws on O. J. Simpson and his partner in crime, Clarence Stewart.

The tapes were damning, for sure.

The defense attorney's argument that the altercation - which took place in a hotel room in the gambling mecca in the desert oasis - was simply a botched attempt to recover memorabilia stolen from Mr. Simpson just didn't fly.

"You may all say he didn't use common sense. But the real issue is whether he had criminal intent to commit a crime," attorney Yale Galanter argued in closing statements.

The prosecutors, on the other hand, managed to convince the jury that the armed robbery was masterminded by Simpson who called upon five disreputable ruffians to carry out his nefarious plan.

The state established in the eyes of the jury that Simpson and his cohorts robbed the victims at gunpoint after they were tricked into thinking they were going to savor a windfall sale with a wealthy collector.

Chris Owens, the State prosecutor on the case, convincingly argued that "they thought they could spin it" because - after all - it was Simpson's stuff anyway.

The jury found differently.

O. J. maintained he never saw any guns during the shake-down - in spite of the fact witnesses testified at trial that they packed two revolvers that day - a .45 caliber Ruger and a .22 caliber Beretta - at Simpson's request.

But, it was probably a twenty-six minute encounter which was slyly taped after the ballsy robbery, that probably did the former NFL player in.

One of the gunman met with Simpson at a local restaurant after the robbery and was questioned as to whether he "pulled out the piece" in the hotel hallway.

Simpson was anxiety-stricken over the possibility that the overt act may have been captured on the Hotel's security cameras for future referenc.

Clearly, Simpson was trying to determine if there was any evidence on tape establishing the brandishing of guns, so he could tailor his defense accordingly.

During the course of the trial, friends and business associates turned against Simpson to protect their own hides.

In return for becoming state witnesses, four of the accused were permitted to plead guilty on lesser charges.

The counts of armed robbery and kidnapping against Simpson and Stewart carry potential life sentences.

I goofed! ]]> http://thebruceblog.wordpress.com/?p=2269 Sat, 04 Oct 2008 17:27:41 +0000 Bruce http://thebruceblog.wordpress.com/2008/10/04/oj-simpson-found-guilty-could-face-life-in-prison/ Simpson will get at least 7 years in prison. Conventional wisdom is predicting a minimum of 15.

O.J. Simpson Guilty of Armed Robbery & Kidnapping

Linda Deutsch/Huffington Post:

LAS VEGAS — Thirteen years to the day after being acquitted of killing his wife and her friend in Los Angeles, O.J. Simpson was found guilty of robbing two sports-memorabilia dealers at gunpoint in a Las Vegas hotel room.

The 61-year-old former football star was convicted of all 12 counts late Friday after jurors deliberated for more than 13 hours. He released a heavy sigh as the charges were read and was immediately taken into custody.

Simpson, who went from American sports idol to celebrity-in-exile after his murder acquittal, could spend the rest of his life in prison.

His attorney said he would appeal.

Many people considered the four-week trial justice delayed. Simpson was cleared in 1995 of murdering his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman, in one of the most sensational trials of the 20th century, but was later found liable for the deaths in a civil case.

"I don't like to use the word payback," defense attorney Yale Galanter said. "I can tell you from the beginning my biggest concern ... was whether or not the jury would be able to separate their very strong feelings about Mr. Simpson and judge him fairly and honestly."

The Hall of Fame football star was convicted of kidnapping, armed robbery and 10 other charges for gathering up five men a year ago and storming into a room at a hotel-casino, where the group seized several game balls, plaques and photos. Prosecutors said two of the men with him were armed; one of them said Simpson asked him to bring a gun.

Simpson's co-defendant, Clarence "C.J." Stewart, 54, also was found guilty on all charges and taken into custody.

Jurors made no eye contact with the defendants as they entered the courtroom. They declined to answer questions after the verdict was read.

Galanter said his client had expected the outcome, and in a courthouse conversation with an Associated Press reporter on Thursday, Simpson had implied as much.

Simpson said he was "afraid that I won't get to go to my kids' college graduations after I managed to get them through college."

Galanter said it was not a happy day for anybody. "His only hope is the appellate process," he said.

Clark County spokesman Dan Kulin said prosecutors would not comment until the case was "completely resolved."

Judge Jackie Glass made no comment other than to thank the jury for its service and to deny motions for the defendants to be released on bail.

