tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39577529864905006282024-03-14T06:38:40.307-05:00OIDV Project Of Michigan - Officer Involved Domestic Violence Project Of Michigansurvivorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00709834412998647667noreply@blogger.comBlogger1192125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3957752986490500628.post-7374884736422849372023-08-08T10:00:00.001-05:002023-08-08T13:24:53.794-05:0008082023 - OIDV Project Of Michigan - Website Posts/Cases - We Refuse To Forget<div style="text-align: left;"><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">OIDV/Officer Involved Domestic Violence</span><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> </span><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Project Of Michigan</span></a></span></span><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> - </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span></span></span><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Website Posts</span>/Cases</span> <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1x8rbmE89zaRTGOqn00yasbJ9bTf4-Ijs/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">PDF</a></b></span></p>
<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p></div><div style="text-align: left;"><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">In April 2013, MCL 769.4a was amended to allow that DV/OIDV c</b><b style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">ases and disposition of criminal DV charges be closed to public inspection. Media was </b><b style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">no longer allowed to report on cases - </b><b style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">and thus OIDV victims/survivors no longer had a voice. With the act of a law meant only to protect the perpetrator and not the victim, OIDV cases </b><b style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">disappeared from the public eye and were swept under the carpet.</b></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">This post is a reminder that OIDV is real in the State of Michigan - despite what officials want you to think. Let us not forget...</b></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dKmV-y3eaatq4RXJ4XRxYyLIpEVli6dg/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">OIDV Project Of Michigan - Articles Of Incorporation Filing</a></b></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1970/08/08221946-officer-clayton-smith-shooting.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08221946 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Clayton Smith - Shooting Death Of Wife Roxanne Smith - NEWS ARTICLE FILES</span></span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><br /><br /></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1970/08/08221946-lansing-police-officer-clayton.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08221946 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Lansing Police Officer Clayton Smith - Charged With Shooting Death Of Wife Roxanne Smith</span></span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><br /><br /></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1970/12/12111946-lansing-police-officer-clayton.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12111946 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Lansing Police Officer Clayton Smith - Acquitted Of Shooting Death Of Wife Roxanne Smith</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1971/01/01011971-officer-eugene-williams.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01011971 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Detroit PD Officer Eugene Williams - Involved In Fatal Hit-And-Run While Under The Influence</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><br /><br /></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1971/01/01021971-officer-eugene-williams.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01021971 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Detroit PD Officer Eugene Williams - Terminated After Fatal Hit-And-Run While Under Influence</span></span></span></span></span></a></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1973/05/05311973-deputy-dennis-murphy-murdered_60.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>05311973 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Dennis Murphy - Murdered wife Janet Murphy and sons Robbie and Randy - Delta County SD</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><br /><br /></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1973/05/05311973-deputy-dennis-murphy-murdered_32.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>05311973 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Deputy Dennis Murphy - Murdered Wife And Sons - Delta SD - NEWS ARTICLE FILES</span></span></span></span></span></a></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1974/01/01011974-officer-eugene-williams.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01011974 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Detroit PD Officer Eugene Williams - Reinstated To Department After Fatal Hit And Run While Intoxicated</span></span></span></span></span></a></span></div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1974/07/07201974-trooper-richard-karbowski_20.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07201974 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Trooper Richard Karbowski - Murdered By 16 Year-Old Son - NEWS ARTICLES FILES</span></span></span></span></span></a></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1975/03/03161975-officer-clarence-ratliff_16.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>03161975 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Clarence Ratliff - Assault of First Wife - Grand Rapids PD</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><br /><br /></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1975/03/03161975-officer-clarence-ratliff.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>03161975 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Clarence Ratliff - Suspension - Assault Of First Wife - Grand Rapids PD</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><br /><br /></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1975/10/10291975-officer-beverly-mix-assaulted.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10291975 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Beverly Mix - Assaulted by husband, Phillip Mix - Frankfort PD</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><br /><br /></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1975/12/12151975-officer-paul-harrington-murder.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12151975 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Paul Harrington - Murder Of First Wife Becky And Daughters Cassandra and Pamela</span></span></span></span></span></a></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1977/06/06011977-officer-paul-harrington.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>06011977 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Paul Harrington - Sentenced - Murder Of Wife Becky And Daughters Pamela and Cassandra - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><br /><br /></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1977/06/06061977-co-richard-pierce-plead-guilty.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>06061977 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>C.O. Richard Pierce - Plead Guilty To Second-Degree Murder - Later Became Correction Officer - Arrested For DV In 2009</span></span></span></span></span></a></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1978/01/01011978-chief-john-josten-assault.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01011978 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Chief John Josten - Assault & Battery - Bloomingdale PD</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><br /><br /></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1978/02/02011978-chief-john-josten-sentenced.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>02011978 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Chief John Josten - Sentenced - Assault & Battery - Bloomingdale PD</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><br /><br /></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1978/05/05161978-michigan-house-of.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>05161978 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Michigan House Of Representatives To Vote On Domestic Violence Bill</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><br /><br /></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1978/07/07141978-mcl-7694-counselingconviction.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07141978 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>MCL 769.4 - Counseling/Conviction Retracted In Domestic Violence Abuse Cases</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><br /><br /></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1978/11/11301978-officer-cecila-bobo-shot-and.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>11301978 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Cecila Bobo - Shot and Killed Husband, Milton Bobo</span></span></span></span></span></a></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1979/01/01011979-bullard-plawecki-mcl-423501.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01011979 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Bullard-Plawecki /MCL 423.501 - 423.512 Enacted - Police Reprimands Confidential - Allows Reprimands To Be Deleted From Files</span></span></span></span></span></a></span></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1979/06/06051979-officer-eugene-willaims.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>06051979 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Detroit PD Officer Eugene Williams - Shot/Killed Glenn Grace During Neighbor Dispute</span></span></span></span></span></a></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1979/06/06051979-officer-eugene-williams.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>06051979 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Detroit PD Officer Eugene Williams - Lawsuit For Unjustified Shooting Death Of Glenn Grace</span></span></span></span></span></a></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1982/01/01081982-officer-sharron-randolph.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01081982 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Detroit Police Officer Sharron Randolph - Murdered by husband, Attorney Thomas Harold Randolph Jr.- Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1984/01/01011984-senator-david-jaye-macomb.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><b>01011984 -</b></span><span> Macomb County Commissioner David Jaye - Arrested For First Drunk Driving Offense - Macomb County</span></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1984/06/06041984-officer-eugene-j-williams.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>06041984 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Detroit PD Officer Eugene J Williams - Shot/Wounded Wife/Officer Pamela Hatter Williams During Domestic Dispute</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1984/06/06041984-officer-pamela-hatter-williams.html" style="font-size: large;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>06041984 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Detroit PD Officer Pamela Hatter Williams - Shot/Wounded By Husband/Officer Eugene Williams During Domestic</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1984/06/06051984-officer-eugene-williams.html" style="font-size: large;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>06051984 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Detroit PD Officer Eugene Williams - Suspended - Shot/Wounded Wife, Officer Pamila Hatter Williams [06041984]</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><div><span><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1985/01/01011985-firefighter-gerald-paul-thoma.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01011985 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Firefighter Gerald Paul Thoma Jr. - Fruitport FD</span></span></span></span></span></a></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1985/01/01011985-commissioner-al-holiday-saginaw.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01011985 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Saginaw County Commissioner Al Holiday - Confrontation With Police And Teenager</span></span></span></span></span></a></span></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1986/07/07291986-officer-dale-malesh-sturgis-pd.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07291986 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Dale Malesh - Sturgis PD</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><br /><br /></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1986/08/08131986-officer-dale-malesh-sentenced.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08131986 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Dale Malesh - Sentenced - Sturgis PD</span></span></span></span></span></a></span></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1987/07/07231987-msp-melvin-paul-holbrook-starr.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07231987 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>MSP Sergeant Melvin Paul Holbrook - Starr Mangold Holbrook</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1988/03/03091988-officer-walter-krejcik-murder.html" style="font-size: large;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>03091988 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Walter Krejcik - Murder Suicide - Murder of ex wife, Pamela Krejcik - NEWS ARTICLES</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span><span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1988/10/10191988-judge-carol-irons-murdered-by.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10191988 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Judge Carol Irons Murdered By Estranged Husband, Officer Clarence Ratliff - Grand Rapids PD - NEWS ARTICLE FILES</span></span></span></span></span></a></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1988/10/10191988-officer-clarence-ratliff.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>10191988 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span>Officer Clarence Ratliff - Murder of ex-wife, Judge Carol Irons [Grand Rapids]</span></span></span></span></a></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1988/10/10191988-officer-clarence-ratliff.html" target="_blank"><span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><br /></span></span></span></span></a><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1988/10/10191988-officer-clarence-ratliff-shot_19.html" target="_blank"><span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>10191988 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span>Officer Clarence Ratliff - Shot At Officer Daniel Ostopowski, After Ratliff Murdered Estranged Wife/Judge Carol Irons</span></span></span></span></a></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1988/10/10191988-officer-clarence-ratliff-shot_19.html" target="_blank"><span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><br /></span></span></span></span></a><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1988/10/10191988-officer-clarence-ratliff-shot.html" target="_blank"><span><span><span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><b>10191988 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span> Officer Clarence Ratliff - Shot At Officer John Den Boer, After Ratliff Murdered Estranged Wife/Judge Carol Irons</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1988/10/10191988-officer-clarence-ratliff-shot.html" target="_blank"><span><span><span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></a><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1988/12/12241988-michigan-crime-victim-rights.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><b>12241988 -</b> </span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span>Michigan Crime Victim Rights - Article I §24, Michigan State Constitutio</span></span></span>n</span></a></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1989/01/01011989-officer-eugene-williams.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span><b>01011989 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span><span> Detroit PD Officer Eugene J Williams - Unjustified Assault Of High School Student Robert Valentine, Causing Injury</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1989/06/06121989-officer-clarence-ratliff.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span><b>06121989 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span><span> Officer Clarence Ratliff - Sentenced - Murder Of Ex-Wife Judge Carol Irons - Grand Rapids PD</span></span></span></span></span></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1990/01/1990-crime-victims-rights-act-18-usc.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01011990 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Crime Victims' Rights Act 18 U.S.C. § 3771</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1990/01/01011990-1990-vawaviolence-against.html" target="_blank"><b>01011990 - </b>1990 VAWA/Violence Against Women Act AND Political Agendas - News Articles</a></span></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1990/01/01011990-representative-david-jaye.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>01011990 - </b>Representative David Jaye - Sexist Views Of Women</span></a></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1990/09/09011990-commissioner-al-holiday.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>09011990 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Saginaw County Commissioner Al Holiday - Arrested For Domestic Violence</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1990/12/12211990-commissioner-al-holiday.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12211990 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Saginaw County Commissioner Al Holiday - Arrested For Shooting In Vicinity Of Ex-Wife's Home</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1990/12/12211990-commissioner-al-holiday_21.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12211990 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Saginaw County Commissioner Al Holiday - Arrested For Leaving Scene Of Accident At His Ex-Wife's Residence</span></span></span></span></span></a></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span><span><span><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1991/01/01011991-1991-vawaviolence-against.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>01011991 - </b>1991 VAWA/Violence Against Women Act AND Political Agendas - News Article</span>s</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span><span><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span><span><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1991/02/02091991-diane-newton-king-murdered-ex.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>02091991 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> News Anchor Diane Newton King Murdered - [Former Pontiac PD Officer] Bradford King</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><br /><br /></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1991/02/02091991-officer-bradford-king-murder.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>02091991 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Bradford King - Murder of wife Diane Newton King - Pontiac PD</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><br /><br /></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1991/02/02091991-officer-bradford-king-diane.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>02091991 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Bradford King - Diane Marler Newton King murder - NEWS ARTICLES</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><br /><br /></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1991/10/10241991-clarence-ratliff-appeal.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10241991 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Clarence Ratliff - Appeal - Conviction Affirmed</span></span></span></span></span></a></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span><span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1992/01/01011992-1992-vawaviolence-against.html" style="font-size: medium;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>01011992 - </b>1992 VAWA/Violence Against Women Act AND Political Agendas - News Articles</span></a></span></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1993/01/01011993-1993-vawaviolence-against.html" target="_blank"><b>01011993 -</b> 1993 VAWA/Violence Against Women Act AND Political Agendas - News Articles</a></span></div><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1993/01/01011993-officer-jeff-morse-white-cloud.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01011993 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Jeff Morse - White Cloud PD</span></span></span></span></span></a></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span><span><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1993/01/01061993-officer-bradford-king.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01061993 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Bradford King - Sentenced - Pontiac PD</span></span></span></span></span></a></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span><span><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1993/01/01201993-officer-bradford-king-appeal.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01201993 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Bradford King - Appeal - Pontiac PD</span></span></span></span></span></a></span></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1993/02/02021993-senator-david-jaye-macomb.html" target="_blank"><b>02021993 - </b>Senator David Jaye - Arrested For Second Drunk Driving Offense - Macomb County</a></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1993/02/02021993-senator-david-jaye-macomb.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>02021993 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Senator David Jaye - Macomb County</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1993/03/deputy-orval-parker-monroe-county-sd_4040.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>03251993 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Orval Parker - Stalking/Misuse Of LEIN - Internal Investigation - Monroe County SD</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1993/05/05011993-msp-trooper-douglas-wright.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>05011993 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>MSP Trooper Douglas Wright - Murder Of Estranged Wife/Flint PD Dispatcher Kimberly Thompson - Murder Staged As Suicide</span></span></span></span></span></a></span></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1993/07/07051993-corrections-officer-kenneth-m.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07051993 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Corrections Officer Kenneth M. Norton - Murder of Tabatha Horn (Fiancée's 3-year-old daughter)</span></span></span></span></span></a></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span><span><span><span><span><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1994/01/01011994-1994-vawaviolence-against.html" target="_blank"><b>01011994 -</b> 1994 VAWA/Violence Against Women Act AND Political Agendas - News Articles</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span><span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1994/02/02101994-corrections-officer-kenneth-m.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>02101994 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Corrections Officer Kenneth M. Norton - Sentenced For Tabatha Horn Murder</span></span></span></span></span></a></span></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1994/07/07011994-deputy-kenneth-norton-st.html" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07011994 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Kenneth Norton - St. Joseph County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><p align="LEFT" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1994/07/07021994-deputy-kenneth-norton.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07021994 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Deputy Kenneth Norton - Suspended - St. Joseph County SD</span></span></span></span></span></a></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1994/08/08011994-deputy-kenneth-norton.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08011994 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Kenneth Norton - Terminated - St. Joseph County SD</span></span></span></span></span></a></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1994/08/08201994-councilman-gregory-blaine_20.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08201994 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Councilman Gregory Blaine - Murdered Estranged Wife, Joann Blaine</span></span></span></span></span></a></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1994/12/12011994-co-reserve-officer-william.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12011994 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>C.O. / Reserve Officer William Pattison - CSC - Count 5 - Milford PD</span></span></span></span></span></a></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1994/12/12011994-co-reserve-officer-william_67.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12011994 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> C.O. / Reserve Officer William Pattison - CSC - Count 6 - Milford PD<br /></span></span></span></span></span></a></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1994/12/12011994-co-reserve-officer-william_67.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span></a></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1994/12/12011994-co-reserve-officer-william_77.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12011994 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> C.O. / Reserve Officer William Pattison - CSC - Count 7 - Milford PD</span></span></span></span></span></a></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1994/12/12011994-co-reserve-officer-william_1.html" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12011994 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>C.O. / Reserve Officer William Pattison - CSC - Count 8 - Milford PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><div><span><span><span><span><span><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1995/01/01011995-1995-vawaviolence-against.html" target="_blank"><b>01011995 - </b>1995 VAWA/Violence Against Women Act AND Political Agendas - News Articles</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1995/01/01011995-officer-jeff-morse-domestic.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01011995 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Jeff Morse - Domestic Violence - East Jordan PD</span></span></span></span></span></a></span></span></div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: medium;"><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1995/02/02011995-officer-jeff-morse-sentenced.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>02011995 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Jeff Morse - Sentenced - East Jorden PD</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1995/03/03291995-michigan-panel-unveils-new.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>03291995 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Michigan Panel Unveils New Domestic Violence Model Policy</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span></span><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1995/04/04011995-officer-phillip-bal-iron.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04011995 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Phillip Bal - CSC allegation - Iron Mountain PD</span></span></span></span></span></a></span></div></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><div><span><span><span><span><span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1996/01/01011996-1996-vawaviolence-against.html" target="_blank"><b>01011996 - </b>1996 VAWA/Violence Against Women Act AND Political Agendas - News Articles</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><br /></span><span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1996/01/01011996-commissioner-al-holiday.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01011996 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Saginaw County Commissioner Al Holiday - Charged W/Disturbing The Peace</span></span></span></span></span></a></span></span></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1996/01/01291996-officer-richard-kelly-domestic_29.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01291996 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Richard Kelly - Domestic Assault & Standoff With Police - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1996/01/01291996-officer-richard-kelly-domestic.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01291996 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Richard Kelly - Domestic Assault & Standoff With Police - NEWS ARTICLES</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1996/02/02281996-damon-barton-convicted-for.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>02281996 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Damon Barton - Convicted For Breaking Into Home Of Ex - Murdered Wife/Officer Anna Hamilton Barton June 12, 2014</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1996/05/05181996-argentine-township-pd-officer.html" style="font-size: medium;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>05181996 - </b>Argentine Township PD Officer Tracey R Oesterle - Charged With Assault W/Intent To Murder And Possessing A Firearm During A Felony [DV]</span></a></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1996/06/06171996-board-member-kenneth-daniels.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>06171996 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Board Member Kenneth Daniels -Charged With 2 Felonies In Domestic Disturbance - Detroit Board of Education</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1996/09/09301996-18-usc-922g9-lautenberg.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>09301996 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(9) - Lautenberg Amendment; Federal Domestic Violence Gun Ban</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span></span><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1996/11/11211996-board-member-kenneth-daniels.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>11211996 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Board Member Kenneth Daniels - 06171996 DV Charges Dismissed - Detroit Board of Education</span></span></span></span></span></a></span></div></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div><span><span><span><span><span><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1997/01/01011997-1997-vawaviolence-against.html" target="_blank"><b>01011997 - </b>1997 VAWA/Violence Against Women Act AND Political Agendas - News Articles</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><br /></span><span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1997/01/01011997-current-michigan-police.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01011997 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Current Michigan Police Department OIDV Policies</span></span></span></span></span></a></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1997/01/01011997-state-rep-keith-stallworth-dv.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01011997 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>State Rep Keith Stallworth - DV & Greene - NEWS ARTICLES FILES</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1997/01/01011997-magistrate-jeff-gagie-arrested.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01011997 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Magistrate Jeff Gagie - Arrested For Domestic Violence - Kalamazoo County</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1997/01/01091997-lautenberg-dv-gun-ban-us.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01091997 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Lautenberg DV Gun Ban - US Representative Bart Stupak's attempt to have police officers exempt from Lautenberg Amendment [01/09/1997] - Bill H.R. 445, 105th Congress</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1997/02/02081997-firefighter-ardra-young.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>02081997 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Detroit Firefighter Ardra Young - Murdered ex-wife Terri Young and son Emmanuel Young - Detroit FD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1997/02/02091997-detroit-firefighter-ardra.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>02091997 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Detroit Firefighter Ardra Young - Confessed To Murdering Wife Terri And Son Emmanuel - Charged With Murders</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1997/02/02101997-in-officer-russel-brady.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>02101997 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> [IN] Officer Russel Brady - Charged In Murder Of Candee Deoitte - Acquitted October 2000</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1997/02/02171997-officer-ronald-dupuis-careless.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>02171997 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Ronald Dupuis - Careless driving while on duty - Ecorse PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1997/04/04121997-co-jeffrey-nowlin-murdered.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04121997 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>C.O. Jeffrey Nowlin - Murdered wife Michele Nowlin</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1997/10/10311997-detroit-firefighter-ardra.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10311997 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Detroit Firefighter Ardra Young - Convicted Of Murdering Wife Terri And Son Emmanuel</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1997/11/11011997-magistrate-jeff-gagie-dv.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>11011997 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Magistrate Jeff Gagie - DV Charges Dropped - Kalamazoo County</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1997/11/11201997-detroit-firefighter-ardra.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>11201997 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Detroit Firefighter Ardra Young - Sentenced To Life - Murder Wife Terri And Son Emmanuel</span></span></span></span></span></a></span></div></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="font-size: medium;"><span><span><span><span><span><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1998/01/01011998-1998-vawaviolence-against.html" target="_blank"><b>01011998 - </b>1998 VAWA/Violence Against Women Act AND Political Agendas - News Articles</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><br /></span><span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1998/01/01051998-detroit-firefighter-ardra.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01051998 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Detroit Firefighter Ardra Young - Filed Appeal - Murder Conviction</span></span></span></span></span></a></span></span></div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: medium;"><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1998/03/deputy-orval-parker-monroe-county-sd.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>03111998 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Deputy Orval Parker - Charged W/Felony Assault Of Ex-Girlfriend - Monroe County SD</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1998/03/03121998-deputy-orval-parker-polygraph.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>03121998 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Deputy Orval Parker - Polygraph Of Victim Used To Obtain Warrant Against Deputy Parker - Monroe County SD</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1998/03/03181998-co-reserve-officer-william.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>03181998 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>C.O. / Reserve Officer William Pattison - PPO Appeal - Milford PD</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1998/04/04201998-officer-michael-ferguson-shot.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04201998 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Detroit PD Officer Michael Ferguson - Shot Pregnant Girlfriend</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1998/04/04241998-deputy-orval-parker-waived.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04241998 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Deputy Orval Parker - Waived Preliminary Exam/Facing 4 Years In Prison - Monroe County SD</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1998/07/07011998-state-rep-raymond-murphy.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07011998 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>State Rep Raymond Murphy - Threatened Wife With Gun - Detroit</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1998/07/07211998-muskegon-heights-pd-officer.html" style="font-size: medium;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>07211998 - </b>Muskegon Heights PD Officer Mel Jason Jordan - Charged With CSC Of 19 Year-Old Assisting Police In Sting Operation </span></a></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1998/08/08061998-state-rep-raymond-murphy-dv.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08061998 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>State Rep Raymond Murphy - DV & Gun Charges Charges Dropped - Detroit</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1998/09/09301998-18-usc-921-lautenberg.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>09301998 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>18 U.S.C. § 921 - Lautenberg Amendment; Federal Domestic Violence Gun Ban</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1998/10/10011998-mayor-gerald-ajax-ackerman-csc_93.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10011998 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Mayor Gerald "Ajax" Ackerman - CSC - Count 2 - Port Huron</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1998/10/10011998-mayor-gerald-ajax-ackerman-csc_29.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10011998 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Mayor Gerald "Ajax" Ackerman - CSC - Count 3 - Port Huron</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1998/10/10011998-mayor-gerald-ajax-ackerman-csc_47.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10011998 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Mayor Gerald "Ajax" Ackerman - CSC - Count 4 - Port Huron</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1998/10/10011998-mayor-gerald-ajax-ackerman-csc_4.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10011998 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Mayor Gerald "Ajax" Ackerman - CSC - Count 5 - Port Huron</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1998/10/10011998-mayor-gerald-ajax-ackerman-csc_40.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10011998 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Mayor Gerald "Ajax" Ackerman - CSC - Count 6 - Port Huron</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1998/10/10011998-mayor-gerald-ajax-ackerman-csc_1.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10011998 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Mayor Gerald "Ajax" Ackerman - CSC - Count 7 - Port Huron</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1998/10/10011998-mayor-gerald-ajax-ackerman-csc.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10011998 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Mayor Gerald "Ajax" Ackerman - CSC - Count 9 - Port Huron</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1998/10/10081998-officer-ronald-dupuis.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10081998 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Ronald Dupuis - Allegedly beat up a mentally disabled man - Southgate PD</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1998/12/12011998-mayor-gerald-ajax-ackerman.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12011998 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Mayor Gerald "Ajax" Ackerman - First CSC Count - Port Huron</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span></span><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1998/12/12241998-officer-ronald-dupuis.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12241998 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Ronald Dupuis - Falsified overtime slips - Southgate PD</span></span></span></span></span></a></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><div><span><span><span><span><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1999/01/01011999-1999-vawaviolence-against.html" target="_blank"><b>01011999 - </b>1999 VAWA/Violence Against Women Act AND Political Agendas - News Articles</a></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><br /></span><span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1999/01/01191999-officer-michael-ferguson.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01191999 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Detroit PD Officer Michael Ferguson - Sentenced For Shooting Pregnant Girlfriend [04201998]</span></span></span></span></span></a></span></span></div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: medium;"><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1999/01/01281999-deputy-kenneth-socia-arenac.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01281999 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Kenneth Socia - Arenac County SD</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1999/02/02051999-deputy-kenneth-socia-news.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>02051999 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Deputy Kenneth Socia - NEWS ARTICLE FILES</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1999/02/0205199-deputy-kenneth-socia-suspended.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>02051999 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Deputy Kenneth Socia - Suspended - Arenac County SD</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1999/02/02251999-former-muskegon-heights-pd.html" style="font-size: medium;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>02251999 -</b> Former Muskegon Heights PD Officer Mel Jason Jordan - Ex-Girlfriend/Muskegon Heights Police Officer Obtained Protection Order Against Jordan</span></a></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: medium;"><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1999/03/03011999-mayor-gerald-ajax-ackerman-csc_1.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>03011999 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Mayor Gerald "Ajax" Ackerman - CSC - 8th Count - Port Huron</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1999/03/03011999-mayor-gerald-ajax-ackerman-csc.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>03011999 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Mayor Gerald "Ajax" Ackerman - CSC - 10th Count - Port Huron</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1999/03/03101999-deputy-kenneth-socia.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>03101999 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Kenneth Socia - Terminated - Arenac County SD</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1999/03/03161999-officer-ronald-dupuis-stalked.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>03161999 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Ronald Dupuis - Stalked & repeatedly pulled a woman over - Southgate PD</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1999/04/04071999-mayor-gerald-ajax-ackerman.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04071999 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Mayor Gerald "Ajax" Ackerman - Charged With CSC - Port Huron</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1999/04/04071999-officer-collin-eaton-charge-2.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04071999 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Collin Eaton - Charge 2 - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1999/04/04071999-officer-collin-eaton-charge-3.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04071999 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Collin Eaton - Charge 3 - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1999/04/04071999-officer-collin-eaton-charge-4.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04071999 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Collin Eaton - Charge 4 - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1999/04/04071999-officer-collin-eaton-charge-5.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04071999 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Collin Eaton - Charge 5 - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /> <br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1999/04/04071999-officer-collin-eaton-charge-6.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04071999 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Collin Eaton - Charge 6 - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1999/04/04071999-officer-collin-eaton-charge-7.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04071999 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Collin Eaton - Charge 7 - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1999/04/04171999-flint-pd-officer-adina-thrower.html" style="font-size: medium;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>04171999 - </b>Flint PD Officer Adina Thrower - Charged With Felonious Assault And Felony Firearms</span></a></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: medium;"><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: medium;"><span><span><span><span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1999/08/08271999-flint-pd-officer-tegory.html" target="_blank"><b>08271999 - </b>Flint PD Officer Tegory Jarrett - Charged W/Intent To Murder For Shooting At Estranged Wife And Responding Flint PD Officer</a></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: medium;"><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1999/09/09261999-lionel-villarreal-murder-of.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>09261999 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Lionel Villarreal - Murder Of Nicole Sanchez - Daughter Of Officer Vince And Belia Sanchez</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1999/09/09261999-nicole-sanchez-murdered-by.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>09261999 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Nicole Sanchez - Murdered By Lionel Villarreal - NEWS ARTICLE FILES</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1999/09/0930199-mayor-gerald-ajax-ackerman.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>09301999 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Mayor Gerald "Ajax" Ackerman - Appeal - Port Huron</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1999/10/1006199-mayor-gerald-ajax-ackerman.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10061999 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Mayor Gerald "Ajax" Ackerman - Trial - Port Huron</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1999/10/10111999-sheriff-william-hackel-charged.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10111999 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Sheriff William Hackel - Charged w/ CSC - Macomb County SD</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1999/10/10151999-officer-paul-harrington-murder_15.html" target="_blank"><span><span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><b>10151999 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span> Officer Paul Harrington - Murder Of Second Wife Wanda And Son Brian - Formerly Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1999/10/10151999-officer-paul-harrington-murder.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10151999 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Paul Harrington - Murder Of Wife And Son - NEWS ARTICLE FILES</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1999/10/10261999-mayor-gerald-ajax-ackerman.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10261999 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Mayor Gerald "Ajax" Ackerman - Sentenced For Exposure - Port Huron</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1999/11/11091999-mayor-gerald-ajax-ackerman.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>11091999 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Mayor Gerald "Ajax" Ackerman - Appeal- Port Huron [Docket 223724]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1999/12/12011999-officer-aleem-abdullah-benton.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12011999 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Aleem Abdullah - Benton Harbor PD</span></span></span></span></span></a></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2000/01/01012000-2000-vawaviolence-against.html" target="_blank"><b>01012000 - </b>2000 VAWA/Violence Against Women Act AND Political Agendas - News Articles</a></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2000/01/01012000-wayne-county-commissioner.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>01012000 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span>Wayne County Commissioner Reggie Reg Davis - Accused of assaulting girlfriend/PPO Issued</span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2000/02/02172000-deputy-orval-parker-cleared-of.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>02172000 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Deputy Orval Parker - Cleared Of Assault Charges - Monroe County SD</span></span></span></span></span></a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2000/03/03052000-senator-david-jaye-macomb.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>03052000 - </b>Senator David Jaye - Arrested For Third Driving Offense - Macomb County</span></a></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2000/03/03142000-detroit-firefighter-ardra.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>03142000 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Detroit Firefighter Ardra Young - Appeal - Murder Conviction Affirmed</span></span></span></span></span></a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2000/04/04172000-sheriff-william-hackel-trial.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04172000 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Sheriff William Hackel - Trial: Convicted - Macomb County SD</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2000/05/05022000-mayor-gerald-ajax-ackerman.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>05022000 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Mayor Gerald "Ajax" Ackerman - Trial - Port Huron</span></span></span></span></span></a></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2000/05/05152000-sheriff-william-hackel.html" target="_blank"><span><span><span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><b>05152000 -</b></span></span></span></span></span></a></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2000/05/05152000-sheriff-william-hackel.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span><b> </b>Sheriff William Hackel - Sentenced - Macomb County SD</span></span></span></span></span></a></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2000/05/05232000-mayor-gerald-ajax-ackerman.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><b>05232000 -</b></span></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Mayor Gerald "Ajax" Ackerman - Appeal- Port Huron [Docket 227388]</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2000/06/06062000-sheriff-william-hackel-appeal.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>06062000 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Sheriff William Hackel - Appeal - Macomb County SD [Docket 227737]</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2000/06/06092000-lionel-villarreal-sentenced.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>06092000 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Lionel Villarreal - Sentenced for murder of Nicole Sanchez</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2000/06/06092000-lionel-villarreal-oidv.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>06092000 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Lionel Villarreal - OIDV Offender Update</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2000/06/06162000-mayor-gerald-ajax-ackerman.html" target="_blank"><span><span><span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><b>06162000 - </b></span></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Mayor Gerald "Ajax" Ackerman - Sentenced - Port Huron</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2000/06/06202000-senator-david-jaye-senate.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>06202000 - </b>Senator David Jaye - Senate Reprimand For Drunk Driving Offense (March 05, 2000) - Stripped Of Committee Assignments - Macomb County</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2000/07/07102000-lionel-villarreal-appeal.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07102000 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Lionel Villarreal - Appeal</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2000/07/07102000-mayor-gerald-ajax-ackerman.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07102000 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Mayor Gerald "Ajax" Ackerman - Appeal - Port Huron [Docket 228526/124547]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2000/07/07132000-senator-david-jaye-sentenced.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>07132000 - </b>Senator David Jaye - Sentenced To Jail And Probation For Drunk Driving Offense (March 05, 2000) - Macomb County</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2000/07/07182000-mayor-gerald-ajax-ackerman.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07182000 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Mayor Gerald "Ajax" Ackerman - Appeal - Port Huron</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2000/07/07202000-thomas-harold-randolph-jr.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07202000 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Thomas Harold Randolph Jr. - Charged With Murder Of Wife/Officer Sharron Randolph (01081992)</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2000/08/08042000-mayor-gerald-ajax-ackerman.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08042000 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Mayor Gerald "Ajax" Ackerman - Appeal - Port Huron [Docket # 228937]</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2000/10/10032000-in-officer-russel-brady.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10032000 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>[IN] Officer Russel Brady - Acquitted Of Murder Of Wife/Candee Deoitte [02101997]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2000/11/11162000-officer-aleem-abdullah.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>11162000 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Aleem Abdullah - Acquitted - Benton Harbor PD</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2000/11/11172000-commissioner-kurt-kramer.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>11172000 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Commissioner Kurt Kramer - Macomb County</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2000/11/11192000-senator-david-jaye-domestic.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>11192000 - </b>Senator David Jaye - Arrested For Assault Of Girlfriend In Michigan - Macomb County</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2000/11/11192000-senator-david-jaye-probation.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>11192000 - </b>Senator David Jaye - Probation Violation: MI DV And Driving On Restricted License - Macomb County</span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2000/12/12012000-officer-paul-harrington-murder.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12012000 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Paul Harrington - Murder of Second Wife And Son - Sentenced - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div></div><p style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2000/12/12032000-councilman-clyde-cleveland.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12032000 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Councilman Clyde Cleveland - Detroit</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2000/12/12232000-officer-brent-smith-berkley-pd.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12232000 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Brent Smith - Berkley PD</span></span></span></span></span></a></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2000/12/12312000-officer-tamieka-moorehead-oidv.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12312000 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Tamieka Moorehead - OIDV Victim - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></a></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2001/01/01012001-2001-vawaviolence-against.html" target="_blank"><b>01012001 -</b> 2001 VAWA/Violence Against Women Act AND Political Agendas - News Articles</a></span></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2001/01/01012001-chief-daniel-black-lake.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01012001 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Chief Daniel Black - Lake Angelus PD</span></span></span></span></span></a></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2001/01/01312001-commissionner-kurt-kramer.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01312001 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Commissioner Kurt Kramer - Assaulted Police Officer - Macomb County</span></span></span></span></span></a></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2001/03/03012001-adrian-pd-officer-jason.html" target="_blank"><b>03012001 - </b>Adrian PD Officer Jason Crawford - Charged With CSC</a></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2001/03/03152001-councilman-clyde-cleveland.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>03152001 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Councilman Clyde Cleveland - Sentenced - Detroit</span></span></span></span></span></a></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2001/03/03152001-detroit-firefighter-ardra.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>03152001 - 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</b>Senator David Jaye - Senate Suspends Jaye's Committee Jobs AGAIN - Jaye Arrested For Assault Of Girlfriend In Florida</span></a></div></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2001/05/05082001-senator-david-jaye.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>05082001 - </b>Senator David Jaye - Mistreatment of Senate Staff - Macomb County</span></a></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2001/05/05142001-senator-david-jaye-dv-charges.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>05142001 - </b>Senator David Jaye - Florida DV Charges Dropped; Michigan DV Charges Remain - Macomb County</span></a></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="http://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2001/05/05242001-senator-david-jaye-ousted-from.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>05242001 - </b>Senator David Jaye - Ousted From Senate - Macomb County</span></a></div></div><div style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2001/06/06152001-commissioner-kurt-kramer.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span><span><span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><b>06152001 -</b></span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span><b> </b>Commissioner Kurt Kramer - Domestic Violence Charges Dropped - Macomb County</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><p style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2001/06/06152001-commissioner-kurt-kramer_15.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>06152001 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Commissioner Kurt Kramer - Sentenced For Assault On Police Officer - Macomb County</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></p><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2001/06/06232001-msp-trooper-artis-wife.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>06232001 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>MSP Trooper Artis White - Estranged Wife Bernita Sims White Murdered - Trooper White Only Person Of Interest - Case Still Unsolved</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://whokilledbernitawhite.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>06232001 - 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Ongoing Police Investigation - News Articles And Videos</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2001/06/06232001-msp-trooper-artis-white.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>06232001 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> MSP Trooper Artis White - Estranged Wife Bernita Sims White Murdered - Videos</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2001/06/06232001-msp-trooper-artis-white_23.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>06232001 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>MSP Trooper Artis White - Estranged Wife Bernita Sims White Murdered - Newspaper Articles</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2000/07/07032001-ousted-senator-david-jaye.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>07032001 - </b>Ousted Senator David Jaye - Announced Decision To Run For Senate Seat He Vacated When He Was Removed From Office [05242001]</span></a></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2001/08/08022001-police-chief-douglas-wright.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08022001 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Police Chief Douglas Wright - Charged W/DV - Benton Harbor PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2001/08/08032001-senator-david-jaye-sentenced.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>08032001 - </b>Ousted Senator David Jaye - Sentenced: Probation Violation - MI DV And Driving On Restricted License Charges</span></a></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2001/09/09082001-former-muskegon-heights-pd.html" style="font-size: medium;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>09082001 - </b>Former Muskegon Heights PD Officer Mel Jason Jordan - Arrested And Convicted Of CSC Of 15 Year-Old</span></a></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2001/10/10012001-deputy-kevin-chittick-8-counts.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10012001 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Kevin Chittick - 8 Counts Of CSC - Lapeer County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2001/10/10152001-ousted-senator-david-jaye.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>10152001 - </b>Ousted Senator David Jaye - Vehicle Suspected Of Forcing Bicyclist Off Road - During Investigation Into Incident, Jaye Takes Job In South Korea</span></a></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2001/11/11192001-police-chief-douglas-wright.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>11192001 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Police Chief Douglas Wright - Warrant Issued For Wright's Obstruction Of Criminal Investigation - Benton Harbor PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2001/11/11232001-officer-aleem-abdullah-benton.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>11232001 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Aleem Abdullah - Benton Harbor PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: medium;"><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2001/11/11272001-thomas-harold-randolph-jr.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>11272001 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Thomas Harold Randolph Jr. - Convicted Of Murder Of Wife/Officer Sharron Randolph (01081992)</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2001/12/12012001-muskegon-heights-pd-sgt.html" style="font-size: medium;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>12012001 - </b>Muskegon Heights PD Sgt. Phillip E. Coleman - Charged With CSC Of Minor At His Home</span></a></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: medium;"><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2001/12/12142001-thomas-harold-randolph-jr.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12142001 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Thomas Harold Randolph Jr. - Sentenced To Life For Murder Of Wife/Officer Sharron Randolph (01081992)</span></span></span></span></span></a></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span><span><span><span><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2002/01/01012002-2002-vawaviolence-against.html" target="_blank"><b>01012002 - </b>2002 VAWA/Violence Against Women Act AND Political Agendas - News Articles</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2002/01/01012002-officer-brandon-robinson-child.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01012002 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Brandon Robinson - Child Abuse - Lowell PD</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2002/01/01012002-muskegon-heights-pd-officer.html" style="font-size: medium;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>01012002 -</b> Muskegon Heights PD Officer Roger Kitchen - Involved In DV While On Duty - Stabbed By Girlfriend [Self-Defense]</span></a></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2002/01/01182002-thomas-harold-randolph-jr.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01182002 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Thomas Harold Randolph Jr. - Appeal Of Conviction For Murder Of Wife/Officer Sharron Randolph (01081992)</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2002/01/01242002-police-chief-douglas-wright.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01242002 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Police Chief Douglas Wright - Charges Dismissed - Benton Harbor PD</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2002/02/02232002-officer-david-mitchell.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>02232002 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer David Mitchell - Suspended For Domestic Assault - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2002/02/02282002-officer-david-mitchell.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>02282002 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer David Mitchell - Domestic Abuse And Obstructing Police Officer - Suspended - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2002/04/04012002-mcl-7694a-michigans-loophole.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04012002 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>MCL 769.4A: Michigan's Loophole To The Lautenberg Amendment - Federal DV Gun Ban - 18 U.S.C. § 921</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2002/04/04042002-police-chief-douglas-wright.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04042002 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Police Chief Douglas Wright - Charges dismissed - Benton Harbor PD</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2002/04/04212002-muskegon-pd-officer-chad.html" style="font-size: medium;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>04212002 -</b> Muskegon PD Officer Chad Fellows - Barricaded Himself In House With Wife And Children After Fleeing Police When Pulled Over For Drunk Driving</span></a></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2002/04/04212002-officer-ronald-dupuis.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04212002 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Ronald Dupuis - Assaulted man during traffic stop - Hamtramck PD</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2002/04/04242002-police-chief-kenneth-dobson.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04242002 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Police Chief Kenneth Dobson - Allen Park PD</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2002/05/05012002-msp-trooper-bart-cunningham.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>05012002 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> MSP Trooper Bart Cunningham - CSC Charge</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2002/06/06042002-lionel-villareal-appeal-of.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>06042002 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Lionel Villareal - Appeal Of Murder Conviction - Nicole Sanchez</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2002/07/07012002-deputy-kevin-chittick-9-counts.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07012002 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Kevin Chittick - 9 Counts Of CSC - Lapeer SD</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2002/07/07012002-officer-mark-roll-detroit-pd.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07012002 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Mark Roll - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2002/07/07072002-state-conservation-officer-tim.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07072002 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>State Conservation Officer Tim Nixon - Arrested For DV - Hastings</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2002/07/07102002-state-conservation-officer-tim.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07102002 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>State Conservation Officer Tim Nixon - Suspended - Hastings</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2002/08/08052002-msp-trooper-douglas-wright.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08052002 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>MSP Trooper Douglas Wright - CHARGED - Murder Of Estranged Wife/Flint PD Dispatcher Kimberly Thompson (05011993)</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2002/08/08152002-officer-timothy-hibbard-samuel.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08152002 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Timothy Hibbard - Samuel M. Thomas convicted for dragging Officer Hibbard w/vehicle - Jackson PD</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2002/10/10062002-midland-pd-officer-darin.html" style="font-size: medium;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>10062002 -</b> Midland PD Officer Darin Updike - Charged With Domestic Assault</span></a></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2002/11/11202002-officer-rhaseen-blake-oidv.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>11202002 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Rhaseen Blake - OIDV Victim - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2002/11/11262002-commissioner-kurt-kramer.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>11262002 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Commissioner Kurt Kramer - Macomb County</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2002/11/11262002-officer-daniel-linares-child.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>11262002 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Daniel Linares - Child Abuse - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2002/12/12312002-police-chief-douglas-wright.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12312002 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Police Chief Douglas Wright - Benton Harbor PD</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2002/12/12312002-officer-george-hubbard-charged.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12312002 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer George Hubbard - Charged W/ Assault With A Deadly Weapon - Muskegon Heights PD</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2002/12/12312002-officer-george-hubbard-charged_31.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12312002 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer George Hubbard - Charged W/Malicious Destruction Of Property - Muskegon Heights PD</span></span></span></span></span></a></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span><span><span><span><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2003/01/01012003-2003-vawaviolence-against.html" target="_blank"><b>01012003 - </b>2003 VAWA/Violence Against Women Act AND Political Agendas - News Articles</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2003/01/01012003-co-david-dorland-2nd-degree.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01012003 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> C.O. David Dorland - 2nd Degree CSC - Antrim County SD</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2003/01/01012003-chief-daniel-black-lake.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01012003 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Chief Daniel Black - Lake Angelus PD</span></span></span></span></span></a></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2003/01/01012003-co-david-dorland-gross.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01012003 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>C.O. David Dorland - Gross Indecency - Antrim County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2003/01/01012003-officer-john-m-smith-flint-pd.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01012003 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer John M. Smith - Flint PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2003/01/01012003-deputy-john-yeska-jr-saginaw.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01012003 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Deputy John Yeska Jr. - Saginaw County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2003/01/01122003-officer-mark-roll-detroit-pd.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01122003 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Mark Roll - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2003/01/01232003-officer-daniel-linares.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01232003 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Daniel Linares - Suspended - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2003/03/03172003-officer-david-fazekas-utica-pd.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>03172003 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer David Fazekas - Utica PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2003/03/03182003-officer-david-fazekas.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>03182003 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer David Fazekas - Suspended - Utica PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2003/03/03272003-officer-mark-roll-suspended.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>03272003 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Mark Roll- Suspended - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2003/03/03272003-officer-david-grondin.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>03272003 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer David Grondin - Domestic Violence - Southgate PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2003/03/03272003-officer-david-gronin.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>03272003 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer David Gronin - Terminated - Southgate PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2003/04/04012003-chief-daniel-black-lake.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04012003 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Chief Daniel Black - Lake Angelus PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2003/04/04082003-msp-trooper-bart-cunningham.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04082003 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>MSP Trooper Bart Cunningham - Sentenced - CSC Charge</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2003/04/04302003-tamara-greene-murdered-detroit.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04302003 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Tamara Greene - Murdered - Detroit Kwame Kilpatrick Connection? NEWS ARTICLE FILES</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1997/01/01011997-state-rep-keith-stallworth-dv.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>04302003 - </b>Tamara Greene - Murdered - State Rep Keith Stallworth Connection To Tamara Greene - NEWS ARTICLES FILES</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2003/05/05062003-msp-trooper-douglas-wright.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>05062003 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> MSP Trooper Douglas Wright - TRIAL - Murder Of Estranged Wife/Flint PD Dispatcher Kimberly Thompson (05011993)</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2003/05/05152003-officer-david-gronin-sentenced.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>05152003 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer David Gronin - Sentenced - Southgate PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2003/05/05232003-assist-prosecutor-kevin-floyd.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>05232003 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Assist Prosecutor Kevin Floyd - Assault & Battery And Aggravated Stalking - Kent County</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2003/05/05282003-msp-trooper-douglas-wright.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>05282003 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> MSP Trooper Douglas Wright - CONVICTED - Murder Of Estranged Wife/Flint PD Dispatcher Kimberly Thompson (05011993)</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2003/06/06012003-firefighter-matthew-cook.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>06012003 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Firefighter Matthew Cook - OIDV Offender Update - Wayland FD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2003/06/06012003-commissioner-roland-fraschetti.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>06012003 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Commissioner Roland Fraschetti - Macomb County</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2003/06/06092003-officer-daniel-linaires.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>06092003 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Daniel Linaires - Sentenced - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2003/06/06152003-firefighter-gerald-paul-thoma.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>06152003 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Firefighter Gerald Paul Thoma Jr. - Fruitport FD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2003/06/06162003-commissioner-kurt-kramer.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>06162003 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Commissioner Kurt Kramer - Sentenced - Macomb County</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2003/06/06242003-officer-tamieka-moorehead-oidv.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>06242003 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Tamieka Moorehead - OIDV victim - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2003/06/06252003-msp-trooper-douglas-wright.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>06252003 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> MSP Trooper Douglas Wright - SENTENCED - Murder Of Estranged Wife/Flint PD Dispatcher Kimberly Thompson (05011993)</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2003/07/07102003-msp-trooper-douglas-wright.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07102003 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> MSP Trooper Douglas Wright - APPEAL - Murder Of Estranged Wife/Flint PD Dispatcher Kimberly Thompson (05011993)</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2003/08/08012003-deputy-nick-cavanaugh.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08012003 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Nick Cavanaugh - Suspended - Otsego County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2003/08/08022003-deputy-nick-cavanaugh.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08022003 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Nick Cavanaugh - Terminated - Otsego County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2003/08/08182003-officer-tamieka-moorehead.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08182003 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Tamieka Moorehead - Shot/Wounded Husband During Domestic Assault - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2003/08/08212003-officer-tamieka-moorehead.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08212003 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Tamieka Moorehead - Suspended - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2003/09/09022003-officer-john-m-smith-sentenced.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>09022003 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer John M. Smith - Sentenced - Flint PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2003/09/09032003-officer-john-m-smith.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>09032003 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer John M. Smith - Terminated - Flint PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2003/09/09112003-thomas-harold-randolph-jr.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>09112003 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Thomas Harold Randolph Jr. - Appeal - Conviction For Murder Of Wife/Officer Sharron Randolph - Affirmed</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2003/09/09252003-officer-elgin-murphy-assaulted.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>09252003 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Elgin Murphy - Assaulted Step-Son - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2003/09/09252003-officer-elgin-murphy-suspended.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>09252003 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Elgin Murphy - Suspended - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2003/10/10222003-assist-prosector-kevin-floyd.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10222003 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Assist Prosecutor Kevin Floyd - Jailed For Violation Of Pretrial Release - Kent County</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2003/11/11102003-officer-david-gronin.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>11102003 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer David Gronin - Reinstated - Southgate PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2003/12/12032003-co-ronald-mielcarek.html" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12032003 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Buena Vista State C.O. Ronald Mielcarek - Shot/Wounded Wife</span></span></span></span></span></span></a><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2003/12/12112003-firefighter-gerald-paul-thoma.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12112003 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Firefighter Gerald Paul Thoma Jr. - Sentenced - Fruitport FD</span></span></span></span></span></a></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2003/12/12112003-firefighter-gerald-paul-thoma.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><br /></span></span></span></a></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2003/12/12192003-commissioner-roland-fraschetti.html" target="_blank"><span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>12192003 -</b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span> Commissioner Roland Fraschetti - Macomb County</span></span></span></span></a></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/01/01012004-2004-vawaviolence-against.html" target="_blank"><b>01012004 -</b> 2004 VAWA/Violence Against Women Act AND Political Agendas - News Articles</a></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/01/01012004-chief-daniel-black-lake.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01012004 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Chief Daniel Black - Lake Angelus PD</span></span></span></span></span></a></span></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><br /></span><span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/01/01012004-deputy-david-glover-washtenaw.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01012004 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy David Glover - Washtenaw County SD</span></span></span></span></span></a></span></span></div><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/01/01012004-chief-john-josten-assault.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01012004 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Chief John Josten - Assault - Bloomingdale PD</span></span></span></span></span></a></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/01/01012004-officer-ronald-dupuis.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01012004 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Ronald Dupuis - Wrongfully arrested and imprisoned a man - Hamtramck PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/01/01152004-deputy-kevin-chittick-lapeer.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01152004 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Kevin Chittick - Lapeer County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/01/01162004-officer-david-fazekas-charges.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01162004 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer David Fazekas - Charges dismissed - Utica PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/01/01262004-officer-curtis-sanford-detroit.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01262004 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Curtis Sanford - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/01/01292004-officer-curtis-sanford.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01292004 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Curtis Sanford - Suspended - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/02/02022004-chief-john-josten-sentenced.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>02022004 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Chief John Josten - Sentenced - Bloomingdale PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/02/02022004-deputy-david-glover-sentenced.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>02022004 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy David Glover - Sentenced - Washtenaw County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/02/02142004-deputy-nick-cavanaugh-otsego.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>02142004 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Deputy Nick Cavanaugh - Otsego County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/02/02232004-firefighter-matthew-cook.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>02232004 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Firefighter Matthew Cook - Wayland FD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/02/02272004-officer-tamieka-moorehead.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>02272004 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Tamieka Moorehead - Sentenced - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/02/02272004-officer-tamieka-moorhead.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>02272004 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Tamieka Moorhead - Resigned - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/02/02272004-assist-prosector-kevin-floyd.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>02272004 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Assist Prosecutor Kevin Floyd - Kent County</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/03/03012004-deputy-justin-revnell-grand.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>03012004 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Justin Revnell - Grand Traverse County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/03/03092004-deputy-nick-cavanaugh.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>03092004 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Deputy Nick Cavanaugh - Suspended - Otsego County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/03/03262004-deputy-nick-cavanaugh.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>03262004 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Deputy Nick Cavanaugh - Terminated - Otsego County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/04/04012004-firefighter-matthew-cook.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04012004 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Firefighter Matthew Cook - Wayland FD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/04/04012004-officer-phillip-bal-iron.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04012004 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Phillip Bal - Home invasion and CSC - Iron Mountain PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/04/04172004-officer-timothy-hibbard-gerald.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04172004 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Timothy Hibbard - Gerald Landrum charged w/attempted murder of Hibbard - Jackson PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/04/04242004-officer-brian-klonowski.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04242004 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Brian Klonowski - Southgate PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/05/05102004-prosecutor-mary-beth-kur.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>05102004 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Prosecutor Mary Beth Kur - Deputy John Bush fired for filing DV Report - Charlevoix County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/05/05152004-officer-marlon-terry-detroit-pd.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>05152004 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Marlon Terry - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/05/05182004-officer-george-hubbard-plea.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>05182004 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer George Hubbard - Plea - Muskegon Heights PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/05/05202004-officer-marlon-terry.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>05202004 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Marlon Terry - Suspension - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/06/officer-george-hubbard-sentenced.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>06142004 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer George Hubbard - Sentenced - Muskegon Heights PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/06/firefighter-michael-boyd-southgate-fd_18.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>06182004 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Firefighter Michael Boyd - First Offense - Southgate FD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/06/firefighter-michael-boyd-southgate-fd.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>06182004 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Firefighter Michael Boyd - Second Offense - Southgate FD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/06/firefighter-michael-boyd-southgate-fd_1306.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>06182004 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Firefighter Michael Boyd - Third Offense - Southgate FD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/06/chief-daniel-black-lake-angelus-pd.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>06242004 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Chief Daniel Black - Lake Angelus PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/06/officer-christopher-kennedy-detroit-pd.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>06262004 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Christopher Kennedy - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/06/deputy-ivan-james-morris-muskegon.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>06282004 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Ivan James Morris - Muskegon County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/07/co-david-dorland-antrim-sd.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07012004 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> C.O. David Dorland - Antrim County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/07/lionel-villarreal-appeal.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07192004 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Lionel Villarreal - Appeal</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/07/officer-christopher-kennedy-sentenced.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07212004 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Christopher Kennedy - Sentenced - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/08/deputy-justin-revnell-grand-traverse.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08012004 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Justin Revnell - Grand Traverse County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/08/officer-brain-klonowski-sentenced.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08082004 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Brian Klonowski - Sentenced - Southgate PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/08/officer-maliak-jones-detroit-police.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08112004 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Maliak Jones - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/08/officer-christopher-kennedy-detroit-pd.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08122004 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Christopher Kennedy - Probation violation - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/08/08142004-chief-kenneth-norton-colon-pd.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08142004 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Chief Kenneth Norton - Colon PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/08/chief-kenneth-norton-colon-pd.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08142004 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Chief Kenneth Norton - Colon PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2013/04/officer-maliak-jones-suspension-detroit.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08192004 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Maliak Jones - Suspension - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/08/al-holiday-saginaw-housing-commission.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08232004 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Saginaw County Commissioner Al Holiday - Doused His Wife In Gasoline - Arrested For Intent To Commit Murder</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/08/officer-nicole-rabior-detroit-pd.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08242004 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Nicole Rabior - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/08/officer-nicole-rabior-suspended-detroit.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08262004 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Nicole Rabior - Suspended - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/08/officer-mike-waleskowski-suspended.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08292004 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Waterford Police Officer Mike Waleskowski - Suspended - Waterford PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/08/officer-michael-waleskowski-waterford.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08292004 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Waterford Township Police Officer Mike Waleskowski - Murdered wife Lorna and son Hayden And Then Committed Suicide</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/08/firefighter-michael-boyd-southgate-fd.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08302004 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Firefighter Michael Boyd - Sentenced - Southgate FD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/10/officer-david-gronin-southgate-pd.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10012004 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer David Gronin - Southgate PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/10/officer-brian-klonowski-suspended.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10132004 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Brian Klonowski - Suspended - Southgate PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/10/officer-antonio-barber-flint-pd.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10142004 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Flint PD Officer Antonio Barber - Terminated</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/10/deputy-benjamin-valley-osceola-sd_16.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10162004 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Deputy Benjamin Valley - Osceola County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/10/deputy-benjamin-valley-osceola-sd.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10242004 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Benjamin Valley - Osceola County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/10/officer-steve-martinez-muskegon-pd.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10302004 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Steve Martinez - Arrested For Assault - Muskegon PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/11/officer-steve-martinez-suspended.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>11012004 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Steve Martinez - Suspended - Muskegon PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/11/deputy-phillip-muma-wexford-sd.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>11052004 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Deputy Phillip Muma - Wexford County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/11/officer-steve-martinez-terminated.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>11102004 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Steve Martinez - Terminated - Muskegon PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/11/officer-joanne-buiwitt-shafter-ann.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>11142004 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Joanne Buiwitt-Schafer - Ann Arbor PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/11/11142004-detroit-firefighter-ardra.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>11142004 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Detroit Firefighter Ardra Young - Michigan US District Court - Petition For Writ Of Habeas Corpus - DENIED</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/11/deputy-ivan-james-morris-convicted.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>11162004 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Ivan James Morris - Convicted - Muskegon SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/12/officer-doug-graham-battle-creek-pd.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12162004 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Doug Graham - Battle Creek PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/12/officer-joanne-buitwitt-shafer.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12212004 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Joanne Buitwitt-Shafer - Terminated - Ann Arbor PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/12/michigan-state-trooper-richard-dettling.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12212004 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> MSP Trooper Richard Dettling - Houghton Lake Post</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/12/december-30-2004-detective-justin.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12302004 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Justin Revnell - Grand Traverse County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2005/01/01012005-2005-vawaviolence-against.html" target="_blank"><b>01012005 - </b>2005 VAWA/Violence Against Women Act AND Political Agendas - News Articles</a></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2005/01/firefighter-mike-risher-detroit.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01012005 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Firefighter Mike Risher - Detroit FD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2005/01/mayor-dennis-david-southgate.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01072005 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Mayor Dennis David - Reinstated Officer Brian Klonwoski To PD Prior To Completion Of OIDV Sentence - Southgate</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2005/01/deputy-justin-revnell-suspended-grand.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01102005 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Justin Revnell - Suspended - Grand Traverse County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2005/01/sheriff-scott-fewin-grand-traverse-sd.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01152005 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Sheriff Scott Fewin - Grand Traverse County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2005/01/co-david-dorland-suspended-antrim-sd.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01182005 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>C.O. David Dorland - Suspended - Antrim County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2005/01/officer-romon-johnson-detroit-police.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01312005 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Romon Johnson - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/03/officer-tracey-house-burton-pd.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>02012005 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Tracey House - Burton PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2005/02/february-16-2005-officer-patrick-jones.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>02162005 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Patrick Jones - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2005/02/officer-patrick-jones-detroit-pd.html" target="_blank"><b>02242005 - </b>Officer Patrick Jones - Detroit PD</a></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2005/03/police-assistant-chief-walter-martin.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>03052005 </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>- Assistant Police Chief Walter Martin - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2005/03/03082005-msp-trooper-douglas-wright.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>03082005 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>MSP Trooper Douglas Wright - APPEAL - CONVICTION AFFIRMED - Murder Of Estranged Wife/Flint PD Dispatcher Kimberly Thompson (05011993)</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2005/03/deputy-justin-revnell-charges-dismissed.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>03112005 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Deputy Justin Revnell - Charges Dismissed - Grand Traverse County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2002/11/corrections-officer-david-dorland.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>03222005 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>C.O. David Dorland - Antrim County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2005/03/officer-joanne-buiwitt-shafer-sentenced.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>03242005 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Joanne Buiwitt-Shafer - Sentenced - Ann Arbor PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2005/04/officer-phillip-bal-iron-mountain-pd.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04012005 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Phillip Bal - CSC - Iron Mountain PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2005/04/former-reserve-officer-lyle-sutton.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04012005 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Former Reserve Officer Lyle Sutton - Slashed Ex-Girlfriend's Tires - Traverse City PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2005/04/former-reserve-officer-lyle-sutton_01.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04012005 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Former Reserve Officer Lyle Sutton - Broke Into Ex-Girlfriend's Home - Traverse City PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2005/04/deputy-police-chief-dunlap-detroit-pd.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04012005 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Police Chief Robert Dunlap - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2005/04/officer-romon-johnson-suspension.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04212005 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Romon Johnson - Suspension - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2005/04/sheriff-william-hackel-registered-sex.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04242005 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> [Sheriff] William Hackel - Registered sex offender - Released from prison - Macomb County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2005/04/police-chief-robert-dunlap-charges.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04252005 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Police Chief Robert Dunlap - Charges Dismissed - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2005/04/april-26-2005-deputy-police-chief.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04262005 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Deputy Police Chief Robert Dunlap - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2005/05/deputy-police-chief-dunlap-detroit.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>05052005 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Deputy Police Chief Robert Dunlap - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2005/05/commissioner-al-holiday-plea-agreement.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>05102005 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Saginaw County Commissioner Al Holiday - Sentenced For Intent To Commit Murder [08232004] - House Arrest</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2005/05/unsolved-death-of-paul-adkinschief.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>05162005 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Chief Michael - Unsolved death of Paula Adkins [Gust's fiance'] - Dearborn Heights</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2005/06/deputy-police-chief-robert-dunlap.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>06212005 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Police Chief Robert Dunlap - Charges Dismissed - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2005/07/deputy-kevin-chittick-sentenced-lapeer_11.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07112005 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Deputy Kevin Chittick - Sentenced - Lapeer County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2005/07/assistant-prosecutor-kevin-floyd-kent.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07122005 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Assist Prosecutor Kevin Floyd - Kent County</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2005/07/sergeant-wedad-elhage-detroit-pd.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07122005 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Wedad Elhage - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2005/07/07202005-assist-prosecutor-stephen.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07202005 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Assist Prosecutor Stephen Allen - Huron County</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2005/07/07202005-deputy-jamie-allen-oidv-victim.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07202005 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Deputy Jamie Allen - OIDV Victim - Oakland County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2005/07/07212005-assist-prosecutor-stephen.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07212005 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Assist Prosecutor Stephen Allen - Suspended - Huron County</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2005/07/07252005-deputy-kevin-chittick-appeal.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07252005 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Deputy Kevin Chittick - Appeal - Lapeer County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2005/08/08152005-co-ronald-mielcarek-sentenced.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08152005 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Buena Vista State C.O. Ronald Mielcarek - Sentenced</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2005/08/08162005-chief-kenneth-norton-resigns.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08162005 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Chief Kenneth Norton - Resigns - Colon PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2005/09/09012005-detective-guy-picketts-jr.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>09012005 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Detective Guy Picketts Jr. - Calhoun County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2005/09/09012005-co-edward-elvert-murdersuicide.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>09012005 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> C.O. Edward Elvert - Murder/Suicide - Murdered girlfriend Beth Thompson</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2005/09/co-ronald-mielcarek-appeal-buena-vista.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>09082005 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Buena Vista State C.O. Ronald Mielcarek - Appeal Filed</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2005/09/unnamed-officer-lansing-police.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>09092005 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Unnamed Police Officer - Lansing PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2005/09/co-david-dorland-sentenced-antrim-sd.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>09192005 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> C.O. David Dorland - Sentenced - Antrim County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2005/10/chief-kenneth-norton-sentenced-colon-pd.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10072005 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Chief Kenneth Norton - Sentenced - Colon PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2005/11/officer-ronald-dupuis-hamtramck-pd-not.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>11022005 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Ronald Dupuis- Tasered female partner while on duty - Hamtramck PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2005/12/chief-daniel-black-lake-angelus-pd_1.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12012005 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Chief Daniel Black - Lake Angelus PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2005/12/12052005-officer-tyler-jeffreys.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12052005 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Tyler Jeffreys - Jackson County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2005/12/officer-collin-eaton-detroit-pd.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12132005 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Collin Eaton - Charge 1 - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2005/12/chief-daniel-black-lake-angelus-pd.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12302005 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Chief Daniel Black - Lake Angelus PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2005/12/assistant-prosecutor-kevin-floyd-kent.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12302005 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Assist Prosecutor Kevin Floyd - Kent County</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/08/01012006-genesee-county-sd-lieutenant.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: medium;"><b>01012006 -</b> Genesee County SD Lieutenant Michael Chatterson - Suspended From Duty For "Sexually Deviant Act"</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span><span><span><span><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/01/01012006-2006-vawaviolence-against.html" target="_blank"><b>01012006 - </b>2006 VAWA/Violence Against Women Act AND Political Agendas - News Articles</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/01/firefighter-mike-risher-detroit-pd.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01012006 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Firefighter Mike Risher - Detroit FD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/01/firefighter-mike-risher-detroit-pd_2.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01022006 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Firefighter Mike Risher - Detroit FD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/01/firefighter-mike-risher-detroit-pd_3.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01032006 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Firefighter Mike Risher - Detroit FD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/01/january-19-2006-sergeant-matthew.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01192006 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Matthew Thompson - Manistee PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/01/officer-ronald-dupuis-lawsuit-against.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01312006 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Ronald Dupuis - Filed lawsuit claiming he had been defamed by taser criminal charges - Hamtramck PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/02/officer-charlotte-brown-swartz-creek-pd.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>02012006 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Charlotte Brown - Clayton Township PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/02/deputy-michael-harvey-antrim-sd.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>02212006 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Michael Harvey - 'Domestic Argument' w/Female From Prosecutor's Office - Antrim SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/02/deputy-michael-harvey-reprimand-antrim.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>02222006 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Deputy Michael Harvey - Written Warning For 02212006 "Domestic Argument" - Antrim County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/02/deputy-michael-harvey-antrim-sd_23.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>02232006 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Deputy Michael Harvey - Observed Drinking Prior To His Shift - Blew 0.16 - Antrim County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/02/deputy-michael-harvey-suspended-antrim.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>02242006 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Michael Harvey - Suspended - Antrim County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/03/assist-prosecutor-stephen-allen-charges.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>03032006 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Assist Prosecutor Stephen Allen - Charges Dropped - Huron County</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/03/co-ronald-mielcarek-appeal-buena-vista.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>03092006 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Buena Vista State C.O. Ronald Mielcarek - Appeal Filed - Juror Prejudice</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/03/officer-wordie-johnson-flint-pd.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>03112006 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Wordie Johnson - Flint PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/03/corrections-officer-darick-hearn.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>03112006 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> C.O. Darick Hearn - Thumb Correctional Facility</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/03/deputy-bruce-beeker-leelanau-county-sd.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>03182006 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Bruce Beeker - Inappropriate Relationship With Woman Being Investigated - Leelanau County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/03/deputy-lutz-eaton-county-sd.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>03202006 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Jeffrey Lutz - Eaton County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/04/officer-ronald-dupuis-trial-for-2005.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04012006 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Ronald Dupuis - Taser Trial - Hamtramck PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/04/officer-ronell-weatherspoon-buean-vista.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04082006 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Ronell Weatherspoon - CSC - Buena Vista PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/04/officer-phillip-bal-iron-mountain-pd.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04212006 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Phillip Bal - CSC - Iron Mountain PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/04/officer-phillip-bal-suspended-iron.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04222006 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Phillip Bal - Suspended - Iron Mountain PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/05/officer-brent-craft-jackson-police.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04242006 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Brent Craft - Jackson PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/04/officer-matthew-thompson-sentenced.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04272006 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Matthew Thompson - Sentenced - Manistee PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/05/05052006-officer-dahood-ali-detroit.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>05052006 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Dahood Ali - Detroit Police Department</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/05/may-13-2006-deputy-michael-harvey.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>05132006 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Deputy Michael Harvey - Antrim County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/06/officer-ronald-dupuis-unemployment-suit.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>06162006 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Ronald Dupuis - Dupuis wins unemployment claim after being fired for tasering partner - Highland Park PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/06/deputy-mayor-ricky-csapo-traverse-city.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>06232006 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Mayor Rick Csapo - Traverse City</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/06/officer-daniel-linares-detroit-pd.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>06242006 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Daniel Linares - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/06/officer-bent-craft-sentenced-jackson-pd.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>06262006 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Brent Craft - Sentenced - Jackson PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/07/firefighter-michael-boyd-southgate-fd.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07012006 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Firefighter Michael Boyd - Southgate FD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/07/co-reserve-officer-william-pattison.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07012006 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> C.O. / Reserve Officer William Pattison - Count 1: CSC - Milford PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2013/04/co-reserve-officer-william-pattison.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07012006 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> C.O. / Reserve Officer William Pattison - Count 2: CSC - Milford PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/07/co-reserve-officer-william-pattison_1.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07012006 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> C.O. / Reserve Officer William Pattison - Count 3: CSC - Milford PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/07/firefighter-michael-boyd-sentenced.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07102006 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Firefighter Michael Boyd - Sentenced - Southgate FD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/07/officer-phillip-bal-terminated-iron.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07112006 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Phillip Bal - Terminated - Iron Mountain PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/07/deputy-mayor-rick-csapo-traverse-city.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07122006 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Mayor Rick Csapo - Traverse City</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/07/firefighter-michael-boyd-southgate-fd_15.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07152006 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Firefighter Michael Boyd - Southgate FD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/08/co-reserve-officer-william-pattison.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08012006 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> C.O. / Reserve Officer William Pattison - Milford PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/08/detective-guy-picketts-jr-calhoun-sd.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08162006 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Detective Guy Picketts Jr - Calhoun County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/08/assistant-prosecutor-kevin-floyd-kent.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08212006 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Assistant Prosecutor Kevin Floyd - Kent County</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/08/detective-guy-picketts-jr-calhoun-sd_22.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08222006 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Detective Guy Picketts Jr - Calhoun Cpunty SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/08/officer-ronald-dupuis-mi-unemployment.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08252006 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Ronald Dupuis - City loses appeal of Dupuis' unemployment claim - Highland Park PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/09/lt-aaron-sweeney-michigan-state-police.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>09062006 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>MSP LT. Aaron Sweeney - Pestoskey Post</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/09/deputy-michael-harvey-sentenced-antrim.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>09112006 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Deputy Michael Harvey - Sentenced - Antrim County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/10/former-reserve-officer-lyle-sutton.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>09112006 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Former Reserve Officer Lyle Sutton - Traverse City PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/08/reserve-officer-william-pattison.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>09182006 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>C.O. / Reserve Officer William Pattison - Charges Filed - Milford PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/09/deputy-dale-van-wert-bay-county-sd.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>09292006 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Dale Van Wert - Bay County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/10/deputy-brian-van-meter-charlevoix.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10052006 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Brian Vanmeter - Charlevoix County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/10/msp-lt-aaron-sweeney-sentenced-petoskey.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10112006 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>MSP LT. Aaron Sweeney - Sentenced - Petoskey Post</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/10/officer-daniel-linares-sentenced.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10242006 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Daniel Linares - Sentenced - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/11/officer-ronald-dupuis-lawsuit-filed.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>11012006 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Ronald Dupuis - Dupuis filed civil rights employment lawsuit - Hamtramck PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/11/11162006-buena-vista-state-co-ronald.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>11162006 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Buena Vista State C.O. Ronald Mielcarek - Appeal - Conviction Affirmed</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/11/brandon-martell-moore-killed-officer.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>11262006 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Detroit PD Officer Eugene Williams - Unjustified Shooting/Killing Of Brandon Martell Moore</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/12/reserve-deputy-alan-trimue-genesee.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12012006 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Reserve Deputy Alan Trimue - Count 1 - Genesee County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/12/reserve-deputy-alan-trimue-genesee-sd.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12012006 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Reserve Deputy Alan Trimue - County 2 - Genesee County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/12/reserve-deputy-alan-trimue-genesee-sd_1.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12012006 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Reserve Deputy Alan Trimue - Count 3 - Genesee County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/12/reserve-deputy-alan-trimue-genesee-sd_8613.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12012006 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Reserve Deputy Alan Trimue - Count 4 - Genesee County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/12/reserve-deputy-alan-trimue-genesee-sd_6823.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12012006 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Reserve Deputy Alan Trimue - Count 5 - Genesee County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/12/deputy-david-chandler-berrien-county-sd.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12072006 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy David Chandler - Berrien County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/12/officer-david-chandler-baroda-lake.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12072006 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer David Chandler - Baroda-Lake Township PD / Berrien County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/12/firefighter-michael-boyd-sentenced.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12152006 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Firefighter Michael Boyd - Sentenced - Southgate FD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/12/msp-lt-aaron-sweeney-demoted-petoskey.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12192006 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>MSP LT. Aaron Sweeney - Demoted - Petoskey Post</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span><span><span><span><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/01/01012007-2007-vawaviolence-against.html" target="_blank"><b>01012007 - </b>2007 VAWA/Violence Against Women Act AND Political Agendas - News Articles</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/01/01012007-wayne-county-commissioner.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01012007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Wayne County Commissioner Reggie Reg Davis - Accused of threatening girlfriend/threatened to rip unborn child out of her stomach - PPO Issued</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/01/deputy-brian-vanmeter-sentenced.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01082007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Brian Vanmeter - Sentenced - Charlevoix County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/01/deputy-mayor-rick-csapo-sentenced.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01102007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Mayor Rick Csapo - Sentenced - Traverse City</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/01/deputy-david-chandler-sentenced-berrien.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01112007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy David Chandler - Sentenced - Berrien County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/01/officer-tabitha-mccree-detroit-police.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01192007 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Tabitha McCree - Murder or Suicide? Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/01/officer-kenneth-dekleine-holland-pd.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01272007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Ken DeKleine - Breaking & Entering - Holland PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/01/officer-kenneth-dekleine-holland-pd_3364.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01312007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Ken DeKleine - Abuse Allegation - Holland PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/01/officer-kenneth-dekleine-holland-pd_5820.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01312007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Ken DeKleine - Abuse of Power Allegation - Holland PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/01/officer-kenneth-dekleine-holland-pd_2294.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01312007 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Ken DeKleine - Tape Recorder Planted - Holland PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/01/officer-kenneth-dekleine-holland-pd_31.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01312007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Ken DeKleine - Rape Allegation - Holland PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/02/officer-brian-vieau-detroit-police.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>02082007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Brian Vieau - Murder/Suicide - Murder Of Ex-Wife Tracy Vieau - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/02/deputy-david-glover-washtenaw-county-sd.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>02102007 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Deputy David Glover - Domestic Violence - Washtenaw County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/02/deputy-david-glover-washtenaw-sd.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>02102007 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Deputy David Glover - Assault Or Assault and Battery - County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/02/deputy-david-glover-washtenaw-sd_10.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>02102007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy David Glover - Cut, break, tap wire or cable - Washtenaw County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/02/chief-daniel-black-lake-angelus-pd.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>02232007 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Chief Daniel Black - Charged w/ CSC - Lake Angelus PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/03/firefighter-matthew-cook-wayland-fd.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>03012007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Firefighter Matthew Cook - Wayland FD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/03/co-reserve-officer-william-pattison.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>03032007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>C.O. / Reserve Officer William Pattison - Appeal - Milford PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/03/deputy-michael-harvey-le-license.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>03142007 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Deputy Michael Harvey - LE License revoked - Antrim Country SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/03/officer-lathuya-weaver-detroit-police.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>03282007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Lathuya Weaver - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/04/charles-baltimore-senior-staff-member.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04272007 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> State Staffer Charles Baltimore - Congressman Rogers</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/04/officer-romon-johnson-detroit-pd.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04272007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Romon Johnson - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/05/detective-guy-picketts-jr-calhoun-sd.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>05012007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Detective Guy Picketts Jr - Calhoun County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/05/officer-romon-johnson-suspension.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>05032007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Romon Johnson - Suspension - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/05/deputy-richard-rodden-livingston-county.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>05142007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Richard Rodden - Livingston County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/05/officer-brandon-robinson-lowell-police.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>05222007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Brandon Robinson - Lowell PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/05/officer-robert-vargas-lansing-police.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>05222007 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Robert Vargas - Lansing PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/05/deputy-jeffrey-stromer-houghton-county.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>05262007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Jeffrey Stromer - Houghton County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/05/officer-kenneth-dekleine-holland-pd.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>05292007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Ken DeKleine - PPO Violation - Holland PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/05/assistant-prosecutor-kevin-floyd-kent.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>05312007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Assist Prosecutor Kevin Floyd - Kent County</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/06/firefighter-gerald-thoma-jr-fruitport.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>06022007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Firefighter Gerald Thoma Jr.- Fruitport Township FD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/01/firefighter-stephen-bissett.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>06042007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Firefighter Stephen Bissett - Yale/Brockway FDs</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/06/co-reserve-officer-william-pattison.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>06052007 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> C.O. / Reserve Officer William Pattison - Appeal - Milford PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/06/state-staffer-charles-baltimore-dv.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>06112007 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> State Staffer Charles Baltimore - Charges dismissed - Congressman Rogers</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/06/special-deputy-alan-trimue-genesee.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>06202007 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Special Deputy Alan Trimue - Genesee County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/06/06262007-rough-draft-of-mioidv-program.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>06262007 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Rough Draft Of MIOIDV Program Faxed To MI State Rep Kim Meltzer</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/06/deputy-michael-harvey-appeal-antrim.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>06282007 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Deputy Michael Harvey - Appeal - Antrim County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/07/officer-marvin-petty-muskegon-heights.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07042007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Marvin Gene Petty - Muskegon Heights PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/10/oidv-offender-update-phillip-bal.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07182007 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Former Officer Phillip Bal - Sentenced [April 01, 2004 CSC/Home Invasion Charges] - Iron Mountain PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/07/deputy-richard-rodden-case-dismissed.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07202007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Richard Rodden - Case dismissed - Livingston County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/07/deputy-jeffrey-stomer-sentenced.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07302007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Jeffrey Stromer - Sentenced - Houghton County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/07/officer-ronell-weatherspoon-sentenced.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07312007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Ronell Weatherspoon - Sentenced - Buena Vista PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/08/officer-kenneth-dekleine-holland-pd.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08012007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Ken DeKleine - PPO Violation - Holland PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/08/08152007-officer-phillip-bal-appeal.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08152007 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Former Officer Phillip Bal - Appeal Filed - COA 280009 - Iron Mountain PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/08/08162007-buena-vista-state-co-ronald.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08162007 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Buena Vista State C.O. Ronald Mielcarek - Appeal - Affirmed In Part And Remanded For Resentencing</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/08/firefighter-michael-boyd-southgate-fire.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08172007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Firefighter Michael Boyd - First Offense - Southgate FD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/08/firefighter-michael-boyd-southgate_6463.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08172007 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Firefighter Michael Boyd - Second Offense - Southgate FD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/08/firefighter-michael-boyd-southgate_17.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08172007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Firefighter Michael Boyd - Third Offense - Southgate FD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/08/firefighter-michael-boyd-southgate.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08172007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Firefighter Michael Boyd - Fourth Offense - Southgate FD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/08/firefighter-michael-boyd-southgate-fd_17.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08172007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Firefighter Michael Boyd - Fifth Offense - Southgate FD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/08/firefighter-michael-boyd-southgate-fd_9101.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08172007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Firefighter Michael Boyd - Sixth Offense - Southgate FD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/10/oidv-offender-update-lyle-sutton.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08212007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Former Reserve Officer Lyle Sutton - Sentenced - Traverse City PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/10/oidv-offender-update-daniel-black.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08222007 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Chief Daniel Black - Sentenced - Lake Angelus PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/08/deputy-justin-revnell-grand-traverse-sd.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08222007 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Deputy Justin Revnell - Grand Traverse SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/10/oidv-offender-update-david-glover.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08282007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy David Glover - Sentenced - Washtenaw County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/09/officer-kenneth-dekleine-holland-pd.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>09012007 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Ken DeKleine - PPO Violation - Holland PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/09/officer-erica-rickett.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>09122007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Erica Rickett - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/11/oidv-offender-appeal-deputy-phillip-bal.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>09172007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Former Officer Phillip Bal - Appeal Filed - COA 280601 - Iron Mountain PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/09/sheriff-william-hackel-denied-new-trial.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>09192007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Sheriff William Hackel - Denied New Trial - Macomb County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/10/10012007-michigan-law-enforcement.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10012007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>MI Law Enforcement DV Officer Manual - Officer Manual [October 2007 Edition]</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/10/10012007-mi-law-enforcement-response-to.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10012007 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> MI Law Enforcement DV Officer Manual - Officer Manual - LINKS</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/10/10012007-mi-law-enforcement-domestic_1.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10012007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>MI Law Enforcement DV Officer Manual - Enforcing Domestic Violence Laws</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/10/10012007-mi-law-enforcement-domestic.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10012007 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> MI Law Enforcement DV Officer Manual - The Arrest Decision In DV Cases</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/10/10012007-mi-law-enforcement-domestic_45.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10012007 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> MI Law Enforcement DV Officer Manual - The Arrest Decision In DV Cases [CHART]</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/10/10012007-mi-law-enforcement-domestic_78.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10012007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>MI Law Enforcement DV Officer Manual - Requirements When Responding To DV Calls</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/10/10012007-mi-law-enforcement-domestic_63.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10012007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>MI Law Enforcement DV Officer Manual - Determining Probable Cause To Make A DV Arrest</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/10/10012007-mi-law-enforcement-domestic_90.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10012007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>MI Law Enforcement DV Officer Manual - Arrest Of DV Assailant After Establishing Probable Cause</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/10/10012007-mi-law-enforcement-domestic_97.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10012007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>MI Law Enforcement DV Officer Manual - DV Bond Conditions [Form]</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/10/10012007-mi-law-enforcement-domestic_60.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10012007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>MI Law Enforcement DV Officer Manual - Writing A DV Report [MCL 746.15c]</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/10/10012007-mi-law-enforcement-domestic_88.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10012007 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> MI Law Enforcement DV Officer Manual - Asault & Battery [MCL 750.81]</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/10/10012007-mi-law-enforcement-domestic_75.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10012007 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> MI Law Enforcement DV Officer Manual - Assault; Infliction Of Serious Or Aggravated Injury [MCL 750.81a]</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/10/10012007-mi-law-enforcement-domestic_98.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10012007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>MI Law Enforcement DV Officer Manual - Torture [MCL 750.85]</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/10/10012007-mi-law-enforcement-domestic_65.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10012007 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> MI Law Enforcement DV Officer Manual - Duty Of Officer To Arrest [MCL 750.52]</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/10/10012007-mi-law-enforcement-domestic_25.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10012007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>MI Law Enforcement DV Officer Manual - Arrest By Officer Without Warrant [MCL 764.15]</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/10/10012007-mi-law-enforcement-domestic_61.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10012007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>MI Law Enforcement DV Officer Manual - Michigan Standard DV Police Report Form [MCL 764.15c]</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/10/10012007-mi-law-enforcement-domestic_95.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10012007 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> MI Law Enforcement DV Officer Manual - Arrest Without Warrant For DV Assault [MCL 764.15a]</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/10/10012007-mi-law-enforcement-domestic_64.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10012007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>MI Law Enforcement DV Officer Manual - Police Investigation Of DV Dispute [MCL 764.15c]</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/10/10012007-mi-law-enforcement-domestic_85.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10012007 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> MI Law Enforcement DV Officer Manual - Mandatory Police Dept Written DV Policies [MCL 776.22]</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/10/firefighter-gerald-paul-thoma-jr.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10092007 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Firefighter Gerald Paul Thoma Jr. - Sentenced - Fruitport FD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/10/oidv-offender-update-robert-vargas.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10152007 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Robert Vargas - Sentenced - Lansing PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/10/co-ronald-mielcarek-sentenced-buena.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10152007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Buena Vista State C.O. Ronald Mielcarek - Resentenced Per Appeal Opinion [08162007]</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/10/10182007-officer-phillip-bal-coa-appeal.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10182007 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Former Officer Phillip Bal - COA Appeal 280009 - Dismissed - Iron Mountain PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/10/deputy-david-glover-washtenaw-county-sd.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10192007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy David Glover - Washtenaw County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/03/deputy-scott-ford-emmet-county-sd.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10192007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Scott Ford - Emmet County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/11/matt-allen-detroit-mayor-press.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>11022007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Matt Allen - Detroit Mayor Press Secretary</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/11/officer-kevin-brainard-plainwell-police_04.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>11042007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Kevin Brainard - Murder/Suicide - Murder Of Wife Pam Aukerman Brainard - Plainwell PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/11/11052007-mioidvrenee-harrington.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>11052007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>MIOIDV/Renee Harrington Interview</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/11/former-officer-ronell-weatherspoon.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>11072007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Former Officer Ronell Weatherspoon - Fugitive/Violated Probation - Buena Vista PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/11/former-officer-ronell-weatherspoon_07.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>11072007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Former Officer Ronell Weatherspoon - Naked Fugitive Caught - Buena Vista PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/11/officer-phillip-bal-le-license-revoked.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>11082007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Former Officer Phillip Bal - LE license revoked - Iron Mountain PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/11/jodi-parrack-murder-investigation.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>11082007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Jodi Parrack Murder Investigation - Reserve Officer Raymond McCann suspect - Constantine PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/11/co-darick-hearn-sentenced-thumb.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>11192007 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> C.O. Darick Hearn - Sentenced - Thumb Correctional Facility</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/01/sergeant-craig-flocken-ann-arbor-police.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>11212007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Sergeant Craig Flocken - Ann Arbor PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/11/emt-anthony-gibson-detroit.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>11242007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>EMT Anthony Gibson - Murder Of Ex-Wife LaDora Gibson and Shooting/Wounding Of Son</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/12/former-trooper-bart-cunningham-kalkaska.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12012007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Former MSP Trooper Bart Cunningham - Domestic Violence Charge</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/12/matt-allen-sentenced-detroit-mayor.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12032007 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Matt Allen - Sentenced - Detroit Mayor Press Secretary</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/12/firefighter-michael-boyd-southgate-fire.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12032007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Firefighter Michael Boyd - Southgate FD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/12/12052007-deputy-dale-van-wert-trial-for.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span><b>1</b></span></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>2052007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Dale Van Wert - Trial For CSC - Bay County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/12/firfighter-michael-boyd-sentenced.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12052007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Firefighter Michael Boyd - Sentenced - Southgate FD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/12/officer-collin-eaton-detroit-pd.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12142007 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Collin Eaton - CSC - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/12/officer-adam-horne-detroit-pd.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12242007 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Adam Horne - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/12/unsolved-murder-of-ross-cobb-wife-of.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12262007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Detroit Police Officer David Cobb - Murder Of Wife, Rose Bennett Cobb</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/12/rose-cobb-murder-case.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12262007 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Rose Bennett Cobb Murder Case - Detroit Police Officer David Cobb AND Hitman Vincent Smothers - News Articles</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/12/12262007-rose-bennett-cobb-murder-case.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12262007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Rose Bennett Cobb Murder Case - Detroit Police Officer David Cobb AND Hitman Vincent Smothers - Pictures/Videos</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/07/justice-for-rose-cobb.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12262007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Justice For Rose Cobb</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/12/former-firefighter-enrique-torres.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12272007 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Former Mt. Morris Firefighter Enrique Torres Jr - Murder Of Wife Rebecca Torres</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/04/rebecca-burden.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12272007 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Rebecca Burden Torres Memorial Page</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div><span><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/01/01012008-2008-vawaviolence-against.html" target="_blank"><b>01012008 - </b>2008 VAWA/Violence Against Women Act AND Political Agendas - News Articles</a></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/01/officer-adam-horne-suspension-detroit-pd.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01032008 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Adam Horne - Suspension - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/01/officer-kenneth-dekleine-holland-pd.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01082008 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Ken DeKleine - PPO Violation - Holland PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/10/oidv-offender-update-lathuya-weaver.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01082008 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Lathuya Weaver - Sentenced - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/01/officer-ken-dekleine-holland-police.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01102008 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Holland Police Officer Ken DeKleine - Murder Of Estranged Wife Lori DeKleine</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/01/officer-dekleine-ppo-violations.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01102008 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Holland Police Officer Ken DeKleine - PPO violations & allegations of abuse</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/01/officer-kenneth-dekleine-holland-pd_10.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01102008 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Ken DeKleine - PPO Violation - Holland PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/01/officer-christopher-clark-niles-police.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01102008 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Christopher Clark - Niles PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/01/officer-christopher-clark-sentenced.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01242008 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Christopher Clark - Sentenced - Niles PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/01/deputy-gregory-williams-kalamazoo.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01262008 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Deputy Gregory Williams - Kalamazoo County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/02/officer-dean-toward-warren-pd.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>02152008 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Dean Toward - Warren PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/02/officer-dean-toward-charges-dropped.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>02192008 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Dean Toward - Charges Dropped - Warren PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/02/officer-mitchell-quinn-detroit-pd.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>02192008 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Mitchell Quinn - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/02/deputy-david-glover-washtenaw-sd.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>02262008 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy David Glover - Sentenced - Washtenaw County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/02/officer-mitchell-quinn-suspension.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>02272008 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Mitchell Quinn - Suspension - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/02/sergeant-craig-flocken-acquitted-ann.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>02272008 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Sergeant Craig Flocken - Acquitted - Ann Arbor PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/02/officer-marvin-gene-petty-sentenced.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>02282008 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Marvin Gene Petty - Sentenced - Muskegon Heights PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/03/officer-gary-steele-detroit-pd-030408.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>03042008 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Detroit PD Officer Gary Steele - Facing Life In Prison For OIDV Assault Against Ex-Girlfriend</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/03/deputy-haan-allegan-county-sd.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>03042008 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Deputy Kevin Haan - Allegan County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/03/deputy-van-wert-sentenced-bay-sd.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>03062008 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Van Wert - Sentenced - Bay County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/03/firefighter-mike-risher-detroit-pd.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>03122008 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Firefighter Mike Risher - Detroit FD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/03/deputy-kevin-haan-allegan-co-sd.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>03132008 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Kevin Haan - Allegan County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/03/officer-mark-james-sigler-litchfield-pd.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>03152008 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Mark James Sigler - Deferred Sentence - Litchfield PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/03/03152008-thank-you-hillsdale-daily.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>03152008 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>THANK YOU HILLSDALE DAILY! Judge Sanderson [Hillsdale County] didn't want the Hillsdale Daily to publish Officer Mark Sigler's OIDV Case</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/03/03152008-officer-mark-james-sigler.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>03152008 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Mark James Sigler - Litchfield PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/03/deputy-kevin-haan-allegan-co-sd_28.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>03282008 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Kevin Haan - Allegan County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/04/deputy-craig-baker-benzie-county-sd.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04012008 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Craig Baker - Benzie County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/04/mi-lt-junewick-charged-with-domestic.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04012008 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> LT. Steve Junewick - Little River Band of Ottawa PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/04/co-reserve-officer-william-pattison.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04042008 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>C.O. / Reserve Officer William Pattison - Appeal - Milford PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/04/firefighter-matthew-cook-sentenced.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04042008 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Firefighter Matthew Cook - Sentenced - Wayland FD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/04/officer-david-essad-shelby-township-pd.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04122008 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer David Essad - Assaulted Wife & Broke Her Nose - Shelby Township PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/04/04122008-mi-cop-essad-still-trusted.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04122008 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> [MI] Cop Essad still TRUSTED after beating bloodying, breaking, balding his wife?</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/08/firefighter-michael-boyd-southgate_7966.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04142008 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Firefighter Michael Boyd - Charges dismissed - Southgate FD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/04/sheriff-scott-fewin-grand-traverse-sd.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04172008 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Sheriff Scott Fewin - Grand Traverse County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/10/oidv-offender-update-brandon-robinson.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04182008 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Brandon Robinson - Child Abuse - Sentenced - Lowell PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/10/oidv-offender-update-alan-trimue.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04212008 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Reserve Deputy Alan Trimue - Sentenced - CSC - Genesse County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/07/officer-robert-vargas-lansing-pd.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04252008 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Robert Vargas - Stalking - Lansing PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/05/deputy-kevin-haan-sentenced-dui-allegan.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>05012008 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Kevin Haan - Sentenced DUI - Allegan County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/05/deputy-kevin-haan-sentenced-dv-allegan.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>05012008 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Deputy Kevin Haan - Pleaded - DV - Allegan County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/10/oidv-offender-appeal-firefighter.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>05012008 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Firefighter Matthew Cook - Appeal</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/05/officer-renny-shelby-may-10-2008.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>05102008 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Renny Shelby - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/05/deputy-kevin-haan-may-2008-dv-allegan-sd.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>05152008 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Kevin Haan - May 2008 DV - Allegan County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/05/deputy-kevin-haan-pleaded-to-may-dv.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>05162008 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Kevin Haan - Pleaded to May OIDV - Allegan County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/06/kent-county-commissioner-james-vaughn.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>06172008 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Commissioner James Vaughn - Kent County</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/06/deputy-scott-ford-emmet-county-sd.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>06212008 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Deputy Scott Ford - Emmet County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/06/undersheriff-bruce-gualtiere-kalkaska.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>06282008 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Undersheriff Bruce Gualtiere - Kalkaska County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/07/trooper-douglas-wright-appeal.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07022008 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>MSP Trooper Douglas Wright - Leave To Appeal - Murder Of Estranged Wife/Flint PD Dispatcher Kimberly Thompson (05011993)</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/07/officer-dekleines-trial-for-loris.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07082008 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Ken DeKleine - Trial For Murder Of Ex-Wife Lori Dekleine - Holland PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/07/officer-tracey-house-sentenced-burton-pd.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07102008 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Tracey House - Sentenced - Burton PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/07/officer-antonio-barber-flint-police.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07242008 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Former Flint PD Officer Antonio Barber - Flint PD - Committed Suicide During Stand-Off With Police During Domestic Incident</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/12/oidv-offender-appeal-lyle-sutton.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07282008 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Former Reserve Lyle Sutton - Appeal filed: Denied - Traverse City PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/07/former-officer-jeff-morse-benzie.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07302008 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Former Officer Jeff Morse - Benzie County SD Sheriff Candidate</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/07/deputy-robert-dakin-newaygo-sd-73008.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07302008 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Deputy Robert Dakin - Newaygo County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/08/officer-timothy-hibbard-self-defense.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08032008 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Timothy Hibbard - Self-defense shooting of murderer Marshan Worthey - Jackson PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/10/oidv-offender-update-collin-eaton.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08042008 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Collin Eaton - Sentenced - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/08/officer-mark-sigler-sentenced.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08112008 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Mark Sigler - Sentenced - Litchfield PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/08/judge-donald-sanderson-hillsdale-county.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08112008 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Judge Donald Sanderson - Hillsdale County District Court</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/08/firefighter-michael-boyd-southgate-fire.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08232008 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Firefighter Michael Boyd - First Offense - Southgate FD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/08/firefighter-michael-boyd-southgate-fd.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08232008 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Firefighter Michael Boyd - Second Offense - Southgate FD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/08/officer-kenneth-pappas-sterling-heights.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08242008 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Kenneth Pappas - Sterling Heights PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/08/officer-ken-dekleine-sentencing-hearing.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08252008 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Ken DeKleine - Sentencing Hearing - Murder Of Ex-Wife Lori DeKleine - Holland PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/10/oidv-offender-update-kenneth-dekleine.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08252008 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Ken DeKleine - Sentenced - Murder Of Ex-Wife Lori Dekleine - Holland PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/08/officer-phillip-bal-charges-dismissed.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08282008 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Former Officer Phillip Bal - Charges dismissed [Aurora WI. April 2005 charges] - Iron Mountain PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/11/oidv-offender-appeal-firefighter.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08282008 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Firefighter Matthew Cook - Appeal</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/10/oidv-offender-update-david-essad.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>09082008 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer David Essad - Sentenced - Shelby Township PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/09/undersheriff-bruce-gualtiere-cleared-of.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>09112008 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Undersheriff Bruce Gualtiere - Acquitted - Kalkaska County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/09/officer-keith-walker-detroit-pd.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>09132008 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Keith Walker - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/09/officer-keith-walker-suspension-detroit.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>09182008 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Keith Walker - Suspension - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/09/09232008-former-officer-phillip-bal.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>09232008 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Former Officer Phillip Bal - Appeal COA 280601 - OPINION - Conviction Affirmed - Iron Mountain PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/09/officer-kenneth-pappas-charges-dropped.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>09242008 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Kenneth Pappas - Charges Dropped - Sterling Heights PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/09/sgt-david-cobb-found-hanged.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>09282008 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer David Cobb - Suicide - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/09/firefighter-joel-abernathy-sterling.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>09282008 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Firefighter Joel Abernathy - Sterling Heights FD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/09/deputy-craig-baker-csc-dismissed-benzie.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>09292008 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Craig Baker - CSC Dismissed - Benzie County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/09/officer-thomas-cupples-ferndale-pd.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>09302008 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Thomas Cupples - Ferndale PD [retired]</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/10/deputy-kevin-haan-oct-dui-allegan-sd.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10022008 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Kevin Haan - Oct DUI - Allegan County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/10/deputy-kevin-haan-pleaded-oct-dui.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10022008 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Kevin Haan - Pleaded Oct DUI - Allegan County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/10/10042008-mi-assistant-us-attorney-jeff.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10042008 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Michigan Assistant US Attorney Jeff Davis' Take On OIDV</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/10/10102008-msp-trooper-douglas-wright.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10102008 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> MSP Trooper Douglas Wright - Leave To Appeal - DENIED - Murder Of Estranged Wife/Flint PD Dispatcher Kimberly Thompson (05011993)</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/10/officer-ronald-dupuis-filed-suit.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10312008 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Ronald Dupuis - Filed Lawsuit Against City of Hamtramck - Hamtramck PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/09/reserve-officer-william-patterson.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>11252008 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>C.O. / Reserve Officer William Pattison - Sentenced - Milford PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/10/oidv-offender-update-renny-shelby.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>11302008 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Renny Shelby - Sentenced - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/12/magistrate-j-michael-james-dv-van-buren.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12052008 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Magistrate J. Michael James - Domestic Violence Assault - Van Buren County</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/12/magistrate-j-michael-james-december.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12052008 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Magistrate J. Michael James - DUI - Van Buren County</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/12/deputy-scott-ford-emmet-county-sd.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12072008 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Scott Ford - Emmet County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/12/12312008-statewide-michigan-officer.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12312008 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Statewide Michigan OIDV Cases - 2008 - Calendar</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/01/01012009-2009-vawaviolence-against.html" target="_blank"><b>01012009 - </b>2009 VAWA/Violence Against Women Act AND Political Agendas - News Articles</a></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/01/firefighter-mike-risher-detroit-fd.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01012009 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Firefighter Mike Risher - Detroit FD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/04/mi-deputy-jones-guilty-of-assaulting.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01152009 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Carl Jones - Berrien SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/01/deputy-bruce-beeker-leelanau-county-sd.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01232009 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Deputy Bruce Beeker - LeeLanau County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/02/deputy-jeremy-brickey-robinson-clare.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>02042009 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Jeremy Brickly Richardson - Clare SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/02/deputy-jeremy-brickey-richardson-clare.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>02052009 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Deputy Jeremy Brickey Richardson - Clare County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/02/councilman-jason-simmons-owosso-city.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>02092009 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Councilman Jason Simmons - Owosso City Council</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/02/magistrate-j-michael-james-sentenced.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>02092009 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Magistrate J Michael James - Sentenced - Van Buren County</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/02/councilman-jason-simmons-sentenced.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>02232009 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Councilman Jason Simmons - Sentenced - Owosso City Council</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/10/offender-robert-brewer-dakin-former.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>03092009 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Robert Dakin - Sentenced - Newaygo County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/03/firefighter-joel-abernathy-sentenced.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>03172009 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Firefighter Joel Abernathy - Sentenced - Sterling Heights FD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/03/firefighter-michael-boyd-southgate.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>03302009 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Firefighter Michael Boyd - 1st Count - Southgate FD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/03/firefighter-michael-boyd-southgate_30.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>03302009 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Firefighter Michael Boyd - 2nd Count - Southgate FD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/03/firefighter-michael-boyd-southgate-fd.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>03302009 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Firefighter Michael Boyd - 3rd Count - Southgate FD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/04/deputy-joni-josten-victim-of-oidv.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04012009 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Joni Josten - Victim of OIDV - Allegan County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/05/chief-john-josten-bloomingdale-pd.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04012009 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Police Chief John Josten - DV - Bloomingdale PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/04/councilman-jason-simmons-owosso-city.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04082009 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Councilman Jason Simmons - Owosso City Council</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/04/firefighter-michael-boyd-southgate-fd_9349.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04092009 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Firefighter Michael Boyd - 1st Count - Sentence suspended - Southgate FD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/04/firefighter-michael-boyd-southgate-fd_9.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04092009 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Firefighter Michael Boyd - 2nd Count - Charges dismissed - Southgate FD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/04/commissioner-james-vaughn-sentenced.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04172009 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Commissioner James Vaughn - Sentenced - Kent County</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/04/officer-renny-shelby-le-license-revoked.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04222009 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Renny Shelby - LE License Revoked - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/05/mi-officer-dadeppo-domestic-violence.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>05012009 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer James Joseph DaDeppo - Grosse Pointe Woods PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/05/deputy-steven-fresorger-saginaw-county.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>05012009 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Steven Fresorger - Saginaw County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/05/deputy-carl-jones-sentenced-berrien-sd.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>05052009 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Carl Jones - Sentenced - Berrien County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/05/05132009-today-on-blogtalk-radio.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>05132009 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> BlogTalk Radio - "Married To A Cop? No Place To Turn For Help?" With Cloud/Behind The Blue Wall AND Renee' Harrington/MI OIDV</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/07/officer-robert-vargas-lansing-pd-update.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>05282009 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Robert Vargas - Sentenced - Lansing PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/06/chief-john-josten-sentenced.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>06122009 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Police Chief John Josten - Sentenced - Bloomingdale PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/10/oidv-offender-update-gary-steele.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>06232009 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Detroit PD Officer Gary Steele - Sentenced - Formerly Facing Possible Life Sentence For Domestic Violence Assault - Sentenced To 1 Year Probation - Put Back On Duty</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/06/06232009-msp-trooper-douglas-wright.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>06232009 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> MSP Trooper Douglas Wright - Leave To Appeal (MI Supreme Court) - DENIED - Murder Of Estranged Wife/Flint PD Dispatcher Kimberly Thompson (05011993)</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/06/deputy-jeremy-richardson-not-guilty-at.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>06252009 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Jeremy Brickey Richardson - Acquitted - Clare County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/06/deputy-fresorger-sentence-2.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>06292009 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Deputy Steven Fresorger - Misuse Of LEIN - 1st of 5 charges - Saginaw County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/06/deputy-fresorger-sentence-1.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>06292009 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Deputy Steven Fresorger - Misuse Of LEIN - 2nd of 5 charges - Saginaw County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/06/deputy-steven-fresorger-sentence-3.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>06292009 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Deputy Steven Fresorger - Misuse Of LEIN - 3rd of 5 charges - Saginaw County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/06/deputy-steven-fresorger-sentence-4.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>06292009 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Steven Fresorger - Misuse Of LEIN - 4th of 5 charges - Saginaw County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/06/deputy-steven-fresorger-sentence-5.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>06292009 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Deputy Steven Fresorger - Misuse Of LEIN - 5th of 5 charges - Saginaw County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/07/07012009-michigan-le-dv-response-policy.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07012009 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Michigan LE DV Response Policy - Entire Policy Booklet</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/07/07012009-michigan-le-dv-response-policy_93.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07012009 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Michigan LE DV Response Policy - LINKS</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/07/07012009-michigan-le-dv-response-policy_15.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07012009 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Michigan LE DV Response Policy - Purpose & Goals</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/07/07012009-michigan-le-dv-response-policy_32.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07012009 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Michigan LE DV Response Policy - Probable Cause</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/07/07012009-michigan-le-dv-response-policy_50.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07012009 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Michigan LE DV Response Policy - Arrest</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/07/07012009-michigan-le-dv-response-policy_43.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07012009 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Michigan LE DV Response Policy - If No Arrest Can Be Made</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/07/07012009-michigan-le-dv-response-policy_14.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07012009 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Michigan LE DV Response Policy - Report Writing</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/07/07012009-michigan-le-dv-response-policy_81.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07012009 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Michigan LE DV Response Policy - Officer Involved DV & Protective Orders Against Officers</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/07/07012009-michigan-le-dv-response-policy_34.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07012009 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Michigan LE DV Response Policy - Training & Compliance With DV Response Policy</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/07/07012009-michigan-le-dv-response-policy_1.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07012009 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Michigan LE DV Response Policy - Mandated Written DV Response Policy</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/12/oidv-offender-appeal-robert-vargas.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07082009 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Robert Vargas - Appeal - Lansing PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/07/trooper-david-morikawa.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07152009 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>MSP Trooper David Morikawa - Iron River Post</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/07/unnamed-ottawa-county-sheriff-deputy.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07192009 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Unnamed Deputy - Terminated After Domestic Violence Incident - Ottawa County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/08/officer-james-dadeppo-sentenced-grosse.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08052009 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer James DaDeppo - Sentenced - Grosse Pointe Woods PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/08/sergeant-melvin-paul-holbrook-msp.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08102009 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> MSP Sergeant Melvin Paul Holbrook - Murdered By Wife, Joni Holbrook</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/08/sergeant-melvin-holbrook-murder-case.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08102009 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>MSP Sergeant Trooper Melvin Paul Holbrook Murder - Murder Case - Joni Holbrook</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/08/msp-sergeant-melvin-paul-holbrook.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08152009 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> MSP Sergeant Melvin Paul Holbrook - Obituary / Funeral - Killed By Wife, Jodi Holbrook</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/08/former-deputy-john-yeska-jr-saginaw-sd.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08192009 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Former Deputy John Yeska Jr - Saginaw County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/09/officer-thomas-carey-grand-haven-pd.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>09032009 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Thomas Carey - Grand Haven PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/09/officer-colin-kacmarsky-lansing-pd.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>09122009 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Colin Kacmarsky - Shot/Paralyzed By Wife - Lansing PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/09/firefighter-mike-risher-detroit-pd.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>09182009 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Firefighter Mike Risher - Detroit FD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/09/officer-edward-williams-detroit-pd.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>09192009 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Edward Williams - Officer Patricia Williams Filed DV Report Against Edward Williams With The Canton PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/09/officer-edward-williams-detroit-pd_21.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>09212009 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Edward Williams - Canton PD Responded To DV At Williams' Home - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/09/officer-edward-willaims-detroit-pd.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>09222009 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Edward Williams - Friend Of Officer Patricia Williams Called Canton PD, RE: DV - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/09/officer-patricia-williams-detroit-pd.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>09222009 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Detroit PD Officer Patricia [Katie] Ryan Williams- Murdered By Husband/Officer Ed Williams</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/09/09222009-officer-edward-williams.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>09222009 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Edward Williams - Domestic Violence History</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/09/officer-patricia-katie-ryan-williams.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>09222009 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Detroit PD Officer Patricia Katie Ryan Williams - Wrongful-death lawsuit - Killed By Husband/Officer Edward Williams</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/09/ladonna-glenn-aware-dv-program.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>09242009 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> LaDonna Glenn [Aware DV Program Coordinator] - Charged With Felonious Assault With Hammer Against Husband</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/09/deputy-rick-bennett-genesee-sd.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>09302009 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Rick Bennett - Questioned By Police For Slashing Ex-Wife's Tires - Genesee SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/10/deputy-rick-bennette-genesee-county-sd.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>09302009 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Genesee SD Deputy Rick Bennett - Killed In High-Speed Police Chase After DV Incident With Estranged Wife</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/10/firefighter-michael-boyd-southgate-dui.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10142009 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Firefighter Michael Boyd - Sentence suspended - Southgate FD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/10/firefighter-michael-boyd-southgate.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10142009 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Firefighter Michael Boyd - Charges dismissed - Southgate FD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/10/oidv-offender-update-thomas-carey.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>11022009 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Thomas Carey - Sentenced - Grand Haven PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/11/officer-dana-bryce-devries-110409.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>11042009 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officers Dana & Bryce Devries - Grand Haven PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/12/officer-david-essad-and-disappearing.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12022009 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer David Essad - The Disappearing Probation Violations - Shelby Township PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/12/12092009-rose-cobb-murder-case-vincent.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12092009 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Rose Bennett Cobb Murder Case - Vincent Smothers/Hitman - Appeal To Suppress Confession</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/12/correction-officer-richard-pierce-ionia.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12152009 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>C.O. Richard Pierce - Ionia Prison</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/12/deputy-richard-zych-benzie-county-sd.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12172009 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Deputy Richard Zych - Benzie County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/12/sam-riddle-charged-w-dv-assault-on-rep.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12212009 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Sam Riddle - Arrested - Pulled Shotgun On Girlfriend/State Rep. Mary Waters</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><div><span><span><span><span><span><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2010/01/01012010-2010-vawaviolence-against.html" target="_blank"><b>01012010 -</b> 2010 VAWA/Violence Against Women Act AND Political Agendas - News Articles</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2010/01/sergeant-wedad-elhage-detroit-pd.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01012010 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Wedad Elhage - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2010/01/judge-lynda-tolen-berrien-county-retired.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01012010 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Judge Lynda Tolen - Berrien County [retired]</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/10/oidv-offender-update-enrique-torres.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01082010 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Former Mt. Morris Firefighter Enrique Torres - Sentenced For Murder Of Wife, Rebecca Torres</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/10/oidv-offender-update-scott-ford.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01122010 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Scott Ford - Sentenced - Emmet County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2010/02/judge-lynda-tolen-berrien-county-retired.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>02012010 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Judge Lynda Tolen - Sentenced - Berrien County [retired]</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2010/02/02082010-rose-cobb-murder-case-vincent.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>02082010 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Rose Bennett Cobb Murder Case - Vincent Smothers/Hitman - Appeal To Suppress Confession - Motion DENIED</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2010/02/former-state-trooper-bart-cunningham.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>02262010 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Former MSP Trooper Bart Cunningham - Shot/Wounded Wife And Teenage Stepson Before Committing Suicide</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2010/03/judge-lynda-tolen-berrien-county-retired.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>03012010 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Judge Lynda Tolen - Berrien County [retired]</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2010/03/unadilla-township-supervisor-linda.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>03172010 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Terrance Kiernan - Ex wife Unadilla Township Supervisor Linda Walker</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2010/03/deputy-nick-cavanaugh-otsego-county-sd.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>03262010 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Deputy Nick Cavanaugh - Terminated - Otsego County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2010/04/judge-lynda-tolen-sentenced-berrien.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04012010 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Judge Lynda Tolen - Sentenced - Berrien County [Retired]</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2010/05/former-deputy-scott-ford-emmet-county.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>05032010 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Scott Ford - Violation Of Probation - Emmet County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/12/sam-riddle-update.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>05272010 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Sam Riddle - Sentenced - DV Assault Against State Rep Mary Waters</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2010/06/deputy-kipp-needham-assaulting-police.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>06012010 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Deputy Kipp Needham - Arrested For Assault On MSP Trooper Peterson - Grand Traverse County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2010/06/deputy-kipp-needham-grand-traverse.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>06012010 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Kipp Needham - Arrested For DV Assault - Grand Traverse County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2010/06/ladonna-glenn-sentenced-aware-dv.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>06212010 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>LaDonna Glenn [AWARE DV Program Coordinator] - Sentenced For Domestic Violence</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2010/06/co-richard-pierce-sentenced-ionia.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>06292010 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> C.O. Richard Pierce - Sentenced - Ionia Prison</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2010/07/deputy-scott-ford-sentenced-probation.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07012010 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Scott Ford - Sentenced: Probation Violation - Emmet County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2010/07/sam-riddle-appeal-state-rep-mary-waters.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07092010 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Sam Riddle - Appeal - Conviction For Assault Of State Rep Mary Waters</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2010/07/deputy-joseph-naimo-gratiot-county-sd.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07142010 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>C.O. Joseph Naimo - Gratiot County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2010/07/deputy-steven-fresorger-saginaw-county.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07172010 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Steven Fresorger - Saginaw County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/12/vincent-smothers-hitman-officer-cobb.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07232010 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Rose Bennett Cobb Murder Case - Vincent Smothers/Hitman - Sentenced - Murder Of Rose Cobb</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2010/07/officer-thomas-cupples-ferndale-pd.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07312010 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Thomas Cupples - Ferndale PD [retired]</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2010/12/officer-ron-schultz-ishpeming-pd-at-his.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08022010 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Ron Schultz - Ishpeming PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2010/08/08102010-joni-holbrook-murder-of.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08102010 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Joni Holbrook - Murder Of MSP Sergeant Melvin Paul Holbrook - Sentenced</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2010/12/sergeant-wedad-elhage-detroit-pd.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08232010 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Wedad Elhage - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2010/08/terrance-kiernan-ex-wife-unadilla.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08262010 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Terrance Kiernan - Ex wife Unadilla Supervisor Linda Walker</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2010/08/lance-laird-former-sheriff-candidate.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08282010 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Sheriff Candidate Lance Laird - Jackson County</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2010/09/officer-nicole-rabior-detroit-pd.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>09042010 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Nicole Rabior - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2010/09/deputy-steven-fresorger-saginaw-county.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>09062010 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Deputy Steven Fresorger - Saginaw County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2010/09/deputy-anthony-binion-wayne-county-sd.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>09112010 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Anthony Binion - Wayne County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2010/09/deputy-roderick-calhoun-wayne-county-sd.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>09142010 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Deputy Roderick Calhoun - Wayne County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2010/10/officer-ron-schultz-sentenced-ishpeming.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10052010 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Ron Schultz - Sentenced - Ishpeming PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2010/10/un-named-owosso-police-officer.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10222010 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Un-named Owosso Police Officer - Arrested For Assault On Girlfriend/Mason Police Officer</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2010/10/mason-police-officer-victim-of-oidv.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10222010 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Mason Police Officer - Victim of OIDV</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2010/11/deputy-keith-melton-muskegon-county-sd.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>11092010 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Deputy Keith Melton - Muskegon County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2010/11/deputy-roderick-calhoun-sentenced-wayne.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>11242010 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Deputy Roderick Calhoun - Sentenced - Wayne County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2010/11/judge-lynda-tolen-berrien-county-retired.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>11302010 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Judge Lynda Tolen - Berrien County [retired]</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2010/12/former-deputy-john-yeska-jr-sentenced.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12132010 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Former Deputy John Yeska Jr - Sentenced - Saginaw County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2010/12/deputy-richard-zych-sentenced-benzie-sd.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12142010 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Richard Zych - Sentenced - Benzie County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2010/12/co-joseph-naimo-sentenced-gratiot-county.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12292010 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>C.O. Joseph Naimo - Sentenced - Gratiot County</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2010/12/firefighter-william-waite-blair.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12302010 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Firefighter William Waite - Blair Township FD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2011/01/01012011-2011-vawaviolence-against.html" target="_blank"><b>01012011 - </b>2011 VAWA/Violence Against Women Act AND Political Agendas - News Articles</a></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2011/01/01012011-detroit-pd-officer-lemuel.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>01012011 - </b>Detroit PD Officer Lemuel Roydale Sims - Accused Of Domestic Violence - Charges Dismissed</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2011/01/officer-keith-speer-flint-mi-pd.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>01232011 -</b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span> Officer Keith Speer - Flint PD</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2011/02/deputy-kipp-needham-sentenced-grand.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>02162011 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>Deputy Kipp Needham - Sentenced - Grand Traverse County SD</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2011/03/deputy-thomas-romano-suave-jr-macomb.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>03032011 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>Deputy Thomas Romano Sauve Jr. - Macomb County SD</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2011/03/firefighter-mike-risher-detroit-fd.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>03082011 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>Firefighter Mike Risher - Assaulted Jennifer Panduren - Detroit FD</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2011/03/firefighter-mike-risher-detroit-fd_8.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>03082011 -</b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span> Firefighter Mike Risher - Assaulted Samantha Strozynski - Detroit FD</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2011/03/firefighter-mike-risher-detroit-pd.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>03082011 -</b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span> Firefighter Mike Risher - Arrested for disorderly conduct in the brutal assaults of Samantha Strozynski and Jennifer Panduren- Detroit FD</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2011/03/firefighter-mike-risher-detroit-pd_8.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>03082011 -</b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span> Firefighter Mike Risher - Jennifer Panduren, assaulted by Risher, was arrested for disorderly conduct - Detroit FD</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2011/03/deputy-kipp-needham-fired-from-grand.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>03162011 -</b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span> Deputy Kipp Needham - Terminated - Grand Traverse County SD</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2011/03/sheriff-candidate-lance-laird-sentenced.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>03212011 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>Sheriff Candidate Lance Laird - Sentenced - Jackson County</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2011/03/firefighter-william-waite-sentenced.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>03232011 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>Firefighter William Waite - Sentenced - Blair Township FD</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2011/04/probation-officer-rory-wagner-stalking.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>04152011 -</b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span> Probation Officer Rory Wagner - Arrested - Roseville</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2011/04/probation-officer-rory-wagner-stalking_15.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>04152011 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>Probation Officer Rory Wagner - Misuse Of LEIN - Roseville</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2011/04/probation-officer-rory-wagner-misuse-of.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>04152011 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>Probation Officer Rory Wagner - Stalking - Roseville</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2011/05/deputy-steven-fresorger-saginaw-county.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>05072011 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>Deputy Steven Fresorger - Saginaw SD</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2011/05/former-grand-rapids-officer-clarence.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>05092011 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>[Officer] Clarence Ratliff - Judge Carol Irons' Murderer Requests To Be Freed From Prison - Grand Rapids</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2011/05/officer-thomas-cupples-sentenced.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>05262011 -</b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span> Officer Thomas Cupples - Sentenced - Ferndale PD [retired]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2011/05/murderer-former-cop-asks-to-die-free.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>05282011 -</b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span> [Officer] Clarence Ratliff dies in prison - Murdered Judge Carol Irons - Grand Rapids</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2011/06/firefighter-mike-risher-detroit-fd.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>06012011 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>Firefighter Mike Risher - Detroit FD</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2011/06/chief-david-hague-boyne-falls-pd.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>06202011 -</b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span> Police Chief David Hague - Boyne Falls PD</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2011/06/deputy-steven-fresorger-saginaw-county.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>06222011 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>Deputy Steven Fresorger - Saginaw SD</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2011/07/deputy-rebecca-wilder-alger-sd.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>07022011 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>Deputy Rebecca Wilder - Alger SD</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2011/07/07252011-former-wyoming-pd-officer-mark.html" style="font-size: medium;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>07252011 - </b>Former Wyoming PD Officer Mark Charles Armstrong - Convicted Of Felonious Assault And Felony Firearms - Pointed Gun At Responding Officers After DV Incident</span></a></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2011/07/officer-steven-luthy-kalamazoo-pd-july.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>07312011 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>Officer Steven Luthy - Kalamazoo PD</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2011/08/judge-david-stowe-wife-cynthia-dv.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>08062011 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>Judge David Stowe - Ex-Wife Cynthia Stowe - Probation</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2011/08/correction-officer-jesus-flores.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>08282011 -</b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span> Corrections Officer Jesus Flores - Murdered Wife Jen Guardiola-Flores</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2011/08/trooper-david-morikawa-sentenced-iron.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>08292011 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>MSPTrooper David Morikawa - Sentenced - Iron River Post</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2011/09/murder-of-jennifer-webb-august-31-2011.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>08302011 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>Officer Kenneth Bluew - Murder Of Pregnant Girlfriend Jennifer Webb</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2011/09/deputy-ryan-salisbury-grand-traverse-sd.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>09012011 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>Deputy Ryan Salisbury - Grand Traverse County SD</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2011/09/chief-david-hague-charges-dropped-boyne.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>09012011 -</b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span> Police Chief David Hague - Charges Dropped - Boyne Falls PD</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2011/09/09082011-mcl-7694a-amended-senate-bill.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>09082011- </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>MCL 769.4a Amended - Senate Bill 0633 Of 2011/ Public Act No. 550 - Introduced - Cases and disposition of criminal charges closed to public inspection</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2011/09/recognition-for-cloudwriter-of-behind.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>09132011 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>Recognition For Cloudwriter Of 'Behind The Blue Wall'</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2011/08/officer-ken-bluew-arrested-for-murder_30.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>09132011 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>Officer Kenneth Bluew - Arrested For Murder of Pregnant Girlfriend Jennifer Webb</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2011/08/officer-ken-bluew-webb-murder-case.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>09142011 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>Officer Kenneth Bluew - Murder Case Investigation - Murder Of Girlfriend Jennifer Webb</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2011/09/firefighter-matthew-cook-sentenced.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>09152011 -</b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span> Firefighter Matthew Cook - Sentenced - Wayland FD</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2011/09/in-amanda-bach-murder-case_16.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>09162011 -</b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span> [IN] Amanda Bach Murder Case - Dustin McCowan Charged With Bach's Murder</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2011/09/in-amanda-bach-murder-case-videos.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>09162011 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>[IN] Amanda Bach Murder Case - Videos</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2011/09/in-amanda-bach-murder-case.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>09172011 -</b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span> [IN] Amanda Bach Murder Case - Investigation of Officer Joseph Elliott McCowan [Crown Point Indiana PD]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2011/09/senator-lautenberg-marks-15-years-of.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>09302011 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>Senator Lautenberg marks 15 years of DV gun BAN - Federal Lautenberg Amendment</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2011/10/firefighter-michael-boyd-southgate-fd.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>10012011 -</b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span> Firefighter Michael Boyd - Southgate FD</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2011/10/fire-chief-james-killingsworth-south.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>10032011 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>Fire Chief James Killingsworth - South Boardman Township</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2011/08/officer-ken-bluew-preliminary-for-webb.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>10202011 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>Officer Kenneth Bluew - Preliminary For Murder Of Girlfriend Jennifer Webb - NEWS ARTICLES</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2011/08/officer-bluew-preliminary-for-webb.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>10202011 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>Officer Kenneth Bluew - Preliminary For Murder Of Girlfriend Jennifer Webb - PHOTOS</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2011/08/officer-ken-bluew-preliminary-for-webb_30.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>10202011 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>Officer Kenneth Bluew - Preliminary For Murder Of Girlfriend Jennifer Webb - VIDEOS</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2011/10/al-holiday-saginaw-county-commissioner.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>10242011 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>Saginaw Housing Commissioner Al Holiday - Ousted For Misspending $2 Million HUD Funds</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2011/11/trooper-gregory-filpus-charged-w-dv.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>11092011 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>MSP Trooper Gregory Filpus - Domestic Violence - Calumet Post</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2011/11/michigan-state-trooper-gregory-filpus.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>11092011 -</b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span> MSP Trooper Gregory Filpus - Child abuse - Calumet Post</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2011/11/chief-gary-bucholtz-bad-axe-mi-murder.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>11292011 -</b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span> Former Bad Axe Police Chief Gary Bucholtz - Kidnapping And Murder Of Estranged Wife Rhonda Bucholtz</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2011/12/river-rouge-firefighter.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>12212011 -</b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span> River Rouge Firefighter - CSC</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2011/12/judge-lynda-tolen-berrien-county-retired.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><b>12222011 -</b> </span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;">Judge Lynda Tolen - Berrien County [retired]</span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2012/01/01012012-2012-vawaviolence-against.html" target="_blank"><b>01012012 - </b>2012 VAWA/Violence Against Women Act AND Political Agendas - News Articles</a></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2012/01/firefighter-daniel-armitage-ann-arbor-fd.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>01012012 -</b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span> Ann Arbor Firefighter Daniel Armitage - OIDV Incident</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2012/01/fire-chief-james-killingsworth.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>01042012 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>Fire Chief James Killingsworth - Sentenced - S. Boardman FD</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2012/01/firefighter-daniel-armitage-ann-arbor_01.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>01052012 -</b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span> Ann Arbor Firefighter Daniel Armitage - Suicide/OIDV Investigation</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2012/01/trooper-david-morikawa-filed-appeal-on.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>01092012 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>MSP Trooper David Morikawa - Filed Appeal On CSC Conviction</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2012/01/officer-steven-luthy-sentenced.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>01192012 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>Officer Steven Luthy - Sentenced - Kalamazoo PD</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2012/01/01252012-mcl-7694a-amended-senate-bill.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>01252012 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>MCL 769.4a Amended - Senate Bill 0633 Of 2011/ Public Act No. 550 - Passed By Senate - Cases and disposition of criminal DV charges closed to public inspection</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2012/01/judge-david-stowe-assaulted-by-wife.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>01302012 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>Judge David Stowe - Assaulted By Ex-Wife Cynthia - Grand Traverse County</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2012/01/officer-steven-luthy-kalamazoo-pd.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>01312012 -</b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span> Officer Steven Luthy - Kalamazoo PD</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2012/02/trooper-gregory-filpus-dv-plea-bargain.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>02082012 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>MSP Trooper Gregory Filpus - Sentenced - Calumet Post</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2012/02/judge-david-stowe-wife-cynthia-stowe-dv.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>02232012 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>Judge David Stowe - Ex-Wife Cynthia Stowe - DV probation</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2012/02/officer-ronald-dupuis-lawsuit-against.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>02282012 -</b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span> Officer Ronald Dupuis - Highland Park PD - Filed lawsuit against Highland Park</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2012/03/deputy-charles-ball-washtenaw-county-sd.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>03022012 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>Deputy Charles Ball - Washtenaw SD</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2012/04/judge-david-stowe-wife-cynthia-dv-charge.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>04112012 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>Judge David Stowe - Ex-Wife Cynthia Stowe - DV Probation</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2012/04/river-rouge-firefighter-sentenced-for.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04132012 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>River Rouge Firefighter - CSC - Sentenced</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2012/04/former-officer-matthew-thompson.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04172012 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>[Former] Officer Matthew Thompson - Charged With CSC - Manistee PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2012/03/thank-you-trooper-travis-peterson.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04192012 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Thank you Trooper Travis Peterson - Testimony in Deputy Kipp Needham Case - Traverse City Post</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2012/03/thank-you-cloud.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04192012 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>THANK YOU, CLOUD WRITER - Author of Behind The Blue Wall</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2012/04/04242012-judge-wade-mccree-suspended.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04242012 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Judge Wade McCree - Suspended From Bench For Misconduct - Wayne County Circuit Court - Supporter of MSP Trooper Artis White: Suspect In Bernita White's Murder</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2012/04/04242012-judge-wade-mccree-suspended.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04242012 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Judge Wade McCree - Suspended From Bench For Misconduct - Wayne County Circuit Court</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2012/04/04242012-judge-wade-mccree-news-article.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04242012 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Judge Wade McCree - NEWS ARTICLE FILES - Wayne County Circuit Court</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2012/04/04242012-judge-wade-mccree-videos.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04242012 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Judge Wade McCree - VIDEOS - Wayne County Circuit Court</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2012/04/judge-david-stowe-wife-cynthia-dv-charge_26.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04262012 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Judge David Stowe - Ex-Wife Cynthia Stowe - DV probation</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2012/04/deputy-jason-alexander-crawford-sd.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04272012 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Jason Alexander - Crawford County SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2012/04/04292012-combating-officer-involved.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04292012 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Combating Officer Involved Domestic Violence</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2012/05/deputy-joseph-clewley-ingham-sd.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>05052012 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Joseph Clewley - Ingham SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2012/05/officer-ronald-dupuis-highland-pd.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>05222012 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Ronald Dupuis - Highland Park PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2012/06/firefighter-michael-boyd-sentence.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>06112012 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Firefighter Michael Boyd - Sentence Suspended</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2012/06/judge-david-stowe-ex-wife-cynthia-dv.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>06142012 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Judge David Stowe - Ex-Wife Cynthia Stowe - DV Probation</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2012/06/sheriff-candidate-lance-laird-probation.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>06162012 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Sheriff Candidate Lance Laird - Probation Violation: Drugs</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2012/06/deputy-charles-bell-dv-trial-washtenaw.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>06222012 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Charles Ball - Trial - Washtenaw SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2012/07/deputy-matthew-linsenbigler-dickinson-sd.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07032012 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Matthew Linsenbigler - Dickinson SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2012/07/sergeant-jeff-smith-eaton-rapids-pd.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07072012 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Jeff Smith - Eaton Rapids PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2012/07/deputy-thomas-romano-sauve-jr-sentenced.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07112012 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Thomas Romano Sauve Jr. - Sentenced - Macomb SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2012/07/correction-officer-rob-dennis-murder-of.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07142012 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Corrections Officer Rob Dennis - Murdered Wife Jaimie Lynn Wilson Dennis</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2012/01/officer-ronald-dupuis-highland-park-pd.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07182012 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Ronald Dupuis - Accused of choking a woman who was in custody - Highland Park PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2012/07/firefighter-gerald-paul-thoma-jr.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07202012 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Firefighter Gerald Paul Thoma Jr - Fruitport FD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2012/07/sheriff-candidate-lance-laird-sentenced.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07312012 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Sheriff Candidate Lance Laird - Sentenced - Jackson County</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2012/08/deputy-joseph-clewley-sentenced-ingham.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08062012 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Deputy Joseph Clewley - Sentenced - Ingham SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2012/08/detective-guy-picketts-jr-calhoun-sd.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08122012 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Detective Guy Picketts Jr - Calhoun SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2012/08/dispatcher-sonte-rounda-everson-lawsuit.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08122012 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Dispatcher Sonte Rounda Everson Lawsuit Against Detective Picketts Jr.</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2012/09/officer-james-moore-detroit-pd.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>09012012 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer James Moore - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2012/09/judge-david-stowe-ex-wife-cynthia-dv.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>09032012 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Judge David Stowe - Ex-Wife Cynthia Stowe - DV Probation</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2012/09/judge-david-stowe-ex-wife-cynthia-dv_6.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>09062012 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Judge David Stowe - Ex-Wife Cynthia Stowe - DV Probation</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2011/08/officer-bluew-trial-for-murder-of.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>09252012 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Ken Bluew - Trial - Murder Of Girlfriend, Jennifer Webb - NEWS ARTICLES</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2011/08/officer-bluew-trial-for-murder-of_30.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>09252012 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Ken Bluew - Trial - Murder Of Girlfriend, Jennifer Webb - PHOTOS</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2011/08/officer-bluew-trial-for-murder-of_1294.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>09252012 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Ken Bluew - Trial - Murder Of Girlfriend, Jennifer Webb - VIDEOS</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2012/09/commissioner-gary-rolls-kent-county.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>09262012 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Kent County Commissioner Gary Rolls - Investigated On Sex Charges With Minor</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2012/10/officer-james-moore-detroit-pd.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10012012 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer James Moore - Assault Of Wife AND Assault Of Girlfriend - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2012/10/officer-deloma-stone-oidv-victim.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10012012 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Deloma Stone - OIDV Victim - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2012/10/deputy-linsenbigler-no-contest.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10112012 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Deputy Linsenbigler - No Contest Admission - Dickinson County</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2011/08/officer-bluew-convicted-for-murder-of_30.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10112012 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Kenneth Bluew - Convicted Of Murdering Pregnant Girlfriend Jennifer Webb - NEWS ARTICLES</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2011/08/officer-bluew-convicted-for-murder-of_5440.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10112012 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Kenneth Bluew - Convicted Of Murdering Pregnant Girlfriend Jennifer Webb - PHOTOS</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2011/08/officer-bluew-convicted-for-murder-of.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10112012 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Kenneth Bluew - Convicted Of Murdering Pregnant Girlfriend Jennifer Webb - VIDEOS</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2012/10/former-deputy-kevin-haan-allegan-county.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10152012 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Former Deputy Kevin Haan - Allegan SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2012/10/firefighter-mike-risher-detroit-fd.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10252012 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Firefighter Mike Risher - Detroit - Channel 7 Investigation</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2011/08/officer-bluew-sentenced-for-murder-of.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>11052012 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Kenneth Bluew - Sentenced To Life In Prison - Murder Of Jennifer Webb - Buena Vista PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2012/11/officer-kenneth-bluew-appeal.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>11192012 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Kenneth Bluew - Appeal - Murder Of Jennifer Webb</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2012/11/judge-david-stowe-ex-wife-cynthia-dv.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>11272012 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Judge David Stowe - Ex-Wife Cynthia Stowe - DV Probation</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2012/12/deputy-ryan-salisbury-grand-traverse-sd.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12072012 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Ryan Salisbury - Grand Traverse SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2012/12/corrections-officer-kenneth-m-norton.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12112012 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Corrections Officer Kenneth M. Norton - Paroled - Tabatha Horn Murder</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2012/12/12122012-mcl-7694a-amended-senate-bill.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12122012 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>MCL 769.4a Amended - Senate Bill 0633 Of 2011/ Public Act No. 550 - Passed By House - Cases and disposition of criminal DV charges closed to public inspection</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2012/12/12132012-mcl-7694a-amended-senate-bill.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12132012 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>MCL 769.4a Amended - Senate Bill 0633 Of 2011/ Public Act No. 550 - Concurred By Senate - Cases and disposition of criminal DV charges closed to public inspection</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2012/12/deputy-rebecca-wilder-sentenced-alger-sd.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12172012 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Rebecca Wilder - Sentenced - Alger SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2012/12/lee-ann-elizabeth-shannon-murder.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12292012 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Hart City Councilman Timothy Shannon - Murdered Wife Lee-Ann Shannon - Staged Murder As Accidental Drowning</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2012/12/updates-michigan-oidv-cases-2012.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12312012 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>UPDATES: Michigan OIDV Cases - 2012</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0in;"><div><span><span><span><span><span><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2012/01/01012012-2012-vawaviolence-against.html" target="_blank"><b>01012013 - </b>2013 VAWA/Violence Against Women Act AND Political Agendas - News Articles</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/05/deputy-steven-fresorger-all-lein-charges.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01082013 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Deputy Steven Fresorger - Saginaw SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2013/01/deputy-ryan-salisbury-dv-plea-agreement.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01092013 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Deputy Ryan Salisbury - DV Plea Agreement</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2012/12/hart-councilman-timothy-shannon-charged.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01092013 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Hart City Councilman Tim Shannon - Charged - Murder Of Wife Lee-Ann Shannon - Staged Murder As Accidental Drowning (12292012)</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2013/01/deputy-michael-vanderlaan-ottawa-county.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01112013 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Michael VanderLaan - Ottawa SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2013/01/01142013-genesee-county-sd-lieutenant.html" style="font-size: medium;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: medium;"><b>01142013 -</b> Genesee County SD Lieutenant Michael Chatterson - Charged With CSC</span></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2013/01/officer-jeff-smith-charged-with-dv.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01152013 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Jeff Smith - Eaton Rapids PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2013/01/former-sheriff-candidate-lance-laird.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01282013 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Former Sheriff Candidate Lance Laird - Jackson County</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2013/01/firefighter-gerald-paul-thoma-jr.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01302013 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Firefighter Gerald Paul Thoma Jr - Sentenced - Fruitport FD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2013/02/officer-dale-malesh-alleged-feb-2013.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>02012013 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Dale Malesh - Alleged Feb 2013 CSC Incident [Warren PD]</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2013/02/in-amanda-bach-murder-case-dustin.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>02042013 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>[IN] Amanda Bach Murder Case - Dustin McCowan Trial and Conviction</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2013/02/deputy-ryan-salisbury-fighting.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>02132013 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Ryan Salisbury - Terminated - Grand Traverse SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2013/02/deputy-steven-fresorger-sentenced.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>02142013 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Deputy Steven Fresorger - Sentenced - Saginaw SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2013/02/mcl-7694a-amended.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>02192013 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> MCL 769.4A AMENDED - Closed Proceedings For OIDV/DV Criminal Cases - MI Public Act 550</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2013/03/officer-dale-malesh-alleged-march-2013.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>03012013 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Dale Malesh - Alleged March 2013 CSC Incident - Warren PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2013/03/deputy-ed-kolakowski-kent-county-sd.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>03102013 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Ed Kolakowski - Kent SD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2013/03/deputy-michael-vanderlaan-dv-plea.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>03142013 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Deputy Michael Vanderlaan - Sentenced - Ottawa SD</span></span></span></span></span></a></span></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2013/03/trooper-david-morikawa-paroled.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>03142013 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> MSP Trooper David Morikawa - Paroled</span></span></span></span></span></a></span></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2013/03/in-amanda-bach-murder-case-dustin.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>03282013 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Amanda Bach Murder Case - Dustin McCowan Sentenced - Indiana</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><span><span><span><span><br /></span><br /></span></span></span></span><span><span><span style="color: red;"><b>04012013 - MCL 769.4a Amended. Cases and disposition of criminal DV charges closed to public inspection. Media no longer allowed to report on cases. OIDV cases disappeared from the public eye and were swept under the carpet.</b></span></span></span><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2013/04/mcl-7694a-and-act-550-closed-crminal.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04012013 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>MCL 769.4a Amended - Senate Bill 0633 Of 2012/Public Act No. 550 - Enacted - Cases and disposition of criminal DV charges closed to public inspection</span></span></span></span></span></a></span></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2013/04/officer-ryan-mcclimans-grand-rapids-pd.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04042013 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Ryan McClimans - Grand Rapids PD</span></span></span></span></span></a></span></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2013/04/in-amanda-bach-murder-case-officer.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04112013 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Amanda Bach Murder Case - Officer Joseph Elliot McCowan - FB support page - Indiana</span></span></span></span></span></a></span></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2013/04/officer-dale-malesh-warren-pd-retired.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04122013 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Dale Malesh - CSC - Warren PD [retired]</span></span></span></span></span></a></span></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2013/04/officer-jeff-smith-trial-not-guilty.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04172013 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Jeff Smith - Acquitted - Eaton Rapids PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2013/05/officer-dale-malesh-preliminary-exam.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>05072013 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Dale Malesh - Preliminary Exam - Warren PD [retired]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2013/05/michigan-public-act-550.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>05302013 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>US Department Of Justice - Michigan Public Act 550 - Michigan's Silencing Of OIDV Criminal Cases</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2013/06/councilman-tim-shannon-convicted-plea.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>06032013 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Hart City Councilman Tim Shannon - Convicted / Plea Bargain - Murder Of Wife Lee-Ann Shannon</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2013/06/officer-kenneth-bluew-appeal-deadline.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>06262013 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Kenneth Bluew - Appeal - Murder Of Jennifer Webb And Unborn Child - Deadline extended to 11-12-2013</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2013/07/councilman-tim-shannon-sentenced-murder.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07152013 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Hart City Councilman Tim Shannon - Sentenced - Murder Of Wife Lee-Ann Shannon</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><br /><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2013/07/07212013-washtenaw-county-sd-lt-brian.html" style="font-size: medium;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>07212013 - </b>Washtenaw County SD Lt. Brian Filipiak - Domestic Calls Due To Filipiak's Alcohol Abuse That SD Chose To Ignore</span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2013/07/unnamed-girlfriend-of-unnamed-detroit_23.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07232013 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Detroit PD Officer William Zeolla - Girlfriend Angela Kolhagen, Committed Suicide???</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2013/07/in-amanda-bach-murder-case-amandas.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07312013 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Amanda Bach Murder Case - Amanda's family filed lawsuit against Officer McCowan - Indiana</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2013/08/sheriff-william-hackel-masonic-temple.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08262013 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Former William Hackel - Masonic Temple Head of Security - Registered Sex Offender</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2013/08/trooper-david-morikawa-appeal-granted.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08272013 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Trooper David Morikawa - Appeal Granted - Conviction Overturned</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2014/12/trooper-paul-butterfield-killed-eric.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>09092013 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Trooper Paul Butterfield killed - Eric Knysz son of officer Jack Knysz charged</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2013/09/officer-ronald-dupuis-highland-park-pd.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>09192013 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Ronald Dupuis - Falsely arrested and imprisoned two women - Highland Park PD</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2013/10/officer-michael-calabrese-lein-misuse.html" target="_blank"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>10212013 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Michael Calabrese - LEIN misuse - Taylor PD</span></span></span></span></span></a></span></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2013/11/officer-dale-malesh-sentenced-csc.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>11152013 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Dale Malesh - Sentenced - CSC - Warren PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2013/11/commissioner-gary-rolls-csc-arrest-kent.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>11212013 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Kent County Commissioner Gary Rolls - Arrested On Sex Charges Involving Minor</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2013/11/11232013-frontline-how-to-combat.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>11232013 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Frontline - How to Combat Officer-Involved Domestic Violence</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2013/11/michigan-cases-of-officers-spouses-who.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>11242013 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Michigan OIDV Death Cases - Officers' Spouses Who Supposedly Committed Suicide...</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2013/11/thank-you-new-york-times-and-frontline.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>11242013 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Thank you New York Times and Frontline - Michelle O'Connell's Death Exposed</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2013/11/la-times-oidv.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>11242013 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> OIDV Murder Of Aleta Brown - LA Times</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2013/12/officer-involved-domestic-violence-walt.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>11262013 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Walt Bogdanich and Leonard Lopate - Radio Show On Officer Involved Domestic Violence</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2013/04/updates-on-michigan-oidv-cases.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12312013 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> UPDATES ON MICHIGAN OIDV CASES - 2013</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span><span><span><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2014/01/01012014-2014-vawaviolence-against.html" target="_blank"><b>01012014 - </b>2014 VAWA/Violence Against Women Act AND Political Agendas - News Articles</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2014/01/01012014-warren-police-officer-arthur.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01012014 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Warren Police Officer Arthur Gill - Retaliation For Reporting Officer Anwar Khan For Child Abuse</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2014/01/officer-timothy-hibbard-jackson-pd.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>01282014 </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>- Officer Timothy Hibbard - Jackson PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2014/03/access-to-firearms-increases-risk-of-dv.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>02242014 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Access to firearms increases risk of DV homicide by 500%</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2014/02/in-amanda-bach-murder-case-officer.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>02262014 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Amanda Bach Murder Case - Officer McCowan still employed at the Crown Point Indiana PD - Indiana</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2014/03/officer-johnny-ray-bridges-detroit-pd.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>03032014 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Detroit PD Officer Johnny Ray Bridges - Assaulted And Fired His Gun During DV</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2014/04/jodi-parrack-murder-former-reserve.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04172014 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Jodi Parrack Murder - Former Reserve Officer Raymond McCann arrested - Constantine PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2014/04/in-amanda-bach-murder-case-dustin.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>04232014 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Amanda Bach Murder Case - Dustin McCowan's Appeal - Indiana</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2014/06/officer-anna-hamilton-barton-murdered_12.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>06122014 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Detroit PD Officer Anna Hamilton Barton - Murdered by husband Damon Barton</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2014/06/06192014-kent-county-commissioner-gary.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>06192014 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Kent County Commissioner Gary Rolls - Convicted-Sentenced On Sex Charges Involving Minor</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2014/07/07282014-mioidv-stat-counter-doj.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>07282014 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>MIOIDV - Stat Counter - DOJ</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2014/08/08122014-kenneth-bluew-appeal.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08122014 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>Officer Kenneth Bluew - Appeal - Conviction Affirmed - Remanded For Resentencing</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2014/08/officer-kevin-chambers-detroit-pd.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>08202014 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Officer Kevin Chambers - Detroit PD</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2014/08/08252014-detroit-pd-officer-lemuel.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>08252014 - </b>Detroit PD Officer Lemuel Roydale Sims - Accused Of Domestic Violence - Charges Dismissed - Suspended For Two Weeks</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2014/09/09052014-flint-pd-sergeant-lawrence.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><b>09052014 - </b>Flint PD Sergeant Lawrence Bonett Woods - Charged With CSC Of Minors</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2014/09/09072014-ousted-senator-david-jaye.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>09072014 - </b>Ousted Senator David Jaye - Arrested For Threatening Jogger While Drunk - Plea Deal: Disorderly Conduct With Arrest Expunged From Jaye's Record</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2014/11/protecting-pets-from-domestic-violence_5.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>11052014 -</b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span> Protecting Pets From Domestic Violence with Protection Orders</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2014/11/11252014-grand-rapids-pd-officer-ryan.html" style="font-size: medium;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>11252014 - </b>Grand Rapids PD Officer Ryan James Bruggink - Convicted Of CSC - Ex-Girlfriend</span></a></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2014/12/12272014-detroit-pd-officer-lemuel.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>12272014 - </b>Detroit PD Officer Lemuel Roydale Sims - Accused Of Domestic Violence - Charges Dismissed - Suspended For One Week</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2014/12/updates-michigan-oidv-cases-2014.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><b>12312014 - </b></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span><span>UPDATES - Michigan OIDV Cases - 2014</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2015/01/01012015-2015-vawaviolence-against.html" target="_blank"><b>01012015 -</b> 2015 VAWA/Violence Against Women Act AND Political Agendas - News Articles</a></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2015/01/officer-ronald-dupuis-highland-pd-video.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>01122015 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>Officer Ronald Dupuis - Andrew Jackson Arrest - Video of assault during arrest - Highland Park PD</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2015/02/officer-ronald-dupuis-highland-pd-shot.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>02092015 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>Officer Ronald Dupuis - Highland PD - Shot during raid</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2015/03/03052015-officer-kenneth-bluew-murder.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>03052015 -</b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span> Officer Kenneth Bluew - Murder Of Jennifer Webb - Application For Leave To Appeal 08122014 Judgement Denied</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2015/04/jodi-parrack-murder-case-reserve.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>04202015 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>Jodi Parrack Murder Case - Reserve Officer Raymond McCann sentenced</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2015/04/officer-mitchell-quinn-us-immigration.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>04272015 -</b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span> Officer Mitchell Quinn - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Shooting death of Terrance Kellom</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2015/05/senator-virgil-smith-detroit-arrested.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>05102015 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>Senator Virgil Smith - Detroit - Arrested for Assaulting And Shooting At Ex-Wife And Her Car</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2015/05/05122015-senator-virgil-smith-detroit.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>05122015 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>Senator Virgil Smith - Detroit - Criminal Case For Assaulting And Shooting At Ex-Wife And Her Car</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2015/07/07012015-gary-davis-headd-son-of-judge.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><b>07012015 - </b>Gary Davis-Headd (Son Of Judge Tracy Green) - Domestic Violence Of Wife</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2015/10/10142015-how-can-you-talk-about-abusers.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>10142015 -</b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span> How can you talk about abusers' access to firearms and the risk of DV homicide - and not mention OIDV?</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2015/04/why-are-michigan-legislators-not.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>10142015 -</b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span> Why are Michigan legislators not protecting its OIDV victims?</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span><span><span><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2016/01/01012016-2016-vawaviolence-against.html" target="_blank"><b>01012016 -</b> 2016 VAWA/Violence Against Women Act AND Political Agendas - News Articles</a></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2016/02/02112016-senator-virgil-smith-detroit.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>02112016 -</b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span> Senator Virgil Smith - Detroit - Plea Agreement-Conviction For Assaulting And Shooting At Ex-Wife And Her Car</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2015/02/02162015-traverse-city-police-captain.html" target="_blank"><b>02162015 - </b>Traverse City Police Captain Mike Ayling - Charged With Willful Neglect Of Duty (City Manager Jered Ottenwess DV Case)</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2015/02/02162015-traverse-city-manager-jered.html" target="_blank"><b>02162015 - </b>Traverse City Manager Jered Ottenwess - Arrested, Charged, and Convicted of Domestic Violence</a></div><div><br /></div></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2016/03/03142016-bernita-sims-white-murder-case.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>03142016 -</b> Bernita Sims White Murder Case - Ingham County Prosecutor Stuart Dunnings [In Charge Of Bernita Case] - 15 Criminal Counts: Neglect Of Duty, Prostitution...</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2016/03/03142016-bernita-sims-white-murder-case_14.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><b>03142016 - </b>Bernita Sims White Murder Case - Ingham County Prosecutor Stuart Dunnings - Failure to File Charges In Both The Bernita White And Dr. Larry Nassar Cases</a><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2016/04/04012016-senator-virgil-smith.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>04012016 -</b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span> Senator Virgil Smith - Prosecutor Appeals Senator Smith's Case-Plea Bargain</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2016/05/05152016-big-rapids-pd-officer-simone.html" style="font-size: medium;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>05152016 - </b>Big Rapids PD Officer Simone Smith-Politz - Charged With Felony Assault/Domestic Violence</span></a></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2016/08/officer-brian-klonowski-appointed.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>08172016 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>Officer Brian Klonowski - Appointed Police Chief Despite OIDV Conviction in 2004 - Southgate PD</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2016/09/officer-brian-klonowski-will-not-be.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>09072016 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>Officer Brian Klonowski - Will NOT Be Southgate PD's new police chief due to public outrage over Klonowski's 2004 assault of Gina Falconer</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2016/10/its-national-domestic-violence.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>10012016 -</b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span> It's National Domestic Violence Awareness Month ... But who exactly are DV Agencies assisting and advocating for?</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2016/10/houghton-county-sheriff-brian-mclean-is.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>10242016 -</b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span> Houghton County Sheriff Brian McLean is hoping voters don't care about OIDV</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2017/01/01012017-2017-vawaviolence-against.html" target="_blank"><b>01012017 - </b>2017 VAWA/Violence Against Women Act AND Political Agendas - News Articles</a></span></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2017/01/a-shout-out-of-support-for-wrongfully.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>01252017 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>A shout-out of support for wrongfully fired Iron River Police Chief Laura Frizzo</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2016/08/updates-on-michigan-oidv-cases-2016.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>01312017 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>Updates on Michigan OIDV Cases - 2016</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2017/03/03212017-waterford-pd-officer-brendon.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>03212017 - </b>Waterford PD Officer - Brendon Moquin - Arrested And Charged With Domestic Violence And Criminal Sexual Conduct</span></a></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2017/04/04052017-detroit-pd-officer-kwame.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>04052017 - </b>Detroit PD Officer Kwame Powell - Arrested And Charged For DV, Assault By Strangulation, Felonious Assault, Felony Firearm And Interfering With A Crime Report</span></a></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2017/05/05182017-hampton-township-pd-officer.html" style="font-size: medium;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>05182017 - </b>Hampton Township PD Officer Craig J. Bouckaert - Charged With Assault W/A Weapon And Domestic Violence</span></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2017/08/08222017-waterford-pd-officer-brendon.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>08222017 - </b>Waterford PD Officer Brendon Moquin - Sentenced To Probation - Charged With Domestic Violence And Criminal Sexual Conduct [03272017]</span></a></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2017/09/09012017-kellie-bartlett-eaton-county.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>09012017 - </b>Kellie Bartlett - Eaton County Sheriff Department Clerk - False Police Report Against Eaton SD Deputy, Stalking, Identity Theft, Unauthorized Use Of Computer, Conspiracy...</span></a></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2017/09/09012017-lisa-underhill-co-defendant-of.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>09012017 - </b>Lisa Underhill - Co-Defendant Of Kellie Bartlett. Crimes Against SD Deputy - Charged With Use Of Computer To Commit A Crime, Conspiracy, Identity Theft, Stalking</span></a></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2017/10/10112017-detroit-pd-officer-kwame.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>10112017 -</b> Detroit PD Officer Kwame Powell - Sentenced To Probation For Domestic Violence</span></a></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2017/11/11192017-retired-officer-kent.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>11192017 -</b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span> Retired Ann Arbor PD Officer Kent Neigebauer - Murder Of Wife Marcia Neigebauer</span></span></span></span></span></a></div></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2018/01/01012018-2018-vawaviolence-against.html" target="_blank"><b>01012018 -</b> 2018 VAWA/Violence Against Women Act AND Political Agendas - News Articles</a></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2018/01/01012018-potterville-pd-chief-shane.html" target="_blank"><b>01012018 - </b>Potterville PD Chief Shane Bartlett - Husband Of Kellie Bartlett - Charged With Lying To A Police Officer, False Report Of A Felony, Misconduct In Office</a></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2018/01/01242018-detroit-firefighter-ardra.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>01242018 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>Detroit Firefighter Ardra Young - Appeal - Delayed Application For Leave To Appeal - DENIED</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2018/03/michigan-oidv-survivor-kim-holt-puts_1.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>03012018 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>Michigan OIDV survivor - Kim Holt - Puts OIDV back in the media spotlight in order to protect ALL Michigan OIDV victims and survivors</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2018/03/03092018-brian-kischnick-troy-city.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>03092018 -</b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span> Brian Kischnick - Troy City Manager - Arrested For Domestic Violence</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2018/04/04122018-with-blood-of-their-victims.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>04122018 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>With the blood of their victims literally on their hands, Michigan police officers are still not being held criminally responsible for acts of domestic violence</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2018/04/04212018-detroit-pd-officer-willie.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>04212018 - </b>Detroit PD Officer Willie Fortner - Arrested/Charged With Domestic Violence And Using A Firearm In Commission Of A Felony</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2018/05/05312018-officer-gary-steele-video-of.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>05312018 -</b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span> Detroit PD Officer Gary Steele - Video Of Steele Breaking Arm of Elaine Murriel During Arrest</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2018/06/06242018-gary-davis-headd-child.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>06242018 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>Gary Davis-Headd - Child Abuse-Domestic Violence - Son Of Judge Tracy Green, Who Was Accused Of Covering Up Headd's Abuse</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2018/09/09122018-detroit-firefighter-ardra.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>09122018 -</b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span> Detroit Firefighter Ardra Young - Appeal - Delayed Application For Leave To Appeal 01242018 COA Order - DENIED</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2018/10/10102018-detroit-pd-officer-willie.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>10102018 -</b> Detroit PD Officer Willie Fortner - Sentenced To 2 Years Probation For Domestic Violence</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2018/11/11012018-detroit-firefighter-joshua.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>11012018 -</b> Detroit Firefighter Joshua Krajewski - Assault On Girlfriend/Detroit PD Officer Jacquline Jones</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><div style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2018/12/12252018-wayne-county-judge-david.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><b>12252018 - </b>Wayne County Judge David Parrott - Arrested For Drunk Driving</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2018/12/12252018-detroit-firefighter-joshua.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>12252018 -</b> Detroit Firefighter Joshua Krajewski - Assault On Girlfriend/Detroit PD Officer Jacquline Jones</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2018/12/12282018-waterford-township-pd-officer.html" style="font-size: medium;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>12282018 - </b>Waterford Township PD Officer Kevin Thompson - Charged With CSC</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2019/01/01012019-2019-vawaviolence-against.html" target="_blank"><b>01012019 -</b> 2019 VAWA/Violence Against Women Act AND Political Agendas - News Articles</a></span></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2019/01/01012019-michigan-domestic-violence.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>01012019 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>Michigan Domestic Violence Benchbook - Fourth Edition - 2019</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2019/01/01312019-officer-gary-steele-detroit-pd.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>01312019 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>Detroit PD Officer Gary Steele - Posted Racist Video On SnapChat Mocking Ariel Moore After Traffic Stop</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2019/02/02102019-msp-trooper-adam-mullin-huron.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>02102019 -</b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span> MSP Trooper Adam Mullin - Huron County Post - Aggravated DV, Felony Firearm, Bodily Harm Less Than Murder...</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2019/02/02172019-detroit-firefighter-joshua.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>02172019 - </b>Detroit Firefighter Joshua Krajewski - Arrested For Assault Of Girlfriend/Detroit PD Officer Jacquline Jones - No Charges</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2019/02/02272019-officer-gary-steele-fired-for.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>02272019 -</b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span> Detroit PD Officer Gary Steele - Fired For Posting Racial Video Of Traffic Stop</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2019/03/03052019-deputy-david-aldrich-clare.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>03052019 -</b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span> Deputy David Aldrich - Clare County Sheriff Department</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2019/04/04012019-warren-pd-officer-anwar-khan.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>04012019 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>Warren PD Officer Anwar Khan - Domestic Violence Assault of Ex-Wife And Daughter - Troy PD REFUSED to file a police report or arrest Officer Khan</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2019/04/04182009-joni-holbrook-murder-of.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>04182019 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>Joni Holbrook - Murder of MSP Sergeant Melvin Paul Holbrook - Released from prison</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2019/04/04252019-officer-gary-steele-lawsuit.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>04252019 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>Detroit PD Officer Gary Steele - Lawsuit Filed Against Steele-Detroit PD - Elaine Murriel's Arm Broken During Arrest</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2019/04/04252019-officer-gary-steele-lawsuit_25.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>04252019 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>Detroit PD Officer Gary Steele - Lawsuit Filed Against Steele-Detroit PD - Racist SnapChat Video Of Ariel Moore During Traffic Stop</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2019/05/05102019-mcl-7694a-amended-senate-bill.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>05102019 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>MCL 769.4a Amended - Senate Bill 257 Introduced - Criminal Proceedings Deferred And Probation Instead Of Jail</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2019/05/05122019-warren-pd-officer-anwar-khan.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>05122019 -</b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span> Warren PD Officer Anwar Khan - Domestic Violence Assault of Ex-Wife - Troy PD REFUSED to file a police report or arrest officer Khan</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><div style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2019/05/05152019-wayne-county-judge-tracy-green.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><b>05152019 - </b>Wayne County Judge Tracy Green - Accused Of Covering Up Son's (Gary Davis-Headd) Abuse Of Her Grandchildren</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2019/06/06022019-detroit-pd-sergeant-elaine.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>06022019 - </b>Detroit PD Sergeant Elaine Williams - Murdered In Domestic Assault - Eddie Ray Johnson Charged With First-Degree Murder</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2019/06/06062019-detroit-pd-sergeant-elaine.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>06062019 - </b>Detroit PD Sergeant Elaine Williams Murder Case - Eddie Ray Johnson Charged With First-Degree Murder</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2019/06/06082019-fremont-pd-chief-randall.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>06082019 - </b>Fremont PD Chief Randall Wright - Investigated And Charged With Fourth-Degree - Criminal Sexual Conduct - Charged In Both Kent AND Ingham Counties</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2019/08/08072019-former-saginaw-county.html" style="font-size: medium;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>08072019 -</b> Former Saginaw County Probation Officer Ryan C. Purdy - Charged With 60 Counts Of CSC Involving His Girlfriend's Minor Daughter - Convicted Of 9 CSC Counts</span></a></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2019/09/09052019-michigan-assistant-attorney.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>09052019 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>Michigan Assistant Attorney General Brian Kolodziej - Inappropriate Relationship With Crime Victim</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2019/09/09192019-mcl-7694a-amended-senate-bill.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>09192019 -</b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span> MCL 769.4a Amended - Senate Bill 257 Passed By Senate - Criminal Proceedings Deferred And Probation Instead Of Jail</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2019/10/10212019-artis-whites-book-who-killed.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>10212019 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>Artis White's Book - Who Killed My Wife - Unsolved Murder Of Bernita White - BOOK PDF</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2019/10/10222019-mcl-7694a-amended-senate-bill.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>10222019 -</b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span> MCL 769.4a Amended - Senate Bill 257 - Passed By House - Criminal Proceedings Deferred And Probation Instead Of Jail</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2019/10/10252019-corrections-officer-angelina.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>10252019 -</b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span> Corrections Officer Angelina Winn - Murdered By Girlfriend Correctional Officer Tara Kelley</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2019/10/10302019-andrew-zaleski-relative-of.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>10302019 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>Andrew Zaleski - Relative Of Former Sheriff Finally Convicted And Sent To Prison On Domestic Violence Charges</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2019/11/11082019-mcl-7694a-amendment-enacted.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>11082019 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>MCL 769.4a Amended - Senate Bill 257 Enacted - ACT NO 115 - Criminal Proceedings Deferred And Probation Instead Of Jail - Effective 02062020</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2019/11/11082019-former-mayor-gerald-ajax.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>11082019 </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>- Former Mayor Gerald Ackerman To Be Paroled 03052020 - Port Huron</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span><span><span><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2020/01/01012020-2020-vawaviolence-against.html" target="_blank"><b>01012020 -</b> 2020 VAWA/Violence Against Women Act AND Political Agendas - News Articles</a></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><div style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2020/02/02082020-wayne-county-judge-david.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><b>02082020 - </b>Wayne County Judge David Parrott - Arrested For Domestic Violence</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2020/01/01222020-mioidv-letter-to-michigan.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>01222020 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>MIOIDV Letter To Michigan Officials - Funding For MIOIDV</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2020/02/02062020-mcl-7694a-amended-senate-bill.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>02062020 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>MCL 769.4a Amended - Senate Bill 257 Of 2019 - ACT NO. 115 - EFFECTIVE - Criminal Proceedings Deferred And Probation Instead Of Jail</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2020/02/02172020-officer-mario-vekic-charged.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>02172020 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>Officer Mario Vekic - Charged with DV - Farmington Hills PD</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2020/02/02252020-how-rio-rancho-new-mexico-pd.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>02252020 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>How Rio Rancho New Mexico PD Handles OIDV. Now Compare This To How Michigan Handles OIDV...</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2020/03/03032020-detroit-firefighter-joshua.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>03032020 - </b>Detroit Firefighter Joshua Krajewski - Arrested/Charged With DV, Assault With A Dangerous Weapon, CSC Against Girlfriend/Detroit PD Officer Jacquline Jones </span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2020/05/05242020-former-officer-phillip-bal.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>05242020 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>Former Officer Phillip Bal - Registered Sex Offender - Iron Mountain PD</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2020/05/05242020-officer-phillip-bal-released.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>05242020 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>Former Officer Phillip Bal - Released From Prison - Iron Mountain PD</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2020/07/07042020-officer-anwar-khan-arrested.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>07042020 -</b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span> Warren PD Officer Anwar Khan - FINALLY Arrested for domestic violence and child abuse</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><div style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2020/09/09182020-kevin-chittick-michigan-sex.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><b>09182020 - </b>Kevin Chittick - Michigan Sex Offender Registry - Lapeer County SD</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2020/09/oidv-victims-not-protected-under-color.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>09272020 - OIDV Victims -</b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span> Not protected under Color Of Law and Federal Civil Rights Statutes</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><div style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2020/11/11102020-wayne-county-judge-tracy-green.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><b>11102020 - </b>Wayne County Judge Tracy Green - MI Judicial Tenure Commission Formal Complaint Against Green: Cover-Up Of Son's/Gary Davis-Headd's Abuse Of Her Grandsons</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2020/11/11132020-podcase-east-lansing-crime.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>11132020 -</b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span> Bernita Sims White Murder - Podcase - East Lansing Crime Warp Ep 4 Woman shot at Potter Park Zoo</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2020/11/11182020-flint-pd-officer-justin-mcleod.html" target="_blank"><b>11182020 -</b> Flint PD Officer Justin McLeod - Charged With CSC Of A Minor</a></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2020/12/12242020-detroit-firefighter-joshua.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>12242020 - </b>Detroit Firefighter Joshua Krajewski - Ambushed Ex-Girlfriend/Detroit PD Officer Jacquline Jones While He Was On Pre-Trial Release For DV - Officer Jones Shot - Krajewski Killed</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2021/12/12312021-2021-vawaviolence-against.html" target="_blank"><b>01012021 - </b>2021 VAWA/Violence Against Women Act AND Political Agendas - News Articles</a></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2021/02/02042021-bernita-sims-white-unsolved.html" target="_blank"><b>02042021 - </b>Bernita Sims White Unsolved Murder Case - Email to Detroit Crime Commission (which had teamed up with Lansing Cold Case Team)</a> </span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2021/05/05012021-detroit-pd-lt-willie-f-duncan.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>02202021 - </b>Detroit PD Lt. Willie F. Duncan - Sexual Assault Of First Victim - Charged With Third Degree CSC [08202021]</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2021/04/04012021-detroit-pd-sergeant-elaine.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>04012021 - </b>Detroit PD Sergeant Elaine Williams Murder Case - Judge Lawrence Talon Granted Eddie Ray-Jr. Johnson Bond</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2021/04/04132021-big-changes-coming-for-oidv.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>04132021 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>Big Changes Coming For OIDV Project Of Michigan</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2021/05/05012021-detroit-pd-officer-lemuel.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>05012021 - </b>Detroit PD Officer Lemuel Roydale Sims - Promoted To Detective Despite 3 DV Accusations, 13 Citizen Complaints AND 8 Suspensions</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2021/02/02202021-detroit-pd-lt-willie-f-duncan.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>05012021 - </b>Detroit PD Lt. Willie F. Duncan - Second Sexual Assault Under Investigation</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2021/05/05232021-no-protections-for-police.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><b>05232021 - </b></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span><span>No Protections For Police Officers From Retaliation, When They Uphold Michigan Laws And Have Fellow Officers Arrested/Charged with DV/Child Abuse</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><div style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2021/05/05272021-wayne-county-judge-tracy-green.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><b>05272021 - </b>Wayne County Judge Tracy Green - MI Judicial Tenure Commission Hearings: Green's Coverup Of Son's/Gary Davis-Headd's Abuse Of Her Grandsons</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2021/06/06152021-warren-pd-officer-anwar-khan.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>06152021 - </b>Warren PD Officer Anwar Khan With Prior DV/Child Abuse Arrest - Fired For Racist Comment</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2021/06/06212021-canton-pd-officer-edward-jagst.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>06212021 - </b>Canton PD Officer Edward Jagst - Shot/Killed - Son Hayden Jagst Charged With Murder</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2021/06/06232021-bernita-sims-white-murder-case.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>06232021 - </b>Bernita Sims White Murder Case FINALLY In The Hands Of The Michigan Attorney General!</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2021/06/06232021-hayden-jagst-criminal-case.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>06232021 - </b>Hayden Jagst Criminal Case - Murder Of Father/Officer Edward Jagst (June 21, 2021)</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2021/05/05302021-oidv-project-of-michigan.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>06282021 - </b>OIDV Project Of Michigan - Website Posts/Case - We Refuse To Forget</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2021/07/07182021-fbi-agent-richard-trask.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>07182021 - </b>FBI Agent Richard Trask - Charged With Felony Assault With Intent To Do Great Bodily Harm Less Than Murder</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2021/08/08092021-andrew-paul-geronimis-murder.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>08092021 - </b>Andrew Paul Geronimi's Murder And Assault Case: Proof That Michigan Doesn't View Domestic Violence As A Serious Crime</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2021/08/08222021-westland-pd-officer-sebastian.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>08222021 - </b>Westland PD Officer Sebastian Iavasile - Arrested For Domestic Violence By Livonia PD - First Incident</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2021/10/08222021-westland-pd-officer-sebastian.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>08222021 - </b>Westland PD Officer Sebastian Iavasile - Arrested For Domestic Violence By Northville PD - Second Incident</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2021/08/08282021-detroit-pd-officer-otis.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>08282021 -</b> Detroit PD Officer Otis Funches Jr. - Charged With Felony Domestic Violence Against Fellow Officer</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2021/08/08312021-fbi-agent-richard-trask.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>08312021 - </b>FBI Agent Richard Trask - Criminal Case: Felony Assault With Intent To Do Great Bodily Harm Less Than Murder</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2021/09/09092021-8-years-since-msp-trooper-paul.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>09092021 - </b>8 Years Since MSP Trooper Paul Butterfield Was Killed By Eric Knysz - Son Of Officer Jack Knysz</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2021/09/09112021-fbi-agent-richard-trask-fired.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>09112021 - </b>FBI Agent Richard Trask - Fired or "No Longer Works On FBI Matters"</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2021/09/09122021-oidv-continuous-learning.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>09122021 - </b>OIDV: A Continuous Learning Experience About Perception Of OIDV Victims (SIGH)</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2021/09/09142021-where-are-michigan-legislators.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>09142021 - </b>Where Are Michigan Legislators And Officials In The Fight To Protect OIDV Victims?</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2021/09/09152021-michigan-representative-steve.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>09152021 - </b>Michigan Representative Steve Marino - Investigation For Domestic Violence</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2021/09/09172021-oidv-cases-involving-officials.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>09172021 - </b>OIDV Cases Involving Michigan Officials And Legislators</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2021/09/09192021-former-warren-city-council.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span><b>09192021 - </b></span></span><span><span>Former Warren City Council Candidate Jerry Bell - Arrested And Charged With 7 Counts Of Domestic Violence Against Ex-Fiancé Macomb County Commissioner Michelle Nard</span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><div style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2021/09/09292021-former-corrections-officer.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><b>09292021 - </b>Former Corrections Officer Lonnie Mitchell Jr. - Charged With Murder Of Wife, Shantina Davenport-Mitchell</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2021/10/10182021-detroit-pd-officer-lemuel.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>10182021 - </b>Detroit PD Officer Lemuel Roydale Sims - Detroit WXYZ News Investigation - "Accused three times of domestic violence, Detroit cop remains on the force"</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2021/10/10182021-detroit-pd-officer-william.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>10182021 - </b>Detroit PD Officer William Zeolla - Detroit WXYZ News Investigation - "Detroit Police scrutinizing sergeant that racked up 93 complaints, 12 lawsuits"</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2021/10/10252021-michigan-representative-steve.html" target="_blank"><b>10252021 - </b>Michigan Rep Steve Marino - Is Rep. Marino Above The Law? Ingham County Prosecutor NOT Prosecuting Marino For DV Charges???</a> </span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2021/10/10262021-translation-of-detroits-sgt.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>10262021 - </b>Translation Of Detroit's "Sgt. Elaine Williams Domestic Violence Ordinance": Upholding The Federal Lautenberg DV Gun Ban/No MCL 769.4a Plea Bargain</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2021/10/10262021-oidv-project-of-michigan.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>10262021 - </b>OIDV Project Of Michigan - Articles Of Incorporation</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2021/10/10312021-officer-involved-domestic.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>10312021 - </b>Officer-Involved Domestic Violence Website Reaches 1,000,000 Views [2011-2021]</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2021/11/11072021-18-usc-921a-firearms-exception.html" target="_blank"><b>11072021 - </b>18 USC § 921(a) - Firearms - Exception To DV/Lautenberg Gun Ban: Expungement/Setting Aside Of DV Conviction</a></span> </span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2021/11/11072021-18-usc-922g8-personal.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>11072021 - </b>18 USC § 922(g)(8) - Personal Protection Order Gun Ban</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2021/11/11122021-warren-activist-jerry-tommie.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>11122021 - </b>Warren Activist Jerry Tommie Bell - Sentenced For Assault Of Macomb County Commissioner Michelle Nard - Facing A Possible Life Sentence, Bell Only Sentenced To Probation</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><div style="font-family: inherit;"><b>11232021 - </b>Oakland County Judge Kathleen Ryan - Charged With Domestic Violence</div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2021/12/12072021-prosecuting-attorney-jennifer.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>12072021 - </b>Prosecuting Attorney Jennifer Janetsky: Understanding The Politics Behind Janetsky's OIDV Plea Deal For Jerry Tommy Bell</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2021/12/12202021-fbi-agent-richard-trask-plea.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>12202021 - </b>FBI Agent Richard Trask - Plea Bargain - Sentenced To 2 Days In Jail For Assault On Wife (07182021)</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2021/12/12272021-warren-activist-jerry-bell.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>12272021 - </b>Warren Activist Jerry Bell - Investigated / Arrested For Kidnapping, Strangulation, And Auto Theft - While On Probation For Previous DV Assault Of Ex</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2021/12/12312021-2021-vawaviolence-against.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>12312021 - </b>2021 VAWA/Violence Against Women Act AND Political Agendas - News Articles</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/01/01012022-2022-vawaviolence-against.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>01012022 - </b>2022 VAWA/Violence Against Woman Act AND Political Agendas - News Articles</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/01/01252022-warren-activist-jerry-bell.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>01252022 -</b> Warren Activist Jerry Bell - Criminal Case For Second Incident Of DV (12272021) - Carjacking, Unlawful Imprisonment, Aggravated Stalking, Assault W/A Dangerous Weapon And DV</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/02/02022022-bernita-sims-white-murder-case.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>02022022 - </b>Bernita Sims White Murder Case Investigation - Reporters Alysia Sofios and Ronnie Dahl - CrimeCasters Network</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/02/02112022-1993-super-bowl-connection-to.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>02112022 - </b>The 1993 Super Bowl Connection To Domestic Violence Hoax - Was The Agenda To Bolster Biden's Stalled VAWA Bill?</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/02/02112022-vawa-down-rabbit-hole-of.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>02112022 - </b>VAWA - Down The Rabbit Hole Of VAWA/Violence Against Women Act AND Political Agendas</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/02/02162022-former-fremont-pd-chief.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>02162022 - </b>Former Fremont PD Chief Randall Wright - 2019 CSC Charges - Accepted Plea Deal</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/02/02162022-flint-pd-officer-caleb-tierney.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: medium;"><b>02162022 -</b> Flint PD Officer Caleb Tierney – Arrested/Charged with CSC (December 02, 2021 Incident)</span></a></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/02/02162022-genesee-county-sd-deputy-scott.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: medium;"><b>02162022 -</b> Genesee County SD Deputy Scott Zayler – Arrested/Charged with CSC (December 02, 2021 Incident)</span></a></div></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/02/lautenberg-domestic-violence-gun-ban-18.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>02212022 -</b> Lautenberg DV Gun Ban / 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(9) - Political Agendas AND Red Flag Laws - News Articles And Reports</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/03/03062022-recently-added-oidv-archive.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><b>03062022 - </b>Recently Added OIDV Archive Cases</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/03/03112022-oidv-survivor-with-attitude.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><b>03112022 - </b>OIDV Survivor With Attitude: Questioning Why MI Congresswoman Dingell Isn't Concerned About OIDV And Abusing LE Officers Retaining Their Guns</span></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/03/03312022-detroit-pd-officer-james.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><b>03312022 -</b> Detroit PD Officer James Diguiseppe - Abuse Of Power: Investigation Of Questionable Arrest Of Ex-Wife</span></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/03/03312022-detroit-pd-commander-nick.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><b>03312022 - </b>Detroit PD Commander Nick Giaquinto - Abuse Of Power: Investigation Of Questionable Arrest Of Officer James Diguiseppe's Ex-Wife</span></a></div><div><br /></div></span></div><div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/03/03302022-fbi-criminal-justice.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><b>03302022 -</b> FBI Criminal Justice Information Systems: Warren Activist Jerry Bell DV Case</span></a></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/04/04062022-detroit-pd-officer-michael.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><b>04062022 -</b> Detroit PD Officer Michael Carson - Charged With CSC Of Minor</span></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/04/04252022-genesee-county-sd-deputy-jacob.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><b>04252022 -</b> Genesee County SD Deputy Jacob Wilkinson - Charged With Torturing/Killing Service Dog, Habs</span></a></div><div><br /></div></span></div><div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/04/04262022-glimpse-into-what-oidv-victims.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><b>04262022 - </b>A Glimpse Into What OIDV Victims Endure: Relative Of Andrew Zaleski Threatens OIDV Project Of Michigan If Post Is Not Removed</span></a></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/04/04292022-flint-pd-officer-javion-miller.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><b>04292022 - </b>Flint PD Officer Javion Miller - First Domestic Violence Assault Incident</span></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/05/05122022-defense-attorney-craig-tank.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><b>05122022 - </b>Defense Attorney Craig Tank - Attorney For Warren Activist Jerry Bell - Retaliation/Claims Of Victim's Confidential Medical Information. Hello Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission!</span></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/05/05122022-warren-activist-jerry-bell.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><b>05122022 - </b>Warren Activist Jerry Bell - Pleads Guilty To Probation Violation - Criminal Case For Second Incident Of DV (12272021)</span></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/06/06012022-flint-pd-officer-javion-miller.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><b>06012022 - </b>Flint PD Officer Javion Miller - Second Domestic Violence Assault Incident</span></a></div><div><br /></div></div></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/06/06042022-oidv-project-is-back-online.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><b>06042022 - </b>OIDV Project Is Back Online - Hacked On May 10, 2022</span></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/06/06102022-ice-officer-kevin-taylor.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><b>06102022 - </b>ICE Officer Kevin Taylor - Arrested On Sexual Assault Charges</span></a></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span></div><div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/03/03062022-recently-added-oidv-archive.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><b>07292022 - </b>Recently Added/Updated OIDV Cases</span></a></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/07/07292022-wayne-county-judge-tracy-green.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><b>07292022 - </b>Wayne County Judge Tracy Green - MI Judicial Tenure Commission's Decision And Recommendation: Recommend Judge Green's Removal From Office</span></a></div><div><br /></div></span></div></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/08/08022022-richmond-pd-chief-tom-costello.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><b>08022022 - </b>Richmond PD Chief Tom Costello - Charged With Misuse Of LEIN To Get Personal Info On A Woman</span></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/08/08102022-fbi-agent-richard-trasks-dv.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><b>08102022 - </b>FBI Agent Richard Trask's DV Conviction - Whitmer Kidnapping Plot Trial: Judge Grants Motion To Preclude Inadmissible Evidence Of Trask's DV Arrest/Conviction</span></a></div><div><br /></div></div><div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/08/08192022-jason-kolkema-muskegon-county.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><b>08192022 - </b>Jason Kolkema (Muskegon County Circuit Court Judge Candidate) - Charged With Domestic Violence</span></a></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span></div></div><div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/03/03062022-recently-added-oidv-archive.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><b>08252022 - </b>Recently Added/Updated OIDV Cases</span></a></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2021/05/05302021-oidv-project-of-michigan.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><b>08252022 - </b>OIDV Project Of Michigan - Website Posts/Cases - We Refuse To Forget</span></a></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Renee' Harringtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01414390590891254320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3957752986490500628.post-65378945249735666342022-09-11T22:30:00.004-05:002022-09-23T15:46:01.568-05:0009112022 - Recently Added/Updated OIDV Cases<div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>September 2022</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/08/08022022-richmond-pd-chief-tom-costello.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>09092022 - </b>Richmond police chief back on the job after reportedly misusing LEIN system</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/08/08192022-jason-kolkema-muskegon-county.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>09092022 - </b>Domestic violence charge makes judicial candidate Jason Kolkema even more qualified, attorney says</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/09/09112022-wayne-county-judge-tracy-green.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>09112022 - </b>Wayne County Judge Tracy Green - M.L Elrick/Detroit Free Press Article: Awaiting Justices' Decision On Fate On Judge's Fate</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/04/04062022-detroit-pd-officer-michael.html" target="_blank"><b>09222022 -</b> Detroit PD Officer Michael Carson - CSC Case Headed To Trial</a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>August 2022</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/08/01012006-genesee-county-sd-lieutenant.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>01012006 -</b> Genesee County SD Lieutenant Michael Chatterson - Suspended From Duty For "Sexually Deviant Act"</span></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2013/01/01142013-genesee-county-sd-lieutenant.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>01142013 -</b> Genesee County SD Lieutenant Michael Chatterson - Charged With CSC</span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2014/09/09052014-flint-pd-sergeant-lawrence.html" target="_blank"><b>09052014 - </b>Flint PD Sergeant Lawrence Bonett Woods - Charged With CSC Of Minors</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2015/07/07012015-gary-davis-headd-son-of-judge.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><b>07012015 -</b> Gary Davis-Headd (Son Of Judge Tracy Green) - Domestic Violence Of Wife</span></a></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span></div></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span></div><div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2018/06/06242018-gary-davis-headd-child.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><b>06242018 - </b>Gary Davis-Headd (Son Of Judge Tracy Green) - Child Abuse & Domestic Violence Charges And Convictions</span></a></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2018/12/12252018-wayne-county-judge-david.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><b>12252018 - </b>Wayne County Judge David Parrott - Arrested For Drunk Driving</span></a></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2019/05/05152019-wayne-county-judge-tracy-green.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><b>05152019 - </b>Wayne County Judge Tracy Green - Accused Of Covering Up Son's (Gary Davis-Headd) Abuse Of Her Grandchildren</span></a></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2020/02/02082020-wayne-county-judge-david.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><b>02082020 - </b>Wayne County Judge David Parrott - Arrested For Domestic Violence</span></a></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2020/11/11102020-wayne-county-judge-tracy-green.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><b>11102020 - </b>Wayne County Judge Tracy Green - MI Judicial Tenure Commission Formal Complaint Against Green: Cover-Up Of Son's/Gary Davis-Headd's Abuse Of Her Grandsons</span></a></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span></div></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span></div></span></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: medium;"><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2020/11/11182020-flint-pd-officer-justin-mcleod.html" target="_blank"><b>11182020 -</b> Flint PD Officer Justin McLeod - Charged With CSC Of A Minor</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2021/05/05272021-wayne-county-judge-tracy-green.html" target="_blank"><b>05272021 -</b> Wayne County Judge Tracy Green - MI Judicial Tenure Commission Hearings: Green's Coverup Of Son's/Gary Davis-Headd's Abuse Of Her Grandsons</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2021/11/11232021-oakland-county-judge-kathleen.html" target="_blank"><b>11232021 - </b>Oakland County Judge Kathleen Ryan - Charged With Domestic Violence</a></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/01/01252022-warren-activist-jerry-bell.html" target="_blank"><b>01252022 - </b>Warren Activist Jerry Bell - Criminal Case For Second Incident Of DV (12272021) - Carjacking, Unlawful Imprisonment, Aggravated Stalking, Assault W/A Dangerous Weapon And DV</a></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div></span></div></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/02/02162022-flint-pd-officer-caleb-tierney.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: medium;"><b>02162022 -</b> Flint PD Officer Caleb Tierney – Arrested/Charged with CSC (December 02, 2021 Incident)</span></a></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/02/02162022-genesee-county-sd-deputy-scott.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: medium;"><b>02162022 -</b> Genesee County SD Deputy Scott Zayler – Arrested/Charged with CSC (December 02, 2021 Incident)</span></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/07/07292022-wayne-county-judge-tracy-green.html" target="_blank"><b>07292022 - </b>Wayne County Judge Tracy Green - MI Judicial Tenure Commission's Decision And Recommendation: Recommend Judge Green's Removal From Office</a></span></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/08/08022022-richmond-pd-chief-tom-costello.html" target="_blank"><b>08022022 - </b>Richmond PD Chief Tom Costello - Charged With Misuse Of LEIN To Get Personal Info On A Woman</a></span></div><div><br /></div></div><div><div><br /></div></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/08/08102022-fbi-agent-richard-trasks-dv.