She refused to give the lawyers extended time to file a motion for new trial, which under Nevada law must be filed within seven days. The attorneys said they needed time to submit a voluminous record.

"I've sat through the trial," Glass said. "If you want a motion for new trial, send me something."

Stewart's attorney, Brent Bryson, also promised to appeal.

"If there was ever a case that should have been severed in the history of jurisprudence, it's this case," he said of unsuccessful attempts to separate Stewart's case from Simpson's because of the "spillover" effect.

From the beginning, Simpson and his lawyers argued the incident was not a robbery, but an attempt to reclaim mementos that had been stolen from him. He said he did not ask anyone to bring a weapon and did not see any guns.

The defense portrayed Simpson as a victim of shady characters who wanted to make a buck off his famous name, and police officers who saw his arrest as an opportunity to "get" him and avenge his acquittal.

Prosecutors said Simpson's ownership of the memorabilia was irrelevant; it was still a crime to try to take things by force.

"When they went into that room and forced the victims to the far side of the room, pulling out guns and yelling, `Don't let anybody out of here!' _ six very large people detaining these two victims in the room with the intent to take property through force or violence from them _ that's kidnapping," prosecutor David Roger said.

Kidnapping is punishable by five years to life in prison. Armed robbery carries a mandatory sentence of at least two years behind bars, and could bring as much as 30. Sentencing was set for Dec. 5.

Simpson, who now lives in Miami, did not testify but was heard on a recording of the confrontation screaming that the dealers had stolen his property. "Don't let nobody out of this room," he declared and told the other men to scoop up his items, which included a photo of Simpson with former FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover.

Four other men charged in the case struck plea bargains that saved them from potential prison sentences in return for their testimony. Some of them had criminal records or were otherwise compromised in some way. One, for example, was an alleged pimp who testified he had a revelation from God telling him to take a plea bargain.

Memorabilia dealer Thomas Riccio, who arranged and secretly recorded the hotel-room confrontation, said he netted $210,000 from the media for the tapes.

Similarly, minutes after the Sept. 13, 2007, incident, one of the alleged victims, sports-memorabilia dealer Alfred Beardsley, was calling news outlets, and the other, Bruce Fromong, spoke of getting "big money" from the case.

Simpson's past haunted the case. Las Vegas police officers were heard in the recordings chuckling over Simpson's misfortune and crowing that if Los Angeles couldn't "get" him, they would.

During jury selection, Simpson's lawyers expressed fears that people who believed he got away with murder might see this case as a chance to right a wrong.

As a result, an usually large pool of 500 potential jurors was called, and they were given a 26-page questionnaire. Half were almost instantly eliminated after expressing strong feelings that Simpson should have been convicted of murder.

The judge instructed the jurors to put aside Simpson's earlier case.

In closing arguments, Galanter acknowledged that what Simpson did to recover his memorabilia was not right. "But being stupid, and being frustrated is not being a criminal," he said.

He added: "This case has taken on a life of its own because of Mr. Simpson's involvement. You know that. I know that. Every cooperator, every person who had a gun, every person who had an ulterior motive, every person who signed a book deal, every person who got paid money, the police, the district attorney's office, is only interested in one thing: Mr. Simpson."

___

Associated Press writers Ken Ritter and Kathleen Hennessey contributed to this report.

Amazingly, that turned into a kidnapping charge! How is that even possible? Is a schoolteacher "kidnapping" children when she says, "Don't leave the room until the bell rings"? I think not. (To not leave anything out, a couple of the guys may have been brandishing guns when OJ made the statement but I don't really see how that matters.)

However, due to the gun thing, he was hit with armed robbery. First of all, it was his stuff! The fact that it was stolen (or maybe OJ sold some to have some golfing money) is irrelevent. OJ had every right to ask for his stuff back. And, besides, how in the world is OJ charged for "armed" robbery when he wasn't holding a gun? Anyway, everyone in the world knows that OJ is much more of a knife man when it comes to criminal endeavours.  

So now that he is convicted on these ridiculous charges who will scour the golf courses of the world to find the real killers? I think OJ was getting real, real close. He had so entered the mind of the killer that he wrote that book, "How If I did it". I am telling you, he had almost solved the crime.