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: medium;"><b>08102022 - </b>FBI Agent Richard Trask's DV Conviction - Whitmer Kidnapping Plot Trial: Judge Grants Motion To Preclude Inadmissible Evidence Of Trask's DV Arrest/Conviction</span></a></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/08/08192022-jason-kolkema-muskegon-county.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: medium;"><b>08192022 - </b>Jason Kolkema (Muskegon County Circuit Court Judge Candidate) - Charged With Domestic Violence</span></a></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/03/03062022-recently-added-oidv-archive.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: medium;"><b>08252022 -</b> Recently Added/Updated OIDV Cases</span></a></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2021/05/05302021-oidv-project-of-michigan.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: medium;"><b>08252022 - </b>OIDV Project Of Michigan - Website Posts/Cases - We Refuse To Forget</span></a></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">July 2022</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2021/09/09292021-former-corrections-officer.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>09292021 -</b> Former Corrections Officer Lonnie Mitchell Jr. - Charged With Murder Of Wife, Shantina Davenport-Mitchell</span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/03/03312022-detroit-pd-officer-james.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>03312022 - </b>Detroit PD Officer James Diguiseppe - Abuse Of Power: Investigation Of Questionable Arrest Of Ex-Wife</span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/03/03312022-detroit-pd-commander-nick.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>03312022 - </b>Detroit PD Commander Nick Giaquinto - Abuse Of Power: Investigation Of Questionable Arrest Of Officer James Diguiseppe's Ex-Wife</span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/04/04062022-detroit-pd-officer-michael.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>04062022 -</b> Detroit PD Officer Michael Carson - Charged With CSC Of Minor</span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/04/04252022-genesee-county-sd-deputy-jacob.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>04252022 - </b>Genesee County SD Deputy Jacob Wilkinson - Charged With Torturing/Killing Service Dog, Habs</span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/04/04292022-flint-pd-officer-javion-miller.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>04292022 - </b>Flint PD Officer Javion Miller - First Domestic Violence Assault Incident</span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/05/05122022-defense-attorney-craig-tank.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>05122022 - </b>Defense Attorney Craig Tank - Attorney For Warren Activist Jerry Bell - Retaliation/Claims Of Victim's Confidential Medical Information. Hello Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission!</span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/05/05122022-warren-activist-jerry-bell.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>05122022 - </b>Warren Activist Jerry Bell - Pleads Guilty To Probation Violation - Criminal Case For Second Incident Of DV (12272021)</span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/06/06012022-flint-pd-officer-javion-miller.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>06012022 -</b> Flint PD Officer Javion Miller - Second Domestic Violence Assault Incident</span></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>March 2022</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1996/05/05181996-argentine-township-pd-officer.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>05181996 - </b>Argentine Township PD Officer Tracey R Oesterle - Charged With Assault W/Intent To Murder And Possessing A Firearm During A Felony [DV]</span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1998/07/07211998-muskegon-heights-pd-officer.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>07211998 - </b>Muskegon Heights PD Officer Mel Jason Jordan - Charged With CSC Of 19 Year-Old Assisting Police In Sting Operation </span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1999/02/02251999-former-muskegon-heights-pd.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>02251999 -</b> Former Muskegon Heights PD Officer Mel Jason Jordan - Ex-Girlfriend/Muskegon Heights Police Officer Obtained Protection Order Against Jordan</span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1999/04/04171999-flint-pd-officer-adina-thrower.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>04171999 - </b>Flint PD Officer Adina Thrower - Charged With Felonious Assault And Felony Firearms</span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1999/08/08271999-flint-pd-officer-tegory.html" target="_blank"><b>08271999 - </b>Flint PD Officer Tegory Jarrett - Charged W/Intent To Murder For Shooting At Estranged Wife And Responding Flint PD Officer</a> </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2001/03/03012001-adrian-pd-officer-jason.html" target="_blank"><b>03012001 - </b>Adrian PD Officer Jason Crawford - Charged With CSC</a> </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2001/09/09082001-former-muskegon-heights-pd.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>09082001 - </b>Former Muskegon Heights PD Officer Mel Jason Jordan - Arrested And Convicted Of CSC Of 15 Year-Old</span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2001/12/12012001-muskegon-heights-pd-sgt.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>12012001 - </b>Muskegon Heights PD Sgt. Phillip E. Coleman - Charged With CSC Of Minor At His Home</span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2002/01/01012002-muskegon-heights-pd-officer.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>01012002 -</b> Muskegon Heights PD Officer Roger Kitchen - Involved In DV While On Duty - Stabbed By Girlfriend [Self-Defense]</span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2002/04/04212002-muskegon-pd-officer-chad.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>04212002 -</b> Muskegon PD Officer Chad Fellows - Barricaded Himself In House With Wife And Children After Fleeing Police When Pulled Over For Drunk Driving</span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2002/10/10062002-midland-pd-officer-darin.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>10062002 -</b> Midland PD Officer Darin Updike - Charged With Domestic Assault</span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2011/07/07252011-former-wyoming-pd-officer-mark.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>07252011 - </b>Former Wyoming PD Officer Mark Charles Armstrong - Convicted Of Felonious Assault And Felony Firearms - Pointed Gun At Responding Officers After DV Incident</span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2013/07/07212013-washtenaw-county-sd-lt-brian.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>07212013 - </b>Washtenaw County SD Lt. Brian Filipiak - Domestic Calls Due To Filipiak's Alcohol Abuse That SD Chose To Ignore</span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2014/11/11252014-grand-rapids-pd-officer-ryan.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>11252014 - </b>Grand Rapids PD Officer Ryan James Bruggink - Convicted Of CSC - Ex-Girlfriend</span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2016/05/05152016-big-rapids-pd-officer-simone.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>05152016 - </b>Big Rapids PD Officer Simone Smith-Politz - Charged With Felony Assault/Domestic Violence</span></a></div><div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2017/05/05182017-hampton-township-pd-officer.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>05182017 - </b>Hampton Township PD Officer Craig J. Bouckaert - Charged With Assault W/A Weapon And Domestic Violence</span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2017/09/09012017-kellie-bartlett-eaton-county.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>09012017 - </b>Kellie Bartlett - Eaton County Sheriff Department Clerk - False Police Report Against Eaton SD Deputy, Stalking, Identity Theft, Unauthorized Use Of Computer, Conspiracy...</span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2017/09/09012017-lisa-underhill-co-defendant-of.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>09012017 -</b> Lisa Underhill - Co-Defendant Of Kellie Bartlett. Crimes Against SD Deputy - Charged With Use Of Computer To Commit A Crime, Conspiracy, Identity Theft, Stalking</span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2018/01/01012018-potterville-pd-chief-shane.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>01012018 - </b>Potterville PD Chief Shane Bartlett - Husband Of Kellie Bartlett - Charged With Lying To A Police Officer, False Report Of A Felony, Misconduct In Office</span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2018/12/12282018-waterford-township-pd-officer.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>12282018 - </b>Waterford Township PD Officer Kevin Thompson - Charged With CSC</span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2019/06/06082019-fremont-pd-chief-randall.html" style="font-size: medium;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>06082019 - </b>Fremont PD Chief Randall Wright - Investigated And Charged With Fourth-Degree - Criminal Sexual Conduct - Charged In Both Kent AND Ingham Counties</span></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2019/08/08072019-former-saginaw-county.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>08072019 -</b> Former Saginaw County Probation Officer Ryan C. Purdy - Charged With 60 Counts Of CSC Involving His Girlfriend's Minor Daughter - Convicted Of 9 CSC Counts</span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/02/02162022-former-fremont-pd-chief.html" target="_blank"><b>02162022 - </b>Former Fremont PD Chief Randall Wright - 2019 CSC Charges - Accepted Plea Deal</a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Renee' Harringtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01414390590891254320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3957752986490500628.post-72120716235112307862022-09-11T06:00:00.006-05:002022-09-11T22:32:51.670-05:0009112022 - Wayne County Judge Tracy Green - M.L Elrick/Detroit Free Press Article: Awaiting Justices' Decision On Fate On Judge's Fate<div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>As the justices consider whether to accept the Judicial Tenure Commission's recommendation, they may find the Supreme Court's own guidance in such matters useful:</i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>"When a judge lies under oath, he or she has failed to internalize one of the central standards of justice and becomes unfit to sit in judgment of others.”</i></span></div><div>("<a href="https://www.freep.com/story/news/columnists/ml-elrick/2022/09/11/wayne-county-judge-tracy-green-elrick/67416301007/" target="_blank">Wayne County judge's bad judgment endangers kids, creates legacy of shame</a>". Detroit Free Press. <a href="https://www.freep.com/staff/5026771002/ml-elrick/" target="_blank">M.L. Elrick</a>. 09112022.)</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Related Posts:</b></span></div><div><div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2015/07/07012015-gary-davis-headd-son-of-judge.html" target="_blank"><b>07012015 -</b> Gary Davis-Headd (Son Of Judge Tracy Green) - Domestic Violence Of Wife</a></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2018/06/06242018-gary-davis-headd-child.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>06242018 -</b> Gary Davis-Headd (Son Of Judge Tracy Green) - Child Abuse & Domestic Violence Charges And Convictions</span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2019/05/05152019-wayne-county-judge-tracy-green.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>05152019 - </b>Wayne County Judge Tracy Green - Accused Of Covering Up Son's (Gary Davis-Headd's) Abuse Of Her Grandchildren</span></a></div></div></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2020/11/11102020-wayne-county-judge-tracy-green.html" target="_blank"><b>11102020 - </b>Wayne County Judge Tracy Green - MI Judicial Tenure Commission Formal Complaint Against Green: Coverup Of Son's/Gary Davis-Headd's Abuse Of Her Grandsons</a></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2021/05/05272021-wayne-county-judge-tracy-green.html" target="_blank"><b>05272021 - </b>Wayne County Judge Tracy Green - MI Judicial Tenure Commission Hearings: Green's Coverup Of Son's/Gary Davis-Headd's Abuse Of Her Grandsons</a></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/01/01212022-wayne-county-judge-tracy-green.html" target="_blank"><b>01212022 - </b>Wayne County Judge Tracy Green - Disciplinary Counsel's Proposed Findings Of Fact And Conclusions Of Law</a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/07/07292022-wayne-county-judge-tracy-green.html" target="_blank"><b>07292022 - </b>Wayne County Judge Tracy Green - MI Judicial Tenure Commission's Decision And Recommendation: Recommend Judge Green's Removal From Office</a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/09/09112022-wayne-county-judge-tracy-green.html" target="_blank"><b>09112022 - </b>Wayne County Judge Tracy Green - M.L Elrick/Detroit Free Press Article: Awaiting Justices' Decision On Fate On Judge's Fate</a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><b>Wayne County judge's bad judgment endangers kids, creates legacy of shame</b></span></div><div>Detroit Free Press</div><div><a href="https://www.freep.com/staff/5026771002/ml-elrick/" target="_blank">M.L. Elrick</a></div><div>September 11, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.freep.com/story/news/columnists/ml-elrick/2022/09/11/wayne-county-judge-tracy-green-elrick/67416301007/" target="_blank">https://www.freep.com/story/news/columnists/ml-elrick/2022/09/11/wayne-county-judge-tracy-green-elrick/67416301007/</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtsZfaXlj29R8OUH9ZE9Z_aMl_DjOF1SgZKCK6KUUnhMxHUx2Buw7U8ZloNBQ5ViXHDBchLth6ebdZT5Zm9phNY7xn13vrGOAdtW-ZGxVij91jPZ8msP5jQhPGnA9-YxW6ahqnWPAFZKVgwiNws2Tm9oacxMOXAIfukAtVWDvO_6nchShPXDW5kk6RcA/s667/Green--71.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="667" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtsZfaXlj29R8OUH9ZE9Z_aMl_DjOF1SgZKCK6KUUnhMxHUx2Buw7U8ZloNBQ5ViXHDBchLth6ebdZT5Zm9phNY7xn13vrGOAdtW-ZGxVij91jPZ8msP5jQhPGnA9-YxW6ahqnWPAFZKVgwiNws2Tm9oacxMOXAIfukAtVWDvO_6nchShPXDW5kk6RcA/w640-h346/Green--71.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgp0oR2QaNvbUlKeqNanWbfVUiI8OqGGIjKOJihYRRg6uficVslW4axv4FHO6gEzlslAPlxHEI9jDadBUH5h9ZTOuWuUPxoyqgrBvQTMCSix0Py09GwhAE8qlLfP0-o6YIPlplTj8pTzIVTLPkFGN3OrfswAsuZ3LCpyHuBpTGnNtB9JJ4Y_UsYFEBmw/s662/Green--72.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="662" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgp0oR2QaNvbUlKeqNanWbfVUiI8OqGGIjKOJihYRRg6uficVslW4axv4FHO6gEzlslAPlxHEI9jDadBUH5h9ZTOuWuUPxoyqgrBvQTMCSix0Py09GwhAE8qlLfP0-o6YIPlplTj8pTzIVTLPkFGN3OrfswAsuZ3LCpyHuBpTGnNtB9JJ4Y_UsYFEBmw/w640-h394/Green--72.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Tracy Green didn't trust the legal system before she was elected to serve Wayne County as a judge in 2018 — and in less than three months on the job she gave the rest of us a reason not to trust it, either.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission wants the state Supreme Court to throw Green off the bench for lying about nine separate matters related to her son's abuse of her grandchildren. If they want to make it an even 10, they could include lying to me about whether the rest of us could trust her to protect our children.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Green began her litany of lies as a witness in the very courthouse where she demanded that other witnesses give the truth, the whole truth and nothing but that truth.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">That's what you and I call irony. And it leads to what legal eagles call obloquy, which is a fancy word I had to look up that essentially means "make people so mad that they will say very bad things about the justice system," because some malignant magistrate engaged in conduct "that is contrary to justice, ethics, honesty, or good morals."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But trying, and failing, to get her son off the hook for beating her grandchildren is just one of the reasons Green isn't fit to serve. Her poor judgment exposed other children to danger and even forced a parent whose daughter was beaten to death to relive the ordeal a decade after the killer was convicted of murder and torture.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Green's conduct during her brief career as a judge has been so poor that Wayne County has twice had to hire retired judges to take over her caseloads — at a cost to taxpayers of $160,000 per judge, per year.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Now Green sits at home waiting for the state Supreme Court to decide whether to put her out of her misery ... or prolong our own.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Two witnesses, one liar</span></b></div></div><div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Journalists will do almost anything to avoid taking the witness stand. But I was a candidate for Detroit City Council in 2021 when the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission called me to testify in Green's disciplinary hearing, so I complied. At issue was an investigation I did in 2019 while working for Fox 2 News that included allegations Green helped conceal how her son Gary Davis-Headd beat her grandchildren.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Green had published articles asserting that the deck was stacked against parents before she was elected to the Wayne County Circuit Court in 2018. Her expertise in family law may be why she started her judicial career in juvenile court.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In March 2019, after less than three months on the job, Green was a witness in her own courthouse in a case that would determine whether her son would lose custody of his children.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Green testified that she was unaware her son was beating his children and said she did not use makeup to cover up one of her grandson's bruises. Behind the scenes, Green helped her son's attorney craft his defense. But the judge in the case nevertheless ruled that Davis-Headd had abused his children and terminated his parental rights. Four months later, a criminal court judge found Davis-Headd guilty of child abuse and sentenced him to four to 10 years in prison.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In the meantime, I began investigating allegations that Green lied on the witness stand in her son's child custody case. We met in May 2019 for an interview in which I asked her: "If you, a family court judge, can’t protect your own grandkids, can the people of Wayne County count on you to protect our kids?"</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Green, on camera, replied: "I am certainly capable of protecting children from my perch as a Third Circuit Court judge. There is nothing that I have done or would ever do to jeopardize the safety of any child, particularly a child that I love. And what I’m saying to you Mr. Elrick is that I’ve done nothing wrong, I’ve not failed to do something that I should have done, and that’s the bottom line." (Wayne County is also known as the Third Circuit Court.)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A family court judge didn't believe Green. And her grandsons knew she was lying. But her real problem was the Judicial Tenure Commission, which investigates judges. They filed a formal complaint against Green and my Fox 2 report became evidence in the case. During cross-examination, Green's lawyer, Michael Ashcraft, was determined to use me to create a crack Green could slip through.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Ashcraft zeroed in on a 6-second clip in which Green told me that she did not "put makeup on any bruises to conceal any abuse." He tried to get me to agree that "Tracy Green did not say that she did not put makeup on the boy's face."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">After scrutinizing video of my testimony, and based on a review of the Judicial Tenure Commission's findings, I believe Ashcraft was trying to establish that Green did put makeup on her grandson's face, but not "to conceal any abuse."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">If so, it was a fine point that wasn't fine enough to buffalo Betty Widgeon, the judge presiding over Green's disciplinary hearing. Widgeon, who heard from many witnesses, found that Green's "careful use of language show[ed] an attempt to avoid admitting any knowledge that would lead to liability." She also wrote that Green used vague and evasive language to avoid answering investigators' questions and used her legal training and a “sophisticated mastery of language to mislead or misinform CPS (Child Protective Services), the Juvenile Court, and the Commission about her knowledge of [her son’s] treatment of [her grandsons] while still attempting to preserve plausible deniability concerning false statements.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Commissioners were more direct: They called Green a liar.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Other adjectives they used to describe Green included, "not credible," "not plausible," "deceit," and "untruthful."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">On July 18, commissioners voted unanimously to recommend that the Michigan Supreme Court remove Green from the bench. They noted that if Green's only transgression had been covering up her son's abuse before she became a judge, they would not call for an end to her judicial career.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"But the maxim 'the cover up is worse than the crime' plays itself out in a variety of contexts and legal proceedings," commissioners wrote, noting that the crime itself was pretty bad when you consider that "the misconduct involved jeopardizing the welfare of minors by an attorney who purports to advocate for children."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Ultimately, commissioners wrote, Green's "cover up at very least unquestionably triggers the harshest discipline of removal" because the state Supreme Court has established a precedent of removing judges who lie under oath.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It's worth noting that commissioners also were not impressed that Green tried to save her skin by claiming that the grandson she purported to love — but failed to protect — was "a confirmed liar."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Fruit of the poisonous tree</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Earlier in this column, I mentioned "irony." For those still unclear on the concept, try this: <b><a href="https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/wayne-county-judges-son-guilty-of-brutal-child-abuse-she-was-accused-of-concealing" target="_blank">After I reported that Davis-Headd was convicted of felony child abuse</a></b>, he sued Fox 2 and me for defamation of character for reporting that he had been … wait for it … accused of child abuse.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The lawsuit was almost certainly filed in the hope of leveraging a nuisance settlement. You could call it a slap suit, which would be appropriate, because Davis-Headd seems to think a slap is the best way to resolve problems. This time, however, he wasn't going up against little kids. And when it comes to the law, no one slaps around Herschel Fink.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Fink is a preeminent media and First Amendment attorney. His client list includes the Free Press and luminaries including Dr. Dre who, like me, drops phat beats and dope rhymes — or is it dope beats and phat rhymes? A panel of three lawyers who reviewed Fink and Davis-Headd's legal arguments unanimously ruled that the case had a value of $0 and labeled it "frivolous." Fink essentially scored a first-round knockout when Wayne County Judge David Groner promptly dismissed the case, ruling that Davis-Headd was, as high falutin' legal scholars say, full of baloney.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Groner wrote that I provided "an accurate report of public and official proceedings concerning (Davis-Headd's) crimes and convictions," adding that Davis-Headd's "felony convictions on child abuse and domestic violence charges … shock the conscience."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">I haven't heard from Davis-Headd since the lawsuit was dismissed. Of course, that may just be because I don't accept collect calls.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Needless suffering</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">There are few things stronger than a mother's love, as Green demonstrated by risking her judicial career in a failed attempt to save her son. But Green showed little concern for another mother who lost her child in a brutal murder.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Peter Dabish was convicted in 2010 of first-degree murder and torture for beating his girlfriend to death. Prosecutors said the 6-foot-3 Dabish, whose father was a co-founder of the Powerhouse Gym franchise, hit 5-foot Diana DeMayo or slammed her into something hard nearly two dozen times. There was so much blood in Dabish's downtown apartment that even DeMayo's dog was covered.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Three medical examiners and the neurologist who examined DeMayo's body said she died from the brutal beating.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A jury convicted Dabish.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A Wayne County judge sentenced him to life in prison.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Michigan Court of Appeals rejected Dabish's appeal.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Michigan Supreme Court declined to review the case.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">None of that was enough for Green, who, with less than two years experience as a criminal court judge, decided to put DeMayo's family through hell.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Again.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In 2020, <b><a href="https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2020/10/28/powerhouse-gym-heir-tortures-grieving-mom-10-years-after-daughters-death/5011551002/" target="_blank">Green granted Dabish's request for an evidentiary hearing</a></b> after his lawyers hired an expert who said emergency medical technicians caused DeMayo's death. The expert said they improperly intubated her while trying to save her life. Dabish's lawyers had unsuccessfully floated a similar theory in 2010, raising questions about why Green would reopen old wounds by entertaining an already rejected legal theory. Green did not respond to my message seeking comment, and Ashcraft told me she would not discuss the case.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">I also called Linda DeMayo, Diana's mother, who still can't understand why Green essentially reopened the case.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"The trial was a month long, and it was horrific," Linda DeMayo told me. "I spent 10 years getting through this and was in a good place with post-traumatic stress disorder. … This opened up the wounds majorly."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">During the 2010 trial, Linda DeMayo was in the courtroom and did not look at the gruesome photos from the crime scene or autopsy.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The 2020 hearings were virtual, and she found she could not look away.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“I lost it. I lost it," she told me, pausing to compose herself. "I never realized what they had to do to do the autopsy. … That was hard.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Linda DeMayo said she wrote Green a long letter “begging her to please end this, because I’d been through enough.” She said Green's staff acknowledged receiving the letter, but said the judge couldn’t respond.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In the end, Green reached the same conclusion as everyone who had looked at the case before her: Dabish did not deserve a new trial.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Linda DeMayo, who tutors students preparing for college entrance exams, acknowledged that Green was fairly new on the job when she decided to hear Dabish's arguments.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I like giving people an opportunity to improve," Linda DeMayo said. "However, I think this is too important a position, a job, a career, to make that many mistakes on."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">From her home in Florida, she follows Green's own troubles with the law.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"And, no, I don’t think she should ever be a judge."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Children at risk</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">After reporting on Green's testimony in her son's custody case, I began examining the abuse and neglect cases that Green presided over in family court. Because she had not been on the bench for very long, there were not a ton of cases to review. And, after Wayne County Circuit Court Chief Judge Timothy Kenny watched my Fox 2 report, he reviewed a transcript of the trial at which Green and her grandson testified and <b><a href="https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/wayne-county-judge-accused-of-hiding-abuse-of-grandson-taken-off-abuse-and-neglect-cases" target="_blank">told Green she would not handle any abuse and neglect cases</a></b> until her son's legal matters are resolved.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Still, the cases I reviewed indicated that Green was reluctant to take children out of dangerous homes, and inclined to send children back to homes that other judges had deemed unsafe.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">One case I have kept tabs on started in March 2018. Child Protective Services asked a judge to remove toddlers from the home of a mother who was still just a kid herself. She was 15 years old, couldn't care for her three children and was living with her mother and grandfather. The grandfather had a criminal history, was suspected of sexually abusing his daughter, and years earlier had his parental rights terminated. A judge ordered the children removed and taken into protective custody.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Eight months later, a judge reviewing the case ruled that the three babies should not be returned to their young mother because doing so would expose them to "substantial risk of harm to the children's life, physical health or mental well-being."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">After that judge retired at the end of 2018, the case was transferred to Green's docket.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Department of Health and Human Services argued in 2019 that the children's mother should not regain custody because residents in the home where she was staying were under investigation for criminal sexual conduct. One of the children allegedly told Child Protective Services workers that an uncle touched her private parts.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Nevertheless, Green ordered the children returned to their mother, who was now 16. In an apparent acknowledgment that they faced some danger, Green ruled that their uncle and grandfather should stay away from them.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">By July 2019, Green had been removed from family court and the case went to another judge. He ruled that the children should not be returned to their mother because it would put them at risk.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Justice in the balance</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">We conclude with a classic "good news, bad news" situation.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">For the second time in three years, Wayne County's chief judge brought in a retired judge to take over Green's caseload. That means the public won't be at the mercy of a judge with bad judgment. It also means taxpayers are on the hook for Green's $160,000 salary and another 160 large for the retired judge called in to do her job.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Kenny told me he felt he had no choice after the Judicial Tenure Commission labeled Green a liar and recommended her removal.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"It was most appropriate for public confidence in the judiciary here in Wayne County that she not hear cases until her matter is resolved with the (state) Supreme Court," he said, adding that he did not have the authority to stop paying Green while she is essentially suspended.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Now it's up to the Michigan Supreme Court to decide Green's fate.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">As the justices consider whether to accept the Judicial Tenure Commission's recommendation, they may find the Supreme Court's own guidance in such matters useful:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"When a judge lies under oath, he or she has failed to internalize one of the central standards of justice and becomes unfit to sit in judgment of others.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Case closed.</span></div></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Renee' Harringtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01414390590891254320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3957752986490500628.post-60270577659592005442022-08-23T08:18:00.003-05:002022-08-23T15:43:48.954-05:00Let your light shine so brightly that others can see their way out of the dark<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidtvwtXIDsS7vno5hfRqQJnbmn9cxV4fojerEp8kt_DNjiug7neobEyYSRxPtZq0tFO8xEQEFHoN9JA6lVkvl9v4q0C5WgHbnLCBEPH0Z0UdMnbuJ1r3N8BgvUAYovtI8cZVuCEBvJhsn4Dumx5gHnuMKyC73x2LG8E2csS-a6ypEb7mufvdLV0DRDfw/s716/OIDV--07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="709" data-original-width="716" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidtvwtXIDsS7vno5hfRqQJnbmn9cxV4fojerEp8kt_DNjiug7neobEyYSRxPtZq0tFO8xEQEFHoN9JA6lVkvl9v4q0C5WgHbnLCBEPH0Z0UdMnbuJ1r3N8BgvUAYovtI8cZVuCEBvJhsn4Dumx5gHnuMKyC73x2LG8E2csS-a6ypEb7mufvdLV0DRDfw/s16000/OIDV--07.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Renee' Harringtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01414390590891254320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3957752986490500628.post-12970836113167567622022-08-19T23:21:00.007-05:002022-11-21T09:55:59.597-06:0008192022 - Jason Kolkema (Muskegon County Circuit Court Judge Candidate) - Charged With Domestic Violence<div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><i><span style="font-size: large;">The prosecution went on into detail what appeared to be several allegations of child abuse tied to a previous case. “Mr. Kolkema had become enraged during an argument he was throwing water on the minor child and actually threw a bottle at the child and the same victim as this matter,” they said. Court documents obtained by 13 ON YOUR SIDE detailed another alleged incident involving one of the victim’s children and a door knob.</span></i></div><div>[<a href="https://www.wzzm13.com/article/news/local/muskegon/muskegon-county-judge-candidate-pleads-not-guilty-in-domestic-case-prosecutors-allege-abusive-history/69-57642cfc-cbd7-4386-a164-d6a5c46c214c" target="_blank">Muskegon Co. judge candidate pleads not guilty in domestic case, prosecutors allege abusive history</a>. WZZM News. September 19, 2022]</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><i><span style="font-size: large;">“Prior to the date of this alleged incident, there had actually been two prior court orders that prohibited Mr. Kolkema from having contact with this victim’s minor children while she was having parenting time due to the inappropriateness of their relationship,” said Katie Norton, senior assistant prosecutor for the Muskegon County. “There was then a subsequent third order entered to another child based on the fact there were violations of that court order.”</span></i></div><div>[<a href="https://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/2022/09/muskegon-judicial-candidate-headed-to-trial-for-domestic-assault.html" target="_blank">Muskegon judicial candidate headed to trial for domestic assault</a>. MLive. Sep. 19, 2022.]</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><i><span style="font-size: large;">“There had been an incident where Mr. Kolkema had become enraged during an argument,” she said. “He was throwing water on the minor child and actually threw a bottle at the child and the same victim as this matter.” Through the investigation, Norton said prosecutors also discovered there have been multiple altercations between Kolkema and the victim that resulted in police contact in both Muskegon and Ottawa counties. “We also learned there had been an active court order prohibiting contact between these two out of Isabella County at the time of this incident,” she added. “The two individuals were not even supposed to be having a contact at the time of this incident.”</span></i></div><div>[<a href="https://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/2022/09/muskegon-judicial-candidate-headed-to-trial-for-domestic-assault.html" target="_blank">Muskegon judicial candidate headed to trial for domestic assault</a>. MLive. Sep. 19, 2022.]</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><i><span style="font-size: large;">“We already have had requests from Mr. Nolan’s office that the defendant wants to lift the no contact order so that the victim can be a part of his campaign and parades. It’s ridiculous,” she added. “I have concerns about the safety of the public and Mr. Kolkema’s ability to follow court orders.”</span></i></div><div>[<a href="https://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/2022/09/muskegon-judicial-candidate-headed-to-trial-for-domestic-assault.html" target="_blank">Muskegon judicial candidate headed to trial for domestic assault</a>. MLive. Sep. 19, 2022.]</div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic4pHQAFKwy5fVvZBiPW0hPUkw1mZcczQ4dF-DuPz9x7VxbxGxpCs_Uh520Jj4UGsyFCexbH0H2nen_WJVgxGFIay7D3e0Nw4jSLOWCQzbn-vPiuiO0dGpgkrgWLdpFXMUgJ61shCDIhRutbqS4SiKbr3WAO0Mf8OOOH5_YXMNgDkhGGzCBy-9lns4-Q/s1575/Kolkema--01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="749" data-original-width="1575" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic4pHQAFKwy5fVvZBiPW0hPUkw1mZcczQ4dF-DuPz9x7VxbxGxpCs_Uh520Jj4UGsyFCexbH0H2nen_WJVgxGFIay7D3e0Nw4jSLOWCQzbn-vPiuiO0dGpgkrgWLdpFXMUgJ61shCDIhRutbqS4SiKbr3WAO0Mf8OOOH5_YXMNgDkhGGzCBy-9lns4-Q/w640-h304/Kolkema--01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><b>Muskegon judicial candidate Jason Kolkema, facing domestic violence charges, loses race</b></span></div><div>Detroit Free Press</div><div>November 09, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/elections/2022/11/09/jason-kolkema-muskegon-county-judicial-race-election-2022/69634333007/" target="_blank">https://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/elections/2022/11/09/jason-kolkema-muskegon-county-judicial-race-election-2022/69634333007/</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzi2DZahVJtrAmfa60W8jVIOeAYjSXwCkttpZ0GBGYBi5CWck14USLfpS8OeU8Hv4JiAX6nELMo1Ln3gThl9Q' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Jason Kolkema, the judicial candidate who was captured on camera apparently whipping his girlfriend with a belt this summer, lost in a landslide election Tuesday — defeated by a woman who took 72% of the vote.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Attorney Jenny L. McNeill handily defeated Kolkema 40,834 votes to 15,880, according to Muskegon County’s election results — a victory that has many women's rights activists cheering after they fought for months to keep Kolkema off the bench.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"This is exactly what we needed," activist Lori Rasmussen said of Kolkema's defeat. She and others had spent months protesting Kolkema's candidacy, doing everything from standing on street corners with anti-Kolkema posters to calling businesses and asking them to remove Kolkema's campaign signs.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Social media was perhaps the activists' biggest tool as Facebook posts about Kolkema appeared daily, with video of the alleged beating attached.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"People really listened," Rasmussen said. "We worked really hard to get the word out there."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">She stressed: "We kept a very abusive man off the bench."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">A history of violent behavior</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Kolkema was charged with domestic violence in August after multiple witnesses captured video of what appeared to be him striking his girlfriend with a belt multiple times during an argument in his downtown Muskegon apartment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He has pleaded not guilty. He and his girlfriend have maintained that he was striking the chair, not her. On Election Day, his girlfriend — who is standing by him — posted on Facebook a photo of her ballot with the box for Kolkema filled in.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP8lbN8w271Lsr-e74fJF1BMx-3voXH55d5ARpmSD5EuBXoFPEPCbGglys8jQnOe4LpL5zwW3vWolTACMcErSoS5dupbq0DRAkjw90WNzqbE0d1CSlcCOUZbfXV7z5dlhg_bfA7w3-tR4JpqZJMaPvQXT_K_fzmXummZdQnB5VWdKK7oYSzT4mhH4a3Q/s668/Kolkema--13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="668" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP8lbN8w271Lsr-e74fJF1BMx-3voXH55d5ARpmSD5EuBXoFPEPCbGglys8jQnOe4LpL5zwW3vWolTACMcErSoS5dupbq0DRAkjw90WNzqbE0d1CSlcCOUZbfXV7z5dlhg_bfA7w3-tR4JpqZJMaPvQXT_K_fzmXummZdQnB5VWdKK7oYSzT4mhH4a3Q/s16000/Kolkema--13.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The county prosecutor said that it doesn't matter whether Kolkema hit the chair or his girlfriend with his belt; that his actions warranted domestic violence charges. A Free Press investigation also found that Kolkema has a history of behaving violently around women and children, losing his temper and violating court orders.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Kolkema and his attorney have declined multiple requests to be interviewed. He is scheduled to go on trial Nov. 21.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In a Wednesday statement sent to the Free Press, Kolkema congratulated his opponent.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"The best woman won! I would like to congratulate my opponent, Jenny McNeill, for her impressive victory," he wrote. "I have no doubt that she will make a fair judge and look forward to advocating before her on behalf of Muskegon clients."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">A promising campaign turned to ridicule</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">For women's rights activists, who argued that Kolkema is not fit to be judge or to decide the fates of battered women, Tuesday's election results came as a big relief.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Kolkema started out as the frontrunner. He won the August primary with 36% of the vote out of a pool of four candidates. His challenger took 25% in the primary, compared with the 72% she took in the general election.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The criminal charges turned what was once a promising campaign into one of mockery. Foes hung belts on his campaign signs while others blasted him on social media.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"This is the happiest morning I’ve had in a very long time!!!" one woman wrote Wednesday on Facebook, and included an attachment of Kolkema's election results.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Kolkema was running for an open, nonpartisan position on the 14th Circuit Court that became available due to the retirement of longtime Judge William Marietti.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">McNeil, a lawyer of more than 25 years and current family court referee, posted to her campaign Facebook page Wednesday morning:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"We did it! Thank you! Thank you! This win is because of all of you working with me. This win is for you."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">One commenter noted: "This was the election I cared most about ... Congratulations!"</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><b>Domestic violence arrests casts shadow over judge’s race</b></span></div><div>AP News</div><div>October 8, 2022</div><div><a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-arrests-michigan-domestic-violence-assault-ffc115b0c7a220c9b7e5c354d39c6831" target="_blank">https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-arrests-michigan-domestic-violence-assault-ffc115b0c7a220c9b7e5c354d39c6831</a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>MUSKEGON, Mich (AP) — </b>A Michigan judicial candidate is facing domestic assault charges partly based on video footage suggesting he hit his girlfriend repeatedly with a belt, prompting local domestic violence advocates to actively speak out against his candidacy.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The candidate’s girlfriend and his attorney deny that he actually struck her.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">According to the <b><a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2022/10/07/belt-whipping-girlfriend-michigan-lawyer-judge-candidate/8205486001/" target="_blank">Detroit Free Press</a></b>, Jason Kolkema was arraigned on the misdemeanor charges in mid-September. Kolkema, a 51-year-old attorney running for Muskegon County’s 14th Circuit Court judicial seat, contends he was striking a chair with a belt and not his girlfriend as suggested by the video shot by an office worker in a building neighboring Kolkema’s apartment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“I understand that the optics are bad. I understand the anger and disappointment, especially from the people who voted for me and supported me ... All of the facts will be revealed in due time,” Kolkema wrote on Facebook in response to a comment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Kolkema has declined to comment to the newspaper, instead referring questions to his girlfriend. His attorney, Terry Nolan, told WOOD-TV in September that Kolkema did not strike his girlfriend and said the incident shouldn’t disqualify him from seeking a seat on the bench.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The woman, who is not identified in the Free Press reporting, told the newspaper she was wearing a headset and that Kolkema struck the chair’s armrest to get her attention. The woman said she took some blame for the incident, writing to the Free Press that “it was rude of me to ignore him.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">The newspaper found court and police records describing earlier violent confrontations involving Kolkema and his girlfriend.</span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">One incident came two days before the videotaped belt strikes. According to Ottawa County court records, Kolkema allegedly spit at the woman’s 12-year-old daughter, threw water on them followed by a Gatorade bottle which missed them but hit a lamp.</span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: red;">Three months earlier, the woman reported to Fruitport police that Kolkema had slapped her</span>. When officers arrived, the girlfriend recanted and Kolkema told police that she “gets like this when she is drunk ... and makes things up.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The woman told the Free Press that Kolkema has never hurt her or her daughter.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“He never beat me,” she wrote. “He’s not scary or threatening as a person ... Just boisterous, animated.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Muskegon County Prosecutor D.J. Hilson, whose office charged Kolkema with misdemeanor domestic assault in the filmed Aug. 18 incident, said it doesn’t matter if Kolkema actually struck his girlfriend that day.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“Domestic violence includes violence that can either be physical, or threatened,” he told the newspaper. “Contact is not required.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Kolkema’s trial is not scheduled to begin until nearly two weeks after the Nov. 8 election. The footage and subsequent media attention have triggered intense debate in western Michigan.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“I cannot imagine a victim sitting in front of a ‘Jason Kolkema’ and asking him to protect her from an assailant,” said Muskegon resident Heather Fry, who is a domestic abuse survivor and victim’s advocate.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Whatever happened, the scene that unfolded on the video shows “a violent act meant to instill fear,” Fry said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Supporters on Kolkema’s social media pages have offered support, saying that he deserves the presumption of innocence and that his life should not be destroyed for “one mistake.”</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><b>Michigan judicial candidate caught on camera allegedly assaulting girlfriend</b></span></div><div>Detroit Free Press</div><div>October 07, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-v16HRfYrw" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-v16HRfYrw</a></div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwFy5ki2LBdBuH9Mcpknfyffjaf5uW72zp_f4doYQoWl747rKn4vmyBw2w_NUBZHHmiZmp_SIfuymy3QzkGKg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><b>Michigan lawyer running for judge caught on camera allegedly belt-whipping girlfriend</b></span></div><div>Tresa Baldas</div><div>Detroit Free Press</div><div>October 07, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2022/10/07/belt-whipping-girlfriend-michigan-lawyer-judge-candidate/8205486001/" target="_blank">https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2022/10/07/belt-whipping-girlfriend-michigan-lawyer-judge-candidate/8205486001/</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54S8-GfXUqtcQ35EhCTUF8qAKUy2s0pkAU9pu0Iq1Yh1yfP_1EThexDuMuQhEm5Rvtq3e3aUWzT5JY_xIK_aQoUXpJsm0odeeqGBADGEKznfirzFhOZSJoOjBs_KPn6Gpe23fF1jYRgLZ5FDxF_xqt4HOzhqsPbdBxMXKQxhF1WcwyASshJHmAruMew/s670/Kolkema--12a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="670" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54S8-GfXUqtcQ35EhCTUF8qAKUy2s0pkAU9pu0Iq1Yh1yfP_1EThexDuMuQhEm5Rvtq3e3aUWzT5JY_xIK_aQoUXpJsm0odeeqGBADGEKznfirzFhOZSJoOjBs_KPn6Gpe23fF1jYRgLZ5FDxF_xqt4HOzhqsPbdBxMXKQxhF1WcwyASshJHmAruMew/w640-h430/Kolkema--12a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlf6E3-UsGskGFVMqNTb3BheaWAVqY71ln6kn796xfurC93JZN8mVWt_QXXJ0sdn8Mff7hmooOkk73Gpjr3IcjAP7XJT1LA41BOitRyGBmePK2rj9qzS4zamJ_yVVzSKP1cmrS2M8rJQRveeY0HT50-s4mXSuAYQAWOf9y5lSnfa-CRMqFO2ZY92ZICQ/s674/Kolkema--12b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="459" data-original-width="674" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlf6E3-UsGskGFVMqNTb3BheaWAVqY71ln6kn796xfurC93JZN8mVWt_QXXJ0sdn8Mff7hmooOkk73Gpjr3IcjAP7XJT1LA41BOitRyGBmePK2rj9qzS4zamJ_yVVzSKP1cmrS2M8rJQRveeY0HT50-s4mXSuAYQAWOf9y5lSnfa-CRMqFO2ZY92ZICQ/w640-h436/Kolkema--12b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1SWS19cq-M5p6W6f6jP7UHiGmdaB5QEqb6px6AgpPef10fepgmWaDex4VlqLohAwMPh-Gzs9-Sj9BTijiXZaIRP4yz3PQTBUKO66v4xSroNp3bfxc0PIscccOpW4jJlJZTF5TJst7s9gKlYAa5p6DwArYoS5W5GKHYNlq_QNsNvfY07pXqxtuJavEHg/s671/Kolkema--12c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="489" data-original-width="671" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1SWS19cq-M5p6W6f6jP7UHiGmdaB5QEqb6px6AgpPef10fepgmWaDex4VlqLohAwMPh-Gzs9-Sj9BTijiXZaIRP4yz3PQTBUKO66v4xSroNp3bfxc0PIscccOpW4jJlJZTF5TJst7s9gKlYAa5p6DwArYoS5W5GKHYNlq_QNsNvfY07pXqxtuJavEHg/w640-h466/Kolkema--12c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu10aArGjSbPR_jpjjtveIvMpW3Zp-JFJuEY9zlY-WY9azQ-xYIsMb9snVRMykmbYw09AdDLEuCT_yrBsZys8xONyHYMVd_EWrv4cNVbMSiNSBmqZXqcM3lbjleQ4khS4DfdwdCfboCAkPhhgdThZ-2wxlHHvAOX4diqErehuyOgTnICpcbYK7loFHWg/s668/Kolkema--12d.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="469" data-original-width="668" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu10aArGjSbPR_jpjjtveIvMpW3Zp-JFJuEY9zlY-WY9azQ-xYIsMb9snVRMykmbYw09AdDLEuCT_yrBsZys8xONyHYMVd_EWrv4cNVbMSiNSBmqZXqcM3lbjleQ4khS4DfdwdCfboCAkPhhgdThZ-2wxlHHvAOX4diqErehuyOgTnICpcbYK7loFHWg/w640-h450/Kolkema--12d.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWoVXjuAZKVFeFoYIeEETC8yAp_2GlyL16AH0ETdELzuMpA8SRZKdt3tdvU8UdBTMBW7T_wU0uxjikL9dTg9gFfHpvQqfxIQlMjNnkMlXbhWvrbFjtkwPN86rSF4MbPrJHRyl352CeI9E_bUnKjC_kVSh62-8ywgz6ZMgnnQdTDjCNdS8F-wbE0tS_SA/s673/Kolkema--12e.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="453" data-original-width="673" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWoVXjuAZKVFeFoYIeEETC8yAp_2GlyL16AH0ETdELzuMpA8SRZKdt3tdvU8UdBTMBW7T_wU0uxjikL9dTg9gFfHpvQqfxIQlMjNnkMlXbhWvrbFjtkwPN86rSF4MbPrJHRyl352CeI9E_bUnKjC_kVSh62-8ywgz6ZMgnnQdTDjCNdS8F-wbE0tS_SA/w640-h430/Kolkema--12e.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg3_1X_qDE6o39bnr_0I6xcHy-5nn-xO90AOjm6d5Fe7ZpFZsVZRxEJf5pXtt1WZo8SQWmSQ4PRYLbqzDxLqW4TZAPM-gPQfm7dZJDUqeHm_1sCau7EGM0oZf73CpoBjKM33-VRsUV0G-SFR1Nbe0E3UvQT_NgTlLPS35mVmTquEEp7Ju0eUr4pzv_dQ/s669/Kolkema--12f.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="486" data-original-width="669" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg3_1X_qDE6o39bnr_0I6xcHy-5nn-xO90AOjm6d5Fe7ZpFZsVZRxEJf5pXtt1WZo8SQWmSQ4PRYLbqzDxLqW4TZAPM-gPQfm7dZJDUqeHm_1sCau7EGM0oZf73CpoBjKM33-VRsUV0G-SFR1Nbe0E3UvQT_NgTlLPS35mVmTquEEp7Ju0eUr4pzv_dQ/w640-h464/Kolkema--12f.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>MUSKEGON, Mich. – </b>Two weeks after winning the August primary, judicial candidate Jason Kolkema appeared to viciously whip his girlfriend with a belt during an argument in his western Michigan apartment, presumably unaware that nearby witnesses were recording the scene.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">When he noticed the onlookers from his window, the 51-year-old lawyer flashed them the peace sign, and has since claimed the video isn't what it seems: He was striking a chair with his belt, not his girlfriend, the woman and his lawyer have maintained.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But the video triggered criminal charges – and a tsunami of public outrage in the city of Muskegon, which borders Lake Michigan and is about 40 miles northwest of Grand Rapids.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In a scandalous judicial election that has stirred much debate in western Michigan, the topic of domestic violence has taken center stage as women's rights activists fight to keep Kolkema off the bench, arguing he isn't fit to be judge, especially in cases involving battered women and vulnerable children.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">'We saw what we saw'</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Kolkema, arraigned Sept. 19 on domestic violence charges, has a <span style="color: red;">history of losing his temper, behaving violently around women and children – including spitting on a 12-year-old girl – and has violated court orders, lied about his relationship with his client-girlfriend, battled an Adderall addiction and failed to pay child support</span>, according to a decade's worth of court and police records reviewed by the Free Press, part of the USA TODAY Network, and interviews with multiple people tied to him and his girlfriend.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I cannot imagine a victim sitting in front of a 'Jason Kolkema' and asking him to protect her from an assailant," said Heather Fry, a Muskegon mother, domestic abuse survivor and longtime victim's advocate who has sat with scores of victims in court seeking personal protection orders.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I'm sorry. We saw what we saw. The video is very damning," Fry said. "It was a violent act meant to instill fear."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Kolkema has declined numerous requests for comment, though has addressed the video briefly on his Facebook page, stating:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I understand that the optics are bad. I understand the anger and disappointment, especially from the people who voted for me and supported me ... All of the facts will be revealed in due time," Kolkema wrote. He was responding to a Facebook commenter who wrote: "We don't support abusers in my community."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Spitting. Shoving. Slapping.</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">On his campaign website, Kolkema portrays himself as a proud Muskegon native and accomplished lawyer who learned "compassion, empathy and the importance of service to the community" from his homemaker mother.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Court and police records tell a different story.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Two days before the belt incident, Kolkema allegedly spit on his girlfriend's 12-year-old daughter as she slept in his apartment with her mom, despite a court order that prohibited him from being around the girl. He allegedly spewed toothpaste on the girl and her mother, and then threw water on them because he was angry about a previous fight, according to Ottawa County court records. The next day, he allegedly threw a Gatorade bottle at his girlfriend and her daughter but missed and hit a lamp.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: red;">Three months earlier, Fruitport police got a call from Kolkema's girlfriend saying, "my boyfriend just slapped me."</span> When police arrived, Kolkema told an officer his girlfriend "gets like this when she is drunk ... and makes things up." The girlfriend then recanted and refused to cooperate. No charges were filed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: red;">In 2013, Kolkema's ex-wife filed a domestic assault complaint with the Fruitport police, alleging that Kolkema shoved her in the back and knocked her to the ground during an argument that occurred while she was picking up her children from his parents' house.</span> "(She) advised that her daughter was visibly upset and crying, because she had seen Jason act like this in the past," the police report states. Kolkema was uncooperative, became "defensive" and refused to answer questions without an attorney. No charges were filed due to a lack of witnesses who could "substantiate the alleged assault."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: red;">A year earlier in Ingham County, Kolkema admitted to pulling his ex-wife's hair during an argument that got out of hand, but left after she called police. </span>"(He) stated that he left the marital home before police arrived because he represents a lot of agencies which have pro-arrest policy in relation to domestic violence and was not interested in going to jail," a court filing states. No charges were filed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: red;">That same year, Kolkema triggered a Child Protective Services investigation after he left his ill 6-year-old daughter home alone to drive his older son to a location 20 minutes away. He was "counting on the child being ill and remaining asleep in bed. ... However, (the child) was found by a neighbor wandering outside, upset and looking for father.</span>" Kolkema was not charged, though a family court referee said he used "extremely poor" and "highly questionable judgment."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Girlfriend takes blame</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Contacted numerous times for comment, Kolkema's attorney Terry Nolan threatened to report the Free Press to police for harassment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Kolkema deferred comment to his girlfriend when asked whether he could explain to voters his actions in the video, stating: "I'd refer you to what the alleged victim had to say."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The victim says that she's standing by Kolkema and that she's partly to blame for what happened in the apartment that day while cellphone cameras were rolling.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Jason is a good person (and) has made a positive impact on my life in many regards," the 33-year-old girlfriend wrote the Free Press. "He's done a lot for my children and I don't think this portrayal of him is even remotely fair." The Free Press does not name domestic violence victims or alleged victims without their consent.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">According to the girlfriend, on the day in question, Kolkema was trying to get her attention to finish a conversation they had previously started, but she was on a headset and distracted. So to get her attention, she said, he struck a chair's armrest with his belt.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"It was rude of me to ignore him so I do take responsibility for that part," she wrote the Free Press, adding the campaign has "taken on a toll" on their relationship.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The woman also said that Kolkema has never hurt her or her daughter, as alleged in a court filing.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"He's not dangerous. He's never beat me. He's not scary or threatening as a person ... Just boisterous, animated – almost bouncy at times," the woman wrote, adding the video is not what it seems. "It's just not fair to him. … It looks so much worse and different than what it was."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">She also added that she and Kolkema did not start dating until February, though police and court records show the two have been romantically involved for three years. <span style="color: red;">Family members have said their relationship started while Kolkema represented her in a civil, parenting-time case involving her three children from prior relationships – all of which involved domestic violence.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Under the American Bar Association's Model Rules of Professional Responsibility, a lawyer "shall not have sexual relations with a client" unless a consensual relationship already existed when the legal representation started.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">'Papa, I'm hurted'</span></b></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">On New Year's Day, Kolkema's girlfriend's son got a black eye after getting struck by a door handle at his mom's Grand Haven home, according to an Ottawa County sheriff's report. That night, the 5-year-old boy called his grandfather.</span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: red;">"He said, 'Papa, I'm hurted. I got hit in the eye with a doorknob by mommy's boyfriend,'</span> " the grandfather told the Free Press.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">When a Child Protective Services investigator questioned Kolkema about the boy's injury, Kolkema stated that "he had no recollection" of the incident and "didn't recall" being in the house that day, even though the boy and his girlfriend said he was there.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">In the door-knob incident, police submitted charges for both Kolkema and his girlfriend, though the Ottawa County prosecutor opted not to charge the couple, concluding "this is a strange set of facts."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Meanwhile, the grandfather, who is the primary guardian of his grandson, is reeling and doesn't want Kolkema anywhere near the boy. He says that <span style="color: red;">Kolkema and his girlfriend are constantly fighting and yelling, that his grandson is harmed by their behavior, and that Kolkema and his girlfriend have repeatedly violated a court order that prohibits the boy from being on unsupervised visits with his mother.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Free Press is not naming the grandfather to avoid identifying the grandchild.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I'm just trying to give my grandson a normal life. I just want peace and normalcy for (him)," said the grandfather, adding he was also alarmed by the belt-whipping video.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">'Is this really happening?'</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It was just before noon on Aug. 18 when women working in a downtown Muskegon office building looked out their window and saw a couple arguing in The Leonard apartment building on West Western Avenue. It was the same apartment that weeks earlier had a huge Jason Kolkema campaign banner in the window.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"You could see him ranting and raving most of the morning," said one of the witnesses, a domestic abuse survivor and mother of three who has requested anonymity to protect her family's privacy. "I told my coworkers, 'I'm really getting worried. I'm going to start recording this.' "</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The arguing went on for about 40 minutes. The office workers watched as Kolkema paced the living room, waved his hands in the air, and went room to room – at one point changing out of his blue campaign T-shirt into a white dress shirt.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But eventually things got physical, the woman said, alleging she saw Kolkema grab the woman, who swung back. Then he walked away.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"He put his hands on her and we were like, 'Wow. Did that really just happen?' " recalled the witness, who decided to call the police. As she was on the phone, Kolkema pulled out the belt.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"It was insane. I thought, 'how do I help this person way over there? Is this really happening in front of my eyes?" the woman said, noting the lashings continue to haunt her.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">'You could see the belt connecting'</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"It was sick, makes you just sick to your stomach, and that's all you can think about for days and days and days," said the woman, adding she is outraged by Kolkema's claim that he hit the chair.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">"The video is not as accurate as my eyes," she said. "You could clearly see that belt connecting with her."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Police officers responded to the apartment, where they encountered a "visibly upset" woman who "had a blank stare when they were talking with her. When (she) was asked who she had an altercation with, she stated ‘Jason Kolkema’ but refused to comment on the altercation or what occurred between them,” a police affidavit says, adding officers were unable to see any injuries on the woman as she was wearing a long dress.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Like other witnesses that day, including some who recorded the incident from the street, the office worker decided to post the violent portion of the video on Facebook. To date, it has generated more than 20,500 views. She has turned over the entire 40-minute recording to police.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">'Politics plays no role in this'</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Within 24 hours of the videotaped incident, charges were filed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"My office takes the crime of domestic violence very seriously. It really doesn't matter who you are, what your background is, what – if any – influence you have or may not have," Muskegon County Prosecutor D.J. Hilson said in a Free Press interview. "When it comes to this particular time, it is a very serious issue and we will file charges when appropriate."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Kolkema was charged with misdemeanor domestic assault, punishable by up to 93 days in jail. He turned himself in and posted a $500 cash bond, and <span style="color: red;">on Thursday asked the judge to lift a no-contact order so that his girlfriend can rejoin his campaign, live with him again and help him fight what his lawyer described as "false and misleading information."</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Although the couple have garden-variety arguments, it is not a relationship that can be characterized as abusive," Kolkema's lawyer wrote in a Thursday filing, "and there is no evidence of past incidents of abuse."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Hilson said his office does not consent to the lifting of the no-contact order. An assistant prosecutor was blunt about Kolkema's request that his girlfriend be allowed to campaign.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"It's ridiculous," Assistant Prosecutor Katie Norton said during a September hearing when the request first surfaced. She told the judge that Kolkema has violated multiple court orders and can't be trusted. "I have concerns about the safety of the public, and Mr. Kolkema’s ability to follow court orders.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">During the hearing, Kolkema’s attorney claimed the case was becoming political.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Hilson disagrees.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Politics plays no role in this whatsoever," Hilson said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">As for claims that the belt hit the chair, not the girlfriend – Hilson said the law sees no difference.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Domestic violence includes violence that can either be physical, or threatened. Contact is not required," Hilson said, adding: "We're prepared to try this case if that's what Mr. Kolkema wishes."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: red;">Kolkema's trial date has been scheduled for Nov. 21 – well past the Nov. 8 election</span>. Kolkema is running for Muskegon County’s 14th Circuit Court judicial seat. He won the August primary with 36% of the vote out of a pool of four candidates. His challenger is attorney Jenny McNeill, a lawyer of more than 25 years and current family court referee. She won 25% of the vote in the primary.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">‘You got my vote’</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Against the backdrop of his pending criminal case, Kolkema is getting support from folks who believe he deserves the presumption of innocence – a constitutional right that applies to all defendants in the criminal justice system.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“Innocent until proven guilty and we only know one side of the story,” wrote one commenter.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"You got my vote," wrote another, later adding: “I know this man and he is a good man. Should one mistake ruin your life? I don’t think so, and last time I checked it takes two to tangle.” </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">One day after his arraignment, Kolkema pressed his campaign in a Facebook post: "My experience as an attorney is unmatched and I remain the best candidate to preside over the types of cases within the jurisdiction of the Circuit Court in Muskegon County."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Tresa Baldas is an award-winning courts and legal issues reporter and was named the 2020 Richard Milliman "Michigan" Journalist of the Year by the Michigan Press Association. Contact her at tbaldas@freepress.com.</span></i></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><b>Protests as judge candidate arraigned on domestic violence charge</b></span></div><div>WOOD TV News</div><div>September 19, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.woodtv.com/news/muskegon-county/protests-as-judge-candidate-arraigned-on-domestic-violence-charge/" target="_blank">https://www.woodtv.com/news/muskegon-county/protests-as-judge-candidate-arraigned-on-domestic-violence-charge/</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dymGYiqcfranC7pHTpehdDnJJtlEQiF20D4dm1ocQrBCyS173jQOl2a0b-gpe0hekQHIv_LxdymWyi2JW7S7A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyMzJ2owlo47aU-ww9EMQz8MwC8l2xh5UzEgBQR1C4_C5zsJL7iOJfypi2JxjaLtnaIeAZRCXIQlqTkWZgmiOM3lPoLpwaXJGbG9XWLcWNhNxhdDZ7KcWuc7sEz4-bsi3GBa4PG61n3PZ1gF53ckNhEVxqvigXgW46uWVm1trJehUwF72qVUygiQM6KA/s727/Kolkema--10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="206" data-original-width="727" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyMzJ2owlo47aU-ww9EMQz8MwC8l2xh5UzEgBQR1C4_C5zsJL7iOJfypi2JxjaLtnaIeAZRCXIQlqTkWZgmiOM3lPoLpwaXJGbG9XWLcWNhNxhdDZ7KcWuc7sEz4-bsi3GBa4PG61n3PZ1gF53ckNhEVxqvigXgW46uWVm1trJehUwF72qVUygiQM6KA/w640-h182/Kolkema--10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMhq0N3ISBNieGR3sxWD2MAz54QYt8UWspckrzJ9n1sLBaaklY1y4BPr0amsrKSC8bIcfVQgoUbuttunLp5d5f7BKy2dwwkg9cqQG4rtVlaNcoPZAkg8BLocpBvOupqII_OT0j9WiFN4_0X7a-qw1fYLKZyh6fCXTFkNg-J0mRDA3L0VZHwYaqfYihOQ/s743/Kolkema--11.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="455" data-original-width="743" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMhq0N3ISBNieGR3sxWD2MAz54QYt8UWspckrzJ9n1sLBaaklY1y4BPr0amsrKSC8bIcfVQgoUbuttunLp5d5f7BKy2dwwkg9cqQG4rtVlaNcoPZAkg8BLocpBvOupqII_OT0j9WiFN4_0X7a-qw1fYLKZyh6fCXTFkNg-J0mRDA3L0VZHwYaqfYihOQ/w640-h392/Kolkema--11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>MUSKEGON, Mich. (WOOD) — </b>The Muskegon County judge candidate accused of beating his girlfriend with a belt was in court for the first time on Monday.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Jason Kolkema, a 51-year-old attorney, pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor domestic violence charge. Prosecutors say witnesses recorded him in mid-August as he allegedly physically abused his girlfriend.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">If found guilty, he could face up to 93 days in jail and a $500 fine.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Both Kolkema and the girlfriend — who is defending him — say he was hitting the chair she was sitting on, not her.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In court on Monday, Assistant Prosecutor Katie Norton told the judge the couple had multiple documented altercations. In one case, Kolkema allegedly became enraged in front of his girlfriend and her child. He is accused of throwing water and a bottle at them.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Norton told the judge that Kolkema violated multiple court orders, including one that prohibited the couple from seeing each other after a domestic assault in June in Isabella County.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In that case, it was the girlfriend who allegedly tried to hit Kolkema. His girlfriend told News 8 the court orders involved her, not him, so he violated nothing.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He has been ordered to have no contact with his girlfriend as the current charge proceeds through court.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">While discussing his bond, Kolkema’s attorney, Terry Nolan, expressed concerns that it was becoming political.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Norton said it is “most certainly not political.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“We’d actually encourage the court to set this to a speedy trial so we can have a trial sooner and not push it back and make it political,” the assistant prosecutor said. “We’ve already had requests from Mr. Nolan’s office that the defendant wants to lift the no contact order so that the victim can be part of his campaign and his parades. It’s ridiculous. I have concerns about the safety of the public, and Mr. Kolkema’s ability to follow court orders.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">News 8 approached Kolkema after he entered the not guilty plea, but he declined to comment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Kolkema is running to be a judge in Muskegon County’s 14th Circuit Court. He was the top vote-getter in the August primary and will face one opponent in the Nov. 8 election.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">While the court was in session, advocates for survivors campaigned against Kolkema in front of the courthouse and across the street from the office where he was arraigned over Zoom.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“If Kolkema is elected, it will be a massive defeat. A massive sign of disrespect … to women,” protester Donna Pennington said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">One protester said Kolkema getting elected would be “dangerous.” She said the video made her “disgusted” and “horrified.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“It would be dangerous if he became judge because it would be terrible for our community and it would silence more women,” protester Kristina Forman said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“Muskegon women are strong and we don’t want to tolerate violence,” protester Ann VanderMolen told News 8. “That’s why I’m here.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It’s not yet known if the trial will happen before or after the November election.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><b>Muskegon judicial candidate headed to trial for domestic assault</b></span></div><div>MLive</div><div>Sep. 19, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/2022/09/muskegon-judicial-candidate-headed-to-trial-for-domestic-assault.html" target="_blank">https://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/2022/09/muskegon-judicial-candidate-headed-to-trial-for-domestic-assault.html</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit6NmtxZISUR2F37-rLbNbnbZJr-h9fQ2DCydOYSM8jytXpGEsNuczZYicKWDndaH7q3Z0EeME3I0CQeZYr5zrLaTIUNzW1J_2XVL2ig2jrfoEtJ5__Lj181QnvDOEbrFZVeoBIEyIEus0iSLy1pUccLs_okzcvPXwyNgQ37mY9pgeTUld-CwkSUy5AA/s595/Kolkema--09.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="497" data-original-width="595" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit6NmtxZISUR2F37-rLbNbnbZJr-h9fQ2DCydOYSM8jytXpGEsNuczZYicKWDndaH7q3Z0EeME3I0CQeZYr5zrLaTIUNzW1J_2XVL2ig2jrfoEtJ5__Lj181QnvDOEbrFZVeoBIEyIEus0iSLy1pUccLs_okzcvPXwyNgQ37mY9pgeTUld-CwkSUy5AA/w640-h534/Kolkema--09.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>MUSKEGON, MI –</b> A Muskegon County judicial candidate will stand trial for a domestic violence charge after several witnesses said they saw him assaulting a woman inside a downtown Muskegon apartment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Jason Kolkema appeared before Allegan County District Judge Joseph S. Skocelas on Monday, Sept. 19 for arraignment. Kolkema, 51, pleaded not guilty to one count of domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The lone charge, punishable by up to 93 days in jail, stems from an altercation between Kolkema and a “woman he had a dating relationship with,” court records show.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">On Aug. 18, Muskegon police were dispatched to the 200 block of West Western Avenue for a report of a domestic disturbance.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Four witnesses, some of whom were inside a business across the street, saw the assault through an apartment window, according to an affidavit for the arrest warrant. One witness said she saw the woman being struck multiple times with a belt.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The witnesses each identified the alleged assaulter as Kolkema.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">During Monday’s Zoom hearing, while addressing bond, the Muskegon County Prosecutor’s Office informed the judge of new information they received regarding incidents related to the case.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: red;">“Prior to the date of this alleged incident, there had actually been two prior court orders that prohibited Mr. Kolkema from having contact with this victim’s minor children while she was having parenting time due to the inappropriateness of their relationship,”</span> said Katie Norton, senior assistant prosecutor for the Muskegon County.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">“There was then a subsequent third order entered to another child based on the fact there were violations of that court order.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Bond was previously set at $500 cash or surety.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Norton told the judge about a separate August 2022 incident allegedly involving Kolkema and the same victim.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">“There had been an incident where Mr. Kolkema had become enraged during an argument,” she said. “He was throwing water on the minor child and actually threw a bottle at the child and the same victim as this matter.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Through the investigation, Norton said prosecutors also discovered there have been multiple altercations between Kolkema and the victim that resulted in police contact in both Muskegon and Ottawa counties.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">“We also learned there had been an active court order prohibiting contact between these two out of Isabella County at the time of this incident,” she added. “The two individuals were not even supposed to be having a contact at the time of this incident.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Terry J. Nolan, Kolkema’s attorney, said in response, that he was aware of a no contact provision for the victim with his client. However, Kolkema was not under any order to not have contact with the victim.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“Bond is to ensure his appearance and I think Jason’s going to appear for every court matter,” Nolan said while arguing for no changes to Kolkema’s bond.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Nolan said he had no doubt his client would appear for all court appearances.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“I’m unaware of the other issues brought up,” he said in reference to the prosecutor’s allegations. " … He’s running for (Muskegon County) circuit court judge and so I do fear some political ramifications.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Norton rebutted, saying, “This is most certainly not political.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“We are treating this no differently than any other case,” she said. “We would encourage the court to set this for a speedy trial so we can have a trial sooner and not push it back and make it political.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">“We already have had requests from Mr. Nolan’s office that the defendant wants to lift the no contact order so that the victim can be a part of his campaign and parades. It’s ridiculous,” she added. “I have concerns about the safety of the public and Mr. Kolkema’s ability to follow court orders.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The judge ordered bond continue as is, but noted that Kolkema is to have no contact with the victim. A trial date was not immediately scheduled.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Kolkema will face candidate Jenny L. McNeill in the Nov. 8 general election for the open Muskegon County Circuit Court judge position.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Skocelas is presiding over the case after Muskegon County judges recused themselves, court records state.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><b>Muskegon Co. judge candidate pleads not guilty in domestic case, prosecutors allege abusive history</b></span></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;">Jason Kolkema has continued to campaign since his August arrest. He will remain on the ballot in November</span></div><div>WZZM News</div><div>September 19, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.wzzm13.com/article/news/local/muskegon/muskegon-county-judge-candidate-pleads-not-guilty-in-domestic-case-prosecutors-allege-abusive-history/69-57642cfc-cbd7-4386-a164-d6a5c46c214c" target="_blank">https://www.wzzm13.com/article/news/local/muskegon/muskegon-county-judge-candidate-pleads-not-guilty-in-domestic-case-prosecutors-allege-abusive-history/69-57642cfc-cbd7-4386-a164-d6a5c46c214c</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzGRlyUWoeelGepa0-NNAlZh54kGNMiRqlJFp_0hCZEhzkxDu4eiq369hE_cfj4nF-bXGw4dTD5Y0VoelFuhg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>MUSKEGON, Mich. — </b>Muskegon-Area Attorney and Circuit Court Judge Candidate Jason Kolkema said only a few words during one of his first appearances in court Monday morning.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It followed his arrest in mid-August after witnesses reported watching Kolkema beat his girlfriend behind closed doors.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“Do you wish to enter a plea of not guilty or guilty to this charge?” The judge asked.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Kolkema entered a ‘not guilty’ plea during his remote arraignment Monday.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The domestic violence charge against the candidate stemmed from witness reports of an interaction between Kolkema and a woman.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Witnesses, several of whom recorded the interaction, described Kolkema beating his girlfriend with a belt through the floor to ceiling windows of the apartment he rented at the Leonard on Western Avenue in mid-August. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In a video shared with 13 ON YOUR SIDE, the woman appeared to recoil as the belt made contact. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It’s what witnesses allegedly could not see that prompted Kolkema’s attorney to suggest that the candidate had in fact hit a chair out of frustration and not the victim. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Based upon a probable cause affidavit from prior to his arrest, investigators said they couldn’t know whether the victim had suffered injuries because of the long dress she wore when they entered the apartment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Police later described the victim as visibly upset with ‘a blank stare.’</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“Some additional information that has come to light that we do feel the court needs to hear in order to set both an appropriate type of bond, and additional bond conditions if necessary,” the prosecution interjected.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">The additional information referenced stemmed from custody arrangements with several of the victim’s minor children, agreements preventing Kolkema from having contact during her parenting time.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">They alleged Kolkema had violated the orders on several occasions.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The prosecution went on into detail what appeared to be several allegations of child abuse tied to a previous case. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">“Mr. Kolkema had become enraged during an argument he was throwing water on the minor child and actually threw a bottle at the child and the same victim as this matter,” they said.</span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Court documents obtained by 13 ON YOUR SIDE detailed another alleged incident involving one of the victim’s children and a door knob.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">No charges in that case were ever filed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“My client was not under any order to not have contact with the victim. I'm unaware of the other issues she brought up,” Nolan responded. “My client has no record. My client has never been brought before a tribunal.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I hope it's not turning political," Nolan said. "You know, first of all bond is to ensure his appearance. And I think Jason is going to appear for every court matter. He's running for circuit court judge here. And so I do fear some political ramifications."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"This is most certainly not political," prosecutors countered. "This is exactly the position that I'm in day to day is dealing with domestic violence cases. And when I become aware of new information that I think that the judge should hear. We're treating this no differently than any other case."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">As the candidate prepared to face trial, Kolkema’s campaign for circuit court judge continued this week.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“We need to make sure that he doesn't get there,” Lori Rasumussen related.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Rasmussen, who led a demonstration in front of the 60th District Court Building Monday said the proceedings underscored the stand she had taken against domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Muskegon-area attorney secured more votes than the three other candidates vying for the same position in the August primary and will remain on the ballot in November.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"With name recognition, when you get to the ballot box and you don't know what's going on, it's very possible that you just choose a name that you know,” Rasmussen shared her concerns.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“We need to make a statement that we cannot tolerate this,” Ann VanderMolen added. “And unfortunately, this was just such a public event.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">If convicted, Kolkema stands to face 93 days in jail and/or a $500 fine.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">His next court appearance—a pre-trial conference—will be scheduled by the 60th District Court.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><b>Lawyer: Video does not show judge candidate beating girlfriend</b></span></div><div>Wood TV News</div><div>September 13, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.woodtv.com/news/target-8/lawyer-video-does-not-show-judge-candidate-beating-girlfriend/" target="_blank">https://www.woodtv.com/news/target-8/lawyer-video-does-not-show-judge-candidate-beating-girlfriend/</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOUfTZ_4iShS4i7eZ72_EhOImCy4Ue0SD47QFTMtYBsuXdy2Fs-bNAjfsQcxHuAfHBFFqZBULNtEfZrX6KVCcq7DoT-waEIBSVD0HfJdmN-13nxLmPaaAOiuKUMvz2SAc_74ZzJLMvJXUUDWfeMw9b_WkEupHelWMAIlMCUtJ_VnUi8O7OVJ_sIGDY4A/s456/Kolkema--06.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="306" data-original-width="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOUfTZ_4iShS4i7eZ72_EhOImCy4Ue0SD47QFTMtYBsuXdy2Fs-bNAjfsQcxHuAfHBFFqZBULNtEfZrX6KVCcq7DoT-waEIBSVD0HfJdmN-13nxLmPaaAOiuKUMvz2SAc_74ZzJLMvJXUUDWfeMw9b_WkEupHelWMAIlMCUtJ_VnUi8O7OVJ_sIGDY4A/s16000/Kolkema--06.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy0AU-yE7eapmhMDGWY1LLEeqdmiroyyNMseyPanPyytJOCG-7VaLTArzMEPeRD2KVu9zDrRLkcAQJTQmhL3A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>MUSKEGON, Mich. (WOOD) — </b>The defense attorney for a Muskegon County judge candidate says video does not show Jason Kolkema beating his girlfriend with a belt but rather Kolkema hitting some furniture next to her.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Terry Nolan, Kolkema’s attorney, told Target 8 that the two were arguing and that Kolkema used his belt to strike the chair next to where the woman was sitting. He said Kolkema and the girlfriend say no contact was made.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Kolkema, an attorney himself, is scheduled to be arraigned on a domestic violence charge on Sept. 19. The charge was issued last month after witnesses said they had seen the alleged assault taking place through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Kolkema’s Muskegon apartment. At least two people recorded video of it.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Nolan said the video is “not what it appears to be.” The girlfriend can be seen reacting after the belt strikes, but Nolan argued that is an involuntary flinch away in surprise when she heard the belt hit the chair. He said she did not suffer any injuries.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In the probable cause affidavit that supported Kolkema’s arrest on a domestic violence charge, it was noted that “officers were not able to see any injuries on (Kolkema’s girlfriend) since she was wearing a long dress.” </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">According to the affidavit, Muskegon police were dispatched on Aug. 18 to an address near The Leonard, the apartment building on West Western Avenue where Kolkema resides.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“Once on scene, officers came in contact with a witness who informed them that she witnessed a woman being struck multiple times with a belt inside the Leonard Apartments,” wrote an officer in the affidavit. “Officers were able to make contact with (3) other witnesses … who informed them that they also witnessed the incident. Witnesses were able to identify the subject striking the woman as Jason David Kolkema.” </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The affidavit went on to describe officers’ interaction with Kolkema’s girlfriend.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“Officers noted in their report that (she) was visibly upset and had a blank stare when they were talking with her. When (she) was asked who she had an altercation with, she stated ‘Jason Kolkema’ but refused to comment on the altercation or what occurred between them,” the affidavit says.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But Nolan, Kolkema’s attorney, said witnesses had no way of knowing what was actually occurring between the couple. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“You have to know what’s going on in the apartment and you don’t,” he said. “What it appears from a 100 feet across the street, two floors down, is not what’s going on in the apartment.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He said after the movement of the belt, both Kolkema and his girlfriend can be seen in the video waving and giving a thumbs up to indicate everything is OK.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Nolan said Kolkema’s girlfriend has reached out to him and said Kolkema wasn’t beating her, isn’t an abuser and that she has never been afraid of him.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“I don’t even think she took this that seriously,” Nolan said. “She thinks he’s a good man, thinks he’d be a great circuit court judge.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Kolkema is running to be a judge in Muskegon County’s 14th Circuit Court. He was the top vote-getter in the August primary and will face one opponent in the Nov. 8 election.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“He can’t come off the ballot,” said Lori Rassmussen, who used to run the Every Woman’s Place domestic abuse shelter Muskegon and now administers the Muskegon Against Domestic Violence Facebook page. “He’s not going to come off the ballot. So an uninformed voter could get there and still vote for him just by name recognition alone. That’s my concern.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Nolan said his client, who is in his 50s, has never been arrested before nor charged with a crime. He said the video shows his client simply expressing human feelings.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“This experience is probably going to help him in terms of being a judge, not hurt him,” Nolan said. “I think it helps him, going through the system and seeing what that’s like.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“He’s just an everyday guy and these things happen to everyday people,” Nolan said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Pressed on whether he was suggesting that “everyday guys” abuse their loved ones, Nolan said, “No, I’m saying everyday guys are subject to being charged with domestic violence. I believe that to be true. I think this could happen to almost anybody.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“Do I think it makes him look bad? Yeah,” he added. “I think it makes him look bad. Do I think it disqualifies him? No, I don’t think it should disqualify him.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“The average person doesn’t get arrested for domestic violence,” Rassmussen retorted.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Rassmussen said as a prospective judge, Kolkema should be held to a high standard.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“We’re going to expect that you’re not involved in violent altercations and abusing your partner,” she said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">She also argued it doesn’t matter whether Kolkema actually struck his partner.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“Any time you’re using a weapon in the direction of somebody, you’re using it for the sake of intimidation and power and control,” she said. “It’s all domestic violence whether it struck her actually or was next to her on the couch.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A court record from a child custody case involving Kolkema’s girlfriend detailed an additional alleged argument between the couple. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">According to the family court document filed Sept. 6th, Kolkema and his girlfriend argued in front of the girlfriend’s child in mid-August.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“The argument that started in the evening resumed the next morning when Jason Kolkema is alleged to have been spitting toothpaste on (his girlfriend and her child) … Kolkema, while angry with (his girlfriend) is alleged to have been throwing water on both of them,” wrote an attorney for the father of Kolkema’s girlfriend’s child.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“Jason Kolkema became upset with (his girlfriend) and threw a Gatorade bottle in the direction of (his girlfriend and her child), however, the bottle missed them and hit a glass,” continued the attorney. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The state of Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission is the entity that investigates and disciplines attorneys who violate the rules of professional conduct. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Michael Goetz, the grievance administrator, told News 8 the commission cannot confirm nor deny the existence of any investigation.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission, which oversees the conduct of judges, is also precluded from disclosing information on any inquiries. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Lynn Helland of the JTC told News 8 the commission can investigate a judge’s conduct prior to his or her election to the bench, but only if the issue has not been addressed by the grievance commission.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Helland said if the commission determines a judge has violated rules of conduct, disciplinary action can range from a private, cautionary admonition to public censure, suspension or removal from the bench. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Michigan Supreme Court would rule on the censure, suspension or removal at the request of the Judicial Tenure Commission. </span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><b>Domestic violence charge makes judicial candidate even more qualified, attorney says</b></span></div><div>MLive</div><div>September 09, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/2022/09/domestic-violence-charge-makes-judicial-candidate-even-more-qualified-attorney-says.html" target="_blank">https://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/2022/09/domestic-violence-charge-makes-judicial-candidate-even-more-qualified-attorney-says.html</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH3u8c5I5yMb-_8R2BeTcwB5QEit3PatC1le_5nw0YxIvbcI9ehSulWLRrUXNrkoB247jBUxiui4l8R1eEXnf8A6gKbl9uobAzhxiqcPl2hcsggkmV-x8r49i47LmWxb0wmcj5p2yo5y_2PMPP9XNpHAl2HVe3LkoQtFMTL1H8VgkQTUWeJ3SDH1azVA/s611/Kolkema--07.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="462" data-original-width="611" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH3u8c5I5yMb-_8R2BeTcwB5QEit3PatC1le_5nw0YxIvbcI9ehSulWLRrUXNrkoB247jBUxiui4l8R1eEXnf8A6gKbl9uobAzhxiqcPl2hcsggkmV-x8r49i47LmWxb0wmcj5p2yo5y_2PMPP9XNpHAl2HVe3LkoQtFMTL1H8VgkQTUWeJ3SDH1azVA/w640-h484/Kolkema--07.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>MUSKEGON COUNTY, MI – </b>A judicial candidate is even more qualified to sit on the bench now that he’s been arrested for domestic violence, according to a Thursday statement released by his attorney.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Muskegon attorney Jason Kolkema, a candidate for 14th Circuit judge, was arrested after several witnesses said they saw him assaulting a woman inside a downtown Muskegon apartment on Aug. 18.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Kolkema’s attorney, Terry Nolan, sent a statement to MLive/Muskegon Chronicle on Thursday, Sept. 8, that says there was “no intentional physical contact” during the incident he termed “simply a private argument.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Kolkema has been charged with misdemeanor domestic assault, punishable by up to 93 days in jail, involving a woman with whom he’s had a “dating relationship,” according to court records.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He will enter a not guilty plea on Sept. 19, according to Nolan.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“Jason’s campaign has been based on presenting himself as an ‘everyday man’ who understands those facing the legal system and he’ll count this experience as something he believes will help him further understand the plight of those who go before him,” Nolan’s statement says.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Kolkema will face Jenny L. McNeill in the Nov. 8 general election for the Muskegon County circuit court judgeship.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Kolkema, 51, was charged after several people witnessed the alleged assault through an apartment window, according to an affidavit for the arrest warrant.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Four witnesses, some of whom were inside a business across the street, identified the man striking a woman as Kolkema, the affidavit states. One said she saw the woman being struck multiple times with a belt, according to the affidavit.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Police noted in the affidavit that videos of the incident were circulating online.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Nolan’s statement speaks not only on Kolkema’s behalf, but apparently on the victim’s as well. The statement names the alleged victim, but MLive/Muskegon Chronicle has a policy of not naming victims or alleged victims of domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“(The victim) insists she had no fear of Jason nor has she ever had any fear of him,” reads Nolan’s statement. “(She) believes Jason is a ‘good man.’”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The statement goes on to say that she “is behind Jason one hundred percent and believes Muskegon County will be best served if he is elected Circuit Court Judge.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">MLive/Muskegon Chronicle has not been able to speak directly to the alleged victim about the statement released or the incident.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“Both parties insist that no intentional physical contact took place and the lack of any injuries proves same,” Nolan’s statement says.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">When asked to comment on Nolan’s statement, Muskegon County Prosecutor D.J. Hilson responded in an email that he couldn’t discuss evidence in the case and stressed that “the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“However, sufficient evidence has been presented to the Court to support a charge of domestic violence,” Hilson wrote.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Kolkema as well as his victim “apologize” to their families, friends and Kolkema’s supporters, Nolan said in his statement.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Nolan ends his statement by saying, “Hopefully, the court of public opinion will allow him to have his day in court.”</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><b>Muskegon judicial candidate allegedly hit woman multiple times with a belt, records show</b></span></div><div>MLive</div><div>August 24, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/2022/08/muskegon-judicial-candidate-allegedly-hit-woman-multiple-times-with-a-belt-records-show.html" target="_blank">https://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/2022/08/muskegon-judicial-candidate-allegedly-hit-woman-multiple-times-with-a-belt-records-show.html</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNcH9_XgkYbaQUnMdZAzrKSS0IFBHnWOHHm8XhSD6F-qWY8fLtmbY6i18hCvywp94ZGk1Q34gP0zD6EmIDZrPzQE-1r43miYh056yDssK4gViJSZSxSagqR9Q_CUk2kLeqLnMndsLVWLwNXLUWOTl47XBPLBvatPzaP__xDxjDW5KMQZllElGF58bRVQ/s610/Kolkema--04.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNcH9_XgkYbaQUnMdZAzrKSS0IFBHnWOHHm8XhSD6F-qWY8fLtmbY6i18hCvywp94ZGk1Q34gP0zD6EmIDZrPzQE-1r43miYh056yDssK4gViJSZSxSagqR9Q_CUk2kLeqLnMndsLVWLwNXLUWOTl47XBPLBvatPzaP__xDxjDW5KMQZllElGF58bRVQ/s16000/Kolkema--04.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>MUSKEGON, MI –</b> Witnesses told police they saw a man, later identified as a Muskegon-based attorney, strike a woman with a belt multiple times, court records show.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Those four witnesses each identified the man as 51-year-old Jason Kolkema, an attorney running to become a Muskegon County Circuit Court judge, according to an affidavit for arrest warrant obtained by MLive/Muskegon Chronicle.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Kolkema is charged with one count of domestic violence stemming from an Aug. 18 altercation with a “woman he had a dating relationship with,” records state. Kolkema is scheduled to appear for arraignment on Wednesday, Aug. 31, in Muskegon County District Court.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Kolkema will face candidate Jenny L. McNeill in the Nov. 8 general election for the open judge’s position.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In connection to Kolkema’s arrest, on Aug. 18, Muskegon police were initially dispatched to the 200 block of West Western Avenue for a report of a domestic disturbance.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Once on scene, officers came into contact with one witness who informed police she witnessed a woman being struck multiple times with a belt inside The Leonard apartments, the affidavit states.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Officers then spoke with three additional witnesses at Rootdown – a business located across the street from the apartment – who informed police they also witnessed the incident.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">All four witnesses identified the man striking the woman as Kolkema, the affidavit states.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Once at the apartment, police spoke with the victim and noted in their report that she was visibly upset and had a blank stare when police were talking with her.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">When police asked the victim who she had an altercation with, she said, “Jason Kolkema,” but refused to comment on the altercation or what occurred between them, according to the affidavit.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The victim gave officers consent to search the residence. Police located a belt on the bedroom floor. Kolkema was not located inside the apartment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Officers did not see any injuries on the victim because she was wearing a long dress, the affidavit states.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Police noted in the affidavit that videos of the incident are circulating online.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">When contacted by MLive/Muskegon Chronicle for comment about witnesses’ allegations, Kolkema said, “You’ll have to talk to my lawyer.” The call then disconnected.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Kolkema’s attorney, Terry J. Nolan, could not be reached for comment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Domestic violence is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 93 days in jail. As of Wednesday, Aug. 24, Kolkema remains free on bond.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><b>Candidate for Muskegon County Circuit Court Judge charged with domestic violence</b></span></div><div>ABC News</div><div>August 19, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFu1kc1imgs" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFu1kc1imgs</a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Jason Kolkema is charged with assault and battery (domestic violence) after a video surfaced online of him allegedly assaulting someone.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dykUyer70vTTcvKQj5Cyi-GmMnWGI5R3I4xPcK0EpwomlAG-iicV2nasyp5ctcTZWdfsXBysBCEJ6wNpzX-Xw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><b>Candidate for Muskegon County Circuit Court Judge charged with domestic violence</b></span></div><div>ABC News</div><div>August 19, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTLrKbslo0c" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTLrKbslo0c</a></div><div>Jason Kolkema, 51, an attorney, was charged with assault and battery, domestic violence by the 60th District Court in Muskegon after a video circulated online.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://bit.ly/3T5IXw8" target="_blank">READ MORE HERE</a></div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzqbCDsBkCRlmlj1Y5PKFYlf1AOshq0fwZfAiYDojV3s6tBmeU3XdJ-4FgZPwYkfPH4wAptQChwpJOXUjUufQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><b>Muskegon judicial candidate charged with domestic violence</b></span></div><div>Wood TV8 News</div><div>August 19, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwXI18p3KA4" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwXI18p3KA4</a></div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwm9hQ0uCkHTG7twYM95siQXbHGn__zykVUJb2vYo_yCBhdV_xq2w8o_cMzLPkGvyhLh0ySJSLgelDFxmvQNQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><b>Muskegon judicial candidate charged with domestic violence</b></span></div><div>WOOD TV News</div><div>August 19, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.woodtv.com/news/muskegon-county/muskegon-judicial-candidate-charged-with-domestic-violence/" target="_blank">https://www.woodtv.com/news/muskegon-county/muskegon-judicial-candidate-charged-with-domestic-violence/</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMedFfZ2rbeAHrAQO0FCeET41uzdWf4ysH-Tr9O0_cQypB1XBTe8TrkdLmRs5L-GvaUjrdw5WCGMWcBmLn9sRKq2g8PfWESyURccRwnj5FMbLYVz5uOmOuu4hxOsr-T9xLco4tpSyNnVfdKcksI4oB7Lr9IPaB67KE3kbo5mCCE4Ow3vpv5fzff2hsbg/s760/Kolkema--05a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="464" data-original-width="760" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMedFfZ2rbeAHrAQO0FCeET41uzdWf4ysH-Tr9O0_cQypB1XBTe8TrkdLmRs5L-GvaUjrdw5WCGMWcBmLn9sRKq2g8PfWESyURccRwnj5FMbLYVz5uOmOuu4hxOsr-T9xLco4tpSyNnVfdKcksI4oB7Lr9IPaB67KE3kbo5mCCE4Ow3vpv5fzff2hsbg/s16000/Kolkema--05a.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgslngCYE2PK_VUZL3PLgy88tnad_D_t1OjiaK8CqyxIYzuA3K6QgBH-coMH5dKeRyEUrDHxny0llcF8kg_VYKWXXaTSRQKQ36dVckvSlK1trgvN-QqxBlYe0_2f1KoITvPBHbnHrGJMLJrMZbQrbfdXaTw__3OYJGSSIU5vjmohOlWcPcTmDnEgrBOhQ/s751/Kolkema--05b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="459" data-original-width="751" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgslngCYE2PK_VUZL3PLgy88tnad_D_t1OjiaK8CqyxIYzuA3K6QgBH-coMH5dKeRyEUrDHxny0llcF8kg_VYKWXXaTSRQKQ36dVckvSlK1trgvN-QqxBlYe0_2f1KoITvPBHbnHrGJMLJrMZbQrbfdXaTw__3OYJGSSIU5vjmohOlWcPcTmDnEgrBOhQ/s16000/Kolkema--05b.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>MUSKEGON, Mich. (WOOD) —</b> A candidate for Muskegon County’s 14th Circuit Court has been charged with domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">On Friday, the Muskegon County Prosecutor’s Office said it was made aware of an alleged domestic violence incident involving Jason Kolkema.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">According to Matt Roberts, chief trial attorney for Muskegon County, said witnesses saw the alleged beating taking place through the window of an apartment where Kolkema lives on W. Western Avenue near First Street. The witnesses called Muskegon police who responded to investigate.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">At least two people videotaped the incident. The prosecutor’s office is looking for more witnesses or videos of the incident.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Kolkema has since been charged with one count of domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“Domestic violence is an extremely serious matter and our office is committed to making sure that justice is served,” Muskegon County Prosecutor DJ Hilson said in a press release.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Kolkema turned himself in, Roberts said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Court records show he posted a $500 cash bond.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He is scheduled to be arraigned on Aug. 31 at 11 a.m.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Kolkema won the August primary election. The midterm election is Nov. 8.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Anyone who heard or saw or may have video evidence is asked to call Detective Alamillo at 724.6762 or the Muskegon County Prosecutor’s Office at 231.724.6435.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><b>Candidate for Muskegon County Circuit Court Judge charged with domestic violence</b></span></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;">Jason Kolkema is charged with assault and battery (domestic violence) after a video of the assault surfaced online</span></div><div>13 ON YOUR SIDE </div><div>August 19, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.wzzm13.com/article/news/investigations/candidate-muskegon-county-circuit-court-judge-charged-domestic-violence/69-b6af7af4-0dbe-4dd2-94e4-90872089f1ca" target="_blank">https://www.wzzm13.com/article/news/investigations/candidate-muskegon-county-circuit-court-judge-charged-domestic-violence/69-b6af7af4-0dbe-4dd2-94e4-90872089f1ca</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOhvaDBAQCZ05iwFm5Gjg1cPaoDNKRX8QZG6GgxjrsdmRHanhebL3Dk3pO3Gh7Eh-WDi1qlgG_8lcOyiQv7OUxBvoitQ897bDSfh0wAI3C6YkqJfNSsQdNyXJ5ibFoYjMMQJy_mRQsxoWJ054jnLxOcVNctVb5GsDN9JOnojvg7KQWyzy6T_ebYIBKCg/s766/Kolkema--02.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="511" data-original-width="766" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOhvaDBAQCZ05iwFm5Gjg1cPaoDNKRX8QZG6GgxjrsdmRHanhebL3Dk3pO3Gh7Eh-WDi1qlgG_8lcOyiQv7OUxBvoitQ897bDSfh0wAI3C6YkqJfNSsQdNyXJ5ibFoYjMMQJy_mRQsxoWJ054jnLxOcVNctVb5GsDN9JOnojvg7KQWyzy6T_ebYIBKCg/s16000/Kolkema--02.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>MUSKEGON, Mich. — </b>Charges have been filed against a candidate for Muskegon County Circuit Court Judge.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Jason Kolkema, 51, an attorney, was charged with assault and battery, domestic violence by the 60th District Court in Muskegon after a video circulated online.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"We remind the public that a criminal charge is merely an accusation and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty," Muskegon County Prosecutor DJ Hilson. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The prosecutor's office says the incident happened inside 292 West Western around noon on Thursday. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A video surfaced on social media and allegedly shows who multiple witnesses identified as Kolkema repeatedly striking another person with an object. The video was taken by a witness through the window of The Leonard Building in Muskegon.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">13 ON YOUR SIDE has made the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFu1kc1imgs" target="_blank"><b>decision to not post the video in full onlin</b>e</a> because we recognize it can be triggering for some viewers. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The witness who shot the video wishes to remain anonymous.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In an interview with 13 ON YOUR SIDE, the witness says that they were ordering lunch nearby when they noticed the assault occurring. The witness then began to film the incident and decided later to post it online.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I feel like a lot of times stuff like this happens and nothing gets done about it and people just get away with it. So I feel like the more I can get it out there, the more people can act on it and there'll be more action on it," the witness said about their decision to post the video.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Multiple other witnesses also say they witnessed the assault and have identified the assailant as Jason Kolkema.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">When talking to the witness that filmed the incident, they noted that the parties in the video noticed them filming, Kolkema allegedly walked to the window and gave a "peace sign" then walked away.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">When 13 ON YOUR SIDE reached out for comment, Kolkema said "I do not have any comment. I've been advised not to make a statement right now, but my attorney was working on something."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">When asked to confirm whether or not Kolkema was in the video, he replied with "no comment."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Kolkema was arrested by the police on Friday and was released on a $500 bond.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Kolkema is running for 14th Circuit Court Judge and is currently an attorney at his law firm, Kolkema Law.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Investigators are asking anyone with video evidence to call Detective Alamillo at 724-6762 or the Muskegon County Prosecutor’s office at 231-724-6435.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><b>Attorney running for judge in Muskegon charged with domestic violence</b></span></div><div>MLive</div><div>August 19, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/2022/08/attorney-running-for-judge-in-muskegon-charged-with-domestic-violence.html" target="_blank">https://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/2022/08/attorney-running-for-judge-in-muskegon-charged-with-domestic-violence.html</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifJO32fsd5PxoHSDFrs62faVHXGit93HFVqSm3v9X7eDJlpr_EsUbmqcFe2EXAEX8lSnIoXoEvb6gaGgoOCn10fnCofk3ft7E_eo-HwqlLVUiL2L0pEFcVOrNlGb6MP-XSZr-99iL0X3H7gdbclb9fIp1Xrll_jOvS1wOmwo9aLN4-5_NmyLWJzorTxA/s728/Kolkema--03.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="728" data-original-width="549" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifJO32fsd5PxoHSDFrs62faVHXGit93HFVqSm3v9X7eDJlpr_EsUbmqcFe2EXAEX8lSnIoXoEvb6gaGgoOCn10fnCofk3ft7E_eo-HwqlLVUiL2L0pEFcVOrNlGb6MP-XSZr-99iL0X3H7gdbclb9fIp1Xrll_jOvS1wOmwo9aLN4-5_NmyLWJzorTxA/s16000/Kolkema--03.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>MUKSEGON, MI – </b>A Muskegon attorney running for circuit judge has been charged with domestic violence following an incident on Thursday.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Jason Kolkema has been charged with domestic assault, according to a press release issued by the Muskegon County Prosecutor’s Office on Friday, Aug. 19</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The alleged incident occurred inside 292 W. Western Avenue in downtown Muskegon around 11:55 a.m. Aug. 18, according to the press release. The address is The Leonard apartment building.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“We have been working with police who have been conducting a thorough investigation to obtain any evidence of this incident including any video evidence,” the press release states.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Video shot through a window purporting to show the alleged attack has been circulating on Facebook. When contacted Friday morning about the Facebook accusations, Kolkema told MLive/The Muskegon Chronicle he had no comment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The prosecutor’s office asked for any witnesses or those with video evidence to contact the detective bureau at the Muskegon Police Department at 231-724-6762 or the prosecutor’s office at 231-724-6435.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The assault and battery domestic violence charge is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 93 days in jail. Kolkema posted a $500 bond Friday and his arraignment has been scheduled for Aug. 31, according to Muskegon County District Court records.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Kolkema was one of the top two vote-getters in a four-way primary election on Aug. 2 for an open judgeship on the 14th Circuit Court.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Jenny L. McNeill was the other top vote-getter and the two are to face off in the November general election.</span></div></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>------------------------</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><b>Jason Kolkema for Judge</b></span></div><div><a href="https://kolkema4judge.com/" target="_blank">https://kolkema4judge.com/</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic4pHQAFKwy5fVvZBiPW0hPUkw1mZcczQ4dF-DuPz9x7VxbxGxpCs_Uh520Jj4UGsyFCexbH0H2nen_WJVgxGFIay7D3e0Nw4jSLOWCQzbn-vPiuiO0dGpgkrgWLdpFXMUgJ61shCDIhRutbqS4SiKbr3WAO0Mf8OOOH5_YXMNgDkhGGzCBy-9lns4-Q/s1575/Kolkema--01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="749" data-original-width="1575" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic4pHQAFKwy5fVvZBiPW0hPUkw1mZcczQ4dF-DuPz9x7VxbxGxpCs_Uh520Jj4UGsyFCexbH0H2nen_WJVgxGFIay7D3e0Nw4jSLOWCQzbn-vPiuiO0dGpgkrgWLdpFXMUgJ61shCDIhRutbqS4SiKbr3WAO0Mf8OOOH5_YXMNgDkhGGzCBy-9lns4-Q/w640-h304/Kolkema--01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">FROM MUSKEGON FOR MUSKEGON</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Jason Kolkema was born and raised in Muskegon. He grew up in the Village of Fruitport along with his 6 siblings, most of whom still work, live, and are active in the Muskegon community. His father worked owned a sheet metal shop where Jason worked from a young age. His father taught him the virtues of hard work and enterprise. His mother, who was the youngest of 9 Tardani children is also from the City of Muskegon. As a homemaker who held the family together when his father was working, she taught him compassion, empathy, and the importance of service to the community.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Jason has 3 children of his own: his oldest son, Logan, who recently turned 26; his 21-year-old son, Max, who was recently accepted into the Eli Broad College of Business at MSU where he is studying supply chain management; and his 14-year-old daughter, Estella, who is a brilliant artist and is attending high school.</span></div><div><a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/madeinmuskegon?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZVOjmcDi4lyxW5ViVUDHNU0_zGt40OgmfkkmkDoUhkddO_1MDdoaOWzVUI7rplb3yKxP_V8lyCGpKYO0gyNfNw8ovfPHLQ8tb348m_6KlmuFbKZ-qdWF2AqYTq-O8nUuz0&__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">#madeinmuskegon</span></a></div><div><a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/kolkema4judge?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZVOjmcDi4lyxW5ViVUDHNU0_zGt40OgmfkkmkDoUhkddO_1MDdoaOWzVUI7rplb3yKxP_V8lyCGpKYO0gyNfNw8ovfPHLQ8tb348m_6KlmuFbKZ-qdWF2AqYTq-O8nUuz0&__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">#kolkema4judge</span></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>QUALIFICATIONS</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>WORK</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Jason worked for a municipal defense law firm in Lansing representing municipalities – primarily cities, charter townships, counties, and community mental health authorities – and their employees in civil litigation in both the Michigan and federal courts. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He served as a due process hearing officer receiving appointments from the Michigan Department of Education in disputes between parents and school districts from 1999-2007. He personally presided over dozens of due process hearing requests throughout Michigan, four of which ultimately resulted in the issuance of a decision and order.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In total, 25 years of experience as an attorney handling all types of criminal and civil cases within the jurisdiction of the Circuit Court. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>VOLUNTEER</b></span></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Village of Fruitport, Village Council Member (May 2015 - Nov. 2016)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Village of Fruitport, Planning Commission (Jan. 2015 - Nov. 2016)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Ingham County Circuit Court, Case Evaluator (2003 - 2013)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Shiawassee County Circuit Court, Case Evaluator (2002 - 2013)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The City of East Lansing, Zoning Board of Appeals (2003 - 2008)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Autism Society of Michigan, Board of Directors (1998 - 2002) </span></div></blockquote><div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>EDUCATION</b></span></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Fruitport High School (1989)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Michigan State University (1992)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">University of Detroit-Mercy School of Law (1996) </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Bachelor's degree in Anthropology and Political Science (MSU) </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Juris Doctor degree (U of D-M) </span></div></blockquote><div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>SHOW SUPPORT FOR JASON KOLKEMA</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Donate to Jason Kolkema's campaign for Circuit Court Judge or show your support with a yard sign. All donations are appreciated.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">If you'd like to make a monetary donation the information is below.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Thank you in advance. We'll see you on August 2nd!</span></div></div></div></div>Renee' Harringtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01414390590891254320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3957752986490500628.post-18957611404736985732022-08-10T15:14:00.005-05:002022-08-11T06:40:03.385-05:0008102022 - FBI Agent Richard Trask's DV Conviction - Whitmer Kidnapping Plot Trial: Judge Grants Motion To Preclude Inadmissible Evidence Of Trask's DV Arrest/Conviction<div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">FBI Agent Richard Trask Posts:</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2021/07/07182021-fbi-agent-richard-trask.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>07182021 - </b>FBI Agent Richard Trask - Charged With Felony Assault With Intent To Do Great Bodily Harm Less Than Murder</span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2021/08/08312021-fbi-agent-richard-trask.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>08312021 -</b> FBI Agent Richard Trask - Criminal Case: Felony Assault With Intent To Do Great Bodily Harm Less Than Murder</span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2021/09/09112021-fbi-agent-richard-trask-fired.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>09112021 - </b>FBI Agent Richard Trask - Fired or "No Longer Works On FBI Matters"?</span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2021/12/12202021-fbi-agent-richard-trask-plea.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>12202021 -</b> FBI Agent Richard Trask - Plea Bargain - Sentenced To 2 Days In Jail For Assault On Wife (07182021)</span></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/08/08102022-fbi-agent-richard-trasks-dv.html" target="_blank"><b>08102022 - </b>FBI Agent Richard Trask's DV Conviction - Whitmer Kidnapping Plot Trial: Judge Grants Motion To Preclude Inadmissible Evidence Of Trask's DV Arrest/Conviction</a></span></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_IFiAjYJwtNtTA11ETNluqwejfpI6sHu85B27UW2GwGDxur76avm371KkVVTH2ji_6CsuN1R7VvhBWnN1pe2MKIH7dOGfRyJrIQurODjGnCVjlOm1ntV9xcP8Ncw0Fk1bTyrUC9o8nULXwVqAlxpkgMj29yZxx1TpePurNQGTHYvOvCM7BDmnows9gA/s703/Trask--52.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="703" data-original-width="565" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_IFiAjYJwtNtTA11ETNluqwejfpI6sHu85B27UW2GwGDxur76avm371KkVVTH2ji_6CsuN1R7VvhBWnN1pe2MKIH7dOGfRyJrIQurODjGnCVjlOm1ntV9xcP8Ncw0Fk1bTyrUC9o8nULXwVqAlxpkgMj29yZxx1TpePurNQGTHYvOvCM7BDmnows9gA/s16000/Trask--52.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/16gqtNUCLsgJqAWGQMEXN0ybsoe6r0OJA/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">08102022--Whitmer-Kidnapping-Plot-Trial--People's-Motion-To-Preclude-Inadmissible-Evidence-Of-FBI-Agent-Trask's-DV-Arrest-Conviction</span></a></b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><b>Judge grants motions filed against Wolverine Watchmen accused of terrorism plot</b></span></div><div>WWMT</div><div>August 10, 2022</div><div><a href="https://wwmt.com/news/local/judge-grants-motions-against-wolverine-watchmen-accused-of-terrorism-plot" target="_blank">https://wwmt.com/news/local/judge-grants-motions-against-wolverine-watchmen-accused-of-terrorism-plot</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwEpFTTGFWMD5-SRTJdHrG4peSoDR61cPCEHuO3CfkgClXREQ8XDOf6UkgACX4DV89yeEO0GSmHi5l6Tjp2UOvEOviXISHPEzv0wy8Y9eLeky0L2vN4iI5siss-pBwfqgakDkHQ21XI-uoar511z-p1_v8aDM8VwPAhXec2ftRSbp621E0CpzkUTWqTA/s728/Trask--50.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="459" data-original-width="728" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwEpFTTGFWMD5-SRTJdHrG4peSoDR61cPCEHuO3CfkgClXREQ8XDOf6UkgACX4DV89yeEO0GSmHi5l6Tjp2UOvEOviXISHPEzv0wy8Y9eLeky0L2vN4iI5siss-pBwfqgakDkHQ21XI-uoar511z-p1_v8aDM8VwPAhXec2ftRSbp621E0CpzkUTWqTA/w640-h404/Trask--50.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggGqy6qId9q45Ps1y51i73HuXDMU6f1Zwy_yvOU0ZgtdVRE-iBYtVyh-WCj83Rav9MfrED7W4p6VmCdS-RyCN98MurwVqgdCvoyHS6o6kbvFl4_WxbesJi3hbwVORmZfSxkVcF4EkqAtMyUV8zJlWrZLHLCRZTTByGWd_oySaKxveHzk4WPzfSju82NQ/s625/Trask--51.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="398" data-original-width="625" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggGqy6qId9q45Ps1y51i73HuXDMU6f1Zwy_yvOU0ZgtdVRE-iBYtVyh-WCj83Rav9MfrED7W4p6VmCdS-RyCN98MurwVqgdCvoyHS6o6kbvFl4_WxbesJi3hbwVORmZfSxkVcF4EkqAtMyUV8zJlWrZLHLCRZTTByGWd_oySaKxveHzk4WPzfSju82NQ/w640-h408/Trask--51.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>LANSING, Mich., (WPBN/WGTU) -- </b>A Michigan judge has granted motions filed against three members of the Wolverine Watchmen who were allegedly part of a plot to storm the Lansing Capitol building and kidnap elected officials, Attorney General Dana Nessel announced Wednesday.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Wolverine Watchmen is a group in Michigan that has been accused of promoting political violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Joseph Morrison, Paul Bellar and Pete Musico appeared in court for a motion hearing before Judge Thomas Wilson of the fourth Circuit Court in Jackson County.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">All three men have been charged with gang membership, providing material support for terrorist acts and carrying or possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Judge Wilson granted the following motions filed by the Attorney General's Office:</span></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.michigan.gov/ag/-/media/Project/Websites/AG/releases/2022/August/BELLAR-MORRISON-MUSICO---Peoples-Motion-in-Limine-to-Preclude-Inadmissible-Evidence-about-Agents.pdf" target="_blank">People’s Motion in Limine to Preclude Inadmissible Evidence About Agents</a></span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div><br /></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.michigan.gov/ag/-/media/Project/Websites/AG/releases/2022/August/BELLAR-MORRISON-MUSICO--Peoples-Motion-in-Limine-Regarding-CoConspirator-Statements.pdf" target="_blank">People’s Motion in Limine Regarding Co-Conspirator Statements</a></span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div><br /></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.michigan.gov/ag/-/media/Project/Websites/AG/releases/2022/August/BELLAR-MORRISON-MUSICO--Peoples-Motion-in-Limine-Regarding-Improper-Impeachment.pdf" target="_blank">People’s Motion in Limine Regarding Improper Impeachment</a></span></div></div></div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The first motion excludes evidence relating to special agent Jayson Chambers' connection with Exeintel, and excludes evidence of special agent Richard Trask's assault conviction as well as Trask's alleged social media posts.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The second motion allows alleged co-conspirators' statements to be used within court.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">And the third motion prohibits defendants from questioning special agent Henrik Impola about his testimony during a case involving Sameer Gadola.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Sameer Gadola, of East Lansing, was sentenced to 120 months in prison in September 2018 for possession of child pornography.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In February 2020, attorney Brian P. Lennon, whose law firm represented Gadola, wrote a letter to the FBI accusing special agent Impola of committing perjury in the Gadola case.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Nessel's motion claims that Impola made "truthful testimony during the unrelated Gadola prosecution."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Some motions were denied with the possibility that they will be addressed at a later time as the issues arise in trial," the AG's office said in an email.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Morrison, Bellar and Musico are three of seven individuals who were arrested in October 2020 on terrorism charges.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Suspects are alleged to have called on the groups' members to identify the home addresses of law enforcement officers to target them; made threats of violence to instigate a civil war leading to societal collapse; and planning and training for an operation to attack the Lansing Capitol building and kidnap officials, including Governor Gretchen Whitmer.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“We must send a clear message that those who seek to do violence against our institutions of democracy and our elected representatives are not patriots, they are criminals,” Nessel said. “My office is pleased to see this case move forward and to have the opportunity to hold these men accountable for their actions.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Antrim County defendants, Brian Higgins, Michael Null, William Null, Eric Molitor and Shawn Fix, in the related Antrim County case are scheduled to appear for a preliminary examination in Traverse City, from August 29 to September 1, the AG's office said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The trial for Morrison, Bellar and Musico is scheduled to begin on October 3, the AG's office said.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><b>Feds try to salvage Whitmer kidnap case as jury selection begins</b></span></div><div>Detroit News</div><div>August 08, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/08/09/whitmer-kidnap-case-feds-try-salvage-jury-selection-begins/10249770002/" target="_blank">https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/08/09/whitmer-kidnap-case-feds-try-salvage-jury-selection-begins/10249770002/</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcN-CpVBTuJPlDXeDrlShWzh8Clp1tc-CCwnE3FA8wODykHHe72vdrd3MLQYokC0fh0NsSvJpDHhZLptwI24G9xaQAIOFAPRM_mL68xg7bNsuWEkGCYPrzWay1WKtk9rp3PkJiv0hiHQgXFk_FZ0inHnJ4BArgfXvYoaFX6f67iQZfCu6HifVP0_rqwA/s528/Trask--60.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="412" data-original-width="528" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcN-CpVBTuJPlDXeDrlShWzh8Clp1tc-CCwnE3FA8wODykHHe72vdrd3MLQYokC0fh0NsSvJpDHhZLptwI24G9xaQAIOFAPRM_mL68xg7bNsuWEkGCYPrzWay1WKtk9rp3PkJiv0hiHQgXFk_FZ0inHnJ4BArgfXvYoaFX6f67iQZfCu6HifVP0_rqwA/w640-h500/Trask--60.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="436" data-original-width="1023" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTMQKeu3dCtXWIMGp6w1db8IvGnzXs-ZqX2OxAz1G1eUvJSBJ0geWajPHKDmukgiv_oJ_IWIgjyR_GpNoF1O5g7ZyNIQb2tYgZui2Xurc38ru7KcfFuqTVRYdrNHSKTsYSJtFxzZOJrYK5eDh813sEz_AMLVj7q5fVU8Eqjehq5M5Cs3RNMbw6rGm8lg/w640-h272/Trask--74.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2rrYz2A-Fi5iO0u1fgZfru63QbJQyjb8AYRXDWVhidQFd6WIovqbobvs7VpSYOU1dHb5yO3FhgFuaLCxxbkeMo0CmRZX8GazHSlojH8MV7eiETncZJoq8YUlBrngtZ3fNRQubvsxNmlHqkbhKZAT23g5BD84t0gW343_FxJEubTO7KWDvPslwqDFsSQ/s923/Trask--75.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="486" data-original-width="923" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2rrYz2A-Fi5iO0u1fgZfru63QbJQyjb8AYRXDWVhidQFd6WIovqbobvs7VpSYOU1dHb5yO3FhgFuaLCxxbkeMo0CmRZX8GazHSlojH8MV7eiETncZJoq8YUlBrngtZ3fNRQubvsxNmlHqkbhKZAT23g5BD84t0gW343_FxJEubTO7KWDvPslwqDFsSQ/w640-h336/Trask--75.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;">Federal prosecutors will try to salvage the largest domestic terrorism case in a generation as the retrial of two men accused of plotting to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer starts Tuesday in federal court in Grand Rapids.</div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;">The trial begins four months after jurors acquitted two accused members of the plot and deadlocked on charges against the alleged ringleaders, 39-year-old Potterville resident Adam Fox and Delaware truck driver Barry Croft Jr., 46. They are accused of trying to <a href="https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/03/09/michigan-governor-gretchen-whitmer-kidnap-plot-trial/9416003002/" target="_blank">spark a second Civil War</a> ahead of the 2020 presidential election by plotting to kidnap Whitmer at her northern Michigan vacation home and put her on trial for treason.</div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;">The <a href="https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/04/08/michigan-governor-whitmer-federal-kidnap-conspiracy-trial-verdict/9487618002/" target="_blank">acquittals and deadlocked jury</a> followed months of <a href="https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2021/07/19/fbi-agent-whitmer-kidnap-case-arrested-following-domestic-incident-richard-trask/8013618002/" target="_blank">controversy</a> and scandal, including the <a href="https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2021/03/10/feds-indict-fbi-informant-gov-gretchen-whitmer-kidnapping-case/4626793001/" target="_blank">indictment of a key informant</a> and <b><a href="https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2021/07/21/records-fbi-agent-assaulted-wife-swingers-party-gretchen-whitmer-terror-plot/8041014002/" target="_blank">arrest of a lead FBI agent</a></b>. The case also drew the intense focus of a nation grappling with the rise of violent extremism amid the 2020 presidential election and global pandemic.</div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;">Prosecutors are expected to present a streamlined case against Fox and Croft — featuring encrypted chat messages and secretly recorded conversations critical of Whitmer's leadership. They face up to life in prison if convicted of kidnapping conspiracy.</div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;"><b>Feds indict Whitmer kidnapping case informant as secret rift surfaces</b></div><div style="font-size: large;">"The challenge for prosecutors is their witnesses have already testified so the situation is ripe for inconsistencies. That's a challenge," Detroit defense attorney and former federal prosecutor Michael Bullotta said. "But for the defense, prosecutors have already seen their program and prosecutors can fortify their case, maybe call more witnesses."</div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;">U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker does not anticipate telling prospective jurors about the acquittals of Canton Township resident Brandon Caserta and Daniel Harris of Lake Orion in April.</div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;">"If a prospective jury member references the results from the first trial, the court will address it with a limiting instruction and an inquiry into whether the prospective juror could remain fair and impartial in this case," Jonker wrote last month.</div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;">Prosecutors and defense lawyers met with the judge last month and the parties "agreed that evidence of Mr. Harris’ and Mr. Caserta’s acquittals in the earlier trial is inadmissible in this trial to prove defendants Fox’s or Croft’s guilt or innocence," Jonker wrote.</div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;">Defense lawyers spent months ahead of the March trial raising questions about FBI agent conduct and claiming that a team of investigators and informants orchestrated the conspiracy. According to the defense teams, government agents entrapped the four men, a ragtag band of social outcasts who harbored antigovernment views and anger over restrictions imposed by Whitmer.</div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;">Legal experts are closely watching to see what changes, if any, prosecutors will unveil in a case that drew scorn from defense lawyers after the acquittals.</div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;">Acquittals in federal court are rare. Only 196 of 63,725 federal defendants were acquitted nationwide last year, according to the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts.</div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;">The retrial of Fox and Croft comes after federal prosecutors in Michigan have been stung by several high-profile losses and hung juries in recent months. In June, Bloomfield Hills Dr. Rajendra Bothra and former employees, Ganiu Edu, David Lewis and Christopher Russo were found not guilty of more than 40 federal counts in a multi-million-dollar health care fraud trial.</div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;"><b>Accused ringleader Adam Fox purchased an 800,000-volt Taser to use in kidnapping Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, according to the FBI.</b></div><div style="font-size: large;">In the kidnapping case, defense lawyers raised questions about two FBI case agents — including one accused of trying to profit off the case by creating a cybersecurity firm — while insisting government informants invented the conspiracy and entrapped the defendants.</div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;">“To me, this was a signal. A rogue FBI agent trying to line his own pockets with his own cybersecurity company and then pushing the conspiracy that just never was,” Caserta lawyer Michael Hills told reporters in April. “Never was, never was going to be. Our governor was never in any danger.</div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2021/09/11/fbi-fires-whitmer-kidnap-case-agent-amid-wife-beating-allegations/8295557002/" target="_blank">FBI fires Whitmer kidnap case agent amid wife beating allegations</a></b></div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;">“I think the jury, even though they didn’t get all of it,” Hills added, “they smelled enough of it.”</div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;">Fox and Croft were arrested in October 2020 along with nearly a dozen others accused of plotting to kidnap Whitmer. State charges are pending against 10 men.</div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;">Two others, Ty Garbin, 26, of Hartland Township, and Kaleb Franks, 28, of Waterford Township, pleaded guilty to federal kidnapping conspiracy charges and are expected to testify again as the government's star witnesses.</div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;">"If the government walks out of this 0-4 with the two guilty pleas, I imagine this is going to go down as another disappointing trial result for the prosecution of domestic terrorists," said Jon Lewis, a research fellow at the Program on Extremism at George Washington University.</div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;">Trial strategy typically undergoes dramatic changes for the retrial, Birmingham defense lawyer Wade Fink said.</div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;">"A retrial is ordinarily much more beneficial for the government because they’ve gotten to test run their witnesses and the witnesses now know what they are going to be asked about under cross-examination," Fink said.</div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;">There has been contact between jurors in the first kidnapping trial and lawyers involved in the case who could use any feedback to mold strategies during the retrial.</div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;">"The lawyers can get ideas and correct problems that jurors saw in the first case," Fink said. "Maybe they walked into traps and now can try it a different way."</div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;"><b>The 12 others charged</b></div><div style="font-size: large;">Twelve other people have been charged in state and federal cases in connection with the alleged plot to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Here is the status of their cases: </div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;">• Pete Musico, 44, of Munith: Awaiting Oct. 3 trial in Jackson County. Charges include gang membership and providing material support for terrorism, both punishable by up to 20 years in prison, as well as felony firearm, punishable by up to two years in prison.</div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;">• Joseph Morrison, 28, of Munith: Awaiting Oct. 3 trial in Jackson County. Charges include gang membership and providing material support for terrorism, both punishable by up to 20 years in prison, as well as felony firearm, punishable by up to two years in prison.</div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;">• Paul Bellar, 23, of Milford: Awaiting Oct. 3 trial in Jackson County. Charges include gang membership and providing material support for terrorism, both punishable by up to 20 years in prison, as well as felony firearm, punishable by up to two years in prison.</div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;">• Shawn Fix, 40, of Belleville: Awaiting preliminary exam in Traverse City. Charges include felony firearm and providing material support for terrorism.</div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;">• Eric Molitor, 38, of Cadillac: Awaiting a preliminary exam in Traverse City. Charges include felony firearm and providing material support for terrorism.</div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;">• Brian Higgins, 53, of Wisconsin Dells, Wis.: Awaiting a preliminary exam in Traverse City on a charge of providing material support for terrorism.</div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;">• Michael Null, 40, of Plainwell: Awaiting a preliminary exam in Traverse City. Charges include felony firearm and providing material support for terrorism.</div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;">• William Null, 40, of Shelbyville: Awaiting a preliminary exam in Traverse City. Charges include felony firearm and providing material support for terrorism.</div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;">• Ty Garbin, 26, of Hartland Township: Serving a six-year sentence in federal prison after being convicted of kidnapping conspiracy.</div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;">• Kaleb Franks, 28, of Waterford Township: In Van Buren County Jail; faces up to life in federal prison when sentenced Oct. 6 for kidnapping conspiracy.</div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;">• Brandon Caserta, 34, of Canton Township: Acquitted. </div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;">• Daniel Harris, 25, of Lake Orion: Acquitted.</div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><b>Jury finds 2 men not guilty in Whitmer kidnap case; unable to reach verdicts on 2 others</b></span></div><div>The Detroit News</div><div>April 08, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/04/08/michigan-governor-whitmer-federal-kidnap-conspiracy-trial-verdict/9487618002/" target="_blank">https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/04/08/michigan-governor-whitmer-federal-kidnap-conspiracy-trial-verdict/9487618002/</a></div></div></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="true" frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://uw-media.detroitnews.com/embed/video/9515095002?placement=snow-embed" title="DETROITNEWS-Embed Player" width="540"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMCI7NEzUXd4PADlTIvBx4KqMhd7L7okN7ZTtpXJaxJR8lfpIx9buSONspSPES8hjOPpOpgWmSUreDD44aFxuH1mk0ufb74hhi6mgSJyY46iISwBYlP5qQfsHxeqHpaL6IfD6Ip38WyLmgR6v0RXxxNo4C6P4cDyL1r7YYyxN0zozRrYlKB0L19r1BOg/s672/Trask--76.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="546" data-original-width="672" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMCI7NEzUXd4PADlTIvBx4KqMhd7L7okN7ZTtpXJaxJR8lfpIx9buSONspSPES8hjOPpOpgWmSUreDD44aFxuH1mk0ufb74hhi6mgSJyY46iISwBYlP5qQfsHxeqHpaL6IfD6Ip38WyLmgR6v0RXxxNo4C6P4cDyL1r7YYyxN0zozRrYlKB0L19r1BOg/w640-h520/Trask--76.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy5eyMMN3Boe376tmu1vz980g2PMARUWPiPmTmd66r5aGjut1MIlhzgni_eeSPxBWRbEkTikr71FHZhcfO9KGv2uuwJ1DxZ4XkImiR64qi4X7LHwJh4Cl1jv4w3Q5leSYn4sr7ZqUhqtP0fUdcMu2n64e89a_LacV85GsNL2F2B0R9l4xDIeTvezIIEg/s668/Trask--77.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="543" data-original-width="668" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy5eyMMN3Boe376tmu1vz980g2PMARUWPiPmTmd66r5aGjut1MIlhzgni_eeSPxBWRbEkTikr71FHZhcfO9KGv2uuwJ1DxZ4XkImiR64qi4X7LHwJh4Cl1jv4w3Q5leSYn4sr7ZqUhqtP0fUdcMu2n64e89a_LacV85GsNL2F2B0R9l4xDIeTvezIIEg/w640-h520/Trask--77.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Grand Rapids —</b> Jurors acquitted two men Friday accused of plotting to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and deadlocked on charges against the two alleged ringleaders, delivering a staggering blow to the government in one of the largest domestic terrorism cases in recent U.S. history.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Chief U.S. District Robert Jonker declared a mistrial on kidnapping conspiracy charges against accused ringleaders Adam Fox, 38, of Potterville, and Barry Croft, 46, of Delaware. Accused plotters Daniel Harris, 24, of Lake Orion, and Brandon Caserta, 34, of Canton Township, were being freed Friday afternoon after nearly two years behind bars.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Best birthday gift ever," Caserta told supporters as relatives yelled "Happy Birthday" inside the federal courtroom in downtown Grand Rapids.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The trial lasted 20 days, including 13 days of testimony and approximately 38 hours of jury deliberations spanning five days. Jurors — six men, six women, all white — heard hours of closing arguments and instructions last week after testimony and a multimedia case from the government.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The mixed verdict provided a biting end to a case dogged by controversy, scandal and the intense focus of a nation grappling with the rise of violent extremism amid the 2020 presidential election and a global pandemic.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Defense lawyers spent months raising questions about FBI agent conduct and claiming that a team of investigators and informants orchestrated the conspiracy and entrapped the four men, a ragtag band of social outcasts who harbored antigovernment views and anger over restrictions imposed by Whitmer.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I think the trial here has demonstrated that there’s some serious shortcomings in the case,” Fox's defense lawyer, Christopher Gibbons, told reporters. “Obviously with acquittals occurring with Mr. Caserta and Mr. Harris, that says a lot about what is going on in the case.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Andrew Birge, U.S. attorney for the Western District of Michigan, vowed to retry the accused ringleaders, Fox and Croft.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“We thought the jury would convict beyond reasonable doubt based on the evidence we put forward,” he told reporters outside the courthouse. “We believe in the jury system. We have two defendants awaiting trial.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The verdicts came almost exactly 10 years after the acquittals of five members of the Hutaree militia following a trial in Detroit.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Hutaree members were accused of talking about killing law enforcement officers and using weapons of mass destruction to attack the funeral procession. They were acquitted of seditious conspiracy following the 2012 trial, marking one of the landmark losses for federal prosecutors in Michigan in recent history.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Extremism experts said Friday it appeared that defense lawyers effectively sowed enough doubt among jurors after arguing throughout the trial that FBI agents and a key informant, Dan Chappel, manipulated and entrapped the four defendants and plied them with marijuana.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“The ultimate question will be did the jury come to the conclusion that the mess of informants and the amount of (stuff) the defense threw up was enough to muddy the waters,” said Jon Lewis, a research fellow at the Program on Extremism at George Washington University.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The four men in the Whitmer kidnapping case faced kidnapping conspiracy charges, a felony punishable by up to life in prison. Three faced multiple charges, including conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Whitmer's chief of staff, JoAnne Huls, on Friday responded to the verdicts, saying: “Today, Michiganders and Americans — especially our children — are living through the normalization of political violence. The plot to kidnap and kill a governor may seem like an anomaly. But we must be honest about what it really is: the result of violent, divisive rhetoric that is all too common across our country. There must be accountability and consequences for those who commit heinous crimes. Without accountability, extremists will be emboldened."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Earlier Friday, jurors indicated they had reached a verdict on some counts in the case but were locked on others. Jonker announced the development just before 11 a.m. and encouraged the jurors to keep deliberating in hopes of reaching a unanimous verdict.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"It is not unusual to come back somewhere along the line of deliberations and say 'we tried, but couldn’t get there,'" the judge said. "At least not on everything."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Around 2 p.m., the jury reemerged before Jonker to indicate they remained at an impasse. Jonker instructed them to return to the jury room to confirm the impasse and fill out forms to indicate what charges they were in agreement on if so. They returned minutes later to reveal their verdicts.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">On Friday, Jonker likened the situation to the game show “Who Wants to be a Millionaire,” and the famous catchphrase “Is that your final answer?”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“Before that’s the final answer, I would like you to go back and make another effort to see if you can come to an agreement on issues you are stuck on as a group,” the judge told jurors.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The trial coincided with jurors in federal court in Washington, D.C., hearing the first cases involving people charged in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol. Together, the trials provide the first tests of federal laws being used to punish extremist behavior that erupted nationally in 2020 and 2021 around the presidential election and pandemic.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">When jurors entered the courtroom before 11 a.m. Friday, they did so without looking at the four defendants across from them. Some jurors sighed after hearing they would be sent back for more deliberations.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">One young male juror leaned his head back, rotated his chair from side to side while looking up at the ceiling. Other jurors craned their necks or cleaned their glasses as the judge spoke.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Facing the jury, the four defendants were dressed in fresh suits and button-up shirts.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Harris had a book he's had for three days, "Make Your Bed" by William McRaven. The blue softcover book is a summary of a commencement speech made by Admiral McRaven for the graduating class of the University of Texas in Austin, sharing 10 lessons he learned from Navy SEAL training. In a synopsis, the book covers how to deal with overcoming the trials of SEAL training and, in general, the challenges of life.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The defendants were arrested in early October 2020 and accused of hatching the plot due to distrust of the government and anger over restrictions imposed during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Two others, Ty Garbin and Kaleb Franks, earlier pleaded guilty and testified during the trial, telling jurors the plot originated with the group and that they were not entrapped by FBI agents and informants. Eight others are awaiting trial in state courts on domestic terrorism charges.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">During the trial, jurors saw secret recordings of the bombs being built in Wisconsin, defendants firing weapons in rural Michigan, going on a night surveillance run past the governor's cottage and griping about tyrannical government officials during a hotel meeting in Ohio.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Jurors also listened to recordings and read texts that suggested ways to assassinate Whitmer — everything from posing as a pizza-delivering assassin to hog-tying the governor and leaving her on a boat in the middle of Lake Michigan.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The acquittals and mistrial came one year after the first sign of trouble in the case. In March 2021, federal prosecutors dumped one of their lead informants, Wisconsin felon Stephen Robeson, and indicted him on a federal gun crime.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Prosecutors accused him of working as a double agent, offering to finance attacks and use a drone to commit domestic terrorism.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">The Robeson scandal would be followed by more warning signs. FBI Agent Richard Trask served as the FBI's public face in the Whitmer case, testifying in federal court about the investigation, until he was arrested in July, accused of beating his wife after a swingers party, fired and convicted of assault.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Defense lawyers raised more questions about two other FBI case agents — including one accused of trying to profit off the case by creating a cybersecurity firm — while insisting government informants, especially Chappel, invented the conspiracy and entrapped the defendants.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“To me, this was a signal. A rogue FBI agent trying to line his own pockets with his own cybersecurity company and then pushing the conspiracy that just never was,” Caserta lawyer Michael Hills told reporters. “Never was, never was going to be. Our governor was never in any danger.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“I think the jury, even though they didn’t get all of it,” Hills added, “they smelled enough of it.”</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><b>Lack of convictions in Whitmer kidnap trial followed year of scandal, warning signs</b></span></div><div>Detroit News</div><div>April 08, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/04/08/michigan-governor-gretchen-whitmer-kidnap-trial-warning-signs/9515914002/" target="_blank">https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/04/08/michigan-governor-gretchen-whitmer-kidnap-trial-warning-signs/9515914002/</a></div></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>
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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="446" data-original-width="524" height="544" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXjLc_rXkfRxxCaswg0nffPk9HkDDSKf-cfaM1yvhg71gbqw9pp1vYV0fuLJvA5CpXw5twODe8opcG4DQUzDVzCVbUC6zDvXJHXFTTkAJCdmq-LZvmAFebmH5WHPcu_DaMCVd-y7IJlpeQq3BWSLdDnYi7bZ0LEYxuLiRp1WI7AZS_5dKSVNikvipnrw/w640-h544/Trask--58.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYyQet53HEdtIXWSwgJQODBiZr4spsKDOlbLgYHUJyJFmvMocbGqjvrLqLzMRsxeuxqi9CctXdqVohyIkjGoO3JXXKFKA4YeV3L_AiP0uPQaui_FYbR104aTnklH9ua5zjPPHGLJOvCnUeh9RK2eYXRdZoJfY2AymfbNP3BeOWktkyUb6-ojMsDNRc1g/s888/Trask--59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="633" data-original-width="888" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYyQet53HEdtIXWSwgJQODBiZr4spsKDOlbLgYHUJyJFmvMocbGqjvrLqLzMRsxeuxqi9CctXdqVohyIkjGoO3JXXKFKA4YeV3L_AiP0uPQaui_FYbR104aTnklH9ua5zjPPHGLJOvCnUeh9RK2eYXRdZoJfY2AymfbNP3BeOWktkyUb6-ojMsDNRc1g/w640-h456/Trask--59.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Grand Rapids — </b>The largest domestic terrorism trial in recent U.S. history ended with no convictions Friday, delivering a blow to a case about a kidnapping plot targeting Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer that has been dogged by controversy, scandal and the intense focus of a nation grappling with the rise of violent extremism.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Jurors acquitted two accused plotters and deadlocked on two alleged ringleaders after defense lawyers raised questions about FBI agents misconduct and informants who were credited with thwarting the plot. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The verdicts came one year after the first whiff of trouble in the high-profile case, the indictment of rogue FBI informant Stephen Robeson on a gun crime. The Wisconsin man's legal problems were followed by defense lawyers alleging FBI agents and informants orchestrated the conspiracy and entrapped a ragtag band of outcasts who harbored antigovernment views and anger over Whitmer's COVID-19 restrictions.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Prosecutors Friday vowed to retry accused ringleaders Adam Fox, 38, of Potterville and Barry Croft, 46, of Delaware, who remained in jail Friday. Their acquitted co-defendants, Lake Orion resident Daniel Harris, 24, and Brandon Caserta, 34, of Canton Township left federal court in downtown Grand Rapids free for the first time in 18 months following what Caserta's lawyer called "the conspiracy that just never was."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“Never was, never was going to be," his lawyer, Michael Hills, told reporters. "Our governor was never in any danger.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I think the jury, even though they didn’t get all of it,” Hills added, “they smelled enough of it.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The four men in the Whitmer kidnapping case faced kidnapping conspiracy charges, a felony punishable by up to life in prison. Three faced multiple charges, including conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">For Caserta, the acquittal came on his birthday.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Best birthday gift ever," he told supporters as relatives yelled "Happy Birthday" inside Chief U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker's courtroom.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The west Michigan trial coincided with jurors in federal court in Washington, D.C., hearing the first cases involving people charged in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol. Together, the trials provided the first tests of federal laws being used to punish extremist behavior that erupted nationally in 2020 and 2021 around the presidential election and pandemic.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The trial lasted 20 days, including 13 days of testimony and approximately 38 hours of jury deliberations spanning five days. Anonymous jurors — six men, six women, all white — heard hours of closing arguments and instructions last week after testimony and a multimedia case from the government.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“We thought the jury would convict beyond reasonable doubt based on the evidence we put forward,” U.S. Attorney Andrew Birge told reporters outside the courthouse. “We believe in the jury system. We have two defendants awaiting trial.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Defense lawyers and legal experts analyzed what went wrong for the government in what was considered a can't-miss case involving violent extremism. The defeat followed a decade-long string of successes for the Justice Department in high-profile cases in Michigan, everything from the trial of underwear bomber Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab to the corruption conviction of former Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Defense lawyers insisted there was no plot, just manipulations by a team of FBI agents who were opportunistic, and troubled.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I think the trial here has demonstrated that there’s some serious shortcomings in the case,” Fox's lawyer, Christopher Gibbons, said outside court Friday. “Obviously with acquittals occurring with Mr. Caserta and Mr. Harris, that says a lot about what is going on in the case.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">FBI Special Agent Richard Trask served as the FBI's public face in the Whitmer case, testifying in federal court about the investigation, until he was arrested in July, accused of beating his wife after a swingers party, fired and convicted of assault.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: red;">Trask was not called as a government witness during the trial. </span>Neither were FBI Special Agent Henrik Impola, who has faced unproven perjury allegations in an unrelated case, and FBI Special Agent Jayson Chambers. He was accused by defense lawyers of trying to profit off the case by creating a cybersecurity firm while working for the FBI.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“To me, this was a signal. A rogue FBI agent trying to line his own pockets with his own cybersecurity company and then pushing the conspiracy that just never was,” Hills told reporters.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Still, prosecutors insisted as recently as Friday that the four defendants didn’t just talk about wanting to kidnap and kill Whitmer, they planned, prepared and armed themselves to spark a second Civil War.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The government was armed with what legal experts considered overwhelming evidence amassed during a roughly five-month investigation that culminated in October 2020. The trial included testimony from convicted plotters Ty Garbin and Kaleb Franks, who told jurors the conspiracy originated with the plotters.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Eight others are awaiting trial on state charges.</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The federal trial also featured a multimedia presentation from the government that included secret recordings of the defendants building bombs in Wisconsin, firing weapons in rural Michigan, going on a night surveillance run past the governor's cottage and griping about tyrannical government officials during a hotel meeting in Ohio.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Defense lawyers, however, pinned blame on the FBI agents and informants, including "Big" Dan Chappel. He orchestrated the conspiracy, manipulating the defendants from spring 2020 and into the fall, they argued.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“When I look at what happened in this case, I am ashamed of the behavior of the leading law enforcement agency in the United States,” Croft's lawyer, Josh Blanchard, told jurors. “The investigation was an embarrassment. There was no plan and there was no agreement.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">There was no immediate comment from an FBI spokesperson Friday.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">JoAnne Huls, the governor's chief of staff to Governor Gretchen Whitmer, called the plot the result of violent, divisive rhetoric that is "all too common across our country."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“Today, Michiganders and Americans — especially our children — are living through the normalization of political violence," Huls said in a statement. "There must be accountability and consequences for those who commit heinous crimes. Without accountability, extremists will be emboldened."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Jurors, whose identities were shielded from the public by a judge concerned about publicity, left court Friday without explaining their verdicts.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“The ultimate question will be did the jury come to the conclusion that the mess of informants and the amount of (stuff) the defense threw up was enough to muddy the waters,” said Jon Lewis, a research fellow at the Program on Extremism at George Washington University.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Barbara McQuade, a former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan and now a University of Michigan law professor, expected the defendants would be found guilty, considering the preparations the defendants took to kidnap Whitmer and the guilty pleas of two codefendants.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“The evidence that we heard about conducting surveillance on her vacation home, building a shoot house with human silhouettes and practicing how to extract her from her security detail, surveilling the undergirding of a bridge,” she said. “All that, to me, seems like overwhelming evidence that this wasn’t just idle talk.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">McQuade said she would like to know how the jury split when it came to an impasse about Fox and Croft. It could have been one person who held on to a guilty or not guilty verdict, or the split could have been closer to the middle.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“I think it’s so important to hold people accountable who are threatening to kill public officials,” she said. “We’ve seen such a disturbing trend in this country with threats against public officials. It’s becoming really dangerous to hold office, and I think if we want to have a country where we respect democracy and we resolve our disputes at the ballot box and the courts, then we can’t let this go unaddressed.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The verdicts appeared to be influenced by arguments that the government team was driving the conspiracy, said defense lawyer Keith Corbett, a former assistant U.S. Attorney who was chief of the federal Organized Crime Strike Force in Detroit.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“It’s not enough to simply say these guys went along with whatever the agents suggested,” Corbett said. “You have to show they were predisposed to engage in this conduct on their own.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">That’s a common challenge in cases against fringe groups, Corbett said. Investigators have to embed with them without seeming out of place. They have to find ways to participate without becoming the party galvanizing the crime.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Trying the case again against Fox and Croft will be more challenging for prosecutors, Corbett said. Defense attorneys know exactly what witnesses will say and jurors are likely to be aware that the first trial resulted in an impasse.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He said prosecutors should try to ask jurors why they didn’t side with the government.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“I would want to know from the juries what they found most objectionable,” Corbett said. “I’d like to ask the juries that acquitted people ‘what was it about this case that made you think these people were not guilty?’”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The verdicts came almost exactly 10 years after the acquittals of five members of the Hutaree militia following a trial in Detroit.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Hutaree members were accused of talking about killing law enforcement officers and using weapons of mass destruction to attack the funeral procession. They were acquitted of seditious conspiracy following the 2012 trial, marking one of the landmark losses for federal prosecutors in Michigan in recent history.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Defense lawyer Michael Rataj secured an acquittal in the Hutaree case. On Friday, he was not surprised by the Whitmer kidnap trial outcome.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Politics likely helped, he said, since jurors were drawn from the Republican-leaning western and northern portions of Michigan and more likely to agree with defense arguments.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“Yes, Governor Whitmer carried Kent County, but outside of Kent County, this is the part of our state where people don’t get vaccinated, there is distrust for the government, dislike for the governor, and I think some of those elements came to play in this case,” he said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Rataj said he did not see parallels between the kidnapping conspiracy and Hutaree cases but said people — and juries — should consider the facts of every domestic terrorism case individually.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Conspiracy charges are common, former federal prosecutor Mike Bullotta said. And while they don’t have to be paired with an actual crime, it’s much harder for prosecutors to prove someone intended to commit a crime when no crime actually occurred.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">That’s what made this kidnapping case so challenging, he said. It was conceptual. Prosecutors had to convince jurors that none of the defendants would have chickened out at the last minute.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“The charge is conspiring to kidnap the governor of Michigan, and they did not kidnap the governor of Michigan,” he said. “There is no completed crime that goes to support the conspiracy charge. So really, what the jurors had to decide was whether each of those four defendants really intended to go through with kidnapping the governor.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Some of the more outlandish details in the defendants’ plan might have made the conspiracy charges an even harder sell, Bullotta said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“It didn’t help the government that some of these plans were sort of comical,” Bullotta said. “Like taking the governor out on a boat in the middle of the lake and leaving her there, hoping no other boat would come by and pick her up. That’s kind of like a TV Batman episode.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Defense lawyers portrayed their clients as outcasts on the fringes of society. Fox was no ringleader, his lawyer said, noting that at least one member of the group dubbed him "Captain Autism" while Croft's lawyer called the Delaware trucker a "stoned crazy pirate."</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><b>The FBI Investigation Into The Alleged Plot To Kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer Has Gotten Very Complicated</b></span></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;"><i>The case seemed like a lock — until an informant and one FBI agent were charged with crimes, another was accused of perjury, and a third was found promoting a private security firm. And that wasn’t all.</i></span></div><div>Buzz Feed News</div><div>December 16, 2021</div><div><a href="https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/kenbensinger/fbi-michigan-kidnap-whitmer" target="_blank">https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/kenbensinger/fbi-michigan-kidnap-whitmer</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh663hNdvKBveVTczE7UDtaDEjTmMqq-mPlZwDZrExMmZsf7vtzora2ihd3RTSjMlJryOSRVWhP7TXmzc8-iWiaiOU1So5MFwacc5dfSuHy_uN04LsJLXnzWkQFhXzbNfm1Y1WNO6pJx0YmZhZo3XEW9i6Lxmh3qGjFL_dnrE_-mgsLlV66OwG4PrCw8Q/s921/Trask--78.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="658" data-original-width="921" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh663hNdvKBveVTczE7UDtaDEjTmMqq-mPlZwDZrExMmZsf7vtzora2ihd3RTSjMlJryOSRVWhP7TXmzc8-iWiaiOU1So5MFwacc5dfSuHy_uN04LsJLXnzWkQFhXzbNfm1Y1WNO6pJx0YmZhZo3XEW9i6Lxmh3qGjFL_dnrE_-mgsLlV66OwG4PrCw8Q/w640-h458/Trask--78.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">When federal officials announced, on Oct. 8, 2020, that they had foiled a plot by militant extremists to kidnap Michigan’s governor, it was quickly hailed as one of the most important domestic terrorism prosecutions in a generation. They didn't mention FBI agent Jayson Chambers by name, but those who had worked the case knew that his role helping to run a central informant had been crucial.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">There was, however, something about Chambers that some colleagues might not have known: 18 months earlier, he’d incorporated a private security firm and had spent much of 2019 trying to drum up business — in part by touting his FBI casework. The bureau won’t say if Chambers had gotten permission to set up his new venture, as agents would be required to do, but just five days after BuzzFeed News revealed its existence this August, federal prosecutors announced that he would not be on the list of witnesses testifying in the upcoming trial.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A continuing BuzzFeed News investigation reveals new information about how Chambers' business, along with an array of issues involving other FBI agents and informants, has bedeviled the prosecution. Those issues may well affect the course of the trial. But beyond the integrity of the case, the problems are serious and widespread enough to call into question tactics the FBI has relied on for decades — and to test the public’s trust in the bureau overall.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">That situation is complicated by the fact that the case has become a political lightning rod, with right-wing commentators calling it a prime example of government overreach. Some even baselessly assert that the Michigan investigation was a test run for what they claim was a false flag operation conducted on Jan. 6.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: red;">Meanwhile, the challenges facing the prosecution mount: A second FBI agent, who had served as the case’s public face, was charged with beating his wife when they returned home from a swingers party. He was fired soon thereafter. </span>A third agent was accused of perjury. A state prosecutor in a related case was reassigned and then retired in the face of an audit into his prior use of informants.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">And an informant whose work was crucial to the investigation was indicted on a gun charge and is now under investigation for fraud. Interviews, court records, and other documents reveal repeated instances of apparent lawbreaking by Stephen Robeson, who, while working with the government, identified and recruited potential targets in multiple states and who organized many of the events where prosecutors say the alleged kidnapping plan was hatched. Robeson’s apparent crimes took place under the nose of his FBI handlers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The reporting also uncovers significant new details about how Jayson Chambers attempted to parlay his FBI work hunting for terrorists into a private moneymaking venture. The business, called Exeintel, sought contracts in some cases worth millions of dollars to help institutions identify violent threats. A Twitter account linked to Chambers’ business appeared on at least two occasions to be privy to the workings of Chambers’ ongoing FBI investigations before they were made public and to have tweeted about the Michigan case before arrests were made.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Justice Department declined to comment for this article, citing the ongoing criminal case. The FBI also declined to comment. Chambers did not respond to a request for comment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Defense attorneys, who have hired private investigators to look into the background and activities of the agents and informants in the case, will likely bring out all this and more to argue that the defendants were entrapped by an overzealous and compromised investigation.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The 14 men accused of involvement in the alleged plot to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer have been charged in three separate courts. Six people — Barry Croft, Ty Garbin, Daniel Harris, Adam Fox, Brandon Caserta, and Kaleb Franks — were indicted by a federal grand jury for kidnapping conspiracy, which carries a maximum penalty of life. Garbin eventually pleaded guilty and agreed to testify against the others. Eight more people were charged in Jackson and Antrim county courts with providing material support to terrorism, in cases being prosecuted by the Michigan attorney general. Many of the men were members of an armed extremist group called the Wolverine Watchmen, and on Monday a Michigan state judge will hold a hearing on a motion filed by three of them who claim they were the victims of entrapment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The FBI has long relied on undercover agents and confidential informants — civilians, some of them paid for their service — to infiltrate closed groups, from the Black Panthers to the Weather Underground. Officially, these agents and informants are supposed to blend in and report back, not to directly steer the group’s actions — and certainly not to push them to commit crimes the groups would not otherwise have contemplated. But over the years, this approach has prompted many questions about the line between effective casework and entrapment. This was especially so during the years after 9/11, when numerous Muslim defendants, under scrutiny for links to terrorism, said that investigations had crossed a line. Defense attorneys and civil liberty champions raised concerns, but in general the public did not object.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Chambers worked on several such cases for the FBI involving young Muslim men who argued, without success, that they had been entrapped.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In the Michigan kidnapping case, at least a dozen confidential informants, as well as two or more undercover FBI agents, helped gather evidence against the 14 men who were charged. This time around, the defendants are not part of a stigmatized minority; they are white, working-class men from rural America — part of a large and vocal constituency that has a powerful hold on the nation’s politics. And their anti-government, pro–Second Amendment stance is one that millions of Americans share. Law enforcement tactics that have long been tolerated, and even celebrated, when used against marginal groups are getting a very different reception this time around.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“The whole story was a farce — insulting, really,” Tucker Carlson told his millions of viewers on his show in June. “Nearly half the gang of kidnappers were working for the FBI.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">When the Michigan kidnapping trial begins on March 8, federal prosecutors will have a mountain of evidence to draw from: hundreds of hours of clandestine recordings, as well as thousands of text messages and encrypted chats from militaristic training exercises, bomb-making sessions, and graphic discussions of violence against police and politicians.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The defendants built and detonated bombs, twice surveilled Whitmer’s vacation home, talked about trying and executing her, and practiced forcibly entering structures they called “kill houses.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">At the center of much of that action was Stephen Robeson, an informant who had a long history of criminal behavior.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Robeson, a burly concrete and asphalt layer from Wisconsin, founded a branch of the anti-government group Three Percenters. But he also has a rap sheet stretching back to the early 1980s that includes fraud, assault, and sex with a minor — and a long and secret history of working as a confidential informant.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Robeson had first cooperated with local authorities on a motorcycle gang murder case in Wisconsin in the 1980s, and had done so on at least one other occasion in the 2000s.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Most recently, he was working for the FBI, identifying and recruiting potentially violent extremists on social media platforms. He urged people to attend gun rallies and other protest events, organized meetings in multiple states, and, some attendees say, used government funds to pay for their meals and hotel rooms. Prosecutors claim that one of those meetings, in Ohio in June 2020, was where the plot against Gov. Whitmer originated.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">His involvement in the case now poses a challenge for prosecutors, both because of the lengths he went to shape the events in question and because of his own extensive and ongoing brushes with the law.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In one instance, he held court in a private room at a Delaware tavern said to have been a gathering place for the Founding Fathers, according to one attendee, who like many others interviewed for this article spoke on condition of anonymity out of concern that they could be charged with a crime, among other reasons. After dinner, Robeson ushered many of his guests to nearby hotel rooms, where he got them to vent their anger about governors who enacted COVID-19 restrictions, according to separate interviews with a half-dozen participants who attended.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He also urged people to plan violent actions against elected officials and to acquire weapons and bomb-making materials. Some of those contacts say he called them nearly every day.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But as busy as he was engaging with targets of the investigation, it turns out he was involved in a number of questionable activities on his own time.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In August 2020, as the FBI’s investigation in Michigan was heating up, Robeson allegedly convinced a Wisconsin couple to buy an SUV and donate it to a nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting human trafficking.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The problem was that the charity, “Race to Unite Races,” didn’t exist. Robeson, far from using the truck to save children, simply sold it and kept the cash, according to court records.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He also had a problem with guns. As a person convicted of multiple felonies, Robeson, 58, is not legally allowed to own a firearm, but on as many as five occasions, he allegedly bought, borrowed, handled, or fired guns ranging from pistols to AR-15 style rifles, according to court records and interviews with four people, including one person who observed him acquiring and handling two of the weapons.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In early March, federal prosecutors took the unusual step of securing an indictment against their own informant, accusing him of illegally buying a high-powered sniper rifle from a man he met at church and then reselling it for a profit. Robeson acquired the gun on Sept. 26, just 11 days before the FBI’s takedown in the kidnapping case.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Robeson testified that the FBI had given him some leeway to carry a gun if it helped him keep his cover, but he admitted he knew he wasn’t allowed to have the sniper rifle, and that he had “violated the rules and procedures” of his work with the FBI.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Federal prosecutors cut him a remarkable deal, given his prior record: no prison time, two years of probation, and a $100 fine. Judge William Conley warned him not to waste the opportunity. “Mr. Robeson, I’m not sure I’ve ever had anyone in front of me before who I need to emphasize this more than you: You’re under a set of terms of conditions for your supervised release,” he said. “If you’re ever in doubt, I would strongly advise you to contact your probation officer to make sure any conduct you’re engaged in is consistent with those requirements.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Despite that advice, last month, his probation officer informed the court that Robeson had violated his probation. He had failed to mention that he had been questioned as part of a criminal investigation — which was recently referred to the district attorney’s office for fraud charges — into the SUV sale.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Robeson, who is due to be sentenced in early February, could not be reached for comment and his attorney did not respond to multiple requests on his behalf.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Even before Robeson was indicted on the gun charge, prosecutors appear to have gone to some lengths to keep his involvement out of the kidnapping case’s public record. The original charging papers, for example, cite a different informant who attended a June gathering of militants in Dublin, Ohio, but make no reference to the fact that Robeson had helped organize the event or that he was in the meetings as well.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">As part of their trial strategy, defense attorneys in the kidnapping case plan to call Robeson as a witness. They say he can shine a light on what the government did to drag targets into the alleged plot and on the FBI’s conduct overall.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">If that happens, his testimony could put prosecutors in the unusual and awkward position of having to discredit their own confidential informant.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It wasn’t just the informant who could present challenges to the case. Members of law enforcement who worked on the investigation, and a team attorney involved in prosecuting it, brought their own considerable baggage.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In May, Gregory Townsend, one of two assistant attorneys general overseeing the Michigan state prosecution, was abruptly taken off the case. Officials had launched an investigation into the use of jailhouse informants in at least one murder case he’d previously prosecuted. In September, the state vacated the murder conviction at the center of that investigation, of a man who was charged with starting a fire that killed five children.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Then came the domestic violence charge for the FBI agent who had been the public face of the case.</span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">On July 18, special agent Richard Trask and his wife came home after a night out at a swingers party. According to a statement she made to local police, they had an argument that culminated with him choking her and bashing her head against a nightstand. Later that night, he was found in his wife’s car in a grocery store parking lot, where he was arrested and later charged with felony assault.</span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">A longtime agent specializing in counterterrorism, Trask had been assigned to track the alleged ringleader of the Whitmer kidnapping conspiracy, Adam Fox. In October and January, he took the stand in federal court to argue that the defendants in the case should remain behind bars pending trial.</span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Prosecutors later divulged that Trask had also posted an obscenity-laden tirade against former president Donald Trump on his Facebook page.</span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">It emerged in September that Trask’s employment with the FBI had been terminated. He is expected to enter a plea on the assault charge in state court on Monday. He declined to comment for this story.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Another agent on the case, Henrik Impola, testified for two days in state court earlier this year, noting that he was one of two investigators who handled the other principal informant, an Iraq war vet known as Dan. Even as Impola took the stand, defense attorneys were learning that he had been accused, in an unrelated case, of perjury.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">According to a defense attorney on that case, Impola had lied on the witness stand about the circumstances of an interview he conducted with a suspect, and the suspect’s lawyer filed a letter of complaint with the FBI and the Justice Department. “Why has such a blatant violation of the Federal perjury statute by an eight-plus-year veteran of the FBI not been referred for prosecution,” the lawyer asked the FBI’s Office of Professional Responsibility in February 2020.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Impola referred a request for comment to the FBI, which declined to answer questions.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">To date, the government has not responded to the perjury allegations. Three legal experts contacted by BuzzFeed News said that Impola’s actions, which concern statements about a search warrant affidavit, were far from composing a clear-cut case of perjury. Nevertheless, defense attorneys in the kidnapping case raised the issue in court and could do so before a jury during a trial, complicating any plans to put Impola on the stand.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The perjury allegation against Impola — however thin — and the assault charges against Trask could give defense attorneys a chance to undermine the jury’s confidence in the conduct and credibility of the FBI agents.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">And then there was special agent Jayson Chambers and his side hustle.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Chambers helped to oversee Dan, the Iraq War vet who was a confidential informant in the case. Dan infiltrated the Wolverine Watchmen, rose to become the group’s second-in-command, and, under the direction of his FBI handlers, repeatedly encouraged its members to attend trainings and activities where violent schemes were allegedly concocted.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">When his connection to Exeintel was revealed, defense attorneys claimed that Chambers may have “used the investigation to promote his company and its services.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">BuzzFeed News has found no evidence that Chambers planned to use the Michigan case in that capacity, but a review of emails and other documents shows he has trumpeted past investigations as a selling point for his services.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In the résumé he shared with potential clients, Chambers identifies himself as a counterterrorism specialist who has used “online undercover techniques” to investigate al-Qaeda, ISIS, Hamas, and other groups. In marketing materials distributed by Chambers, Exeintel is described as “a unique cyber-intelligence team” that uses “undercover online personas” and other methods to identify threats, including terrorism, for clients.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In a business proposal from November 2019, Chambers pitched security services with prices ranging as high as $6 million.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The FBI has declined to comment on Chambers or his company, Exeintel. But bureau policy generally prohibits agents from owning or operating businesses that may present a conflict of interest.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Beyond the potential conflict, Exeintel raises questions about Chambers’ operational security as an FBI agent — which is crucial to protecting the integrity of ongoing investigations.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Twitter account @ravagiing, which identified itself as belonging to the CEO of Exeintel and linked to the company’s website, appears to have had advanced knowledge of — and tweeted about — sensitive information about two separate cases Chambers worked on.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In January 2019, three months before Chambers incorporated Exeintel LLC in New Mexico, that account crowed about a terrorism investigation involving a trio of Somali American men who were accused of providing material support to ISIS.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In the tweet, which was posted two days after the men were arrested, @ravagiing wrote that Exeintel “had been tracking this group since last year,” adding that the “agents handling this case are INCREDIBLE!”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The tweet included screenshots of what appear to be encrypted messages sent the prior October — when the case was still secret — in which two parties discuss two of the men who were later charged.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“Is this the other tango,” reads one message, using military slang for “target” and including a screenshot of one suspect’s Facebook page. Another message said yes and named one of the suspects while linking to the Facebook page for the man’s cousin.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The name of one of the participants in the chat was blurred by whoever posted the screenshot, but the other was listed as “Skai,” which is the screen name for the @ravagiing handle on Twitter.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Then the account began tweeting about Michigan.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">On Sept. 24, 2020, just two weeks before the takedown, @ravagiing tweeted, “Soon….MICHIGAN Soon.” Then just hours before the Oct. 7 takedown, it tweeted again: “Don’t worry Michigan I told ya A LOT more coming soon.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In response to a motion from the Whitmer kidnapping defendants that mentioned the tweets, Assistant US Attorney Nils Kessler wrote on Aug. 31 that “neither the FBI nor SA Chambers ever controlled the account” that posted them.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In response to questions directed to the @ravagiing account, someone who asked not to be named out of concern for his family’s privacy said in a statement that Chambers did not control the Twitter account and had no relationship to the company at the time that the Michigan case was unfolding. The statement also said that BuzzFeed News took @ravagiing’s Oct. 7 tweet about the Michigan case “out of context.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Chambers started work at the FBI in 2010. In an email sent to a business associate in April 2019 and obtained by BuzzFeed News, he indicated that he planned to leave the bureau if his new business took off.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Over the following months, Chambers was in contact with potential clients for Exeintel, setting up meetings with executives for several different companies, emails, marketing materials, and business proposals reviewed by BuzzFeed News show.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The statement from Exeintel said that the company never got any business. Chambers stayed with the FBI, and in March 2020, he began work on what would become the Michigan kidnapping investigation.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">That case carried over many of the tactics that were successfully used against young, disaffected Muslims in cases that Chambers had helped bring, at times over the strenuous objections of defense lawyers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In one instance, a 21-year-old man in Detroit was approached online by two undercover operatives pretending to be Muslim women looking for love, one of whom repeatedly attempted to convince him to consider martyring himself in an act of terrorism.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In a second investigation, three young Somali American men were contacted on Facebook and other platforms by a series of people posing as ISIS recruiters, converts to Islam, individuals in Somalia, and flirtatious women, among other personas. After nearly two years, one of the men agreed to travel to Somalia using money provided by an undercover agent and was arrested at the airport.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">All the men eventually pleaded guilty and received lengthy prison sentences.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Whether the government will be successful in the Whitmer case will depend not only on the strength of the evidence and how it plays before a heartland jury, but also whether the prosecution can withstand the questions raised by the conduct of so many people involved in making the case — and whether there could be more to come.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Amanda Keller, whose former fiancé, Adam Fox, is accused of leading the kidnapping plot, said she alluded to that possibility in an interview with an FBI agent this fall.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Keller, who attended some of the events organized by Robeson but has not been charged with any crimes, has been interviewed by the FBI numerous times since late last year. She said she mostly spoke to Impola and Trask, and once met with Chambers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But when the FBI called her in again more recently, none of those agents were there.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">After all the damaging material that had emerged about them, she said she asked the new agent sitting across the table — only half-kidding — “So what are we going to find out about you?” </span></div></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div>Renee' Harringtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01414390590891254320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3957752986490500628.post-63646373479587676692022-08-02T00:17:00.011-05:002022-09-19T00:24:21.642-05:0008022022 - Richmond PD Chief Tom Costello - Charged With Misuse Of LEIN To Get Personal Info On A Woman<div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><b>Richmond police chief back on the job after reportedly misusing LEIN system</b></span></div><div>WXYZ News</div><div>September 09, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.wxyz.com/news/richmond-police-chief-back-on-the-job-after-reportedly-misusing-lein-system" target="_blank">https://www.wxyz.com/news/richmond-police-chief-back-on-the-job-after-reportedly-misusing-lein-system</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyFzNd_JE2HjfoUG48kbDMTejSK9v7UMELuX8UkEQuuaom0A5bekgOYNLrHKcsrH0_40gNUuLSejpxFp-HcZw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCGz2_2Dbcc" target="_blank">Richmond police chief back on the job after reportedly misusing LEIN system</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwP0CwxFmlAmOxldXTizSuBMkNtth8bhJtycI9BxT-Ri5bAwBmTiLZSP6waRF4AdiZvfANrWrqAsSU_OfjeQg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AD9NDFyLfPQ" target="_blank">Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido on Richmond Police Chief</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyKvpaD8pHbt-2laAruojN7gpg0hqRTN5k9JCX2POYkqebYqI31oNEyUY7w_YXs73aTLFpT-vZpiW8Wk_TCnw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LV6dEBnjkC0" target="_blank">Jim Kiertzner speaks with Richmond chief's attorney</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyI7VjEzJyUbwgvQYN2E4ajxUFwPqxEfpFI6_TSph8qs0E_MHOnvescgql9E6W-KsFZPZABuaNSW9yMT2ZVHQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wu7-YSmO0Jw" target="_blank">Florence Sawicki on Richmond Police Chief</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwsMVjHLuhcFM7JtWNKXURmtiZX2FU88wKirR8abvjYKDtA0eHDiDHiInRis2CohDEvLQJS3SSEVYadgyM1fw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7VE2AzGoeI" target="_blank">Kim Pacini on Richmond Police Chief</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. (WXYZ) — </b>Chief Tom Costello is back on the job and back in court still charged with a crime. His defense attorney believes the charge should be dropped.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Costello admits to running personal information in the LEIN, Law Enforcement Information Network. A computer system that has extensive information on all of us.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Is the Richmond Police Chief getting preferential treatment? Or should a police chief be held to a high standard?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">The Chief was put on paid leave last month when the case was first charged. Then last week, put back on the job by the city manager and city council.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">We confronted Costello outside of court about his case. He said, “I’m not going to say anything.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">The investigation report from the Macomb County Sheriff says Costello admitted to running information for a female dispatcher who has an adult son in a child custody issue, that Costello, “took it upon himself to run___ through LEIN to possibly find her new address.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The charge is a misdemeanor. It is postponed in court by his Defense Attorney Art Weiss who tells 7 Action News, this should all go away.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“I want this case dismissed. Because a crime wasn’t committed. The facts that I know, a crime was not committed. I intend to ask the prosecutor’s office to do the right thing.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Macomb County Prosecutor Pete Lucido says he’ll check with state police, do they believe this incident is a crime.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">And Lucido tells 7 Action News, “If they say, that he does have a right to run it, then why don’t we just go ahead and put a big billboard out there that everybody has a right to go get their LEINS run.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Richmond City County and City Manager put Costello back on the job effective September 1. In a memo to the Police Department, it says Costello is restricted from using the LEIN while the court process continues.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">City Manager Jon Moore tells 7 Action News, “There may be discipline coming. But we’re going to wait for the court. And again, we don’t believe that level of discipline should rise to the level of termination.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">People in Richmond see both sides of this. Kim Pacini says, “If there was a mistake, he’s probably paid for it internally.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Florence Sawicki says, “I would say yes, he should be held to a higher standard because that personal information should stay personal.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">This case could still take weeks to resolve.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><b>7 Action News speaks with Richmond Police Chief</b></span></div><div>WXYZ News</div><div>September 07, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujjA3CnmKFY" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujjA3CnmKFY</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyUcDpdcPXDsae-RN9OUD-HzCTu_ovAwY5sAR5FPhVLUM5zhGf_579JyqUlFhOhiEKOq6YJNma_rEqueIIk9A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><b>Richmond police chief arraigned on charge of misusing Law Enforcement Information Network</b></span></div><div>WXYZ News - Detroit</div><div>August 17, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0clAOp4R-dY" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0clAOp4R-dY</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxLUN17YbBXO0tGaKeFOnTX8pQ1YSkJagwKfM11J5R8SAXfvKxGbO0dZ5YmcgZYc0ljLjGdHdXvZXzWf6hZxQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><b>Richmond police chief arraigned on charge of misusing Law Enforcement Information Network</b></span></div><div>WXYZ News - Detroit</div><div>August 17, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.wxyz.com/news/richmond-police-chief-arraigned-on-charge-of-misusing-law-enforcement-information-network" target="_blank">https://www.wxyz.com/news/richmond-police-chief-arraigned-on-charge-of-misusing-law-enforcement-information-network</a></div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The police chief in the small town of Richmond in northern Macomb County was arraigned on a misdemeanor charge Wednesday morning.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Chief Tom Costello is charged with using the Law Enforcement Information Network (LEIN) to look up personal information on a case that is not official business.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Costello has been the chief since March after he worked 20 years in the Center Line Police Department.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He's currently on paid leave. The judge put Costello on a personal bond with restrictions including not using the LEIN system and he cannot travel out of state without the court's permission.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">His attorney said Costello denies any wrongdoing. Costello declined to talk to us about the case.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The allegations of misuse came from a woman in nearby Washington Township who went to police in Romeo who directed her to the Macomb County sheriff.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The misdemeanor charge could land him up to 93 days in jail and a $500 fine if convicted.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><b>Richmond police chief arraigned on charge of misusing Law Enforcement Information Network</b></span></div><div>Yahoo News</div><div>August 17, 2022 </div><div><a href="https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/richmond-police-chief-arraigned-charge-173421363.html" target="_blank">https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/richmond-police-chief-arraigned-charge-173421363.html</a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The police chief in the small town of Richmond in northern Macomb County was arraigned on a misdemeanor charge Wednesday morning. Chief Tom Costello is charged with using the Law Enforcement Information Network (LEIN) to look up personal information on a case that is not official business. Costello has been the chief since March after he worked 20 years in the Center Line Police Department.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><b>Richmond police chief placed on paid administrative leave following accusations of misusing LEIN</b></span></div><div>Port Huron Times Herald</div><div>August 11, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.thetimesherald.com/story/news/2022/08/11/richmond-police-chief-accused-misusing-law-enforcement-information-network/10301037002/" target="_blank">https://www.thetimesherald.com/story/news/2022/08/11/richmond-police-chief-accused-misusing-law-enforcement-information-network/10301037002/</a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhENwFrMt7-9SqZPiN2yoO-RIZesSPfea-hqcIDq1m2tD_rl4g46U6d-zE5JaM88oGutbuhL-ju7Cs3Ik5TP4FDevoT_fccoBhRxNrtlREPRl7LEnaG7AXsYlMTykGd5tqVOHPSsGeAJfsObXwqKphz7Ui-fwzSmU50HqoAfeqVlYVwVU-qAGrbIMkIrg/s670/Costello--03.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="416" data-original-width="670" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhENwFrMt7-9SqZPiN2yoO-RIZesSPfea-hqcIDq1m2tD_rl4g46U6d-zE5JaM88oGutbuhL-ju7Cs3Ik5TP4FDevoT_fccoBhRxNrtlREPRl7LEnaG7AXsYlMTykGd5tqVOHPSsGeAJfsObXwqKphz7Ui-fwzSmU50HqoAfeqVlYVwVU-qAGrbIMkIrg/w640-h398/Costello--03.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Richmond Police Chief Thomas Castello has been put on paid administrative leave after the city learned he was facing a charge for a Law Enforcement Information Network violation. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Karen Grasel, court administrator for the 42nd District Court Second Division in New Baltimore, said Castello is facing a charge of LEIN information — unauthorized disclosure. The maximum penalty for the misdemeanor is 93 days in jail and/or a $500 fine. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Used as an investigative tool by state law enforcement agencies, the computerized information system maintains a filing system of criminal justice information.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Grasel said Castello is scheduled for an arraignment and pre-trial hearing at 9 a.m. Aug. 17 in front of Macomb County District Court Judge William Hackel III. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Richmond city manager Jon Moore said Castello was immediately placed on leave on Aug. 2 when he learned the Macomb County Sheriff Department was bringing the charge against Castello. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The city is also conducting an internal investigation into the matter. It is city policy to place employees on paid administrative leave during investigations and criminal proceedings, Moore said. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"The case is going to make its way through the court and the chief has a right to his defense," Moore said. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">During the criminal proceedings and investigation, Sgt. William Kacanowski will take on the role as acting chief, Moore said. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Castello's attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment. </span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><b>Richmond’s police chief placed on paid leave after being charged with misusing LEIN</b></span></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;">Sgt. William Kacanowski is serving as acting chief</span></div><div>Macomb Daily</div><div>August 08, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.macombdaily.com/2022/08/08/richmonds-police-chief-placed-on-paid-leave-after-being-charged-with-misusing-lein/" target="_blank">https://www.macombdaily.com/2022/08/08/richmonds-police-chief-placed-on-paid-leave-after-being-charged-with-misusing-lein/</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk59QN67RE_1qiwQq86ABO1-dfzRnFqPfPjmpFv172zv0wG2jhQ3cVSRIEjyAhghjcU3sP0wyllRJUYEOvb6sl4DW8v1gQhaBkfFCEcgeysEKZzuS81N4uLFw39WmIdu_389dM3wFPAuz4i8GWEEbDSiijtysuZWs3HqsH8Qnafx3BVZcqf8QQBoNBog/s649/Costello--02.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="649" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk59QN67RE_1qiwQq86ABO1-dfzRnFqPfPjmpFv172zv0wG2jhQ3cVSRIEjyAhghjcU3sP0wyllRJUYEOvb6sl4DW8v1gQhaBkfFCEcgeysEKZzuS81N4uLFw39WmIdu_389dM3wFPAuz4i8GWEEbDSiijtysuZWs3HqsH8Qnafx3BVZcqf8QQBoNBog/w474-h640/Costello--02.jpg" width="474" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Richmond Police Chief Thomas Costello has been placed on paid administrative suspension after he was accused of using his law enforcement position to obtain personal information on a woman in Washington Township.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Costello, who was named police chief in March, has been charged with violating the Law Enforcement Information Network (LEIN), a digital database that contains a person’s criminal history, including arrests, convictions, and driving record information.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The LEIN is for official criminal justice purposes only. The charge is a misdemeanor punishable to 903 days in jail and/or a $500 fine.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“I was made aware of the situation when I received a call from the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office telling me that the prosecutor’s office had authorized criminal charges,” Richmond City Manager Jon Moore said Monday.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Costello did not respond to an email seeking comment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The police chief was temporarily removed from his job Aug. 2 for inappropriately using the database, according to Moore.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“We take this situation very seriously,” the city manager said. “We need to work our way through the court system. Chief Costello has a right to present his defense.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Moore said the woman’s complaint was filed with police in Romeo, who directed her to the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office. Sgt. Renee Yax on Monday confirmed the information Monday.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Costello is scheduled to be arraigned and have a pre-trial hearing at 9 a.m. Aug. 17 in 42nd District Court in New Baltimore. Court officials in 42-1 District Court in Richmond recused themselves because of their ongoing relationship with the police department.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">According to his online biography, Costello retired in 2019 as a lieutenant in the road patrol division of the Center Line Public Safety Department. He then worked as a part-time public safety officer in Harper Woods and as part-time firefighter in Chesterfield Township.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">While Costello is on administrative leave, the department will be supervised by Sgt. William Kacanowski, who previously served as the acting chief of Richmond police following the retirement of David Teske as the police chief.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><b>Richmond police chief charged for allegedly misusing system to find info on local woman</b></span></div><div>WXII Detroit</div><div>August 05, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.yahoo.com/video/richmond-police-chief-charged-allegedly-220917997.html" target="_blank">https://www.yahoo.com/video/richmond-police-chief-charged-allegedly-220917997.html</a></div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxMHjQiRmsDIlvWqvUpxIqAoYBV_FYNPRYsar0oNq_bZwBy40U1RwISa-H-qbKv8Q5FsU6UmGfnxznNZh-IIA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><b>Richmond police chief charged for allegedly misusing system to find info on local woman</b></span></div><div>WXYZ News - Detroit</div><div>August 05, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.wxyz.com/news/police-chief-on-leave-and-charged-with-using-lein-for-info-on-area-woman" target="_blank">https://www.wxyz.com/news/police-chief-on-leave-and-charged-with-using-lein-for-info-on-area-woman</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhf5FB2ddq3psUzz1N6zvoDCqhAGxkI-aUXFXIuTjZutYOwlm0Szb7EbpvSxlveXjdyEXBqm_Z74N4goZ8fAJ9Uo1cQ6x9Mz6IV3DRu2EXfRLs406Bus5O8kpOsCS-qWx6osenC7iHKEUp_aXWdpYvbi7jxrcH_dqNV6antfZgt9wnSe0PyAyoz6beHQ/s623/Costello--01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="404" data-original-width="623" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhf5FB2ddq3psUzz1N6zvoDCqhAGxkI-aUXFXIuTjZutYOwlm0Szb7EbpvSxlveXjdyEXBqm_Z74N4goZ8fAJ9Uo1cQ6x9Mz6IV3DRu2EXfRLs406Bus5O8kpOsCS-qWx6osenC7iHKEUp_aXWdpYvbi7jxrcH_dqNV6antfZgt9wnSe0PyAyoz6beHQ/w640-h416/Costello--01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxpYgKIuTYVd3BuOvzDxmj1IC8zWbPPM5UKyjRCHTCbQI6V_XcQAmBIRFN1Z5SYwTGg4WcRJKOOiP1eSLpQPg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>RICHMOND, Mich. (WXYZ) — </b>Tom Costello was sworn in as police chief in the City of Richmond in March. He’s on paid leave after being charged with misuse of the Law Enforcement Information Network, allegedly to get personal information on a woman in nearby Washington Township.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The LEIN is for official police business only. This charge is a misdemeanor. But 7 Action News has learned this is not the first time this has happened in Richmond. Years ago, a dispatcher was fired for getting personal information but got her job back through arbitration, according to City Manager Jon Moore.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Moore says he put Costello on leave after getting a call from the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“We were informed on Tuesday that the Macomb County Sheriff's Department will be charging or has charged our chief of police with a misuse of LIEN, which is a misdemeanor,” Moore said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Costello’s online biography in Richmond says he started in 1995 in Saginaw then worked 20 years in Center Line — much of it as a detective — and retired in 2019.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The allegations of misuse came from a woman in nearby Washington Township who went to police in Romeo who directed her to the Macomb County sheriff. They confirmed that charge has been authorized by the prosecutor.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">We tried to reach Costello but were not successful.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Moore told 7 Action News, “We'll also be doing an internal investigation. We take these allegations very seriously.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It is not clear when Costello will appear in court in Romeo and enter a plea of guilty or not guilty.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><b>Macomb County police chief facing charges for allegedly searching woman in police information system</b></span></div><div>WWJ Radio - Detroit</div><div>August 05, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.audacy.com/wwjnewsradio/news/local/macomb-cty-police-chief-used-lein-to-search-woman-sheriff" target="_blank">https://www.audacy.com/wwjnewsradio/news/local/macomb-cty-police-chief-used-lein-to-search-woman-sheriff</a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>RICHMOND (WWJ) -</b> A police chief in Macomb County is expected to turn himself in after he was caught misusing a statewide law enforcement system to search information on a woman, officials confirmed on Friday.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A spokesperson for the Macomb County Sheriff's Office told WWJ's Sandra McNeill that the police chief for the Richmond Police Department is facing charges for allegedly using the Michigan Law Enforcement Information Network (LEIN) to find out details about a woman.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">While officials did not release the name of the police chief pending charges, Tom Costello was identified as the officer holding that position with Richmond police.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The MCSO spokesperson said the woman learned her information had been looking up -- although it is unclear how - and informed the sheriff's office who then launched an investigation into the incident.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Her association with Costello is also unknown.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Misuse of the LEIN system is a misdemeanor punishable by up to three months in jail and a $500 fine.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">There are reports that Costello has been placed on paid leave.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Renee' Harringtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01414390590891254320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3957752986490500628.post-73627182897846280802022-07-29T13:59:00.009-05:002022-09-11T22:39:27.398-05:0007292022 - Wayne County Judge Tracy Green - MI Judicial Tenure Commission's Decision And Recommendation: Recommend Judge Green's Removal From Office<div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">During his (Gary Davis-Headd's) sentencing in October of 2019, his first wife, Choree Bressler, told the court he used his mother's connections to protect him. </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>( "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsBCfhTMtPI" target="_blank">Commission wants judge who lied for child abuser son be disbarred</a>" . FOX 2 News - Detroit. August 05, 2022.)</i></div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Related Posts:</b></span></div><div><div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2015/07/07012015-gary-davis-headd-son-of-judge.html" target="_blank"><b>07012015 -</b> Gary Davis-Headd (Son Of Judge Tracy Green) - Domestic Violence Of Wife</a></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2018/06/06242018-gary-davis-headd-child.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>06242018 -</b> Gary Davis-Headd (Son Of Judge Tracy Green) - Child Abuse & Domestic Violence Charges And Convictions</span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2019/05/05152019-wayne-county-judge-tracy-green.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>05152019 - </b>Wayne County Judge Tracy Green - Accused Of Covering Up Son's (Gary Davis-Headd's) Abuse Of Her Grandchildren</span></a></div></div></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2020/11/11102020-wayne-county-judge-tracy-green.html" target="_blank"><b>11102020 - </b>Wayne County Judge Tracy Green - MI Judicial Tenure Commission Formal Complaint Against Green: Coverup Of Son's/Gary Davis-Headd's Abuse Of Her Grandsons</a></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2021/05/05272021-wayne-county-judge-tracy-green.html" target="_blank"><b>05272021 - </b>Wayne County Judge Tracy Green - MI Judicial Tenure Commission Hearings: Green's Coverup Of Son's/Gary Davis-Headd's Abuse Of Her Grandsons</a></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/01/01212022-wayne-county-judge-tracy-green.html" target="_blank"><b>01212022 - </b>Wayne County Judge Tracy Green - Disciplinary Counsel's Proposed Findings Of Fact And Conclusions Of Law</a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/07/07292022-wayne-county-judge-tracy-green.html" target="_blank"><b>07292022 - </b>Wayne County Judge Tracy Green - MI Judicial Tenure Commission's Decision And Recommendation: Recommend Judge Green's Removal From Office</a></span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><b>Findings Of Commission Hearing - Judge Tracy Green Complaint No. 103</b></span></div><div>Judicial Tenure Commission</div><div>Jun 13, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xq9l8JlndJg&t=61s" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xq9l8JlndJg&t=61s</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhht468hclK-fAqaPnGCsWlS8Z3L6cAk1012HMA3mVqNZd2BMjMjGYfOPWQI1jS-A1EJqdfilff6sH6Sq_U7joikYfN2nyduY7ygTW8Q6P_rRELYEV_AavrOG0ae-tqfZpgM7Kd7EufIxzK9bBrclstt4kcCjfSV61RrHCX5nStoUWTPev20J-QSVMNtQ/s959/Green--21.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="959" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhht468hclK-fAqaPnGCsWlS8Z3L6cAk1012HMA3mVqNZd2BMjMjGYfOPWQI1jS-A1EJqdfilff6sH6Sq_U7joikYfN2nyduY7ygTW8Q6P_rRELYEV_AavrOG0ae-tqfZpgM7Kd7EufIxzK9bBrclstt4kcCjfSV61RrHCX5nStoUWTPev20J-QSVMNtQ/s16000/Green--21.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wZaqlFSP8Y1OSVJHMkOVXBPFTV7vYZF9/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Judicial Tenure Commission Hearing - Judge Tracy Green</a></b></span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><b>Judicial Tenure Commission's Decision And Recommendation For Discipline - Judge Tracy Green</b></span><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><b> Complaint No. 103</b></span></div><div>Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission</div><div>July 29, 2022</div><div><a href="http://jtc.courts.mi.gov/formal_complaints_and_disciplined_judges/docs/In%20re%20Hon.%20Tracy%20E.%20Green%207.29.22%20JTC%20Decision%20%20Recommendation%20for%20Discipline.pdf" target="_blank">http://jtc.courts.mi.gov/formal_complaints_and_disciplined_judges/docs/In%20re%20Hon.%20Tracy%20E.%20Green%207.29.22%20JTC%20Decision%20%20Recommendation%20for%20Discipline.pdf</a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>DETROIT, </b>MI, July 29, 2022- The Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission has issued a Decision and Recommendation in FC 103, as to Hon. Tracy E. Green, 3rd Circuit Court. </span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhSsXq3VeyZl3tMOX8v8N5UG97247UmfRHLwzunAgTwbFlKWKlB40ChwamlYV3TeGKalhf3FYrkiReZ_b_iAEQfbj4Wu9Mp77a8Rusi8g9QNxonNAb9Mo5NMYVnYPw_TSWHpplOcIj-kh4gdR3vQCTC8lW9CCsVIhM46AHGt6khHVwH1xC_KZ0UYQb-g/s651/Green--68.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="651" data-original-width="567" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhSsXq3VeyZl3tMOX8v8N5UG97247UmfRHLwzunAgTwbFlKWKlB40ChwamlYV3TeGKalhf3FYrkiReZ_b_iAEQfbj4Wu9Mp77a8Rusi8g9QNxonNAb9Mo5NMYVnYPw_TSWHpplOcIj-kh4gdR3vQCTC8lW9CCsVIhM46AHGt6khHVwH1xC_KZ0UYQb-g/s16000/Green--68.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uyAr26B67fOo6OZYMtTbk49MlGJSuTzr/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank"><b>07292022--</b>MI-Judicial-Tenure-Commission--Judge-Tracy-Green--Complaint-No.103--Commission's-Decision-And-Recommendation--RECOMMEND-Green's-Removal-From-Office</a></span></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><b>Commission wants Wayne Circuit Judge Tracy Green removed from bench</b></span></div><div>The Detroit News</div><div>July 29, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/07/29/commission-wants-wayne-circuit-judge-tracy-green-removed-bench/10188739002/" target="_blank">https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/07/29/commission-wants-wayne-circuit-judge-tracy-green-removed-bench/10188739002/</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWVPIewEQxCkeR_a_tqaxRjPiZFw-hKxm59xzkGAXl5bBC6pJmaIOVsXcp1J7r3LGHa6Hw1zReftfF5hGmpJmuzE3iLMOsvlgQTqy7ljqsraLxe0n1t3Y9A2T6liriSuLdozFXe-_ihKEdsI6aVt9BiGuoJL7VdAOATzYMyBnXGwlvmF6dUymsmwKy2A/s464/Green--31.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="464" data-original-width="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWVPIewEQxCkeR_a_tqaxRjPiZFw-hKxm59xzkGAXl5bBC6pJmaIOVsXcp1J7r3LGHa6Hw1zReftfF5hGmpJmuzE3iLMOsvlgQTqy7ljqsraLxe0n1t3Y9A2T6liriSuLdozFXe-_ihKEdsI6aVt9BiGuoJL7VdAOATzYMyBnXGwlvmF6dUymsmwKy2A/s16000/Green--31.jpg" /></a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Detroit – </b>The Judicial Tenure Commission has concluded that Wayne County Circuit Judge Tracy E. Green committed misconduct in lying about the abuse of her young grandsons by her son, and they want her removed from the bench.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The commission – which investigates complaints about Michigan’s judges – released its findings Friday. The commission says that at a July 18 session it had “unanimously concluded there was a preponderance of the evidence” that Green had committed misconduct which “included concealing evidence of her son’s abuse of her grandsons and then lying about it in a multitude of forums and to a host of people, in some cases under oath as a judge, impeding the investigations of the abuse and these proceedings.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Commission’s recommendation now goes to the State Supreme Court which can determine there was no misconduct by Green, or decide to censure, suspend or remove Green from the bench.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Green has insisted she committed no misconduct, that her grandsons were lying about having told her multiple times about suffering physical abuse by her son, Gary Davis-Headd, who was ultimately convicted of two counts of second-degree child abuse in Wayne Circuit Court. She also maintained that the Tenure Commission proceeding against her was unconstitutional and that she was entitled to an in-person hearing – which the commission rejected.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“In this case, (Judge Tracy Green) concealed evidence that her son abused her grandsons," Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission staff members Lynn Helland and Lora Weingarden wrote in one filing. "She thereby violated the criminal law by tampering with evidence of a crime. She lied about having done that, and told multiple related lies in court, to the media, during the Commission’s investigation, and during the hearing before the Master.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Her conduct was also selfish in that she was trying to save face in supporting her abusive son at the expense of her grandsons, while she ran for judge in 2018 on the platform that she was a child and family welfare advocate."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The boys were under the age of 11 when their father repeatedly spanked, slapped and beat them with a belt as a form of discipline, according to court filings.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Elected in 2018 to the Circuit Court's family division, Green has served in the criminal division since 2019. She was an attorney for more than two decades. She is known for her work in reuniting parents with their children who were in foster care. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Reached Friday, Green’s attorney Michael Ashcraft said neither he nor the judge could comment on the case outside of legal filings.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“It is the judge’s hope that the public will read those filings which are available on the Tenure Commission’s website,” Ashcraft said but declined to elaborate or even confirm whether Green would remain on the bench pending a decision by the State Supreme Court.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In February, retired Ann Arbor trial Judge Betty Widgeon, appointed special master by the commission, determined that Green violated Michigan court rules and the state's rules of professional conduct by knowingly concealing evidence of the abuse of her grandsons and making false statements about her knowledge of that abuse. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Widgeon found that the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission did not prove a third complaint, that Green's false statements to the commission were intentional.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Helland, who is executive director of the commission, and Weingarden, a staff attorney, pushed back against that finding, arguing there is ample evidence that Green knew of the abuse and that "her omissions, denials, and misrepresentations were deliberate."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In 2019, Green's son was sentenced to concurrent 4- to 10-year prison terms for each conviction. The commission lodged a complaint against Green in November 2020.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><b>State commission says judge should be disbarred for lying about her son's child abuse</b></span></div><div>Detroit Free Press</div><div>July 30, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/wayne/2022/07/30/detroit-judge-may-lose-job-lies-her-sons-child-abuse/10189625002/" target="_blank">https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/wayne/2022/07/30/detroit-judge-may-lose-job-lies-her-sons-child-abuse/10189625002/</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2-4TFEF69BD4mvtHTsPM1qGj-74IeN03PaPaZJ789VPvIcSDKUEOAoTDtP9x6MsJvUPM1uYQZn7H6Tj7iXsloiFzJBfeL6pApEzl4OXe7tw1JCYW2GCBhu5e-8v-_vfWZBAmX7LgTbDO112tCoN1vVM61bPoP2ffEC-giOOdXjzaleWmMiAcNS4pXHQ/s668/Green--04.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="406" data-original-width="668" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2-4TFEF69BD4mvtHTsPM1qGj-74IeN03PaPaZJ789VPvIcSDKUEOAoTDtP9x6MsJvUPM1uYQZn7H6Tj7iXsloiFzJBfeL6pApEzl4OXe7tw1JCYW2GCBhu5e-8v-_vfWZBAmX7LgTbDO112tCoN1vVM61bPoP2ffEC-giOOdXjzaleWmMiAcNS4pXHQ/s16000/Green--04.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A Wayne County judge who ran for office as an advocate for children should be removed from the bench because she used makeup to hide injuries inflicted on her grandchildren by her abusive son and then repeatedly denied to state investigators that she knew of the abuse, according to an official state report this week.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The report by the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission, the state agency charged with disciplining judges for misconduct, ends with a unanimous recommendation to the Michigan Supreme Court that Wayne County Circuit Judge Tracy Green be removed from office. The state Supreme Court has the final say on whether to disbar a judge, although the justices generally side with a unanimous recommendation of the commission.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Green’s son, Gary Davis-Headd, was given a sentence in 2019 of four to 10 years in prison for each of two counts of second-degree child abuse, to be served concurrently, after Davis-Headd was convicted of beating his two sons. He was given the sentence before a courtroom audience that included his mother, who was elected in 2018 to a six-year term on the Wayne County bench.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Green has steadfastly denied knowing of the abuse even when she was placed under oath, the report said. Green’s attorney in the investigation, Michael Ashcraft Jr. of Bloomfield Hills-based Plunkett Cooney, said Friday in a statement: “Everything that Judge Green would like to say about this matter is in her filings and the hearing videos, which she hopes the public will read and watch. All of that information is posted on the <a href="http://jtc.courts.mi.gov/the_commission/index.php" target="_blank">Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission’s website</a>.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The commission's lengthy investigation included 12 public hearing days held in 2021. According to this week’s report, Green’s misconduct “included concealing evidence of her son’s abuse of her grandsons and then lying about it in a multitude of forums and to a host of people," in some cases while under oath as a judge.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The commission's lengthy investigation included 12 public hearing days held in 2021. According to this week’s report, Green’s misconduct “included concealing evidence of her son’s abuse of her grandsons and then lying about it in a multitude of forums and to a host of people," in some cases while under oath as a judge.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“Especially with her background as a family law attorney advocating for minors, she was far too involved and present in her son’s and grandchildren’s lives to credibly claim ignorance of what was going on, especially since her grandsons’ much more credible testimony was that they repeatedly told her about the abuse and showed her evidence of it in the form of their bruises and other bodily marks,” the report says. Early on as a judge, Green presided over family court but she was moved to a criminal docket after the case against her son arose.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In some beatings, Green’s son used a belt to “whoop” his children, the report states.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The report says that workers from Child Protective Services visited the home of Green’s son at least four times in 2015-18 to check into suspected child abuse, until her grandsons were removed from the home by police in June 2018. Green’s behavior and statements to investigators “placed her grandsons in peril,” the commission’s report said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">At one point in the report, it lists eight written statements Green made in November 2019 to the commission’s questions, all of which the investigators deemed to be false. Green’s son was also abusing his wife. The commission’s investigation determined that between July 2014 and June 2018, the judge “was aware that on multiple occasions her son had been abusive to his then-wife, Katy Davis-Headd, by slapping her and choking her,” according to the commission’s formal complaint issued in November 2020.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Summarizing its report this week, the commission’s recommendation ended by saying that Green’s misconduct “is comparable to, or worse than, the misconduct that caused the Supreme Court to remove other judges.”</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><b>Commission wants family judge disbarred after her son was convicted for child abuse</b></span></div><div>FOX 2 News - Detroit</div><div>August 4, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/commission-wants-family-judge-disbarred-after-her-son-was-convicted-for-child-abuse" target="_blank">https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/commission-wants-family-judge-disbarred-after-her-son-was-convicted-for-child-abuse</a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>FOX 2 - </b>A judicial commission says a Wayne County judge should be disbarred for lying about her son's child abuse.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission is making the recommendation about Judge Tracy Green. who serves in Wayne County family court for her part in covering up the years-long abuse. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In 2019 her son, Gary Davis-Headd, was convicted of beating his children on two felony counts of child abuse. Five months after, his children told FOX 2 that he had beat them - and that his mother - Judge Tracy Green, helped cover up the abuse.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"My dad would tell her about a bruise I had or something and she would put makeup on it because we had to go to school and stuff," said one of her grandchildren to FOX 2's ML Elrick in 2019. "He didn't want people to see."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I didn't put makeup on any bruises to conceal any abuse," she said in response. "That is utterly preposterous. It just didn't happen.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I am certainly capable of protecting children from my perch as a Third Circuit Court judge. There is nothing I have done, or would ever do, to jeopardize the safety of any child. Particularly a child that I love. And what I am saying to you Mr. Elrick, is that I've done nothing wrong.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I have not failed to do something that I should have done, and that's the bottom line."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Gary Davis-Headd told the judge he only beat his children with a belt to correct them.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">During his sentencing in October of 2019, his first wife, Choree Bressler, told the court he used his mother's connections to protect him.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Their father beat them brutally for years, without fear of any repercussions, because of who his mother is. Judge Tracy Green created and raised a monster," Bressler said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The five children were removed from their father's home and were sent to live with their birth mothers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Attempts to reach Judge Green were unsuccessful. </span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><b>Commission wants judge who lied for child abuser son be disbarred</b></span></div><div>FOX 2 News - Detroit</div><div>August 05, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsBCfhTMtPI" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsBCfhTMtPI</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyxdUqT7FdfMDKW720JKZWkk9fbFneay4eTT8AqkF1d7A2I4t-ueHhcnPi5jortECOiEoaK10ZMV-5lrg9tdw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div><span style="font-size: large;">Gary Davis-Headd told the judge he only beat his children with a belt to correct them. During his sentencing in October of 2019, </span><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">his first wife, Choree Bressler, told the court he used his mother's connections to protect him</span><span style="font-size: large;">.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><b>Wayne County judge's bad judgment endangers kids, creates legacy of shame</b></span></div><div>Detroit Free Press</div><div><a href="https://www.freep.com/staff/5026771002/ml-elrick/" target="_blank">M.L. Elrick</a></div><div>September 11, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.freep.com/story/news/columnists/ml-elrick/2022/09/11/wayne-county-judge-tracy-green-elrick/67416301007/" target="_blank">https://www.freep.com/story/news/columnists/ml-elrick/2022/09/11/wayne-county-judge-tracy-green-elrick/67416301007/</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtsZfaXlj29R8OUH9ZE9Z_aMl_DjOF1SgZKCK6KUUnhMxHUx2Buw7U8ZloNBQ5ViXHDBchLth6ebdZT5Zm9phNY7xn13vrGOAdtW-ZGxVij91jPZ8msP5jQhPGnA9-YxW6ahqnWPAFZKVgwiNws2Tm9oacxMOXAIfukAtVWDvO_6nchShPXDW5kk6RcA/s667/Green--71.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="667" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtsZfaXlj29R8OUH9ZE9Z_aMl_DjOF1SgZKCK6KUUnhMxHUx2Buw7U8ZloNBQ5ViXHDBchLth6ebdZT5Zm9phNY7xn13vrGOAdtW-ZGxVij91jPZ8msP5jQhPGnA9-YxW6ahqnWPAFZKVgwiNws2Tm9oacxMOXAIfukAtVWDvO_6nchShPXDW5kk6RcA/w640-h346/Green--71.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgp0oR2QaNvbUlKeqNanWbfVUiI8OqGGIjKOJihYRRg6uficVslW4axv4FHO6gEzlslAPlxHEI9jDadBUH5h9ZTOuWuUPxoyqgrBvQTMCSix0Py09GwhAE8qlLfP0-o6YIPlplTj8pTzIVTLPkFGN3OrfswAsuZ3LCpyHuBpTGnNtB9JJ4Y_UsYFEBmw/s662/Green--72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="662" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgp0oR2QaNvbUlKeqNanWbfVUiI8OqGGIjKOJihYRRg6uficVslW4axv4FHO6gEzlslAPlxHEI9jDadBUH5h9ZTOuWuUPxoyqgrBvQTMCSix0Py09GwhAE8qlLfP0-o6YIPlplTj8pTzIVTLPkFGN3OrfswAsuZ3LCpyHuBpTGnNtB9JJ4Y_UsYFEBmw/w640-h394/Green--72.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Tracy Green didn't trust the legal system before she was elected to serve Wayne County as a judge in 2018 — and in less than three months on the job she gave the rest of us a reason not to trust it, either.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission wants the state Supreme Court to throw Green off the bench for lying about nine separate matters related to her son's abuse of her grandchildren. If they want to make it an even 10, they could include lying to me about whether the rest of us could trust her to protect our children.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Green began her litany of lies as a witness in the very courthouse where she demanded that other witnesses give the truth, the whole truth and nothing but that truth.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">That's what you and I call irony. And it leads to what legal eagles call obloquy, which is a fancy word I had to look up that essentially means "make people so mad that they will say very bad things about the justice system," because some malignant magistrate engaged in conduct "that is contrary to justice, ethics, honesty, or good morals."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But trying, and failing, to get her son off the hook for beating her grandchildren is just one of the reasons Green isn't fit to serve. Her poor judgment exposed other children to danger and even forced a parent whose daughter was beaten to death to relive the ordeal a decade after the killer was convicted of murder and torture.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Green's conduct during her brief career as a judge has been so poor that Wayne County has twice had to hire retired judges to take over her caseloads — at a cost to taxpayers of $160,000 per judge, per year.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Now Green sits at home waiting for the state Supreme Court to decide whether to put her out of her misery ... or prolong our own.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Two witnesses, one liar</span></b></div></div><div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Journalists will do almost anything to avoid taking the witness stand. But I was a candidate for Detroit City Council in 2021 when the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission called me to testify in Green's disciplinary hearing, so I complied. At issue was an investigation I did in 2019 while working for Fox 2 News that included allegations Green helped conceal how her son Gary Davis-Headd beat her grandchildren.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Green had published articles asserting that the deck was stacked against parents before she was elected to the Wayne County Circuit Court in 2018. Her expertise in family law may be why she started her judicial career in juvenile court.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In March 2019, after less than three months on the job, Green was a witness in her own courthouse in a case that would determine whether her son would lose custody of his children.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Green testified that she was unaware her son was beating his children and said she did not use makeup to cover up one of her grandson's bruises. Behind the scenes, Green helped her son's attorney craft his defense. But the judge in the case nevertheless ruled that Davis-Headd had abused his children and terminated his parental rights. Four months later, a criminal court judge found Davis-Headd guilty of child abuse and sentenced him to four to 10 years in prison.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In the meantime, I began investigating allegations that Green lied on the witness stand in her son's child custody case. We met in May 2019 for an interview in which I asked her: "If you, a family court judge, can’t protect your own grandkids, can the people of Wayne County count on you to protect our kids?"</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Green, on camera, replied: "I am certainly capable of protecting children from my perch as a Third Circuit Court judge. There is nothing that I have done or would ever do to jeopardize the safety of any child, particularly a child that I love. And what I’m saying to you Mr. Elrick is that I’ve done nothing wrong, I’ve not failed to do something that I should have done, and that’s the bottom line." (Wayne County is also known as the Third Circuit Court.)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A family court judge didn't believe Green. And her grandsons knew she was lying. But her real problem was the Judicial Tenure Commission, which investigates judges. They filed a formal complaint against Green and my Fox 2 report became evidence in the case. During cross-examination, Green's lawyer, Michael Ashcraft, was determined to use me to create a crack Green could slip through.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Ashcraft zeroed in on a 6-second clip in which Green told me that she did not "put makeup on any bruises to conceal any abuse." He tried to get me to agree that "Tracy Green did not say that she did not put makeup on the boy's face."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">After scrutinizing video of my testimony, and based on a review of the Judicial Tenure Commission's findings, I believe Ashcraft was trying to establish that Green did put makeup on her grandson's face, but not "to conceal any abuse."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">If so, it was a fine point that wasn't fine enough to buffalo Betty Widgeon, the judge presiding over Green's disciplinary hearing. Widgeon, who heard from many witnesses, found that Green's "careful use of language show[ed] an attempt to avoid admitting any knowledge that would lead to liability." She also wrote that Green used vague and evasive language to avoid answering investigators' questions and used her legal training and a “sophisticated mastery of language to mislead or misinform CPS (Child Protective Services), the Juvenile Court, and the Commission about her knowledge of [her son’s] treatment of [her grandsons] while still attempting to preserve plausible deniability concerning false statements.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Commissioners were more direct: They called Green a liar.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Other adjectives they used to describe Green included, "not credible," "not plausible," "deceit," and "untruthful."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">On July 18, commissioners voted unanimously to recommend that the Michigan Supreme Court remove Green from the bench. They noted that if Green's only transgression had been covering up her son's abuse before she became a judge, they would not call for an end to her judicial career.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"But the maxim 'the cover up is worse than the crime' plays itself out in a variety of contexts and legal proceedings," commissioners wrote, noting that the crime itself was pretty bad when you consider that "the misconduct involved jeopardizing the welfare of minors by an attorney who purports to advocate for children."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Ultimately, commissioners wrote, Green's "cover up at very least unquestionably triggers the harshest discipline of removal" because the state Supreme Court has established a precedent of removing judges who lie under oath.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It's worth noting that commissioners also were not impressed that Green tried to save her skin by claiming that the grandson she purported to love — but failed to protect — was "a confirmed liar."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Fruit of the poisonous tree</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Earlier in this column, I mentioned "irony." For those still unclear on the concept, try this: <b><a href="https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/wayne-county-judges-son-guilty-of-brutal-child-abuse-she-was-accused-of-concealing" target="_blank">After I reported that Davis-Headd was convicted of felony child abuse</a></b>, he sued Fox 2 and me for defamation of character for reporting that he had been … wait for it … accused of child abuse.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The lawsuit was almost certainly filed in the hope of leveraging a nuisance settlement. You could call it a slap suit, which would be appropriate, because Davis-Headd seems to think a slap is the best way to resolve problems. This time, however, he wasn't going up against little kids. And when it comes to the law, no one slaps around Herschel Fink.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Fink is a preeminent media and First Amendment attorney. His client list includes the Free Press and luminaries including Dr. Dre who, like me, drops phat beats and dope rhymes — or is it dope beats and phat rhymes? A panel of three lawyers who reviewed Fink and Davis-Headd's legal arguments unanimously ruled that the case had a value of $0 and labeled it "frivolous." Fink essentially scored a first-round knockout when Wayne County Judge David Groner promptly dismissed the case, ruling that Davis-Headd was, as high falutin' legal scholars say, full of baloney.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Groner wrote that I provided "an accurate report of public and official proceedings concerning (Davis-Headd's) crimes and convictions," adding that Davis-Headd's "felony convictions on child abuse and domestic violence charges … shock the conscience."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">I haven't heard from Davis-Headd since the lawsuit was dismissed. Of course, that may just be because I don't accept collect calls.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Needless suffering</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">There are few things stronger than a mother's love, as Green demonstrated by risking her judicial career in a failed attempt to save her son. But Green showed little concern for another mother who lost her child in a brutal murder.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Peter Dabish was convicted in 2010 of first-degree murder and torture for beating his girlfriend to death. Prosecutors said the 6-foot-3 Dabish, whose father was a co-founder of the Powerhouse Gym franchise, hit 5-foot Diana DeMayo or slammed her into something hard nearly two dozen times. There was so much blood in Dabish's downtown apartment that even DeMayo's dog was covered.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Three medical examiners and the neurologist who examined DeMayo's body said she died from the brutal beating.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A jury convicted Dabish.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A Wayne County judge sentenced him to life in prison.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Michigan Court of Appeals rejected Dabish's appeal.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Michigan Supreme Court declined to review the case.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">None of that was enough for Green, who, with less than two years experience as a criminal court judge, decided to put DeMayo's family through hell.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Again.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In 2020, <b><a href="https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2020/10/28/powerhouse-gym-heir-tortures-grieving-mom-10-years-after-daughters-death/5011551002/" target="_blank">Green granted Dabish's request for an evidentiary hearing</a></b> after his lawyers hired an expert who said emergency medical technicians caused DeMayo's death. The expert said they improperly intubated her while trying to save her life. Dabish's lawyers had unsuccessfully floated a similar theory in 2010, raising questions about why Green would reopen old wounds by entertaining an already rejected legal theory. Green did not respond to my message seeking comment, and Ashcraft told me she would not discuss the case.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">I also called Linda DeMayo, Diana's mother, who still can't understand why Green essentially reopened the case.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"The trial was a month long, and it was horrific," Linda DeMayo told me. "I spent 10 years getting through this and was in a good place with post-traumatic stress disorder. … This opened up the wounds majorly."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">During the 2010 trial, Linda DeMayo was in the courtroom and did not look at the gruesome photos from the crime scene or autopsy.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The 2020 hearings were virtual, and she found she could not look away.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“I lost it. I lost it," she told me, pausing to compose herself. "I never realized what they had to do to do the autopsy. … That was hard.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Linda DeMayo said she wrote Green a long letter “begging her to please end this, because I’d been through enough.” She said Green's staff acknowledged receiving the letter, but said the judge couldn’t respond.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In the end, Green reached the same conclusion as everyone who had looked at the case before her: Dabish did not deserve a new trial.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Linda DeMayo, who tutors students preparing for college entrance exams, acknowledged that Green was fairly new on the job when she decided to hear Dabish's arguments.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I like giving people an opportunity to improve," Linda DeMayo said. "However, I think this is too important a position, a job, a career, to make that many mistakes on."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">From her home in Florida, she follows Green's own troubles with the law.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"And, no, I don’t think she should ever be a judge."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Children at risk</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">After reporting on Green's testimony in her son's custody case, I began examining the abuse and neglect cases that Green presided over in family court. Because she had not been on the bench for very long, there were not a ton of cases to review. And, after Wayne County Circuit Court Chief Judge Timothy Kenny watched my Fox 2 report, he reviewed a transcript of the trial at which Green and her grandson testified and <b><a href="https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/wayne-county-judge-accused-of-hiding-abuse-of-grandson-taken-off-abuse-and-neglect-cases" target="_blank">told Green she would not handle any abuse and neglect cases</a></b> until her son's legal matters are resolved.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Still, the cases I reviewed indicated that Green was reluctant to take children out of dangerous homes, and inclined to send children back to homes that other judges had deemed unsafe.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">One case I have kept tabs on started in March 2018. Child Protective Services asked a judge to remove toddlers from the home of a mother who was still just a kid herself. She was 15 years old, couldn't care for her three children and was living with her mother and grandfather. The grandfather had a criminal history, was suspected of sexually abusing his daughter, and years earlier had his parental rights terminated. A judge ordered the children removed and taken into protective custody.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Eight months later, a judge reviewing the case ruled that the three babies should not be returned to their young mother because doing so would expose them to "substantial risk of harm to the children's life, physical health or mental well-being."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">After that judge retired at the end of 2018, the case was transferred to Green's docket.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Department of Health and Human Services argued in 2019 that the children's mother should not regain custody because residents in the home where she was staying were under investigation for criminal sexual conduct. One of the children allegedly told Child Protective Services workers that an uncle touched her private parts.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Nevertheless, Green ordered the children returned to their mother, who was now 16. In an apparent acknowledgment that they faced some danger, Green ruled that their uncle and grandfather should stay away from them.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">By July 2019, Green had been removed from family court and the case went to another judge. He ruled that the children should not be returned to their mother because it would put them at risk.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Justice in the balance</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">We conclude with a classic "good news, bad news" situation.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">For the second time in three years, Wayne County's chief judge brought in a retired judge to take over Green's caseload. That means the public won't be at the mercy of a judge with bad judgment. It also means taxpayers are on the hook for Green's $160,000 salary and another 160 large for the retired judge called in to do her job.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Kenny told me he felt he had no choice after the Judicial Tenure Commission labeled Green a liar and recommended her removal.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"It was most appropriate for public confidence in the judiciary here in Wayne County that she not hear cases until her matter is resolved with the (state) Supreme Court," he said, adding that he did not have the authority to stop paying Green while she is essentially suspended.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Now it's up to the Michigan Supreme Court to decide Green's fate.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">As the justices consider whether to accept the Judicial Tenure Commission's recommendation, they may find the Supreme Court's own guidance in such matters useful:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"When a judge lies under oath, he or she has failed to internalize one of the central standards of justice and becomes unfit to sit in judgment of others.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Case closed.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Renee' Harringtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01414390590891254320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3957752986490500628.post-2002720098627810682022-06-10T13:26:00.037-05:002022-06-25T13:38:06.445-05:0006102022 - ICE Officer Kevin Taylor - Arrested On Sexual Assault Charges<div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Q18QmchVyuu6Ag_ATsvBycHclGRwrZNQlh_tJ-wfK3eGncULNBNQcDwVn8RGLDuGjA5rOum22vQPxEhF7OSu6ax0aDk4di79PNyPYQO3fS2TorbLkBkZmHq85BaxaYoET2FUswirgk-DltgbrV8ecZlgny2m5Kpucpvp7XX9HUUBv7HEhQLkLfrCZA/s1228/Taylor--03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="754" data-original-width="1228" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Q18QmchVyuu6Ag_ATsvBycHclGRwrZNQlh_tJ-wfK3eGncULNBNQcDwVn8RGLDuGjA5rOum22vQPxEhF7OSu6ax0aDk4di79PNyPYQO3fS2TorbLkBkZmHq85BaxaYoET2FUswirgk-DltgbrV8ecZlgny2m5Kpucpvp7XX9HUUBv7HEhQLkLfrCZA/w640-h393/Taylor--03.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="color: #073763; font-size: x-large;"><b>Federal Officer Charged with Criminal Sexual Assault</b></span></div><div>Michigan Department Of Attorney General</div><div>June 10, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.michigan.gov/ag/news/press-releases/2022/06/10/federal-officer-charged-with-criminal-sexual-assault" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">https://www.michigan.gov/ag/news/press-releases/2022/06/10/federal-officer-charged-with-criminal-sexual-assault</span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>LANSING – </b>An officer with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) faces several counts of criminal sexual conduct (CSC), Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced today. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Kevin Taylor, 49, of Riley, was arrested Friday morning and arraigned on six counts of first-degree CSC in Wayne County’s 27th District Court. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He was given a $50,000 personal bond and GPS tether as part of potential release. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The charges stem from alleged sexual abuse involving two victims in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The ICE Office of Professional Responsibility took the initial disclosure last July and immediately launched an investigation. After completing the investigation, ICE Office of Professional Responsibility forwarded the findings to the Department of Attorney General for evaluation. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“We appreciate that our federal partners took immediate action when the alleged abuse was first reported,” Nessel said. “I have made clear my office will not hesitate to prosecute anyone who commits sexual abuse, especially if the perpetrator is in a position of power. We will fight to secure justice in this case.” </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Questions related to Taylor’s employment status should be directed to ICE.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A probable cause conference is scheduled for June 16 at 10:15 a.m.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #073763; font-size: x-large;"><b>ICE officer arrested, charged in Michigan with sexual assault</b></span></div><div>FOX 17 News - West Michigan</div><div>Jun 10, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.fox17online.com/news/local-news/michigan/ice-officer-arrested-charged-in-michigan-with-sexual-assault" target="_blank">https://www.fox17online.com/news/local-news/michigan/ice-officer-arrested-charged-in-michigan-with-sexual-assault</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAZ64HJJcAkOW1qU-a05YPemBp2Rqh_wOEssWQi4VC--tti9Y1QjVvM9BxgVeffSA1HNQnhgiwEj4ZWo8WeLMgqTLkrFTcIvjugiCBrbp5V68IexRhkeCMNHmL-CueSXAaQM_6MvPZFc4ms_HurJ5SwttQV2_-e29TQkCuzvWx8bg1tDldkwjh6erLPQ/s630/Taylor--02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="385" data-original-width="630" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAZ64HJJcAkOW1qU-a05YPemBp2Rqh_wOEssWQi4VC--tti9Y1QjVvM9BxgVeffSA1HNQnhgiwEj4ZWo8WeLMgqTLkrFTcIvjugiCBrbp5V68IexRhkeCMNHmL-CueSXAaQM_6MvPZFc4ms_HurJ5SwttQV2_-e29TQkCuzvWx8bg1tDldkwjh6erLPQ/w640-h392/Taylor--02.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>LANSING, Mich. — </b>A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer has been charged with sexual assault.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Forty-nine-year-old Kevin Taylor was taken into custody Friday morning, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced Friday.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">We’re told Taylor was charged with six counts of criminal sexual conduct and was handed a $50,000 personal bond.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Taylor is accused of sexually abusing two people in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, according to Nessel’s office.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“We appreciate that our federal partners took immediate action when the alleged abuse was first reported,” says Nessel. “I have made clear my office will not hesitate to prosecute anyone who commits sexual abuse, especially if the perpetrator is in a position of power. We will fight to secure justice in this case.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Taylor is scheduled to appear for a probably cause conference on Thursday, June 16.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #073763; font-size: x-large;"><b>Michigan ICE officer charged with criminal sexual conduct</b></span></div><div>The Detroit News</div><div>June 10, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/06/10/michigan-ice-officer-charged-criminal-sexual-conduct/7585816001/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/06/10/michigan-ice-officer-charged-criminal-sexual-conduct/7585816001/</span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in Michigan has been charged with criminal sexual conduct, the Michigan Attorney General's Office announced Friday. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Kevin Taylor, 49, was arrested Friday and arraigned on six counts of first-degree CSC through 27th District Court in Wyandotte. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The charges stem from alleged sexual abuse involving two victims in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the attorney general's office said in a statement.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"The ICE Office of Professional Responsibility took the initial disclosure last July and immediately launched an investigation," according to the release. "After completing the investigation, ICE Office of Professional Responsibility forwarded the findings to the Department of Attorney General for evaluation."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Representatives with ICE could not immediately be reached for comment Friday on the case or Taylor's status.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“We appreciate that our federal partners took immediate action when the alleged abuse was first reported,” Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said. “I have made clear my office will not hesitate to prosecute anyone who commits sexual abuse, especially if the perpetrator is in a position of power. We will fight to secure justice in this case.” </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">At the arraignment Friday, Judge Elizabeth DiSanto set bond at $50,000, court records show.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Taylor was also given a GPS tether as part of a potential release, state officials reported.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A probable cause conference is scheduled for 11:15 a.m. June 16.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">An attorney listed as representing Taylor did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #073763; font-size: x-large;"><b>ICE officer from Michigan arraigned on 6 criminal sexual conduct charges</b></span></div><div>Benzie County Record Patriot (Frankfort, MI)</div><div>June 10, 2022 </div><div><a href="https://infoweb.newsbank.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer faces six counts of criminal sexual conduct, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced in a Friday press release.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The 49-year-old officer named Kevin Taylor of Riley Township was arrested Friday morning and arraigned on six counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct in Wayne County's 27th District Court.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Taylor was given a $50,000 personal bond and GPS tether as part of a potential release, according to Nessel's office.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The ICE Office of Professional Responsibility launched an investigation in July 2021 after Taylor's first disclosure to the office. The charges stem from alleged abuse involving two victims in the late 1980s and early 1990s, according to the state.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">After completing the investigation, the ICE office sent the findings to Nessel's office for evaluation.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"We appreciate that our federal partners took immediate action when the alleged abuse was first reported," Nessel said in the release. "I have made clear my office will not hesitate to prosecute anyone who commits sexual abuse, especially if the perpetrator is in a position of power. We will fight to secure justice in this case."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Questions related to Taylor's employment status should be directed to ICE, according to Nessel's office.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A probable cause conference is scheduled for June 16 at 10:15 a.m.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #073763; font-size: x-large;"><b>ICE officer charged with sex crimes against 2 victims</b></span></div><div>Ann Arbor News: Web Edition Articles (MI)</div><div>June 13, 2022 </div><div><a href="https://infoweb.newsbank.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>WAYNE COUNTY, MI – </b>A federal officer is charged with multiple counts of criminal sexual conduct for alleged abuse against two victims in the late 1980s and early 1990s, officials said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel charged Kevin Taylor, 49, of Riley, with six counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct in Wayne County's 27th District Court. He was arrested and arraigned on Friday, June 10.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Riley is an officer with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, better known as ICE.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">His bond was set at $50,000; if released, he would wear a GPS tether.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The alleged abuse was initially reported to the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility during July 2021. The agency immediately launched an investigation. The investigation's findings were then forwarded the Michigan Department of Attorney General for evaluation.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"We appreciate that our federal partners took immediate action when the alleged abuse was first reported," Nessel said. "I have made clear my office will not hesitate to prosecute anyone who commits sexual abuse, especially if the perpetrator is in a position of power. We will fight to secure justice in this case."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Taylor's probable cause conference is scheduled for 10:15 a.m. on Thursday, June 16, in the 27th District Court.</span></div><div><br /></div></div>Renee' Harringtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01414390590891254320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3957752986490500628.post-24189119531679491952022-06-04T11:15:00.001-05:002022-07-09T07:59:05.539-05:0006042022 - OIDV Project Is Back Online - Hacked On May 10, 2022<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibi3CU8IuwXt7melkYp9yYvzBqSmUqPEpXue1yggTQynvc3xSPXTWWZPc8nIaPAiYxe03byDiXj_TF7drm5ndHRB-YhHElRH3C69zBK_gMykRce17_CA3k2uWDeGmBbl7yjsuMzqt6yiK35F42LitqXcPl73SlRTMyFewzyHo2cNsU2yW2hs3oSYpSrw/s642/03b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="642" data-original-width="571" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibi3CU8IuwXt7melkYp9yYvzBqSmUqPEpXue1yggTQynvc3xSPXTWWZPc8nIaPAiYxe03byDiXj_TF7drm5ndHRB-YhHElRH3C69zBK_gMykRce17_CA3k2uWDeGmBbl7yjsuMzqt6yiK35F42LitqXcPl73SlRTMyFewzyHo2cNsU2yW2hs3oSYpSrw/s16000/03b.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">On May 10th, the OIDV Project website was hacked. I immediately turned the matter over to the proper law enforcement authorities.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Special thanks to my incredible computer guru - Sam - and the remarkable law enforcement, who believe in the OIDV Project.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Moving forward...</span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbd0v1gT78SI0e70FViqeT_nW-vZszbr8gobzbOXG_WsqW5w5jfX9wZtT7cdS1NnDnO8u4AAymdymXF9dXLw_2uuLYE_NOhLI9MVRIFLkLBN-LLcUwKrNYR2CN23aDTb1t-0fjt2PAiU0gorj2gk0DNU-tXgZPYyNDJdWShJWnbYMZbsnDm4NqbQxdcQ/s1597/Brianna-Zaleski-Emails.jpg" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="464" data-original-width="1597" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbd0v1gT78SI0e70FViqeT_nW-vZszbr8gobzbOXG_WsqW5w5jfX9wZtT7cdS1NnDnO8u4AAymdymXF9dXLw_2uuLYE_NOhLI9MVRIFLkLBN-LLcUwKrNYR2CN23aDTb1t-0fjt2PAiU0gorj2gk0DNU-tXgZPYyNDJdWShJWnbYMZbsnDm4NqbQxdcQ/w640-h186/Brianna-Zaleski-Emails.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2019/10/10302019-andrew-zaleski-relative-of.html" target="_blank">10302019 - Andrew Zaleski - Relative Of Former Sheriff Finally Convicted And Sent To Prison On Domestic Violence Charges [Finally!]</a></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><h3 class="western"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/04/04262022-glimpse-into-what-oidv-victims.html" target="_blank">04262022- A Glimpse Into What OIDV Victims Endure: Relative Of Andrew ZaleskiThreatens OIDV Project Of Michigan If Post Is Not Removed</a></span></span></h3>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcWpq-Vr7DQOrAWN7pcQZwE75wVuOK7OHVWKokeo17IA6XrB5AUSkEoN_-6IdtVxV4BsalNY_QcLthdVb8tEVGnvAy8RBE4KRx74ghAo51APDioaNzZSkwEDHozlOAjy6zG_2P3MQd3yXWxRaAav4ijQiRSCDw0TjP5DUUNJgkp2dptDKJuat542HTZg/s508/FB--38.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="508" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcWpq-Vr7DQOrAWN7pcQZwE75wVuOK7OHVWKokeo17IA6XrB5AUSkEoN_-6IdtVxV4BsalNY_QcLthdVb8tEVGnvAy8RBE4KRx74ghAo51APDioaNzZSkwEDHozlOAjy6zG_2P3MQd3yXWxRaAav4ijQiRSCDw0TjP5DUUNJgkp2dptDKJuat542HTZg/s16000/FB--38.jpg" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><br /><p></p>Renee' Harringtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01414390590891254320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3957752986490500628.post-5112652784916186122022-06-01T17:16:00.073-05:002022-09-19T19:04:17.254-05:0006012022 - Flint PD Officer Javion Miller - Second Domestic Violence Assault Incident<div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-size: x-large;">Related Posts:</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/04/04292022-flint-pd-officer-javion-miller.html" target="_blank">04292022 - Flint PD Officer Javion Miller - First Domestic Violence Assault Incident</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><b>Assault charges dismissed against former Flint cop</b></span></div><div>MLive</div><div>Aug. 18, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.mlive.com/news/flint/2022/08/assault-charges-dismissed-against-former-flint-cop.html" target="_blank">https://www.mlive.com/news/flint/2022/08/assault-charges-dismissed-against-former-flint-cop.html</a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniAYJ76kuZyCTviOqwy2lfE7MY46E8DwEQyRGeoMDxtK6xJvKwhGV8w6HuT_plGvBnLwz_GPHbtf0OmHdFj7YyKJLIr75Y8Q_CQViwl39Kq5BLd2HkQjCLjP4TUg_jOauHbpq6y7yoWu8XFn0cPhEtnD5Bjmr5cgcaZ-HzdiAURgUhHcj9xtGkbYBQg/s605/Miller--03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="535" data-original-width="605" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniAYJ76kuZyCTviOqwy2lfE7MY46E8DwEQyRGeoMDxtK6xJvKwhGV8w6HuT_plGvBnLwz_GPHbtf0OmHdFj7YyKJLIr75Y8Q_CQViwl39Kq5BLd2HkQjCLjP4TUg_jOauHbpq6y7yoWu8XFn0cPhEtnD5Bjmr5cgcaZ-HzdiAURgUhHcj9xtGkbYBQg/s320/Miller--03.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>FLINT, MI –</b> Assault charges filed against a former Flint police officer have been dismissed after the alleged victim in the case failed to show up for trial last week.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Javion Corde Miller, 21, was scheduled to stand trial Thursday, Aug. 11, on two misdemeanor charges of domestic assault and battery. The charges were dismissed when the victim failed to appear for the trial, according to court records.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Miller, who was fired from the Flint Police Department in June after being an officer on the force for about six months, was charged in connection to allegations of assault against a domestic partner stemming from incidents in June and April.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Flint police previously said a domestic assault complaint was filed with the department on June 1, alleging that Miller had assaulted his domestic partner.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The following day, the Flint Police Department Internal Affairs Division opened an internal investigation into the incident.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Miller was placed on leave without pay pending the results of the investigation and review of the complaint by the city attorney’s office.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">On June 7, the Flint city attorney’s office authorized a warrant for domestic assault against Miller.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The department immediately fired him and placed him under arrest.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">City of Flint officials declined to comment publicly on the case after the charges were dismissed.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><b>Assault charge dropped against former Flint police officer</b></span></div><div>WNEM News</div><div>Aug. 15, 2022 </div><div><a href="https://www.wnem.com/2022/08/15/assault-charge-dropped-against-former-flint-police-officer/" target="_blank">https://www.wnem.com/2022/08/15/assault-charge-dropped-against-former-flint-police-officer/</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2pMK4nI9Z5bcJ18EsLzv6DHGNAT0QvBSo-nQ4WwCWuylSIwjJu-RxVJqGVoQV6JdD_33UuHExPJUokfndFCHl8BUFdXpuaryrFUZ7OSQO2aZI1-rpUTppXjk0E4REYZCMYP89Q0zJ2FYGMCooz5EdPEMB_jXCwtFFOuzWf3Sq2GvBKylg0UIsMKVt7Q/s948/Miller--02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="948" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2pMK4nI9Z5bcJ18EsLzv6DHGNAT0QvBSo-nQ4WwCWuylSIwjJu-RxVJqGVoQV6JdD_33UuHExPJUokfndFCHl8BUFdXpuaryrFUZ7OSQO2aZI1-rpUTppXjk0E4REYZCMYP89Q0zJ2FYGMCooz5EdPEMB_jXCwtFFOuzWf3Sq2GvBKylg0UIsMKVt7Q/w640-h380/Miller--02.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>FLINT, Mich. (WNEM) - </b>The assault charge against a former Flint police officer has been dropped.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Javion Miller was accused of assaulting his domestic partner and was arrested in June.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">According to the Flint City Attorney, the victim was not appearing in court despite being subpoenaed by the city of Flint.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Miller made a motion to dismiss his charge because the victim was not appearing in court. On Thursday, Aug. 11, Judge William Crawford granted the motion, and the case has been closed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A domestic assault complaint was filed with the Flint Police Department on June 1, alleging Miller assaulted his domestic partner.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The next day, the Flint Police Department’s Internal Affairs Division opened an internal investigation. On June 7, the Flint City Attorney’s Office authorized a domestic assault warrant for Miller.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Miller was immediately terminated from his employment with the police department and placed under arrest for the assault warrant.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">At the time, Miller had been with the Flint Police Department for six months.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Former Flint police officer slated for August jury trial in domestic assault case</b></span></div><div>MLive</div><div>Jul. 11, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.mlive.com/news/flint/2022/07/former-flint-police-officer-slated-for-august-jury-trial-in-domestic-assault-case.html" target="_blank">https://www.mlive.com/news/flint/2022/07/former-flint-police-officer-slated-for-august-jury-trial-in-domestic-assault-case.html</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG6IdpJsi-SP81BbW3GLdP0FKayyHXsX4jsRojOOuf4Es_GIYUtjBFYmhc6VbdqfB6FIkiJ_cM60Nu8zQGF-_tTOGZqgyJQSD-rG-rnfKbRCQEr5ZBPHBG0e_s_Tq3aTAN81P5_pfF8_X1RS8yUpnFtsirksDl9Fur3vkMmnIHmbs8xdev-Jj-_f_DQQ/s618/J-Miller--02.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="543" data-original-width="618" height="562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG6IdpJsi-SP81BbW3GLdP0FKayyHXsX4jsRojOOuf4Es_GIYUtjBFYmhc6VbdqfB6FIkiJ_cM60Nu8zQGF-_tTOGZqgyJQSD-rG-rnfKbRCQEr5ZBPHBG0e_s_Tq3aTAN81P5_pfF8_X1RS8yUpnFtsirksDl9Fur3vkMmnIHmbs8xdev-Jj-_f_DQQ/w640-h562/J-Miller--02.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>FLINT, MI –</b> A former Flint police officer accused of assaulting his domestic partner is slated for trial next month.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Javion Miller, who was fired from the Flint Police Department in June after being an officer on the force for about six months, is charged with misdemeanor domestic assault and battery stemming from a June 1 incident. A separate file also charges him with domestic assault and battery but has an April 29 offense date.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A jury trial is scheduled to take place on Aug. 11 before 67th District Court Judge William H. Crawford in both cases.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Harrell D. Milhouse, Miller’s attorney, said the crimes his client is accused of are just allegations and he looks forward to clearing him of the charges.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Flint police previously said a domestic assault complaint was filed with the department on June 1, alleging that Miller had assaulted his domestic partner.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The following day, the Flint Police Department Internal Affairs Division opened an internal investigation into the incident. Miller was placed on leave without pay pending the results of the investigation and review of the complaint by the city attorney’s office.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">On June 7, the Flint city attorney’s office authorized a warrant for domestic assault against Miller. The department immediately fired him and placed him under arrest.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“Our agency will continue to demand the highest level of professionalism from those in the ranks that have sworn to protect the public,” the department said in a statement at the time.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Miller remains on tether ahead of trial.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Flint Police officer fired and arrested</b></span></div><div>Mid-Michigan NOW</div><div>June 09, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=5162093607212985" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=5162093607212985</a></div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzdKhR_ud-6UstSrNGrtUtR5RRHvhFHZybG0p6K8XxJM3iaB_MbZZtjag2L0eZB26SFLrAuRsIMfR5KqHWH4w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Flint police officer fired after being charged with domestic assault</b></span></div><div>MLive</div><div>Jun. 09, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.mlive.com/news/flint/2022/06/flint-police-officer-fired-after-being-charged-with-domestic-assault.html" target="_blank">https://www.mlive.com/news/flint/2022/06/flint-police-officer-fired-after-being-charged-with-domestic-assault.html</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEjzCHwcF27CjqXUnWDNuktw4zXQD0PORpY0nszRFnFXxdW2RqlAqPOXbjnRiK-ofJpFJqlKyHBD9ZrS_Kli1enSAS8m8XDkjtzC23jrewIROZg4eNk76_3xrgLoHw1w5L_03erzmZbqdlNKSBhwMnOgzgizvqlmvYCuNPyBhQkTkhyEsyEAGLsYja4g/s622/Miller--01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="471" data-original-width="622" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEjzCHwcF27CjqXUnWDNuktw4zXQD0PORpY0nszRFnFXxdW2RqlAqPOXbjnRiK-ofJpFJqlKyHBD9ZrS_Kli1enSAS8m8XDkjtzC23jrewIROZg4eNk76_3xrgLoHw1w5L_03erzmZbqdlNKSBhwMnOgzgizvqlmvYCuNPyBhQkTkhyEsyEAGLsYja4g/w640-h484/Miller--01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>FLINT, MI – </b>A Flint police officer was fired this week after being charged with assaulting his domestic partner.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The former officer, Javion Miller, had been with the Flint Police Department for six months, according to a Wednesday, June 8, press release.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Online court records show he is charged with misdemeanor domestic assault and battery stemming from a June 1 incident. <b><span style="color: red;">A separate file also charges him with domestic assault and battery but has an April 29 offense date.</span></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A domestic assault complaint was filed with the department on June 1, alleging that Miller had assaulted his domestic partner.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The following day, the Flint Police Department Internal Affairs Division opened an internal investigation into the incident. Miller was placed on leave without pay pending the results of the investigation and review of the complaint by the city attorney’s office.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">On Tuesday, June 7, the Flint city attorney’s office authorized a warrant for domestic assault against Miller. The department immediately fired him and placed him under arrest.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“Our agency will continue to demand the highest level of professionalism from those in the ranks that have sworn to protect the public,” the department said in a statement.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Flint police officer terminated, arrested for assault</b></span></div><div>WNEM News</div><div>June 08, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.wnem.com/2022/06/08/flint-police-officer-terminated-arrested-assault/" target="_blank">https://www.wnem.com/2022/06/08/flint-police-officer-terminated-arrested-assault/</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEOPrucNFXZ_KFsy4eVaWgB4DV4pGFgZyTug_KfhZJcyWqLu9IT6SV22X87glQs-hP4op-L13Wjqa367Cl7GYgT40Z9VNCuHFDjQNmj4SXrn3E9B7hf3KVIbAMsPptMWLDLigCbRlzR4TOmJAupSWkLWlE6cFWJ9P0rG8vv2RW_GnKD3Q5q_wlRUukcg/s957/J-Miller--03.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="565" data-original-width="957" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEOPrucNFXZ_KFsy4eVaWgB4DV4pGFgZyTug_KfhZJcyWqLu9IT6SV22X87glQs-hP4op-L13Wjqa367Cl7GYgT40Z9VNCuHFDjQNmj4SXrn3E9B7hf3KVIbAMsPptMWLDLigCbRlzR4TOmJAupSWkLWlE6cFWJ9P0rG8vv2RW_GnKD3Q5q_wlRUukcg/w640-h378/J-Miller--03.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>FLINT, Mich. (WNEM) - </b>A Flint police officer has been terminated from his job and arrested for allegedly assaulting his partner.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Flint Police Department received a domestic assault complaint on June 1 against one of its officers. The complaint alleged Officer Javion Miller, who had been with the department for six months, assaulted the complainant who was a domestic partner, Flint police said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Flint Police Department Internal Affairs Division opened an internal investigation on June 2. Miller was also placed on administrative leave without pay at that time pending the internal investigation and review of the complaint by the City Attorney’s Office, police said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The City Attorney’s Office authorized a warrant for domestic assault on Miller on June 7.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Miller was immediately terminated from his job with the police department and placed under arrest for assault, police said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“Our agency will continue to demand the highest level of professionalism from those in the ranks that have sworn to protect the public,” Flint police said.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>MCC’s Law Enforcement Regional Training Academy graduates 16 in Fall 2021 class</b></span></div><div>The Davidson Index</div><div>JANUARY 20, 2022</div><div><a href="https://davisonindex.mihomepaper.com/articles/mccs-law-enforcement-regional-training-academy-graduates-16-in-fall-2021-class/" target="_blank">https://davisonindex.mihomepaper.com/articles/mccs-law-enforcement-regional-training-academy-graduates-16-in-fall-2021-class/</a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>FLINT — </b>The Mott Community College (MCC) Law Enforcement Regional Training Academy (LERTA) graduated 16 recruits in a virtual ceremony that can be viewed at youtu.be/9MTG6YuzUsA.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The keynote speaker was Novi Chief of Police David Molloy, and the class spokesman was Michael Chilson.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Graduates of the Fall 2021 term are: Ehkemini Aminy, Frank Barabas, James Bouchillon, Michael Chilson, Scott Engel, Alexis Jones, A’Lexus Jones, Matthew Lashbrook, DeQuandrea Mays, <b><span style="color: red;">Javion Miller</span></b>, Brett Morin, Beck Morningstar, Byron Norris, Travis Pearson, Logan Rariden and Blerim Sefa.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Fall 2021 represents LERTA’s 19th session since the Academy offered its first class in September 2012. The Law Enforcement Regional Training Academy, operating under the authority of Chief Theresa Stephens- Lock, Executive Director of MCC’s Department of Public Safety, offers an excellent educational opportunity for individuals interested in pursuing law enforcement careers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">LERTA is a 16-week, intensive program that meets the Michigan Commission of Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES) training requirements and prepares students for the Law Enforcement Licensing Examination. LERTA holds two sessions each year, designed to coincide with the Fall and Winter Semesters at MCC.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">LERTA is a professional learning environment designed to give the basic training and education needed to begin a career in law enforcement. Academic excellence and personal integrity are stressed during the Academy. Recruits are mentally and physically challenged on a daily basis. The learning environment is a combination of traditional classroom instruction, skill area instruction and practical exercises conducted by members of the LERTA staff as well as regional instructors.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The LERTA is conducted during MCC’s Fall and Winter Semesters (1 training class/semester). Those interested in enrollment in the Law Enforcement Regional Training Academy are strongly encouraged to review the MCOLES Requirements for Law Enforcement Officers at www.michigan.gov/mcoles. LERTA is located at MCC’s Southern Lakes Branch Center at 2100 Thompson Road in Fenton. For more information, visit www.lerta.mcc.edu or call 810-410-1900. </span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Law Enforcement Regional Training Academy (LERTA) Class 19 Graduation: Flint PD Officer Javion Miller</b></span></div><div>December 20, 2021</div><div><a href="https://youtu.be/9MTG6YuzUsA?t=1243" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/9MTG6YuzUsA?t=1243</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7CpqPNk5NYGtPo94HCzP6d0pz1fZWjIsaoIesnlHfeyI6M5FAacy9-6m_BoaCQu3rYcVHzpnAumtAJyV-SXZ1IFQRxSEYp7zEu04nRwCnhfCSaOYiIAH7BTsz5x85Rflryr8SSXqichjDgT1R4Cwcyr2iWEPBJHIFisGYqner9X7XRhdYrJ33WMGQ3A/s963/J-Miller--04.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="489" data-original-width="963" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7CpqPNk5NYGtPo94HCzP6d0pz1fZWjIsaoIesnlHfeyI6M5FAacy9-6m_BoaCQu3rYcVHzpnAumtAJyV-SXZ1IFQRxSEYp7zEu04nRwCnhfCSaOYiIAH7BTsz5x85Rflryr8SSXqichjDgT1R4Cwcyr2iWEPBJHIFisGYqner9X7XRhdYrJ33WMGQ3A/w640-h324/J-Miller--04.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx2E8uW8Yu8s-o0o6T37pTJGAUgVUj9A2KKdztHcxy_8kPrbIBzfa53aX_ToEh4F8SLmwoPtgrCN4a_QOEu-Q' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>On the Job: Javion Miller</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Flint & Genesee Group</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">August 31, 2020</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://www.flintandgenesee.org/on-the-job-javion-miller/" target="_blank">https://www.flintandgenesee.org/on-the-job-javion-miller/</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjef5tCIz2PX8EHe33AH1eaIhBVEurS2LFHpEKPd2KzUH1vG885rsdxWR38wIqoM42iaaMp_3BVj-LKiIRlM6B_aZ_U1KhoULwG7YUh3FK0EKmJTyhCOrqu9IUL76vatb1weVg8VulzVzbkmkUTXFEZsB0v5adhtneMqCw0Mf8k9H2WA87mPIeqRE2gMw/s767/J-Miller--01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="767" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjef5tCIz2PX8EHe33AH1eaIhBVEurS2LFHpEKPd2KzUH1vG885rsdxWR38wIqoM42iaaMp_3BVj-LKiIRlM6B_aZ_U1KhoULwG7YUh3FK0EKmJTyhCOrqu9IUL76vatb1weVg8VulzVzbkmkUTXFEZsB0v5adhtneMqCw0Mf8k9H2WA87mPIeqRE2gMw/w640-h360/J-Miller--01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">TeenQuest graduate and Flint Promise Scholar Javion Miller is working toward obtaining a degree in criminal justice at Mott Community College with the goal of going into law enforcement. In the meantime, he is gaining experience working as a residential advisor for New Paths – a program designed to transition people who have served time, generally related to substance abuse, back into society.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“My current job is preparing me for the criminal justice field,” says Miller. “I wanted to help out my community. I know I work with criminals, but they deserve to be treated like human beings.”</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Miller has always enjoyed working fulfilling jobs and appreciated that opportunity through Summer Youth Initiative, where he worked for the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Flint and Mott Community College both on campus and through Workforce Development.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“The jobs I did through SYI prepared me for the real world,” says Miller. “We worked with adults and were held to the same standard. I also worked with a lot of strong people in the community.”</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Flint Southwestern Academy graduate is continuing to follow his dreams and working toward giving back to his community.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">What does a typical day look like for you at New Paths?</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I work directly with the Michigan Department of Corrections and oversee a floor of the New Paths facility. We house parolees and those who have parole violations. As an overseer of the floor, I make sure rooms are clean; take residents down for lunch, dinner or smoke breaks; and periodically do room checks.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">How did the coronavirus pandemic affect your job?</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I was laid off for about a month, but they brought me back in June. Since then, I had to change up my routine – wearing a mask is very important and so are increased sanitation procedures.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">How do you plan to pursue a career in law enforcement?</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">After graduating from Mott Community College, I hope to get recruited by a department and attend the police academy. Then, hopefully, I will be hired by a department in the local area.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">How has being a Flint Promise Scholar helped you during college?</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The program helped me cover costs that I could not cover in other ways. I have a great success coach, Mr. James Washington, who was also my TeenQuest coordinator. It is nice to have a familiar face helping me and he gives a lot of great advice.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">What skills from TeenQuest did you use when interviewing for your current position?</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Having a positive attitude, answering each question fully and maintaining eye contact.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">What advice would you offer current TeenQuest students?</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Take each job and make the best out of it because you never know who you may run into in the future.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">What has been your proudest moment since graduating TeenQuest?</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Graduating high school and starting college. During school, I felt like there were a lot of elements that would try and tear me down. But I knew that if I got a college degree, I would be able to go far.</span></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Renee' Harringtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01414390590891254320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3957752986490500628.post-10875055277666150172022-05-12T14:14:00.033-05:002022-07-22T14:39:22.736-05:0005122022 - Defense Attorney Craig Tank - Attorney For Warren Activist Jerry Bell - Retaliation/Claims Of Victim's Confidential Medical Information. Hello Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission!<div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><b>Jerry Tommy Bell Case Posts:</b></span></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2021/09/09192021-former-warren-city-council.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>09192021 - </b>Former Warren City Council Candidate Jerry Bell - Arrested And Charged With 7 Counts Of Domestic Violence Against Ex-Fiancé Macomb County Commissioner Michelle Nard</span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2021/11/11122021-warren-activist-jerry-tommie.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>11122021 - </b>Warren Activist Jerry Tommie Bell - Sentenced For Assault Of Macomb County Commissioner Michelle Nard - Facing A Possible Life Sentence, Bell Only Sentenced To Probation</span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2021/12/12072021-prosecuting-attorney-jennifer.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>12072021 - </b>Prosecuting Attorney Jennifer Janetsky: Understanding The Politics Behind Janetsky's OIDV Plea Deal For Jerry Tommy Bell</span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2021/12/12272021-warren-activist-jerry-bell.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>12272021 - </b>Warren Activist Jerry Bell - Investigated For Kidnapping, Strangulation, And Auto Theft - While On Probation For Previous DV Assault Of Ex</span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/01/01252022-warren-activist-jerry-bell.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>01252022 -</b> Warren Activist Jerry Bell - Criminal Case For Second Incident Of DV (12272021) - Carjacking, Unlawful Imprisonment, Aggravated Stalking, Assault W/A Dangerous Weapon And DV</span></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/05/05122022-warren-activist-jerry-bell.html" target="_blank"><b>05122022 - </b>Warren Activist Jerry Bell - Criminal Case For Second Incident Of DV (12272021) - Bell Pleads Guilty To Probation Violation</a></span></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/05/05122022-defense-attorney-craig-tank.html" target="_blank"><b>05122022 - </b>Defense Attorney Craig Tank - Attorney For Warren Activist Jerry Bell - Retaliation/Claims Of Victim's Confidential Medical Information. Hello Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission!</a></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><i>This is what retaliation looks like when a victim goes up against an abuser in a powerful position...</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Bell pleads guilty to probation violation in Warren court</b></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;">Warren activist says no-contact order was violated</span></div><div>Macomb Daily</div><div>May 16, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.macombdaily.com/2022/05/19/bell-pleads-guilty-to-probation-violation/" target="_blank">https://www.macombdaily.com/2022/05/19/bell-pleads-guilty-to-probation-violation/</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0i5wdq52FIHm26eyNNYDycKcORA_dcMsui7b0ivNsX70z2IAQRsJbt13fn65MPDPxnr_x6k1AqOCPOwmMSwZEH9R6lsuKUiS3IKOWTeI9t3HUpn9oXa1vTsdnz2Z8pliOyPwZO-xnWEZiQ46iiTgRoIDUVOAt3kq1Jhq85A_DaHNzgpyPJCVc6BI7hg/s577/Bell--43.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="577" data-original-width="496" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0i5wdq52FIHm26eyNNYDycKcORA_dcMsui7b0ivNsX70z2IAQRsJbt13fn65MPDPxnr_x6k1AqOCPOwmMSwZEH9R6lsuKUiS3IKOWTeI9t3HUpn9oXa1vTsdnz2Z8pliOyPwZO-xnWEZiQ46iiTgRoIDUVOAt3kq1Jhq85A_DaHNzgpyPJCVc6BI7hg/w550-h640/Bell--43.jpg" width="550" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Warren activist Jerry Bell pled guilty Thursday in 37th District Court to violating a no-contact order put in place by Judge Michael Chupa last November as a term of his probation.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Chupa said at Bell’s Nov. 12 hearing a no-contact order with his ex-fiancee Michelle Nard was to remain in place until Bell had completed 12 classes for battery intervention. Chupa also assigned Bell reporting probation for five years.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Bell testified on Thursday in front of Chupa that Nard actually picked him up from the Macomb County Jail on the day of his release in November and that he had subsequent interactions with her even though he had not completed the required classes and the no-contact order was still in place.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Chupa dismissed Bell’s probation requirements and sentenced him to 180 days in jail with credit for 163 days served.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In November, Bell pled guilty to misdemeanor stalking and domestic violence after Nard agreed to drop six felony charges against him. Bell is currently being held in the Macomb County Jail on $500,000 cash surety bond on charges of felony carjacking, extortion, unlawful imprisonment, assault by strangulation, felonious assault, aggravated stalking and a misdemeanor charge of domestic violence, second offense. Those charges were brought against Bell by police after a complaint was filed by Nard in January.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Bell admitted to violating the no-contact order, but said Nard also played a part in maintaining contact after Nov. 12.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“I think Michelle played a major role in that from the beginning in terms of getting me out of jail and making it known that she did that,” said Bell. “I understand the seriousness of the charges and the importance of not having any contact with her. I also understand that the no-contact order is in place not just to benefit the victim but the accused as well.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Bell seemed to indicate he hoped after having the six felony charges dismissed in November, that he and Nard would be able to resume their former relationship.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“I was led by my heart to believe she was going to do the right thing and make things right,” said Bell. “I understood too late the importance of completing those classes and not having any contact with her. A lot of this was forced upon me by her, but I apologize to the court for my part in this.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Chupa said he kept the no-contact order in place, even after Nard dropped several of the charges against Bell, because he was trying to help all parties involved.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“I put the no-contact provision in place not only for her benefit but quite candidly for yours,” said Chupa. “I tried to give you a shield and give you both some time for reflection. Had you followed my instructions, you probably would not have found yourself in this position facing new criminal charges.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Criminal defense attorney Craig Tank, who is representing Bell, expressed frustration that seven Macomb County Circuit Court judges have recused themselves from his client’s pending case.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“We can’t even get a judge to get the bond reduced,” said Tank, who indicated that judges have recused themselves because of Nard’s role as a Macomb County Commissioner. <span style="color: red;">“It says a lot about the dysfunction of Macomb County because we have an elected commissioner that is quite literally under psychiatric care because she sees and hears things that don’t happen and who is also responsible in some way for the funding of the circuit court. Because the people of the City of Warren have elected an insane person it has prevented the Macomb County Circuit Court from ruling.”</span></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Tank said he expects to have a judge from another county appointed to the case. He also hinted that he plans to introduce evidence in Bell’s upcoming trial showing that Nard is not a reliable witness.</span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">“The complaining witness is a person that quite literally has very severe psychiatric problems and sees and hears things that don’t happen,” said Tank. “This person is delusional, is under psychiatric care and receives medication so she does not have paranoid delusions.”</span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span><div style="color: red; font-size: large;"><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>How to File a Request for an Investigation</b></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;">Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission</span></div><div><a href="https://www.agcmi.org/for-the-public/investigation" target="_blank">https://www.agcmi.org/for-the-public/investigation</a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: red; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIee0jDRDKTU73Mqh1H_1ZoNBAFPwjKVEWIqiVDhycvdGv7IuC_uQaHNxQBw2myD5F2dDzmx4RcFaGqW-y2MQM4huq_hl35YfYPdmbwpr20UVYKI4o3G39GkVgval34TdObdm4so_4tvTvMCMV5jJfxUClC5v7veg4bm3dEhxEP97_7Fus3IW2GaZlVA/s1058/Bell--44.