Somewhere, Johnnie Cochran is rolling over in his grave. Sure it might be from laughter but that doesn't change the facts. The Po-Po have been after the Heisman Trophy winner for years and they finally got their man. I hope that they are happy with themselves. Who are they going to go after next? Michael Jackson? Notice how they are always going after the black man? (Or at least kind of black. Actually, more off-white in Mike's case). Next you will be hearing how Michael Vick is running a kitty fighting ring in jail. 

Don't worry OJ. You will be a huge celebrity in jail and get your pick of "girlfriends". Just remember, "If it doesn't fit, you must acquit use more lubricant".

(Oh look. There go a bunch more readers never to return. Honestly, I just can't help myself).

O.J Simpson and co-defendant Clarence Stewart have been found guilty of all twelve charges stemming from a confrontation in a Las Vegas hotel room. He alleged he and his friends were only trying to recover his property from a former colleague. The charges included kidnapping, armed robbery, use of and assault with a deadly weapon, and could get him life in prison. The all-white three male, nine female jury deliberated 13 hours. He will be formally sentenced on December 5th.

They have been dying to lock OJ up since he was found not guilty (I actually believe that he was responsible for their deaths) of murdering his ex-wife Nicole Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman (RIP).

From the moment they selected an all white jury in this case it was over for OJ!

From the New York Times:

The items were in the possession of two memorabilia dealers, Bruce L. Fromong and Alfred Beardsley, who were led to believe a prospective buyer was coming to browse the goods. Instead, Mr. Simpson and his group burst into the room and, according to several witnesses, at least one gun was brandished.

The jury of nine women and three men mulled weeks of testimony as well as hours of surreptitious audio recordings of the planning and execution of the event by Thomas Riccio, a memorabilia auctioneer who arranged the confrontation.

Here is a timeline of the major events dating back to the death of Nicole Brown Simpson from Fox News:

June 12, 1994 -- O.J. Simpson's ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ronald Goldman found dead in Los Angeles.

Oct. 3, 1995 -- Simpson acquitted of two counts of murder in Los Angeles.

February 1997 -- Simpson found liable for compensatory and punitive damages in wrongful death civil lawsuit; ordered to pay $33.5 million to Goldman, Nicole Brown Simpson estates.

July 1997 -- Bank claims Simpson's Brentwood mansion in foreclosure sale. Goldman family lawyers seek Simpson assets to satisfy civil judgment.

September 1997 -- Simpson moves out of Brentwood house.

Feb. 16, 1999 -- Simpson's Heisman Trophy, other memorabilia auctioned; bidder later sets them afire.

Oct. 24, 2001: Simpson cleared of all charges in a Florida case involving an alleged road-rage incident. He is represented by attorney Yale Galanter.

Nov. 20, 2006 -- Publisher cancels book, "If I Did It," amid controversy. Simpson calls ghostwritten book a fictional account of how he might have killed his ex-wife and her friend.

July 30, 2007 -- Federal bankruptcy judge in Miami awards the rights of Simpson's canceled "If I Did It" book to the Goldman family to satisfy wrongful death judgment.

August 2007 -- Simpson fan, memorabilia dealer Alfred Beardsley calls collectibles broker Thomas Riccio to arrange sale of Simpson items in Las Vegas.

Aug. 21, 2007 -- Riccio tells FBI that Simpson plans to confront a collector he believes is peddling stolen Simpson memorabilia; testifies the FBI told him it was a civil matter.

Sept. 12, 2007 -- Simpson arrives in Las Vegas for friend Tom Scotto's wedding.

Sept. 13, 2007 -- The Goldmans publish Simpson's book under the title: "If I Did It: Confessions of the Killer."

Sept. 13, 2007 -- Simpson, Clarence "C.J." Stewart, Walter "Goldie" Alexander, Michael "Spencer" McClinton, Charles Ehrlich and Charles Cashmore confront memorabilia dealers Beardsley and Bruce Fromong in Riccio's room at Palace Station casino hotel. Riccio secretly records it. Beardsley, Fromong report an armed robbery.

Sept. 14, 2007 -- Simpson tells The Associated Press no guns were involved and some of the items taken had been stolen from.

Sept. 15, 2007 -- Police arrest Alexander at McCarran International Airport. Simpson attends Scotto's wedding in Las Vegas.

Sept. 16, 2007 -- Simpson arrested at The Palms.

Sept. 17, 2007 -- Stewart surrenders to police, turns over items taken from hotel room. Fromong hospitalized in Los Angeles after suffering heart attack.