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="823" data-original-width="1058" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIee0jDRDKTU73Mqh1H_1ZoNBAFPwjKVEWIqiVDhycvdGv7IuC_uQaHNxQBw2myD5F2dDzmx4RcFaGqW-y2MQM4huq_hl35YfYPdmbwpr20UVYKI4o3G39GkVgval34TdObdm4so_4tvTvMCMV5jJfxUClC5v7veg4bm3dEhxEP97_7Fus3IW2GaZlVA/w640-h498/Bell--44.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><div style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Anyone may file a Request for Investigation against an attorney licensed by the State Bar of Michigan, or otherwise permitted by a court to practice in the state, by completing and signing the AGC’s Request for Investigation form or by sending in a signed letter.</span></div><div style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The form or letter must be signed and sufficiently describe the alleged misconduct (including approximate time and place). The Request for Investigation may include copies of any relevant documents. Requests for Investigation are not accepted electronically or by facsimile at this time. </span></div><div style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A copy of the Request for Investigation form can be requested by calling the AGC at 313-961-6585, or can be downloaded below. Requests for Investigation and any accompanying documents can be sent to:</span></div><div style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission</span></b></div><div style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">755 W. Big Beaver Rd. - Suite 2100</span></b></div><div style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Troy MI 48084</span></b></div><div style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Please do not bind or staple your documents in order to facilitate scanning.</span></div><div style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Grievance Administrator may also institute an investigation on his own based upon knowledge gained from other ways, such as news articles, court opinions, or information received in the course of a disciplinary investigation.</span></div><div style="color: red; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://www.agcmi.org/getattachment/For-the-Public/Investigation/RI-form-w-cover-letter-20220425-pdf-2022.pdf.aspx?lang=en-US" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">Click here for an Investigation Form</span></a></b></div><div style="color: red; font-size: large;"><br style="color: black; font-size: medium;" /></div><div style="color: red; font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="color: red; font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="color: red; font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="color: red; font-size: large;"><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Attorney Craig Tanks' previous law suspension:</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis5camBoxvsZr3OcZf5nc9t7EWMCkp-EZXUYaOuOgeGPRzxj9UG-BHm38NNICl7lhiQQngCyRZzi39P7kpoR1ySDR7r03QgvPW7WUCFqQ_xW2shEyNdJFfzz_J9qMRQbIMavZpjyVwonVgqtjnlYz8jsx1DZ5ZS95ZedCwRjDUzeglX5kWb6UgcS4Slw/s695/Attorney-Craig-Tank.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="695" data-original-width="536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis5camBoxvsZr3OcZf5nc9t7EWMCkp-EZXUYaOuOgeGPRzxj9UG-BHm38NNICl7lhiQQngCyRZzi39P7kpoR1ySDR7r03QgvPW7WUCFqQ_xW2shEyNdJFfzz_J9qMRQbIMavZpjyVwonVgqtjnlYz8jsx1DZ5ZS95ZedCwRjDUzeglX5kWb6UgcS4Slw/w494-h640/Attorney-Craig-Tank.jpg" width="494" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/159icY6xWtCU5RxBVspsCtpZCPuMrJ0Mp/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Attorney-Craig-Tank--Suspended--09012017</a></b></span></div><div><br /></div></div><br /><div style="color: red; font-size: large;"><br /></div></div></span></div></div>Renee' Harringtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01414390590891254320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3957752986490500628.post-37254934640249720072022-05-12T13:33:00.025-05:002022-07-22T15:10:51.860-05:0005122022 - Warren Activist Jerry Bell - Pleads Guilty To Probation Violation - Criminal Case For Second Incident Of DV (12272021)<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><b>Jerry Tommy Bell Case Posts:</b></span></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2021/09/09192021-former-warren-city-council.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>09192021 - </b>Former Warren City Council Candidate Jerry Bell - Arrested And Charged With 7 Counts Of Domestic Violence Against Ex-Fiancé Macomb County Commissioner Michelle Nard</span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2021/11/11122021-warren-activist-jerry-tommie.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>11122021 - </b>Warren Activist Jerry Tommie Bell - Sentenced For Assault Of Macomb County Commissioner Michelle Nard - Facing A Possible Life Sentence, Bell Only Sentenced To Probation</span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2021/12/12072021-prosecuting-attorney-jennifer.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>12072021 - </b>Prosecuting Attorney Jennifer Janetsky: Understanding The Politics Behind Janetsky's OIDV Plea Deal For Jerry Tommy Bell</span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2021/12/12272021-warren-activist-jerry-bell.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>12272021 - </b>Warren Activist Jerry Bell - Investigated For Kidnapping, Strangulation, And Auto Theft - While On Probation For Previous DV Assault Of Ex</span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/01/01252022-warren-activist-jerry-bell.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>01252022 -</b> Warren Activist Jerry Bell - Criminal Case For Second Incident Of DV (12272021) - Carjacking, Unlawful Imprisonment, Aggravated Stalking, Assault W/A Dangerous Weapon And DV</span></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/05/05122022-warren-activist-jerry-bell.html" target="_blank"><b>05122022 - </b>Warren Activist Jerry Bell - Criminal Case For Second Incident Of DV (12272021) - Bell Pleads Guilty To Probation Violation</a></span></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/05/05122022-defense-attorney-craig-tank.html" target="_blank"><b>05122022 - </b>Defense Attorney Craig Tank - Attorney For Warren Activist Jerry Bell - Retaliation/Claims Of Victim's Confidential Medical Information. Hello Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission!</a></span></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><i>I hope that commissioner Michelle Nard reports and sues Bell's defense attorney Craig Tank, for publicly disclosing her medical information during the May 2022 public hearing.</i></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>How to File a Request for an Investigation</b></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;">Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission</span></div><div><a href="https://www.agcmi.org/for-the-public/investigation" target="_blank">https://www.agcmi.org/for-the-public/investigation</a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIee0jDRDKTU73Mqh1H_1ZoNBAFPwjKVEWIqiVDhycvdGv7IuC_uQaHNxQBw2myD5F2dDzmx4RcFaGqW-y2MQM4huq_hl35YfYPdmbwpr20UVYKI4o3G39GkVgval34TdObdm4so_4tvTvMCMV5jJfxUClC5v7veg4bm3dEhxEP97_7Fus3IW2GaZlVA/s1058/Bell--44.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="823" data-original-width="1058" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIee0jDRDKTU73Mqh1H_1ZoNBAFPwjKVEWIqiVDhycvdGv7IuC_uQaHNxQBw2myD5F2dDzmx4RcFaGqW-y2MQM4huq_hl35YfYPdmbwpr20UVYKI4o3G39GkVgval34TdObdm4so_4tvTvMCMV5jJfxUClC5v7veg4bm3dEhxEP97_7Fus3IW2GaZlVA/w640-h498/Bell--44.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Anyone may file a Request for Investigation against an attorney licensed by the State Bar of Michigan, or otherwise permitted by a court to practice in the state, by completing and signing the AGC’s Request for Investigation form or by sending in a signed letter.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The form or letter must be signed and sufficiently describe the alleged misconduct (including approximate time and place). The Request for Investigation may include copies of any relevant documents. Requests for Investigation are not accepted electronically or by facsimile at this time. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A copy of the Request for Investigation form can be requested by calling the AGC at 313-961-6585, or can be downloaded below. Requests for Investigation and any accompanying documents can be sent to:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">755 W. Big Beaver Rd. - Suite 2100</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Troy MI 48084</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Please do not bind or staple your documents in order to facilitate scanning.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Grievance Administrator may also institute an investigation on his own based upon knowledge gained from other ways, such as news articles, court opinions, or information received in the course of a disciplinary investigation.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><a href="https://www.agcmi.org/getattachment/For-the-Public/Investigation/RI-form-w-cover-letter-20220425-pdf-2022.pdf.aspx?lang=en-US" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">Click here for an Investigation Form</span></a></b></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Bell pleads guilty to probation violation in Warren court</b></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;">Warren activist says no-contact order was violated</span></div><div>Macomb Daily</div><div>May 16, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.macombdaily.com/2022/05/19/bell-pleads-guilty-to-probation-violation/" target="_blank">https://www.macombdaily.com/2022/05/19/bell-pleads-guilty-to-probation-violation/</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0i5wdq52FIHm26eyNNYDycKcORA_dcMsui7b0ivNsX70z2IAQRsJbt13fn65MPDPxnr_x6k1AqOCPOwmMSwZEH9R6lsuKUiS3IKOWTeI9t3HUpn9oXa1vTsdnz2Z8pliOyPwZO-xnWEZiQ46iiTgRoIDUVOAt3kq1Jhq85A_DaHNzgpyPJCVc6BI7hg/s577/Bell--43.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="577" data-original-width="496" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0i5wdq52FIHm26eyNNYDycKcORA_dcMsui7b0ivNsX70z2IAQRsJbt13fn65MPDPxnr_x6k1AqOCPOwmMSwZEH9R6lsuKUiS3IKOWTeI9t3HUpn9oXa1vTsdnz2Z8pliOyPwZO-xnWEZiQ46iiTgRoIDUVOAt3kq1Jhq85A_DaHNzgpyPJCVc6BI7hg/w550-h640/Bell--43.jpg" width="550" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Warren activist Jerry Bell pled guilty Thursday in 37th District Court to violating a no-contact order put in place by Judge Michael Chupa last November as a term of his probation.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Chupa said at Bell’s Nov. 12 hearing a no-contact order with his ex-fiancee Michelle Nard was to remain in place until Bell had completed 12 classes for battery intervention. Chupa also assigned Bell reporting probation for five years.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Bell testified on Thursday in front of Chupa that Nard actually picked him up from the Macomb County Jail on the day of his release in November and that he had subsequent interactions with her even though he had not completed the required classes and the no-contact order was still in place.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Chupa dismissed Bell’s probation requirements and sentenced him to 180 days in jail with credit for 163 days served.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In November, Bell pled guilty to misdemeanor stalking and domestic violence after Nard agreed to drop six felony charges against him. Bell is currently being held in the Macomb County Jail on $500,000 cash surety bond on charges of felony carjacking, extortion, unlawful imprisonment, assault by strangulation, felonious assault, aggravated stalking and a misdemeanor charge of domestic violence, second offense. Those charges were brought against Bell by police after a complaint was filed by Nard in January.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Bell admitted to violating the no-contact order, but said Nard also played a part in maintaining contact after Nov. 12.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“I think Michelle played a major role in that from the beginning in terms of getting me out of jail and making it known that she did that,” said Bell. “I understand the seriousness of the charges and the importance of not having any contact with her. I also understand that the no-contact order is in place not just to benefit the victim but the accused as well.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Bell seemed to indicate he hoped after having the six felony charges dismissed in November, that he and Nard would be able to resume their former relationship.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“I was led by my heart to believe she was going to do the right thing and make things right,” said Bell. “I understood too late the importance of completing those classes and not having any contact with her. A lot of this was forced upon me by her, but I apologize to the court for my part in this.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Chupa said he kept the no-contact order in place, even after Nard dropped several of the charges against Bell, because he was trying to help all parties involved.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“I put the no-contact provision in place not only for her benefit but quite candidly for yours,” said Chupa. “I tried to give you a shield and give you both some time for reflection. Had you followed my instructions, you probably would not have found yourself in this position facing new criminal charges.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Criminal defense attorney Craig Tank, who is representing Bell, expressed frustration that seven Macomb County Circuit Court judges have recused themselves from his client’s pending case.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“We can’t even get a judge to get the bond reduced,” said Tank, who indicated that judges have recused themselves because of Nard’s role as a Macomb County Commissioner. “It says a lot about the dysfunction of Macomb County because we have an elected commissioner that is quite literally under psychiatric care because she sees and hears things that don’t happen and who is also responsible in some way for the funding of the circuit court. Because the people of the City of Warren have elected an insane person it has prevented the Macomb County Circuit Court from ruling.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Tank said he expects to have a judge from another county appointed to the case. He also hinted that he plans to introduce evidence in Bell’s upcoming trial showing that Nard is not a reliable witness.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“The complaining witness is a person that quite literally has very severe psychiatric problems and sees and hears things that don’t happen,” said Tank. “This person is delusional, is under psychiatric care and receives medication so she does not have paranoid delusions.”</span></div></div>Renee' Harringtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01414390590891254320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3957752986490500628.post-49138897709446295512022-04-29T17:11:00.046-05:002022-07-26T17:50:24.839-05:0004292022 - Flint PD Officer Javion Miller - First Domestic Violence Assault Incident<div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Related Posts:</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/06/06012022-flint-pd-officer-javion-miller.html" target="_blank">06012022 - Flint PD Officer Javion Miller - Second Domestic Violence Assault Incident</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Flint Police officer fired and arrested</b></span></div><div>Mid-Michigan NOW</div><div>June 09, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=5162093607212985" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=5162093607212985</a></div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzP046kA1TFBzo1P0wVLa6I6kRw1Zrxcc58YzBStEgSrbUUyPWjs_8bNRmrNClNOSGVCkVjgIKel36I-CeClA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Flint police officer fired after being charged with domestic assault</b></span></div><div>MLive</div><div>Jun. 09, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.mlive.com/news/flint/2022/06/flint-police-officer-fired-after-being-charged-with-domestic-assault.html" target="_blank">https://www.mlive.com/news/flint/2022/06/flint-police-officer-fired-after-being-charged-with-domestic-assault.html</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEjzCHwcF27CjqXUnWDNuktw4zXQD0PORpY0nszRFnFXxdW2RqlAqPOXbjnRiK-ofJpFJqlKyHBD9ZrS_Kli1enSAS8m8XDkjtzC23jrewIROZg4eNk76_3xrgLoHw1w5L_03erzmZbqdlNKSBhwMnOgzgizvqlmvYCuNPyBhQkTkhyEsyEAGLsYja4g/s622/Miller--01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="471" data-original-width="622" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEjzCHwcF27CjqXUnWDNuktw4zXQD0PORpY0nszRFnFXxdW2RqlAqPOXbjnRiK-ofJpFJqlKyHBD9ZrS_Kli1enSAS8m8XDkjtzC23jrewIROZg4eNk76_3xrgLoHw1w5L_03erzmZbqdlNKSBhwMnOgzgizvqlmvYCuNPyBhQkTkhyEsyEAGLsYja4g/w640-h484/Miller--01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>FLINT, MI – </b>A Flint police officer was fired this week after being charged with assaulting his domestic partner.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The former officer, Javion Miller, had been with the Flint Police Department for six months, according to a Wednesday, June 8, press release.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Online court records show he is charged with misdemeanor domestic assault and battery stemming from a June 1 incident. <b><span style="color: red;">A separate file also charges him with domestic assault and battery but has an April 29 offense date.</span></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A domestic assault complaint was filed with the department on June 1, alleging that Miller had assaulted his domestic partner.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The following day, the Flint Police Department Internal Affairs Division opened an internal investigation into the incident. Miller was placed on leave without pay pending the results of the investigation and review of the complaint by the city attorney’s office.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">On Tuesday, June 7, the Flint city attorney’s office authorized a warrant for domestic assault against Miller. The department immediately fired him and placed him under arrest.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“Our agency will continue to demand the highest level of professionalism from those in the ranks that have sworn to protect the public,” the department said in a statement.</span></div><div><br /></div></div><p><br /></p>Renee' Harringtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01414390590891254320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3957752986490500628.post-45223227047708064162022-04-26T21:20:00.002-05:002022-07-09T07:55:44.391-05:0004262022 - A Glimpse Into What OIDV Victims Endure: Relative Of Andrew Zaleski Threatens OIDV Project Of Michigan If Post Is Not Removed<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Related Post:</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2019/10/10302019-andrew-zaleski-relative-of.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">10302019 - Andrew Zaleski - Relative Of Former Sheriff Finally Convicted And Sent To Prison On Domestic Violence Charges</span></a></div><div><br /></div><div><h3 class="western"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large; font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/06/06042022-oidv-project-is-back-online.html" target="_blank">06042022 - OIDV Project Is Back Online - Hacked On May 10, 2022</a></span></span></h3>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Despite Brianna Zaleski's threats, the post on Andrew Zaleski's arrest and conviction for domestic violence will remain on the OIDV Project Website. This is just a glimpse into what it must have been like for Zaleski's victim as she endured threats and retaliation in her fight for justice...</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbd0v1gT78SI0e70FViqeT_nW-vZszbr8gobzbOXG_WsqW5w5jfX9wZtT7cdS1NnDnO8u4AAymdymXF9dXLw_2uuLYE_NOhLI9MVRIFLkLBN-LLcUwKrNYR2CN23aDTb1t-0fjt2PAiU0gorj2gk0DNU-tXgZPYyNDJdWShJWnbYMZbsnDm4NqbQxdcQ/s1597/Brianna-Zaleski-Emails.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="464" data-original-width="1597" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbd0v1gT78SI0e70FViqeT_nW-vZszbr8gobzbOXG_WsqW5w5jfX9wZtT7cdS1NnDnO8u4AAymdymXF9dXLw_2uuLYE_NOhLI9MVRIFLkLBN-LLcUwKrNYR2CN23aDTb1t-0fjt2PAiU0gorj2gk0DNU-tXgZPYyNDJdWShJWnbYMZbsnDm4NqbQxdcQ/w640-h186/Brianna-Zaleski-Emails.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WLJWcSeb6uyTMeJC-y03lTGTRRG4wZyf/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">OIDV-Project--Brianna-Zaleski-Emails--04252022-04262022</a></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Renee' Harringtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01414390590891254320noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3957752986490500628.post-23764573655650963812022-04-25T13:58:00.001-05:002022-07-29T14:19:05.643-05:0004252022 - Genesee County SD Deputy Jacob Wilkinson - Charged With Torturing/Killing Service Dog, Habs<div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Justice For Habs! Murder is murder!!!</b></span></div><div>Candace Shellnut/Sterling's Legacy Change.org Petition For Habs</div><div>Change.org</div><div><a href="https://www.change.org/p/justice-for-habs-murder-is-murder" target="_blank">https://www.change.org/p/justice-for-habs-murder-is-murder</a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtVjC0VuiptgXEMs4ig0G0aw6yYBpr8Iejax5ZFgUQi9bCJi7li0_axUn_AdUNgM2SpnIeDMDHBdnSkiA_zozEnWXICPamuNNNcPcbnAZm0gJjjSmqKBtt0BI3N0AhdE3gMqyNV4612NTkYylYRKhkrTcnBYRjmYc4Lb2ona6VaGhPFNtPR9Z5a6fogA/s773/Wilkinson--08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="523" data-original-width="773" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtVjC0VuiptgXEMs4ig0G0aw6yYBpr8Iejax5ZFgUQi9bCJi7li0_axUn_AdUNgM2SpnIeDMDHBdnSkiA_zozEnWXICPamuNNNcPcbnAZm0gJjjSmqKBtt0BI3N0AhdE3gMqyNV4612NTkYylYRKhkrTcnBYRjmYc4Lb2ona6VaGhPFNtPR9Z5a6fogA/s16000/Wilkinson--08.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg88fp-Z_leCpmEumMHK8J1TBqDZIm-1UxAKxc_gx5ohNMTItRnRmuGdT_myNqOwyfUE-DV6p14oYeuUY7aUlZqc9yrHN6kWy7_DPS5JjbFwOb17-yIglSF9cgpkc_xMWvt5rraH-IwPOLE-0Yp_BmsLWfu_hmD6GwvfcsD728S1RhlXXHeIKZCRewSeA/s750/Wilkinson--07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="556" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg88fp-Z_leCpmEumMHK8J1TBqDZIm-1UxAKxc_gx5ohNMTItRnRmuGdT_myNqOwyfUE-DV6p14oYeuUY7aUlZqc9yrHN6kWy7_DPS5JjbFwOb17-yIglSF9cgpkc_xMWvt5rraH-IwPOLE-0Yp_BmsLWfu_hmD6GwvfcsD728S1RhlXXHeIKZCRewSeA/s16000/Wilkinson--07.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">MDOC officer Jacob S. Wilkinson brutally tortured and murdered his adopted rescue dog named Habs. Habs was found dead in a ditch with his legs bound and mouth duct taped shut. He also had three .22 caliber bullets in his body. Habs is believed to have been murdered in September. The snow in Michigan his his body for months. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">While is pains me to write these details, we MUST stand up together for Habs. Whether human or furry, MURDER IS MURDER. Jacob Wilkinson must pay for his crimes. Laws need to change. This is a disgusting and heinous crime. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">While details are still coming in, we do know that the next court hearing is being held via zoom on May 9th at 10:15 a.m at the Saginaw County courthouse. We need your support. Please check Sterling's Legacy/Sterling's Legacy-public for more information. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://www.facebook.com/SterlingsLegacy/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">Candace Shellnut, </span><span style="font-size: large;">President of Sterling's Legacy</span></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Dog allegedly killed by ex-corrections officer spurs planned protest at Saginaw County courthouse</b></span></div><div>MLive</div><div>May 06, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw-bay-city/2022/05/dog-allegedly-killed-by-ex-corrections-officer-spurs-planned-protest-at-saginaw-county-courthouse.html" target="_blank">https://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw-bay-city/2022/05/dog-allegedly-killed-by-ex-corrections-officer-spurs-planned-protest-at-saginaw-county-courthouse.html</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-uYKpARe9jNHKgBJZHSQXMSAlehqVqTJ6PWLgTI04rXyHkpCSMGfjqd5l489YJ_QaYKvpPpX_DvDQawWxapR4lxImWnfSbnPFRdUHLDL6nqVFCYqcPMxJYQvi3cRBApLl63j8cGhCrE7Z7BrFRlRv8iFIBuNKIDLBmSqfxfRwvW36aAdzS9sG0W2Wlg/s697/Wilkinson--01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="697" data-original-width="620" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-uYKpARe9jNHKgBJZHSQXMSAlehqVqTJ6PWLgTI04rXyHkpCSMGfjqd5l489YJ_QaYKvpPpX_DvDQawWxapR4lxImWnfSbnPFRdUHLDL6nqVFCYqcPMxJYQvi3cRBApLl63j8cGhCrE7Z7BrFRlRv8iFIBuNKIDLBmSqfxfRwvW36aAdzS9sG0W2Wlg/s16000/Wilkinson--01.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgihkaurR3rLrsFz54N1ftXdkTSiGRsaio4l2FAKgS0uqEDYYM_uGzfjKRAihCApu8auqeoebwjlLV0bOba8qI37YWnM5DJZIZRyQ3f27P3UUsaWZJ3o4tQnTFcze8wFtkhk-Bzosih-poqPSAQP9Op5Lcy63WnoFRg0lxBVAW_WieCbu8y3IuNGWjS8A/s625/Wilkinson--02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="381" data-original-width="625" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgihkaurR3rLrsFz54N1ftXdkTSiGRsaio4l2FAKgS0uqEDYYM_uGzfjKRAihCApu8auqeoebwjlLV0bOba8qI37YWnM5DJZIZRyQ3f27P3UUsaWZJ3o4tQnTFcze8wFtkhk-Bzosih-poqPSAQP9Op5Lcy63WnoFRg0lxBVAW_WieCbu8y3IuNGWjS8A/s16000/Wilkinson--02.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipdX6LkAJ2u8hXOWaBP0ZbuHnA0RyBeoqfkzRR-m99gwj96I8rnakj0fIDppM6dvPkHx4DMxww7X74HdIDM6jmyIsG29Z9RCIOfO8bKl4syb8833Vt5OhwrhsBIEN7GgytxKVvfAjUU2dEzyJtL1bgSZLJ8dgr7ybRqDNn-NdVGX4Hw3dprEAJITVsoQ/s626/Wilkinson--03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="454" data-original-width="626" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipdX6LkAJ2u8hXOWaBP0ZbuHnA0RyBeoqfkzRR-m99gwj96I8rnakj0fIDppM6dvPkHx4DMxww7X74HdIDM6jmyIsG29Z9RCIOfO8bKl4syb8833Vt5OhwrhsBIEN7GgytxKVvfAjUU2dEzyJtL1bgSZLJ8dgr7ybRqDNn-NdVGX4Hw3dprEAJITVsoQ/s16000/Wilkinson--03.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>SAGINAW, MI — </b>In light of a former corrections officer charged with torturing and killing an inmate-trained dog he adopted, animal lovers are planning a protest outside the Saginaw County Courthouse.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The protest planned for the morning of Monday, May 9, coincides with the next scheduled court date of 25-year-old defendant Jacob S. Wilkinson. At 10:15 a.m., Wilkinson is to appear before Saginaw County District Judge Elian E.H. Fichtner for a pre-examination conference.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The hearing will be held remotely, meaning Wilkinson will appear before the judge via Zoom rather than in person.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Wilkinson on April 25 was arraigned on one count of second-degree torturing or killing an animal, a felony punishable by up to seven years in prison. The charge stems from Wilkinson allegedly killing a brown pit bull mix named Habs in September. At the time, Wilkinson worked as a corrections officer at the Saginaw Correctional Facility in Tittabawassee Township, where Habs had been trained by prisoners.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Habs, previously named Randy, came from the Humane Society of Macomb before arriving in Saginaw County.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Ken Kempkens, director of the Humane Society of Macomb, is organizing the protest and said he and fellow attendees plan on arriving between 9 and 9:30 a.m.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“We mainly want to call attention to the proceedings going on,” Kempkins said. “Our goal for that day is to try to get the judge to move the case from District Court to the Circuit Court level.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">So far, about nine people plan on participating, Kempkens said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“Anybody who wants to come up there with us is absolutely welcome,” he said. “I know people up there are pretty passionate about what’s going up there. People are passionate about their animals. When something like this happens, we’re going to stay right on top of this.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Habs had been trained by inmates at the Saginaw prison through Pinckney-based Blue Star Service Dogs. Blue Star’s program sees inmates within the prison’s veterans block live with and train dogs for four to six months.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Though Habs did not meet the requirements to be a veteran’s service dog, he completed basic obedience training before being adopted by Wilkinson.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“He didn’t pass the service dog test because he was too friendly,” Kempkens said. “This dog was so quick to learn. He was less than a year old when he left us.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Saginaw County Road Commission personnel on March 24 found Habs’ carcass in a ditch near the intersection of West Freeland and Hackett roads in Tittabawassee Township. Animal Control officers retrieved the body, finding it had duct tape around its muzzle and both sets of legs and had been shot three times.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A necropsy — the animal equivalent to an autopsy — was performed on Habs’ body, during which a microchip was discovered. That microchip led investigators to Wilkinson, who by then was working at the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson addressed the matter in a Facebook live video on April 27.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“We’re gonna hold our own accountable. Nobody is exempt from that,” Swanson said, holding a driver’s license identification photo of Wilkinson.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The sheriff said Wilkinson claimed he had been trimming Habs’ nails when the dog nipped at him.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“That guy thought … ‘You’re not gonna do that,’ so he duct taped the rear legs of the dog. Duct taped the front legs of the dog. Duct taped the muzzle,” Swanson said. “And because he lives in Saginaw, he dumped it in Tittabawassee Township. Before he dumped it and left, he shot it three times and killed it.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Swanson expressed doubt that Habs had nipped at Wilkinson</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“A service dog that has been trained by people … to help counsel and work through issues that is completely innocent, that dog nipped at him?” he rhetorically asked.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Wilkinson worked for the Michigan Department of Corrections from May 2, 2021, through Jan. 27. In December 2021, he applied for a job with the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, months after he had allegedly killed Habs.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“He never disclosed in his interview that he shot and killed and tortured a dog,” Swanson said. “He never disclosed it to a psychologist when he was sent for a psychological interview before his hiring.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Swanson hired Wilkinson on Jan. 31. He said Wilkinson graduated with honors from Saginaw Valley State University with a minor in psychology, was an EMT and combat medic, and is in the National Guard.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“He’s got a stellar background but never, never, did we know or even think he’d torture an animal like that,” Swanson said. Wilkinson only worked in the county jail as a corrections officer and was not a certified road deputy, he added.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The sheriff learned of Wilkinson’s alleged conduct through “the good work of our Saginaw County friends,” giving a personal shout-out to Saginaw County Animal Care & Control Director Bonnie Kanicki. Wilkinson was working a shift in the jail when investigators came to speak with him in April.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“When the detectives came down, we brought him down and without getting into all the details of the case, he confessed to everything,” Swanson said. “He was immediately terminated.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“Some people talk about the blue line,” he continued. “There ain’t no blue line when it comes to right and wrong.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Kempkens stressed there are always alternatives to killing a pet, such as surrendering it to an animal shelter.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“This guy had options,” he said. “He could have called us and we would have taken Habs back in a second.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Wilkinson is represented by Flint attorney Michael T. Beer. MLive has been unable to reach Beer for comment on the case.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Deputy Jacob Wilkinson Arrested!!!</b></span></div><div>The Skip Tracer</div><div>May 02, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGMOx7sKLyU" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGMOx7sKLyU</a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Genesee County Deputy Jacob Wilkinson was recently arrested for killing an innocent service dog. I found disturbing evidence showing that Jacob thinks he'll face no consequences.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxBmKZlu-PIIvTRI0Nvv2fn_2s41-WecxBx3FX0V_PfzN_88ZPeHRMZwG7g-Wo_dqzdQwQCDgPPOMB0-7GjsQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Genesee County deputy charged with torturing, shooting his service dog</b></span></div><div>Midland Daily News (MI)</div><div>May 2, 2022 </div><div><a href="https://infoweb.newsbank.com/" target="_blank">https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A former Michigan sheriff's deputy was arrested on a felony charge for torturing and killing his service dog after the animal allegedly nipped him.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Jacob Wilkinson was apprehended last week and was terminated from his post at the Genesee County Sheriff's Office after the corpse of his dog with its head and limbs duct-taped was discovered in a Saginaw County ditch, according to Genessee County Sheriff Christopher Swanson in a Facebook update on Friday, April 27.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Wilkinson reportedly killed his service dog, named Habs, sometime between September and October of 2021 because it "nipped at him" as he was cutting the canine's nails, according to Swanson.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"And that guy … thought he had enough control over the dog that you're not gonna do that. So he duct-taped the rear legs of the dog, duct-taped the front legs of the dog, duct-taped the muzzle," Swanson said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Wilkinson bound Habs, shot him three times and dumped the remains in the ditch. But the gruesome sight wasn't uncovered until spring thaw melted away blanketing snow.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The remains were discovered by road commission workers in March, and authorities were notified.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A necropsy, which is an animal autopsy, found that the dog was shot three times and that it had a microchip ID.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"They used the technology and they tracked that microchip to a resident of Saginaw County … and they tracked that individual to be Jacob Wilkinson," Swanson said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">At the time of his crime, Wilkinson was working for the Michigan Department of Corrections, assigned to the Saginaw area, according to Swanson. Wilkinson had helped train Habs, who was part of a blue star service training program in which inmates within the Michigan Department of Corrections help train service dogs to give to veterans and officers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">When Habs' training was complete, Wilkinson adopted him.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"A service dog that has been trained by people … that is completely innocent," Swanson said. "That dog nipped at him and he tortured it and he killed it and he left it for dead."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Wilkinson applied for the sheriff's office in December of 2021. And he went through the process like anybody else, according to Swanson.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"He never disclosed in his interview that he shot and killed a dog. That he tortured a dog. He never disclosed it to a psychologist when he was sent for a psychological interview before his hiring on the 11th of January 2022."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Wilkinson is in the national guard and he graduated from SVSU with honors, with a minor in psychology. He was an EMT. He worked as a combat medic, according to Swanson.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Has got a stellar background. But never did we know, or even think he'd torture an animal like that." Swanson went on to say Wilkinson confessed to everything and has been charged with a seven-year felony along with his termination from the Genessee County Sheriff's Office.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"This isn't the first time that we've held our staff here accountable. It's not the first time that we've arrested our own," Swanson said. "I've been elected as the sheriff to hold this office accountable to the people and I'm gonna continue to do that."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Wilkinson was arraigned Tuesday. Bond was set at $10,000, and he was ordered not to possess or purchase a firearm or other dangerous weapon or to have contact with animals, court records show.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">His next hearing date is slated for May 9.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The case has alarmed animal advocates. For instance, a group that fights for the rights of the pit bull breed called Stand Up For Pits Foundation, Inc, posted about Wilkinson's crime on Facebook Friday, April 29 to its 127,000 followers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"The murderer's next hearing date is slated for May 9," Stand Up For Pits Foundation stated in the post. "This is call to action to demand he serve the full sentence for this horrific crime against a voiceless helpless being. If someone can please do some research as to who the decision-makers are in this case and send it to info@standupforpits.us we will post this call to action. This story cannot just disappear. It needs to be heard and known and the human who did this needs to suffer consequences."</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>What Cop Did To This Dog SHOULD PUT HIM BEHIND BARS</b></span></div><div>The Junkyard News</div><div>Apr 29, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mef7ixaAZ08" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mef7ixaAZ08</a></div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz1Jf_eXR9LVWlAtBz5N9PoJWDU1dQMtHMO7eAlw6vjEeJ_zTUI5TkBcOnjzcUJ_rZVbwCOZxpChQEm_ky2UQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Rescued stray dog tortured and killed by Michigan deputy who adopted him</b></span></div><div>FOX 2 - Detroit</div><div>Apr 28, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OOIBs-CoME" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OOIBs-CoME</a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Wilkinson has been charged for torturing and killing Habs after the dog was found in a Saginaw County ditch duct-taped and shot to death. It turns out, Habs was left there in September.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzjugcqAxUPwMXWR9by-ij4ko7q8mLFpQnx7ivsH_bnG1eRFvG6_8eU88ISvwnX7PvXwyP5J7S-_pgCuP2I8g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Ex-Corrections officer charged in his pet dog's torture and killing in Saginaw Co.</b></span></div><div>Detroit News</div><div>April 28, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/04/28/ex-corrections-officer-charged-his-pet-dogs-torture-and-killing-saginaw-co/9579001002/" target="_blank">https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/04/28/ex-corrections-officer-charged-his-pet-dogs-torture-and-killing-saginaw-co/9579001002/</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSzU170rHeUWBRyP0gfiiNYUiEMU46rhXH0xy10a2MGHHuOPEidNj2c71DMUtJKKhRxUn8SFYAgIlCXALTcSRfAkpEk8_odEcPotwme5gScgPkaKv1e-wZkG0SUqth7fd2fcse-dN69P-4-ANCcx472WMC1tbygWOqX1WFcli7RZKB5j-WauPjIOV-qA/s447/Wilkinson--05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="447" data-original-width="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSzU170rHeUWBRyP0gfiiNYUiEMU46rhXH0xy10a2MGHHuOPEidNj2c71DMUtJKKhRxUn8SFYAgIlCXALTcSRfAkpEk8_odEcPotwme5gScgPkaKv1e-wZkG0SUqth7fd2fcse-dN69P-4-ANCcx472WMC1tbygWOqX1WFcli7RZKB5j-WauPjIOV-qA/s16000/Wilkinson--05.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A former state corrections officer and former Genesee County sheriff's deputy has been charged in connection with torturing and killing his dog, the county's top cop announced this week.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Jacob Wilkinson was arraigned Tuesday in Saginaw County Circuit Court on one count of second-degree animal torture/killing, records show.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Wilkinson, who previously worked for the Michigan Department of Corrections, faces up to seven years in prison, Genesee County Sheriff Christopher Swanson said in a Facebook update Wednesday.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He had only been with the county office 42 days when he was fired as a result of the charge, Swanson added.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"This isn't the first time that we've held our staff here accountable. It's not the first time that we've arrested our own," Swanson said. "I've been elected as the sheriff to hold this office accountable to the people and I'm gonna continue to do that."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Authorities started investigating after road crews found a dog's remains in Tittabawasee Township in Saginaw County, Swanson said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A necropsy determined the dog, named Habs, had been shot three times, the sheriff said. Media reports said the dog had been shot in the head. The dog's front and rear legs as well its muzzle had also been duct-taped.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A microchip led to an address in Saginaw and Wilkinson, he said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">An attorney representing Wilkinson did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Jacobson attended a preliminary examination conference Monday in 70th District Court in Saginaw County via Zoom, according to court staff. No new hearings have yet been scheduled in the matter. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Habs was part of the Blue Star service program that helps military veterans, and Wilkinson adopted the animal after working to train it through MDOC in Saginaw County, Swanson said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Wilkinson told investigators he bound the dog with duct tape after a nail-trimming incident in September or October last year, Swanson said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"That dog nipped at him and he tortured it and he killed it and he left it for dead."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Wilkinson served in the National Guard, was a combat veteran and studied psychology at Saginaw Valley State University.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He never disclosed the incident to county officials when applying for his job last year or undergoing a psychological evaluation, Swanson said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Saginaw County Animal Care & Control Director Bonnie Kanicki alerted Swanson about the probe. The sheriff said he allowed Wilkinson to be questioned immediately in what he called a "horrific, horrendous murder."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"He confessed everything," Swanson said. "He was immediately terminated."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">At his arraignment, Wilkinson was ordered not to possess firearms or animals. Bond was set at $10,000. A hearing is scheduled for May 9.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">His case has alarmed animal advocates. Candace Shellnut, who leads Sterling's Legacy, a group that formed after a Macomb County pit bull mix was slain in 2019, this week launched a Change.org petition calling for stricter punishment. It has collected more than 2,000 signatures.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">She hopes keeping the case in the public eye leads to stronger penalties for animal abuse.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I'm just disgusted," Shellnut said Thursday. "I cannot believe a human would do that to another living being."</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Ex-corrections officer, deputy charged with killing dog trained by prisoners</b></span></div><div>MLive</div><div>Apr. 27, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw-bay-city/2022/04/ex-corrections-officer-charged-with-killing-dog-trained-by-prisoners-to-be-service-animal.html" target="_blank">https://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw-bay-city/2022/04/ex-corrections-officer-charged-with-killing-dog-trained-by-prisoners-to-be-service-animal.html</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1dq5-1b7ipcdd7VgBwZ1pQNiePdZeMqzf7I062iyy1jTrbEu60mNYSsdEU8TE_G0cuDalrBNkkD891GAHuXRb5B7QycFEnbuZIcYLgspGl6Lv-Zj21hMqYbrSxC5Rz-hgR7yYiEfuQ9-fDK2d3DSyEgeEyI2M6S_67ocUUmDsmjrCB7psVaU3iUWSqA/s625/Wilkinson--04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="465" data-original-width="625" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1dq5-1b7ipcdd7VgBwZ1pQNiePdZeMqzf7I062iyy1jTrbEu60mNYSsdEU8TE_G0cuDalrBNkkD891GAHuXRb5B7QycFEnbuZIcYLgspGl6Lv-Zj21hMqYbrSxC5Rz-hgR7yYiEfuQ9-fDK2d3DSyEgeEyI2M6S_67ocUUmDsmjrCB7psVaU3iUWSqA/s16000/Wilkinson--04.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>SAGINAW, MI —</b> When the spring thaw melted away the blanketing snow, it unveiled a grisly sight in a muddy Saginaw County ditch: the carcass of a dog, its muzzle and limbs duct taped, bullet holes in its head.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Little did investigators know their ensuing investigation would lead them to a suspect who worked as a corrections officer for the Michigan Department of Corrections and was a deputy with the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Now, their suspect is facing a felony for allegedly torturing and killing the dog he adopted, one that had undergone training by MDOC prisoners.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">On March 24, Saginaw County Road Commission employees reported finding the carcass in a ditch near the intersection of West Freeland and Hackett roads in Tittabawassee Township, according to Saginaw County Animal Care & Control Director Bonnie Kanicki. Two Animal Control officers went to retrieve the body, finding it had duct tape around its muzzle and both sets of legs.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Officers took the body back to headquarters and discovered the dog had been microchipped. This led investigators to the Humane Society of Macomb, where staff said the dog had been transferred to them from Detroit Animal Care and Control. The dog, originally named Randy, was then transferred to Pinckney-based Blue Star Service Dogs.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Randy was renamed Habs after a veteran who died of suicide and was trained by inmates of the Saginaw Correctional Facility, Kanicki said. Blue Star’s program sees inmates within the prison’s veterans block live with and train dogs for four to six months.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“These dogs master basic obedience, command training, and pre-task training and basic tasks such as turning off and on lights, picking up objects, and opening doors,” Blue Star’s website states.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Though Habs came short of meeting the service dog standards, he completed obedience training, Kanicki said. When Habs’ training was finished, corrections officer Jacob S. Wilkinson adopted him, having been familiar with him through the training process, Kanicki said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Investigators also sent the carcass for a necropsy — the animal equivalent of an autopsy — to determine the cause of death. The necropsy showed Habs had been shot three times in its head with .22-caliber bullets, Kanicki said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“It just shocks the conscience,” Kanicki said. “That dog suffered greatly.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">By the time of the carcass’ discovery, Wilkinson was no longer employed by the MDOC and was then working for the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, Kanicki said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Investigators interviewed Wilkinson, who confessed to killing Habs and dumping his body in the ditch, Kanicki said. Wilkinson told investigators he had been trying to trim Habs’ nails when the dog nipped at him, prompting Wilkinson to wrap him in duct tape, drive him out to the ditch, shoot him three times, and leave his carcass, Kanicki said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Wilkinson is believed to have killed Habs in September, with snow concealing the body for months.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Authorities issued a warrant for Wilkinson on Monday, April 25. The next afternoon, Wilkinson voluntarily appeared before Saginaw County District Judge David D. Hoffman via Zoom for arraignment on one count of second-degree torturing or killing of an animal. The felony is punishable by up to seven years in prison.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Defense attorney Michael Beer appeared with Wilkinson at the arraignment. He said Wilkinson graduated with honors from Saginaw Valley State University, is a current member of the National Guard, is an EMT, and was employed by the MDOC for six months. MDOC’s own records show Wilkinson was employed from May 2, 2021, through Jan. 27, during which time he worked at the Saginaw Correctional Facility.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Wilkinson was a Genesee County Sheriff’s deputy until Friday, April 22, Beer said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“Unfortunately, due to the charges he did end up losing his job on Friday,” Beer said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He said Wilkinson lives with his father in Saginaw and has forfeited all of his firearms. He asked the judge to set a personal recognizance bond.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“He is not a danger, he will not flee,” Beer said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Hoffman freed Wilkinson on a $10,000 personal recognizance bond. Conditions of his bond are that he not possess firearms or animals.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The judge scheduled Wilkinson’s case for a pre-examination conference at 10:15 a.m. on May 9.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Renee' Harringtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01414390590891254320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3957752986490500628.post-53335644109287794342022-04-06T12:00:00.118-05:002022-09-23T15:41:27.252-05:0004062022 - Detroit PD Officer Michael Carson - Charged With CSC Of Minor<div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><b>Detroit police officer accused of sexually abusing young family member will go to trial</b></span></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;">Abuse began when girl was 6 years old, witness says</span></div><div>Click On Detroit</div><div>September 22, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/local/2022/09/22/detroit-police-officer-accused-of-sexually-abusing-young-family-member-will-go-to-trial/" target="_blank">https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/local/2022/09/22/detroit-police-officer-accused-of-sexually-abusing-young-family-member-will-go-to-trial/</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw7lqKPsmk3kw0WOtHHNGTRmy4RKFBuZOmttrbN8tJPeD0RtdEGCBXOW_uMbu0A96TODPw75V1SyAclcLi-nA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. – </b>A judge has decided that there is enough evidence to send a Detroit police officer to trial in a child sex abuse case.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The decision came after a 15-year-old high school student testified that Michael Anthony Carson sexually abused her for years.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Carson is a family member of hers. He has been charged with two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a minor.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">She testified that she was six years old when Carson began ordering her to perform oral sex. She said she was 10 years old when Carson began sexual penetration almost daily.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The girl’s mother also testified on Thursday. She said she wasn’t aware of the abuse until recent years, but didn’t report it to police until months later -- in January 2022.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“I was in shock (and) denial),” her mother testified.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Carson was arrested and charged on April 1.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“The allegations stemming from this investigation, which have spanned several years, are disturbing and do not represent the overwhelming majority of the hardworking men and women of the Detroit Police Department,” Detroit police Chief James White said in a statement in April. “The DPD will continue to cooperate with the investigation.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Carson had worked with the Detroit Police Department for 20 years and was placed on administrative leave without pay.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“These are just allegations right now,” Carson’s defense attorney Lillian Diallo said.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Bond reduced for a Detroit cop charged with rape of Oakland Co. child</b></span></div><div>Detroit News</div><div>April 11, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/oakland-county/2022/04/11/bond-reduced-detroit-cop-charged-rape-oakland-county-child/7277444001/" target="_blank">https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/oakland-county/2022/04/11/bond-reduced-detroit-cop-charged-rape-oakland-county-child/7277444001/</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHwpGGnHzNGkwRh5QXs6Sszl3xdqvLqyXewOnSjNrYI7hDFGE7mCAksYJe8mHPChDuoda28ye__x0PWDHmiF10-4fh2gAv98m2aOzjpsrP-vWbgeZ1aADw1waQgxAWRk3O0i8vyA9G_JZfDB7qaOXOwdsQ8CNPwNdiFE9d-e1lG1zazvZo0Gm61uUe1A/s410/Carson--01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="410" data-original-width="321" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHwpGGnHzNGkwRh5QXs6Sszl3xdqvLqyXewOnSjNrYI7hDFGE7mCAksYJe8mHPChDuoda28ye__x0PWDHmiF10-4fh2gAv98m2aOzjpsrP-vWbgeZ1aADw1waQgxAWRk3O0i8vyA9G_JZfDB7qaOXOwdsQ8CNPwNdiFE9d-e1lG1zazvZo0Gm61uUe1A/w502-h640/Carson--01.jpg" width="502" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Bloomfield Township —</b> A veteran Detroit police officer remained jailed on charges of sexually assaulting a minor in West Bloomfield Township but received a lower bond at a court hearing Monday.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Michael A. Carson, 60, a 22-year-veteran of the Detroit Police Department was arraigned on April 1 on two counts of criminal sexual conduct involving a victim under the age of 13 years old, according to Bloomfield Township 48th District Court Records. Police said the allegations involve reported incidents over several years.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He was scheduled for a probable cause hearing before Judge Kimberly Small but his defense attorneys requested a later date to allow them more time to review evidence in the case.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Defense attorneys also cited Carson’s ties to the community, long term of public service and no prior criminal history as an adult or as a juvenile as supporting a lower bond. Carson has three adult children and seven grandchildren living out of state, attorneys said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Small set a May 3 preliminary examination in the case and approved a request for a lower bond for Carson — $500,000 with a 10 percent provision — with certain conditions on his release.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“Obviously the nature of the allegations in this case are extremely serious,” Small told attorneys, who said she would require that Carson wear a GPS tether as a condition of release and have no contact of any kind, including by a third party, or come within five miles of the alleged victim or her mother.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">One of Carson’s attorneys, Lillian Diallo, described the charges to The Detroit News as “outrageous” and said they stem from a pending divorce.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Carson was arrested with the assistance of Detroit police, a West Bloomfield Police Department spokesman said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Detroit Police Chief James White said he was asking Carson be suspended without pay pending the outcome of the case.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“The allegations stemming from this investigation, which have spanned several years, are disturbing and do not represent the overwhelming majority of the hardworking men and women of the Detroit Police Department,” White said. “The DPD will continue to cooperate with the investigation.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Carson faces up to life in prison if convicted of the charges.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Detroit police officer charged with sex assault of minor</b></span></div><div>Click On Detroit</div><div>Apr 8, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLXKaNo8Zw4" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLXKaNo8Zw4</a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A Detroit police officer is being held on $750,000 bond after being charged with two counts of criminal sexual conduct first degree. The victim is a minor.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx71AAYk5x2E84pSo3Dq--wbng1clKLzUiKytxYI-S1QunXizIRQ-ceq2GVKIhm-qglLjmxGeO8cKZVR8zo0w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Detroit Police Dept. releases vague statement about officer who did bad thing (allegedly)</b></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;">Why are cops like this</span></div><div>Detroit Metro Times</div><div>Apr 8, 2022 </div><div><a href="https://www.metrotimes.com/news/detroit-police-dept-releases-vague-statement-about-officer-who-did-bad-thing-allegedly-29748849" target="_blank">https://www.metrotimes.com/news/detroit-police-dept-releases-vague-statement-about-officer-who-did-bad-thing-allegedly-29748849</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7fiWPYF9OAlh2nlunMkEnybcd1NF84x-PIKht5FJKbe9aNh83zb2jLzBRUpJ27DiONjVReokX9BkX6xtOLiWl0VBmqLpSa1t1ZDpc8HxSq00E1euGz54tPrnt2PE19PeXq0pZc34tcrQyZWqhs0wuIJHSSjVn0-e4-lgZnDGjXb7inEGTsEA3Zo3yg/s675/Carson--04.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="561" data-original-width="675" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7fiWPYF9OAlh2nlunMkEnybcd1NF84x-PIKht5FJKbe9aNh83zb2jLzBRUpJ27DiONjVReokX9BkX6xtOLiWl0VBmqLpSa1t1ZDpc8HxSq00E1euGz54tPrnt2PE19PeXq0pZc34tcrQyZWqhs0wuIJHSSjVn0-e4-lgZnDGjXb7inEGTsEA3Zo3yg/w640-h532/Carson--04.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Last year, the Detroit Police Department's new police chief, James E. White, acknowledged that law enforcement has a trust problem.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I think you get the people to believe in policing and trust the police by partnerships. You get the increased trust through transparency and acknowledgment," he told the Detroit Free Press, adding, "I'm not speaking to Detroit, just generally speaking. So there has been a lack of trust in policing."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Well, things are off to a bad start. On Thursday night, DPD released the following vague statement in an email with the subject line, "Statement from Chief James E. White Regarding Officer Charged':</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div><i><span style="font-size: medium;">“The allegations stemming from this investigation, which have spanned several years, are disturbing and do not represent the overwhelming majority of the hardworking men and women of the Detroit Police Department. The DPD will continue to cooperate with the investigation.</span></i></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Today, I am making a request to the Board of Police Commissioners that the officer-involved be suspended without pay pending the outcome of this matter.” - </i>James E. White, Chief of Police</span></div></div></div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">That's it. That's the whole statement. There is no mention of which officer was charged, or the crime allegedly committed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A quick Google search pulls up a Fox 2 article published Thursday about a DPD officer named Michael Anthony Carson, who was arraigned on two counts of first-degree sexual conduct on Wednesday for raping a minor in West Bloomfield.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">According to the article, Carson, 60, is accused of abusing the child for seven years, since the child was 6.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The obfuscating language commonly used by police was undoubtedly a huge factor that led to the 2020 summer of protests against police brutality. When the Minneapolis Police Department first described how George Floyd died, it simply reported that a man died after he "appeared to be suffering medical distress." A now-famous video shot by a 17-year-old bystander later showed that Floyd died after officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on Floyd's neck while other officers looked on. Chauvin is now behind bars for manslaughter, but he almost certainly would not be if the enormous discrepancy between how MPD described the incident and the video evidence was not revealed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Police departments — and the journalists who parrot them — routinely use a passive voice and vague phrases like "officer-involved shooting" to describe when cops shoot people. Police love to say "officer-involved." In his statement, White says that the "officer-involved" should be suspended without pay, even though that doesn't grammatically make sense. Police are just so used to typing "officer-involved" that at this point it's muscle memory.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Metro Times replied to the press release by asking who the officer was, what they were charged with, and why DPD and other police departments always have to be so unnecessarily opaque about everything. We have not received a response.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Detroit police officer charged with sexual assault of a minor in Oakland Co.</b></span></div><div>The Detroit News</div><div>April 08, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/oakland-county/2022/04/08/detroit-police-officer-michael-carson-charged-sexual-assault-minor-oakland-county/9511904002/" target="_blank">https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/oakland-county/2022/04/08/detroit-police-officer-michael-carson-charged-sexual-assault-minor-oakland-county/9511904002/</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRDXBbiIGIY0G4oGh6WLSDEbILb3FoZ8si2pXVB_D9XZNejAghunR7v8fNwdwRa5pKz5ikPeJ6RnwLg0DLa9MIjlNVyLjK_8FLnTOhY8B22BzTuVh9VDY8tQQjWGadLBDB8YRlqHNXYEfgvOZqsOogISnSOE-THerOz8f9SD0fOcYyKG2Sbs9R4o54EQ/s410/Carson--01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="410" data-original-width="321" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRDXBbiIGIY0G4oGh6WLSDEbILb3FoZ8si2pXVB_D9XZNejAghunR7v8fNwdwRa5pKz5ikPeJ6RnwLg0DLa9MIjlNVyLjK_8FLnTOhY8B22BzTuVh9VDY8tQQjWGadLBDB8YRlqHNXYEfgvOZqsOogISnSOE-THerOz8f9SD0fOcYyKG2Sbs9R4o54EQ/w502-h640/Carson--01.jpg" width="502" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>West Bloomfield Twp. —</b> A veteran Detroit police officer is jailed and facing charges of sexually assaulting a minor in West Bloomfield Township, police confirmed Friday.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Michael A. Carson, 60, a 22-year-veteran of the Detroit Police Department, was arraigned on April 1 on two counts of criminal sexual conduct involving a victim under the age of 13 years old, according to Bloomfield District Court records. He is held in the Oakland County Jail in lieu of a $750,000 bond.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A probable cause hearing is scheduled for Monday.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The arrest was based on a complaint to township police by the alleged victim regarding incidents over several years, Detroit police said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“I can confirm he was arrested "with the assistance of Detroit police,” West Bloomfield Township Deputy Chief Curt Lawson said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Lawson declined further comment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Carson’s co-counsel, Lillian Diallo, described the charges as "outrageous."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"It's outrageous to charge and jail a person on such a high bond on unsubstantiated charges which stem out of a pending divorce," Diallo said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"They come from someone who alleges witnessing things over several years but never made a report or complaint about them," she added. "There are going to be some trouble with this case and those who brought it."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Detroit Police Chief James White said “the allegations stemming from this investigation, which have spanned several years, are disturbing and do not represent the overwhelming majority of the hardworking men and women of the Detroit Police Department. The DPD will continue to cooperate with the investigation."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">White said he intended to make a request to the Board of Police Commissioners that Carson "be suspended without pay pending the outcome of this matter.” </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Carson faces up to life in prison if convicted as charged.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Detroit PD Officer Michael Carson: Administrative Leave Without Pay</b></span></div><div>Detroit Board Of Police Commissioners</div><div>April 7, 2022</div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitmi.localhost/files/events/2022-04/Agenda%20April%207%2C%202022_0.pdf" target="_blank">https://detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitmi.localhost/files/events/2022-04/Agenda%20April%207%2C%202022_0.pdf</a></span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS0ghRP3LBCAr9DL1TC2pv8IH8lKLkW1BDnwkw3HNTBtuQe4jdJKH18lC4FECoZliQFFL-Td3RkTZ4fJtjI2raDP4o-XBE7Ta_Ve7hYVO8vsN7Zl3UCUu-ymY54Id4XNxrPre3nly2F1KJJwkzGZhOxPGHnnA68m_ZumcJgYjQEPMgjuoTIs2JO0PHtA/s733/Carson--05.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="733" data-original-width="567" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS0ghRP3LBCAr9DL1TC2pv8IH8lKLkW1BDnwkw3HNTBtuQe4jdJKH18lC4FECoZliQFFL-Td3RkTZ4fJtjI2raDP4o-XBE7Ta_Ve7hYVO8vsN7Zl3UCUu-ymY54Id4XNxrPre3nly2F1KJJwkzGZhOxPGHnnA68m_ZumcJgYjQEPMgjuoTIs2JO0PHtA/w496-h640/Carson--05.jpg" width="496" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lDe3WxAZ7n_ujfAhAbpfz7dyi4-ae3Z_/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank"><b>04072022--</b>Detroit-PD-Officer-Michael-Carson--Detroit-Board-Of-Police-Commissioners--Administrative-Leave-Without-Pay</a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Detroit police officer accused of raping a minor</b></span></div><div>FOX 2 News - Detroit</div><div>Apr 7, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXJ4ArTtHbs&t=42s" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXJ4ArTtHbs&t=42s</a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A Detroit police officer has been charged and is being held in the Oakland County Jail, on a $750,000 bond, cash surety.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzFXbAiqTZCLPQmVCOFi1kEsErxiex3Zw843_bs_NazFDZdGCLhteB4PxoxQ7YiWNx2RhSC8IygHG3TrxrapA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Detroit police officer charged in sex abuse of minor</b></span></div><div>Click On Detroit</div><div>Apr 7, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUWSMHU1T_w" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUWSMHU1T_w</a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A Detroit police officer is being charged with two counts of criminal sexual conduct with a minor.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw_B8jOayyf2FcqDwntt9vpE1YBgOeGm00ei5eZEN9pNJf2dduhyDkgzjQSanJePH9Anv3nfZ5Ar9aPQYXaig' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Detroit Police Officer Charged In Sexual Assault Of Minor</b></span></div><div>CBS News - Detroit</div><div>April 07, 2022</div><div><a href="https://detroit.cbslocal.com/2022/04/07/detroit-police-officer-charged-in-sexual-assault-of-minor/" target="_blank">https://detroit.cbslocal.com/2022/04/07/detroit-police-officer-charged-in-sexual-assault-of-minor/</a></div><div style="font-size: large;"><b>(CBS DETROIT) – </b>A Detroit police officer has been charged with sexually assaulting a minor, Fox 2 News reports.</div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;">On Wednesday, April 6, Michael Anthony Carson, was arraigned on two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct in Oakland County.</div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;">Sources told Fox 2 News that the assaults have been going on for seven years and the victim is believed to be the only victim assaulted by Carson.</div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;">“The allegations stemming from this investigation, which have spanned several years, are disturbing and do not represent the overwhelming majority of the hardworking men and women of the Detroit Police Department. The DPD will continue to cooperate with the investigation.” Police Chief James White said in a statement. “Today, I am making a request to the Board of Police Commissioners that the officer-involved be suspended without pay pending the outcome of this matter.”</div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;">Law enforcement from other jurisdictions are investigating this case, which could lead to more charges.</div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;">Carson is being held on on a $750,000 cash/surety bond.</div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Detroit police officer charged with sexually assaulting minor</b></span></div><div>FOX 2 News - Detroit</div><div>April 7, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/detroit-police-officer-charged-with-sexually-assaulting-minor" target="_blank">https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/detroit-police-officer-charged-with-sexually-assaulting-minor</a></div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRd6NcVMXGyPwB1nn8dGqPaobkwTYsXuG22YtEj3o1B_79p3tw9TBaRnkxchxHx3U6aNEF0dxBwWln2BTayZjkFCrIg5VKCIXBwR2y_ofvuJNCeMh0cjtUGwoSlaE3rXHYgUi1lrHq4UKDClIW4rs-Y8Bn6Y9t51cbCp3t3aQk7RLbXJ4tUbglBlxrwg/s687/Carson--02.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="424" data-original-width="687" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRd6NcVMXGyPwB1nn8dGqPaobkwTYsXuG22YtEj3o1B_79p3tw9TBaRnkxchxHx3U6aNEF0dxBwWln2BTayZjkFCrIg5VKCIXBwR2y_ofvuJNCeMh0cjtUGwoSlaE3rXHYgUi1lrHq4UKDClIW4rs-Y8Bn6Y9t51cbCp3t3aQk7RLbXJ4tUbglBlxrwg/w640-h394/Carson--02.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;"><b>WEST BLOOMFIELD, Mich. (FOX 2) -</b> A Detroit police officer has been charged with sexually assaulting a minor in West Bloomfield.</div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;">The officer, Michael Anthony Carson, was arraigned on two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct Wednesday in Oakland County, FOX 2 has learned.</div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;">According to sources, the assaults have been going on for seven years. The minor is believed to be the only victim assaulted by Carson.</div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;">Carson is being held on a $750,000 cash/surety bond.</div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;">More charges could follow, as law enforcement from other jurisdictions are also investigation Carson's actions.</div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;">Detroit police are aware of the allegations but did not immediately provide a comment.</div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;">The department will request the Police Board of Commissioners move to suspend Carson without pay and health insurance. </div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Detroit cop accused of sexually assaulting minor over course of 7 years</b></span></div><div>MLive</div><div>Apr. 07, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.mlive.com/news/2022/04/detroit-cop-accused-of-sexually-assaulting-minor-over-course-of-7-years.html" target="_blank">https://www.mlive.com/news/2022/04/detroit-cop-accused-of-sexually-assaulting-minor-over-course-of-7-years.html</a></div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFztoa-QOkdRvWMs-dEhjsOFdo4hHDdIJtKieMpv6FWDtsMmGSHOT1n2UxqRykIp0fc0jcHnmgxc-reK11mGY9s5uDcZ_jS-UeB6d0rj95TIC7kRl4U1fBtrgEfLb3zXTy0Nhx5EjrFDyjad_dhVILZ_DEnvR9zPhRLSt583y3sLCvl6akwQQeeMg5ag/s626/Carson--03.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="445" data-original-width="626" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFztoa-QOkdRvWMs-dEhjsOFdo4hHDdIJtKieMpv6FWDtsMmGSHOT1n2UxqRykIp0fc0jcHnmgxc-reK11mGY9s5uDcZ_jS-UeB6d0rj95TIC7kRl4U1fBtrgEfLb3zXTy0Nhx5EjrFDyjad_dhVILZ_DEnvR9zPhRLSt583y3sLCvl6akwQQeeMg5ag/w640-h454/Carson--03.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;"><b>WEST BLOOMFIELD, MI --</b> Michael Anthony Carson, a police officer with the Detroit Police Department, has been charged with two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct after he allegedly sexually assaulted a minor.</div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;">According to Fox 2 Detroit, Carson, 59, was arraigned Wednesday in Oakland County on the charges stemming from an investigation into claims that he assaulted the minor. Fox 2 also reports the assaults took place over the course of seven years.</div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;">During the arraignment, the judge set bond at $750,000 cash/surety and Carson is currently being held at the Oakland County Jail.</div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;">The minor involved in the case is believed to be the only known victim at the time, but further charges could be brought against Carson by other jurisdictions. The Detroit Police Department is aware of the case, but did not comment on the matter.</div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;">However, the department is expected to ask the Police Board of Commissioners to suspend Carson without pay and health insurance as the case unfolds.</div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Renee' Harringtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01414390590891254320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3957752986490500628.post-55517501724094161772022-03-31T15:58:00.001-05:002022-07-26T16:03:01.764-05:0003312022 - Detroit PD Commander Nick Giaquinto - Abuse Of Power: Investigation Of Questionable Arrest Of Officer James Diguiseppe's Ex-Wife<div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKlYQbfRpJd1TEL51nBp3MHwG5QnjdFKodwG_LQW9qJZ4uNpEbqG5zYanSCmgn6awn9pm_pxtIyAXH2mn6pc2C3AyP-oQhCbf2xlRR221C4E_z0HEUdgzG6edSiW8VwvBRczCdSXg5zgojN388nJ0SL0LPXB8WyC0K-XBGrvJG829V1c1oD30672WrgA/s731/Diguiseppe--01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="731" data-original-width="568" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKlYQbfRpJd1TEL51nBp3MHwG5QnjdFKodwG_LQW9qJZ4uNpEbqG5zYanSCmgn6awn9pm_pxtIyAXH2mn6pc2C3AyP-oQhCbf2xlRR221C4E_z0HEUdgzG6edSiW8VwvBRczCdSXg5zgojN388nJ0SL0LPXB8WyC0K-XBGrvJG829V1c1oD30672WrgA/w498-h640/Diguiseppe--01.jpg" width="498" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1K1U_b5Acc6_43_K9ONisidslbzqJVMgH/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">03312022--DPD-Commander-Nicholas-Giaquinto--Statement--Arrest-Of-Officer-Diguiseppe's-Ex-Wife</a></b></span></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>DPD commander, officer probed over questionable arrest of cop’s ex-wife</b></span></div><div>WXYZ News </div><div>April 07, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUjalS6mPs0" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUjalS6mPs0</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxz96-Sdag4jHEzmUwN3PDw8DSakmTtZe5IWbvJHu0l93PFP2QitC1Jcjo9QR_ABmovxLpqC1G-WY7isAlvPw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>DPD commander, officer probed over questionable arrest of cop’s ex-wife</b></span></div><div>WXYZ News</div><div>April 07, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.wxyz.com/news/local-news/investigations/dpd-commander-officer-probed-over-questionable-arrest-of-cops-ex-wife" target="_blank">https://www.wxyz.com/news/local-news/investigations/dpd-commander-officer-probed-over-questionable-arrest-of-cops-ex-wife</a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>DETROIT (WXYZ) —</b> A Detroit police commander helped draft a warrant that triggered the arrest of an officer’s ex-wife, even though the alleged crime took place outside the city and the charges were ultimately dropped.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The ex-wife of the DPD officer, James Diguiseppe, would spend five days at the Dickerson Correctional Facility in Hamtramck. Diguiseppe and Commander Nick Giaquinto, who until recently was in charge of DPD’s 7th Precinct, are now both under investigation.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“This is a classic example of government abuse. This is a classic example of police abuse,” said attorney Chris Trainor, who represents the former wife of Diguiseppe and is now preparing a civil suit against the City of Detroit.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">7 Action News is not naming the officer’s former wife because the felony charges against her were ultimately dismissed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“The police officers and prosecutor got together and contrived this whole situation to teach my client a lesson, which is unbelievably wrong," Trainor said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The woman had been married to Diguiseppe until 2019. Months after the two divorced, she withdrew nearly $4,400 from a joint bank account that both had shared at a Bank of America in Allen Park.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">While her name was still on the account, her last name was no longer Diguiseppe.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Records show she didn’t try to hide that fact when she visited the bank, writing her maiden name on the withdrawal slip.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">After withdrawing the money, she also closed the bank account. When her ex-husband found out, he went to Westland Police — where he lives — claiming his ex-wife took money that belonged to him.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Family law attorney Jennifer Lindquist reviewed records related to the bank account and divorce agreement for 7 Action News and said the officer’s ex-wife still had a claim to the money in the joint account.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“Her name was on that account, so she was, from what I read, certainly entitled to withdraw those funds,” she said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Westland Police agreed, concluding there was no crime.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“(A)ny party listed on the account can withdraw any and all funds for any reason,” the officer wrote. “Case closed.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“Another police department didn’t bring charges. A prosecutor looked at it and said this is a civil matter,” Trainor said. “She’s entitled to the money, as he was also.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But Diguiseppe didn’t agree and kept looking for a police department to take the case.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Nearly a year later, he would contact the commanding officer of Detroit’s 7th precinct, where he works. Even though the alleged crime didn’t happen in Detroit, DPD showed interest.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Commander Nick Giaquinto — a 29-year veteran of the department — looked into the case and later helped draft a warrant request for the ex-wife of one of his officers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">An assistant Wayne County Prosecutor signed off, and at the 25th District Court in Lincoln Park, a sergeant with the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office swore before a judge that the ex-wife “withdrew money from an account…that she did not have access to.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Ultimately, officers with Brownstown Twp. Police — where the woman lived — placed her under arrest. She would spend five days in jail.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">After being charged with two felonies, the Wayne County prosecutor would later dismiss all the charges against her.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Once free, the officer’s ex-wife said her ex-husband abused his badge. In February, she alerted Chief James White to what happened and, in response, he launched an investigation and de-appointed Commander Giaquinto.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Detroit Police Commissioner Ricardo Moore stresses that while the case is still under investigation, officers need to avoid even appearing that they’re calling in favors for one of their own.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“You have a high-ranking member of the police department getting involved in someone’s personal matters,” Moore said. Using their power and authority to take advantage of a situation that never should have happened.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Requests for comment through Officer Diguiseppe’s union did not receive a response.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Through his attorney, Commander Giaquinto sent a lengthy statement saying he “committed no impropriety or crime in this matter, and we fear he…is being punished and publicly humiliated by persons with a sinister motive.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He said that the decision to bring charges was supported by a Wayne County assistant prosecutor and said it’s not improper to bring a case to another law enforcement agency so long as you believe a crime took place.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Tonight, the investigation into both officers is ongoing and attorney Chris Trainor is preparing to bring a lawsuit against the city.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“People need to know that this stuff happens,” he said, “because they shouldn’t have to stand for it.</span></div></div><div><br /></div></div>Renee' Harringtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01414390590891254320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3957752986490500628.post-9121788904776190602022-03-31T15:35:00.001-05:002022-07-26T16:01:50.633-05:0003312022 - Detroit PD Officer James Diguiseppe - Abuse Of Power: Investigation Of Questionable Arrest Of Ex-Wife<div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKlYQbfRpJd1TEL51nBp3MHwG5QnjdFKodwG_LQW9qJZ4uNpEbqG5zYanSCmgn6awn9pm_pxtIyAXH2mn6pc2C3AyP-oQhCbf2xlRR221C4E_z0HEUdgzG6edSiW8VwvBRczCdSXg5zgojN388nJ0SL0LPXB8WyC0K-XBGrvJG829V1c1oD30672WrgA/s731/Diguiseppe--01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="731" data-original-width="568" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKlYQbfRpJd1TEL51nBp3MHwG5QnjdFKodwG_LQW9qJZ4uNpEbqG5zYanSCmgn6awn9pm_pxtIyAXH2mn6pc2C3AyP-oQhCbf2xlRR221C4E_z0HEUdgzG6edSiW8VwvBRczCdSXg5zgojN388nJ0SL0LPXB8WyC0K-XBGrvJG829V1c1oD30672WrgA/w498-h640/Diguiseppe--01.jpg" width="498" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1K1U_b5Acc6_43_K9ONisidslbzqJVMgH/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">03312022--DPD-Commander-Nicholas-Giaquinto--Statement--Arrest-Of-Officer-Diguiseppe's-Ex-Wife</a></b></span></div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>DPD commander, officer probed over questionable arrest of cop’s ex-wife</b></span></div><div>WXYZ News </div><div>April 07, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUjalS6mPs0" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUjalS6mPs0</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy4yx2Kv9D-UQtD0i59C-aAvDTy1JRX8mQUAmS7sliTL48rRXayWDuiSYI7ueY6s-zQbKhPKGfT2tU2nxCNQg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>DPD commander, officer probed over questionable arrest of cop’s ex-wife</b></span></div><div>WXYZ News</div><div>April 07, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.wxyz.com/news/local-news/investigations/dpd-commander-officer-probed-over-questionable-arrest-of-cops-ex-wife" target="_blank">https://www.wxyz.com/news/local-news/investigations/dpd-commander-officer-probed-over-questionable-arrest-of-cops-ex-wife</a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>DETROIT (WXYZ) —</b> A Detroit police commander helped draft a warrant that triggered the arrest of an officer’s ex-wife, even though the alleged crime took place outside the city and the charges were ultimately dropped.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The ex-wife of the DPD officer, James Diguiseppe, would spend five days at the Dickerson Correctional Facility in Hamtramck. Diguiseppe and Commander Nick Giaquinto, who until recently was in charge of DPD’s 7th Precinct, are now both under investigation.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“This is a classic example of government abuse. This is a classic example of police abuse,” said attorney Chris Trainor, who represents the former wife of Diguiseppe and is now preparing a civil suit against the City of Detroit.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">7 Action News is not naming the officer’s former wife because the felony charges against her were ultimately dismissed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“The police officers and prosecutor got together and contrived this whole situation to teach my client a lesson, which is unbelievably wrong," Trainor said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The woman had been married to Diguiseppe until 2019. Months after the two divorced, she withdrew nearly $4,400 from a joint bank account that both had shared at a Bank of America in Allen Park.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">While her name was still on the account, her last name was no longer Diguiseppe.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Records show she didn’t try to hide that fact when she visited the bank, writing her maiden name on the withdrawal slip.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">After withdrawing the money, she also closed the bank account. When her ex-husband found out, he went to Westland Police — where he lives — claiming his ex-wife took money that belonged to him.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Family law attorney Jennifer Lindquist reviewed records related to the bank account and divorce agreement for 7 Action News and said the officer’s ex-wife still had a claim to the money in the joint account.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“Her name was on that account, so she was, from what I read, certainly entitled to withdraw those funds,” she said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Westland Police agreed, concluding there was no crime.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“(A)ny party listed on the account can withdraw any and all funds for any reason,” the officer wrote. “Case closed.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“Another police department didn’t bring charges. A prosecutor looked at it and said this is a civil matter,” Trainor said. “She’s entitled to the money, as he was also.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But Diguiseppe didn’t agree and kept looking for a police department to take the case.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Nearly a year later, he would contact the commanding officer of Detroit’s 7th precinct, where he works. Even though the alleged crime didn’t happen in Detroit, DPD showed interest.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Commander Nick Giaquinto — a 29-year veteran of the department — looked into the case and later helped draft a warrant request for the ex-wife of one of his officers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">An assistant Wayne County Prosecutor signed off, and at the 25th District Court in Lincoln Park, a sergeant with the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office swore before a judge that the ex-wife “withdrew money from an account…that she did not have access to.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Ultimately, officers with Brownstown Twp. Police — where the woman lived — placed her under arrest. She would spend five days in jail.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">After being charged with two felonies, the Wayne County prosecutor would later dismiss all the charges against her.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Once free, the officer’s ex-wife said her ex-husband abused his badge. In February, she alerted Chief James White to what happened and, in response, he launched an investigation and de-appointed Commander Giaquinto.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Detroit Police Commissioner Ricardo Moore stresses that while the case is still under investigation, officers need to avoid even appearing that they’re calling in favors for one of their own.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“You have a high-ranking member of the police department getting involved in someone’s personal matters,” Moore said. Using their power and authority to take advantage of a situation that never should have happened.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Requests for comment through Officer Diguiseppe’s union did not receive a response.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Through his attorney, Commander Giaquinto sent a lengthy statement saying he “committed no impropriety or crime in this matter, and we fear he…is being punished and publicly humiliated by persons with a sinister motive.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He said that the decision to bring charges was supported by a Wayne County assistant prosecutor and said it’s not improper to bring a case to another law enforcement agency so long as you believe a crime took place.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Tonight, the investigation into both officers is ongoing and attorney Chris Trainor is preparing to bring a lawsuit against the city.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“People need to know that this stuff happens,” he said, “because they shouldn’t have to stand for it.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Renee' Harringtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01414390590891254320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3957752986490500628.post-42895473791875801862022-03-30T14:39:00.002-05:002022-03-30T14:39:33.551-05:0003302022 - FBI Criminal Justice Information Systems: Warren Activist Jerry Bell DV Case<p></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgps1ZIFPK8djH5T1WQY3IZcJ4cluXT5N-079aoacW2j5NcNEoGVLiuffZYkHwU-DEZg9wz5XPTJOohRFEHWsni0S1OVfNQR3FdRuKzTtkTeeMuHTP-zTiP-2UD9lpdjjYozHy-pdqZlK9arz5xwzgQ3RCAs35YXYnIuyTb93AYJlnoBSbtgZ-UUNJbCw/s868/MIOIDV--FBI-Criminal-Justice-Information-System--01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="868" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgps1ZIFPK8djH5T1WQY3IZcJ4cluXT5N-079aoacW2j5NcNEoGVLiuffZYkHwU-DEZg9wz5XPTJOohRFEHWsni0S1OVfNQR3FdRuKzTtkTeeMuHTP-zTiP-2UD9lpdjjYozHy-pdqZlK9arz5xwzgQ3RCAs35YXYnIuyTb93AYJlnoBSbtgZ-UUNJbCw/s16000/MIOIDV--FBI-Criminal-Justice-Information-System--01.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>OIDV Project Of Michigan link: </b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2021/" target="_blank">12272021 - Warren Activist Jerry Bell - Investigated / Arrested For Kidnapping, Strangulation And Auto Theft - While On Probation For Previous DV Assault Of Ex</a></span></b></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFNKoCGy_lWG4pbrLbQPhXFzJx7i_vZVjY3eTjmF5WERlDeexgnR__jzAAt4Ef97b-icl7QBZN8Z7rBq8XPpyqffAaLjb7Pp9fpjRwkjNFxpMoBlFFFpg4KgfviSD2wyepQoFMsO2KMgk_HUVdEidzhs6NiymSt29gifkUnyt0feAuReq42v1yBK9fyg/s1345/MIOIDV--FBI-Criminal-Justice-Information-System--02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="695" data-original-width="1345" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFNKoCGy_lWG4pbrLbQPhXFzJx7i_vZVjY3eTjmF5WERlDeexgnR__jzAAt4Ef97b-icl7QBZN8Z7rBq8XPpyqffAaLjb7Pp9fpjRwkjNFxpMoBlFFFpg4KgfviSD2wyepQoFMsO2KMgk_HUVdEidzhs6NiymSt29gifkUnyt0feAuReq42v1yBK9fyg/w640-h331/MIOIDV--FBI-Criminal-Justice-Information-System--02.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Renee' Harringtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01414390590891254320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3957752986490500628.post-55174117075495270432022-03-22T06:39:00.042-05:002023-05-18T06:47:19.568-05:0003222022 - Former Detroit PD Officer Daniel Linares - Released From Probation <div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Related Posts:</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2002/11/11262002-officer-daniel-linares-child.html" target="_blank"><b>11262002 -</b> Detroit PD Officer Daniel Linares - Child Abuse</a> </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2003/01/01232003-officer-daniel-linares.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>01232003 -</b> Detroit PD Officer Daniel Linares - Suspended: Child Abuse </span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2003/06/06092003-officer-daniel-linaires.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>06092003 -</b> Former Detroit PD Officer Daniel Linares - Sentenced: Child Abuse </span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/06/officer-daniel-linares-detroit-pd.html" target="_blank"><b>06242006 -</b> Former Detroit PD Officer Daniel Linares - Charged With CSC</a> </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/10/officer-daniel-linares-sentenced.html" target="_blank"><b>10242006 - </b>Former Detroit PD Officer Daniel Linares - Sentenced: CSC</a> </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/10/10242006-former-detroit-pd-officer.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>10242006 -</b> Former Detroit PD Officer Daniel Linares - Michigan Sex Offender Registry</span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2016/12/12062016-former-officer-daniel-linares.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>12062016 - </b>Former Detroit PD Officer Daniel Linares - Sentenced: Failure To Pay Child Support - Detroit PD</span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/03/03222022-former-detroit-pd-officer.html" target="_blank"><b>03222022 -</b> Former Detroit PD Officer Daniel Linares - Released From Probation</a> </span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="226" data-original-width="965" height="75" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdmAOQbYLgWA7rYAfPZnDkaU8nhU07sRSDI2udGgQd697cWs0riOX2b0SgG3bEKNrUXmxpHA2qcoSol-3DSitobkz3qOFQCSMLL4jy0EQP1IqdQn9tuSmMWymF0gjZGE4BALvrdfE_K4EQZIkkkIFThn7bsE1xdPU_GBpKkWOOLFFrjmDQirrlfJ-SiQ/s320/Linares--02.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF_33R52IleZ2REzCZmUUUZmKJF0VuGPEvO93qi0Ts7cudSe3Lz9rn8mlb8Q81tf5Mre5-DuA_xSAVS1eizltDiP_wB8EpZ97ZaOyF3IZW72h7pqDAy4lqU9VMLdcJvoSdnIYDMfLdWv6EahlL-y0Z2d1bzfNrjQDSJbu63ozBwC1KSuOj5iZz-ZVu7Q/s966/Linares--03.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="757" data-original-width="966" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF_33R52IleZ2REzCZmUUUZmKJF0VuGPEvO93qi0Ts7cudSe3Lz9rn8mlb8Q81tf5Mre5-DuA_xSAVS1eizltDiP_wB8EpZ97ZaOyF3IZW72h7pqDAy4lqU9VMLdcJvoSdnIYDMfLdWv6EahlL-y0Z2d1bzfNrjQDSJbu63ozBwC1KSuOj5iZz-ZVu7Q/w640-h502/Linares--03.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc_pFgtZ8YbAztS8_V5j19-SyEu2WDeDlocx1Gn3knLzJgL57w7tjxVIhRvHE0cuQAZRyGcinNaO_gFFgtsdO8D2c7sk-sFhyxNm9eqbEmhLep_9VCYE-pl75_Lw8CoIPm6wQnQTAxGZiKnD3Zmamh96Y86cI08Mje_vu9VNcZgmbLON23KX3bPezkUw/s968/Linares--04.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="968" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc_pFgtZ8YbAztS8_V5j19-SyEu2WDeDlocx1Gn3knLzJgL57w7tjxVIhRvHE0cuQAZRyGcinNaO_gFFgtsdO8D2c7sk-sFhyxNm9eqbEmhLep_9VCYE-pl75_Lw8CoIPm6wQnQTAxGZiKnD3Zmamh96Y86cI08Mje_vu9VNcZgmbLON23KX3bPezkUw/w640-h364/Linares--04.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Renee' Harringtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01414390590891254320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3957752986490500628.post-52330173899454154792022-03-11T12:00:00.001-06:002022-03-11T12:01:39.425-06:0003112022 - OIDV Survivor With Attitude: Questioning Why MI Congresswoman Dingell Isn't Concerned About OIDV And Abusing LE Officers Retaining Their Guns<div style="text-align: left;"><div><b style="font-size: large;"><br /></b></div><div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjy9uhwkLEZcWsShZdCrELTxQpekrb1kqoqRJxgDXLjOrZp2AqF_ykea6kj_OOpsw_S1hFoExbbulFueosVv7NDk8sLc78sVT_DvKu1V3dBXsixaFqsCAAar6i6WVNMBv9xv3oOOwBw1FgkDx5xBwjcKCZg8hI0eEwt6FQ-hDCl75bS91-EghoSD7MMfg=s797" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="703" data-original-width="797" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjy9uhwkLEZcWsShZdCrELTxQpekrb1kqoqRJxgDXLjOrZp2AqF_ykea6kj_OOpsw_S1hFoExbbulFueosVv7NDk8sLc78sVT_DvKu1V3dBXsixaFqsCAAar6i6WVNMBv9xv3oOOwBw1FgkDx5xBwjcKCZg8hI0eEwt6FQ-hDCl75bS91-EghoSD7MMfg=s16000" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-O1VcUQ9le6D88HD1zgt2lB_1Aj7HIy4/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">03112022--Congresswoman-Dingell's-FB-Page--What-About-OIDV-Post</a></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Congresswoman Dingell,</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">During your push of the VAWA's gun bans you spoke about a 500% increase in fatality of DV victims when the abuser had a gun. However, you never mentioned Michigan's officer involved domestic violence crisis and the state's process of allowing abusing law enforcement officers to retain their guns and their jobs via the Lautenberg DV Gun Ban Loophole (MCL 769.4a). </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">MCL 769.4a has practically decriminalized DV - allowing an abuser who has committed any violent act of DV (less than murder) to receive a sentence of only probation and to be promptly handed back their job and duty gun. MCL 769.4a has been used to return guns to abusing officers, since the enactment of the Lautenberg Amendment (1996) - and yet there has been no concern on your part or the part of VAWA funded agencies about this critical issue.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Today marks the anniversary Monroe County Deputy Orval Parker's attempt on my life. It should be noted that Parker used his duty gun during this crime. Despite my polygraph, the state which you represent returned Parker back to duty with a gun. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Because my life - and the life of every OIDV victim - does not matter to officials in Michigan, I have dedicated the last 24 years of my life to fighting for the forgotten victims of OIDV. Please feel free to contact me - I would be interested to hear your views on OIDV.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Renee Harrington, Officer Involved Domestic Violence Project Of Michigan</span></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/</span></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiC9E-OnZLqhjuk1ufIy11wuVF0kJZZnxhhuqTFdC44SWm6R8aNNgyRn-dHestbIR6Se0o6G7Bm1FCJ65qok5mSwHwGtzb6Rzqa4Io0CLk5zfj61zmkIh8rfKnvtkxL3AbAoiuBbYcSNe4hZgHOgP2t2R-UOnrc3RWHdpnQ-FKfF2SUYZjMcMGwY_T77A=s1599" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1599" data-original-width="1228" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiC9E-OnZLqhjuk1ufIy11wuVF0kJZZnxhhuqTFdC44SWm6R8aNNgyRn-dHestbIR6Se0o6G7Bm1FCJ65qok5mSwHwGtzb6Rzqa4Io0CLk5zfj61zmkIh8rfKnvtkxL3AbAoiuBbYcSNe4hZgHOgP2t2R-UOnrc3RWHdpnQ-FKfF2SUYZjMcMGwY_T77A=w492-h640" width="492" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Renee' Harringtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01414390590891254320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3957752986490500628.post-56372068773543355832022-02-21T17:00:00.007-06:002022-02-21T17:24:24.661-06:0002212022 - Lautenberg DV Gun Ban / 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(9) - Political Agendas AND Red Flag Laws - News Articles And Reports<div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Related Posts:</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/02/02112022-vawa-down-rabbit-hole-of.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">02112022 - VAWA - Down The Rabbit Hole Of VAWA/Violence Against Women Act AND Political Agendas</span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1996/09/09301996-18-usc-922g9-lautenberg.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">09301996 - 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(9) - Lautenberg Amendment; Federal Domestic Violence Gun Ban</span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1970/01/18-usc-921a-firearms-exception-to.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">18 USC § 921(a)(33)(B)(ii) - Expungement/setting aside of DV conviction [Federal loophole for Lautenberg DV Gun Ban]</span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div></div><div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2020/02/02062020-mcl-7694a-amended-senate-bill.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">02062020 - Michigan's Lautenberg Loophole: MCL 769.4a Amended - Senate Bill 257 Of 2019/ACT NO. 115 - EFFECTIVE - Criminal Proceedings Deferred & Probation Instead Of Jail</span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PGFX5kfHHuEK5K-xvHG_Q5UwVs305qd-/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">HR1494--Zero-Tolerance-For-Domestic-Abusers-Act--Red-Flag-Law--Ex-Parte-Protection-Order--Lautenberg-DV-Gun-Ban-Without-Due-Process-Or-Conviction</span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><div><div><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tMF6DCwLn4UNtcFXtjTJ69ptanc5RTXM/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">S2169--Lori-Jackson-Nicolette-Elias-Survivor-Protection-Act--Red-Flag-Law--Ex-Parte-Protection-Order--Lautenberg-DV-Gun-Ban-Without-Due-Process-Or-Conviction</span></a></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;"><b>Lautenberg DV Gun Ban - News Articles And Reports:</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;"><b>1996-2022</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;"><b>1996: Lautenberg DV Gun Ban - News Articles And Reports</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>POLITICS DOGS STALKING BILL</b></span></div><div>Morning Call, The (Allentown, PA)</div><div>July 23, 1996 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., wants to make it harder for persons convicted of domestic violence to own guns. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson, R-Tex., wants to make it a federal felony for anyone to stalk and threaten another individual across state lines.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Separately, their proposals have merit. But Sen. Lautenberg's efforts to amend Sen. Hutchinson's bill with his proposal endangers the anti-stalking legislation. Blame the dilemma on election year politics and the clout of the National Rifle Association.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Federal law already prohibits felons from owning guns. However, many of those convicted of domestic violence are found guilty of misdemeanors. Sen. Lautenberg wants gun ownership denied anyone guilty of domestic violence misdemeanors.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Although, the NRA supports anti-stalking and domestic-violence legislation, it opposes Sen. Lautenberg's amendment. As a result, many senators who want to get tough on stalkers, but want the NRA's support for their re-election campaigns, would find it tough to vote for the Hutchinson bill if the Lautenberg amendment is attached.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The solution is simple. Consider the two proposals separately. If too many domestic abuse cases get bargained down to misdemeanors, the senators should find a way to encourage the states to make that more difficult. In the meantime, the anti-stalking bill -- already approved by the House -- should be voted on sans the gun-control measure.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>DOMESTIC VIOLENCE GUN BAN ADVANCES</b></span></div><div>Record, The (Hackensack, NJ)</div><div>July 27, 1996 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Senate unanimously passed a measure Thursday that bans anyone convicted of domestic violence from owning or possessing a firearm.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The measure, sponsored by Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., was attached to a bill that makes it a crime to cross state lines to threaten or harass someone. The bill must now be reconciled with the House version, which does not include the Lautenberg amendment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Democrats said the measure could encounter heavy resistance from the gun lobby.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The 1994 crime bill prohibits anyone who has been served a restraining order from carrying firearms until the order expires. Current law also bans gun ownership by those convicted of a felony.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Proponents of the measure argue that many domestic violence complaints are eventually downgraded to misdemeanors. The Lautenberg measure would apply to all convictions.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>IN SENATE AND COURT, SETBACKS FOR EFFORTS AGAINST SPOUSAL ABUSE</b></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;">DESPITE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT, A BILL TO FIGHT STALKING LANGUISHED</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;">A JUDGE REJECTED THE VICTIMS' RIGHT TO SUE</span></div><div>Philadelphia Inquirer, The (PA)</div><div>August 17, 1996 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The small gray pendant hanging from Jeanne Mahoney's neck is more than a good-luck charm. ``This is my peace of mind,'' said Mahoney, 51, a mother of six. ``I'm counting on it to save my life some day.''</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The pendant links Mahoney to a home security company. If her ex-husband shows up at her home, she can use it to summon help at the push of a button.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The small electronic transmitter, provided by the Abused Women's Active Response Emergency program for battered women, is one piece in a patchwork quilt of assistance - including shelters, protective orders and anti-stalking laws - available to women who fear abuse.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Such resources offer only limited security to women facing domestic violence, and recent legal efforts to make them safer have encountered setbacks.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Last month, an anti-stalking bill that would make it a felony to cross a state line to threaten or intimidate a battery victim got bogged down in the Senate despite broad bipartisan support. The problem was a proposed amendment to keep those convicted of domestic violence from owning firearms. Some legislators were wary of angering the National Rifle Association, one of the most vocal lobbying groups on Capitol Hill.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Also last month, a Virginia judge ruled unconstitutional a 1994 federal law defining rape as a violation of civil rights and allowing victims to sue their attackers. The Violence Against Women Act argued in part that such attacks affect women's job performance, and therefore have an effect on interstate commerce. The judge rejected that notion.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">``It's clearly a setback for women who may have sought the law as their only means of redress,'' said Brenda Smith, senior counsel for the National Women's Law Center in Washington.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Kathy Rogers, executive director of the NOW Legal Defense and Education Fund in New York, said: ``That law reverses hundreds of years of cultural norms that say it's all right to beat your wife or rape your date. It proved that politicians took violence against women seriously.''</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Such setbacks clearly complicate the outlook for those attempting to solve the problem of spousal abuse.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Out of 60 million couples in the United States, about 3.4 percent typically experience ``severely abusive'' incidents of kicking, choking or threatening with a knife or gun.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">That figure is from a 1985 survey of 6,002 households by Richard Gelles, a sociologist at the University of Rhode Island.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The anti-stalking legislation, introduced by Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R., Texas), included a proposal by Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D., N.J.) that would bar anyone convicted of a crime involving domestic violence, including misdemeanors, from owning or possessing a gun.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Lautenberg argued that too many domestic violence cases are handled as misdemeanors, and as a result aren't subject to the federal law that prohibits most convicted felons from owning or possessing guns.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But the Lautenberg amendment misses the point, said Elizabeth Swasey, director of the National Rifle Association's CrimeStrike division.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">``The issue that should be addressed surrounds the plea bargaining that occurs in domestic-violence cases,'' Swasey said. ``If we really care about the protection of women, we should start treating domestic violence like the serious crime it is, instead of backing into it with amendments like these.''</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The bill is now being considered in the House, but some insiders think the gun ban will not wind up in the final version.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Rodgers, of the NOW Legal Defense and Education Fund, said that while the Virginia ruling on the Violence Against Women Act was a setback, she is confident that if the Supreme Court winds up assessing the law it will remain intact.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Stripping civil rights won't prevent domestic violence</b></span></div><div>Austin American-Statesman (TX)</div><div>Author/Byline: Don Loucks</div><div>August 27, 1996 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Federal legislation is pending to solve a problem that the states should address. Texas Republican U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison's anti-stalking bill would make crossing state lines to ``stalk'' a person a federal crime. While this is a laudable goal, more laudable would be individual states cooperating with each other to enact reciprocal statutes to curb stalking state-to-state, instead of encouraging an unnecessary expansion of federal police power.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">However, attached to this bill as it is now approved by its Senate sponsor is an amendment offered by Senator Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., which would void the right of firearm ownership for anyone convicted of ``misdemeanor domestic violence.''</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">On its face, it looks like a good idea. Deliberately injure your spouse, lose the civil right to legally own a gun for life. Supposedly, someone convicted of a domestic violence misdemeanor and therefore banned from firearm ownership for life would then refrain from using a gun should this person decide to injure or kill the spouse.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Let's make something perfectly clear: Lautenberg's proposed amendment to Hutchison's bill will do absolutely nothing to protect victims of family violence. To think someone, intent on killing a family member, would be deterred by a mere law prohibiting the ownership of firearms is the same as believing criminals are now willing to obey all firearms laws. This doesn't happen now, and another superfluous law won't make it happen in the future.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Like many federal schemes designed to remedy state deficiencies, the Lautenberg amendment ignores the underlying problems.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">First, state laws must be reformed to treat domestic violence as the serious crime it is. Even Lautenberg's own doublespeak reveals this deficiency. ``Misdemeanor crimes of violence'' runs counter to centuries of Anglo-American jurisprudence, which holds that ``misdemeanors'' are are, by definition, nonviolent. Neither law books nor courts should be permitted to consider domestic violence as ``major minor crimes.'' Domestic violence is a major crime, period.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Second, domestic violence statutes should be written with one primary goal in mind: Protect the victim. Lautenberg's amendment fails to achieve this goal. Stripping civil rights of an offender doesn't protect victims.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Incarceration of the offender protects victims, and felony convictions not only strip away civil rights but provide greater assurance of prison time.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Third, domestic violence offenders are by nature repeat offenders, and state laws not built on that fact cost victim's lives. A Kansas City study found that in half of domestic homicide cases, police had been called to the home to settle violent disputes on five or more prior occasions. Ninety-two percent of domestic abusers had prior histories of arrest. Could someone please tell me how effective a gun ban would be here? Just how could it be enforced?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Another serious fault in this bill, which is lost against the backdrop of domestic violence, is the imperiling of our civil rights. Today, convicted felons are prohibited from firearms possession. Extending this prohibition to misdemeanor offenses sets dangerous precedent indeed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Lautenberg's amendment would affect people charged with misdemeanors that lead to no jail time, crimes so minor that the individuals are not entitled to a judgement by a jury of their peers. The door would be open to extending firearms prohibitions to other misdemeanors such as traffic violations and check bouncing. The stripping away of civil rights surely warrants a jury judgement. Put another way, once an appeals court discovers that the fundamental civil right of due process was ignored, the Lautenberg amendment would be exposed for the sham that it is.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">We should strengthen existing statutes, enforce laws rigorously and sentence violent offenders severely. Only then will we treat domestic violence as the serious crime that it is.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Loucks, of Bastrop, is vice chairman of Peaceable Texans for Firearms Rights. He is a retired Air Force fighter pilot, and was a candidate for the Republican nomination to the Texas House from District 28.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Anti-stalking improved</b></span></div><div>Austin American-Statesman (TX)</div><div>September 12, 1996 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The federal anti-stalking legislation sponsored in the Senate by Texas' Kay Bailey Hutchison should shortly be on the lawbooks. It will be a useful addition to the anti-stalking measures previously enacted by the states.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Although the federal legislation enjoyed broad bipartisan support, there was some fear that it would be stalled by an amendment pushed by Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J. Lautenberg wanted to prohibit anyone convicted of domestic violence from owning or possessing a firearm. Yet there was no corresponding provision in the House-passed measure. Had there been an amendment, a conference committee would have been required.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In the end, the Senate passed the measure without the Lautenberg amendment and the bill, appended to a defense-spending measure, is on the president's desk for signature.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The new law will expand the definition of a stalking victim from ``offender's spouse or intimate partner'' to simply ``victim.'' It also extends interstate protection to a victim's immediate family and allows federal resources to be used in interstate stalking cases.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It could be particularly helpful for victims pursued to Texas by stalkers from other states. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals on Wednesday ruled the state anti-stalking law unconstitutional on the grounds of vagueness, so the state law will be inoperative until satisfactorily rewritten by the Legislature.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Sen. Hutchison is to be congratulated for getting the legislation through the Senate unencumbered by amendments that could have delayed enaction of this extra protection against stalkers.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Here's a gun ban even NRA may learn to like</b></span></div><div>Columbian, The (Vancouver, WA)</div><div>Author/Byline: THE COLUMBIAN</div><div>September 19, 1996 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">One of the pretty good applause lines in President Clinton's acceptance ramble at the Chicago convention last month was his call to ban sales of guns to those convicted of domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Certainly that violates the full spirit and rigid letter of the Second Amendment. As the nation's founders said 200 years ago and the National Rifle Association has repeated endlessly for decades:"A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">As defenders of the Second Amendment will point out at the drop of child-gun-accident statistic, that language allows nothing in the way of waiting periods or registration. It does not say only arms carried by militias in 1789 might be kept but not more modern weapons. Nor does it suggest that Congress may infringe on the gun-bearing rights of wife beaters, child abusers, bed burners and others who resort to criminal violence when family values fail.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">All the same, Congress apparently intends to infringe. No sooner had Clinton uttered the line than Bob Dole's advisers were insisting the Republicans had the domestic-violence-gun-ban idea first. Four Democratic senators nudged Dole, asserting that it would take the former majority leader's intervention to get Congress off the dime. Rejoined the Dole advisers forthwith, "Bob Dole believes all guns, not just handguns, should be kept out of the hands of domestic abusers." That's tough talk from a party that has put the right to hunt up on a level with the right to pray in school.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">By last Sunday, House Speaker Newt Gingrich was marching along to the same drum. Asked on one of the morning television panels about the issue, he seemed shocked the question had even come up. He said, "I'm very much in favor of stopping people who engage in violence against their spouses from having guns. I think that's a very reasonable position." He predicted that a bill would be passed by both houses of Congress and sent over to the president before they all head home to campaign in a few weeks.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Maybe. Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., has been hanging the domestic violence gun ban on passing legislative vehicles for months. It keeps getting knocked off. Bad spouses with guns may have some considerable political clout not yet evident to the people who write speeches for Clinton, Gingrich and Dole.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Davis Blasts Christensen on Gun Bill</b></span></div><div>Omaha World-Herald (NE)</div><div>September 26, 1996 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">James Martin Davis accused U.S. Rep. Jon Christensen Wednesday of showing more concern for the gun lobby than domestic abuse victims by supporting the "watering down" of a gun bill that has passed the Senate.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A spokesman for Christensen said the compromise gun bill he is supporting would keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers while curing constitutional problems with the Senate bill.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Davis held a press conference outside the Siena - Francis House shelter to urge Christensen and the House of Representatives to support the Senate bill, which would bar people convicted of domestic violence from possessing guns.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He was joined by representatives of four women's groups who also back the measure, sponsored by Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D - N.J., that passed the Senate earlier this month on a 97 - 2 vote.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Christensen does not support the Lautenberg bill. But he released a statement that he was backing another proposal sponsored by Rep. Bob Barr, R - Ga., that he said would achieve the same goal.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Lautenberg and Davis both said Wednesday that the bill Christensen is supporting is meaningless.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Barr bill would apply to domestic abusers who are convicted in jury trials or who waive their right to trial.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Davis, a defense attorney, said that in his experience, 80 percent of domestic violence cases in Nebraska are charged as misdemeanors that are not eligible for jury trials.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">That would make the gun ban inapplicable to most domestic abusers in Nebraska, he said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Barr bill also would require that those accused of domestic violence be informed at arraignment that they risk losing the right to possess guns if convicted.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Davis said the bill, in effect, would create a "new Miranda right" that if not followed properly by law enforcement officials would allow abusers to escape the gun ban.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Jon Christensen is supporting an empty shell that totally guts the original intent of the domestic violence firearms ban and will allow thousands of violent criminals to escape on technicalities," Davis said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Lautenberg was also critical of the Barr bill in a Senate speech Wednesday, saying it had loopholes "big enough to drive a truckload of wife beaters through."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He said it appeared to have been written by the National Rifle Association, which opposed the bill that passed the Senate.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Chris Hull, a spokesman in Christensen's Washington office, said the jury trial and notification provisions are important.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">By seeking to take away the right to possess firearms for those convicted of domestic abuse, Hull said, the Lautenberg bill is proposing to treat all domestic violence cases as felonies.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The person accused should thus be given the same legal protections as someone now charged with a felony, he said. "This is a serious charge, so they're treating it with the constitutional gravity it merits."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"The Lautenberg amendment was sloppily worded and wouldn't hold up in court," he said. "We are working toward a solution that passes constitutional muster."</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>CLINTON SIGNS GUN BAN</b></span></div><div>Charleston Daily Mail (WV)</div><div>October 1, 1996 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">WASHINGTON - Congressional Republicans agreed to a sweeping domestic violence gun ban pushed by the White House and Senate Democrats. The ban expands the current ban on gun ownership or possession by felons to include virtually anyone convicted of a misdemeanor involving domestic violence.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>CONGRESSIONAL NEGOTIATORS REACH PACT ON GUN BAN IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CASES</b></span></div><div>Grand Forks Herald (ND)</div><div>October 1, 1996 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Washington -- Under pressure from the White House and Senate Democrats, congressional Republicans agreed to a sweeping domestic violence gun ban, abandoning most of their alternative proposal.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The final language was hammered out over the weekend as part of the huge spending bill before the Senate. It expands the current ban on gun ownership or possession by felons to include virtually anyone convicted of a misdemeanor involving domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"This legislation will save the lives of thousands of battered women and abused children," said Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., who proposed a similar ban that was endorsed by the Senate 97-2 earlier this month.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Rep. Bob Barr, R-Ga., a former U.S. attorney, proposed an alternative last week that would have extended the gun ban to people convicted of domestic abuse misdemeanors only if physical force was involved, and only if the person was notified of the gun ban when arrested, given the right to counsel and a trial by jury.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Last week, congressional Republicans initially agreed to substitute Barr's alternative for the Lautenberg amendment. That brought protests from Senate Democrats and the White House, since President Clinton initially proposed the gun ban during his train trip to the Democratic Convention in August.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Barr contended Lautenberg's original bill was unconstitutional. States do not uniformly define misdemeanor crimes, he said, so Lautenberg's bill would have violate the equal protection clause of the Constitution.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He also complained that Lautenberg proposal ignored the general law exemption that would have kept the gun ban from applying to police officers and military personnel. The final agreement included Barr's language removing that exemption.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In the agreement reached during the weekend, congressional Republicans dropped Barr's language requiring notification of the gun ban at the time of arrest. They also agreed to modify Barr's language extending the ban only to persons convicted after a jury trial, or after having waived a jury trial.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Democrats claimed that would have exempted most convicted abusers from the ban because few such cases carry punishments severe enough to guarantee the right to a jury trial. The final agreement simply requires that persons charged with domestic abuse, who are entitled to a jury trial, must be given one or must waive that right before they would come under the gun ban if convicted.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>ANOTHER OPINION: PROGRESS ON GUN CONTROL</b></span></div><div>South Bend Tribune (IN)</div><div>Author/Byline: From The New York Times</div><div>October 2, 1996 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The continuing budget resolution just approved by Congress contains a sensible piece of gun-control legislation aimed at preventing spouse-beaters and child-abusers from purchasing or owning guns. President Clinton and the measure's chief sponsor, Sen. Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey, deserve credit for standing firm against a last-minute Republican effort to weaken this worthy measure.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The bill plugs a big hole in existing gun laws. Although the laws bar convicted felons from possessing or buying guns, they did not successfully block the possession of guns by people convicted of spousal or child abuse, since those acts of domestic violence often are prosecuted as misdemeanors.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Legislation containing the domestic-violence gun ban passed the Senate in July, but was blocked by the Republican House leadership in an apparent cave-in to the National Rifle Association. The Senate approved the measure again in mid-September by an overwhelming vote of 97 to 2.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Gingrich and the Republican congressional leadership then concocted a far weaker version of the bill that would have exempted from the gun ban any abuser convicted in a trial before a judge, as opposed to a jury. That exemption would have allowed the vast majority of spouse-beaters and child-abusers to have guns. Gingrich and his colleagues finally backed down, but only after the White House and Lautenberg made plain they would hold up the budget deal if necessary to pass a strong bill - and would hold those trying to weaken the bill publicly accountable.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Domestic violence law causing some confusion</b></span></div><div>Post Register (Idaho Falls, ID)</div><div>December 6, 1996 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A new law making it a federal offense for anyone who has been convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence to possess a gun or ammunition is raising more questions that it is answering.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The law was put in the books on Sept. 30, but it is just trickling down to the local levels of law enforcement.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Bonneville County Sheriff's Department received a faxed summary of the law on Nov. 26. Officials are now wondering what the punishment it carries, who will enforce it and how.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">There are very few people who know, and those who do know are not in our grasps," said Bonneville County Sheriff's Domestic Violence Investigator Bud Langerak.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">One of the agencies that will be enforcing the law is also confused.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">At the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Bureau in Boise, Resident Agent In Charge Jane Heffner has a stack of telephone messages from people around the state with questions about the new law.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">I'm not sure how to address this...we basically haven't received any guidance on this," Heffner said. She has received a letter explaining that she should gather questions about the law, to be answered later.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The implications of the law, especially in a state where hunting is such a wide-spread sport, could be huge, if only state and local law enforcement could figure out what they're supposed to do with the new legislation.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In addition, law enforcement officials with the misdemeanor offense in their backgrounds will be directly effected.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The problem for a law enforcement officer is that it's a career ender," said Monte MacConnell, legal advisor to the Ada County Sheriff who is teaching at a domestic violence conference in Driggs this week.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It will also end gun-carrying capabilities for other government officials with a domestic violence conviction, such as fish and game workers and INEL Site security guards.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Idaho Falls Police Department has had a copy of the new law for about three weeks and is currently writing it into policy, said Chief Kent Livsey.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">If you've been convicted, you can't be a police officer," Livsey said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He added that the department has been doing criminal background checks on new officers for years." Since Livsey has been the chief, he has ruled any applicant unfit for the force if they have had a domestic violence conviction.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It's just one of those things that is not acceptable," Livsey said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The chief does not plan to do background checks on the force or in the community, but will work on enforcing the law on anyone convicted from this point forward. He said that when gun sellers call the Department of Law Enforcement for background checks on gun-buyers, they will also receive information of domestic violence convictions.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Nobody knows of anyone who's on (the force) right now who's had that problem," Livsey said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">MacConnell is advising the Ada County Sheriff to do background checks on all the officers and notify those with the convictions to see an attorney. He also told the sheriff to get any deputies with prior domestic violence convictions off the streets immediately to avoid liability.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The law snuck up on people, MacConnell said. The Lautenberg Amendment was tacked onto Congress' lengthy annual appropriations bill and passed without advance warning or publicity.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Meanwhile, at the Department of Justice in Washington D.C., a spokesman says that this law is in full effect.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Congress was very clear, it is a felony to own a firearm if you have a misdemeanor domestic violence conviction," said Gregory King, Department of Justice spokesman.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">If there are cases that are brought to our attention, they will be reviewed by the appropriate authorities and we will take the appropriate actions," King said. He declined to be specific about who the appropriate authorities would be.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">U.S. Senator Larry Craig voted for this bill and fully supports its message, said Craig spokesman Mike Frandsen.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">If you've been convicted of spousal abuse, you're certainly not a person who's demonstrated you're responsible enough to have a gun," Frandsen said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">MacConnell has a word of advice for gun owners who have a prior domestic violence conviction.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">I would be looking for someone to hand my guns over to," he said.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>DOMESTIC VIOLENCE GUN BAN SETS TASK FOR POLICE</b></span></div><div>Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (PA)</div><div>December 10, 1996 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">When Pittsburgh Police Chief Robert W. McNeilly Jr. meets today with the bureau's top brass, one of the most pressing agenda items will be how to determine whether any of the force's 1,150 officers is committing a federal crime.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Under a new federal law, anyone who has been convicted of domestic violence cannot own a weapon or ammunition. The law provides no exemption for local, state and federal law enforcement officers or members of the military, even though carrying a gun is a job requirement for most. Violating the law carries penalties of up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The existence of the new law, tucked away in a federal spending bill that took effect Sept. 30, apparently has caught many law-enforcement agencies unaware. McNeilly, for example, said yesterday that he learned of the law only late last week when he studied a lengthy fax from the Major City Chiefs, an association of heads of the country's 50 largest police departments.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">``I really don't know what we're going to do,'' McNeilly said. ``We're talking about 1,150-some people who we have to determine if they've ever been convicted of domestic violence, and if they have, then we have to figure out what procedure to follow, whether we can reassign them to desk duty.''</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">McNeilly said he's unsure whether any of his officers have been convicted of domestic violence ``but it happens in every profession, so you can assume some police officers have been convicted.''</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The bureau, McNeilly said, may decide to follow the Justice Department's lead of having all officers sign a document, under penalty of law, stating they were never convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Among suburban police departments, where the logistical problems aren't as acute, the law received mixed reviews.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">``That's going to be a nightmare,'' said Chief Harry Fruecht of the 19-member Peters Police Department. ``We're as human as everyone else. Officers get involved in domestics, too, and I can't see anyone being prevented from performing their livelihood if they've been involved in domestic violence. I'm sorry.''</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">As for whether it would make sense to place an officer convicted of domestic violence behind a desk, Fruecht said, ``It would be ridiculous for me to put someone on light duty if they're perfectly able.''</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Fruecht said the law hadn't affected any of his officers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It hasn't affected anyone at the 42-member Mt. Lebanon police department or the Ross force's 36 officers. Their chiefs, Frank Brown of Mt. Lebanon and James O'Donnell of Ross, said they agreed with the law.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">``I think it's a good idea,'' Brown said. ``It puts the onus on the individual officers that their career is dependent on their rational handling of domestic problems they may encounter. If they cross the line, the career is done.''</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">However, he cautioned that despite the best intentions of those who drafted the law, it might lead to a whole new problem. With some wives or partners dependent on a police officer's salary, they might be more reluctant than ever to file charges, Brown said.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>TOP MINNEAPOLIS HOMICIDE COP LOSES JOB TO NEW GUN LAW</b></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;">OFFICER PLEADED GUILTY IN '91 TO 5TH-DEGREE SPOUSAL ABUSE</span></div><div>St. Paul Pioneer Press (MN)</div><div>December 14, 1996 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In a year that promises a near-record murder rate in Minneapolis, the police department's top homicide cop is off his job indefinitely.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Lt. Dale Barsness has become a prominent casualty of a new federal law requiring law enforcement officers, among others, to turn in their guns if they have been convicted of using or attempting to use physical force on an intimate partner or family member.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">And in a city approaching last year's record 97 homicides, his absence could have a ``devastating effect'' on the 29-person division, said police union president Al Berryman.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Court records show that Barsness, supervisor of a homicide division that's investigating more than 80 killings already this year, pleaded guilty in 1991 to fifth-degree assault involving his then wife. After Brooklyn Center police arrested and removed him from their home on March 1, 1991, he was ordered to receive anger counseling, court documents say. A 30-day workhouse sentence was stayed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But the harshest sentence may be the one that awaits.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Barsness and four other Minneapolis officers could lose their jobs if internal affairs investigations determine the new law applies to them. That's because Minneapolis officers are required to carry guns and the law doesn't allow domestic abusers that right. Police officials won't release or confirm the names of the five officers, and they say they aren't certain how long their investigations will take. But until completed, the officers have been placed on paid administrative leave.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Barsness and his ex-wife, Vicki Ashby, refused to talk about the 1991 incident, but both complained that the law is unfair.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">They say punishment should be applied when the crime occurs, not years after, as this law allows.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">``If Minnesota were to pass the death penalty and then go through the prisons and take out people who were convicted of murder and kill them, it wouldn't make sense,'' Barsness said. ``How do you do something retroactively? That's ludicrous.''</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Ashby faces the prospect of losing at least part of her spousal support and child support for their three children if Barsness loses his job. ``It's going to hurt me as much as it will him,'' she said. ``I can't see that taking his job away from him at this point is appropriate. I mean, you're taking away his livelihood.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">``I understand there's a need for the law, but maybe taking his gun away after work hours would be more appropriate.''</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Others share the sentiment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Rhonda Martinson, an attorney for the Minneapolis chapter of the Battered Women's Justice Project, said abusers who pleaded guilty before the law passed now face consequences that were not in effect at the time of their plea.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">``My understanding is these cases are often old, and we have to consider the effect on their families, and we have to consider the wishes of the women involved,'' Martinson said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Some, such as union president Berryman, say the law is tantamount to double-jeopardy, punishing officers again for crimes for which they were already sentenced.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">That's especially true for officers such as Barsness, who stand to lose their jobs, he said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">``If there's somebody fired as a result of it, we'll be in federal court'' seeking a restraining order, Berryman said. He expects Congress to amend the provision during its next session, and others expect courts around the nation may strike it down before then.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But a spokesman for the author of the federal law, Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., said the law will survive a legal challenge.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Lautenberg amendment, as the law is known in Washington, amends the Gun Control Act of 1968, which itself is retroactive. In 1968, Congress made it illegal for felons and others, including fugitives of justice, to purchase or possess guns, even if a person was convicted prior to the law's passage, he said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">``Our view is if you beat your wife or your child, you should never own a gun, no matter when it happened,'' said Ken Jaques, Lautenberg's press secretary. ``You can't buy a gun in this country if you've been convicted of stealing a car. I guess the question we're asking is, `Isn't your beating your wife more serious than stealing a car?' We're saying the answer is `yes.'''</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The threat of job loss may be something the victim can hold over the abuserto protect herself, said Yolanda Briseno, a spokeswoman for Women of Nations, a battered women's shelter in St. Paul.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Briseno said police officers whose jobs are in danger this week should not be pitied.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">``An abuser is an abuser, whether he is a cop or the president of the United States,'' she said. ``In fact, a police officer has abused his position and power as an authority figure.''</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Correction: </b>Tuesday, December 17, 1996 The head of the Minneapolis police homicide squad did not lose his job as stated in a headline in Saturday's editions of the Pioneer Press. Rather, Lt. Dale Barsness has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of a department investigation to determine if he is in violation of a new federal law. The law states that anyone convicted of using or attempting to use physical force on an intimate partner or family member must turn in his or her guns. Barsness could lose his job if the investigation determines the law applies to him.</span></i></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Keep Guns From Abusers</b></span></div><div>Salt Lake Tribune, The (UT)</div><div>December 22, 1996 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A convicted abuser of a spouse or of a child should not be allowed to have a gun. That logic makes eminent sense to most people, including almost every U.S. senator -- but not, of course, to the National Rifle Association.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">When Congress passed the Treasury-Postal Service appropriations bill Sept. 30, it also ushered into law an amendment to the bill that forbids those who have been convicted of spouse or child abuse, whether a felony or a misdemeanor, from possessing a firearm. The measure aims to widen protection for battered spouses and children, since existing laws bar only felons from gun possession and many domestic-violence incidents are plea-bargained to misdemeanors.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In a Tribune story last Tuesday on how this new provision affects police officers -- and it does -- an NRA spokesman said his organization ``is going to work to reverse this one way or another.'' He also characterized the new gun-control measure as something that ``was just jammed in there.''</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">If his suggestion is that the amendment somehow slipped past the lawmakers' radar screen, then he is spouting NRA nonsense. The amendment, sponsored by New Jersey Sen. Frank Lautenberg, passed the Senate on Sept. 12 by a vote of 97-2. Every Republican senator, including Utah's Orrin Hatch and Bob Bennett, supported it.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The amendment also received considerable attention in the later countdown toward the vote on the appropriations bill, when pro-gun forces tried to water it down by applying it only to abusers who were convicted by a jury or who had waived their rights to a jury trial, thereby exempting the many who were convicted by a judge. This publicized attempt was beaten back. In any event, the Lautenberg amendment was hardly a last-minute stealth measure.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">This is a justifiable law with wide support, and it is appropriate that it applies to police officers as well. The NRA only shoots itself in the foot by working to reverse a law like this.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS IS DIMINISHED BY NEW LAW</b></span></div><div>Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (PA)</div><div>December 24, 1996 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The new federal law banning the ownership of a gun or even ammunition by people convicted of the misdemeanor of domestic violence (``Domestic Violence Gun Ban Sets Task for Police,'' Dec. 10) is insane.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">This is a minor crime, which does not involve the use of a gun at all. Yet this new law punishes a person for life. This is not fair.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">I am not for domestic violence. It is wrong for a man or a woman to intentionally injure each other, their children, or any other person living with them. And there are fines and jail sentences which can be handed out for this crime.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But to ban ownership of a gun for life because a person lost his or her temper during a domestic situation - with up to $250,000 in fines and 10 years in prison - is tyranny, cruel and unusual punishment and a denial of the constitutional right to bear arms. This is just an excuse to confiscate property and to take guns away from mostly law-abiding citizens, who threaten no one.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">What will be the next excuse to take guns away from people: running a red light, arguing with an officer, spanking your kid, speaking your mind?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">An armed population is a deterrent to crime, and a right.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Gun law backfires on some</b></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;">Officials wrangle over responsibility</span></div><div>Houston Chronicle (TX)</div><div>December 28, 1996 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">WASHINGTON - When a proposal to bar persons with domestic violence convictions from possessing firearms was endorsed by President Clinton and adopted by the Senate 97-2, the question of how the measure might affect police officers and other government employees never came up.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The amendment by Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., simply added a domestic violence misdemeanor to the list of conditions that prevent someone from lawfully possessing a firearm. Others already in the law include conviction for a crime carrying a prison sentence of more than a year, being an illegal immigrant and having a dishonorable discharge from the armed forces.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">All of these prohibitions, and the domestic violence provision as it was originally proposed, were covered by a blanket exception for government employees at all levels who use firearms in their official duties.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Just days before Congress was to recess, the gun control measure was added to a key appropriations bill that had to be enacted to prevent a government shutdown. Rep. Robert Barr Jr., R-Ga., a prominent opponent of gun control measures, led a last-ditch effort to modify the Lautenberg amendment in ways that would have greatly weakened it, Lautenberg said. One proposal, for example, dropped language specifically covering child abusers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Most of Barr's efforts were thwarted, but in the hours just before the big appropriations bill was finally passed he and his allies did work some changes - including the one that removed the official-use exception on this one aspect of the gun control law.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Barr now says he cannot recall who proposed lifting the exception.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"In those final hours, people were feeding us various changes, and I can't remember where that one came from except that it didn't seem to make sense to have a sweeping exception for all these government personnel if this thing was so important," he said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A leading Democratic strategist said, "they were threatening to hold up the whole show on this and we had to swallow it or risk seeing the whole appropriation's bill crash. Now, it looks like it was intended to undermine the bill all along."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Clinton administration insists that Barr must now fix the problem.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"We are enforcing the law as it is written," said Rahm Emanuel, senior adviser to the president. <span style="color: red;">"The provision affecting the official use exception was not in the original Lautenberg legislation, which we endorsed."</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Barr said that the only way to fix the law is to make it apply just to future offenses, so that anyone, government official or not, who had committed a domestic violence crime in the past could legally possess a firearm. That proposal was fought and defeated by proponents of the legislation when Barr offered it last September, and they have vowed to fight it again when the new Congress is assembled in January.</span></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><b style="color: #800180; font-size: xx-large;">1997: Lautenberg DV Gun Ban - News Articles And Reports</b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Stupak Bill: Exempt Government Entities From Lautenberg Amendment Firearms Prohibitions</b></span></div><div><div>US Representative Bart Stupak </div><div>BILL H.R.445 - 105th Congress</div></div><div>January 09, 1997</div></div><div><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1997/01/01091997-lautenberg-dv-gun-ban-us.html" target="_blank">https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1997/01/01091997-lautenberg-dv-gun-ban-us.html</a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY5cpJ9RqBb2X7JKK5G1pU_iXcuBS0IYTMHFFT4t0dee5dQmIRXSsXiLM7GAjpDGHs0Ly0ADVavlUoLb-QoVSD1kwkfY5lj1g6BcgJZ7MU2BDh_Gb_CJbIUVKEJtL7F3-3v90sr0lQqiY9/s1600/US-Rep-Bart-Stupak--BILL--HR445-105th.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY5cpJ9RqBb2X7JKK5G1pU_iXcuBS0IYTMHFFT4t0dee5dQmIRXSsXiLM7GAjpDGHs0Ly0ADVavlUoLb-QoVSD1kwkfY5lj1g6BcgJZ7MU2BDh_Gb_CJbIUVKEJtL7F3-3v90sr0lQqiY9/w497-h640/US-Rep-Bart-Stupak--BILL--HR445-105th.jpg" width="497" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwuJELw67UrDSWdSWi1teWp4ZVE/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">01091997--US-Rep-Bart-Stupak--BILL--HR445-105th--Exempt-Government-Entities-From-Lautenberg-Amendment-Firearms-Prohibitions</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Flaws in the Lautenberg gun bill</b></span></div><div>Washington Times, The (DC)</div><div>Commentary</div><div>Author: JOHN D. MUHLENBERG - Vienna, Va.