Sept. 18, 2007 -- McClinton surrenders to police. Simpson, McClinton, Stewart, Alexander charged with nine felonies, including kidnapping.

Sept. 19, 2007 -- Simpson freed on $125,000 bail, returns home to Miami. Beardsley arrested on California parole violation. Cashmore surrenders to police.

Sept. 21, 2007 -- Ehrlich turns himself in at court.

Oct. 15, 2007 -- Cashmore, Alexander take plea deals, agree to testify against Simpson.

Oct. 29, 2007 -- McClinton takes plea deal, agrees to testify against Simpson.

Nov. 14, 2007 -- Las Vegas judge binds Simpson, Stewart, Ehrlich over for trial in state court on 12 charges, including kidnapping, conspiracy, armed robbery. Alexander depicts Simpson as mastermind of scheme to recover possessions. McClinton testifies he brought two guns, wielded one, gave another to Alexander. Cashmore testifies he went along to help Simpson carry items.

Nov. 16, 2007 -- Simpson leaves recorded phone message with bail bondsman Miguel Pereira to tell Stewart about how upset Simpson is about preliminary hearing testimony.

Nov. 28, 2007 -- Simpson, Stewart, Ehrlich plead not guilty to all 12 charges.

Jan. 11 -- Pereira retrieves Simpson from Miami, brings him to Clark County jail pending hearing on whether the Nov. 16 message violated court order not to contact co-defendants.

Jan. 16 -- Clark County District Court Judge Jackie Glass reprimands Simpson, doubles his bail to $250,000.

March 7 -- Glass postpones trial from April 7 to Sept. 8.

Aug. 4 -- Ehrlich takes plea deal, agrees to testify against Simpson.

August -- Nevada Supreme Court denies several requests by Stewart's lawyers to sever his case from Simpson's or to delay trial.

Sept. 8 -- Jury selection begins for Simpson, Stewart on 12 charges, including kidnapping, armed robbery, conspiracy, coercion, burglary, assault with a deadly weapon.

Sept. 15-Oct. 1 -- Trial testimony.

Oct. 2 -- Closing arguments.

Oct. 3 -- Jury returns verdict.

If this is karma then it certaintly came back around after being acquitted in the murder case that involved the kiling of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman. Simpson is back in the court room after 13 years and is now on trial for robbery and kidnapping in connection with a bizarre confrontation in a Las Vegas hotel room allegedly involving guns and pillow cases stuffed with sports memorabilia.

My comments as a white collar crime and ethics speaker have little to do with his guilt or innocence, that decision will soon be in the hands of the jury. Rather, O. J. like many people, myself included, have or have had a pattern of behavior that is destructive to those connected to us. As a result of O. J.'s choices, he has faced the possibility of some very serious consequences, and as the days pass will find out - yet once again - what the outcome or consequence of his most recent past choices will be.

O. J.'s past is public knowledge. There is no sense in reviewing the past. The only thing that is significant is the pattern. Every choice has a consequence. Make no mistake, the preceding sentence is true and a universal law - although many want to believe otherwise. I have experienced this law in action and, fully aware, witnessed many others who find out the truth of the law.

Every choice has a consequence. This case, soon to be before a Nevada jury, is no different. On one hand, O. J. would declare that he was just going to retrieve what was his - nothing more. Others, facing demands and a gun, would declare otherwise. Regardless of intent, O. J. will face the consequences of his choices and either be judged guilty or innocent.

Now many would say that O. J. is covered in lard - in that he had slide through what to many should have been obvious consequences. Let me point out - the consequence that we face as a result of the actions we take is not for us to choose. What should be an obvious consequence to many may not be the most significant consequence to the person who made the choice. Being stripped of a good name and reputation - a consequence that O. J. has faced - may be far more devastating than time in prison where he might be a hero.

Whatever the outcome, the single biggest question to me is - what next. O. J. has the name and fame to turn his choices (most perceived negative) into lessons and opportunities to show others the direct effect of choices and consequences. Will that happen? I would love to say yes, but past history shows that O. J. has not yet gotten off of the merry-go-round of ego driven bad choices. Perhaps this time will be the charm.

Meanwhile, there are those of us who know better and use past experience to help others. I use the experience of my past to help college kids see the direct connection between choices and consequences. Visit my web site and click on the Business Week tab on the home page for more information.