</div><div>January 26, 1997 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Recently, James Bovard commented in your newspaper in his column about the so-called Lautenberg Amendment, which was introduced by Sen. Frank Lautenberg, a notorious opponent of the right to bear arms by the law-abiding citizens, as a rider on a much needed appropriations bill last fall. The rider unfortunately became law with the adoption of the appropriations bill.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Considerable consternation seems to have resulted from the bill but perhaps not for the right reasons. It seems, among other things, that should indeed not be disregarded, that the bill might require certain police officers who have been convicted of misdemeanors to surrender their weapons.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But this is not the total response which should result from the enactment of this bill. This new "law" is blatantly unconstitutional, and it is difficult to understand how, with a president who ostensibly is a constitutional lawyer, such an enactment should have been allowed to become law.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The law is plainly a bill of attainder, or an ex post facto law, or worse, both of them, both explicitly forbidden by the Constitution. Article I, Section 9, Clause 3 plainly states: "No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed." Black's Law Dictionary defines bills of attainder as "legislative acts, no matter what their form, that apply to easily ascertainable members of a group in such a way as to inflict punishment on them without a judicial trial." While strictly "an act is a `bill of attainder' when the punishment is death and is [simply] a `bill of pains and penalties' when the punishment is less severe, both kinds of punishment fall within the scope of the constitutional prohibition."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">An ex post facto law is similarly defined as "a law passed after the occurrence of a fact or commission of an act which retrospectively changes the legal consequences or relations of such fact or deed... an ex post facto law is defined as a law which...inflicts a greater punishment than the law annexed to the crime when it was committed; ...a law which, assuming to regulate civil rights and remedies only, in effect imposes a penalty or the deprivation of a right which, when done [cf. possessio n of a gun], was lawful; ...every law which, in relation to the offense or its consequences, alters the situation of a person to his disadvantage." These last definitions are particularly telling.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">No man can reasonably argue here that there is no legislative punishment here (bill of attainder) nor that the new law does not retroactively punish someone for deeds previously committed (ex post facto law). If Proposition 209 of California can be put on hold by some low-level federal judge because it may be unconstitutional in his opinion, where is the federal judge who will put this atrocity on hold for the same reason until the Supreme Court can rule on it?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In view of these legal considerations, how can any lawyer stand by, including the president, and not be up in arms about the egregious breach of the Constitution and the egregious disregard for the rights of citizens incorporated directly into the Constitution? Are they all ignorant of the Constitution and its meaning? Where are the cries of protest from the legal profession? Where is the ACLU?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The enactment of this law is an outrageous breach of the Constitution and should immediately be voided by the Supreme Court, if not put on hold by some lesser judge. Whether the Supreme Court will have the judicial fortitude to do so is another question. Failure to do so will further enhance the contempt with which the Supreme Court is presently held among laymen.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Sed quis custodiet ipsos custodes? Who is watching the guardians?</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;">THE LAUTENBERG DOMESTIC CONFISCATION LAW - FACT SHEET</span></b></div><div>Gun Owners of America</div><div>February 01, 1997</div><div><a href="https://www.gunowners.org/fs9714/" target="_blank">https://www.gunowners.org/fs9714/</a></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">WHAT DOES THE LAUTENBERG LAW DO?</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Lautenberg Domestic Confiscation provision was signed into law on September 30, 1996, as section 658 of the Treasury-Postal portion of the omnibus appropriations bill. It adds to the list of “prohibited persons” persons convicted of a “… misdemeanor involving domestic violence.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A “PROHIBITED PERSON”?</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">If you become a prohibited person, you can never again own or acquire a firearm of any type. The only exception is if you are subsequently pardoned or otherwise have your criminal record expunged.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">WHAT IS A MISDEMEANOR?</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A misdemeanor is a crime carrying a potential penalty of as little as one day in jail, irrespective of whether the person serves actual jail time. In other words, the law imposes a lifetime gun ban on offenses which, in many cases, are very minor in nature.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">WHAT TYPE OF MISDEMEANOR CONVICTION WOULD CAUSE ME TO BECOME A “PROHIBITED PERSON”?</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Lautenberg language defines “misdemeanor crime of domestic violence” to include a misdemeanor that involves “the use or attempted use of physical force” against a family member. Hence, any actual or attempted violence against a spouse or son or daughter would certainly, if prosecuted successfully as a misdemeanor, subject you to a lifetime gun ban. In many jurisdictions, spanking your kids could result in a conviction which would prohibit you from ever again owning a firearm.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">WOULD THE MISDEMEANOR HAVE TO INVOLVE VIOLENCE OR ATTEMPTED VIOLENCE?</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">No. We have seen that a misdemeanor involving violence (however slight) or attempted violence against a spouse, son, or daughter would certainly be covered. But the definition of “misdemeanor crime of domestic violence” goes on to include “the threatened use of a deadly weapon.” Thus, a threat against a family member would also subject the offender to a lifetime gun ban, even if the threat were joking or the person making the threat did not have the wherewithal to carry it out.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">DOES THE NEW LAW APPLY TO PAST CRIMES?</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Yes. A misdemeanor committed fifty years ago would still subject an individual to a lifetime gun ban, even if he or she has lived a happily married life with the “victim” during the intervening period.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">HOW LONG DOES A “PROHIBITED PERSON” HAVE TO TURN IN ALL HIS OR HER FIREARMS?</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The law provides for no grace period. Technically, any newly created “prohibited person” is currently in danger of a felony conviction.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It means that, if you are a “prohibited person” and you are convicted of possessing a firearm, you will be guilty of a felony which could subject you to a $250,000 fine and a ten year prison sentence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">WHAT ABOUT POLICEMEN AND SOLDIERS?</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">There is no exemption for law enforcement officials or members of the armed services. These persons, if they have been convicted of even minor misdemeanors against their spouses, will have to be disarmed and fired.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">WHAT ABOUT BATTERED WOMEN WHO DEFENDED THEMSELVES?</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">There is no exemption for battered women who received minor misdemeanor convictions after they used force to defend themselves against their battering spouses. There are many battered women who fall into this category. They will now be unable to use firearms to protect themselves against their abusive and threatening husbands, even if they feel that their lives are endangered.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">WHAT ARE THE LONG-TERM IMPLICATIONS OF THE LAW?</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Because the law now imposes lifetime gun bans on persons who, in some cases, have engaged in no actual violence or attempted violence, it will only be a matter of time before anti-gun activists try to impose lifetime guns bans in non-domestic situations of minor misdemeanors involving violence (such as fist fights). Ultimately, an effort to impose a lifetime gun ban on all persons convicted of misdemeanors will be made.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>REVIEW OF GUN LAW, AMENDING IT SOUGHT</b> </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;">BAN'S RETROACTIVITY IS BEING CHALLENGED</span></div><div>Richmond Times-Dispatch (VA)</div><div>February 9, 1997 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The National Fraternal Order of Police has filed suit in Washington in an effort to halt enforcement of the federal domestic violence gun ban until it can be constitutionally reviewed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The injunction, filed Jan. 21 in U.S. District Court, challenges the law's retroactivity as unconstitutional. Although the law took effect Sept. 28, it affects anyone who was convicted years earlier of a misdemeanor domestic violence offense.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In addition, the national FOP is backing legislation introduced Jan. 8 by Rep. Robert L. Barr, R-Ga., a prominent opponent of gun control measures, to amend the law by eliminating the retroactivity clause. Barr was among the lawmakers who worked last year to modify the bill, which was introduced by U.S. Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg, D-N.J., and endorsed by President Clinton.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In past gun control measures, lawmakers included an exception for government personnel and law enforcement officials who need to carry guns to fulfill the requirements of their job.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">However, Barr and his allies worked some changes into the law, including one that removed the official-use exemption for government personnel and law enforcement officers convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Barr now believes the only way to fix the law is to make it apply to future offenses, so that anyone, including police officers, who has been convicted in the past of a domestic violence crime could legally possess a firearm.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Jim Pasco, executive director of the National Fraternal Order of Police, said his organization opposes the law because the retroactivity clause is in "all probability unconstitutional" and because "it constitutes an enforcement nightmare."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"We are very, very strong proponents of strong laws to combat domestic violence," Pasco said. "We just don't feel like this one does the job. In fact to the contrary, we feel that it may set the cause back significantly."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Pasco said because a range of misdemeanor offenses might be connected to domestic violence, it could be difficult to determine which ones may cause the federal law to be applied.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">For example, in some states, a misdemeanor domestic violence offense could include breach of peace, trespassing, unlawful touching or simple assault.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"How do you know when you're looking at a person's rap sheet (whether a conviction) on its face was a violation of this domestic violence gun ban?" he said. "I mean it's just a law enforcement absurdity."</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Congressman defends police who might lose their jobs without their guns</b></span></div><div>Ludington Daily News</div><div>March 03, 1997</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgEMkbyB9E08KvH_1eRl9jvFduegfF4U14H3aQpp3ce750kCeG2bU4Y55-BXIPaHFXTuhh8l61ba_91e1FdcZxP83q1x5eKTwWDt9yFRi-ijif0bRsMzl6C6Wk5Gn9tTQfFUgh21it4fduc0bGqZpn_lBr2lsj-cHtrU4VGy77JLoyAnpm-vkMyP1zFXg=s701" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="701" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgEMkbyB9E08KvH_1eRl9jvFduegfF4U14H3aQpp3ce750kCeG2bU4Y55-BXIPaHFXTuhh8l61ba_91e1FdcZxP83q1x5eKTwWDt9yFRi-ijif0bRsMzl6C6Wk5Gn9tTQfFUgh21it4fduc0bGqZpn_lBr2lsj-cHtrU4VGy77JLoyAnpm-vkMyP1zFXg=s16000" /></a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Rep. Bart Stupak wants to exempt police officers from a law that forbids anyone convicted of abusing their spouses or children from carrying a firearm.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">But the legislation he introduced to protect the jobs of police, along with military personnel, has advocates against domestic violence up in arms.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Last week, the anti-domestic violence community stepped up its campaign against Stupak's bill.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Law enforcement needs all the support they can get," said Denise Brown, the sister of O.J. Simpson's slain ex-wife, Nicole Simpson.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"But what some police unions are asking for are special exemptions, that if they have a record of domestic violence in their past they should be allowed to carry and own firearms, that somehow their domestic violence is OK. Well it's not OK - for anyone."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"It is not unreasonable to expect that law enforcement officers should obey the laws they are charged with enforcing - all the laws, all the time," said Donna F. Edwards, executive director of the National Network to End Domestic Violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">At least 200 officers nationwide, including a handful in Detroit, are affected by the law, said Beth Weaver, spokeswoman for the National Association of Police Organizations.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"We don't condone domestic violence; it's an aweful crime," Weaver said. "But this new law unfairly targets our members for losing their jobs. Our members are the only workers in the country who have to possess firearms in order to do their jobs."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Stupak, an ex-cop, D-Menominee, says the law should not be retroactive to include past crimes, and should not include people who need guns for their jobs.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"In one case in my district, the incident was 15 years ago before he was ever a police officer and now they might take his job away," Stupak told The Detroit News.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"If you work for a small department in nothern Michigan, you can't just work the desk or go work in records, because we don't have a records department. You're the chief and the patrol officer and the secretary and the janitor all in one. If you can't carry a gun, you can't work there."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Stupak says he does not object to recreational guns being taken away from police officers who are domestic abusers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But he thinks law enforcement supervisors are in the best position to decide if certain officers should leave their service weapons at the station when they go home.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., who sponsored the law, said exemptions could lead to the deaths of innocent women and children.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Gun Law Splits Women, Cops</b></span></div><div>NY Daily News</div><div>March 06, 1997</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjuWbBaJMG-CBi8Cf7QawlwlpU0FqQSOMCL0sGlCEeou7cxqPaEgsaRD1H-Qgw_Cb2WgTxwmNW7dNKysZGc4UMSWgIoPhDNB4IVPBvdW7bOPNz5A5Mvs80nCKnxMxg5WmA5EmFnu_6UVNrUQ8ysp4D02qu508qbEE2g1YeK9i2v9rHbyNvQSIKo64FXsg=s701" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="701" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjuWbBaJMG-CBi8Cf7QawlwlpU0FqQSOMCL0sGlCEeou7cxqPaEgsaRD1H-Qgw_Cb2WgTxwmNW7dNKysZGc4UMSWgIoPhDNB4IVPBvdW7bOPNz5A5Mvs80nCKnxMxg5WmA5EmFnu_6UVNrUQ8ysp4D02qu508qbEE2g1YeK9i2v9rHbyNvQSIKo64FXsg=s16000" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Police groups and advocates for battered women clashed yesterday over whether Congress should soften a new federal law that bars anyone with a domestic violence record from having a gun. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Police officers around the country have faced the loss of their guns, and possibly their careers, since the law pushed by Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N/J.) was signed last year. The New York Police Department has been examining at least 125 cops who may be ineligible to carry guns because of past domestic-violence misdemeanors. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"To my knowledge, there is no other class of American citizen that is facing the loss of his or her livelihood because of this new law," Bernard Teoorski of the Fraternal Order of Police told a House crime subcommittee hearing. "Police officers are."</span></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* But Rita Smith of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence said, "We believe that anyone who has been convicted of domestic violence should not be allowed to have a gun."</span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">* She said it is already "almost impossible" to win convictions of police officers in domestic violence cases. "The police and the courts tend to give these men the benefit of the doubt, even when that means their partners, wives and children remain terrified and terrorized."</span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* The Fraternal Order of Police backs bills by Rep. Bob Barr (R-Ga) and Sen. Paul Wellstone (D-Minn.) that would apply the gun-possession ban only to those convicted of domestic violence since the law took effect last September. Teodorski said good cops who "may have made an error in judgment" in the past "should not lose their job".</span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* The National Association of Police Organizations supports a rival bill by Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich) that would flatly exempt law enforcement officers from the law. Rep. Charles Schumer of Brooklyn, the ranking democrat on the crime subcommittee, said he hoped "for some kind of possible compromise".</span></div></div></div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><span style="font-size: medium;">"My basic view is that anyone who commits real domestic violence shouldn't have a gun," Schumer said. "I also feel that we need to be mindful of the considerations of law enforcement, and hopefully what can happen is we can find an alternative balance.</span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>165 DENIED GUNS BY ABUSE LAW, VIRGINIAN SAYS</b></span></div><div>Richmond Times-Dispatch (VA)</div><div>March 6, 1997 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Federal and state authorities said yesterday that the new domestic violence gun ban is difficult to enforce, but a Virginia police official said that his state's criminal record check has kept 165 spouse and child abusers from buying guns in two months.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A House subcommittee heard from a variety of opponents and advocates about legislation by Rep. Bob Barr, R-Ga., and others to change the law, which prohibits anyone convicted of misdemeanor spouse or child abuse from possessing a gun. It has long been illegal for a felon to have a gun.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Claiming the law unconstitutionally applies to people convicted before it took effect at the end of September, Barr has introduced a bill that would bar gun ownership only by those convicted since then.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Officials from the FBI, state police forces and a national group that studies the availability and use of criminal justice information testified that national and most state crime databases will need expensive modifications to enable police to identify people convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence offenses.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Capt. R. Lewis Vass of the Virginia State Police said the state's computerized records system "has slowed considerably" since the gun ban took effect. One problem is that Virginia courts keep misdemeanor records for only 10 years.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Still, he said, Virginia's computerized check of more than 1,200 criminal histories has resulted in 165 denials of gun purchases.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Several police groups, including the Fraternal Order of Police, voiced support for Barr's bill because they believe police have been unfairly targeted by the new law. A number of officers have been relieved of duty because they have past misdemeanor convictions.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But Ron Hampton, a former Washington police officer who heads the National Black Police Association, said he does not favor any changes in the law to benefit police.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Police ought to be the standard," Hampton said.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Turnabout: Why penalize people a second time?</b></span></div><div>Lewiston Tribune (ID)</div><div>Section: Opinion</div><div>Author/Byline: Helen Chenoweth - Republican Chenoweth represents Idaho's 1st District in </div><div>March 20, 1997 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The writer responds to a March 14 editorial criticizing her effort to repeal legislation prohibiting gun ownership by people convicted of spouse or child battering.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Imagine that 10 years ago you committed a stupid crime. Let's say drunk driving. You were arrested, pleaded guilty and served whatever penalty was appropriate at the time. Since then, you have behaved responsibly and gone about your life.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But let's also say that drunk driving remains a serious problem for the nation, and that some well-meaning federal lawmakers decide that the penalties for drunk driving are not serious enough. So they pass a law which says that anyone who has ever been convicted of drunk driving must give up his driver's license. Suddenly, you and thousands of Americans who already faced justice for a past misdemeanor -- and who have behaved responsibly since -- must pay a new and significant penalty.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Would that be fair?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Most people would think such action goes too far. However, I raise this question because something very similar has happened to another class of people.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Last fall, during a last minute maneuver with a congressional spending bill, Sen. Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey inserted an amendment that bans gun ownership by any person ever convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. Many congressmen did not know the Lautenberg amendment was there when they voted on the spending bill. The amendment was never subjected to a full debate in the House of Representatives.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Lautenberg amendment had the commendable goal of trying to disarm abusive people before they kill someone. But the amendment also has the effect of penalizing many law-abiding Americans who have already faced justice.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Ironically, the amendment even has the effect of disarming many women (whom I assume Sen. Lautenberg was trying to protect). Many police departments require officers to charge both parties in a domestic dispute, even if there is no sign of violence and neither party wants to press charges. Many of these cases are uncontested, with both parties paying a simple misdemeanor fine in order to put the incident behind them.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">There are other problems with the Lautenberg amendment. It runs roughshod over the rights of individual states and judicial discretion in assessing the appropriate penalties on a case-by-case basis. It constitutes an unfunded federal mandate by passing the enormous cost of enforcing this provision along to the states. And it's virtually impossible to monitor and enforce.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In addition, the amendment was a sneaky way to pass a gun-control bill. It was inserted at the last minute into a 2,000-page appropriations bill that I doubt any congressmen fully read before voting.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">For these reasons, I have introduced a bill with 11 other congressmen to repeal the Lautenberg amendment. My bill is supported by not only by the National Rifle Association, but also by police and sheriffs' and women's groups such as the Independent Women's Forum and Concerned Women of America.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Domestic violence is a serious issue in America today. I believe very strongly that punishment should match the crime. Crimes that are felonies should be punished as felonies. And felons are already prohibited from owning guns. Misdemeanors should be punished as misdemeanors. If states or judges want to attach additional penalties to these crimes, they should do so. But deciding at the federal level to establish new punishments for misdemeanors after the fact is just plain wrong.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Some people will defend the Lautenberg amendment by saying an effort such as mine would put guns into the hands of wife beaters and child abusers. That's about as accurate as saying car makers are putting automobiles into the hands of drunk drivers. If we can think beyond the soundbite, reasonable people will agree that the Lautenberg amendment is bad law. And bad laws should be repealed.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>LAW ENFORCERS STRUGGLE WITH GUN LAW IMPLICATIONS </b></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;">WOMEN'S GROUPS PUSHED FOR EXPANSION OF PROHIBITION</span></div><div>Richmond Times-Dispatch (VA)</div><div>April 6, 1997 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Some gun enthusiasts long have prophesied about a day when the federal government orders citizens to turn in their guns.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Now there is a group of thousands of Americans for whom that prediction has turned into reality.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"They should immediately but lawfully dispose of their firearms to a third party, such as their attorney, their local police agency or a federal firearms dealer," said Peter L. Gagliardi, deputy associate director for enforcement at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Exactly who Gagliardi is talking about is a question confusing law enforcement agencies and sparking quarrels among normally chummy police and women's groups. But at the very least, thousands of people -- including hundreds of police officers and soldiers -- lost their right to possess a firearm last fall.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In September Congress passed legislation stripping gun rights from anyone convicted of a domestic violence misdemeanor.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"The (National Rifle Association) is always called paranoid," said Tanya Metaksa, the NRA's chief lobbyist. "(But) we're seeing more and more classes of people being slid under the '68 Gun Control Act as prohibited" from owning a gun.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">On his train trip to last year's Democratic National Convention, President Clinton proposed prohibiting anyone ever convicted of a domestic violence misdemeanor from buying or possessing a firearm. Wife beaters and child abusers shouldn't have guns, Clinton said. Congress passed the legislation within weeks.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Felons have been barred from owning guns since 1968. A misdemeanor, however, is a less serious offense that can range from "soaping" a window at Halloween to urinating in public to hitting somebody. The new law includes only misdemeanor convictions that involve domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Clinton, supported by women's groups, extended the gun prohibition to these lesser offenses, citing the repetitive and escalating nature of domestic violence. Before public attention focused on domestic violence, police officers called to a home -- say, the Jones' house -- would discover that Mr. Jones had just hit his wife and simply would tell him to walk around the block, said Ronald E. Hampton, executive director of the National Black Police Association.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Eventually, we took Mrs. Jones out in a body bag," Hampton said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Almost immediately after Clinton signed the new gun ban into law, questions arose about its fairness and enforceability.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A husband or wife in the midst of a bitter divorce 10 years ago could grab their spouse's wrist and wind up guilty of a misdemeanor that, only now, deprives him or her of the right to own a gun, law enforcement officials said. While there is no national tabulation of domestic violence misdemeanors, one indicator is the number of police officers affected by the new law. Law enforcement officers prohibited from possessing a gun could be suspended from duty.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Bernard H. Teodorski, national vice president of the Fraternal Order of Police, told a congressional committee last month that the group still was researching how many officers had been convicted of domestic violence misdemeanors.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">This consequence of the law has created tension between police groups who don't want to destroy officers' careers, and women's advocacy organizations whose "No Guns for Wife Beaters" slogan signifies their refusal to allow exceptions to the law.domestic violence cases down to a misdemeanor charge. True domestic violence should be prosecuted as a felony, which would bring a tougher penalty and prohibit the abuser from owning a gun, said Metaksa, of the NRA.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"You also have problems with how records are kept," said Special Agent John Limbach, an ATF spokesman.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Until the past few years, criminal records usually didn't distinguish between misdemeanor convictions for striking a spouse and hitting a neighbor with a snowball.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"We don't know if (the convictions) are domestic violence assaults," said Alan L. Wallis, chief of police in Renton, Wash., after appearing at a Handgun Control event.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Even current records are not uniform among different counties or states, ATF officials said. The new law requires police to determine if the domestic violence offender received a jury trial and was represented by a lawyer. That means police likely would have to search records at the courthouse where the trial took place. Officials at the California-based National Consortium for Justice Information and Statistics said they could not predict the time or cost of developing the capability to quickly and reliably identify people who the domestic violence gun ban affects.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The complexity of the law "suggests that several years and hundreds of millions of dollars will be required in order to build this capability," said Gerry Wethington, information systems director for the Missouri Highway Patrol and a representative of the justice information consortium.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The House subcommittee on crime is considering several changes to make the new law easier to enforce and less likely to ruin police officers' careers without undermining the law's mission of trying to prevent domestic violence.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>HAIR-TRIGGER RATIONALE</b></span></div><div>Daily News of Los Angeles (CA)</div><div>Author/Byline: Fred Romero</div><div>April 13, 1997 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">An obscure gun-control measure sailed through Congress late last year, taking guns away from men and women with any domestic violence record. When it was applied to police and military, however, the supporters started making exceptions that undermine a law that sounded better than it is. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">IT has long been held that if you allow personal bias to turn a debate away from the facts, good intentions run the risk of getting caught on the slippery slope of unsupported argument. And when the topic under discussion is a hot-button issue like gun control, the downhill slide can reach avalanche proportions.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Turn the heat up a little more with colorful catch phrases such as ``assault weapon,'' ``plastic gun,'' ``cop-killer bullet'' and ``Saturday night special,'' not to mention the wrenching figures offered - albeit somewhat selectively - for the number of people killed and wounded every year by guns, and you have the makings of a media dream - a story that grows more interesting each week and holds the attention of a large segment of the population.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The influence of provocative, if not somewhat misleading adjectives aside, gun control is also a big vote-getter for many politicians who want to be identified with an issue that has legs, and increasingly we are seeing more examples of creative gun-control legislation introduced at all levels of government.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Some of these laws are directed at identifying people who should not own a gun, based on some disqualifying criminal violation or past misconduct.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Realistically, an argument can be made that people at the lower end of the social scale are sometimes affected more by these laws than are people in the middle- and upper-income brackets, but this fact is usually lost in the rhetoric that always seems to precede every new law.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">What is also overlooked by the pundits is that conventional wisdom, as well as history, shows that gun-control efforts based on emotion are nothing more than a Band-Aid cure for a much bigger problem, which, in the long run, doesn't change a thing except to more narrowly define the rights of law-abiding citizens.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">After a law is passed, the bad guys thumb their noses at our feeble attempts to control their actions (that's why they're called bad guys), and they set about finding other ways to get the guns they need to continue committing their ugly crimes. Yet the laws keep coming in the hope that some good will be realized.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Take a look at a recently approved federal gun law (tagged onto a congressional spending bill), which, ostensibly, was meant to keep guns out of the hands of mean people.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">While you were busy trying to make a living, run a house and pay your bills before the second ``payment-due'' notice came in the mail, a formidable sounding law, called the Lautenberg Amendment to The Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Act of 1997, was written and submitted to Congress this past autumn, with the intent of curbing domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Although the law was never publicly campaigned to the same degree as most gun-control proposals usually are, it was supported by people who felt they were doing the right thing, and it was easily passed in a flurry of year-end legislation.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Who among us would argue that far too many women and children are the victims of brutish men who vent their anger is very inappropriate ways? Certainly not your local police and definitely not your man or woman in Washington.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">And as long as we are passing a law to take away guns from men who beat their spouses in between swigs of beer while watching TV, we might as well add a clause to the law that says it is completely retroactive: No matter how far back the offense occurred (and regardless of the circumstances surrounding any plea bargain or uncontested charge), if you have ever been convicted of an act of domestic violence, then you, Sir or Madam, will lose your right to own, ship, transport or possess a gun or ammunition ever again.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">No questions, challenges or protests allowed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Lesser offenses</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Much of the media supported the law, and they told us we should feel safer because fewer bad people would have a legal right to own a gun and the police would have another tool to fight crime with. They also applauded our duly-elected representatives for standing up to the gun lobby and for ``sending a message'' to gun owners in general and the NRA specifically: If you beat your wife, you can't own a gun.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Comes now the rest of the story.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Much to the dismay of tens of thousands of people who were affected by the new law, the wording makes no distinction between those who were convicted of wife beating vs. a lesser offense.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A person who is or was convicted of having a minor but reported tussle with their spouse or live-in lover, is just as culpable under the new law as a person who is charged and convicted of kicking their spouse in the head in a major domestic fight.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Under the new law, all that is required for someone to lose their Second Amendment rights is a guilty verdict for simple assault or assault and battery, provided the victim fits the general category for domestic violence, whether or not state statute or local ordinances specifically define the offense as a domestic violence misdemeanor.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Not surprisingly, anti-gun advocates everywhere cheered the law, and they were ecstatic at seeing an additional number of people included on the list of those who can't own or possess a firearm.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">As the old saying goes, if you want to win a war, you must do so by whatever means necessary and, in this case, supporters of gun control had a big sword to swing.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">What no one counted on, however, was that the sword cuts both ways.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Even the police</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Right after the law was passed, countless police agencies across the country set about going through their files to see who had been naughty or nice, and a lot of otherwise good citizens got the shock of their lives when they received a formal notice in the mail informing them that they had to turn in their guns.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">On the face of it the new law was working as designed, but soon embarrassed police found out it may be working too good.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">At the federal level, the BATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms), much to its bureaucratic credit, saw the law from an entirely different angle, and what it came up with chilled the blood of even cops who support gun control.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Through an inadvertent oversight in the new law, active police officers who also had a record of misdemeanor domestic violence were found to be just as much at risk of losing their guns as any other malfeasant citizen, even if the police officers in question needed their firearm(s) to perform their sworn duty.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A more in-depth study revealed that even members of the military who had a conviction for domestic violence technically fell under the same rule of law, and the legal right and duty of these men (and women) to carry a gun could be in doubt.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">By now the picture was starting to come into focus all too clearly. For reasons known only to those who seek to disarm society, the law - which looked so good on paper - came back to haunt gun-control advocates who thought they were doing the right thing.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The initial reaction to this statutorial oversight by our duly-elected legislators was predictable. Under intense and immediate pressure from numerous law enforcement administrators and police unions, they set about to put together emergency legislation to clean up the law so as not to unnecessarily restrict police and other armed professionals from doing their jobs.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But the rules of the game were now compromised; how could the law apply to one segment of society and not another?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Any argument proposed in favor of exempting police officers convicted of domestic violence had the effect of looking like a double standard if the exemption didn't also apply to the average citizens.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">`A double standard'</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Conversely, if a citizen with a history of domestic violence cannot legally own or possess a gun, why should a cop be any different? Or, for that matter, why should a soldier in the military not be held to the same level of accountability as everyone else covered by the law?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Tough questions, to be sure, but questions which were needlessly brought about by a small, highly vocal group of people intent on pushing for increased restrictions on the rights of otherwise law-abiding citizens, whose only measurable crime was to have the misfortune of having been involved in a reported family dispute that got carried away. Remember, we're talking about misdemeanor offenses here, not the myriad felony crimes already covered by appropriate gun-control laws nationwide.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Even as you read this, the wheels of politics are turning, and it isn't pretty. One of the largest police unions in the country, the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), has taken the lead in trying to undo the damage the new law poses to hard-working cops.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The FOP isn't saying that the law is unfair to all citizens, just cops who need their guns to perform their jobs. They also argue, that without the exemption, many law enforcement officers would be in jeopardy of losing their jobs if they aren't allowed to legally carry a gun. Lord knows, the FOP is trying to do right by the professional men and women it represents, but taking the position that cops should be exempt from the law makes no sense at all and, in fact, runs the risk of sounding elitist.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Forgive the past</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A better idea would be to admit the law is wrong and unfair to everyone, not just cops, then change it so it applies only to the most severe cases of domestic violence. At the very least, the law should not be retroactive and unfairly punish people who have maintained a clean record for a reasonable amount of time.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Admittedly, there are many special interests involved in this fight: the military, federal, state and local law enforcement; anti-gun extremists; and victims of domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Every one has a solid reason for its opinion, and every one thinks its cause is more noble than the others, but no one has yet been heard to express concern over the right of the individual citizen gun owner caught in the middle of what has become a high-stakes power game.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">And why should they? For many folks, standing up for the Second Amendment doesn't rate quite as high as saving a whale or, perhaps, getting gross polluters off the highway.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Facts, logic and reason notwithstanding, we are at a curious crossroads in American history; we can either choose to maintain the principles of freedom, established many years ago by the Founding Fathers, or we can opt for the quick fix by continually trading away our liberty, bit by bit, for the promise of security.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Domestic violence gun ban stuck in committee</b></span></div><div>Tampa Bay Times (FL)</div><div>April 23, 1997 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Leaders in the fight against domestic violence want to take guns from people who have been ordered to stay away from their families - but they can't get legislation out of committee.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A state police union, meanwhile, is fighting a federal law that bans gun possession by anyone, including a law enforcement officer, who has been convicted in domestic violence cases.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Robin Hassler, who leads the Governor's Task Force on Domestic and Sexual Violence, said Tuesday that the effort to ban gun possession by people ordered to stay away from their homes ""one of the most important victim safety bills . . . before the Legislature this session.''</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The measure hasn't gone far in the Legislature this session, which has less than two weeks to go.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Sen. Al Gutman, chairman of the Senate Criminal Justice Committee, where the bill has languished without a hearing, said the measure would allow some people to get injunctions by falsely accusing others.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">""I don't think it's really all that well thought-out,'' said Gutman, R-Miami.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Sixty-five percent of the people killed in domestic violence are shot, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">People who have been arrested or convicted of domestic violence can't buy guns in Florida because their names will come up during the background check.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Federal law already makes it a crime for people who are the subject of injunctions to have guns unless they are on-duty police officers. But there aren't enough federal agents in Florida to investigate violations, said Sgt. Rod Reder of the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Lives would be saved if state law was expanded to mirror federal law with a ban on guns for people named in injunctions, said Reder, who oversees domestic violence cases in his office.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">""It doesn't mean you're going to lower your (domestic homicide) rate by 65 percent, but you're going to lower it some,'' he said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The House Crime and Punishment Committee unanimously approved the legislation two weeks ago. But the measure has not moved out of its next committee, Law Enforcement.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Gov. Lawton Chiles supports the bill and urged lawmakers to act.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">""With 10 days left, the Legislature still has time to protect domestic violence victims and their children,'' he said in a statement.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Meanwhile, another dispute in the fight against domestic violence may play out in court.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Police Benevolent Association of Florida has filed a lawsuit in federal court in Tallahassee, asking that a new provision of the federal gun law be declared unconstitutional.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Since October, federal law has outlawed gun possession for anyone with a misdemeanor criminal record of domestic abuse - including law enforcement officers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">""It's one thing to tell a citizen they can't carry a weapon,'' PBA lawyer Hal Johnson said. ""It's another thing to tell an officer, "You can't carry a weapon, and, oh by the way, you've lost your job.' ''</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Florida has some 40,000 law enforcement officers and about 30,000 prison guards and probation and parole officers. Johnson said the FDLE estimated about 1,000 officers could be affected, but the law agency said it did not know where that figure originated.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Senate discusses domestic violence gun ban - no vote</b></span></div><div>Florida Times-Union, The (Jacksonville, FL)</div><div>April 25, 1997 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">TALLAHASSEE -- Senators talked yesterday about a proposal to keep guns out of the hands of violent people ordered to stay away from their families, but lawmakers didn't vote on the measure.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"It may be too late," said Robin Hassler, executive director of the Governor's Task Force on Domestic and Sexual Abuse. But she said there was still a chance a similar bill could move ahead in the House before the annual twomonth session ends next week.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Sen. Patsy Ann Kurth sponsored legislation to ban gun possession by anyone ordered by a court to stay away from their homes because of the threat of violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The bill, however, was never heard in the Senate Criminal Justice Committee and, under Senate rules, the full chamber can't act on a bill that doesn't move out of a committee. A similar House bill is awaiting action in the House Law Enforcement Committee.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But Kurth, D-Palm Bay, tried yesterday to add the measure to another domestic violence bill that was up for consideration:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"In 1996, 192 people were killed . . . as a result of domestic violence and a majority of those were killed with firearms."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Sen. John Ostalkiewicz, R-Windemere, objected to Kurth's request that the rules be waived to allow her proposal to be considered.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The idea may be a good one, but it needs to be reviewed by a committee, Ostalkiewicz said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"If a person is caught in this situation and they have ammunition or a hunting rifle at home, what do they do?" he asked. "Do they sell it? Throw it away? Give it away?"</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Kurth replied, "Sen. Ostalkiewicz, I think if someone has a final injunction for domestic violence against them, then we might want that those guns would be disposed of."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Federal law already bans gun possession by people who have been ordered to stay away from their homes, but Hassler and other proponents of Kurth's bill said there aren't enough federal agents in the state to investigate violations.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Sen. Charles Williams, D-Tallahassee, said Kurth's proposal went too far and was un-American.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Sen. Tom Rossin said the ban was a good idea but asked her to withdraw her amendment because it could lead to defeat of his legislation.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Domestic violence laws disarms few cops</b></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;">Gun ban has had almost no effect in state</span></div><div>New Haven Register (CT)</div><div>July 13, 1997 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">When a federal law designed to take guns out of the hands of people convicted of domestic violence was enacted, police feared it would cost thousands of them their jobs.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A poll by the National Association of Chiefs of Police projected more than 60,000 of the nation's 700,000 police would either lose their jobs or be reassigned to civilian-type desk duties because they no longer could own or carry a firearm.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"No other person could lose their employment with this," since law enforcement officers are required to use firearms, said New Haven Sgt. Louis G. Cavalier, police union president.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But aside from a few cases in Colorado, Minnesota, Michigan and California, nine months later the law hasn't had much impact on law enforcement officers either nationwide or in Greater New Haven.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Steven Goldstein, press secretary for U.S. Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg, D-N.J., who introduced the law, said studies show that fewer than 1,000 officers nationwide would be affected by the gun ban.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">An informal survey of more than 20 of the area's departments found no firings, reassignments or demotions as a result of the law.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">To date, Gary Waterhouse, executive director of the Connecticut Council of Police Unions, No. 15, said he knows of no cases involving Connecticut officers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I suspect there were not a lot of convictions," said Waterhouse.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"And people involved in cases like this may be fired from their departments anyway . . . I'm pleased that there are not a lot of cases coming forward."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But there are concerns about the Domestic Violence Gun Ban, enacted into law in September.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Before the bill's passage, federal law prohibited only felons and people with restraining orders from possessing firearms.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The gun ban is retroactive and now covers people convicted of domestic violence misdemeanors - no matter how far back they go. Misdemeanors could include a slap, shove or even yelling.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Incidents of domestic violence involving guns are 12 times more likely to result in death than incidents where no gun is involved, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">And studies show an alarmingly high rate of domestic violence among law enforcement personnel.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In a 1992 survey of 891 male officers attending a national Fraternal Order of Police conference, 24 percent said they had been involved in assaults on their spouses in the previous year.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But critics say the law targets police officers, although it applies to everyone, even military personnel. In fact, a Norwalk businessman had his gun collection confiscated last week by federal agents because of a restraining order against him by his estranged wife.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Federal lawsuits to block enforcement of the law were filed in Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Tallahassee, Fla., and Los Angeles. And police allies in Congress already have begun efforts to relax some of the law's provisions.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">One bill, introduced by Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Minn., would exempt police and military personnel from the gun ban.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The second, introduced by Rep. Bob Barr, R-Ga., and Sen. Paul Wellstone, D-Minn., would apply the ban only to those convicted of domestic-violence crimes after the bill was passed in September.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A third bill, introduced by Rep. Helen Chenoweth, R-Idaho, would repeal the law entirely.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">When asked about compliance, most local police officials said they were relying solely on the memories of longtime officers. Few have actively sought comprehensive background checks on their personnel.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Wallingford Police Chief Douglas L. Dortenzio said he relied on the memories of "long-term" officers in determining if anyone in his 70-member department had ever been convicted in a misdemeanor domestic violence case.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Lt. Ian Nixon of the Ansonia Police Department, which has 34 sworn officers, said that in smaller departments, chiefs often know who has been convicted of such a crime.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"We wouldn't be hiring people if they were convicted of domestic violence," said Clinton Police Chief Joseph P. Faughnam, who also serves as president of the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Officials also said checking whether an officer committed a misdemeanor domestic violence crime at any time in any state is a difficult task.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"That would be a law enforcement nightmare," said Tim Richardson of the National Fraternal Order of Police. "You would have to look at the individual facts of every case. Misdemeanors aren't centrally filed, and there are different classes of offenses for different states."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Bill Johnson, general counsel for the National Association of Police Organizations in Washington, D.C., said departments throughout the nation have been slow in responding to the law.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"They are becoming aware of the existence of the law, but they're not quite sure what they need or ought to do regarding it," Johnson said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But the law doesn't appear to be stymieing everyone.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">With notice of the law's passage, Connecticut State Police reviewed the personnel files of its 985 troopers, said Sgt. Dale Hourigan, state police spokesman.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"We looked at every member of the agency," Hourigan said. "We have no one here under that federal law who has been convicted."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Other departments, including the New Haven Police Department, reviewed the background checks done on officers prior to their being hired.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Most departments said policies are already in place to deal with officers arrested for any crimes, including domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Officers are placed on administrative duty and their weapon is taken away from them until the case is disposed of," said New Haven Police Chief Melvin H. Wearing. Those officers also are referred to family violence counselors, he said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"We're keeping our fingers crossed that nobody down here gets into that situation," said Derby Lt. Gene Mascolo of his 25-member force. "We don't have any positions here for someone who can't carry a gun."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Opponents of the law said they're waiting to see what happens in the courts. Some think it will be found unconstitutional.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But proponents say law enforcement personnel better get used to the law.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Women's groups, including the National Organization for Women, legislators, and even some police groups, including the 35,000-member National Black Police Association, favor the law.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Police departments ought to get accustomed to enforcing the law," said Goldstein, who said he doesn't anticipate any amendments. "We're intent on keeping the law exactly the way it is. It's working, and people see that."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">By no means should the law be changed to exempt police, said Sandra Koorejian, executive director of Domestic Violence Services of Greater New Haven.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I think it's important that this message gets out, that a police officer isn't above the law," she said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It's not uncommon for police to be perpetrators in domestic violence cases, said Koorejian.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">She said domestic violence victims who are married to police officers might not report the abuse out of fear police would not arrest a fellow officer.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Despite widespread opposition to the law from police, some law enforcement officials do support it.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Domestic violence is so serious an issue, there shouldn't be an exception for police officers," said Dortenzio, the Wallingford chief. "We should not be treated differently."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But Allan MacDonald, resident agent in charge of the local unit of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, said the law could affect those officers who feared expensive legal costs and plea-bargained their charges down to misdemeanors.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"A lot of them wouldn't have taken a plea if they knew they were going to lose their job someday," said MacDonald.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Chenoweth raps domestic gun ban; seeks support for repeal</b></span></div><div>USA TODAY (USA)</div><div>July 14, 1997 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Blasting a law that prohibits anyone convicted of a domestic violence charge from owning a gun, Rep. Helen Chenoweth, R-Idaho, Monday urged support for her legislation to repeal it.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"This is not an issue about domestic violence," she said at a Capitol Hill press conference. "As a woman, I abhor domestic violence. Let me make it very plain and clear: This issue is about gun control."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Her bill would overturn the "Lautenberg amendment," a provision Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., tacked on to a budget bill late in the last Congress. It prohibits anyone convicted of even a misdemeanor domestic violence offense from owning a gun.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Chenoweth called Lautenberg's work "a darn poor way to press gun control legislation." Though she said she respected his motivation -- cutting down on domestic violence -- she took issue with his approach.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Instead of helping cut down on domestic violence, the Lautenberg amendment will take guns out of the wrong people's hands, she argued. Women who defend themselves against abuse could find themselves prosecuted for domestic violence and subsequently disarmed, she said. Parents who spank their children could also run afoul of the law. And Chenoweth objected to the breadth of possible offenses that could trigger its provisions.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Domestic violence is a very horrible thing, but by definition, domestic violence could be just raising your voice," she said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Nearly 10 percent of the 700,000 law enforcement officers in America could have their guns revoked if the government pressed forward with the Lautenberg provisions, said James J. Fotis, executive director of the Law Enforcement Alliance of America.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"We do not want to see people lose their jobs because of misdemeanor offenses," he said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Chenoweth -- who also opposes federal legislation barring convicted felons from owning guns -- said individual state judges, not Congress, should be the ones to decide when domestic offenders should lose their gun rights.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">She lamented the way the amendment became law in the first place.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"The gun control advocates did not have the moral courage to bring this bill up on its own," she said. "I doubt it could have gotten out of committee."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It is unclear, however, how long her own bill will languish in the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, where it was referred after its introduction early this Congress. Several other bills, including one by subcommittee member Rep. Bob Barr, R-Ga., are competing for eventual floor action. Despite a handful of co-sponsors, for now, even Chenoweth's staff admits her bill looks like a long shot.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">And a Lautenberg spokesman pegged its chances even lower.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"No one in Washington seriously believes anymore that there will be any changes to the domestic gun ban," said Lautenberg press secretary Steven Goldstein. "Chenoweth's proposal is considered the least credible of all of them."</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>MILITARY COULD FACE DIFFICULTIES WITH DOMESTIC-VIOLENCE GUN BAN</b></span></div><div>Lexington Herald-Leader (KY)</div><div>July 21, 1997</div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Tucked into federal spending legislation last fall was a little-trumpeted gun ban for domestic violence offenders that threatened big shake-ups in the ranks of police and soldiers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Anyone who has a domestic violence conviction, the new law said, cannot have a gun. There were no exceptions for law enforcement or military officers - although for most having to give up a gun can mean having to give up the job.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But nearly 10 months later - and as police agencies have started applying the new rule to their own - the Defense Department still has not handed down guidelines for how the military should put the law into effect.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">At Kentucky's two Army bases, Fort Knox and Fort Campbell, officials say they are waiting on guidance from Washington before taking steps such as reviewing soldiers' records for any past domestic violence convictions.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"It'll definitely affect us," said Maj. Joe Howell, a Fort Campbell spokesman. "But in what way, we won't know until we get the orders on how to implement it from our higher-ups."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The delay frustrates some activists against domestic violence , who supported the new law.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Not enforcing that bill puts a lot of people at risk," said Rita Smith, executive director of the Denver-based National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. "It doesn't make sense to not implement something that could potentially save a great many lives."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The new law - an amendment to the country's basic gun control act that has been on the books since 1968 - went into effect Sept. 30. It applies to anyone convicted of a misdemeanor for using or attempting to use physical force on an intimate partner or a family member.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The penalty is up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 . It already is illegal for a person convicted of any felony to have a gun.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Defense Department attorneys are preparing directives on how to apply the law; the instructions will be passed down to the military branches and then to specific installations, said Maj. Monica Aloisio, a department spokeswoman.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"We're still working on it," Aloisio said. "And it's not their fault that they haven't done anything. They've gotten no direction from the Pentagon."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The guidelines have been in the works for several months, Aloisio said. But she could not say when they will be completed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Court martial rare</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The potential effect could be great, since about 1.2 million people serve in the armed forces.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But some military officials in Kentucky said the new rule is unlikely to force large numbers of soldiers out of the Army.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">To be affected, a soldier would either have to be convicted of domestic violence in civilian court or through a court martial in military court. And if an incident happens on post, commanders can take other action - short of a court martial - to deal with the problem.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">At Fort Knox, where there are roughly 10,000 active duty soldiers, students and trainees on post at any time, the base averages 10.7 incidents of spouse abuse each year for every 1,000 military personnel, said spokesman Dean Sprague.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">That would equal more than 100 incidents for the entire base in a year. But few of those incidents end in court martial convictions.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">This year at Fort Knox, only one domestic violence case has ended in a court martial and conviction, Sprague said. Another case is pending.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Col. Larry Vick, staff judge advocate at Fort Knox, said that Army leaders will not treat domestic violence lightly just to help soldiers avoid the consequences of the new gun ban.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I think right now, with the climate that exists in Washington and in the nation ... commanders are very reluctant now to look like they're not taking something seriously," Vick said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Smith, with the Coalition Against Domestic Violence, said the main concern of domestic violence activists is that the problem is addressed and victims protected.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Within the military system, there may be ways that they have a lot more influence over that soldier's behavior than someone in civilian life," she said. "For us, the only option we have is to give them a conviction, to put them through the legal system."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But soldiers also can face the consequence of the new law if they are convicted in a state court.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Last month, Gov. Paul Patton announced that the Army had agreed to give the state jurisdiction to issue domestic violence protection orders for Fort Knox residents.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Under an interim agreement, Hardin District Court judges had been issuing an average of three emergency protective orders a week to Fort Knox residents.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"It's not a huge caseload," said Carol Jordan, executive director of the Governor's Office of Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Services. "But clearly, it's one of those things ... where everyone needs the access to protection."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Challenges to the law</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">While Pentagon officials have been tackling how to put the new law to work, some police organizations have taken higher-profile steps to challenge it.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The national Fraternal Order of Police filed a federal lawsuit challenging the law's constitutionality and asking for an injunction. There has been no ruling on the case, said Timothy Richardson, a legislative assistant for the national FOP.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">There also have been efforts to change the law in Congress. One measure would make the law apply only to people convicted of domestic violence after Oct. 1, 1996. Another proposal would make soldiers and law officers exempt altogether.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Both of those efforts appear stalled for now, Richardson said. And many police agencies have begun the process of determining whether any officers have domestic violence convictions.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In Kentucky, state police officials already have checked the records of every officer, and no one had a misdemeanor domestic violence offense, said Lt. Jerry Nauert, a state police spokesman.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">One reason the military has been slower to enact the law is because it faces some complicated issues, said the FOP's Richardson .</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">For instance, "Does (the new law) mean that a Harrier pilot cannot fly a Harrier because it contains explosives and firearms?" Richardson asked. " ... That's why the military has been a little bit slower."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">And there are other stumbling blocks, such as whether Army officials should have to go back through records for all current soldiers to see if there are past cases of domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">At Fort Knox, potential recruits with a domestic violence conviction are no longer being enlisted, said Sprague. But to go back through the records of current soldiers, the volume of paperwork would make the task "monumental," Sprague said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Said Smith, with the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence: "Possibly it would be a big job. But I'm not sure it's not worth the effort. I mean, we're talking about people's lives. Why is that effort not worth it?"</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Chenoweth, ACLU play footsie</b></span></div><div>Idaho Spokesman-Review (Coeur d'Alene, ID)</div><div>Author/Byline: D.F. Oliveria Opinion writer</div><div>July 22, 1997 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Politics indeed make strange bedfellows. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Case in point: U.S. Rep. "Give'em-Helen'' Chenoweth and the American Civil Liberties Union of Idaho linking arms to fight the Lautenberg amendment. The measure outlaws gun ownership by anyone who ever has been convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Said an ACLU news release: "It was inappropriate and a violation of the rights of individual citizens to impose a limitation on gun ownership retroactively for offenses that may have occurred years before.''</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Curiously, Republican Chenoweth mentioned the ACLU in her release. But not vice versa. Then the ACLU of Idaho carefully noted: "This statement does not necessarily reflect the position of the national ACLU.'' Do you suppose the Idaho ACLUers finally are getting in step with their state? ... Nah.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Police union unsure if it will appeal domestic-violence gun ban </b></span></div><div>Law prompted Fulton to fire, reassign officers</div><div>Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The (GA)</div><div>August 8, 1997 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">After losing its lawsuit to strike down a law banning gun possession by people convicted of domestic violence, a national police union will decide soon whether to appeal the Atlanta case, a union lawyer said Thursday.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Last month, Senior U.S. District Judge Richard Freeman upheld as constitutional the law banning handgun possession by anyone with misdemeanor domestic violence convictions. The International Brotherhood of Police Officers, which claims the law unfairly discriminates against law enforcement officers, will decide within a month whether to appeal Freeman's decision to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, union lawyer Brenda Raspberry said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The union filed its lawsuit against the Fulton County Sheriff's Department, which has been firing or reassigning deputies with prior misdemeanor domestic violence convictions. According to court records, lead plaintiff William Hiley, a deputy who pleaded guilty to a domestic violence charge in 1995, was fired in January. Hiley appealed and was reassigned as a detention officer, where he presumably will not need a weapon.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Freeman is one of the first judges in the country to rule on a challenge to the handgun ban, which was signed into law in September by President Clinton.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In May, a state court judge in Indiana issued a preliminary order enjoining the city of Franklin from enforcing the law. The judge has since transferred the case to federal court in Indianapolis. Other challenges are pending in Washington, Tallahassee, Fla., and Los Angeles.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"This law is really unfair," said Tallahassee lawyer Kelly Overstreet Johnson, who has filed state and federal challenges to the law. "It unfairly treats people who pleaded guilty years ago and did not know that something like this could now suddenly take away their livelihood."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Johnson said one of her clients is a Florida corrections officer who pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor violence charge 22 years ago and paid a $35 fine. The state is now moving to fire him, she said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In Atlanta, the police union challenged the law on several grounds, saying it does not address handgun possession by felons who have had their civil rights restored and that it discriminates against law enforcement officers who have pleaded guilty to misdemeanor domestic violence charges.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But Freeman ruled that "limiting the ability of a domestic violence misdemeanant to possess a firearm is reasonably related to Congress' purpose of protecting public safety by keeping firearms out of the hands of potentially dangerous or irresponsible persons." Freeman agreed that law creates anomalies regarding handgun possession between felons and persons convicted of misdemeanors, but he said this provides no legal basis for the law to be overturned.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Cop challenges law on domestic violence</b></span></div><div>Times, The (Trenton, NJ)</div><div>September 21, 1997 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">CAMDEN (AP) _ A Willingboro police officer has filed a legal challenge to a federal domestic violence law that forced him to take a desk job.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The 1996 Domestic Violence Gun Ban, sponsored by Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D- N.J., extends the federal prohibition against gun ownership or possession by convicted felons to include anyone ever convicted of a domestic violence offense _ including police officers, security guards, military personnel and prison guards.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">James W. Bennett pleaded guilty in October 1995 to a disorderly persons offense for grabbing his former girlfriend by her shirt and throwing her around the bedroom of his Burlington Township home. He appeared in Municipal Court, paid a $250 fine and figured that was the end of it.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But two years later, when the domestic violence law was enacted, that conviction meant he could no longer legally carry his service weapon. So, earlier this year, Willingboro police pulled Bennett, an officer since 1974, off the street and put him behind a desk.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Bennett is challenging the reassignment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">His lawsuit filed in federal court in Camden claims that when he waived his right to counsel in pleading guilty two years ago, he had no way of knowing what the consequences of his guilty plea would be.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">''His waiver of counsel couldn't have been knowing and intelligent,'' his lawyer, F. Michael Daily, told The Philadelphia Inquirer.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Daily said that to his client, it simply meant ''this won't cause you any problems other than the fine.''</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The retroactivity of the law is central to several challenges to the law, including one filed in federal court in Washington, D.C., by the national Fraternal Order of Police.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Several proposals to revise or repeal the law also are pending in Congress. One would exempt police officers, another would repeal it altogether. Another would eliminate retroactive enforcement.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Police groups have objected to the law because any officer with a domestic violence conviction now is barred from possessing a gun. They also have complained that it is nearly impossible to enforce.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">''Right now, the law applies, in our view, unconstitutionally retroactively,'' Tim Richardson, a legislative assistant for the FOP, told the newspaper. ''It threatens citizens whose livelihood depends on their ability to carry a firearm.''</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But Lautenberg defended the law he crafted, saying it is fair in that it applies to everyone with a domestic violence conviction.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">''Our law doesn't target cops versus anyone else. It simply puts everyone on notice _ officers and others alike _ that you better not beat your wife or child and expect to carry a gun. Because if you beat your wife or child, our law makes it clear: The violence stops here.''</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>LAW DENIES GUNS TO 2,000 IN FIRST YEAR</b> </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;">BATTERERS BANNED FROM OWNING FIREARMS</span></div><div>Record, The (Hackensack, NJ)</div><div>October 1, 1997 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">An estimated 2,000 people were denied handguns in the United States last year, under a new law that bans anyone convicted of a misdemeanor domestic violence charge from owning a firearm, according to U.S. Justice Department report released Tuesday.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">U.S. Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg, D-N.J., who wrote the law, released the report at a Capitol Hill press conference timed to coincide with the one-year anniversary of the bill's signing.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Lautenberg, former Newark Police Chief Hubert Williams, and representatives of several women's groups pointed to the report as evidence that the law is helping to save lives. They warned that opponents of the law, led by the National Rifle Association, are still lobbying behind the scenes to enact legislation that would weaken or gut it.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"A year ago today President Clinton signed [the] domestic violence gun ban into law, and Washington finally stood up to the gun lobby," Lautenberg said. "It's time for the NRA to bite the bullet. . . . If we repeal the law, we'll put thousands of women and children on the front lines of death row."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Congress has rejected several proposals to kill or amend the law, including bills to prevent it from being applied retroactively and a proposal to exempt police officers and military personnel from the gun ban. But Elizabeth Swasey, director of the CrimeStrike division of the NRA, said four bills to change or kill the law are still active in Congress.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">She called the law "misguided" and said efforts should instead by focused on preventing the common practice of allowing domestic violence abusers to plea-bargain felony charges down to misdemeanors.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"The bill was bad when it passed and it's not any better a year later," she said. Similar laws in Canada have actually had the effect of discouraging military and police wives from reporting domestic violence abuse, because they are afraid of angering their violent spouse, she said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">During the final quarter of 1996, 500 people in the U.S. were denied handguns under the new law leading Justice Department officials to estimate that there were 2,000 denials in the last 12 months.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In New Jersey, the report said, 280 of 24,672 gun applications were rejected last year. But that includes applications rejected under other gun laws, such as those banning ownership for people with prior felony convictions. No statewide numbers were available for domestic violence offenses.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Lautenberg's press conference comes just weeks before the Department of Defense is expected to order all of its branches to comply with the domestic violence gun ban.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">According to a recent Pentagon report, about 50,000 members of the military struck or hurt a spouse between 1991 and 1995, said Maj. Monica Aloisio, a Pentagon spokeswoma</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Gun group pushes speaker to put Chenoweth's bill to vote</b></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;">Gingrich, ignoring wishes of those who helped him rise to power, Gun Owners of America claim in Internet post</span></div><div>Lewiston Tribune (ID)</div><div>October 21, 1997 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Gun Owners of America hopes to persuade U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich to allow a vote on U.S. Rep. Helen Chenoweth's bill to repeal a ban on gun ownership by anyone with a domestic violence conviction.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Idaho Republican's critics claim her bill trivializes spousal abuse, but she says that may be the only defense of people who want to politicize the issue.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Springfield, Va., lobby posted petitions on the Internet two weeks ago that charge Gingrich with ignoring the wishes of gun owners who helped the Republicans take control of Congress three years ago.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Gingrich could instruct the House Judiciary Committee to bring Chenoweth's bill and measures repealing the ban on semi-automatic assault rifles and protecting gun owners' right to use firearms to defend themselves, their families and their homes to the House floor, the group said in its petition.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Instead, the measures are languishing in the committee. Eric Pratt, director of federal affairs for Gun Owners of America, said the group plans to present the petitions to Gingrich early next year.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A spokesman for Gingrich referred questions to a spokeswoman for House Majority Leader Dick Armey, who could not be reached for comment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Chenoweth said she doesn't know whether Gingrich is holding up consideration of her bill in the House Judiciary Committee, but she will find out soon if that's the case.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Two weeks ago, U.S. Rep. Mike Crapo, Chenoweth and eight other congressmen asked House Judiciary Committee Chairman Henry Hyde of Illinois and Subcommittee on Crime Chairman Bill McCollum of Florida to hold a public hearing on Chenoweth's bill.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The measure has 34 co-sponsors, including Crapo, another Idaho Republican.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg's amendment to a budget bill last year penalizes Americans who have already faced justice, runs roughshod over the rights of states and judges in assessing penalties on a case-by-case basis and is an unfunded mandate to city, county and state police offices, the congressmen contend.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"We want to be clear,'' they wrote in their letter. "We abhor domestic violence and believe that spousal and child abuse have no place in our society."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">However, these congressmen said Lautenberg's amendment has actually disarmed many women who need protection from abusive spouses.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Many police departments require officers to charge both parties in a domestic dispute, even if there is no sign of violence and neither party wants to press charges,'' they wrote. "Some of these cases are uncontested, with both parties paying a simple misdemeanor fine in order to put the incident behind them."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The 10 congressmen cited the support of a number of groups, including the Idaho chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, Idaho Sheriffs Association, Home School Legal Defense Association and Women Against Gun Control, for Chenoweth's bill.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"The chairman (Hyde) had other things on his plate and right now he is watching the White House events pretty closely,'' Chenoweth said. "But the repeal of the Lautenberg amendment does have widespread appeal, so. I am hoping he will take it up soon."</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Gun ban law went way too far</b></span></div><div>Beacon News, The (Aurora, IL)</div><div>LETTER TO THE EDITOR</div><div>Author: Jerry L. Owens Sandwich</div><div>October 25, 1997 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">There has been a lot of press about police officers losing their jobs because of the recently passed, domestic-violence gun ban.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">What has gone mostly unreported is how this ban forever will disarm 3 to 4 million citizens who have committed very minor offenses.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">This ban takes away people's Second Amendment rights for merely having committed a misdemeanor, defined as such because it is a very minor offense.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In many jurisdictions, spanking a child on the rear, a sibling fight on the school grounds or a wife's throwing a lamp at her husband would all qualify as "domestic violence" misdemeanors.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Truly violent criminals can and should be convicted as felons, and felons already lose their rights -- the right to own a gun, the right to vote, the right to hold office, etc. -- so why do we need this domestic gun ban for misdemeanors that was passed by Congress last year?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Judges already have the power to deny persons convicted of misdemeanors the right to own a firearm while on probation or parole.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Gun Owners of America has reported how a Virginia gun collector owning more than $100,000 worth of firearms had to dump his entire collection because of this new domestic gun ban.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">His crime? An argument with his wife that resulted in a $10 fine for a domestic-violence misdemeanor more than 20 years ago.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Never mind the fact that he has lived an exemplary life since then, and has otherwise been happily married to the same woman for 34 years.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">I can't for the life of me figure out why Representative Dennis Hastert has not cosponsored H.R. 1009 in the U.S. Congress.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">This bill will repeal the entire domestic gun ban and start returning some sanity to the Bill of Rights.</span> </div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>MILITARY HAMPERED</b></span></div><div>Daily Press (Newport News, VA)</div><div>LETTERS TO THE EDITOR</div><div>Author: Ed Monk - Hampton</div><div>November 4, 1997 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Reference your Oct. 26 editorial supporting the Lautenberg Amendment:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">This law prevents policemen and soldiers from handling firearms if they have ever been convicted of certain misdemeanors. You supported your argument with two questionable statements. First, you say ``Military work includes numerous functions - administration, public affairs, maintenance, transportation - for which guns are not necessary.'' Almost every soldier that deploys to a combat zone is issued a weapon, even those in ``administrative'' jobs. Those pushing such social engineering in today's military tend to forget that the military's purpose is to fight and win wars, so that's how they are equipped and trained.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Second, you wrote ``The law also does not affect the eligibility of personnel to work with a variety of major weapons systems such as tanks.'' Every soldier on the crew of a tank is issued and wears a 9mm semiautomatic handgun for personal protection when off the tank. There is also an M16 assault rifle on every tank that all crew members have access to. Are you suggesting we cannot trust the young sergeant with a pistol in combat, yet put him behind the triggers of the tank's 120mm smoothbore cannon?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">This will also make it easy to avoid hazardous duty. When the next bloody war starts, and it will, a soldier need only have his wife call the MPs and claim a shove, or push. A misdemeanor conviction is little to pay to avoid combat.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">One would think the editors of a newspaper in an area so saturated with the military would know a little more about them, or at least not write such an editorial until they did.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>A FORK CONTROL PLAN</b></span></div><div>Daily Press (Newport News, VA)</div><div>LETTERS TO THE EDITOR</div><div>Author: Dan Raymond - Hampton</div><div>November 4, 1997 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">I was surprised that there wasn't a response in your paper from Jim Spencer or one of your other columnists concerning the Portsmouth man who killed another man with a barbecue fork Oct. 13. I expected at least an editorial on the evils of barbecue forks. I was certain someone would lay out a public agenda that demanded:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* Registration of all barbecue forks.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* A five-day waiting period before purchasing a barbecue fork.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* A federal law requiring point locks be sold with each new barbecue fork.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* A purchasing limit of one barbecue fork per month.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* Mandatory licensing and training of barbecue fork owners.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* A special licensing requirement to carry a concealed barbecue fork.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* A police background check of anyone attempting to purchase a barbecue fork.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* No purchasing of barbecue forks by convicted felons.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">All of these actions are surely justified if we are to protect innocent citizens of this city, state and nation from the inherent dangers of cheap barbecue forks.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of the man who died. The problem lies with the man behind the weapon. The death is not the fault of the barbecue fork.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>ABUSE LAW DIVIDING GUN CONTROL ADVOCATES</b></span></div><div>Plain Dealer, The (Cleveland, OH)</div><div>November 17, 1997 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It's not easy opposing a law that has the stated goal of keeping guns out of the hands of wife beaters and child abusers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But the gun rights lobby has never shied away from difficult positions. And pro-gun forces have picked up a powerful new ally in their latest fight against the so-called domestic violence gun ban: a major police union that has supported most recent gun control measures.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Fraternal Order of Police wants the law changed because it retroactively disarms some cops with minor offenses in the distant past.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Unaltered, the year-old law, written by Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg, a New Jersey Democrat, could drive a wedge between the 377,000-member FOP and the gun control lobby, which has relied heavily on police for support in its struggles against gun-rights advocates.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The law breaks ground in two areas: it denies guns to men and women convicted of misdemeanors involving domestic violence at any time in their past, and it applies to all firearms - hunting rifles and shotguns as well as handguns.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It expanded the Brady handgun waiting period law to include file searches for misdemeanor cases of spousal mistreatment or child abuse as well as felony convictions.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">President Clinton quickly signed the law last year as women's groups and gun control advocates hailed its passage.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But police organizations were furious. While the landmark 1968 Gun Control Act had exempted police and the military from many of its restrictions, the Lautenberg law was quietly stripped of the "official use exemption" before it was passed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A USA Today survey indicated 860 police out of 700,000 nationwide would have to give up their weapons and move to desk duty or leave the force. The FOP says the number is greater, but does not state its estimate.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>A `poison pill'</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Handgun Control Inc. aide Naomi Paiss said pro-gun rights forces saw the absence of a police/military exemption as a "poison pill" that would make the law unpopular with law enforcement. That is exactly what happened, athough no one will will admit taking out the exemption.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"The gun lobby would dearly love to create this wedge," said Paiss.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Handgun Control Inc. did not propose the Lautenberg law in the first place, Paiss said, nor did it play a part in removing the exemption for police.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">FOP Executive Director Jim Pasco said the police union is pursuing "every possible" avenue to make the law apply only to offenses committed after the Sept. 30, 1996 effective date.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A federal court in Georgia ruled in July that even in its retroactivity the gun ban was not unconstitutional since it did not "criminalize conduct that occurred" before its enactment but only imposed an eligibility requirement.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The FOP lost in court again last month when U.S. District Judge James Robertson ruled in Washington, D.C., there was no constitutional merit to the argument that the law unfairly impacted on police because they were required to carry weapons.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Robertson, addressing Second Amendment questions, added that "no fundamental right is implicated by the new law."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Fundamental or not, critics question why a single misde- meanor for domestic violence - a minor infraction by definition - should be a lifetime bar to owning any type of firearm.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Vast numbers of Americans have been convicted of such minor misdemeanors because they pled guilty on advice of counsel even though they adamantly claimed to be innocent," wrote Don B. Kates, a California-based lawyer and gun rights advocate. "They were told that if they pled guilty there would be no real penalty [a $20 fine], whereas to defend against the charges would cost $10,000-plus in legal fees."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But the Violence Policy Center, which advocates strict gun controls, said in a statement the exact opposite often is true: "Many persons guilty of serious domestic violence all too often are convicted of mere misdemeanors. In fact, only 20 percent of domestic abuse cases qualify as felony aggravated assault under state law."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Sue Glick, health policy analyst for the Violence Policy Center, said most states have misdemeanor expungement laws or a pardon process through which a person could regain eligibility for gun ownership.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>An attempt to amend</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The FOP also supports a bill introduced by Rep. Robert Barr, Republican of Georgia, which would amend the Lautenberg law so that the prohibition on ownership applied only to post-enactment domestic violence misdemeanors.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Democrat Lautenberg is vehemently opposed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"If the Barr bill were to pass," he said in a statement, "it would actually give guns back to the wife-beaters and child-abusers who had to give them up ..."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Barr bill is bottled up in a House subcommittee. A Lautenberg spokesman vows: "This law is not going to be changed."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The FOP's Pasco said if the law stands as written it could prove to be a "very costly piece of legislation" for gun control advocates in terms of police support.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But outside their own ranks, there is little support for exempting cops snd soldiers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"We think this is a bad law," said James D. Manown, spokesman for the National Rifle Association, "but we think the law should be applied equally to all classes of people. We should not carve out classes of people to which the law does not apply," Manown said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Lawyer Kates said the implication that the lives of spouses and children of abusive police officers are less valuable than the lives of other victims is both senseless and repugnant.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"There is no more reason to believe or argue that Army officers should have a gun any more than a rogue civilian should," said Kates.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Other pro-gun forces are cackling at the unintended rift consequent to Lautenberg's law.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Lautenberg put the police back into talking with the gun owners and gun rights advocates. Lautenberg has put it right back in our pocket," said Alan Gottlieb, chairman of the Seattle-based Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms. "Police now are realizing gun control can bite them, too."</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Major police union joins opposition to domestic violence gun ban </b></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;">Measure doesn't exempt cops with infractions and may force 860 officers to hand in weapons</span></div><div>Star-Ledger, The (Newark, NJ)</div><div>November 18, 1997 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It's not easy opposing a law that has the stated goal of keeping guns out of the hands of wife beaters and child abusers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But the gun-rights lobby has never shied away from difficult positions. And pro- gun forces have picked up a powerful new ally in their latest fight against the so-called domestic- violence gun ban: a major police union that has supported most recent gun control measures.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Fraternal Order of Police wants the law changed because it retroactively disarms some cops with minor offenses in the distant past.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Unaltered, the year-old law, written by Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-N.J.), could drive a wedge between the 377,000-member FOP and the gun control lobby that has relied heavily on police for support in its struggles against gun-rights advocates.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The law breaks ground in two areas: It denies guns to men and women convicted of misdemeanors involving domestic violence at any time in their past, and it applies to all firearms - hunting rifles and shotguns as well as handguns.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It expanded the Brady handgun waiting period law to include file searches for misdemeanor cases of spousal mistreatment or child abuse as well as felony convictions.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">President Clinton quickly signed the law last year as women's groups and gun control advocates hailed its passage.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But police organizations were furious. While the landmark 1968 Gun Control Act had exempted police and the military from many of its restrictions, the Lautenberg law was quietly stripped of the "official use exemption" before it was passed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A USA Today survey indicated 860 police out of 700,000 nationwide would have to give up their weapons and move to desk duty or leave the force. The FOP says the number is greater, but does not state its estimate.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Handgun Control Inc. aide Naomi Paiss said pro-gun rights forces saw the absence of a police/military exemption as a "poison pill" that would make the law unpopular with law enforcement. That is exactly what happened, although no one will admit taking out the exemption.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"The gun lobby would dearly love to create this wedge," Paiss said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Handgun Control Inc. did not propose the Lautenberg law in the first place, Paiss said, nor did it play a part in removing the exemption for police.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">FOP executive director Jim Pasco said the police union is pursuing "every possible" avenue to make the law apply only to offenses committed after the Sept. 30, 1996, effective date.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A federal court in Georgia ruled in July that even in its retroactivity, the gun ban was not unconstitutional because it did not "criminalize conduct that occurred" before its enactment but only imposed an eligibility requirement.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The FOP lost in court again last month when U.S. District Judge James Robertson ruled in Washington, D.C., there was no constitutional merit to the argument that the law unfairly affected police because they were required to carry weapons.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Robertson, addressing Second Amendment questions, added that "no fundamental right is implicated by the new law."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Fundamental or not, critics question why a single misdemeanor for domestic violence - a minor infraction by definition - should be a lifetime bar to owning any type of firearm.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Vast numbers of Americans have been convicted of such minor misdemeanors because they pled guilty on advice of counsel even though they adamantly claimed to be innocent," wrote Don B. Kates, a California-based lawyer and gun-rights advocate.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"They were told that if they pled guilty there would be no real penalty (a $20 fine), whereas to defend against the charges would cost $10,000-plus in legal fees," he said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But the Violence Policy Center, which advocates strict gun controls, said in a statement that the exact opposite often is true: "Many persons guilty of serious domestic violence all too often are convicted of mere misdemeanors. In fact, only 20 percent of domestic abuse cases qualify as felony aggravated assault under state law."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The FOP's Pasco said if the law stands as written, it could be a "very costly piece of legislation" for gun control advocates in terms of police support.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Policeman carries gun despite domestic violence guilty plea</b></span></div><div>Press-Register (Mobile, AL)</div><div>December 10, 1997 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">A Mobile police officer who pleaded guilty more than a year ago of domestic violence continues to carry a sidearm, something a U.S. senator calls a gross violation of a 1996 federal law he authored.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"> ``The Mobile Police Department's interpretation of the law is baffling, bizarre and contemptible as are the very men who beat and terrorize their wives, girlfriends and kids,'' U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D.-N.J., said through his press secretary in Washington. Lautenberg authored the law that prohibits anyone convicted of domestic abuse, even a misdemeanor, from carrying weapons. Police officials have given different interpretations for why veteran officer George Stafford Sr., 49, is still on armed patrol duty, despite being convicted in August 1996 of third-degree assault, a misdemeanor</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Stafford's wife had accused him of hitting her in the back, choking her and throwing her into a railing.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Mobile Public Safety Director Dick Cashdollar said that as he understands the law, known as the Lautenberg Amendment, Stafford may be able to retain his weapon because he pleaded guilty, and therefore, he technically was not ``convicted.''</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">``Since he pleaded guilty, as I understand it, that does not meet the criteria of the law,'' Cashdollar said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Police Chief Sam Cochran said Tuesday that a legal opinion from city attorneys lets Stafford off the hook. Specifically, Cochran said that the law stipulates that the accused must be represented by counsel or ``intelligently waive the right to counsel.''</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Stafford was not represented by counsel when he pleaded guilty before District Court Judge Herman Thomas in August 1996. Thomas sentenced Stafford to two years' informal probation and fined him $50, court records show.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Lautenberg and his staff called Cashdollar's and Cochran's reasoning seriously flawed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">``I have never, ever heard that interpretation of the law,'' said Lautenberg's press secretary, Steve Goldstein.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">``If the officer said under oath in a court of law that he beat his wife, then who is the Mobile Police Department to disbelieve him,'' Lautenberg said. ``A plea is good enough for me, more than enough for the law, and I say, `Take away his gun.' ''</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Last year at this time, after the Mobile Register raised questions about Stafford continuing to carry a weapon, Cashdollar said that if the charge against the officer was not overturned, he likely would be fired. The verdict was neither appealed nor overturned. Cashdollar this week referred further questions about Stafford to the Police Department's in-house attorney, Jim Bodman. Bodman said he researched the case, but had to let the chief or a police spokeswoman answer media inquiries.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Cochran said last year that he had asked the city attorney's office for a legal opinion on how to proceed. City Attorney John Lockett on Tuesday also referred questions to the Police Department but added that he thought the U.S. Department of Justice had issued guidelines that allowed Stafford to keep his weapon.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Lautenberg's staff said they were unaware of any Justice Department guidelines. A Justice Department spokesman said he wasn't, either, but needed time to check.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Stafford could not be reached for comment. He has been a police officer for 12{ years and in 1995 made an annual salary of $27,000, according to police records. Stafford made news in May after he helped chase and capture a rape suspect. He also has been appointed deputy constable by an elected Mobile County constable, although some law enforcement officials maintain that position is not authorized by state law.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Last month, another Mobile police officer resigned after police were called to his home following a domestic dispute. The officer was subject to an internal investigation, but he was not arrested because his spouse did not press charges and officers saw no visible injuries at the time, Cochran said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Others in the public eye have lost their jobs over similar charges. A news anchor for WPMI-TV Channel 15 lost his job this week, just a few days after he was arrested on a domestic-related, misdemeanor assault charge.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Lautenberg law, championed by President Clinton as a way to keep guns out of the hands of violent people, has caused confusion and concern in some law enforcement agencies. Some officers around the country have had to give up their guns and move to desk jobs.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Concerns also have been raised about whether the law will discourage some women from pressing charges against men in law enforcement or the military because it could threaten their husbands' income. The Pentagon in October ordered any service men and women convicted of domestic abuse to turn in their weapons in keeping with the law. Since carrying a weapon is essential to many jobs in the military, requiring such a step might mean that those service members affected will have to take desk jobs.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">All of the military's 1.4 million men and women are being required to fill out a form asking whether they had been convicted of such an offense. If they are not truthful, they could be prosecuted and thrown out of the service, officials said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In the Mobile County sheriff's office, no deputies have been convicted of domestic violence, Sheriff Jack Tillman said. One current officer was charged but the case never was prosecuted for lack of evidence, according to Tillman and court records.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b style="color: #800180; font-size: xx-large;">1998: Lautenberg DV Gun Ban - News Articles And Reports</b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Army issues guidelines on guns</b></span></div><div>Lawton Constitution, The (OK)</div><div>January 29, 1998 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Department of the Army guidance regarding the Lautenberg Amendment to the Gun Control Act of Sept. 30, 1996, is being implemented throughout the Army.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The amendment states that any soldier convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence cannot ship, transport, possess or receive firearms or ammunition. This applies to government and privately owned firearms or ammunition, said Capt. Juan Arias, administrative law attorney in the office of the staff judge advocate.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In addition, the amendment makes it illegal for anyone to give firearms or ammunition to any person he knows or has reasonable cause to believe has a conviction of domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Arias said a crime of domestic violence is the use or attempted use of physical force, or the threatened use of a deadly weapon by a current or former spouse, parent, guardian of the victim or cohabiting partner.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Commanders need to notify soldiers of the new change in the law, conduct file checks, and report cases through the adjutant general to the Department of the Army. Commanders should not conduct unit-wide inquiries. Commanders should refer questions to their trial counsel," Arias said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Arias said commanders must also establish procedures to comply with the law, ensuring that soldiers with domestic violence convictions do not receive weapons from unit arms rooms. "Commanders should permit these soldiers to arrange for the lawful sale or transfer of privately owned firearms to authorized individuals within a reasonable amount of time. Prior to such sale, commanders should contact Department of Public Safety to obtain guidance regarding sale and registration requirements," he said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"If the conviction happened on or before Sept. 30, 1996, no adverse action may be taken against soldiers solely on the basis of their inability to possess a firearm or ammunition. However, commanders can initiate separation of a soldier based on the conduct that led to a conviction, regardless of when the conviction occurred," he said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">When commanders determine the number of soldiers in their command who have been convicted of domestic violence, the commanders will report these numbers through adjutant general channels. Report processing requirements will be directed through command channels.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Soldiers who have questions about crimes of domestic violence and how the Lautenberg Amendment may affect them should call Legal Assistance at 442-5058. Weapons and ammunition subject to the amendment do not include weapons systems such as howitzers or MLRS.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Guidance for civilian employees is not finalized, Arias said.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>City officer charged with beating wife</b></span></div><div>New Haven Register (CT)</div><div>February 18, 1998 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A city police officer was taken off the street and his firearm confiscated following his arrest in Guilford last week for allegedly beating his wife.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Officer Michael S. Illingworth, 28, was charged Feb. 11 with third-degree assault and disorderly conduct, Guilford Deputy Chief Thomas Terribile said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The police union president said Tuesday that Illingworth denied the charges and maintains his innocence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Illingworth, a six-year veteran, was put on administrative duty with pay, said Judith Mongillo, spokeswoman for the Police Department.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The firearm he uses while on duty was seized by the department, Mongillo said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"That's standard procedure," she said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Guilford police said the couple began fighting at their home Feb. 10. The argument continued into the next morning outside their home when Illingworth allegedly tried to leave in the couple's vehicle.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The couple brawled inside the vehicle, where Illingworth allegedly struck his 21-year-old wife in the lower back with his fist and kicked her to the floor of the car, Terribile said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The wife suffered a scrape on her left elbow, a bruise on her left knee and two scrapes on her back, police said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I guess he punched her in the arms and struck her in the leg when she was trying to exit the car," Terribile said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Illingworth was released after posting bail. Terribile said Guilford police have gone to the Illingworth home in the past, including twice in October 1995 and one time each in January 1996, November 1996 and December 1996.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Those incidents involved another woman, not Illingworth's current wife, he said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Sgt. Louis G. Cavalier, president of New Haven Police Union Local 530, said Illingworth contacted the union about the incident.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"He maintains his innocence in the case," Cavalier said. "He's hoping he'll be cleared and he'll be able to get his weapon back. Mike feels he's going to be able to prevail in court when he gets his day."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Cavalier said he discussed ramifications of the charges with Illingworth in light of the recently passed Domestic Violence Gun Ban.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The federal law, enacted last September, is designed to take guns out of the hands of people convicted of domestic violence. Critics of the law say it targets police officers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A poll conducted last year by the National Association of Chiefs of Police projected more than 60,000 of the nation's 700,000 police would either lose their jobs or by reassigned to civilian-type desk duties because they no longer could own or carry a firearm.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Busted officer taken off street</b></span></div><div>New Haven Register (CT)</div><div>March 5, 1998 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A city police officer arrested last month in Hamden has been taken off the street. Officer Michael Jones, 31, of Branford, a member of the force for almost 10 years, was arrested Feb. 19 after allegedly harassing his former girlfriend and vandalizing her boyfriend's car. He was charged with first-degree criminal mischief and second-degree harassment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Jones surrendered to police after learning there was a warrant for his arrest, said Hamden Police Inspector Robert Nolan.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It's the second time in less than a month a city police officer was stripped of his gun and put on administrative duty following a domestic violence arrest.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">On Feb. 11, Officer Michael S. Illingworth, 28, was charged by Guilford police with third-degree assault and disorderly conduct after an alleged altercation with his 21-year-old wife. Illingworth has denied the charges.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Officer Frank Lombardi, vice president of New Haven Police Union Local No. 530, said he did not know specifics of Jones' case, but said Jones also is denying the allegations.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">If convicted, both officers could lose their jobs because of a recently passed federal law designed to take guns out of the hands of people convicted of domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Jones could not be reached for comment Wednesday. There was no answer Wednesday afternoon at the former girlfriend's home.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Jones claims his former girlfriend, identified in court records as Amy Hodder, is harassing him. He reportedly filed a complaint against her and she was subsequently arrested Jan. 22 and charged with second-degree harassment, Branford police said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">State police records show Jones has a prior arrest for four counts of second-degree harassment and two counts of threatening. In April 1995, the police commission disciplined Jones by dropping him one patrolman's grade after reports that he allegedly drove his police cruiser to Hamden while on duty and argued with his wife while she was working at a Dixwell Avenue restaurant.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">According to the warrant for the Feb. 19 arrest, Jones is accused of puncturing the tires and slashing the convertible top of a car belonging to Hodder's boyfriend.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The car was reportedly parked in front of Hodder's Hamden home Jan. 22.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Hodder told police Jones called her on the telephone 10 to 15 times each day, threatened her, and left a love note taped on her front door with a New Haven Police Department sticker, court records said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The couple lived together in Branford from October 1997 until December. Branford police said they have three reports of disputes between the couple during this time, court records say.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Jones is scheduled to appear March 13 in Superior Court in Meriden. Hodder's next court date in Superior Court in New Haven is Monday.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Judith Mongillo, spokeswoman for the Police Department, said both officers will remain on administrative duty until their cases are adjudicated.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Because the incidents involve domestic violence, both officers could be prohibited from possessing weapons and could ultimately lose their jobs due to the new Domestic Violence Gun Ban.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Critics of the law, enacted last September, say it targets police officers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A poll conducted last year by the National Association of Chiefs of Police projected more than 60,000 of the nation's 700,000 police would either lose their jobs or by reassigned to civilian-type desk duties because they no longer could own or carry a firearm.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Women's groups favor the law. They claim it's not uncommon for police to be perpetrators in domestic violence cases.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>President didn't uphold Constitution</b></span></div><div>Blade, The (Toledo, OH)</div><div>OPINION</div><div>Author: BRUCE A. BEATTY - Luckey</div><div>March 22, 1998 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">How ironic it is that President Clinton has threatened to veto an appropriations bill because the Republican Congress attached an anti-abortion amendment to it.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">I wonder where Mr. Clinton's conscience and sense of righteousness was when he signed the 1996 appropriations bill with the notorious Lautenberg amendment, which retroactively outlawed the purchase, possession, and ownership of firearms by anyone with a misdemeanor conviction for domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">While I am not supporting people committing violent acts and believe they should be punished, laws such as the Lautenberg amendment damage our freedoms in more ways than one.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">First, Article I, Section 9, of the Constitution specifically prohibits Congress from passing ex-post facto, or retroactive, law. When Mr. Clinton signed that legislation, he violated his oath of office.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Second, it is also unconstitutional to deny civil rights for a misdemeanor conviction. If the penalty for domestic violence is too lenient, I propose we upgrade it to felony status and apply the law in compliance with the Constitution.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Unfortunately, it seems that far too few of our elected officials have bothered to read the very documents they swore to uphold.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Poltical Ad Watch</b></span></div><div>USA TODAY (USA)</div><div>April 8, 1998 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">THE CANDIDATE: Rep. Helen Chenoweth, a Republican who is running for re-election in Idaho's 1st Congressional District.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">AD CONTENT: In an advertisement appearing in the April 5 national weekly edition of The Washington Times, Chenoweth attacks an amendment sponsored by Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., that bans people convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence offenses from owning guns. The measure is now law.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Don't Let the Government STEAL YOUR GUNS!" the ad says.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">"Though this amendment was intended to have the best interest of abused spouses at heart, look again! It is a misdirected and poorly crafted law with the following fatal flaws:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"An abused spouse can be denied the right to own a gun. The ban applies to couples who get into shouting matches with each other or their children. The amendment is retroactive and creates a new penalty for many law enforcement men and women who may have been a past victim of domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"This law is being used to disarm men and women serving in our Armed Forces!</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"The Lautenberg Amendment shows where the radical anti-gun agenda of Clinton and the Democratic Party leads us! That's why Congressman Helen Chenoweth has introduced H.R. 1009 to repeal the Lautenberg Amendment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"And that's why she needs you to send your most generous donation immediately to help her fight the good fight against the leftist gun-controllers."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Chenoweth, whose photograph is featured prominently in the ad, then makes a personal appeal:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I know the readers of The Washington Times National Edition are as outraged as I am about politically correct liberals in Washington, D.C., attacking our rights as law-abiding Americans to own guns. And I pray that they will send me whatever they can afford to help me continue to fight the <span style="color: red;">Lautenberg gun-grab</span>."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The ad then solicits contributions from readers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">THE INTENT: To paint Chenoweth as an advocate for gun owners and win financial support from the 100,000 readers of the newspaper.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">REALITY CHECK: Chenoweth's ad misrepresents the law when it claims that people who are victims of domestic violence or people who get into shouting matches with family members can lose the right to own a gun.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Lautenberg law only applies to people who have been convicted by a jury or have pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. Being accused of domestic violence -- or being a victim -- doesn't trigger the ban.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Graham Paterson, Chenoweth's campaign aide, defends the ad by saying that some people may be wrongly accused and simply plead guilty to the crime "to put the issue behind them" or because they can't afford a lawyer.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Chenoweth is correct in saying that the law applies to people in the Armed Services and law enforcement. No one who has been convicted of a misdemeanor domestic violence offense is exempt from the measure.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">And it is retroactive in the sense that convictions before 1996, when the law took effect, can strip people of the right to own or carry a gun.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">As for Chenoweth's claims about "leftist gun-controllers," Lautenberg's measure overwhelmingly passed the Senate in September 1996. Only two senators voted against it -- Democrats Howell Heflin of Alabama and Jeff Bingaman of New Mexico. Ninety-seven senators -- including Idaho Republicans Dirk Kempthorne and Larry Craig, a prominent National Rifle Association member -- voted for it.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>WEAPONS LAW CAN HURT COPS ACCUSED IN DOMESTIC CASES</b></span></div><div>Press of Atlantic City, The (NJ)</div><div>May 18, 1998 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A Little Egg Harbor Township police officer facing accusations that include beating his wife outside a Wawa is suspended this spring, even though the case against him was thrown out of court because his wife refused to testify.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A Bayside State Prison corrections officer's 13-year career ends after a domestic-violence investigation links him to Ku Klux Klan recruiting efforts and accusations he enlisted an inmate to hurt his wife and her new boyfriend.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">And a Cape May County sheriff's officer gets five years' probation for violating two restraining orders, when he broke into his wife's home to get his belongings and, later, attacked his new girlfriend. He'd already served 70 days in jail while his case was pending. Now, his 15-year career is over.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">To some minds, these people got off easy.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But law-enforcement officers and other public servants face more media scrutiny - and greater losses - when they break the law and threaten or harm their wives or girlfriends.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">For many, growing up to be a police officer is a dream - one that could be shattered by committing acts of domestic violence, or even false charges filed by a vindictive lover.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Under an amendment to the federal weapons law, enacted last year, anyone convicted of a domestic-violence offense loses the right to carry a gun.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The 1996 Domestic Violence Gun Ban, sponsored by Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., extends a federal prohibition of gun ownership or possession by convicts. Now, nobody convicted of a domestic-violence offense may carry a weapon. That includes police officers, prison or security guards, and those in the military.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Supporters applaud the amendment, while critics maintain it's too harsh.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"If an accountant has a domestic-violence incident, she doesn't lose her calculator," State Police Lt. Leon Brodowski told officers, prosecutors and victims'-rights advocates at a recent workshop in Atlantic City, called "When Police Officers Become Defendants."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He noted, "If a bus driver is involved in domestic violence, he doesn't lose his keys."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"The response to that is: 'Nobody kills their wives with their calculator,'" said Beverly Gilbert, director of the Atlantic County Women's Center.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The law, in a sense, handicaps police officers, often forcing them to switch to desk duty or step down. Another federal law says officers facing domestic-violence charges can lose their guns while those charges are being investigated - unless a prosecutor or judge agrees the suspect poses no threat.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"It's not a black-and-white issue," said Atlantic County Assistant Prosecutor Staci Scheetz, who handles weapons hearings in Atlantic City. "They're reviewed on a case-by-case basis."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Sometimes an officer must leave a gun at work - signing it in and out - a liability for a department. But, Scheetz said, many have guns at home that aren't departmentally issued.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Even in cases of false accusations, the wait can be long.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">What angers law-enforcement officials is that even if a conviction preceded enactment of the law, and the officer in question had sought help for alcohol problems or anger management, he could still lose his gun - and his job.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"These officers are now losing their jobs because of old domestic-violence incidents," said Plainsboro, Middlesex County, Police Chief David Lyon, the New Jersey State Chiefs of Police Association representative on the governor's Committee on Domestic Violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Certainly," Lyon said, "those who have sustained previous convictions were caught off guard by the federal law."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Lyon said he had no statistics on police officers, but noted that domestic-violence incidents are dropping. In 1992, there were 52,321 reports statewide, peaking in 1995 at 86,631. In 1996, he said, they dropped to 85,018.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Although the state Attorney General's Office has ordered police departments to keep records of such incidents, it's up to each to maintain the records. As a result, there's no statewide clearinghouse for statistics on officers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Brodowski, the State Police assistant Internal Affairs bureau chief, estimates that less than 6 percent of the force's 2,600 members have been involved in reported domestic-violence incidents. Even fewer - .001 percent - are barred from carrying guns.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He points to a recent Tucson, Ariz., survey showing 14 percent of police officers nationwide had a domestic-violence dispute in their homes in the past year, compared with 32 percent of military officers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Retroactive aspect an issue</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Critics say it's not fair to deny guns to officers whose convictions preceded the law's enactment in September.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The National Association of Chiefs of Police estimates more than 60,000 of roughly 600,000 officers nationwide could be required to turn in weapons - decimating some departments. And the National Rifle Association contends that domestic violence rarely involves a gun.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Challenging whether the law should be retroactive likely will be a focus of law-enforcement agencies, which believe there should be flexibility when it comes to old offenses.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"People change," Lyon noted.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">So far, at least one officer has challenged the law.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In September, a Willingboro, Burlington County, police officer pulled off the street and assigned a desk job filed a lawsuit. In 1995, he pleaded guilty to a disorderly persons offense for grabbing his ex-girlfriend by her shirt and throwing her around his bedroom. After paying a $250 fine, he figured it was over - that is, until the law was enacted.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">State Police are required to report incidents. But Brodowski says internal investigations have turned up unreported offenses.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"We have no idea how many (incidents) police don't know about," he said. "We're uncovering domestic-violence incidents that we never knew about. Always, the wife is more seriously injured and the police officer is the aggressor."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">And alcohol often plays a part. "It may not be the cause," he said, "but it often is a factor."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">A focus on prevention</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Ironically, the traits many police forces look for in recruits are dominance and assertiveness.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"The personality traits we recruit for are great for our jobs but bad for our homes ... relationships and partnerships," Brodowski said. "We used to teach officers how to investigate these incidents and now we're teaching them how to prevent them in their own lives."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">State Police Detective Sgt. Matthew Welch, of the Internal Affairs Investigations Unit, who spoke at the workshop with Brodowski, said police continue internal investigations even if a victim won't cooperate. Excuses aren't hard to see through.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Criminal charges might be dropped if a woman blames her injuries on falling down stairs, but that won't stop Internal Affairs from imposing a reprimand, suspension or, if two incidents occur within a year, dismissal.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"There's a lot of frivolous, bogus complaints filed," Welch said. "We don't have the luxury of standing back and saying, 'We don't believe that - it's garbage.' "</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Gilbert, of the Atlantic County Women's Center, says she's seeing fewer officers' wives there, either because incidents are declining or spouses are leaving relationships. But shelter workers have reported incidents to an officer's shift commander.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"That would stop it right away," she said, adding that a first line of defense for women is to call police. However, officers' wives are sometimes fearful because they're "her husband's buddies."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But when those wives seek shelter, some need special lodgings because many officers know the shelter's location. Only 1 or 2 percent of officers are dangerous and would act out, Gilbert said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"They are that lethal," she added. "You never know which one is the crazy one who will come and shoot everyone in the shelter."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Charges often dropped</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">What prevents some victims from lodging charges is that the officer - and spouse - lose medical benefits during a suspension or dismissal. Essentially, that means a victim is hurt twice.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Many have families to care for, so many victims back down.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Employee Assistance Programs teach officers the Three C's - commitment, compromise and communication. "I don't know how many cases of domestic violence have been prevented by these programs," Welch said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Pending charges are sometimes costly for agencies. For some, it's financially draining keeping an officer on the force. If a state trooper assigned to a rural barracks loses his gun while charges are pending, he's put on a desk job.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But he may be the only one in the barracks, so an armed trooper also must remain there - imposing an additional cost.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It also means one less trooper is on the road.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">And if a victim lives in the area a trooper patrols, the trooper is assigned elsewhere.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Bob Pugh, director of Atlantic City's Department of Public Safety, says his department is guided by the county Prosecutor's Office after a judge makes a ruling.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"If it doesn't rise to the level of a gun, you have to evaluate each of these situations on their own merit," Pugh said. "We always try to err on the side of caution. ... I recognize problems happen in marriages, but officers have to be mindful.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"When a person takes a post as a law-enforcement officer," Pugh said, "he recognizes he's being held to a higher standard and the public expects that if we're to maintain their trust, we have to be held to a higher standard."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The same is true for public officials and officers convicted of official misconduct, he said, noting that they lose their jobs, pensions and are barred from ever holding public sector jobs.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But Pugh said he doesn't support desk duty. If an officer in Atlantic City loses the right to carry a gun, that officer is suspended.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"The problem is, if we assign individuals to desk duty, where does the number stop?" he asked. "We could end with six, seven or nine people assigned to desk duty. That goes against what we're trying to accomplish."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Pugh added: "The law is: 'You can't have a gun and if you can't have a gun, you can't function as a police officer.'"</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Galena man sentenced to 18 months</b></span></div><div>Telegraph Herald (Dubuque, IA)</div><div>June 10, 1998 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - A Galena, Ill. man pleaded guilty to illegal possession of a firearm in U.S. District Court in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Monday,.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Luke Behnke, 28, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 18 months in prison followed by three years supervised release.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Court records indicate on Oct. 31, 1997, Behnke took a loaded 12-gauge shotgun and sat in a car outside his estranged wife's place of employment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">He was arrested because of a previous conviction on a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence in April 1997 in Grant County, Wis. The 1996 Lautenberg Amendment prohibits persons who have been convicted of misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence from acquiring or possessing firearms.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Domestic-violence amendment causes problems in the military</b></span></div><div>Washington Times, The (DC)</div><div>Section: ANATIONSGT. SHAFT</div><div>August 10, 1998 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>DEAR SGT. SHAFT:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Can you please explain the new Pentagon policy on determining which military members have been convicted of domestic violence? Though I have never committed or been convicted of domestic violence, I feel the policy of conducting a survey to find out who has is terribly intrusive and smacks of entrapment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">My question specifically is: Do I have the right to not answer (plead "the Fifth")? The military certainly has access to public court records, and if they want to investigate members, that is their prerogative.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">K.M. from Cyber AOL</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Dear K.M.:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It seems that you and many other active military types must now carry a barrister's beeper number instead of a weapon to protect your careers. Your concerns are well-founded as even now Department of Defense legal beagles are floundering around attempting to implement the Lautenberg amendment to the Gun Control Act of 1968.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The amendment, which became law on Sept. 30, 1996, makes it a felony for any person who has been convicted of a misdemeanor or crime of domestic violence to ship, transport, possess or receive firearms or ammunition. <span style="color: red;">Until Sept. 30, 1996, military personnel were exempted from the provisions of the law. Inclusion of military personnel has made the services implement policies consistent with the Lautenberg amendment.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Army released a message in January 1998 that directed commanders to notify all soldiers that it is unlawful to possess firearms and ammunition if they have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. Commanders are required to have personnel records reviewed against the Lautenberg amendment criteria and report personnel data on those identified through command channels to the Department of the Army.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Commanders were further directed to detail soldiers whom they believe have a conviction for a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence to duties that do not require the bearing of weapons or ammunition. Further adverse administrative action and bars to re-enlistment may be imposed for an act of domestic violence that resulted in a conviction after Sept. 30, 1996. Commanders must also take action to secure personal firearms and ammo of soldiers under this law.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Personnel who have a civil misdemeanor conviction for domestic violence that was never reported to military authorities may now be asked to provide that information. Those who decline to report such adverse information may later be subject to administrative action for falsifying documentation or misrepresentation. It would be most appropriate for personnel who have never reported such incidents to get legal advice.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The old sarge, like the Defense Department, finds the bill misguided with regard to military personnel. From 1968 to 1996 Congress was wise to adhere to the Pentagon's request to exempt military personnel from the legislation. Now that the military services are required to reassign these personnel from positions requiring the use of arms and munitions, there may be an adverse impact on the military's combat readiness.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>POLICE FIGHT STRICT GUN LAW </b></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;">MANY COPS DON'T LIKE LAW THAT BARS ABUSERS FROM CARRYING FIREARMS WHETHER ON OR OFF DUTY</span></div><div>Rocky Mountain News (Denver, CO)</div><div>October 29, 1998 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Denver police officers convicted of beating up spouses or girlfriends might get to keep their jobs and guns because of a flurry of legal challenges to a 1996 domestic violence gun ban.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">This week, a police lawyer will ask a federal appeals court to prohibit the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms from enforcing the ban anywhere.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Officials estimate at least 1,000 officers nationwide have domestic violence convictions. Unless courts throw out the ban, they'll be stripped of their guns and jobs.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C., found the ban unconstitutional this summer. But the ruling applies only to several East Coast states under the court's jurisdiction.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Police want to expand that ruling to protect officers around the country.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">``A federal law can't be unconstitutional in one place and not in another,'' Denver Police spokesman John Wyckoff said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The domestic violence gun ban has affected four Denver police officers in four ways:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* Detective James Huff, a 28-year police veteran, lost his job Oct. 19 after the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms found the law applied to him.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Huff, 55, was charged with assault for striking his wife across the back with a broom handle on New Year's Day 1993. He pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct, and told investigators she threatened him with a kitchen knife.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* Officer James Ward has been assigned to desk duty and doesn't carry a gun. Police are still waiting for ATF to make a final decision on his case.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* Officer Alex Woods got his gun back in 1997 after a year of desk duty. He received an ATF letter saying the law never applied to him because the woman he choked and gave a black eye to was his girlfriend, not his wife.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Woods now works in northwest Denver as a training officer, teaching others how to be Denver Police officers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* Officer Robert Bilstein, whose domestic violence case was under ATF review, retired several months ago.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The 1996 law, an expansion of the Federal Gun Control Act, prohibits anyone with a misdemeanor domestic violence conviction from owning a gun. It contains a no ``official duty'' exemption for police or military.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Fraternal Order of Police has been fighting the law nationwide.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Anti-domestic violence activists are outraged that police groups are waging such a vigorous legal battle against a law that gives greater protection to crime victims.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">``If they don't care about the safety of the employees' families, why in the world would they care about strangers they're supposed to protect?'' asked Rita Smith, executive director of the Denver-based National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In late August, a three-judge panel of the Washington appeals court found the expanded law unconstitutional because it's tougher on those convicted of misdemeanors than on those convicted of felonies.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">That's because the original Gun Control Act allows police officers and military personnel with felony domestic violence convictions to carry firearms under an ``official duty'' exemption.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Last week, the Justice Department asked the entire court to reconsider the August ruling. No decision has been made on the rehearing request.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Despite criticism from groups fighting domestic violence, an attorney for the police union is trying to get the Washington ruling expanded to cover all officers. Lawsuits against the ban have popped up in several other courts.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">``Any police officer or person that carries a gun in the public interest, if I win the arguments, they get the benefits,'' said William J. Friedman, a Santa Fe civil-litigation expert.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Later this week, he plans to ask the court to block ATF from enforcing the law. If he's successful, officers could keep their jobs until a final decision is made, possibly in the U.S. Supreme Court.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">``I'll be submitting a response asking the court to maintain the status quo,'' Friedman said. ``I would hope that would have a positive effect on officer Huff in Denver.''</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Wyckoff said Huff was not fired. ``Officer Huff separated from classified service . . . as a result of disqualification because of the Lautenberg Amendment,'' Wycoff said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The gun ban is commonly called the Lautenberg Amendment after U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., the bill's sponsor.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Police say it's not fair to take away officers' livelihoods for minor crimes from long ago.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In recent years, ``the screening in police departments has gotten where a person who previously had a problem with spousal abuse wouldn't be hired,'' said Jim Pasco, executive director of the national police union in Washington.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b style="color: #800180; font-size: xx-large;">1999: Lautenberg DV Gun Ban - News Articles And Reports</b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>CHIEF WANTS DOMESTIC ABUSER FIRED</b></span></div><div>Rocky Mountain News (Denver, CO)</div><div>January 12, 1999 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Denver Police Chief Tom Sanchez has recommended that officer Alex Woods Jr. be kicked off the force because of a domestic violence conviction.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Woods, 27, falls under a 1996 federal law, known as the Lautenberg Amendment, which bans domestic violence offenders from carrying firearms.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In 1995, Woods was convicted of assaulting his now ex-girlfriend and knocking her out.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Afterward, he was assigned to desk duty, but then returned to the streets when the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms ruled the law didn't apply to him because the victim was his girlfriend, not his wife.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The victim came forward with proof the two had lived together, and ATF reopened the case.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Denver Manager of Public Safety Butch Montoya will make a final decision on Woods' employment within five days, said police spokesman John Wyckoff.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>COURT UPHOLDS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE GUN BAN</b></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;">Convicted: Ex-wife turns in man for possession of guns</span></div><div>Telegraph Herald (Dubuque, IA)</div><div>May 16, 1999 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">MADISON (AP) - A man was correctly convicted of violating a federal law that prohibits people convicted of beating a spouse from owning firearms, an appeals court ruled.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected Kirk Lewitzke's claim that it is unconstitutional to ban him from possessing a gun because he was convicted of a crime 10 years ago.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">After his ex-wife turned him in for possessing guns, Lewitzke, 38, of Wausau, was sentenced last May to 11 months in prison and four months in a halfway house under the federal law.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Lewitzke was the first person in Wisconsin and one of about six in the nation to be convicted under the law, U.S. Attorney Peggy Lautenschlager said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Lewitzke's ex-wife, Tammie Schmidt, contacted the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms after reading an article about the law, which took effect in 1996.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Ten years ago, Lewitzke was convicted of punching Schmidt in the back and shoving her against a kitchen cabinet. A year before, he was convicted of sitting on her while she was five months pregnant and slapping her face, Lautenschlager said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Schmidt said Lewitzke has not been violent since the divorce but that she worries about his "fascination with guns."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Lewitzke claimed at his jury trial the six guns and 3,000 rounds of ammunition in his home were left by friends and relatives who used them for target shooting on a range in his back yard.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Schmidt said she contacted federal agents after her 8-year-old son wrote in a school journal that "he spent the weekend shooting a machine gun with his dad."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">U.S. District Court Judge Barbara Crabb sentenced Lewitzke to 11 months after federal agents raided his house and found six firearms.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Lewitzke, a maintenance supervisor at a packing plant in Merrill, was convicted in February.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Rocky Career Track Ahead for Soldiers With Records</b></span></div><div>Army Times</div><div>June 7, 1999 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The career prospects of soldiers with misdemeanor domestic violence convictions are not good, according to a series of new Army personnel policies related to federal gun control laws.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The new policies took effect May 21. Included are rules that:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* Bar soldiers with qualifying convictions from being placed on overseas orders.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* Bar the deployment of such soldiers on missions that require the possession of firearms or ammunition.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* Bar the assignment of such soldiers to service schools where the use of firearms is part of the curriculum.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* Active-Army and reserve soldiers with qualifying convictions will not be assigned to tactical units. Those already assigned to such units will be transferred to non-tactical units.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* Soldiers with qualifying convictions may not re-enlist and are not eligible for the Indefinite Reenlistment Program.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">However, such soldiers may be extended for up to one year to seek a pardon for their conviction or to have the conviction expunged.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Soldiers within two years of qualifying for retirement may stay on active duty until they meet the retirement requirement, which for most is 20 years of service.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The new rules are an outgrowth of a gun control law (the 1996 Lautenberg Amendment) that made it a felony for anyone convicted of a domestic-violence misdemeanor to transport, possess or receive firearms or ammunition.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Because members of the armed forces routinely work with firearms and ammo, the law has major legal implications.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Early this year, the Army issued general guidance to commanders on managing soldiers with domestic violence convictions, according to Maj. Douglas Carr, a policy analyst in the Enlisted Division, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel. On May 21 the Army refined that guidance with instructions on the deployment, assignment and retention of soldiers with misdemeanor domestic violence convictions.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Carr said misdemeanor convictions do not include summary courts-martial; non-judicial punishment under Article 15 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, and deferred prosecutions and dispositions. These are considered lesser violations. He said the policies also establish reporting procedures that will give the Army information on how many soldiers have qualifying convictions.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Carr said qualifying soldiers who already are overseas will complete their tours. Soldiers who are on overseas orders, and who have shipped their household goods, also will proceed to their assignments. But soldiers with qualifying convictions generally will not be sent on overseas tours.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Soldiers should consult ALARACT Message DTG 211105Z May 99. The subject line is: "HQDA Guidance on Deployment Eligibility, Assignment and Reporting of Soldiers Affected by the Lautenberg Amendment."</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Military gun control</b></span></div><div>Washington Times, The (DC)</div><div>June 10, 1999 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Army brass that entrusts U.S. soldiers with the nation's defense apparently can't trust them with their own weapons.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Top U.S. Army officials are weighing an order that would require soldiers to register privately owned weapons now stored as much as 60 miles away from Army installations. Undated draft documents, on U.S. Armed Forces Command letterhead, that The Washington Times obtained, say the order is a response to unspecified shootings.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Recent shooting incidents have elevated my concern that soldiers are not registering and properly storing their privately owned firearms," says an unsigned draft memo from Thomas A. Schwartz, chief of Armed Forces Command in Atlanta. A spokesman for Armed Forces Command, Barry Morris, confirmed the existence of the draft documents as one of many but declined comment on their substance, saying that it is against Army policy to discuss regulations under consideration. The order "may look very different" than it does now if it takes effect, he said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Tennessee Rep. Ed Bryant, who taught law at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point said the order had the "makings of a good lawsuit." Military personnel may have to give up certain rights - among them a Second Amendment right to bear arms - in the interest of the military's good order and discipline. The question is what restrictions on privately owned firearms off-post - "whether its 1 mile or 61 miles," Mr. Bryant said, have to do with good order and discipline. "I'm not sure I see it," he added. "It's perhaps a bit of an overreaction."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The draft order, under the headline "FORSCOM [Forces Command] Registration and Storage of Privately Owned Firearms Policy Requirements" states: "All soldiers who live on or off post will register with their installation of assignment or duty installation any firearm they own which is stored within sixty miles of such installation." (emphasis in original) The order also states that all soldiers are prohibited from keeping privately owned weapons in their vehicle while on-post unless it is being transported for "authorized purposes" and in accordance with installation regulations and federal, state and local law.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The "primary purpose" of the order is to give commanders the ability to make timely decisions on whether to issue an order prohibiting soldiers from possessing weapons on or off-post. "Commanders will order soldiers to temporarily place in the unit arms room their privately owned firearms stored within 60 miles of their installation," the draft says, when the commander has "credible information" that allowing the soldier unrestricted access to the privately owned firearm "presents an imminent,serious danger to the soldier or others" and the order is reasonably necessary to ensure good order and discipline.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The order will enable the commander to ensure security on the base and to promote compliance with the so-called Lautenberg amendment, which makes it illegal for soldiers to possess firearms and ammunition on-post or off-post if they have been convicted of domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Now base commanders already have the authority to require the registration of weapons brought on-post. The question, as Mr. Bryant put it, is what authority the military has to regulate the use of weapons stored and only used off-post. Is there any precedent for that authority? Mr. Morris did not say.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But just because soldiers are willing to die for their country doesn't mean they forfeit all rights as citizens. Let us count them:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* The Second Amendment: The authors of the memo seem to assume that the Second Amendment is a collective, not an individual, right and that therefore a soldier would have no standing to challenge such a regulation. There is a growing amount of scholarly literature to suggest that the Second Amendment is no more collective in nature than, say, the First or Fifth amendments. Recently a federal judge in Texas agreed to consider a Second Amendment challenge to a law stripping a man accused, but never proved, of engaging in domestic assault.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* The Fourth Amendment: The draft order makes soldiers' off-base weapons subject to seizure. The last time someone checked, the Founding Fathers insisted the feds needed a warrant to do that.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* The Fifth Amendment: The amendment prohibits self-incrimination. Is the military going to force a soldier to incriminate himself by revealing that he is in possession of an unregistered weapon? The amendment also prohibits government "takings" without just compensation. If you're going to take a soldier's weapon, one stored 60 miles off base, without good cause, the feds better be prepared to compensate him for it.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But these are arguments for courts and Congress. In the meantime, one looks forward to hearing the Clinton administration make the case for the new restrictions. Mr. Clinton is on record in support of gun registration now. Let him explain it to soldiers. Right before they head off to Kosovo.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>NAVY SLOW TO LIMIT WEAPONS TO ABUSERS </b></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;">SEA SERVICES ARE WAITING FOR GUIDANCE FROM DOD</span></div><div>Navy Times</div><div>June 28, 1999 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Since 1996, the services have been under the congressional gun to limit access to military firearms for people with domestic violence convictions, but only the Army has taken steps to modify its assignments policies.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A change to the Gun Control Act of 1968 -- dubbed the Lautenberg Amendment -- took effect Sept. 30, 1996, and requires the military to keep firearms from any service member ever convicted of a domestic violence misdemeanor. The prohibition applies to firearms such as the M16A2 rifle and 9 mm pistol but not crew-served weapons such as the .50-caliber machine gun.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Defense Department issued an interim policy in October 1997. The Navy and the Marine Corps issued policies in 1998, but neither of those services has discharged or reassigned personnel convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The sea services are waiting for further guidance from DoD, according to spokeswomen at the Navy's personnel office and Marine Corps headquarters and in Washington, D.C.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Army rules</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But the Army isn't waiting, and, as of May 21, the career prospects of soldiers with misdemeanor domestic violence convictions are not good.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Included are rules that:</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* Bar soldiers with domestic violence convictions from being placed on overseas orders.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* Bar the deployment of such soldiers on missions that require the possession of firearms or ammunition.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* Bar the assignment of such soldiers to service schools where the use of firearms is part of the curriculum.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* Prevent active Army and reserve soldiers from being assigned to tactical units. Those already assigned will be transferred to non-tactical units.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* Disqualify soldiers with convictions from re-enlistment and the Indefinite Re-enlistment Program.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The policy offers some career protections as well, said Army Maj. Douglas Carr, a policy analyst in the Army's Enlisted Division, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">For example, soldiers convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence have up to one year to seek a pardon or to have the conviction expunged. What's more, soldiers within two years of qualifying for retirement may stay on active duty until they meet the retirement requirement, which for most is 20 years of service.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Carr said soldiers with convictions who already are overseas will complete their tours. Soldiers who are on overseas orders and who have shipped their household goods also will proceed to their assignments. But convicted soldiers generally will not be sent on overseas tours.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Fleet response</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Navy and Marine guidance spell out the nuts and bolts of the law, defining qualifying misdemeanor convictions and telling commanders to prohibit access to military firearms and ammunition when required.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Navy will screen all active and reserve personnel, but is waiting for an updated Defense Department form to begin the screening process.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Commanders, especially those in command of deployed units, will not initiate any screening process or take any further action to identify Marines or sailors who may be affected by this law until further guidance is provided," the message said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Both Navy and Marine policies prohibit commanders from discharging personnel based solely on a misdemeanor domestic violence conviction.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Stupak's decision is a disappointment</b></span></div><div>Cheboygan Daily Tribune (MI)</div><div>Section: News</div><div>Letters to the editor</div><div>Author: John Hongisto - Marquette</div><div>July 16, 1999 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">I am disappointed, to put it mildly, in your (Bart Stupak's) recent vote to further restrict the lawful commerce in firearms. I consider that vote and your support for the Lautenberg Amendment, which was signed into law in December of 1997, a betrayal of trust.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Lautenberg Amendment federalized the crime of domestic violence. Anyone convicted of this misdemeanor, regardless of how minor the offense or how long ago it happened, is banned for life from owning or using firearms. <span style="color: red;">This law does nothing to curb domestic violence, but it does give the Feds another legal excuse to deprive citizens of their property and their civil rights.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Despite your efforts to explain away and rationalize your votes, I believe you knew exactly what you were voting for. <b><span style="color: red;">The anti-gun crowd exploits tragedies for political gain. They don't give a damn about domestic violence or protecting our kids. </span></b>The fact that Handgun Control Inc. targeted this congressional district is revealing.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The purpose of this latest bill was to kill gun shows that are held on weekends by requiring a three day waiting period for background checks. Never mind that there is an instant check system in place. Gun shows are political gatherings as well as popular venues for pro-gun rights political activism. They are often the largest events held in most places; a fact not lost on the anti-gun folks. That is why they were targeted for extinction.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The purpose of imposing still more restrictions on law abiding people is to make firearms ownership, purchase and use as expensive and burdensome as possible. The plan is to discourage citizens from exercising their Second Amendment rights and reduce the size of this pro-gun constituency. With fewer people to support and speak up for gun rights, the easier it becomes to abridge those rights. Vigilance is indeed the price of liberty.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Schemes to disarm the people are as old as tyranny itself. Americans are not immune from governmental tyranny as evidenced by the federal law enforcement fiascos at Waco, Texas and Ruby Ridge, Idaho. Those who fail to learn the lessons of history are bound to repeat them. The repression, ethnic cleansing and genocide endured by the Kosovar Albanians could never happen here as long as we are armed. Armed people are a free people.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">We are well advised to heed this lesson. I beg your indulgence.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Regulators seek to revoke license of Nevada dealer</b></span></div><div>Las Vegas Sun (NV)</div><div>July 17, 1999 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: red;">Jennings, one of the country's largest wholesale distributors of handguns</span>, is appealing the decision by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, The Washington Post reported in Saturday's editions.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Without the license, the newspaper said, Jennings could be forced to divest his company, B. L. Jennings Inc. based in Carson City, Nev.</span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Jennings was convicted in 1985 of assaulting his then-wife, Janice Jennings, the Post said. He plea-bargained the charge down to a misdemeanor, spent 90 days in jail, paid a fine and spent two years on probation, the newspaper said.</span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">In 1996, Congress amended gun laws to make it illegal for anyone convicted of domestic violence abuse to ship, transport or possess firearms or ammunition and applied the change retroactively.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Post said the ATF issued Jennings a new license to do business last year and did not move to revoke it until after inquiries by the newspaper.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">An ATF spokesman said Jennings was notified last month his license was to be revoked, that he challenged the action and, therefore, will retain the license until the outcome of a hearing before an administrative law judge.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">James Sabalos, an attorney for Jennings, would not comment on the licensing matter but told the Post he was investigating if the ATF violated federal law by discussing the case with the newspaper.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The same law has been at the center of a controversy involving two police officers in nearby Reno, Nev.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Officers Lynn Drake and Mark Markiewicz, were recommended to be laid from their jobs because of misdemeanor domestic-violence convictions that occurred before 1996.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Reno's Civil Service Commission refused to let the men go and now are in a court battle with the District Attorney's Office on the issue.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">B.L. Jennings Inc. is licensed to ship 150,000 guns to dealers each year. The business has made Jennings a multimillionaire with cars, boats, private planes and homes around the country.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He started in the gun business as one of a renowned group outside Los Angeles called the "Ring of Fire" companies, which make guns that sell at a fraction of the cost of guns made by other gun companies such as Smith & Wesson, the newspaper reported.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The inexpensive guns have been traced to crimes more than three times as often as other types of guns.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">After his 1985 assault conviction and jail sentence, Jennings moved to Nevada where he opened a distributorship. Jennings Firearms, his original company, was signed over to his ex-wife, Janice, as part of their divorce settlement and renamed Bryco Inc.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In the past, Jennings has been listed as a "responsible party" at Bryco, which made nearly 48,000 guns in 1997, according to ATF figures. If the ATF determines that Jennings is part of Bryco management, that company also could lose its firearms license, according to the Lautenberg amendment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Sabalos has said in the past that Bruce Jennings has nothing to do with Bryco. ATF officials declined to comment on whether the Bryco license also is being investigated.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Police group joins lawsuit</b></span></div><div>Denver Post, The (CO)</div><div>July 17, 1999 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The National Association of Police Organizations, the umbrella organization for more than 4,000 police departments, has joined a federal lawsuit filed by Denver officer James A. Huff. The Denver Police Department fired Huff on Oct. 18 because he'd been convicted of third-degree assault in 1991.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Under the Lautenberg Amendment to the Gun Control Act of 1996, any police officer convicted of assaulting a spouse or domestic partner is no longer allowed to carry a weapon. The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms ruled that Huff could no longer be armed, and he was let go from the police department.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The police association is asking that the Lautenberg Amendment be ruled unconstitutional and that Congress exceeded its authority by adopting the measure.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Man guilty of weapons charge</b></span></div><div>Augusta Chronicle, The (GA)</div><div>August 10, 1999 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A Clearwater man who stockpiled weapons and sold them from his home pleaded guilty Monday in federal court to illegal possession of firearms.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Wallace Mars, 31, had two prior convictions involving domestic violence in 1998. The Lautenberg Amendment of 1996 bans people convicted in domestic violence cases from possessing firearms.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms received information in October that Mr. Mars was selling firearms from his home. An informant purchased a shotgun from him Oct. 15.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">With a warrant, federal agents searched the home and seized 19 rifles and six handguns, all of which had been used or sold in other states, authorities said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Mr. Mars pleaded guilty and will be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Charles Simons Jr. after a report is prepared by the U.S. Probation Office. Mr. Mars faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>FEW LOSE JOBS</b></span></div><div>Akron Beacon Journal (OH)</div><div>December 5, 1999 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It was a wild scene when Akron police arrived at the home of detective Michael T. Lugenbeal's estranged wife on a domestic violence call in the early morning hours of Aug. 23, 1997.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A convoy of five blue-and-white police vehicles, carrying two patrol officers, two sergeants and a lieutenant commander, had been dispatched to the scene to restore peace. Two of them struggled to bring the detective under control.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Lugenbeal, enraged to the point that "he just couldn't take any more," according to police records, was handcuffed and taken to St. Thomas Hospital "where he had to be held by six people and placed in four-point leather restraints."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Soon after, he was arrested for domestic violence -- for allegedly throwing a can opener and set of keys at his wife.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Five months later, Lugenbeal's domestic violence charge quietly went away inside the city's justice system when he pleaded guilty to a lesser crime, disorderly conduct.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The plea deal was critical to saving his job as a cop. Had he been convicted of domestic violence, he would have lost his gun permanently -- and likely his job on the street -- under a 1996 federal law prohibiting anyone ever convicted of that crime from carrying a firearm.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Fair or not, the treatment Lugenbeal received is not unusual. Throughout the nation, evidence shows the 1996 law is not being enforced and that scores of police officers remain on the job despite incidents of domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">An Akron Beacon Journal survey of the country's 100 largest police departments, initiated this summer amid the hotly debated domestic violence allegations in a case involving Akron Police Chief Edward D. Irvine, revealed few police officers have been forced to give up their guns.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The survey, asking each city's police chief how many officers were fired or reassigned to administrative duties as a result of the so-called Lautenberg Amendment, showed that disciplinary actions were taken by six cities and that a total of 11 officers were affected.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">That number is just a fraction of the estimated 60,000 officers who were expected to lose their jobs, according to law enforcement experts quoted shortly after passage of the law in September 1996. In fact, the National Association of Police Chiefs said at the time that the estimate was probably conservative.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The survey's finding that action was taken against only 11 officers may itself be understated, because 32 police departments did not respond to the survey or refused to disclose figures to the newspaper.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Yet the 68 departments that provided the requested information employ 78,500 officers -- roughly the population of the city of Canton.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Some of the responses appear suspect.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Chicago, the second-largest department in the nation with more than 13,000 officers, reported that it "conducted a thorough background search on all of the sworn personnel under its employment" and found that not a single Chicago officer was fired or reassigned because of the 1996 law.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">How could that be?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Using their considerable power and influence in the oft-secretive world of law enforcement, police know how to manipulate the system and the system often looks the other way while they do it, according to Penny Harrington, the former police chief of Portland, Ore., and now director of the National Center for Women and Policing.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Harrington said <span style="color: red;">police have gotten around the law by routinely getting domestic violence convictions expunged from their record or by pleading to lesser crimes than domestic violence, as in the Lugenbeal case.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">"Right after the law came out," Harrington said, "there was this huge rush, nationwide, of officers running in to get their records expunged. And most of the judges went along with it."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Harrington blames the entire justice system for the ease with which cops get their records expunged.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"The judges are in league with the officers," Harrington said. "Judges also are guilty of family violence, and it always gets covered up.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Any high-profile person -- a judge, a politically appointed or elected official, or a district attorney -- the whole system covers up for each other on this issue more than anything."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* * * * * * * *</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>LAW IS CONTESTED</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In numerous cities across the nation, police have fought to keep their jobs by contesting the law or using loopholes to get around it.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">For example, in May 1997, three Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies who lost their guns because they had been convicted of domestic violence charges won their jobs back. They simply went to court and had their convictions expunged.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Several lawsuits also have been filed challenging the constitutionality of the Lautenberg Amendment, and the issue could end up before the U.S. Supreme Court, law enforcement experts said. The National Association of Police Chiefs and other pro-law enforcement groups have argued the law is unfair because it unfairly singles out police and is retroactive -- meaning a domestic violence conviction 20 years ago would fall within the law.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Despite those legal challenges to Lautenberg and its apparent lack of teeth, there remains evidence that such a law is necessary.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Leanor Boulin Johnson, associate professor of family studies at Arizona State University, compiled the strongest evidence to date showing that the number of police abusing their loved ones should be much higher than the numbers reported since passage of the law -- named for its sponsor, U.S. Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg, D-N.J.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Johnson surveyed 728 police officers in two East Coast departments in the mid-1980s, asking whether they had ever lost control or committed a violent act against a spouse or a child within the previous six months. Promised anonymity, hundreds said they had.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">According to the study, 40 percent of those cops said they had acted violently toward their children and 45 percent said they had acted violently toward their spouse.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Johnson said she hopes to obtain funds for a follow-up study of the issue, but warned that she fears it would not be nearly as revealing.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I think it's going to be very difficult to find out what the numbers are now because of the Lautenberg law," Johnson said. "Police know the consequences now, and they are going to be a lot more cagey."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Sen. Lautenberg did not respond to repeated requests for an interview about the apparent loopholes in the law.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In Akron, it is virtually impossible to determine if officers have been convicted of domestic violence and managed to keep their guns because of expungement.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Responding to the newspaper's survey, Akron Police Chief Irvine referred questions to the city law department, which in turn reported that no Akron officers have been affected directly by Lautenberg. (In Irvine's case, in which his wife alleged he had assaulted her in October 1998, three investigations concluded that the allegations could not be substantiated.)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* * * * * * * *</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>EXPUNGEMENT NOT UNUSUAL</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Expungement itself is not that unusual or difficult to obtain. Most first-time offenders can apply to have their records expunged in Ohio.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">To get a record expunged, according to state law, the appealing party must wait at least a year after conviction to apply to the sentencing judge. During that year, probation officers monitor the party's conduct and submit a report to the judge.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The prosecutor's office has the right to object to the process, but the final say on expungement is the judge's alone.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Once the record is expunged, court documents and police incident reports are sealed and removed from public view. Anyone inquiring about a person's expunged record at the city justice center is simply told that there is no record.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Akron law department reported that only one officer, Gerald Williams, was suspended from police duty and had his gun taken away because of a domestic violence incident, in March 1997, when he struck his wife and broke her jaw.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">However, city attorneys were quick to point out that Williams had lied to fellow officers during an Internal Affairs investigation of the 1997 incident and then entered a revised plea of no contest to aggravated menacing in that case. He was fired for that and a previous infraction of police department regulations -- not for Lautenberg, they said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Williams refiled a civil lawsuit last month, charging the city with discrimination in its disciplinary actions, and asking for reinstatement as a police officer and back pay. An African-American, he contends some white Akron officers were involved in domestic violence incidents but in most cases were reinstated to full duty after serving suspensions and undergoing counseling.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I was guilty for what I did," Williams said in a recent interview, "but what I'm simply asking for is the same treatment that other officers received for similar, or more serious, offenses.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"The city's response has been that it considers each case separately and hands out discipline accordingly. The city's response in my case was: 'He did it, fire him, and we don't care what happens to him or her, or our four children.'</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"How can you have two officers commit the same offense and get treated differently? There's no rhyme or reason to the system of discipline. The police department has a better non-smoking policy -- posted in black and white -- than it does on domestic violence."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">One of the cases cited by Williams in his legal paperwork involves Lugenbeal, who was the subject of an Internal Affairs investigation for domestic violence after he caused a traffic accident on the night of Aug. 22, 1997.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">According to records of the Internal Affairs investigation ordered by Chief Irvine, Rosanna Lugenbeal called police to report a domestic violence incident hours after the accident.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Rosanna Lugenbeal told police that they had gotten into a heated argument about the accident and her husband had thrown a can opener at her. He missed because she ducked.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Lugenbeal became so agitated when police arrived at the scene that he had to be restrained and placed in the police van for everyone's safety, according to police records.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Once Mike was in the wagon," Sgt. Mike Shearer Jr. wrote, "he started yelling and screaming about Rosanna. He was kicking and rocking the wagon."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Sgt. Myron L. Midcap, one of the officers who had to restrain Lugenbeal, later wrote a memorandum to Chief Irvine stating that Lugenbeal "exhibited a complete and utter disregard for his own well-being, for his family's well-being and the officers' well-being that were sent to the scene that night."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Midcap concluded his letter to the chief by saying: "I certainly wouldn't want to put any citizen of this community into a high-stress situation alongside (Lugenbeal), let alone another fellow officer."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* * * * * * * *</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">OFFICER GETS GUN BACK</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">After weeks of treatment at St. Thomas Hospital and Ignatia Hall Acute Alcohol and Drug Treatment Center, Lugenbeal waived his right to a jury trial in January 1998 and pleaded no contest to disorderly conduct and failing to maintain assured clear distance for the traffic accident.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Lugenbeal's departmental discipline was a five-day suspension without pay. He had to give up his gun for a year while he was taken off the street and reassigned to the communications room.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Lugenbeal, 39, has his gun back and currently works as a detective in the juvenile unit. He did not return messages left on his voice mail seeking comment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The story of what Lugenbeal allegedly did that night is a classic example of how police handle domestic violence cases when one of their own is the suspect, according to experts.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I think the issue is, a lot of departments don't want to deal with domestic violence, because if they do, you're going to have a lot of cops get their guns removed," said former New York City police officer Brian Levin, now a criminal studies teacher at Stockton College in Pomona, N.J.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">When police take that stance within their own departments, he said, they ignore a frightening reality.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I like cops. I think most cops are good people," Levin said. "But the fact of the matter is you have cases where cops shoot family members."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><b>One of the most infamous cases involved former New York City officer Patrick Fitzgerald.</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">On Sept. 25, 1998, Fitzgerald shot and killed his wife, Leeanne, and their two children, phoned his desk sergeant to tell him of what he had just done, hung up, then turned the gun on himself.</span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">The victim's family told reporters that she had routinely complained of abuse to department commanders, who did nothing. New York City police officials responded by denying the allegations.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Abusive ex-cop wins in hearing</b> </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;">Officer seeking reinstatement</span></div><div>Denver Post, The (CO)</div><div>December 14, 1999 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A former Denver police officer who was fired after he was convicted of beating his girlfriend could be back on the job - with gun in hand.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A hearing officer has ruled that former cop Alex Woods Jr. - convicted in 1995 of</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">third-degree assault - should be reinstated because the federal law that banned him from carrying a firearm because of the conviction doesn't apply.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I'm happy with the outcome, and I'm anxious to get this behind me and move on with my life," said Woods, who's been working in the construction industry while fighting to regain his badge.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But the decision is drawing fire from those who work with victims of domestic abuse.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"A police officer's judgment in using force is critical, and to place someone back on the street who has so obviously demonstrated that he had no good judgment, it puts us all in greater danger," said Barbara Paradiso, interim director of the Colorado Coalition Against Domestic Violence. "How are we to trust him?"</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">City officials, who have fought to keep Woods off the police force, have the right to appeal the ruling. It wasn't clear Monday whether they will.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In late 1994, Woods gave his girlfriend, Mary Taylor, a black eye, split lip and swollen jaw, and then choked her into unconsciousness during a party at his home. Woods got a year of probation and counseling. Taylor claimed the beating was the culmination of a number of abusive episodes during their nearly three-year relationship.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Initially Woods was suspended from the Denver police force for 20 days and then given a desk job because of a federal law - dubbed the Lautenberg Amendment - that prohibited anyone, including police officers, from carrying a gun if convicted of domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Later, however, the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms determined the law didn't apply to Woods because his beating victim was a girlfriend and not a spouse. That decision drew intense criticism from U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette, a Denver Democrat.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In 1998, Woods was pitched from the force after an independent ATF investigation, at the behest of Denver police officials, determined that the law applied to Woods because he had a defacto spousal relationship with Taylor.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But hearing officer Richard McManus Jr., who heard an appeal by Woods to the city's Civil Service Commission, ruled Friday that Woods should be reinstated with back pay because he and Taylor were not living together at the time of the assault. The pair did live together for a year in 1992 and 1993 but separated after that.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Marc Colin, the Denver attorney who represented Woods before McManus, said it's never been clear how the Lautenberg Amendment applies to unmarried couples.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The relationships between attacker and victim that are covered under the law include parental, guardianships and marital, or "people similarly situated to a spouse." What that last part means is anyone's guess, Colin said, and leaves a very large loophole.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">About 1,000 police officers nationwide have been fired from the force because of domestic violence convictions in their past. But Colin said Friday's decision in the Woods case won't necessarily change that.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Commission members refused to comment on the ruling. Taylor could not be reached for comment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Although the Civil Service Commission is beginning preparations to have Woods reinstated - he'll have to undergo physical and psychological testing before he's allowed back - the city or even ATF has a couple of options.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The city can either appeal the hearing officer's ruling to the state courts or it can appeal to the commission to deny Woods' readmission. Or the city could merely ignore the ruling - forcing Woods to file a federal appeal, Colin said.</span></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>EDITORIAL: Screening Denver's finest</b></span></div><div>Denver Post, The (CO)</div><div>December 15, 1999 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">We fully support the city of Denver as it prepares to appeal a ludicrous decision by a Civil Service Commission hearing officer.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The ruling says Alex Woods Jr. should be reinstated to the Denver Police Department, though he was fired after a 1995 conviction for choking his girlfriend into unconsciousness and giving her a black eye, split lip and swollen jaw.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Woods was dismissed because the federal Lautenberg Amendment prohibits anyone convicted of domestic violence from carrying a gun - and police need guns.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But hearing officer Richard McManus Jr. cites a technicality. The law applies to attackers with a parental, guardianship or marital relationship to the victim, as well as "people similarly situated to a spouse." Because Mary Taylor didn't live with Woods at the time, they didn't have a "similarly situated" relationship, McManus found.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Yet he goes on to note that if Woods rejoins the force, "he runs the risk of federal prosecution for violation of the Gun Control Act of 1968, as amended in 1996."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">If Woods would be running such a risk, clearly the gun act applies to him. And clearly McManus' ruling contradicts itself.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Indeed, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms determined in 1998 that the law does apply to Woods because he had a de facto spousal relationship with Taylor.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">This case highlights the problem for Denver police, whose hirings and firings can be overturned by Civil Service Commission hearing officers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In another example, the commission itself voted 3-2 to hire Ellis Johnson. The recruit disclosed that he had used drugs 150 times before 1987, stolen from two former employers and shoved his ex-wife and a girlfriend. He also scored poorly on his psychological exam.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">When Police Chief Tom Sanchez nixed the hiring, though, Safety Manager Butch Montoya overrode that decision and let Johnson on the force.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In yet another case, Matthew Graves was fired after pointing a gun at the head of a woman handcuffed in a cell. A hearing officer said his punishment should be reduced to a one-year suspension without pay, followed by reinstatement.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The city appealed to Denver District Court and won, blocking Graves' reinstatement.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Whatever criteria are used to judge who qualifies to be among Denver's finest, they should be clearly spelled out and upheld by both Denver police and Civil Service Commission hearing officers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">We applaud the city for reviewing commission and police policies to ensure that both work in the right direction to truly bring Denver the best.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b style="color: #800180; font-size: xx-large;">2000: Lautenberg DV Gun Ban - News Articles And Reports</b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>'Just dump the guy in the ground'</b></span></div><div>Las Vegas Review-Journal (NV)</div><div>Author/Byline: VIN SUPRYNOWICZ</div><div>August 27, 2000 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Earlier this month, Korean War veteran Bill Pickett contacted me from the little Nevada oasis of Overton, copying me part of an e-mail he'd sent to an old army buddy of his.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">'Again, I'm fighting with the feds,' Bill wrote. 'Our local American Legion Post has four old Enfield rifles issued to the Post in 1946. The feds sent a retired colonel and a retired NCO here to 'check out the rifles.' It's reported that these two guys stayed at the local motel three days ... ' doubtless costing the Department of Defense more than the total value of the bolt-action, 1917 rifles.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">'As undoubtedly pre-planned, the Post then received a 13-page letter demanding that the four rifles be stored in a vault at the police station, or at a National Guard Armory, or in a building of specified construction including bars on all openings,' Pickett continued.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">The June letter from the Department of Defense, addressed to Post 38 Commander John Fetherston, a 74-year-old ex-paratrooper, went on to set other requirements: background check of the post commander, verification of compliance with the Lautenberg amendment - that is to say, proof that no 77-year-old vet who fires the rifles at military funerals is subject to any restraining order pursuant to a divorce action - even a requirement that the post submit a map of its 'weapon storage' area and annual photos of the 'stored weapons.'</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Most importantly, the veterans were informed that, 'Storage at a private residence is absolutely prohibited.'</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">I forwarded Bill's message to Special Projects Editor A.D. Hopkins, who checked it all out and wrote up a fine story for the Nevada section Aug. 13, complete with a color photo of the vets in their white helmets, firing a salute.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Federal Tactical Command spokesman Ron Morton confirmed for A.D. that 'accountability' for such weapons was 'not fully enforced' for 50 years. Then, 'During the period 1996 through 1998 the Donation Program went through a massive corrective action due to the lack of enforcements, and high quantities of missing weapons throughout the U.S.'</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Why? Has there been a rash of inner city youths snatching these cumbersome, four-foot-long rifles, and using them to hold up liquor stores?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Of course not. The only way this makes sense is when seen as part of the ongoing campaign to demonize possession of weapons of military usefulness, to convince a majority of urban voters that keeping firearms in one's home is as depraved as allowing a collection of venomous reptiles to crawl freely about the living room.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">During the debate over ratification of the U.S. Constitution, the anti-federalists warned of the dangers of allowing Congress discretion over the arming of the militia. (The militia being, according to Richard Henry Lee, 'the people themselves.')</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">'Of what service would militia be to you,' asked Patrick Henry, rising in the Virginia House on June 5, 1788, 'when most probably you will not have a single musket in the State; for as arms are to be provided by Congress, they may or may not furnish them?'</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The federalists responded by promising to insert a Bill of Rights with a Second Amendment, guaranteeing that every American may keep military-style weapons in his home.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">'Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed; as they are in almost every kingdom in Europe,' explained federalist Noah Webster. But, 'The supreme power in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword; because the whole body of the people are armed, and constitute a force superior to any band of regular troops that can be, on any pretense, raised in the United States.'</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">'The great object is,' added Patrick Henry, 'that every man be armed. Everyone who is able must have a gun.'</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Does that sound like the gentlemen meant our 'right to bear arms' would be adequately honored simply by instructing us we're free to join the National Guard (created in 1917), reporting in federal uniform to have arms issued to us from locked federal arsenals when federal officials deem it appropriate?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">'In our last Post meeting, I recommended that we fight the requirements,' American Legion member Bill Pickett's e-mail concludes. 'If we lose (and we will), then tell the army to come and get them. ... We hope to have TV coverage of this event: 70- and 80-year-old duffers in American Legion uniforms handing over the old war souvenirs. ... Hell, just dump the old guy in the ground. Forget that he might have been instrumental in saving our country and its freedom. ... Freedom that is now in extreme jeopardy. Perhaps only the older generation is aware of the ever-tightening federal noose.'</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>GUN-CONTROL CAMPAIGN TAKES CENTER STAGE </b></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;">100 ATTEND NEWARK WORKSHOP</span></div><div>Record, The (Hackensack, NJ)</div><div>October 3, 2000 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">New Jerseyans on Monday joined thousands around the nation in the campaign against gun violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">About 100 people attended a "First Monday 2000" workshop at Rutgers University, which focused on the personal cost of gun violence and state and nationwide campaigns to regulate firearms.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The group watched the premiere of a 30-minute documentary, "America: Up in Arms," which focuses on people who have lost family members to gun violence. The film was produced by the Alliance for Justice and Physicians for Social Responsibility and directed by Liz Garbus and Rory Kennedy. The latter is the daughter of slain Sen. Robert F. Kennedy.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">More than 3,500 children die each year from guns, the film contends. Gun violence claims more than 30,000 lives annually and injures an estimated 90,000, the "First Monday" movement says.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Referring to the people behind the statistics, Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg, D-N.J., said: "I don't understand why the faces of these families don't move Congress to action."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The "First Monday" campaign takes its name from the opening of the U.S. Supreme Court calendar on the first Monday of October. These seminars, which began in law schools around the country, have spread to a variety of campuses and other institutions.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Rutgers University Law School has sponsored the observance for six years, said workshop organizer Linda Neilan, a third-year law student specializing in public-interest law. Other sponsors included the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association, Catholic Community Services, the New Jersey Education Association, and the New Jersey Pediatric Society.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Lautenberg, who addressed the seminar via videotape, highlighted such legislation as the 1994 Brady Act and <b>the 1996 Domestic Violence Gun Ban</b>, aimed at preventing domestic abusers from obtaining firearms. "We have had some victories," he said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But those laws are not enough, Lautenberg said, adding that further restrictions - such as eliminating the gun show exemption for background checks on gun purchasers - were needed. That exemption, he said, was known by Columbine High School killers Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold and used by a friend of theirs to obtain the weapons used in last year's Colorado massacre.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Lautenberg cited the friend's testimony about purchasing the guns at a show. "It was too easy," she testified. "I wish it had been more difficult. I wouldn't have helped them buy the guns if I had faced a background check."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Lautenberg said that stiffer gun-control laws in Canada - which has banned handguns and requires licensing and registration for weapons - has resulted in much lower death rates from firearms. The homicide rate in Detroit is 18 times higher than in Windsor, Ontario, just across the Detroit River, Lautenberg said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Assemblywoman Loretta Weinberg, D-Fort Lee, who served on a panel concerned with gun-control legislation, cited several initiatives, such as trigger locks, improving reporting on gun sales, and providing firearm safety programs. But she said the measures were far from being passed by the Legislature.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Bryan Miller, executive director of Ceasefire New Jersey, said gun-control advocates need to keep a better watch over legislators.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"There are 120 people in Trenton," said Miller, whose group was formed in 1988, "and they all have their own special interests and agendas."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Former Newark Police Director Hubert Williams said that as incidents of violence increase, "the old link between police organizations and the National Rifle Association has been separated."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Williams, now an executive with the Washington-based Police Foundation, said police believe the proliferation of unregulated handguns puts officers and the public in great danger. He also criticized the NRA's refusal to consider bans on such items as "cop-killer" bullets, which are designed to penetrate body armor worn by officers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Nothing is more difficult and complex than the issue of violence in our society," he said.</span></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b style="color: #800180; font-size: xx-large;">2001: Lautenberg DV Gun Ban - News Articles And Reports</b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Close gun show loophole</b></span></div><div>Hawk Eye, The (Burlington, IA)</div><div>Author: Kristen Rand</div><div>March 6, 2001 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The "gun show loophole" is the dangerous gap in federal law that exempts sales by private individuals at gun shows from the Brady background check required of Federal Firearms License holders who do business at such events.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">This deadly double standard allows felons, domestic abusers, minors and other prohibited people to buy guns without a background check.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In 1996, my organization, the Violence Policy Center, exposed this loophole, concluding that gun shows had become nothing less than "Tupperware parties for criminals."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In 1999, the U.S. Departments of Treasury and Justice issued a report confirming the center's concerns, concluding, "Gun shows provide a large market where criminals can shop for firearms anonymously." And, according to the 1999 National Gun Policy Survey, nearly eight out of 10 Americans favor regulating private gun sales.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In response to the hideous massacre at Columbine High School (three of the four guns used were obtained without background checks at gun shows) the U.S. Senate passed - as an amendment to juvenile justice legislation - a measure sponsored by then-Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., that would have effectively closed the loophole.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Not surprisingly, the National Rifle Association pushed competing proposals that would have significantly weakened existing federal gun laws.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The NRA succeeded in the House and ultimately blocked final congressional action on the underlying legislation containing the Lautenberg amendment. But while the NRA bottlenecked the legislation in Congress, in November voters in Colorado and Oregon endorsed statewide referenda requiring background checks on all sales at gun shows.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">This Congress, Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., Joseph Lieberman, D-Conn., and Jack Reed, D-R.I., have begun work to try to close the gun show loophole. As is always the case with such complicated legislation, the devil is in the details.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">There is, nevertheless, a bedrock set of principles that must guide any legislative effort to close the gun show loophole. These principles include:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">• The paramount goal must be to extend existing law as stated in the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act to all firearm sales at gun shows. In other words, the rules for background checks at gun shows and gun stores must be the same - including record keeping and time required for the background checks. Anything less could actually have the net effect of weakening the Brady law.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">• The integrity of the National Instant Criminal Background Check System must not be undermined. The system is the backbone of the Brady background check system that helps ensure felons and fugitives aren't able to buy guns over the counter. New legislation should not weaken the current law allowing records generated by the NICS to be kept for 90 days for audit purposes. The FBI needs time to ensure that the system is functioning properly.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">• Only people holding valid federal firearms licenses should be allowed to access the NICS, and no new licensee categories to facilitate gun show sales should be created. Expanding access to this sensitive system could have dangerous repercussions for personal privacy and undermine the Treasury Department's ability to monitor compliance by licensees.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Closing the gun show loophole is one small, but very important step in the effort to reduce America's gun death toll of 30,000 lives a year. But in working to solve the gun show problem, advocates and members of Congress should be certain that in the race for passage no new loopholes are created that would facilitate access to firearms by felons, minors or other prohibited individuals.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Kristen Rand is legislative director at the Violence Policy Center, a policy organization working to stem the tide of firearms violence. </span></i></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b style="color: #800180; font-size: xx-large;">2002: Lautenberg DV Gun Ban- News Articles And Reports</b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Ex-cop was dissuaded from fighting charges</b></span></div><div>Rocky Mountain News (Denver, CO)</div><div>Author: Shannon Lea, Denver</div><div>January 28, 2002 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">I wanted to respond to the letters by Alexandra Martella (Jan. 18) and Holly Colton (Jan. 17), who were ``appalled'' that Alex Woods Jr., a former police officer, might get his job back.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Throughout his lengthy legal ordeal, Woods has been unfairly portrayed by the Denver media, who often only print the most inflammatory aspects of his case in order to sensationalize the story. A full and accurate account of the events has never been printed by either Denver newspaper.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">During his original court hearing Woods wanted to fight the charges against him and had evidence to support his version of events. However, on the advice of his attorney, Woods plea-bargained his case in order to get on with his life.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He did everything the court required him to do, with the assurance that he would not lose his job. Despite those assurances, when the Lautenberg Amendment was passed in 1996, Woods was let go from the Denver Police Department (which originally supported him but relented due to pressure from women's rights organizations).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He has been fighting an uphill legal battle to regain his job ever since. Woods has said that he never would have plea-bargained his case had he known years later he could be punished by a law that didn't even exist at the time. Retroactive laws are unfair and unconstitutional.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Instead of being ``appalled'' that Woods might get his job back, Martella and Colton should be appalled at the unjust use of a retroactive law that punishes people who have already been punished and are simply attempting to move on with their lives.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Rights and Restrictions</b></span></div><div>Government Executive Magazine (USA)</div><div>March 1, 2002 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Three tools designed to help and protect military domestic violence victims are underused because most people, including the commanders who must enforce them, are unaware of their existence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Defense Task Force on Domestic Violence has urged the services to conduct awareness campaigns to step up compliance with the following policies: Lautenberg Amendment. In both civilian and military life, anyone convicted of a misdemeanor domestic violence charge cannot "ship, transport, possess or receive" firearms or ammunition. If a service member is convicted of domestic violence, the commanding officer must take away his or her weapons. Major military weapons systems and those that need a crew to operate are exempt.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Enlistment bar. People convicted of domestic violence any time after 1996 are prohibited by law and Defense policy from joining the military. However, a provision allows recruiters to waive the enlistment bar. The military has no records on how many service members have been waived in, nor on the number kept out as a result of the bar.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Transitional compensation. To encourage victims to report abuse and leave violent situations, Congress in 1994 authorized payments to families in which the service member has been discharged administratively or by court-martial for dependent abuse. Family members are eligible for one to three years of medical coverage, commissary/exchange privileges and a monthly stipend.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Some say system benefits cop abusers</b></span></div><div>Whittier Daily News (CA)</div><div>March 10, 2002 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Everyone agrees that victims of spousal abuse often need extra protection from their abusers -- but what if the abuser is a cop?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">According to several experts in domestic violence, police departments should treat such cases differently when the victim happens to be married to a police officer.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Unlike in other domestic violence situations, these victims have less legal recourse, encounter more difficulties finding shelter and often face a police culture that favors the officers, the experts say.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Police abusers have training, a badge, a gun and the weight of the police culture behind them," said Diane Wetendorf, director of counseling at Life Span, a domestic violence counseling and legal services clinic in Chicago.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"They exercise power and control by intimidating, isolating and terrifying the victim."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In Whittier, in a case that has come under scrutiny by advocates of stronger protections for victims of police abusers, the wife of a police detective now charged on suspicion of assaulting her reportedly found few domestic violence shelters willing to take her in.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Detective Jay Tatman is facing one count of misdemeanor spousal abuse for allegedly assaulting Tammy Tatman in the parking lot of the Cypress Police Station on Feb. 10. The two had gone there to exchange custody of their children.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Tatman was arrested the same day and is out on bail. But he was required to turn in his badge and service revolver and remains on administrative leave with pay, as required by Whittier Police Department policy.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The case illustrates how the problems of domestic violence victims are compounded when the accused abuser is a police officer, according to several experts following the case.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Tammy Tatman has been turned down at the shelters she called because her husband knows where they are and shelter officials worry that she will put other clients in danger," said Mike Madigan, a Southern California private investigator who has chronicled the Tatman case on his Web site at twistedbadge.com.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">After the assault allegedly took place, Tammy Tatman sought a restraining order against her husband, but an Orange County family court denied it, according to Bonnie Russell, a family law attorney based in Del Mar.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">She and other experts say a 1997 federal law, known as the Lautenberg Amendment -- after New Jersey Sen. Frank Lautenberg, who inserted it as a clause into an omnibus appropriations bill -- has made some judges think twice when weighing restraining order requests from wives or partners of police officers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Lautenberg Amendment bars anyone ever convicted of domestic violence, whether a felony or misdemeanor, from owning a firearm.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In the case of police officers, such a conviction means they could lose their jobs, since they would be prohibited from carrying a gun.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">As a result, Wetendorf said, spouses of police abusers now face unequal treatment in the court system.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"When the victim does press charges, she is accused of being vindictive and going after his job," Wetendorf said. "Going after a protective order is perceived as an act of aggression."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Because of such perceptions and the Lautenberg Amendment, the International Association of Chiefs of Police in 1999 drew up a model policy on police-involved domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It encourages departments to offer additional training for patrol officers when responding to domestic violence reports involving other police officers. The training is designed to counteract a tendency among officers to sympathize with the perpetrator and downplay the crime.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The training also would help police officers better understand the special predicament of the victim, Wetendorf said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Whittier police Chief David Singer has studied the model policy and has decided not to adopt it. He believes Whittier officers already receive sufficient training to deal with domestic violence calls in which a police officer is the alleged abuser.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"We're not going to cover these kinds of calls up," Singer said. "We're not going to treat them any differently. We won't be more lenient because (the suspect) is an officer."</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Gun owners' rights are being limited</b></span></div><div>Examiner, The (Independence-Blues Springs-Grain Valley, MO)</div><div>Section: Oped</div><div>Author: Chuck Williams - Oak Grove</div><div>June 20, 2002 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Over the past several years Circuit Court judges have handed out restraining orders giving little or no information about the ramifications to the recipients who they are filed against. It is very surprising to me that very few firearms owners know that due to the passage of The Lautenberg Amendment you lose your Second Amendment Rights when a restraining order is issued. The amendment, in effect since 1996, basically says any person who has been convicted of the misdemeanor of attempted use or has used physical force or threatened deadly force against any family member or significant other cannot obtain, own or use a firearm.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Upon a misdemeanor conviction for any kind of abuse of a family member at all where a restraining order has been issued, the person shall give up any and all firearms to the sheriff or local police.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">This also means if you have ever been convicted of any type of assault on any family member, your hunting and shooting days are gone. This does not make any exception for law enforcement or the military. Hun dreds of police officers and military have been transferred out of many positions where they needed to carry a small-arms weapon.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Now being as the courts are not bound to inform you of your rights and the American Bar Association is not exactly where the National Rifle Association is in being the protector of Second Amendment rights, your chances of being fully informed about the potential loss of your firearm-owning rights are not anywhere near where they should be.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">I'm not out to take a cheap shot at the attorneys, honorable judges and courts. I am merely making an observation and telling citizens about it.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"The Jury has the Right to judge both the law and the fact in controversy."...John Jay, first chief justice of The Supreme Court.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Domestic violence could end a career</b></span></div><div>Fayetteville Observer, The (NC)</div><div>Section: Opinion</div><div>Author: Ed Pollard - Mililani, Hawaii</div><div>August 22, 2002 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In the wake of the tragic slayings of four Fort Bragg wives, it must be remembered that there is a 1996 law, the Lautenberg Amendment, which makes it a felony to possess a firearm (even in an official capacity) after a misdemeanor conviction of domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It is essentially a one-strike-you're-out policy. This means that a 16-year Special Forces war hero would have his career ended by a misdemeanor conviction.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Soldiers and commanders know the ramifications of a domestic violence conviction under Lautenberg. I believe it is this real threat of career-ending punishment that makes spouses and service members so reluctant to seek help.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">There is no mere stigma associated with marital discord in the military. There is the real likelihood of a career-ending misdemeanor conviction for domestic violence. Sadly, this law has likely had the unintended consequence of discouraging spouses from reporting abuse due to the high cost to the service member.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Bishop, Thomas spar over gun rights </b></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;">Candidates differ on firearm buying restrictions</span></div><div>Standard-Examiner (Ogden, UT)</div><div>September 27, 2002 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">No wild west conflict is complete without a gunfight, and when it comes to guns, Utah"s 1st Congressional candidates are on opposite sides of the fence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Republican Rob Bishop, a strict constitutionalist and former lobbyist for</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">the Utah Shooting Sports Council, is endorsed by the 4.2-million-member National Rifle Association but does not own a gun.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Gun ownership is not one of my passions," Bishop said. "But I am passionate about the Constitution. That"s why I defend these positions."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">On his Web site, Bishop says that if elected, he will vote to repeal the Lautenberg Amendment, a federal law that prevents anyone convicted of domestic violence or under a restraining order from buying a firearm. He says some restraining orders are not accurate, and calls the Lautenberg Amendment mean-spirited and unconstitutional. "It has no provisions for people who have changed," he said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">However, Democrat Dave Thomas, a lifelong hunter and gun owner, sees the Lautenberg Amendment as common sense. "If someone has a restraining order, it"s a big mistake to give that person a gun, because people"s lives are at stake," Thomas said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In Utah, the Bureau of Criminal Investigation does instant background checks on people purchasing firearms, in compliance with federal law.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Joyce Carter, BCI firearms section supervisor, said that between January and June 2002, 343 people were denied the right to purchase a firearm because of domestic violence records and 253 because of protective orders.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Sarah Brady boosts Sumers </b></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;">Gun-control activist speaks at rally</span></div><div>Record, The (Hackensack, NJ)</div><div>October 13, 2002 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">BERGENFIELD - A leading national gun control advocate joined 5th District Congressional candidate Anne Sumers on Saturday as she spoke about her priority issue before more than 100 enthusiastic supporters at Borough Hall.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Sarah Brady joined Sumers to demand tougher gun laws and gun safety initiatives. Senate candidate and fellow Democrat Frank R. Lautenberg also spoke at the rally, which drew members of several gun-control groups.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"No issue is more important to me than ending handgun violence here in New Jersey and across America," said Sumers, an ophthalmologist from Upper Saddle River.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Our families, our children, are threatened on a daily basis by an epidemic of handgun violence," Sumers said. "Our children have been gunned down at schools with weapons purchased without registration at gun shows."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Brady, who helped foster the Brady Bill requiring background checks for most handgun buyers, said Sumers and Lautenberg would fight to require such checks everywhere guns are sold - including gun shows.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Her husband, James Brady, was press secretary to President Ronald Reagan and was paralyzed in a 1981 assassination attempt on the president.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Brady said Sumers and Lautenberg would also fight for a law requiring ballistic fingerprinting, a way to trace where bullets are bought.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">She noted that in two years the federal assault weapons ban will be up for reauthorization in Congress. She said Sumers' opponent, Scott Garrett, and Lautenberg's opponent, Douglas Forrester, "will see to it that [the ban] is gone."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The National Rifle Association has given $10,000 to Garrett's campaign.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"The choice [for Sumers and Lautenberg] is so simple, and I just want to make sure voters realize that difference," said Brady to thunderous applause and the waving of campaign signs.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Lautenberg, who sponsored the 1996 Domestic Violence Gun Ban preventing anyone convicted of domestic violence from purchasing a weapon, introduced Sumers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"We're here to fight the Garrett-Forrester-NRA axis," he said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The speakers repeatedly cited the sniper attacks in the Washington, D.C., area as proof of the need for stricter gun laws.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Scott [Garrett] talks a lot about Second Amendment rights," Sumers said. "Well, how about the right to pump gas or vacuum out your minivan or go to school?" she asked.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Sumers said it's possible that ballistic fingerprinting could help track the killer.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Sumers, who participated in the Million Mom March in Washington to protest gun violence, called Garrett the NRA's "best friend in the New Jersey Legislature."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Sumers' campaign has taken aim at Garrett's vote in the Legislature to repeal an assault weapons ban and his sponsorship of legislation that would have made it easier to carry concealed weapons.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In an interview Saturday prior to the Sumers rally, Garrett said he supports existing gun laws and that he sponsored legislation that encourages safety locks on guns. He also criticized Sumers for failing to vote in elections, as he did in a recent debate when he said she did not vote in numerous school board elections.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Garrett, a 12-year state assemblyman from Wantage, said the concealed weapons bill he supports calls for a more rigorous and objective process for obtaining a concealed weapon permit.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Under the bill, a potential gun owner would have to pass a firearms training test and a background search to get a permit. But applicants would no longer need to show a reason for needing a weapon, under that proposal.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Many who attended the Sumers rally stressed the importance of sending pro-gun-control candidates to Congress.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Joyce Sooy, president of the Bergen-Passaic County chapter of the Million Mom March, said that despite the group's efforts, which included a 750,000-person rally in Washington, D.C., two years ago, not much has changed in the nation's gun laws.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Congress will not pass laws to protect our children unless we change Congress," Sooy told the crowd.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Convicted Deputy Gets Deferred Sentenced</b></span></div><div>Albuquerque Journal (NM)</div><div>November 5, 2002 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">A Bernalillo County district judge on Monday gave a Sandoval County sheriff's deputy a six-month deferred sentence more than four months after a jury convicted him of misdemeanor battery against the mother of his child.</span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">If Clinton Weatherspoon, 33, does not have any further problems with the law during the next six months, the conviction will be taken off his record, Bernalillo County Assistant District Attorney Antonio Maestas said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Weatherspoon was acquitted by a jury on June 28 on charges of attempted criminal sexual penetration and false imprisonment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The maximum penalty for the battery was six months in jail, Maestas said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Weatherspoon's attorney, Timothy Padilla, did not return phone calls Monday.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Sandoval County Sheriff Ray Rivera placed Weatherspoon on administrative leave after the conviction. Rivera said Monday he has asked Weatherspoon for a letter of resignation.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I told him it would be to his advantage to submit a letter of resignation," Rivera said, "but I have not received it yet. My understanding is that he will, and if not, I will have to terminate him."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Rivera said the Lautenberg Amendment of 1996, which is a supplement to the Gun Control Act of 1968, makes it impossible for him to keep Weatherspoon on the force.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Lautenberg Amendment, proposed and named after U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., says a person convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence cannot possess a firearm.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Though the conviction will be taken off of Weatherspoon's record if he stays out of trouble for the next six months, the amendment is still in effect until then, Rivera said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Between now and six months," Rivera said, "he can't carry a weapon. It's like the guy is getting shafted. It's not an easy thing to do, but I have no choice."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The charges against Weatherspoon stemmed from a Dec. 26, 2000, incident in which his ex-girlfriend and the mother of his child had told neighbors and police that Weatherspoon had assaulted her and tried to have sex with her, police reports said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But the reports said statements from the victim were contradictory and said she did not want to aid in the prosecution of Weatherspoon.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Maestas has said the victim recanted her original story on the witness stand.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Getting a conviction with a recanting victim is a huge victory," Maestas said Monday. "We're disappointed with the defendant's sentence, but we're happy he was held accountable for what he did."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Weatherspoon had been charged with misdemeanor battery against the same woman in 1998 and 1999, Maestas said, but she failed to appear in court both times and Weatherspoon was never convicted.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Maestas said Bernalillo County District Judge Richard Knowles was upset that Weatherspoon and the woman were currently living together and gave them 30 days to either seek couples counseling or find the woman other lodgings.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Weatherspoon told Knowles the reason they were living together was for the sake of their child until the mother got back on her feet, Maestas said.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Abuse law affects few isle troops </b></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;">Officials cite rare cases where soldiers may not carry weapons because of domestic violence</span></div><div>Honolulu Star-Bulletin (HI)</div><div>December 29, 2002 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A six-year-old federal law that prevents military personnel with domestic abuse convictions from carrying weapons seems to have had almost no effect on the ability of more than 35,000 military personnel here to wage the current war against terrorism.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The law, known as the Lautenberg amendment, prevents the military from issuing weapons to people who have been convicted of misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence. It also means military personnel cannot be deployed if they cannot carry a weapon and have to be reassigned to "non-tactical units."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">For soldiers and Marines, the implications are even greater since they are required to undergo periodic weapons qualifications.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Army says that soldiers who don't qualify at military ranges cannot be promoted and will be barred from re-enlistment until their records are cleared.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The law gained prominence recently because of an unprecedented number of domestic violence-related killings at Fort Bragg, N.C., last summer.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">At Schofield Barracks only 23 of the 11,500 soldiers assigned to the 25th Infantry Division have been convicted of domestic abuse and reassigned since 1999, according to Army spokesman Bob Warner.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">This year so far there have been four cases, Warner said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Personnel who can be rehabilitated and allowed to stay in the Army will be assigned only to jobs that do not require the handling of weapons," Warner added.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In the 5,500-member Hawaii Army and Air National Guard, two Army Guard members had to be reassigned to other jobs because of the law, said Maj. Chuck Anthony.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">These soldiers are in jobs where they didn't have to qualify annually on any type of weapon, Anthony said, and were given time to clear up their records.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Maj. Chris Hughes, Kaneohe Marine Corps Base Hawaii spokesman, said none of the nearly 6,000 Marines here have been barred from carrying weapons because none has spouse abuse convictions. Nor has any Marine been discharged or granted extensions because they were convicted of abusing their spouse.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Also not affected are any of the 3,000 soldiers who belong to the Army Reserve in Hawaii, Guam and American Samoa, and the nearly 5,000 Air Force personnel at Hickam Air Force Base. Only the Navy was unable to report how many sailors here have been convicted of domestic abuse because this type of information is not reported to the Pacific Fleet headquarters, but maintained at each individual unit level.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The new law didn't come into play even in the Navy's most recent publicized case of domestic abuse, where Navy Petty Officer David DeArmond was charged with killing his wife and mother-in-law in June.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Although DeArmond, 33, was convicted of choking his first wife in San Diego seven years ago, the Navy said he was never required to carry or qualify with a weapon.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Lt. Cmdr. Jane Campbell, Navy spokeswoman, said DeArmond, as a Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard hull technician, "was a welder by trade and his assignments did not involve him being armed with a weapon." DeArmond's current enlistment was supposed to expire on Dec. 7, but Campbell said that has been placed on hold pending the outcome of the double homicide charges.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Campbell said "there is a screening process for any sailor being assigned to a watch assignment or billet which requires a weapon qualification. That is the point at which the Lautenberg amendment would come into view. Personnel are screened prior to weapons training, and would not be allowed into a weapons qualification course if they did not meet the established criteria."</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b style="color: #800180; font-size: xx-large;">2003: Lautenberg DV Gun Ban - News Articles And Reports</b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>New rules affect prison employees</b></span></div><div>Montana Standard, The (Butte, MT)</div><div>April 9, 2003 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">ANACONDA — A plan to revise Department of Corrections' policies to comply with federal law will result in criminal background checks for employees.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">This is to ferret out employees with domestic violence convictions that carry a lifetime ban on owning or handling firearms and ammunition.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">The change is driven by the Lautenberg Amendment, a supplement to the Gun Control Act that became law on Sept. 30, 1996. The amendment makes it a felony offense for anyone convicted of a misdemeanor or felony crime of domestic violence to ship, transport, possess or receive firearms or ammunition — including members of the military and law enforcement.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In an March 31 memorandum, Director Bill Slaughter ordered around 1,000 corrections department employees to report to their supervisors any current or pending charges or past convictions for domestic violence. They are also asked to fill out a qualifications form and return that to their supervisors.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">After disclosure, affected employees will be suspended with pay while an interview and investigation takes place to see if the law will impact their employment status, Slaughter said this week.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">At Montana State Prison, many of some 600 employees work with or near guns, along with another 130 gun-carrying probation and parole workers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"That's a pretty significant number of people that it could affect," Slaughter said. "If you're convicted of a domestic violence felony or misdemeanor — and that's the key word —you can't possess or own or be in the proximity of firearms. If you're convicted, you're out of business."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Slaughter and other department administrators are hoping employees will volunteer the information prior to running background checks. Those who to fess up may stand a better chance of keeping a job than those who keep quiet, because the department has a limited number of positions which could be filled by restricted individuals.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Those coming forward first could be offered new positions "somewhere else in the system," Slaughter said. But those spots in juvenile or women's corrections are apt to fill quickly.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"We'll try to give people who are honest with us every benefit we can," Slaughter said. "We have limited places we can mitigate these with. If you come forward, we might be able to make accommodations for you. Those people who have not told us the truth, we're going to deal with them."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"If we can't do that, then they're going to be terminated," he said. "That's what the law requires. We're going to follow the law."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In order for the amendment to apply, an individual must have been convicted of the crime of domestic abuse, the offense must have involved the use or attempted use of physical force or the threatened use of a weapon, and the individual must have had a familial or family-like relationship with the victim. Other factors are whether the individual was represented by an attorney; in applicable cases, whether the case was tried before a jury, and whether the conviction has been expunged or pardoned.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It is also a felony for any person to give a firearm to anyone known to have a qualifying conviction. The law applies to both government issue and privately owned weapons.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It isn't clear why the department didn't comply earlier with the law enacted several years ago. That was before Slaughter took his post as director.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"It came on the radar screens for us in 1996, when I was the sheriff in Gallatin County. We had to change some policies," he said. "I was a little surprised that corrections hadn't dealt with it prior to this."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Administration will perform background checks that delve into each employee's criminal history. Any domestic violence charges turned up will be investigated closely to determine if there was a conviction or if the charge was dropped, expunged or otherwise eliminated from records.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Employees called into question will be suspended with pay pending a review to determine which are "sensitive" positions that require handling firearms or ammunition or working in close proximity to the weapons.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">At the prison in Deer Lodge, Warden Mike Mahoney said there's no way to gauge the impact of the change, or to how many employees will be affected, but it won't come as a surprise to the state workers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"The staff all know it's coming," Mahoney said Wednesday. "I hope it has a minimal impact, based on our budget situation. My official position is we need everyone we have."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Still, Mahoney says MSP will follow protocol to come into compliance with Slaughter's memorandum and the law.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Mahoney plans to gather with management staff at a meeting Tuesday to discuss the memorandum and decide how to implement the policy change.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Man seeks pardon to go to Iraq</b></span></div><div>New Hampshire Union Leader / New Hampshire Sunday News (Manchester, NH)</div><div>April 15, 2003 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">CONCORD -- The Executive Council will be asked to grant two pardon hearings at its meeting tomorrow, one from a New Boston man who would be prevented from deploying with his Army Reserve unit in Iraq without the pardon.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Byron J. Rollins, 32, of 15 Briar Hill Road, New Boston, was convicted of assaulting his 9-month old daughter, Celine, in June 1999. He was given a one-year suspended sentence, one year's probation and had to attend anger management and parenting counseling.</span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">He was charged with second-degree assault and simple assault for squeezing his daughter's chest hard enough to create a bruise because she would not stop crying.</span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Army Reserve officials believe the Lautenberg amendment to federal criminal law prohibits the issue of a firearms to a person convicted of a crime of domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Rollins is a member of "A" Company, 368 Engineers Division out of Rochester that was deployed earlier this year.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A letter-writing and petition campaign was done on Rollins' behalf earlier this year, much of it directed to President Bush to intervene in the situation.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In information supplied by Rollins, he says he was under a great deal of stress at the time of the incident due to his failed marriage, family debt, lack of sleep and states he was on the verge of losing his job.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He writes that after he realized what he had done, he calmed down and gently rocked the baby. "It was a mistake and I realized it every morning I wake up," Rollins wrote in January.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Rollins confessed to the crime and a plea arrangement was approved by Judge David Sullivan, who heard the case in Northern Hillsborough County Superior Court.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In a letter to the Attorney General's Office, Sullivan said he does not have a strong position on the pardon of Rollins, but "my position is that normally a defendant in this type of case should not be pardoned."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I have seen nothing that would convince me that Mr. Rollins has earned a pardon," Sullivan wrote.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Catherine Bernhard of the Hillsborough County Attorney's Office, said Rollins ex-wife is vehemently opposed to any change in Rollins criminal status.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Also Tonya Koehler, 23, of 317 Mast Road, Goffstown, seeks a pardon hearing for conspiracy to commit kidnapping and escape from prison. She is currently serving a three- to six-year sentence in the women's prison in Goffstown and would not be eligible for parole until Jan. 9, 2004.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">She was also charged with criminal threatening and two counts of simple assault against a woman who was her best friend and who now supports her pardon request.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Koehler wants a pardon because she suffers from several eating disorders, misses her two children and wants to go through the Second Start program.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Northern Hillsborough County Superior Court Judge James J. Barry, Jr., who sat on her case, is against the pardon request, noting the state did not go forward with two second-degree assault charges against Koehler. "The crimes were very violent," he notes.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Superior Court Judge Kenneth McHugh, who sat on her escape charge from the Laconia corrections facility, also objected to the pardon request and noted he recently rejected her motion to suspend her sentence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He said a pardon should not be used to circumvent his ruling and notes "the fact remains that she escaped from confinement and remained at large for several months before finally being captured by the police."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Belknap County Attorney's Office also objects to the pardon.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Army reservist asks for pardon in baby assault</b></span></div><div>New Hampshire Union Leader / New Hampshire Sunday News (Manchester, NH)</div><div>June 5, 2003 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">CONCORD -- An Army reservist from New Boston yesterday asked Gov. Craig Benson and the Executive Council for a pardon in the 1999 simple assault conviction involving his then 9-month-old daughter so he can continue his military career.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Following a hearing, the council voted unanimously to table the request from Sgt. Byron J. Rollins.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Rollins' plea stems from an anomaly in federal law that bars anyone convicted of a misdemeanor or a domestic violence charge from possessing firearms but does not include felony convictions.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Appearing in uniform to plead his case, Sgt. Rollins told the council he regrets his action and has since learned to deal with the stress that caused him to squeeze his daughter's chest hard enough to produce a bruise.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">At the time of the offense, Rollins said he chose to plead to a misdemeanor simple assault charge rather than chance a felony conviction, which he felt would surely have resulted in his Army career being terminated. The Army is exempted from the law covering felony convictions under the 1968 Federal Firearms Control Act, but it is not exempted under the federal Lautenberg amendment, which covers misdemeanors.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">While family and friends told the council that Rollins actually has a gentle nature and that his 15-year military career has been exemplary, his former wife, Lison, opposed his request through a letter read by Assistant Hillsborough County Attorney Catherine L. Bernhard, who negotiated Rollins' plea.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In her letter, Lison Rollins accused her former husband of neglecting to contact, ask about or visit his children regularly and did not appear to want to be part of their lives.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Byron Rollins said several efforts at supervised visitation were rejected by Lison Rollins. She said the attempted visits were made on days just before or just after surgery on her young daughter.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Lison Rollins argued that granting a pardon would send her daughter the message that her life is worth less than her father's military career.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In May 2000, Rollins pleaded guilty to simple assault, reduced from the felony second-degree assault charge, which resulted in a suspended 12-month house of correction term, which was suspended for two years, and one year of probation with anger management and parenting counseling required.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Rollins, a truck driver, completed the anger management and parenting course successfully, but now he's concerned his membership in the Army Reserve may be in jeopardy without a pardon because of his conviction.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">His Rochester-based unit, Alpha Co., 368th Heavy Combat Engineers, has already been deployed for active duty for an indeterminate tour, probably for a year, Rollins said. Since then, he has been serving at the unit's home station, pending resolution of his plea.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It was the consensus of the council that more time is needed to study the facts in Rollins' case. The council rarely grants pardon hearings.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Persian Gulf War veteran asked the for a pardon from a simple assault conviction against his 8-month-old daughter</b></span></div><div>Telegraph, The (Nashua, NH)</div><div>June 5, 2003 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">CONCORD - Persian Gulf War veteran Byron Jay Rollins of New Boston asked the Executive Council on Wednesday for a pardon from a simple assault conviction against his 8-month-old daughter.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Rollins, 31, said the May 2000 conviction kept him from being deployed with his U.S. Army Reserves unit in February to Iraq. Without a pardon, he said, he will be discharged from military service.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I have dedicated 15 years of my life to defending my country," Rollins said. "I am not a man wishing to erase a mistake, but a soldier who wishes to continue to defend his country."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Lison Rollins, his ex-wife and the child's mother, opposed the request. She claimed Rollins has visited their two children only twice since the conviction.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"He has not been a part of his children's lives for the past four years," she wrote. "His military career seems to be more important to him than his daughter. He has shown no remorse for what he did. Giving a pardon to Mr. Rollins would be saying to his daughter that her life isn't worth as much as his military career. It would be a terrible miscarriage of justice."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Rollins said his ex-wife, who attended the hearing, often has kept him from seeing and speaking to their children, now ages 4 and 5. He also has a 13-year-old son.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"We are not on the best of terms, no," he said. "It was a real bad marriage."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The council voted, 5-0, to continue mulling over the request after an hour-long public hearing and 30 minutes spent in Gov. Craig Benson's office privately debating the merits.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">This was the first pardon hearing before the council since late 1996, when it voted to forgive the manslaughter conviction of June Briand of Hudson, who shot dead her husband, whom she said abused her.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Former Democratic Gov. Jeanne Shaheen never approved holding a pardon hearing in six years, and Republican Steve Merrill made the Briand hearing the only exception during his four years in office.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Rollins was indicted in Hillsborough County for felony assault of his daughter, now 4, who had a purple bruise just below her sternum.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He plead guilty to simple assault, a misdemeanor, and was sentenced to a one-year suspended prison term in county jail and two years of probation with mandatory counseling for anger management.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Rollins thought the plea bargain down from a felony would save his military career. But a 1996 federal law known as the "Lautenberg amendment" - named after U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J. - subjects anyone to the loss of firearm privileges if convicted of any domestic violence offense.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Rollins told police that while watching his child on June 27, 2000, he lost his temper and squeezed his daughter too tightly to get her to stop crying.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I picked her up and squeezed her. She started crying more. Realizing what I did, I set her back down, caught my temper and cooled down," Rollins wrote in his pardon request.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I started to rock her in my arms, telling her I was sorry. It was a mistake and I've realized it every morning I wake up."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Dr. James Claiborn, licensed psychologist with Manchester Counseling Services, met often with Rollins and wrote a letter of recommendation for the pardon.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"He has seemed to be interested and invested in treatment and also seems to be making important gains in the identified problem areas," Claiborn wrote.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Several dozen friends and fellow soldiers wrote letters to Benson and President Bush seeking a pardon before his unit's deployment last Feb. 7.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Police abuse victims feel there's no way out </b></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;">Wicked web: Fears of cover-up, lost job, punishment all in play</span></div><div>News Tribune, The (Tacoma, WA)</div><div>Author/Byline: RUTH TEICHROEB AND JULIE DAVIDOW P-I reporters</div><div>June 22, 2003 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">CHICAGO - Victims abused by police officers have unique problems, according to domestic violence experts:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* They often believe there's no point in calling 911 to report an abusive officer, because the officer's friends will handle the call.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* Police officers believe that as law enforcers, they're supposed to have sterling reputations. If an officer's wife or girlfriend calls 911 because of their actions, the professional embarrassment is excruciating.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Often, victims don't wish that on their husbands or boyfriends, Chicago victims' advocate Jan Russell said. And some victims are sure their abusers would punish them for calling 911, she said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* If the officer is arrested, or if the spouse or girlfriend files a protection order against him, a departmental investigation might result in the officer losing his job. Often, a victim needs her abuser to stay employed because the officer supports the victim and their children.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"It's the money. That's why I stayed with him," one Tacoma-area woman said of her abusive law enforcement spouse. "I don't want to run off in the middle of the night and have nothing because of him."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* A strict federal law passed in 1996, the Lautenberg Amendment, forbids people convicted of domestic violence crimes from carrying a weapon. Cops need to be able to carry a gun, so convicted officers lose their jobs.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">An abuser who loses his job is likely to be angry about it. Protection orders don't always help.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"There was one woman (not in Chicago) who was actually clutching her order of protection to her chest, and he stabbed her through her protection order," Russell said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* Women who need help often have few friends outside the tight police social circle, and they could lose all those friends if they file for divorce.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* They get their information about how the department handles domestic violence from their abuser.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Victims come first </b></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;">In Chicago, the way they handle abusive cops is a model for Tacoma</span></div><div>News Tribune, The (Tacoma, WA)</div><div>June 22, 2003 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">CHICAGO - If Tacoma wants to do a better job of dealing with cops who commit domestic violence, the place to look for answers lies 2,000 miles east of Puget Sound.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In this city of 2.9 million, the police department has created what is widely acknowledged as the nation's model for dealing with abusive cops and - perhaps more important - their victims.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The proof is in the number of victims willing to step forward and ask for help. In Chicago, the annual average ratio of abuse reports is 1 report for every 54 officers on the 13,500-person force.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">In Tacoma, within the 380-officer department Chief David Brame ran before he shot his wife and killed himself, the annual ratio is 1 complaint for every 532 cops.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">That doesn't mean cops are less violent in Tacoma. Instead, it may mean that as many as 90 percent of the women abused by cops in Tacoma are too afraid to report the crime - women like Crystal Brame.</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"You're only seeing the tip of the iceberg" in Tacoma if reporting rates are that low, said Jan Russell, a victims' advocate in the Chicago program. "You don't really know what's going on (or) how serious the problem is until it's safe for the victims to come forward."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Chicago program, developed by its police department a decade ago, is acclaimed as the only program in the nation that seems to have convinced spouses and girlfriends that they can safely report abuse, and get the abusive cop dealt with or dismissed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">If Tacoma's victims reported abuse at the same rate as Chicago's, it would mean as many as 60 women in the past 10 years would have gotten help and protection from an abusive police officer husband or boyfriend.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Who do you tell?" asked a Tacoma woman now separated from the abusive cop she married. "Why would I call 911 for a Tacoma police officer to come and assist me? ... If they don't keep it totally confidential, he's going to find out."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">While Tacoma failed to deal with the warning signs evident in divorce papers filed by Crystal Brame, this month in Chicago a deputy chief, Richard Guerrero, was stripped of his gun and badge and removed from his position due to allegations he had harassed or stalked his estranged wife. Guerrero has been reassigned to a desk job while the department investigates his actions and decides whether he should be disciplined or fired.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">How the program began</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Chicago police began searching for a better solution to to the issue of cops who abuse their families 15 years ago, when the department suffered its own Brame-like tragedies. In one year, three Chicago officers killed their spouses and then committed suicide. Two were particularly grim - one happened in a Walgreen's full of people; another in front of the couple's two children.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The department's first approach was to get tougher. Chicago commanders vowed that the next time a Chicago cop was found guilty of domestic violence he would be fired.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">That approach failed, and tragically so.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The next officer accused of abuse faced a final hearing to determine whether he would be fired. He pleaded with his wife to recant, but she refused.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"A couple of days before the hearing he abducted her, took her downstate, killed her, dumped her body," said Russell, the Chicago victims' advocate. The husband "came to the police board hearing as if nothing had happened."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Investigators quickly learned the truth.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"That really was a shock to the department, that they're trying to do the right thing here and the woman ends up dead," said Russell. "The reality is that woman might be alive today if the department hadn't sought to fire him.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"That's when the department decided that they didn't know enough about domestic violence, that the dynamics are different when you're dealing with people who are officers."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The most important thing Chicago learned, and the element that sets it apart from virtually all others, was that the department's first priority must be victim safety - not perpetrator punishment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Our thing here is entirely victim-focused," Russell said. "We're not looking at whether he's a good cop or not, whether people love him. We're looking at victim safety."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Of course, it's impossible to know if a Chicago-style system could have saved Crystal Brame. But imagine for a moment that her husband was chief in Chicago. Here's what would have happened:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In Chicago, independent civilian investigators would have been on the case at least four days before the shooting, when her allegations first were publicized on a local Web site and noticed in City Hall and at the police department. (The inquiry actually might have begun even earlier, when rumors of violence in their marriage began circulating in the department because of allegations in their divorce.)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">While investigators examined the allegations, another police unit would have determined whether to order David Brame to undergo psychiatric and physical examinations and possible treatment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">None of that would have been made public unless the civilian investigators decided Brame should be stripped of his badge and gun.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">And the day investigators began looking at David Brame, Crystal would have learned about the department's procedures and her legal rights from her own advocate - an expert in domestic violence, cops and the law. Everything she told the advocate would have been kept secret from police unless she gave written permission for the information to be shared.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Police abuse in Tacoma</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Chicago Police Department's team of civilian investigators gets more than 250 complaints per year.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">When told that only five Tacoma officers out of 380 had been investigated for domestic violence in the last seven years, Chicago's experts were aghast.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"That's absurd," Russell said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"That is low. That's clear," said Leslie Landis, head of Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley's office on domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Even Chicago's police union president, who believes the police department's system encourages frivolous complaints, was momentarily stunned. "You're kidding," said Mark Donahue.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Russell and others in Chicago said such a ratio doubtless means many Tacoma women aren't complaining because they're afraid, or because they think there's no point.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Indeed, after Brame shot his wife and himself, more than a half-dozen women called The News Tribune to say they'd been abused by cops, but no official action was taken. Still more victims of cops called local women's groups and domestic violence hot lines.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">How the Chicago model works</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Chicago's system is two-pronged.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">One element is housed outside the department in a location kept secret even from police. It's where Jan Russell and another victims' advocate meet with victims, explain their rights and counsel them through the entire process.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The other element - investigations - resides in the department's regular Office of Professional standards. There, a team of six civilian investigators is assigned exclusively to examine domestic violence complaints against officers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The victims' advocate office, in a west side Chicago neighborhood, is the heart of what makes Chicago's system unique - the confidential victims' advocates. Though the police department pays their salaries, they share no information about their clients with the department.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Why the secrecy about their location as well? "That's to prevent squad cars from driving past here trying to figure out who's going in and out," Russell said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In more complex cases, her office may refer victims to other domestic violence programs for specialty services.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The toughest choice for the victim is to decide whether to report her abuser and how to do it.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">One complicating factor is a 1996 federal law, the Lautenberg amendment to the Gun Control Act of 1968 (named for the U.S. senator who proposed the law), which made it illegal for convicted domestic abusers to carry guns.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Cops must be able to carry a gun - no gun, no badge. For that reason, Russell said, many victims of domestic abuse by cops often don't want to come forward, or even ask for help, because they think their husband or boyfriend will be fired.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Russell also said that in many cases, the most effective approach may be not to file a domestic violence complaint, but to just let an officer know that he or she is being watched by the department. That often curbs controlling behavior, a common precursor to violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"This is my personal opinion, not the department's, but I think it's better that they stay on the job where we can monitor their behavior," rather than firing every officer suspected of domestic abuse, Russell said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The other element in the Chicago system is led by Andrea Stoutenborough, a 16-year veteran of the Office of Professional Standards. She heads the six-person team that specializes in investigating domestic violence charges against Chicago police officers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"What we're mostly talking about is a straight beating case," she said. They also investigate other domestic issues, such as violation of protection orders, harassment, stalking and child abuse.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">When an officer is accused of domestic violence, whether in a 911 call or in a call to Russell's victims' advocate office or the OPS, Stoutenborough dispatches investigators to interview witnesses just as police officers do. The difference, she said, is that her investigators are not sworn officers, don't prepare court cases and don't have the ability to seek a subpoena.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Stoutenborough's investigators' job is to find facts and analyze cases to see if officers should face department discipline.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Stoutenborough can also call the officer's supervisors and have them order the officer not to contact his victim.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"We might even have the officer stripped (of his police powers and badge) right away or have his guns taken," she said. "Our number one concern is the safety of the victim."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The OPS offices, though a part of the department, are located across the street from headquarters. They have the OPS title stenciled on the door, but bear no police department logo.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Even though the OPS is part of the department, administrators wanted to lessen their association with it and emphasize their independence, Stoutenborough said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">If abuse rumors, fueled by allegations in divorce papers, circulated in the Chicago department, as happened in Tacoma with the Brames' divorce, officers who heard them would immediately call the OPS, Stoutenborough said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"That's pretty amazing" that Crystal Brame's allegations were known but not acted upon, she said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Stoutenborough's investigation would ultimately be forwarded to Lori Lightfoot, chief administrator of the Office of Professional Standards. Lightfoot then would recommend a penalty, when appropriate.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Under the department's rules, negotiated with the Fellowship of Police union, Lightfoot has only three choices: a reprimand, a suspension of any number of days between 1 and 30, or termination.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The officer can appeal Lightfoot's recommendation internally, but ultimately her recommendation goes to the civilian police board, which makes all firing decisions. The board can agree with Lightfoot's recommendation or change it. The board also has the power to order the officer to get counseling - something Lightfoot cannot.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Chicago's system requires a holistic approach that places the victim's safety first, but also attempts to treat problem officers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Said Russell: "You need a whole plan. You need to know what your values are. And you need to start with a hard case. If anyone has a hard case, it's Tacoma."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Steps to realizing the Chicago model</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">To emulate Chicago's system for handling officer-involved domestic abuse, the Tacoma Police Department would need:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* An independent victims' advocate with an office in a secret location.</span></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* An independent civilian to investigate allegations for disciplinary action, as opposed to criminal charges.</span></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* Support staff for both the advocate and the investigator.</span></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* Department policies encouraging prompt reporting of officer-involved domestic violence, with penalties if violated.</span></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* Clear support of new policies throughout the department.</span></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* A clear message to the public about the new policies.</span></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* To be just like Chicago, officials should consider a change in state law revoking mandatory arrest for domestic violence suspects. That change, though, would probably not be welcome in the local domestic violence community.</span></div></div></div></div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Comparing the cities</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Tacoma</span></b></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Population: 195,000</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Sworn police officers: 380 (one per 513 residents)</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Ratio of domestic violence allegations against officers: One complaint per 532 officers each year</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Homicides per year: 23 (one per 8,500 residents)</span></li></ul></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Chicago</span></b></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Population: 2.9 million</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Sworn police officers: 13,500 (one per 215 population)</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Ratio of domestic violence allegations against officers: One complaint per 54 officers each year</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Homicides per year: 650 (one per 4,500 population)</span></li></ul></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">In Tacoma, clear procedures</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In Tacoma, if a commissioned police officer of any rank is suspected of being involved in domestic violence, the protocol is clear.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* If officers respond to a 911 call and find that one of the participants is another officer, they call someone to the scene who is of higher rank than the participant. That higher-ranking officer makes the reports.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* Any allegations that an officer is involved in domestic violence triggers an investigation by Internal Affairs.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* Officers charged with a crime are put on administrative leave.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* An officer arrested on suspicion of domestic violence (or any crime) in any jurisdiction is required to report that arrest to his or her superiors. Failing to report is a firing offense.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">In Chicago, big-city resources</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Chicago's system for dealing with police officers involved in domestic violence is neither simple nor streamlined. With 13,500 police officers compared with Tacoma's 380, the police department has far more resources and layers of responsibility.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">These are the elements that make the Chicago department's program unique:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Advocates: The police department pays the salaries of two domestic violence advocates whose full-time job is helping women and men who say they have been abused by police officers. The advocates' offices are in a secret location so victims won't have to worry about their abusers seeing them there. One of the advocates is also a lawyer.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Independent investigation: Within the police department, one or more investigators from a team of six civilians investigates every domestic violence complaint against officers of any rank for possible disciplinary action. Police officials had found that sometimes victims weren't willing to report their problems to Internal Affairs, because IA investigators were cops who might have worked with accused officers. The standard for discipline is lower than that for criminal convictions, so even if charges against an officer are dismissed, he or she still might be disciplined or even fired for inappropriate behavior.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">No mandatory arrest: Illinois' state law, unlike Washington's, doesn't stipulate that violent abusers must be arrested - although police officers are encouraged to make arrests in most cases. Domestic violence advocates in Chicago prefer it that way, because they believe it may make victims more willing to call 911 for help. Victims don't always want their abusers to go to jail - they just need the situation defused, said victims' advocate Jan Russell. Victims often believe sending their abusers to jail for a few hours will just make them more angry, she said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The one-hour rule: Like Tacoma, officers who investigate a domestic violence report and discover a fellow officer is involved must call a superior to assist in reporting the incident. Unlike Tacoma, officers must complete an incident report within one hour. Some flexibility is permitted if the officers are busy, but the goal is to deflect the alleged abuser's efforts to plead for time to cool off, or to call in a favor. If officers wait too long to file a report, they could be given a month's suspension without pay.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Buy-in: Police Superintendent (the job Tacoma calls chief) Terry Hillard supports all efforts to reduce officer-involved domestic violence, which gives the program official sanction and credibility even when individual officers aren't happy with it. To publicize the program through the ranks, department officials gave a half-hour lecture at roll call every day for a week when the victim advocates were hired in 1994, and officers learn about the program when they're hired and learn again when they receive promotions.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">- - -</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Editor's note</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">For the purposes of this article, <span style="color: red;">abusers are referred to as male and victims as female</span>. There are incidents of women abusing men, and those cases are growing in number, but <span style="color: red;">by far the majority of cases still are men who abuse women.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">- - -</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">About this series</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Today's report on Chicago's program dealing with police officers and domestic violence is the first in an occasional series examining how Tacoma might move forward from the killing of Crystal Brame and the suicide of Police Chief David Brame.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The series, called "Beyond Brame," will also consider solutions to other issues uncovered in the ongoing official investigations or brought to light by our own reporting.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The thrust of each article will be a search for how problems identified here have been dealt with or solved elsewhere.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>CLEAN UP YOUR ACT, POLICE TOLD</b> </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;">`WE HAVE TO GET TOUGH' WITH ABUSIVE COPS</span></div><div>Seattle Post-Intelligencer (WA)</div><div>Author/Byline: RUTH TEICHROEB AND JULIE DAVIDOW P-I reporters</div><div>July 25, 2003 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Two deadly shots divide before and after.</span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Before Tacoma police Chief David Brame fatally shot his battered wife Crystal, then turned his service weapon on himself, Puget Sound-area law enforcement officials didn't believe they had a problem.</span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Three months after the horrifying murder-suicide, public outrage has pushed those same officials to search for solutions to police who abuse their loved ones.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Before the shootings, victims' advocates said they rarely heard from the wives and girlfriends of abusive cops. Afterward, frightened women have flooded hot lines. Some have come forward to share their stories. Their message: Crystal Brame wasn't the only one.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The public is demanding accountability, according to Washington Attorney General Christine Gregoire.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"We have to get tough," she told the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. "I'm telling law enforcement, `Either you do something about it or it will be done to you.'"</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Brame tragedy exposed major flaws in how the Tacoma Police Department policed itself, but the department appears to be the rule rather than the exception. A five-month investigation by the P-I found similar gaps in how police forces throughout the region have responded to domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Gregoire has launched a task force to pursue reforms and has already told law enforcement agencies statewide to develop detailed domestic violence policies for handling complaints against officers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A survey by the P-I two weeks after the shootings found that most major law enforcement agencies lacked such policies - and didn't think they were needed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Gregoire wants police agencies to strictly enforce the policies, which would require the removal of the gun and badge from any officer suspected of domestic violence. When internal investigations find evidence of wrongdoing, police officials should get rid of those officers - even if they aren't convicted in a criminal court, the attorney general said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"We must take a no-nonsense attitude," Gregoire said. "If there is a confirmed domestic violence incident, this person should not be an officer any more. There are plenty of jobs that don't require you carrying a gun."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Gregoire also is proposing "community safety audits" by appointed civilians. The panels would periodically scrutinize a police department's internal handling of domestic violence complaints.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The U.S. Justice Department turned down her request this week for an almost $100,000 emergency grant to pay for statewide training for police, prosecutors and judges in how to handle allegations of abuse against officers, but she plans to look for other funding.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Domestic violence experts say the key is changing attitudes at the top.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"We're talking about a citizen who has been bestowed with the ultimate power - protecting people's lives," said Mark Wynn, a former Nashville police lieutenant and national expert on domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Police must be held to a higher standard."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Better training urged</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Stricter standards begin with overhauling how police officers are recruited and screened.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Law enforcement agencies have traditionally recruited from the military, said Anne O'Dell, a retired San Diego officer who trains police forces nationally in how to handle domestic violence cases.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But not only does the military have a poor record of identifying abusers in its ranks, it trains troops to kill during war, not to resolve the type of routine conflicts police officers encounter, she said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Do we really want little soldiers? No. We need people who can mediate and diffuse conflict," O'Dell said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Before hiring officers, intensive background checks should be done, she said, including interviewing ex-wives, neighbors and former employers for signs of trouble.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">She also advocates checking the address of every previous residence for 911 calls related to domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"It's time-consuming and expensive but worth it," she said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Besides the usual psychological tests, applicants for police jobs should be questioned closely for sexist attitudes that could spell trouble, she said. Lie-detector tests should include questions about domestic violence in the same way that drug abuse is scrutinized.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Once hired, officers must be trained to handle domestic violence calls, including the complexities of sorting out who's the primary aggressor. Under Washington law, officers are required to sort out who is most to blame and arrest that person.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Mandatory arrest laws are a horrible thing without training," said O'Dell, adding that poor training results in arrests of victims.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Relying on visible signs of assault at the scene, for example, can be misleading, said Wynn, the Nashville consultant.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"If there are two injuries, somebody may have acted in self-defense," Wynn told officers at a training session in Tacoma last month.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">When choking is involved, the judgment call can be especially tricky. Victims often leave bite marks on their attacker's arm. Teeth tear and break the skin, creating the appearance of a vicious attack.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But the pressure applied to the neck by a stranglehold can cause serious internal injuries, with little or no external bruising for several days.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He urges officers to photograph the alleged victim over the course of several days to document wounds as they surface.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Said Wynn: "If we just go on the fact that we can't see the injuries we may be missing the boat."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Model policy's value questioned</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Police departments also need to provide clear policies and train officers on allegations involving other police, experts say.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">That includes requiring officers to tell their bosses if they are served with a protection order or restraining order, or if accusations of abuse arise during a divorce. The duty to report should extend to allegations involving other officers as well, experts say.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Seattle Police Department recently tightened its code of conduct by requiring officers to report protection orders filed in other jurisdictions, said Chief Gil Kerlikowske.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">His internal affairs investigators are also testing a plan to check criminal and civil court records at regular intervals to make sure officers are complying, he said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Until new guidelines are adopted, the Tacoma Police Department will not investigate its own officers when they're accused of domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The criminal investigations for three pending complaints have been referred to the Pierce County Sheriff's Office, which also will handle the internal reviews.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"One of the things we wanted to do was show how we don't operate in a vacuum and we'll take these cases outside to be looked at," said Acting Chief Don Ramsdell.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Washington State Patrol Capt. Brian Jones has also suggested revising their policy so that all troopers must report if their names appear on restraining orders - either as the subject or petitioner. That's because the civil order may contain criminal allegations, he said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In 1999, the International Association of Chiefs of Police outlined a nine-page policy for handling officer-involved domestic violence. Police officials across Washington have been told to use the model policy as a guide and consult with the public as well, Gregoire said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"If all they do is adopt the international protocol they get an `F,'" Gregoire said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The international policy recommends going ahead with investigations even if the victim is uncooperative or recants, as is often the case.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">That's going too far, according to Ken Saucier, president of the 1,200-member Seattle Police Guild, who said the model policy is "kind of fanatical."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Domestic violence shouldn't be tolerated, but Saucier said it's not fair to "use a lesser standard of evidence" when investigating officers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Some large law enforcement agencies, such as the 13,500-officer Chicago Police Department and 9,000-officer Los Angeles Police Department, have set up special domestic violence units to investigate problem officers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">That initially resulted in an almost 50 percent jump in the number of officers investigated for abuse in Los Angeles. In Chicago, the number tripled and now stands at one complaint for every 54 officers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But Washington law enforcement officials say that's unrealistic in a state where even the largest police force, the State Patrol, has fewer than 2,300 troopers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Gregoire has asked the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs to propose other options for conducting unbiased investigations. The group is discussing whether smaller police departments could set up regional task forces to investigate officer-involved domestic violence, said Sumner police Chief Colleen Wilson, who heads a committee examining reforms.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Another possibility would be to set up a statewide agency to investigate such allegations, Wilson said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"We need to be sure we have good cops on the street," she said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Post-Brame liability concerns</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Even the best policies are useless without enforcement, said Maj. John Feltgen, who has put domestic violence reforms in place at the 2,800-officer Broward County Sheriff's Office in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">One way to chip away at the "Blue Wall of Silence" is to fire or demote senior officers who ignore accusations of domestic violence, Feltgen said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Show me one agency that has held their supervisors accountable. We should be doing this all the way through the chain of command."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In the mid-'90s, Feltgen conducted several informal surveys and discovered that domestic violence-related 911 calls to officers' homes were often "written off" or recorded as "noise complaints."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"If there are no reports, there's no problem. That's where we fool ourselves," Feltgen said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Officers with a history of domestic violence are more likely to minimize such calls, said one expert.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"We know just by tracking them that they're not particularly wonderful in how they respond," said Linda Olsen, executive director of the Eastside Domestic Violence Program in Bellevue.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But police officials said it can be difficult to fire an officer accused, but not convicted, of domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">State Patrol Chief Ronald Serpas cited the case of a Yakima district trooper, Mark Sholtys, who was offered a "last-chance" agreement after he was charged with fourth-degree assault in 2002. The charges will be dismissed in two years if he meets court-ordered conditions.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Sholtys was suspended for 30 days and put on notice that he'd be fired for any future serious policy or law violations. He is now facing termination for failing to appear as a witness April 30 at a drunken-driving hearing, according to a State Patrol official. On Wednesday, he was placed on paid administrative leave and his gun and badge were taken away.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Such an approach is a gamble, Serpas acknowledged, especially when domestic violence research indicates abuse is rarely a one-time incident.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I guess you just have to hope you did the best with what you knew at the time," said Serpas. "There's always the possibility that it'll never happen again."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Police unions wield considerable clout and a termination is likely to go to arbitration, which requires a higher standard of evidence than the typical internal investigation, said Patty Shelledy, legal adviser for the King County Sheriff's Office.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Attorneys who represent police officers say protecting officers' rights is even more important in the climate created by the Brame murder-suicide.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"It's practically a given that any policeman charged is at substantially more risk than any ordinary citizen of a conviction now," said Bill Murphy, a Federal Way defense attorney.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Yet, departments must weigh whether retaining an officer with a history of abuse allegations not only undermines public trust but leaves them vulnerable to lawsuits, Wynn said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The $75 million damage claim filed by Crystal Brame's family against the city of Tacoma is just the latest example of the potential liability facing law enforcement agencies.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I've been warning chiefs and sheriffs about this for at least 15 years," Wynn said. "It's a huge problem."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Gun law ups ante for cops</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Under the 1996 Lautenberg Amendment to the federal Gun Control Act, anyone convicted of a domestic violence crime, including a misdemeanor, is banned from carrying a weapon.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">That has upped the stakes for cops accused of such crimes, although experts say most avoid being fired by pleading to charges other than domestic violence or by having past convictions expunged.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Officers can also agree to comply with court-ordered conditions that result in charges being dismissed, a deal typically offered to any first-time offender.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Prosecuting any domestic violence case is difficult, let alone those involving police officers, said King County Deputy Prosecutor Barbara Flemming, who runs the special assault unit. At least a third of all domestic violence cases are prosecuted without the victim's cooperation.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"We have recanting victims, victims who are easy to impeach. There are threats, and we can't promise victim safety," Flemming said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Those realities are intensified when the suspect is an officer, she said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"There's that brotherhood of cops thing going on," Flemming said. "Their fear that the system can be co-opted by the perpetrator is pretty real. There's a chilling effect."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Advocates for abused women are troubled by one provision of the federal gun law. It bans anyone served with a permanent protection order from carrying a weapon - but gives judges the discretion to allow a police or military officer the right to carry a service weapon. Even some longtime police officials are concerned.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Former Des Moines Police Chief Don Obermiller said a suspected abusive officer under a protection order should be stripped of weapons like anyone else.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I realize we're talking about their careers," said Obermiller, who retired last month. "But they have to be held to a higher standard than the general public."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Departments must also worry about liability if an officer facing a protection order is allowed to carry a duty weapon: "What if he comes in and checks out his gun and then does something?" Obermiller asked.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In 1998, he fired one of his officers, Robert Thompson, after the employee failed to report he'd been served with a restraining order by his ex-wife, and continued to carry off-duty weapons in violation of federal law.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">During an internal investigation, Thompson also admitted he'd "roundhoused" his wife and slammed her against the car, according to federal court papers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Thompson sued for wrongful discharge but lost.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Officers make choices and once they cross that line they're putting their jobs on the line," Obermiller said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Crystal Clear Initiative</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Advocates for battered women shudder when the wife of an abusive cop seeks help.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"We just aren't equipped for it," said Olsen, of the Eastside program. "It's a frightening feeling, even for the domestic violence advocates."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">That's because officers know the locations of confidential shelters, or can easily find out, posing a risk to everyone, Olsen said. Victims are usually referred elsewhere.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The week after the Brame murder-suicide, Tacoma Mayor Bill Baarsma asked Tacoma attorney Debra Hannula, who also is a pro tem judge in King and Pierce counties, to head a committee that could research and recommend changes in Police Department and city policies.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The question was, "How do you protect someone like Crystal Brame?" Hannula said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Since then, the Crystal Clear Initiative Committee has morphed into a statewide task force of domestic violence and criminal justice system experts delving into everything from police department policies to legal reforms.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Providing victims a safe place to report is paramount, say committee members. According to domestic violence advocates, only 15 percent of victims who call crisis hot lines ever enter the criminal justice system, Hannula said. "When victims do reach out to the justice system, there are gaps and failures."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">If a victim makes an allegation, for example, in the same city where the officer works, "she's entering into a world that the abuser knows, where he is well liked and well respected," Hannula said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">To address those gaps, the committee is considering:</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Creating a separate team within police departments that would work with domestic violence advocates to make sure victims have taxi fare, motel rooms or whatever they need to be safe before going to Internal Affairs to make allegations against officers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Adding officers' addresses to the 911 system so dispatchers know immediately if a call is coming from an officer's home.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Appointing an independent ombudsman at the state or county level who would lead investigations of officer-perpetrated abuse.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The committee could also recommend more intense scrutiny of police department applicants' domestic violence history, mandatory domestic violence training for family law judges and attorneys, and educating family members of police cadets about what to do if an officer becomes abusive.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Police departments should also do more to provide financial support for the families of abusive officers, said Margaret Moore, director of the National Center for Women & Policing in Arlington, Va.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">If an officer is fired, departments should consider assigning pension benefits to the victim, or paying for health insurance until children reach age 18.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"She's a victim of a police officer in their department," Moore said. "They made a bad hiring decision. They should bear some responsibility for this situation." </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">THIS SERIES</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>WEDNESDAY: </b>Abusers are on police forces throughout the Puget Sound region. And even when abuse allegations surface, abusive officers suffer few consequences.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>YESTERDAY: </b>Police who batter their wives and girlfriends know better than most how to intimidate and use force without leaving telltale marks.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>TODAY: </b>Advocates for victims of domestic violence say the time has come to hold abusive officers and their departments more accountable.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">ABOUT THIS SERIES</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">These stories are the result of a Seattle Post-Intelligencer investigation that began five months ago - before the David Brame murder-suicide put a national spotlight on the issue.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Reporters Ruth Teichroeb and Julie Davidow scoured public records, obtained Internal Affairs investigative reports and conducted scores of interviews to identify 41 Puget Sound-area police officers who have been accused of domestic violence in recent years.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The screening process was non-scientific, using rosters of sworn officers as a starting point.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The actual number of officers linked to domestic violence allegations is probably significantly higher, because some of those with common names could not be reliably cross-checked with court files.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A list of the agencies and the number of accused officers employed by each of them can be found online at seattlepi.com/police.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It is the newspaper's policy not to identify victims of abuse. In this report, the names of women raising domestic violence allegations appear only with their consent.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Efforts being made to deal with domestic violence among police officers</b></span></div><div>Morning Edition [NPR] (USA)</div><div>August 14, 2003 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>RENEE MONTAGNE, co-host: </b><span style="color: red;">Earlier this year, the police chief of Tacoma, Washington, shot and killed his wife in front of their two young children, then he turned the gun on himself. The story follows a well-known pattern of domestic abuse. It is more complicated because he was a police officer</span>, the top officer in a city of about 200,000. <span style="color: red;">Experts say victims of domestic violence by police officers are especially vulnerable</span>. As NPR's Wendy Kaufman reports, the systems intended to get rid of abusive police may make things worse for their victims.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>WENDY KAUFMAN reporting:</b> Police chief David Brame was a classic abuser. He controlled the money, where his wife Crystal went, and what the petite woman, 11 years his junior, did. They fought verbally at first, then things escalated. Crystal's father, Lane Judson, says that on one occasion this past February, the police chief cornered his wife in the closet and told her he wanted to teach her how to fire his gun.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><b>Mr. LANE JUDSON (Crystal's Father):</b> She says, `What do I want to do that for, David?' This is her telling us. `I don't need to know how to fire a gun.' `Well, you might,' he says. `You know, I'm not going to be around here.' She says, `I'm not going to touch that gun and have my fingerprints get on it.' She says, `I'm smarter than that.' She said he pointed the gun at her and said, `Well, accidents happen.'</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>KAUFMAN:</b> That's when Crystal Brame decided to leave her husband. She had talked about leaving him years earlier, but told her parents that her husband had made it very difficult.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><b>Mr. JUDSON: </b>She says, `He has told me over and over again that he has laid the groundwork if I ever try to leave him or divorce him, "Nobody's ever going to believe you."'</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>KAUFMAN:</b> Chief Brame apparently disparaged his wife and cast doubt on her mental state.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><b>Mr. JUDSON:</b> My daughter says, `What do I do? Who do I go to? I can't go to the police. He is the police.'</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>KAUFMAN: </b>Like so many other victims, Crystal Brame felt trapped. Experts on police-perpetrated domestic violence say that officers who abuse often try to discredit their victims, sometimes even calling 911 themselves, claiming that they are being victimized.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">There is little solid and reliable data about the incidence of domestic violence in the general population, and there is no comprehensive data relating to police officers. Still, there is evidence to suggest that law enforcement officials abuse in higher numbers. John Firman is research director for the IACP, the International Association of Chiefs of Police.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Mr. JOHN FIRMAN (IACP): <span style="color: red;">The victim of the police officer DV is the most vulnerable domestic violence victim in the world. </span></b>They're dealing with a very savvy person who has huge, huge access to the criminal justice system and a level of power and authority and a level of freedom of movement that they don't enjoy.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>KAUFMAN:</b> It's more difficult for police victims to seek refuge at a shelter. Police officers know where they are, and many shelters won't accept police victims because of safety concerns. If the victim rents a car, gets on a plane, uses a credit card or driver's license or even a cell phone, the police officer can easily track that.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The 1996 Lautenberg Amendment to the federal Gun Control Act forced police departments to confront the issue of domestic violence within their ranks. The law says that anyone convicted of domestic violence, even a misdemeanor, cannot carry a gun. In other words, they can't be a cop. Diane Wetendorf, a longtime advocate for victims, says the law has had unintended consequences.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Ms. DIANE WETENDORF (Victim Advocate):</b> It's had a very chilling effect on the victims, because victims now are afraid to come forward. They know that it could cost him his job.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>KAUFMAN:</b> Wetendorf says many victims don't want that to happen because they love the individual, they need the financial benefits the position brings, or because they know that if the abuser loses his job, the violence could escalate.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">As police departments struggled with the implications of Lautenberg, the IACP developed a model policy for dealing with officer abuse. It addresses things like prehiring screening, better training, counseling and more independent investigation of officers. It embraces a zero-tolerance policy and says that any officer who knows that a colleague is engaged in violence at home must notify a superior, and then, says the IACP's John Firman...</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Mr. FIRMAN:</b> Specific things must happen. A written report must occur. You know, notification, conversation, a call to the victim, further discussion, referral to counseling, whatever has to happen, whatever's determined. But the bottom line is, something is going to happen because that notification has put the policy in action.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>KAUFMAN: </b>In short, no sweeping allegations of abuse under the rug. Many major cities have adopted at least parts of this policy, but the Police Association says policies differ significantly across the country.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But even the model policy has its limits. Much of it is directed at keeping a police department free of abusive cops. It doesn't always make the victims safer. In fact, victim advocate Wetendorf says the model policy, like the Lautenberg amendment, can actually make matters worse.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Ms. WETENDORF:</b> The more seriously a department takes it and the more that they say that they are not going to tolerate this, the more afraid a woman is to report it.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>KAUFMAN:</b> It may sound like a catch-22. The problem is that women are most at risk when they report abuse or when they try to leave their abuser. Couple that with the possibility that the abuser might lose his job, and the stakes get higher. Many times women who are abused recant their accusations. Often the investigation simply dies. But as Wetendorf notes, the model policy says that even if a victim recants, the investigation must proceed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Ms. WETENDORF: </b>Once the victim makes that 911 call, she has no way to back out of the process.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>KAUFMAN:</b> Recognizing the perils, the Chicago Police Department has done the most to assure the safety of victims, while at the same time stopping domestic violence. While a few other cities have separate domestic violence units, only Chicago has one solely for police victims. Jan Russell, a civilian, heads the unit, which is housed in a secret location. Conversations with victims are, by law, confidential.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Ms. JAN RUSSELL (Domestic Violence Unit):</b> We're able to say to a victim, `If you don't want to cooperate with the department, that's OK. You can still talk to us and find out what your rights are. If at some point in time you're prepared to talk to the department, you know, we can assist you with that, but it's not a requirement for receiving services.' So it allows some victims to come forward and talk about safety issues and then make some informed decisions about what they want to do.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>KAUFMAN:</b> While maximizing victim safety, the department works with abusers. Russell says if officers believe they can keep their job if they stop the abuse, they often do. If they're fired, there may be fewer constraints on their behavior. Russell says if abuse continues, though, she can move very quickly to get an officer arrested and into custody if that's what's warranted. But always, she says, the victim's safety must come first.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Wendy Kaufman, NPR News, Seattle.</span></i></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b style="color: #800180; font-size: xx-large;">2004: Lautenberg DV Gun Ban - News Articles And Reports</b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Domestic violence consequences</b></span></div><div>Daily Jeffersonian, The (Cambridge, OH)</div><div>June 27, 2004 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Editor: Anyone charged with domestic violence should know what the real punishment is they are receiving. Get a copy of the Lautenberg Amendment to the Gun Control Act of 1968, effective Sept. 30, 1996.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It makes it a felony for those convicted of misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence to ship, transport, possess or receive firearms or ammunition. The amendment also makes it a felony to transfer a firearm or ammunition to an individual reasonably believed to have such a conviction.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">All soldiers known to have, or soldiers whom commanders have cause to believe have, a conviction of a misdemeanor crime of violence are non-deployable for missions that require possession of firearms or ammunition.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">This is a four-page memorandum, AFZA-JA-A, 09 Feb 98.Subject: Implementation of the Lautenberg Amendment.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Domestic abuse targeted by gun laws </b></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;">State in top five districts for prosecution of federal firearms violations</span></div><div>Bangor Daily News (ME)</div><div>June 29, 2004 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Marc George Taft is just the kind of man for whom an 8-year-old federal gun law now getting a boost in enforcement was designed. Like many people the law might affect, he had no idea it existed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The 35-year-old Dexter native has been convicted four times in the past decade in state courts for domestic assault. The incidents involved his former wife and at least one other woman with whom Taft had an intimate relationship.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In May 2002, he was sentenced to seven days in jail and one year of probation for assault and other charges related to an incident with his wife. After learning from his probation officer that he couldn't have his three shotguns and three rifles, Taft placed the weapons in the custody of the Dexter police.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Taft completed his probation and got the guns back from a Dexter police officer, who knew the man had been convicted of a domestic assault.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Now, though, Taft is serving 18 months in federal prison for possessing firearms while subject to a protection-from-abuse order.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Taft didn't learn he was violating federal law until the Hampden police answered a domestic disturbance call a year later and found the guns at his residence. Claiming he was unaware that the protection-from-abuse order sought by his former wife was still in effect, the man was arrested and eventually convicted on the federal firearms charge.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Using a 3-year-old program aimed at reducing gun crimes, the U.S. Attorney's Office in Maine has prosecuted more domestic violence offenders on firearms charges in the life of the program than almost any other district.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Maine is among the country's top five federal court districts in terms of the number of prosecutions for federal firearms violations, U.S. Attorney Paula Silsby said recently.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2003, 75 people were prosecuted in federal court in Bangor and Portland, up from 36 in 2001.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Silsby's office already has prosecuted 72 people in the current fiscal year and is on pace to prosecute 96 by the end of September.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Critics have said Project Safe Neighborhoods, a federally funded program designed to combat gun violence, is being overused in Maine. Silsby maintains she is doing what she can to combat a persistent problem by using federal gun laws to go after people with a record of domestic violence, whether or not their original offense involved a gun.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Gun violence isn't really an issue for us[in Maine]," Silsby said. "But the consistent violent crime problem in Maine is domestic violence. We asked: What can we do to address it? [The answer was] use the federal firearms laws."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Some federal gun cases in Maine are brought against robbers, drug dealers and other criminals who use a gun while committing a crime. Most prosecutions, however, are for gun possession by people forbidden from having guns, including those convicted of domestic violence misdemeanors.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Although the federal prohibition has been in effect for eight years, the fact that a misdemeanor conviction for domestic assault, even one that is decades old, bars Mainers from possessing guns is not well-known. Outside the legal community and those who counsel victims of domestic abuse, prosecutors and attorneys admit that the provisions of the Lautenberg Amendment are not well known.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Named after former U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey, the law makes it illegal for a person who has been convicted of domestic assault - no matter how long ago - from possessing firearms of any kind ever again.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Passed in 1996, the law also made it illegal for people subject to protection from abuse orders from possessing firearms while the order is in effect.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">State and local police work with federal officials to prosecute gun crimes in federal court, where sentences are harsher than in state court.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Silsby said last week that the legal system starts with the premise that all citizens are presumed by the courts to know what the laws are and that ignorance is no defense.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Nonetheless, in an effort to inform citizens about gun law provision, her office regularly places ads in the firearms section of Uncle Henry's Weekly Swap or Sell It Guide, warning that possession of a firearm after a domestic violence conviction is a federal crime.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"In Maine we target violent criminals and illegal gun possessors for federal prosecution," she said in a press release issued earlier this month. "Tough federal penalties apply to those who commit crimes with guns, and those who illegally possess guns, especially those with a history of domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"If you choose to abuse, then you lose your right to possess a gun," she added.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Returning from the national Project Safe Neighborhoods conference held earlier this month in Kansas City, Silsby said that some of the $320,000 in federal money designated for Maine might be used to get the word out.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"The [multi-agency] Violent Crimes Task Force is now at the stage of exploring a more intense public outreach program to educate people not just on the domestic violence prohibition, but on federal firearms laws generally," the federal prosecutor said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A majority of domestic violence cases are handled through Maine's 31 district courts. District court judges, who handled nearly 150,000 cases in 2003, are not required to inform defendants that a conviction would prohibit them ever possessing a firearms, but defense attorneys are, according to attorney Jeffrey Silverstein of Bangor.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"It's probably happening routinely that defendants are not being told that their convictions mean they can't ever have a gun again," he said. "The problem is not so much what's happening now, but what happened before the law went into effect.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"The law allows the government to reach back into the past."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Deputy Chief District Court Judge Robert Mullen said Monday that he did not know how many judges from the bench informed defendants that they would never be able to possess a gun.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I like to think that I usually do, especially if the defendant is not represented by counsel," he said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Attorney Stephen Smith of Bangor called the federal legislation "seriously flawed ... because it has no restrictions on how far back it reaches."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I have represented many soldiers and civilians alike who have lost long, outstanding careers in the military, or have lost the ability to hunt with firearms based on [misdemeanor domestic] assault convictions that stretch back decades before the Lautenberg Amendment's effective date," he said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Smith said that police officers and others required to carry weapons for their jobs have had distinguished careers cut short because of decades-old misdemeanor assault convictions. Often, defendants represent themselves and plead guilty to 'get it over with' and 'move on' because the prosecutor offered a fine but no jail time.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Little did they realize that decades later, they would, in effect, be punished twice for the same crime," Smith said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Correction: </b>A story published Tuesday on Page B1 about federal gun prosecutions in Maine incorrectly stated that a Dexter police officer was aware that Marc George Taft had been convicted of a misdemeanor domestic assault. Taft, at that time, hadn't been convicted of domestic assault, but had been convicted of terrorizing. The misinformation was presented at Taft's sentencing in federal court. Dexter police said Tuesday that they had answered domestic disturbance calls at Taft's residence on numerous occasions. Also, Taft's guns had been placed in police custody by a relative, and his 2002 assault conviction was on a store clerk, not his wife.</span></i></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>COORS IS NO FAN OF MANY GUN LAWS</b></span></div><div>Rocky Mountain News (Denver, CO)</div><div>September 2, 2004 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Both Pete Coors and Ken Salazar hold themselves up as defenders of the Second Amendment - the right to bear arms.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">If Coors, a former National Rifle Association poster boy, had his way, a lot more people would be able to bear a lot more arms.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Queried at the Republican National Convention about his stance against continuing the federal assault weapons ban, Coors responded that in Colorado, "we believe in the right to bear arms without restrictions."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The decade-old ban is to expire Sept. 14. President Bush has said he'll sign an extension if it reaches his desk.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Coors' spokeswoman, Cinamon Watson, said Wednesday that the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate "is not an advocate for further gun laws. However, he does support strong enforcement of the gun laws on the books."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Earlier this year, though, Coors spoke at a Pikes Peak Firearms Coalition meeting in support of the repeal of several of those laws.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In response to a question from the group's Steve Gresh, Coors said that the Brady Bill, which requires background checks for gun buyers, should also be repealed, along with federal firearms laws from 1934 and 1968 that impose a host of controls.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Under those laws, people can't own machine guns or sawed-off shotguns, nor can people convicted of serious crimes, juveniles, aliens or people dishonorably discharged from the military own guns.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In a questionnaire posted on the group's Web site, Coors also said he supported repealing the Lautenberg Amendment, which bars those convicted of domestic violence misdemeanors from owning guns; opposed any sort of firearms registration; and opposed limiting the number of guns a person can own.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Although the Pikes Peak Firearms Coalition can't formally endorse federal candidates, both Gresh, the group's secretary, and Harry Wellman, its treasurer, said Wednesday they personally support Coors.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Watson said Wednesday that "Pete stands by his positions. He's not flip-flopping on any issues."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">However, she said, "in many cases, some of these laws that are 50 years old need to be retooled and reworked so they don't inhibit the rights of law-abiding citizens."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Colorado Attorney General Ken Salazar, Coors' Democratic opponent in the Senate race, said he finds Coors' position "too extreme."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"When you talk about repealing bans on machine guns and sawed-off shotguns, it's not where the people of Colorado are and not where the people of the country are," he said.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>COMMUNITY SERVICES TAKES ON VIOLENCE </b></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;">WORKSHOPS WILL INFORM FAMILIES</span></div><div>Augusta Chronicle, The (GA)</div><div>October 10, 2004 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Army Community Services has joined with other organizations to cast a spotlight on domestic violence and its prevention during National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The theme of October's campaign is It Takes a Community to Prevent Domestic Violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Violence affects the entire family," said Gwendolyn Pugh, Community Services' family advocacy program manager.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">For soldiers, there can be added repercussions, she said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Lautenberg Amendment to the Gun Control Act of 1968, which went into effect in September 1996, prohibits anyone convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence to possess, ship, transport or dispose of firearms and ammunition in the course of employment. Soldiers, if convicted, could lose their jobs, Pugh said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Fort Gordon's community services has several workshops and other events to prevent domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">At the fort's Family Resource Center, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Thursdays during October, there will be a workshop open to the community about the effects of domestic violence on families.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"We want to raise awareness about domestic violence," Pugh said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">To lessen the chances of domestic violence, "the belief is, if we can empower couples to work through their differences it will make an impact," said Vanessa Stanley, the Community Services director.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">From 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 26-27, Community Services staffers will hold training for volunteers interested in assisting domestic violence victims. Volunteers would be advocates for the victim, offering support such as going to court with the victim, Stanley said.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OFFENDERS: REST OF THE STORY</b></span></div><div>US Fed News (USA)</div><div>By Capt. Sondra Bell 22nd Air Refueling Wing Legal Office</div><div>October 28, 2004 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan., Oct. 28 -- The U.S. Air Force issued the following press release:</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Domestic violence is a problem nationwide, and the military is not exempt. However, Department of Defense officials have made a substantial commitment of resources over the past two decades to address domestic violence in the military.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Domestic violence happens in military families of all ranks and ages. But few people are aware of what happens after an Airman beats his wife and the neighbors call the police, or what happens after a wife hits her military husband with a frying pan</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">When these scenarios occur on base, security forces perform an initial investigation and immediately notify family advocacy officials and the servicemember's commander.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">While military offenders living off-base are subject to jurisdiction of local police departments, base legal officials normally request jurisdiction in these cases and are often successful in doing so. In cases where jurisdiction is given to military authorities, the offenders are subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Depending on the facts and circumstances, rehabilitative or punitive action may be taken.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Committing domestic violence can be a career-ending act for all military offenders.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The 1996 Lautenberg Amendment to the Gun Control Act of 1968 makes it unlawful for anyone who is convicted of felony or misdemeanor domestic violence crimes to possess firearms.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">An Airman who cannot carry a firearm may be unable to perform all of his or her assigned duties, and therefore, commanders may be forced to recommend administrative discharge.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Civilian offenders living on-base are also held accountable. Security forces provide an initial investigation of domestic violence incidents and notify key agencies. Offenders are subject to prosecution in federal court through the base magistrate court program.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">People in abusive relationships, or those who know someone who is, can contact the installation family advocacy office. People needing emergency assistance should contact local or military police immediately, officials said. </span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Fort Bragg revisions: Privately-Owned-Weapons</b></span></div><div>Fayetteville Observer, The (NC)</div><div>December 26, 2004 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Fort Bragg's regulation 190-12 on privately owned guns and ammunition and prohibited items, has been revised.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">This is a comprehensive revision. The title has been changed from ''Privately Owned Weapons and Ammunition Control and Prohibited Items,'' to ''Privately Owned Weapons and Ammunition Control and Prohibited Weapons,'' to clarify the scope of the regulation.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It outlines the requirements for purchasing, transporting, and storing privately owned weapons and ammunition on Fort Bragg. It also lists prohibited weapons.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Among key changes:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Eliminates the requirement for registering weapons brought on to Fort Bragg, but not actually stored on Fort Bragg. This includes situations like service members living off post (and storing their weapons off post), and unaffiliated personnel living off post who come on post only to hunt.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Streamlines the procedures for processing paperwork for service members purchasing firearms. Service members have only one local records check at the Provost Marshal Office (not two, as previously). They take paperwork to their commander only for handguns (not rifles or shotguns, as previously), and only in those cases where derogatory info has been found and annotated.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Specifies that persons to whom the provisions of the Lautenberg Amendment apply are prohibited from owning firearms.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Revises Form 1380-E. This revised form more clearly specifies the procedures the service member must follow. It clarifies that the approving authority for handgun purchases is the Sheriff's Office. It provides for listing any derogatory information directly on the form itself.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Adds three tables to assist readers in reviewing various requirements at a glance without having to read through lengthy narrative:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">1) Firearms storage locations (page 4)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">2) Firearms registration requirements (page 6).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">3) Firearms purchase requirements for service members (page 7).</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b style="color: #800180; font-size: xx-large;">2005: Lautenberg DV Gun Ban - News Articles And Reports</b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>The bigger questions in the Galanos case</b></span></div><div>Press-Register (Mobile, AL)</div><div>January 1, 2005 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">THE SEEMINGLY lenient disposition of a domestic violence case against former Mobile County District Attorney Chris Galanos raises broader questions about how such cases should be handled as a matter of course.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">All too often, it seems, domestic offenders are allowed to escape being found officially "guilty" of criminal wrongdoing.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Police arrested Mr. Galanos on Sept. 17 after he reportedly broke out a glass door at the home of his ex-wife and shouted threats at her and their adult daughter. It was the third time in about two decades that Mr. Galanos had been arrested, with one of the previous charges also involving a home break-in. Both of the earlier charges were dropped.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In the current case, prosecutors last month agreed to defer action in lieu of a sort of informal probation combined with a court-supervised assessment of whether Mr. Galanos has a substance-abuse problem.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The deal allows the court to force Mr. Galanos into treatment if such a problem is found, and requires him to "stipulate" that the state could likely prove its case against him if it went to trial.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But if Mr. Galanos completes a domestic-counseling program, prosecutors said they may drop the charges.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Register editorial board's inquiries on the subject found that Mr. Galanos did not appear to be a beneficiary of favoritism. Broadly speaking, the severity of his sanctions falls in the middle range of how such domestic cases are usually handled in Mobile.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">What is more troubling isn't that Mr. Galanos specifically may get no "guilty" verdict (or plea) on his record, but that so many such cases are handled without official findings of guilt.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">For several good reasons, the same actual sanctions - counseling, probation and the like - are surely far less effective at deterring similar acts of domestic violence if they are not backed by a legal verdict of guilt than if they are instead part of an indelible criminal record.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">That's the conclusion reached in a 2004 book called "The Criminal Justice Response to Domestic Violence," written by former Quincy, Mass., probation officer Andy Klein, who holds a doctorate in criminal justice.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: red;">"If you don't have a 'guilty' verdict-, you have nothing,"</span> Dr. Klein told the Register this week. "As long as you treat domestic violence as lesser than other violent offenses, what you are saying is that there is no crime. ... It's a bluff, and the defendant knows it."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Studies by the National Institute of Justice in 2001 and 1996 found at least modest evidence that arresting domestic offenders helps deter them from future offenses, and that "the continuing threat of legal sanctions evidently has a stronger deterrent effect than the actual imposition of a sanction through the arrest process alone-. ... Deterrence ultimately results from the actions of prosecutorial and judicial actors whose actions lead to substantial punishment."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Dr. Klein noted two particular ways that counseling without a formal finding of guilt falls short of effective deterrence. First, he said that most states have "elevator" clauses in their criminal justice statutes that significantly increase the penalties for multiple offenses. If there is no official guilt, those clauses won't automatically kick in if the defendant offends again.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He further noted that, compared to other misdemeanor offenders, domestic abusers show an "extremely high" rate of recidivism. While it might be a good idea to send them to counseling, he said, it helps to have available the "stick" of the multiple-offense statutes if the counseling alone fails to deter future violent behavior.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Second, Dr. Klein cited <span style="color: red;">the federal Violence Against Women Act, in which the so-called Lautenberg Amendment prohibits anybody found guilty of domestic violence from owning a firearm.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Obviously, <span style="color: red;">if there is no formal guilt, the Lautenberg Amendment doesn't apply - and for the victims of any subsequent offenses, it might mean the difference between life and death.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">None of which is to say that Mobile's prosecutors and judges intend to make light of domestic violence. There is much to be said for their efforts to respond to such cases with sureness and dispatch. Municipal court sets aside most Wednesdays specifically for domestic violence cases, and the city prosecutor's office has specialists in that field.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But Register inquiries found that the combination of dropped cases and "diverted" cases such as the Galanos one leaves only, by very broad estimates, about a third of all "first offender" arrests that lead to guilty verdicts.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">This compares, according to Dr. Klein, to about a 70 percent conviction rate (or better) in cities such as Everett, Wash., Omaha, Neb., and San Diego.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">For all these reasons, and because of the growing statistical evidence that domestic violence is a major national problem, it would behoove Mobile and surrounding communities to secure "guilty" pleas from first-offenders - even if, along with such a plea, the actual sanctions assessed for it lean more toward treatment (at least for lesser violence) than toward harsher punishment.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Soldier's command unaware of felony</b></span></div><div>Fayetteville Observer, The (NC)</div><div>March 17, 2005 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The 82nd Airborne Division says it has safeguards in place to detect paratroopers who have been convicted of domestic violence and other crimes, but it is ultimately up to the soldier to self-report.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">It is still unclear why Staff Sgt. Jessie L. Ullom, a convicted child abuser now facing a charge of killing his son, was allowed to possess a weapon and deploy to Iraq in December.</span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Army regulations prohibit soldiers subject to the Gun Control Act of 1968 -- which bars convicted felons and those convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence from possessing firearms -- from deploying.</span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Ullom, a 24-year-old squad leader in C Company, 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, pleaded no contest in March 2004 to a felony child abuse charge in Johnston County. Prosecutors agreed to place him on probation for two years and waive jail time for his plea.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He was indicted Monday by a Johnston County grand jury on a charge of involuntary manslaughter in the death of his son, Christian Zachary Norris.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Christian died of lingering complications from shaken-baby syndrome in December, about two weeks before his 3rd birthday.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Maj. Amy Hannah, an 82nd Airborne spokeswoman, said Ullom is on his way back to Fort Bragg from Iraq and should be here within a week.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He left for Iraq in December with other members of the 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment to provide security for the Iraqi elections.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Hannah said Ullom's current chain of command was not aware of his 2004 conviction but is doing everything it can to conform to federal law and cooperate with Johnston County authorities.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Hannah said Fort Bragg has agreements and relationships with authorities in Cumberland, Hoke and Harnett counties, but Ullom's chain of command only found out about his 2004 conviction after Monday's indictment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">2002 charge</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">According to court documents, Ullom's company commander signed for his release from jail when Ullom was arrested on the felony abuse charge in May 2002.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Hannah said the captain named in the court document is no longer in the division. He was replaced as C Company commander in July 2003.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">She said unit commanders and first sergeants are trained on the Lautenberg amendment to the Gun Control Act of 1968 and its implications for their soldiers.</span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">The amendment, passed in 1996, prohibits people convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence from possessing firearms.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Hannah said there are at least two other checks to detect paratroopers with domestic violence convictions or investigations.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Paratroopers are asked whether they have any such convictions or investigations before they deploy, she said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">They also are asked that same question, under oath, when enlisting or re-enlisting in the Army.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“The onus has to be placed on the soldier to identify any domestic assault convictions or investigations,” Hannah said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“Every soldier is asked under oath at their initial and every subsequent enlistment if they have any such convictions.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Still on probation</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Ullom is still on probation. He was transferred to the Hoke County probation office Sept. 14, according to Frank Davis, the judicial district manager of the probation office covering Hoke County.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“The military was aware that he was on probation,” Davis said. “(His probation officer) was in contact with the Army about his probation.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Davis said it was his understanding that it was OK for Ullom to deploy because of a stipulation in his probation judgment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Johnston County Superior Court Judge Knox V. Jenkins Jr. wrote last year that Ullom's probation “is not to interfere with deployment by the U.S. Army.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“The thing that has come to the forefront now is the possession of a weapon by a felon issue,” Davis said. “We were operating on his court order. That usually takes predominance.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Hannah said Ullom has been stripped of supervisory responsibilities, and his commanders are ensuring that he is not in control of any firearms. She said he will likely be placed on administrative duties when he returns to Fort Bragg and could be dismissed from the military.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Army knew of arrest</b></span></div><div>Fayetteville Observer, The (NC)</div><div>March 18, 2005 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Army was involved at every step of Staff Sgt. Jessie L. Ullom's legal situation -- from his arrest for felony child abuse in 2002 to his conviction and probation last year -- despite claims by the 82nd Airborne Division that his current supervisors knew nothing about it.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">According to court documents and interviews with civilian court officials, Ullom's former company commander signed him out of jail after he was arrested in May 2002, Ullom was accompanied by soldiers every time he appeared in court, and Ullom's probation officer was in contact with a staff sergeant at the 82nd Airborne.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Maj. Amy Hannah, an 82nd Airborne spokeswoman, said Ullom, 24, was on his way back from Iraq on Thursday.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Gun control law</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Ullom, a 24-year-old squad leader in C Company, 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, deployed to Iraq in December despite Army regulations that prohibit soldiers subject to the Gun Control Act of 1968 from deploying. The act bars convicted felons and those convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence from possessing firearms.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Ullom was indicted Monday by a Johnston County grand jury on a charge of involuntary manslaughter in the death of his son, Christian Zachary Norris. He faces arrest upon his return.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Hannah said Ullom's current chain of command -- which includes his immediate supervisor up to the commander of the 82nd Airborne -- knew nothing about Ullom's March 2004 conviction for felony child abuse until he was indicted Monday.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Ullom's son died in December of lingering complications from shaken-baby syndrome. The abuse happened in March 2002, when the boy was 3 months old.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The boy's mother, Kelly Lynn Norris, was also charged with felony child abuse, but the case was dismissed a couple months after it was filed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Hannah said division officials are researching the circumstances of Ullom's situation and Army legal officers have been in contact with prosecutors in Johnston County.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Military custody</span></b></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Court records say a Capt. Carson signed Ullom out of jail on May 3, 2002, after he was arrested, and that Ullom was “released to the custody of the military.” Capt. Adam Carson was commander of C Company in May 2002.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Hannah said Carson is no longer in the division.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Elisabeth Dresel, an assistant district attorney in Johnston County who worked on Ullom's abuse case, said there was someone from the military with Ullom at every court appearance he made.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“It was somebody in a dress uniform who appeared to be a supervisory person,” Dresel said. “The assumption was that (the military) knew what was going on and backed him.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Dresel said Ullom's good military record played a role in his probation sentence. Ullom is on probation in Hoke County until March 10, 2006.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Frank Davis, the judicial district manager of the probation office that covers Hoke County, said that Ullom's probation officer corresponds with a staff sergeant at the 82nd Airborne Division about Ullom's probation.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Hannah said she did not know who accompanied Ullom to court and did not know the staff sergeant named by Ullom's probation officer.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Dresel said Ullom would be arrested and served with the manslaughter indictment when he returns from Iraq. She said Ullom is not considered a flight risk because he had a good record of showing up for his previous court appearances.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Judge's order</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">One source of confusion in Ullom's case is a probation judgment signed by Johnston County Superior Court Judge Knox V. Jenkins Jr. The judgment says that Ullom's probation “is not to interfere with deployment by the U.S. Army.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Dresel said Ullom's defense lawyer requested that stipulation during plea negotiations.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“My recollection is that the intent was that if the military decided that he was eligible to stay and deploy that he could,” she said. “It was not to intrude on any judgment the military might make.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Hannah said 82nd officials now know that federal law supersedes the probation order. It is unclear if division officials were aware of the probation order prior to learning of the case Monday.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“The current chain of command takes this very seriously and is committed to living up to the letter of the law,” Hannah said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Hannah said the onus is on the paratrooper to report domestic-violence convictions or investigations. She said soldiers are asked, under oath, whether they have any such convictions when they enlist and each time they re-enlist and are also asked prior to deployments.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Hannah said unit commanders and first sergeants are trained on the Lautenberg amendment to the Gun Control Act of 1968 and its implications for their soldiers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The amendment, passed in 1996, prohibits people convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence from possessing firearms.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Child Abuse And the Law</b></span></div><div>Fayetteville Observer, The (NC)</div><div>March 22, 2005 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Our View: Army sent the wrong message when it deployed a soldier convicted of battering his infant son.</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Army officials misunderstood a federal law and wrongly allowed a soldier convicted on a felony child abuse charge three years ago to be deployed abroad. They say the law is fully understood now.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But they have an even larger problem: perception. Or, to put it more bluntly, rumors. This soldier's case won't help on that front.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Child-abuse prevention efforts occasionally make the news and, when that happens, a person or two will respond and say “the Army says it cares but I know of a case where ...” and repeat whatever rumor they heard.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Officials can't chase after every rumor, of course. Cases can be more legally complex than is widely understood.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But when a soldier's life and career in the 82nd Airborne doesn't change much after he is convicted for felony child abuse, that makes a strong statement -- not one the Army wants to make.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Soon enough, however, Staff Sgt. Jessie L. Ullom's life will change. He is still on probation for the child-abuse conviction. A Johnston County grand jury has also indicted Ullom, who is 24, on a charge of involuntary manslaughter in the death of his son. The boy died in December from complications from the “shaken baby” injuries he received in 2002, when he was three months old.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Whatever the outcome of the court case, Ullom will never again serve outside the United States in a U.S. Army uniform.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Lautenberg amendment to the Gun Control Act of 1968 prohibits convicted felons and those convicted of misdemeanor domestic abuse from possessing firearms -- and prohibits them from deploying.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Federal law outranks anything, or anyone, else.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Violent crime: Are we being all that we can be?</b></span></div><div>Fayetteville Observer, The (NC)</div><div>Author/Byline: Gene Smith - Senior editorial writer</div><div>April 16, 2005 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">I know of nothing that, after Christian Zachary Norris was violently shaken in 2002, could have prevented his death last December from complications from that abuse. So this isn't about homicide.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">I know of nothing that could either help or hurt his father, Staff Sgt. Jessie L. Ullom, in defending himself against a manslaughter charge now that his little boy has died. So this isn't about Ullom's guilt or the lack of it.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">We debated the Lautenberg amendment to the 1968 Gun Control Act, which prohibited violent felons from possessing firearms, a decade ago. A few people expressed concern that it would apply to soldiers as well as civilians. I remember writing an editorial saying that people who committed crimes of rage against the small and weak were precisely the kind of people we didn't need doing our soldiering. Some debate. Anyway, this isn't about the amendment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">This is about the Fort Bragg paratrooper's conviction following his no-contest plea in the child-abuse case that preceded the boy's death. More particularly, it's about things that could have prevented Ullom's deployment to Iraq, with weapon, as his son's condition worsened.<span style="color: red;"> Most particularly, it's about things that might be done to make it harder for anyone to slip around the Lautenberg restriction again.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">See what you think.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It appears that GIs convicted of “domestic” violence and other such crimes are on the honor system: They're supposed to volunteer the information, to their commanding officers, that they may be ineligible for armed service because they've become violent criminals. The military, leaving nothing to chance, asks them about such charges prior to deployment and re-enlistment. But, call me a cynic, I think I see a loophole there.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Not the first loophole, actually. Fort Bragg has working arrangements with civil authorities in neighboring counties. <span style="color: red;">But Ullom made his plea in Johnston County, which doesn't adjoin the fort. And at sentencing, Superior Court Judge Knox Jenkins not only gave him no active prison term; he took it upon himself to write that Ullom's probation was “not to interfere with deployment by the U.S. Army.”</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Company commanders and first sergeants are supposed to be versed in the Lautenberg rule, and were said to have been briefed about Ullom's case by a Hoke County probation officer. This would have been an opportune time to put a copy of that report into Ullom's personnel file and place him under an administrative hold -- no deployment -- pending review. But it didn't happen.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">As for the Hoke probation officials, they, like Judge Jenkins, appear to have assumed that a state judge's order supersedes a regulation arising from an act of Congress. The U.S. Constitution, supreme law of the land, says otherwise.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">How many loopholes does that make?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Try another case, one set in the future, and see what a few regulatory nips and tucks might accomplish.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Corporal Jones batters his wife so badly that she's hospitalized with broken teeth and ribs. Fayetteville police officers take him to jail, and he's charged with felonious assault. Before he's released on bail his company commander is notified. The CO drops a sheet into Jones' file and places him under a hold, with orders to report back to the CO after his trial so that the sheet can be destroyed or become part of his permanent record, whichever is appropriate. Jones is convicted and a judge who knows his business gives him an active term of at least 31 days -- enough to make Jones a deserter unless he makes his situation known to his superiors.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Not perfect, and not applicable to every defendant. But at least the situation is covered two different ways: by the military and by civil authority. Justice would be done. The issue of Jones' fitness to carry a weapon would be settled. And I suspect that Mrs. Jones would feel, if not better, a little less like a stick of furniture in someone else's courtroom drama.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Army in dark on crimes</b></span></div><div>Fayetteville Observer, The (NC)</div><div>April 16, 2005 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">North Carolina courts do not notify the Army when soldiers are convicted of domestic-violence crimes.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Fort Bragg officials must then rely on the soldiers themselves to report domestic-violence charges and convictions.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Lautenberg amendment to the federal Gun Control Act of 1968 bars people convicted of domestic violence, including soldiers, from possessing firearms.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The issue of who, if anyone, is responsible for keeping track of soldiers charged with or convicted of domestic violence arose last month when 82nd Airborne Division officials discovered that -- in violation of Army rules -- they deployed a paratrooper with a felony child-abuse conviction.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Staff Sgt. Jessie Lee Ullom, 24, was sent to Iraq in December even though his conviction and probation order prohibit him from possessing weapons and Army rules bar him from deploying.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Maj. Amy Hannah, a division spokeswoman, said Ullom's current supervisors became aware of his 2004 conviction March 14, when Ullom was indicted on an involuntary manslaughter charge by a Johnston County grand jury.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Ullom's indictment came three months after his son, Christian Zachary Norris, died of lingering complications of shaken-baby syndrome. Norris died just before his third birthday. He was 3 months old when the abuse happened in March 2002.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Hannah said that as soon as the unit learned of the indictment, it removed Ullom from his supervisory duties, took away his weapon, placed him under the supervision of a senior noncommissioned officer and brought him back from Iraq. Ullom returned March 20.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">After being arrested twice upon his return -- once in Hoke County for violating his probation and once in Johnston County on the indictment -- and posting bail, Ullom is performing administrative duties on Fort Bragg and awaiting two court dates.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Ralph Walker, director of the N.C. Administrative Office of the Courts, said that although having a notification mechanism would make sense, especially in light of Ullom's case, it would overburden an already stressed state court system to notify the Army of soldiers' convictions.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He said the best way to handle these situations would probably be for judges to make note of firearms prohibitions in their judgments and stipulate that the Army be notified of the conviction.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Ullom's judgment says nothing about contacting the Army, but it does clearly state that he should not possess firearms.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">However, the judgment, signed March 10, 2004, by Superior Court Judge Knox V. Jenkins Jr., also says that Ullom's probation “is not to interfere with deployment by the U.S. Army.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Jim Levinson, a Smithfield lawyer who represented Ullom in the Johnston County child-abuse case, said he asked for the stipulation so that Ullom could continue doing his job. Ullom is on probation in Hoke County until March 10, 2006.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">A legal view</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Frank Davis, the judicial district manager of the probation office that covers Hoke County, said he considers probation judgments law. “If there's a superseding law, then somebody else has to make a judgment call on that,” he said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Davis said that Ullom told him he was part of the honor guard and wouldn't have a weapon. Davis said no one questioned Ullom further, and no one from the probation office talked to Ullom's supervisors until after Ullom was indicted.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Davis said he assumed Ullom's supervisors knew about the conviction because officials in Johnston County told him that someone in uniform was with Ullom during court appearances.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Hannah said last month that the division has safeguards designed to identify paratroopers with domestic violence charges or convictions.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">She said leaders asks paratroopers whether they have domestic-violence investigations or convictions before they deploy. She said they are asked that same question, under oath, when re-enlisting.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Hannah declined to say whether Ullom was asked those questions, and, if he was, how he answered them.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">One officer knew</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Court documents show that one of Ullom's former commanders knew of his legal troubles.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">According to a first appearance record from Johnston County District Court, a “Captain Carson” bailed Ullom out of jail May 3, 2002, after Ullom's arrest on the child-abuse charge. The document says Ullom was “released to the custody of military.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Capt. Adam Carson was the commander of Ullom's unit, C Company, 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, in 2002. He has since left the division, Hannah said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Martha Rudd, a spokeswoman for Army headquarters at the Pentagon, said commanders are supposed to “flag” a soldier's record when they are facing charges. “It is Army policy to flag a record,” she said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Rudd said a flag places a soldier's career in a holding pattern. He or she cannot be promoted, transferred or deployed until the flag is lifted.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Hannah said last month that Ullom was “flagged” upon his return from Iraq last month. She declined to say whether his record contained any mention of his 2002 arrest, or whether his record had been flagged before his indictment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Mike Hardin, an assistant district attorney for Hoke County who is working on Ullom's probation-violation case, said it is not uncommon for the Army to be unaware of charges.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But, he said, most of the time the charges are less serious. “It's very commonplace for a soldier to have an offense and then be sent somewhere else,” he said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“Quite often the military does not know (the soldier) has that speeding ticket needing to be dealt with because the soldier has not told them they have it.”</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Pols Have 'Seen The Light'</b></span></div><div>Waycross Journal-Herald (GA)</div><div>October 26, 2005 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Americans have bypassed a bitter cup by deciding to remove Democrats from positions of power in the White House and Congress. For the first time since the departure of the scandal-plagued Clinton administration, Americans are regaining their Second Amendment rights while the anti-gun crowd is in full retreat.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The anti-gunners and their high-profile Democratic cronies, including Sens. Charles Schumer, John Kerry, Teddy Kennedy, Diane Feinstein, Frank Lautenberg and others, were on the attack when the Clinton regime went out of business at the close of the 20th century.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But as George W. Bush begins his second term in the White House, the much-maligned "assault weapons ban" has followed the dinosaur into extinction largely because both parties — Democrat and Republican — have come to realize that gun control legislation is a big-time political loser. Just ask defeated House Speaker Tom Foley and defeated House Democrats who were turned out of office in 1994 after passing Clinton's assault weapons ban, effectively turning over control of the House to Republicans. And don't forget Vice President Al Gore, whose 1999 tie-breaking vote for the anti-gun "Lautenberg Amendment" in the Senate ensured his defeat for the presidency in Tennessee (his home state), West Virginia and Arkansas in 2000.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Congress has "seen the light," as Jake and Elwood would say. Last week the House passed the Protection in Lawful Commerce in Arms Act by a vote of 283-144. The bill has been the Holy Grail for the National Rifle Association since 1999, when big city Democratic mayors like Chicago's Richard Daley and Atlanta's Bill Campbell began suing firearms manufacturers, alleging they were somehow responsible for the criminal misuse of their products.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Georgia General Assembly saw to the dismissal of Atlanta's lawsuit in 1999 by asserting its legislative power as the sole governing authority over Georgia's firearms makers. They passed a law in just two weeks' time which ultimately led to the dismissal of Atlanta's junk lawsuit.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Elsewhere, in case after case, similar lawsuits were dismissed by judges in summary judgment as having no basis in law. Judges found that when a lawful product (such as a firearm) is manufactured and sold within the dictates of existing federal and state laws, it's not legal to assign criminal responsibility to the manufacturer, wholesaler or retailer when that product is criminally misused by a third party.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">These junk lawsuits were modeled after suits against the tobacco industry. They hinged on the notion that guns are a "public nuisance" and that their makers and dealers should take "special precautions" in selling them. But everyone licensed by the federal government to sell firearms takes "special precautions." The gun-grabbers' claims were specious and arbitrary, to say the least.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But the anti-gunners and their Democratic pals knew this. Their aim was to bleed gun manufacturers and dealers with costly attorneys fees over many years, with an eye toward bankrupting them in the final analysis. As more and more manufacturers and dealers fell by the wayside, the American people would ultimately lose their Second Amendment rights because there would be no new guns and ammunition available to buy. This was the ulterior motive of the antigunners and their political cronies. They couldn't achieve disarmament of the American people at the ballot box, so they sought to do so through the courts.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Americans saw their armed countrymen defend their homes and families from criminal gangs in New Orleans after law and order vanished there in September. Americans know that without their constitutional right to armed self-defense, they are powerless to stop those who would murder, rape and steal. That's why the Congress has "seen the light."</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Commentary: Ever heard of the Lautenberg Amendment? You're not alone</b></span></div><div>Daily Record, The (Kansas City, MO)</div><div>Author/Byline: Matthew A. Radefeld</div><div>November 5, 2005 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Many criminal defense attorneys have never heard of the Lautenberg Amendment. Some know of its ramifications, just not its name. Because there are so many avid hunters, gun collectors and military personnel in Missouri, it is something every criminal defense attorney should keep in mind when representing a client accused of a domestic violence offense.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">The Lautenberg Amendment to the Gun Control Act of 1968</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Lautenberg Amendment to the Gun Control Act of 1968 became effective Sept. 30, 1996. The amendment makes it a federal offense for anyone convicted of a misdemeanor crime of "domestic violence" to ship, transport, possess or receive firearms or ammunition. Also, it prohibits the knowing sale or disposition of any firearm or ammunition to a person with such a conviction.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">There is no exception for military personnel or law enforcement officers.</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Gun Control Act of 1968 (GCA) is codified in 18 U.S.C. Sect. 922. Section 922(g) of the GCA delineates nine classes of individuals who are prohibited from shipping, transporting, possessing or receiving firearms or ammunition in interstate commerce.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">These targeted individuals include persons convicted of a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year; fugitives from justice; individuals who are unlawful users or addicts of any controlled substance; persons legally determined to be mental defective, or who have been committed to a mental institution; aliens illegally or unlawfully in the United States, as well as those who have been admitted pursuant to a nonimmigrant visa; individuals who have been discharged dishonorably from the Armed Forces; persons who have renounced United States citizenship; individuals subject to a pertinent court order (i.e. a restraining order); and finally, persons who have been convicted of a misdemeanor domestic violence offense.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It is this ninth disqualification category that is commonly referred to as the "Lautenberg Amendment."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Violators of the Lautenberg Amendment face a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and/or a fine up to $250,000.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Elements of the Offense</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Pursuant to the amendment, a misdemeanor conviction for "domestic violence" triggers the firearm possession prohibition only if the underlying offense has as its factual elements the use or attempted use of physical force, or the threatened use of a deadly weapon committed by a defendant against a current or former spouse, child or another similarly situated person.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Similarly situated individuals may include stepchildren or cohabiting significant others. Although crimes may be charged as "domestic violence" in some jurisdictions the crime will be charged as "assault," "battery" (for those that practice in Illinois) or similar offenses and would still fall under the amendment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Exemptions?</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Basically there are none.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Under the Lautenberg Amendment, if a law enforcement officer or a member of the military is convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence they cannot possess a firearm ever again. Such a conviction may result in loss of employment or permanent reassignment to a position that does not involve carrying or possessing a firearm.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Accordingly, a police officer convicted of a qualifying misdemeanor crime of domestic violence at any time in the past may likely be terminated from employment, since they may not possess a firearm under any circumstances.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">If you ever represent a servicemember, you must inform your client that pleading guilty and being convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence could have serious consequences to their military career.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Each branch of the Armed Forces have been handling this issue in different ways, but the consequences vary from reassignment, loss of military occupational specialty (MOS) and in some cases possible discharge with a less than favorable characterization.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Another group of people that this amendment has significantly affected is the "blue collar" worker, such as the forklift operators, truck drivers and various other personnel who manufacture, transport, receive or somehow come in contact with firearms and ammunition.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">If these persons have a qualifying conviction, they will not be allowed to maintain their employment if they are considered to be in "possession" of firearms and/or ammunition. Generally, if an employee has the ability to put their hands on firearms or ammunition or otherwise has the ability to control firearms or ammunition, they possess them.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Rationale Behind the Amendment</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">According to Senator Frank Lautenberg (R-NJ), the amendment's namesake, the purpose of the legislation was to close loopholes in state law that allowed persons convicted of domestic violence offense to have firearms. (See, 142 Cong. Rec S10377-01 (daily ed. Sept. 12, 1996). Lautenberg's rationale behind this law is to prevent firearms from falling into the hands of those who are more likely to use them to commit domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Opponents of the amendment, such as the National Rifle Association, argue that this law infringes on a person's right to bear arms because the amendment is so broad and over reaching.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">One example that opponents of the amendment bring up often is the case of Kathi Herren of Novi, Mich. who slapped her wayward 14-year old daughter and was convicted of misdemeanor assault and battery. Although she never went to jail and was sentenced to only pay a small fine, she has forever forfeited her Second Amendment rights for a mere swat given as discipline.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Statutory Defenses</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">18 U.S.C. Sect. 921(a)(33) establishes two statutory defenses to the application of the Lautenberg Amendment, extending procedural protections that are generally only available to individuals charged with felonies to those charged with misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence. Specifically, Sect. 921(a)(33)(B) provides that the underlying misdemeanor offense may not be used as a predicate to a violation of Sect. 922(g)(9) unless the individual in question was represented by counsel or they knowingly and intelligently waived their right to counsel, and, that in the instant case, the individual was entitled to a trial by jury, the case was indeed tried by jury or they knowingly and intelligently waived this right.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Constitutionality</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Since its enactment, there have been several challenges to the amendment's constitutionality. Opponents of the amendment have unsuccessfully argued that Sect. 922(g)(9) violates the Second and Tenth Amendments and operates as a bill of attainder.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Others have made arguments relating to the amendment's violation of the Commerce Clause, the Equal Protection Clause and the Ex Post Facto Clause. Only the Equal Protection Clause argument has achieved even marginal success.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Equal Protection Argument</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In the case of Fraternal Order of Police v. United States, 152 F.3d 998 (D.C. Cir. 1998), the court held that it was an Equal Protection violation to treat those with misdemeanor convictions more harshly than those with felony convictions. However, one year later the same three-judge panel reheard the case because of procedural irregularities in the first decision. This time the court reversed itself because it felt that Congress was permissibly addressing a serious problem "one step at a time."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In F.O.P v. United States, 173 F.3d 898 (D.C. Cir. 1999) (FOP II), the court ruled that the Lautenberg Amendment was fixing a loophole in state law and it satisfied the "rational basis test" of the Equal Protection Clause.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Ex Post Facto Argument</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The reality of the amendment is that if anyone has ever been convicted of a misdemeanor domestic violence offense, they can never possess, receive, transport, etc. a firearm or ammunition, regardless of how long ago the person was convicted. Much like arguments surrounding the Sex Offender Registration Laws that exist today, opponents of the Lautenberg Amendment propose that its provisions make it an ex post facto law and therefore unconstitutional.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">An ex post facto law is any law that makes criminal an act that was not criminal when done, or which inflicts a greater punishment than the law annexed to the crime when committed. Critics argue that the Lautenberg Amendment adds a punishment that did not exist at the time of the crime. The argument is that innocent men might take into consideration the slight punishment they were then facing and plead guilty simply to avoid a trial. Later, they would be confronted with an additional punishment of not being able to ever own a gun.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Sen. Lautenberg defends his amendment and has argued that the provision is not being applied in violation of the ex post facto clause of the Constitution. The law does not impose additional punishment upon persons convicted prior to the effective date, but merely regulates the future possession of firearms on or after the effective date. The amendment is a remedial measure to keep firearms out of the hands of people who might use them to commit domestic violence offenses. He states that the amendment is not retroactive merely because the person's conviction occurred prior to the effective date.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Supreme Court has not resolved this issue, but they have previously validated this reasoning, by upholding seemingly criminal, yet actually civil measures that protect the public.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">For example, in Kansas v. Hendricks, 521 U.S. 346 (1997), the Supreme Court held that civil confinement of a predatory sex offender following the completion of his criminal prison sentence does not violate either double jeopardy or ex post facto notions.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Conclusion</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Although the Lautenberg Amendment has been around for some time, it is a severe collateral consequence that many criminal defense attorneys fail to advise their clients of when they are facing a domestic violence conviction. Neither the judge nor the prosecutor will advise your client as to the ramifications of a conviction for domestic violence, that is something you must do.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">More and more criminal cases are being filed in the federal courts every year. It would not be a surprise to see more federal prosecutions of violators of the Lautenberg Amendment. Therefore, in the best interests of your clients, be sure to tell those who have been convicted of or are facing a conviction of a misdemeanor domestic violence that they risk federal prosecution if they ever possess a firearm or ammunition.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><i><span style="font-size: medium;">This article was originally published in Missouri Lawyers Weekly, another Dolan Media publication.</span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Matthew A. Radefeld is a Senior Associate at the criminal defense firm of Frank & Juengel, Attorneys at Law in Clayton, MO. He is also a Captain in the U.S. Army Reserves JAG Corps where he handles military justice and legal assistance matters for soldiers.</span></i></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b style="color: #800180; font-size: xx-large;">2007: Lautenberg DV Gun Ban - News Articles And Reports</b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>WHO'S THE REAL TARGET? </b></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;">PRO-GUN ACTIVISTS SAY DOMESTIC RIGHTS LAWS ARE ONE MORE WAY WOMEN ARE TAKING AWAY THEIR RIGHTS</span></div><div>Seattle Post-Intelligencer (WA)</div><div>January 7, 2007 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He was much larger than me and had a beefy football-player build and short dark hair -the bouncer type. He was going to get physical if I objected. He was ready to push as we walked quickly past the long row of tables covered with guns and ammunition, past the woman collecting money for admission. Talk to him, I said to myself. Talk to him. I kept telling him I didn't work for the newspapers as he herded me to the exit.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"No pictures," he kept repeating.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"No pictures," he insisted one last time as he opened the heavy door and gently pushed me out. Then he closed the door and left me standing outside with my camera dangling from my hand. A hand-lettered sign appeared outside the entrance: NO CAMERAS ALLOWED.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Thirty minutes earlier I had walked into the public fairgrounds to attend a local gun show in Moscow, Idaho. It was the mid-1990s, and I was taking photographs of abandoned lumber mills and deserted mines in the Pacific Northwest. I was shooting what I thought were the industrial ruins of the rural West. I had also taken pictures of men in gun stores eyeing new rifles, and men hunting during deer and elk seasons. I wanted to add pictures of men and women at gun shows. At that point, I wasn't writing about gun culture. I was only taking pictures of daily life in small, rural Western towns.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">When I came back to the gun show to talk with the organizer, an unofficial compromise had been reached with the relevant public officials. I could come back the next morning with my camera and take pictures before the public was admitted, provided the exhibitors agreed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Before I left, I asked him why they enforced rules against cameras. What was the problem? Was it a distrust of government? Did they think I worked for the ATF, the IRS or the FBI? Was it anger against gun-control groups? Did they think I worked for Sarah Brady's handgun organization, or for CeaseFire, a Seattle-based gun violence prevention group? Maybe it was about hunting and animal rights? Or worse, I could be a PETA activist?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He looked at me hard and responded with one word, "Alimony."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"What?" I asked. Had I heard right? "Alimony?"</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Yes, alimony." He explained that the men inside the gun show didn't want their pictures showing up in newspapers where their ex-wives might see them spending what was legally theirs.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Wives were threats. Girlfriends were threats. They are the new scourges of secular life, hunting down unsuspecting men to get bucks and tear out their hearts. Women who talked too much were threats. And women who held public office and wouldn't shut up were the scourge of the land. I also have picked up bumper stickers at gun shows that said: "I just got a gun for my wife. It's the best trade I ever made." Or handouts detailing the "Top 10 Reasons Handguns Are Better than Women," ending with the No. 1 reason, "You can buy a silencer for a handgun." I also had seen some pretty vicious materials on Hillary Clinton and Janet Reno. A new fear floated above some of the gun exhibits: judges, lawyers and voters were giving women too much power, and the women were using that power to take guns away from their husbands, their boyfriends and their constituents. A gun-grabber lurked in the heart of the liberated woman.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Maybe the no-camera rule was about alimony. In this latest male fantasy about the war between the sexes, I could have been hired by a female predator to shoot pictures at a gun show for a ruthless ex- or estranged wife. I was just part of a new generation of bottom feeders out to get men, one of the vast army of women intent on misandry, a new word invented to capture this hatred of men by women.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">At the law seminar in Reno during the 2002 National Rifle Association annual convention, I learned about other ways women can grab guns. In the midst of these carefully paced presentations, I first heard about the legal problems gun owners confronted when faced with domestic-violence restrictions. Under the terms of certain restraining orders, ownership of guns is prohibited. Domestic violence and divorce set in motion a range of state and federal statutes and laws aimed at disarming violent or potentially violent intimate partners. <span style="color: red;">The 1996 Lautenberg Amendment that followed passage of the 1994 Violence Against Women Act made it a federal crime to possess a firearm while subject to a restraining order or after a misdemeanor conviction of the crime of domestic violence.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">No one at the law seminar lingered on why there was domestic violence in the United States, or how this violence affected men, women and children, or what steps could be taken to reduce or prevent such violence. For many of the lawyers present, it was strictly a legal issue about due process, federal statutes and legal precedents. What happened in the living room or bedroom, likely sites of what crime analysts called simple assault, was off the political and rhetorical radar screens. I also heard no discussion on how to protect women from men in their own homes. No, the subject was about individuals convicted of misdemeanors or slapped with restraining orders who had lost their right to own firearms. And the big issue was how to get them back. It was all about the guns.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">I found out that the police were particularly vulnerable. There was mention of how the Minneapolis Police Department was practically disarmed because so many police had present or past restraining orders against them. No one talked about domestic violence, because violence in the home didn't have the emotional punch of a violent predator breaking into your home. Then the homeowner was a hero defending his property, not a villain beating up on his spouse. The vigilante gun owner could hang a sign in his window announcing "Warning, Trespassers will be shot. Survivors will be shot again." But what kind of sign could the battered wife hang up?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In 2005, Ted Nugent, in his keynote address to the NRA annual meeting in Houston, could rant about plugging all the bad guys: "I want 'em dead." But what if the cop or the soldier or the storeowner was the bad guy? Cops were a touchy subject in gun-rights circles. Some police organizations wanted exceptions made for officers under restraining orders, which would make it more difficult for them to lose their firearms. Other cops wanted "law enforcement persons" held to a "higher standard, not a different standard." In 1997, Ronald Hampton, the executive director of the National Black Police Association, testified before the House Subcommittee on Crime. He spoke against exempting police officers. According to other testimony, police and military personnel were implicated in the crime of domestic violence at higher rates than were the general population.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In 1998, the National Institute for Justice reported that each year 1.5 million women were raped or physically assaulted by intimate partners. Many of these attacks occurred in the privacy of the home. Men were more likely to be attacked by strangers. In contrast, women were seven to 14 times "more likely to report that an intimate partner beat them up, choked or tried to drown them, threatened them with a gun, or actually used a gun on them."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">As a woman at gun shows, I am usually pitched specific guns to ward off the predator breaking into my house or stalking me. At a gun show in the state of Washington, I spent time talking with an arms manufacturer who specialized in variations of the AR-15, originally made by Colt. This marketing specialist at the booth told me that the AR-15 could be adapted for home defense. I could put in a short barrel, less than 16 inches long - what cops used in closed spaces to shoot the bad guys. He warned me that he couldn't put the short barrel in the gun receiver because he would be breaking the law. No barrel under 16 inches can go into the gun frame. Instead, he held it about a half-inch from the gun frame and demonstrated how it would work. It was an impressive-looking weapon. Stocky and mean, a dull black.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Only once do I remember a salesman trying to sell me a gun to shoot my husband or boyfriend if he turned abusive. His personal philosophy on life was that everyone should be armed and packing. If everyone in the world were armed, there would be no domestic violence; in fact, there would be no violence at all. The bad husbands would finally get what they deserved. And all the bad people in the world would be stopped - killed or executed on the spot. He insisted that even everyone in a bar, the traditional hot spot for assault, should be packing heat. Forget about alcohol. The gun itself would stop the violence. So what if the guy packing was drunk out of his skull? The gun had this amazing magic to prevent violence. It was a talisman of peace. I had reached the logical end of the gun-rights argument. Stop crime: Arm everyone.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Yet something was desperately wrong with this picture, even though I knew that some women, fearing for their lives every day, have decided to arm themselves against their ex-loved ones. Overall, domestic violence took the glamour out of the crime scene that pro-gun activists loved to describe. Husbands and wives shooting it out in the living room didn't have the same appeal as the brave homeowner gunning down a crazed burglar. And what about all those ad campaigns to get me to buy guns? The magazine and book tales of masked young predators generated gun sales. How do you advertise buying guns when the criminal was an ex-husband, a boyfriend, or a guy you dated a couple of weeks ago?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">At the law seminar, I sat thinking about how much the right to own a gun owed to the typical crime-scene scenario. Those millions of hours that Americans spend watching cop shows and vigilante heroes have helped pump up the psychic investment in guns. Still, I was having a hard time understanding how teams of lawyers for the National Rifle Association and other gun groups were ready to defend men under restraining orders. Maybe I just wasn't listening right.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">At one point a question came up about Attorney General John Ashcroft and his push in the Department of Justice to accept the Second Amendment as an individual right to own guns. We were told that the Emerson case would determine whether Ashcroft's position would hold. Over the next couple of years, everywhere I turned in the gun-rights world the Emerson case was heralded as a great Second Amendment victory. Second Amendment activists would hand me copies of the complete legal ruling in paperback form. It was the greatest news to hit the gun lobby in years.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It came down to this: In 1998, the wife of Timothy Joe Emerson filed for divorce and applied for a restraining order against her husband. At a hearing, Sacha Emerson alleged that her husband made a threat over the telephone. He threatened to kill her "friend." The restraining order was granted. Later, her husband was indicted for "possession of a firearm while being under a restraining order." But, in a Texas federal district court, this indictment was dismissed by Judge Sam Cummings. In a memorandum brimming with colonial history, the Second Amendment reared its righteous head. Cummings argued that the federal actions to protect women against intimate partner violence didn't hold up against the struggles of our revolutionary fathers to found a nation with arms.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The government appealed to the 5th U.S. Court of Appeals, which upheld the indictment against the husband. Emerson's attorneys argued there were insufficient judicial findings that he was a "credible threat"; the 5th Circuit Court disagreed. Two of the three judges accepted the argument that while the Second Amendment gave an individual a right to own a gun, it did not give an individual under a restraining order the right to own a gun. This was especially true, the court found, since upon purchasing a Beretta semiautomatic pistol, the husband had signed a BATF Form 4473, stating that "so long as he was under a court order such as that of Sept. 14, 1998, federal law prohibited his continued possession of that weapon." The third judge on the court "chose not to join" in the lengthy individual rights argument because they were "dicta" and "at best an advisory treatise on this long-running debate" and really had nothing to do with the decision made by the court. He went on to say that if the Second Amendment was interpreted as an individual and not a collective right, in a way, who cares? There would still be legal grounds for "reasonable restriction" on gun ownership.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Was Sacha Emerson just another gun-grabbing wife? In reading the opinion of the 5th Circuit Court, I wondered, because most of the opinion was not about the restraining order at all. That question was settled in a concise statement by the judges. Supported by amicus curiae submitted by the NRA, the Second Amendment Foundation, the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, and the Texas State Rifle Association, two of the three federal judges had used the opinion to expound for more than 50 pages about how the Second Amendment protected individual rights.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">At meetings of the NRA, including their law seminar, I repeatedly heard these legal opinions, especially arguments focused on what our founding fathers said or didn't say about the right to bear arms. I guess the two federal judges were hoping that the Supreme Court would jump on their position and finally give the gun-rights activists what they had been claiming in their brand of conservative politics for 30 years. The final, sweet vindication by the highest court in the land seemed within reach. The prize was finally in sight. Who cared if some frightened wife in Texas was worried enough to get a restraining order? She was probably overreacting. She didn't need protection; his gun did.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In the end the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear any further appeals. Gun rights activists would have to wait. I wonder how Sacha Emerson reacted to this court drama.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>An abusive spouse, with a badge </b></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;">Police culture may contribute to domestic violence, some experts say</span></div><div>Staten Island Advance (NY)</div><div>February 25, 2007 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - When she read about the murder of Jeanne Kane two weeks ago, Carla Giordano got chills.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It wasn't just because she could relate to the years of abuse Ms. Kane allegedly suffered at the hands of her police officer husband.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"It was because that could have been me," said Ms. Giordano, a resident of the Rossville neighborhood of Staten Island who was married to an NYPD officer for seven years.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">While Ms. Giordano admits her ex-husband was not as physically violent as Ms. Kane's ex-husband, John F. Galtieri, is alleged to have been, she said the details of their two marriages appear eerily similar. Galtieri, a retired NYPD sergeant, has been charged with shooting Ms. Kane in a Pleasant Plains parking lot on Jan. 30.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">These women's stories may not be uncommon.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Domestic violence is the No. 1 cause of calls to police departments nationwide, according to a U.S. Department of Justice study. The study concluded one incident of domestic violence occurs every 29 seconds.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Even though there are very few studies on domestic violence specific to police officers, one study suggested domestic abuse occurs about four times more frequently in families with police officers than in those without.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Some experts blame the job itself. Police work is filled with stress, irregular working hours, violence and hyper-machismo - all ingredients for difficult marriages, they say.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Others say department initiatives are insufficient and department policies are ineffective.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">The NYPD disagrees. Spokesman Martin Speechley said domestic violence involving police officers is less of a problem than it is among the general population. The so-called Lautenberg Amendment to the Gun Control Act of 1996 has served as an effective deterrent, he added.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The amendment makes it a felony for anyone with any domestic violence conviction to own or even handle any firearm or ammunition, effectively taking away an officer's ability to perform his or her duties.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">However, the NYPD has not conducted an internal study nor would it disclose any statistics on domestic violence incidents involving police officers to bolster its claim.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Margaret Moore, a former NYPD officer and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms official who is now the director National Center for Women & Policing (NCWP), said domestic violence by police officers "a real problem," even though there are few statistics to prove it. The NCWP conducted one of those rare studies on the issue in 1991, and about 40 percent of police officers surveyed admitted to some form of spousal abuse.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A Princes Bay marriage counselor - who has worked with police officers and their spouses for over 35 years - linked the problem of spousal abuse to the "extremely difficult culture" of the police department.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Officers are taught to take charge of situations, tamp down their feelings, and employ a "fix-it mentality" rather than a listening mentality, said the counselor, who did not wish to reveal his name for fear of the compromising the privacy of his clients.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"The job is always at odds with family life. Even ordinary things, like the hours these guys work," he added.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">One of the largest obstacles police officers have to overcome is their mistrust of just about everyone, said the Prince's Bay marriage counselor. Most cops are jaded by the department's beauracracy, and often have an "us vs. them" mentality. They don't trust their superiors, they don't trust counselors, and they feel civilians - including their spouses - don't understand them.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"The whole thing comes together to make a very difficult marriage," he said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The ones in happier marriages try very hard not to "bring the job home," and to separate their work social system with their family social system. They make a deliberate effort not to join in the fraternizing after work.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But that also costs them - often in lost promotions, he added.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">And if they ever admit they have domestic abuse problems, officers are offered little help from inside their departments, he said. Many departments, including the NYPD, have a "zero tolerance" policy for officers convicted of domestic violence offenses.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Ms. Moore said this puts both the victim and the perpetrator in a "lose-lose" situation. She suggested better psychiatric screening for officer candidates, and an intervention program that addresses the needs of police officers' spouses.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Very few people are going to go through with reporting these cases, because what they stand to lose," she said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Ms. Giordano ran into that very dilemma.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Shortly after she and her husband split, Ms. Giordano's former husband was arrested for harassing her. But she was told by officials in the NYPD that if she pursued the charges, he would lose his job and his pension, and thus Ms. Giordano and her two children would lose the family's primary source of income and health insurance.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Ms. Giordano eventually obtained a permanent order of protection from a judge, but without much help from the police department, she said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I really don't think the NYPD cares ... they don't want to get involved," she added.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Ms. Giordani formed the Staten Island Single Parents Meetup group last year, in part, so single women like herself can help each other deal with the difficult adjustment of life after an abusive relatuionship. She was surprised to find there many others, she said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Diane Wetendorf, who developed S.A.B.L.E. (Spousal Abuse By Law Enforcement), a specialized program for victims of police domestic violence, thinks that police departments must be willing to get involved - because the status quo is unacceptable.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Many departments are simply reluctant to change. It's still a very authoritarian, domineering culture that sometimes transfers to domestic violence at home," she said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Ms. Wetendorf, who has spoken to hundreds of domestic violence victims around the country and wrote a book about the abuse suffered by female police officers, offered another way to address the problem: Hire more female police officers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In recent years, the NYPD has made a concerted effort to recruit more female officers. Currently, 17.4 percent of the NYPD officers are women, more than double the percentage a decade ago.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"More female officers may help a lot to address the hyper-macho police culture," she said.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Answers as to where you can carry a handgun </b></span></div><div>Cherokee Tribune (Canton, GA)</div><div>Author: Judge Kip McVay - Cherokee County Probate Court</div><div>September 2, 2007 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Recently there was a commentary that complained about "warring gangs" with guns in a park in the metro area. The solution offered by the writer was to ban handguns from parks. That is like saying that people who don't have driver's licenses are driving vehicles anyway, so let's ban vehicles.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The questions are who can carry a handgun and where?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Unfortunately, the laws don't tell you where and how you may carry a handgun but where and how you may not carry a handgun.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It is generally accepted that a person not otherwise under restraint may have a handgun in his or her home, business, and personal vehicles.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The right to possess a handgun is tempered based on many State and Federal laws.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In Georgia, a person who is age 21 or older and is not otherwise under restraint may possess a handgun based on the Constitutional right to bear arms.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">There are numerous categories of persons who may not possess a handgun because of being under restraint. One example is a felon who has not received a pardon with restoration of the right to bear arms. Another example is anyone under a protective (restraining) order issued pursuant to the Family Violence Act. Also, a person adjudged to be mentally incompetent is ineligible to possess a handgun.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Where does the age 21 appear? Based on analysis of the laws. It is a violation of law to carry a handgun without a license outside the home, business, vehicle without a license. (Code Section 16-11-128. One may not have a license unless he or she is at least age 21. (Code Section 16-11-129.)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">As it turns out, one has to figure out what is allowed by reading the criminal provisions as to what is prohibited. For example, the prohibition of carrying a handgun without a license set out in Code Section 16-11-128 makes an exception of the home, business and vehicle. That's how we know that a person (not otherwise under restraint) may have a handgun in the home, business and vehicle.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">State law is not the only controlling law. One has to be familiar with federal law to know who can carry a handgun and where. For example, under what is known as the Lautenberg Amendment, found in 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g)(8)-(9) (2000), anyone who has ever been convicted of a family violence offense is prohibited from possessing a weapon.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Ever? Yes, unless a person is able to get a pardon, a conviction for family violence, no matter how long ago and no matter whether a misdemeanor or felony, acts as a prohibitor from possessing a weapon. Forever.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Let's go back to having a weapon in the vehicle, a person not under restraint, that is.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In the glove compartment, in the console, or lying in open view.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Does the handgun have to be unloaded? No. The absence of a criminal "not" means you can. Besides, why bother having a handgun in your vehicle if it can't be loaded? On the other hand, you can see why law enforcement have to be so cautious when they make a traffic stop. Do them and yourself a favor and move slowly and keep your hands in view.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Does the glove compartment or console have to be locked?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Generally, no.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">One exception is where a person licensed to carry a weapon goes onto school property. In that case, IF the person is not a student and IF the person is there on legitimate business such as to deliver or pick up a student or attend a function, then the weapon may remain in the vehicle IF it is locked in the glove compartment or console.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">What if the driver has a license to carry a weapon but there is no lock on the glove compartment or console? Sorry, you'll have to remove the weapon from the vehicle before driving onto school property. If that new car or truck you just purchased doesn't have a lockable cabinet, you'll need to get a locksmith to add a lock or you will have to remove the handgun when going onto school property.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">By the way, the license to carry a handgun is one and the same as a concealed weapons permit and they are issued by the probate court as a firearms license.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Where a licensed person may carry a handgun concealed is a whole other topic. The law has even more "nots."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The writer of the recent commentary, which made reference to warring gangs shooting in a park, suggested that handguns be prohibited from all parks.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Why is another law needed? No one may carry a weapon in the park, or anywhere else (outside of the home, business vehicle) without a license. None of the members of those "warring gangs" have licenses. Go ahead and arrest them.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">On the other hand, why infringe on the rights of the law abiding licensed citizen just because of "warring gangs." The truth of the matter is that persons licensed to carry a weapon are the least likely to be committing crimes.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Getting a firearms permit is not easy. In fact, it has been my experience that those who get permits treat them like gold and are, or become, your most law abiding citizens.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Did I mention that I'm an ardent gun rights advocate?</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b style="color: #800180; font-size: xx-large;">2008: Lautenberg DV Gun Ban - News Articles And Reports</b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>When Strains on Military Families Turn Deadly</b></span></div><div>Ocala Star-Banner (FL)</div><div>February 15, 2008 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A few months after Sgt. William Edwards and his wife, Sgt. Erin Edwards, returned to a Texas Army base from separate missions in Iraq, he assaulted her mercilessly. He struck her, choked her, dragged her over a fence and slammed her into the sidewalk.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">As far as Erin Edwards was concerned, that would be the last time he beat her.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Unlike many military wives, she knew how to work the system to protect herself. She was an insider, even more so than her husband, since she served as an aide to a brigadier general at Fort Hood.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">With the general's help, she quickly arranged for a future transfer to a base in New York. She pressed charges against her husband and secured an order of protection. She sent her two children to stay with her mother. And she received assurance from her husband's commanders that he would be barred from leaving the base unless accompanied by an officer.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Yet on the morning of July 22, 2004, William Edwards easily slipped off base, skipping his anger-management class, and drove to his wife's house in the Texas town of Killeen. He waited for her to step outside and then, after a struggle, shot her point-blank in the head before turning the gun on himself.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">During an investigation, Army officers told the local police that they did not realize Erin Edwards had been afraid of her husband. And they acknowledged that despite his restrictions, William Edwards had not been escorted off base "on every occasion" according to a police report.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">That admission troubled the detective handling the case.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I believe that had he been confined to base and had that confinement been monitored," said Detective Sharon L. Brank of the local police, "she would not be dead at his hands."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The killing of Erin Edwards directly echoed an earlier murder of a military wife that drew far more attention. Almost 10 years ago, at Fort Campbell in Kentucky, a different Army sergeant defied a similar restriction to base, driving out the front gate on his way to a murder almost foretold.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">That 1998 homicide, one of several featured in a '60 Minutes; on domestic violence in the military, galvanized a public outcry, Congressional demands for action and the Pentagon's pledge to do everything possible to prevent such violence from claiming more lives.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Yet just as the Defense Department undertook substantial changes, guided by a Congressionally chartered task force on domestic violence that decried a system more adept at protecting offenders than victims, the wars in Afghanistan and then Iraq began.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Pentagon officials say that wartime has not derailed their efforts to make substantive improvements in the way that the military tackles domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">They say they have, for example, offered more parenting and couples classes, provided additional victims advocates and afforded victims greater confidentiality in reporting abuses.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But interviews with members of the task force, as well as an examination of cases of fatal domestic violence and child abuse, indicate that wartime pressures on military families and on the military itself have complicated the Pentagon's efforts.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I don't think there is any question about that," said Peter C. McDonald, a retired district court judge in Kentucky and a member of the Pentagon's now disbanded domestic violence task force. "The war could only make things much worse than even before, and here we had a system that was not too good to begin with."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Connie Sponsler-Garcia, another task force member, who now works on domestic violence projects with the Pentagon, agreed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Whereas something was a high priority before, now it's 'Oh, dear, we have a war. We'll get back to you in a few months,'"she said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The fatalities examined by The New York Times show a military system that tries and sometimes fails to balance the demands of fighting a war with those of eradicating domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">According to interviews with law enforcement officials and court documents, the military has sent to war service members who had been charged with and even convicted of domestic violence crimes.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Deploying such convicted service members to a war zone violates military regulations and, in some cases, federal law.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Take the case of Sgt. Jared Terrasas. The first time that he was deployed to Iraq, his prosecution for domestic violence was delayed. Then, after pleading guilty, he was pulled out of a 16-week batterers intervention program run by the Marine Corps and sent to Iraq again.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Several months after Sergeant Terrasas returned home, his 7-month-old son died of a brain injury, and the marine was charged with his murder.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Deployment to war, with its long separations, can put serious stress on military families. And studies have shown that recurrent deployments heighten the likelihood of combat trauma, which, in turn, increases the risk of domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"The more trauma out there, the more likely domestic violence is," said Dr. Jacquelyn C. Campbell, a professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing who also was a member of the Pentagon task force.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Times examined several cases in which mental health problems caused or exacerbated by war pushed already troubled families to a deadly breaking point.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In one instance, the Air Force repeatedly deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere Sgt. Jon Trevino, a medic with a history of psychological problems, including post-traumatic stress disorder.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Multiple deployments eroded Sergeant Trevino's marriage and worsened his mental health problems until, in 2006, he killed his wife, Carol, and then himself.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The military declared his suicide "service related."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">A Call to Action</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Within a six-week period in 2002, three Special Forces sergeants returned from Afghanistan and murdered their wives at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. Two immediately turned their guns on themselves; the third hanged himself in a jail cell. A fourth soldier at the same Army base also killed his wife during those six weeks.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">At the beginning of this wartime period, the cluster of murder-suicides set off alarms about the possible link between combat tours and domestic violence, a link supported by a study published that year in the journal Military Medicine. The killings also reinvigorated the concerns about military domestic violence that had led to the formation of the Defense Task Force on Domestic Violence two years earlier.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">National attention to the subject was short-lived. But an examination by The Times found more than 150 cases of fatal domestic violence or child abuse in the United States involving service members and new veterans during the wartime period that began in October 2001 with the invasion of Afghanistan.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In more than a third of the cases, The Times determined that the offenders had deployed to Afghanistan or Iraq or to the regions in support of those missions. In another third, it determined that the offenders never deployed to war. And the deployment history of the final third could not be ascertained.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The military tracks only homicides that it prosecutes, and a majority of killings involving service members are handled by civilian authorities. To track these cases, The Times used records from the Army, Air Force and Navy - the Marines did not provide any information - and local news reports.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It is difficult to know how complete The Times's findings are. What is clear, though, is that these homicides occurred at a time when the military was trying to improve its handling of domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Pentagon's domestic violence task force, appointed in April 2000 and comprising 24 military and civilian experts, met regularly for three years to examine a system where, they found, soldiers rarely faced punishment or prosecution for battering their wives and where they often found shelter from civilian orders of protection.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">When the moment arrived to explain their findings and recommendations to Congress, however, the timing could not have been poorer. Deborah D. Tucker and Lt. Gen. Garry L. Parks of the Marines, the leaders of the task force, presented their final report to the House Armed Services Committee on the very day that the Iraq war began, March 20, 2003. Ms. Tucker called it "one of the more surreal experiences of my life."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Periodically, members of the committee would call for a break and there would be some updated information provided on the status of our troops' entry into Iraq and how far they'd gotten," she said. "There was a map on an easel to the side."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I knew that while we were at war all other considerations would push back," she added, "and I hoped that Operation Iraqi Freedom would be a quick matter on the order of Desert Storm."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The task force was disbanded, and its request to reconvene after two years to evaluate progress was rejected. But the Defense Department embraced most of its 200 recommendations and gradually made many changes, from the increase in advocates to domestic violence training for commanding officers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"The services have taken huge strides to implement the recommendations," said David Lloyd, director of the Pentagon's Family Advocacy Program, starting with sending out "a strong message across the department that domestic violence is not acceptable."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Further, after the killings at Fort Bragg, Congress passed a law that made civilian orders of protection binding on military bases, and the Army gradually slowed the transition from war to home to help soldiers adjust.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Mr. Lloyd said he could not verify or comment on The Time's findings on domestic killings. But, he said, domestic fatalities do not provide a complete picture of the incidence of domestic violence in the military.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"You have a pie, a nine-inch shell, and you have a slice of that pie, but there are other slices: verbal abuse and psychological control and assault that didn't result in a homicide," Mr. Lloyd said. "Even if the fatality slice has increased and it would look larger, the other numbers have gone down."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">According to the military, the number of general spouse and child abuse incidents reported to on-base family advocacy programs began declining in 1998, before the special effort to address the issue began, and continued to decline significantly through 2006. But whether those numbers reflect a genuine decline is a matter of debate, given that large numbers of service members have spent considerable time away on deployments and that the strengthening of sanctions for domestic violence has made some women more reluctant to report abuse.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The accuracy of the military's domestic violence data has also been questioned, by advocates, the Government Accountability Office and military officials themselves.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Last fall, in a statement released during domestic violence awareness month, Mike Hoskins, a Pentagon official, said, "We shouldn't necessarily take comfort in reduced rates of violence." He said they probably reflected "good news," but urged caution in interpreting the numbers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Dr. Campbell, the former task force member, said the task force had recommended periodic anonymous surveys to ascertain the full extent of domestic violence. She also said that she believed the "true incidence" of domestic violence had probably increased as a result of service members returning from Iraq with combat trauma, which can exacerbate family violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"It's sort of like, on the one hand, they're improving the system, and on the other hand, they're stressing it," she said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Others agree, noting that wartime places a burden on the military as a whole, even on those who do not deploy to combat zones but absorb additional duties at home.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Christine Hansen, executive director of the Miles Foundation, which provides domestic violence assistance mostly to the wives of officers and senior enlisted men, said the organization's caseload had tripled since the war in Iraq began.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">And John P. Galligan, a retired Army colonel who served as a military judge at Fort Hood and now represents military clients in private practice, said he, too, had seen a "substantial" increase in military domestic violence cases in his area.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Sometimes I just sit and scratch my head," he said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The separation of deployment, in and of itself, often causes marital strains.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Even with a healthy marriage, there is a massive adjustment," said Anita Gorecki, a lawyer and former Army captain who represents soldiers near Fort Bragg and is married to an officer currently in Iraq. "Add on to that combat stress and injuries and sometimes it can create the perfect storm."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Some researchers draw a fairly firm connection between post-traumatic stress disorder and domestic violence. A 2006 study in The Journal of Marital and Family Therapy looked at veterans who sought marital counseling at a Veterans Affairs medical center in the Midwest between 1997 and 2003. Those given a diagnosis of PTSD were "significantly more likely to perpetrate violence toward their partners," the study found, with more than 80 percent committing at least one act of violence in the previous year, and almost half at least one severe act.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Pamela Iles, a superior court judge who was permitted by the Marines to set up a privately financed domestic violence education program at Camp Pendleton in California, views much of the domestic abuse on the base as "collateral" from the war. She sees the domestic violence committed by marines, many of them young, as a reaction to jumping back and forth between the dangers of war and the trouble at home.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"One minute you are in Baghdad waiting for a bomb to go off and the next minute you are in Burger King," Judge Iles said. "There is a lot of disorientation."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">A 9-Year-Old Witness</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It was a little before dawn on Feb. 20, 2006, in a bedroom in Edwardsville, Ill. Carol Trevino and her 9-year-old son, sleeping deeply after watching 'Wayne's World,' were startled awake by a series of booms. "What was that?" Carol Trevino asked her son.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In seconds, Sgt. Jon Trevino, her estranged husband, barged through the door, according to a police report. Mrs. Trevino had just enough time to reach for her pepper spray before he shot her five times, the last time in the head. Then he shot himself.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Their son, wide-eyed, sat in bed watching his life explode, bullet by bullet.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Few details escaped the boy's notice. His father used a silver gun and it "didn't have a wheel on it, like the cowboys used" he told the Edwardsville police. The boy could even name the precise time of his mother's death: 4:32 a.m., as the glowing clock read.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Outside in Mr. Trevino's car was the immediate motive for the murder-suicide: divorce papers, evidence of a marriage destabilized by multiple deployments to war zones and by Sergeant Trevino's own increasing instability.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">T. Robert Cook, his brother-in-law, said he believed Sergeant Trevino's domestic violence was triggered by his combat trauma. "I'm 100 percent sure it was the war," said Mr. Cook, who is raising the Trevino's son along with his wife, Sheryl Gusewell, who is Carol's sister. "I don't have any doubt their marital problems placed a burden on him, but I am quite sure that, but for the war, he would have taken a different approach. When you see people being shot every day, death is not a big thing."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Sergeant Trevino, who had endured childhood sexual abuse and a difficult first marriage, suffered psychiatric problems long before he was dispatched to war zones to perform the highly stressful job of evacuating the wounded.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">And the Air Force knew it.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Air Force mental health records show that Sergeant Trevino, who was 36, had been treated twice for mental health problems before the war: once in 1995 for serious depression as his first marriage crumbled, and then in 1999 for post-traumatic stress disorder stemming from the childhood abuse and marital problems with his new wife, Carol. He was counseled and treated with medication both times.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">As a result of these problems, the Air Force insisted that he secure a medical waiver for a promotion that he sought to become an aeromedical evacuation technician. And military doctors certified that he could handle the job, despite research that shows that pre-existing post-traumatic stress disorder is exacerbated in a war zone.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Col. Steven Pflanz, a senior psychiatrist in the Air Force, who was not involved in the Trevino case, said the Air Force considered the stress disorder to be treatable and therefore was willing to deploy an airman with a history of it. But the decision is not taken lightly, he said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"It's not an exact science," he said. "You try to make your best prediction. We spend a lot of time with our customers."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In Sergeant Trevino's case, the prediction was wrong. He had trouble shaking off the carnage that he experienced so viscerally while evacuating injured service members. After one deployment to Afghanistan and two to Iraq, his mental health and his marriage deteriorated. When he returned from his second tour in Iraq, Sergeant Trevino acknowledged in a health assessment that he had "serious problems" dealing with the people he loved and that he was feeling "down, helpless, panicky or anxious."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Air Force acted quickly. He was abruptly restricted from "special operational duty." An Air Force doctor diagnosed "acute PTSD," calling it a reaction to the war and marital problems. Sergeant Trevino began taking a cocktail of antidepressants and underwent therapy. According to doctor's notes, he did not express thoughts of homicide or suicide. By the time Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast in August 2005, he was considered well enough to be deployed domestically.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But his wife's family, which had taken him under its wing, found the once affable, quick-witted sergeant to be profoundly altered. His temper flashed unpredictably, white-hot. He acted threatened and paranoid, his behavior so erratic that he frightened his son. One late night, he took his son on a rambling drive to nowhere, ranting to the boy about his mother.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">At least one time, he struck his wife. A friend gave Carol Trevino the pepper spray that she reached for the night of her murder. But she never considered his abuse serious enough to report him to the authorities.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Four days before the murder-suicide, Sergeant Trevino bought a gun.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"This is just one of those things that unfortunately happens," he wrote to his son in a suicide note. "I love you, and I know I let you down."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Justice Delayed</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Pentagon task force had one overarching recommendation: that the military work hard to effect a "culture shift" to zero tolerance for domestic violence by holding offenders accountable and by punishing criminal behavior.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">There was, members believed, a core credo that needed to be attacked frontally: "this notion that the good soldier either cantt be a wife beater or, if they are, that it's a temporary aberration that shouldn't interfere with them doing military service," as Dr. Campbell put it.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The way the military handled several cases involving the deaths of babies and toddlers indicates that this kind of thinking has been difficult to demolish at a time of war.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In October 2003, four months after Jose Aguilar, 24, a Marine Corps sergeant, returned from the initial invasion of Iraq, his infant son, Damien, wound up in the intensive care unit of a local hospital with bleeding in his brain and eyes.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Sergeant Aguilar, a mechanic based at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, acknowledged to the local police that he had been rough with the 2-month-old baby, shaking Damien to stop him from squirming during a diaper change. He said that he had been abused himself as a child and that he did not mean to hurt the baby.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">After the marine was charged with felony child abuse, he and his wife completed a parenting program.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The following summer, while the felony charge was pending, Sergeant Aguilar was deployed once more to Iraq, this time for nine months. His court case was delayed, which did not surprise local prosecutors.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Michael Maultsby, the assistant district attorney in Onslow County, N.C., who prosecuted Sergeant Aguilar, said that such frustrating delays in justice sometimes occur in his county, home to Camp Lejeune.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"It depends on the needs of the unit," Mr. Maultsby said. "We can't overrule them."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In April 2006, a year after Sergeant Aguilar returned from Iraq but before his felony case was resolved, Damien, who by then was 2, died of a brain injury. His father claimed that the boy had been injured by a fall in the bathtub. The medical examiner disputed that explanation. The marine was arrested, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and felony child abuse, and was sentenced last fall to 28 to 35 years in prison.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Marine officials would not comment on individual cases. Elaine Woodhouse, a Marine Corps social services program specialist, said that "the family advocacy program does not recommend or advise deployment of a marine when domestic or felony child abuse charges are pending." Still, that decision, she said, is left to the discretion of the commanders.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A conviction for domestic violence, unlike pending charges, almost always renders a service member ineligible to go to war, but that restriction has not always been considered binding, as is clear in the case of Sergeant Terrasas, who was stationed at Camp Pendleton.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">One night in late December 2002, Sergeant Terrasas, drunk and angry over a telephone conversation about the looming war in Iraq, vented his anger by punching his wife, Lucia, in the face.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"He seemed to just lose it," Mrs. Terrasas told the police in Oceanside, Calif., who arrested him on misdemeanor charges.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But Sergeant Terrasas was deployed to Iraq before his case was heard. It was not until his return seven months later that he pleaded guilty, was placed on probation and was ordered to complete a 16-week batterers intervention program run by the Marine Corps.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Sergeant Terrasas attended a few classes. But the Marine Corps, facing a runaway insurgency in Iraq, pulled him out of the batterers program and shipped him off to war for a second time in early 2004.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">This deployment was illegal. A 1996 law bans offenders who are convicted of domestic violence misdemeanors from carrying firearms, with no special exception for military personnel. The ban is referred to as the Lautenberg amendment after its sponsor, Senator Frank R. Lautenberg, Democrat of New Jersey.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Army and Marine regulations, formulated in response to the weapons ban, explicitly prohibit deployments for missions that require firearms, and extend the policy to felony domestic violence offenders, too. The Marine Corps would not comment on Sergeant Terrasas's deployment, citing confidentiality rules.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">When Sergeant Terrasas returned from war, he completed his batterers program, said his lawyer, Philip De Massa. But his anger, tested by two tours in Iraq, still surfaced. In September 2005, when the police responded to a domestic argument, he broke down crying and told one officer that he suffered from "postwar traumatic syndrome." There is no record that he sought or received mental health help.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Nearly two weeks later, the Terrasases' 7-month-old son, Alexander, died from a powerful blow to the head. Mr. Terrasas was charged with murder. Last August, after a deal with prosecutors, he was sentenced to seven years in prison for felony child endangerment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He never admitted to abusing his child.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Broken Promises</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Sgt. Erin Edwards, emboldened by a year in Iraq, returned to Texas with the courage to end her troubled marriage.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Being apart for such a long period of time enabled her to realize she could survive without him," said Sgt. Jami Howell, 28, who was her best friend.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">When Erin Edwards told her husband that she wanted a divorce after four years of marriage, he responded as she had long feared.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">On June 19, 2004, he followed her to their baby sitter's house to hand her a written proposal for a custody arrangement. When she did not immediately respond, he beat her so badly that she wound up in the emergency room.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Even before the assault, William Edwards's troubles had so badly affected his performance at work that his commanding officer, Capt. Brian Novoselich, took the time to meet with him weekly to check on his welfare. After the assault, it was the captain who confined him to the base.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But William Edwards repeatedly left unescorted and often stayed with his brother, who lived across the street from Erin Edwards in Killeen. On several occasions, she alerted the police and his superiors that he was lurking.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">On July 21, 2004, Erin Edwards went to court to make the temporary protection order permanent. At the hearing, William Edwards told the judge that he had enrolled in alcohol and domestic violence classes after the June assault, according to a transcript.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I had hit rock bottom when I touched my wife, man," he said in court. "That was the worst day ever in my life. I had always told my wife that I would never touch her, ever, physically."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">William Edwards also acknowledged that when the police showed up that day, he begged his wife not to press charges, saying: "Don't do this to my career. Don't do this."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Erin Edwards spoke of the effect on their children, who witnessed the assault. "Since the incident happened, all my son talks about is how his father hurt his mother, and that Daddy is going to kill Mommy,'" she said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">She also stated, and her husband learned for the first time, that she was transferring and moving with the children. William Edwards was "visibly upset" by this, according to Army documents turned over to the police.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The following morning, after reporting to an exercise session with other soldiers, William Edwards left the base alone one final time. After the murder-suicide, local police officers securing the scene noted that both bodies were dressed in military camouflage clothing with nameplates that said Edwards. Both were 24.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">At Erin Edwards's funeral, her boss, Brig. Gen. Charles Benjamin Allen, who was killed in a helicopter crash in late 2004, eulogized the soldier with a cracking voice. More than three years later, her relatives note that not even he, with his high rank, was able to ensure that the military was doing more than taking a troubled soldier "at his word," as Mary Lou Taylor, Erin's aunt, said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"He couldn't or failed to help her be safe." Ms. Taylor said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">William Edwards's former commanding officer, Major Novoselich, said in a recent interview that he was "shocked by the end result." Now a professor at West Point, he said he had assumed that William Edwards's immediate supervisors were monitoring him.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Near Fort Hood, Detective Brank of the Killeen police said soldiers continued to defy restrictions to the base.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I am surprised," she said. "Fort Hood is not enforcing these orders."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Army examined Erin Edwards's death as part of a fatality review program recommended by the Pentagon task force "to ensure no victim dies in vain."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A one-paragraph summary of the review seemed to discount the findings of the civilian police investigation. The summary noted that Erin Edwards had refused the assistance of the base's family advocacy program, while William Edwards had enrolled in it. It added that William Edwards had "appeared to comply" with his restrictions. Until the day he "eluded his military escort" and killed his wife.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>GUNS POSE A DEADLY THREAT TO VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE</b></span></div><div>Seattle Post-Intelligencer (WA)</div><div>April 22, 2008 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In April 2007, after months of stalking and threatening, Rebecca Griego's ex-boyfriend shot and killed her on the University of Washington campus. Just weeks later in Des Moines, Monique Vance was chased down and shot to death by her husband as she ran to a neighbor for help.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">While those crimes may appear to be isolated incidents, they are in fact intrinsically linked.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Chances are the deaths of those two women won't be a prominent topic of discussion when the U.S. Supreme Court issues its decision in District of Columbia v. Heller, the challenge to the district's handgun ban, in late June. But they should be, because as Griego's and Vance's stories show, guns pose a uniquely deadly threat to victims of domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Domestic violence directly affects one in four women in every corner of this country. Each year, almost two million injuries and more than half a million emergency room visits are attributed to this kind of abuse.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Domestic violence is also a crime. It accounts for more than one-third of all reported violent crimes in 18 states and the District of Columbia, and it claims the lives of three women each day.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">And guns are undeniably the weapon of choice in domestic violence homicides. Studies show that from 1980 to 2000, 60 percent to 70 percent of abusers who killed their female partners used guns to do so.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In Washington state, where 359 people were killed by domestic violence abusers between Jan. 1, 1997 and June 30, 2006, abusers used guns in 200 of those murders. Women are more likely to be killed by guns than all other methods combined. Simply having a gun in the house makes an abused woman six times more likely than other women to be killed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">For more than a decade, the federal government has recognized the devastating and deadly role guns play in domestic violence. In 1994, Congress passed the Domestic Violence Firearm Prevention Act, which prohibits gun possession by anyone who has a restraining or protective order issued against them in a case of reported domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Congress strengthened its commitment to keeping guns out of the hands of abusers in 1996 by passing the Domestic Violence Offender Gun Ban. Commonly referred to as the Lautenberg Amendment, the ban prohibits anyone convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence from purchasing or possessing a gun. Statistics collected by the Department of Justice and analyzed by the Congressional Research Service estimate that by the end of 2006, the law had blocked more than 150,000 attempted gun purchases by people convicted of domestic violence crimes.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Seeing the promise of such restrictions in preventing domestic violence murders, state and local governments have followed in the footsteps of the federal government by enacting laws to prevent abusers from wielding guns.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">These reasonable gun restrictions have been instrumental in protecting thousands of domestic violence victims.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Guns exacerbate an already pervasive problem, intensifying the violence and the likelihood that such violence will lead to death. Reasonable gun restrictions save lives by keeping guns out of the hands of individuals prone to harming others.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">We hope the justices will uphold the D.C. law - and in the process, protect victims and enable communities to do what it takes to make sure our homes are safe.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Brady Campaign Strongly Endorses Senator Frank Lautenberg, A Hero in The Fight to Reduce Gun Violence</b></span></div><div>PR Newswire (USA)</div><div>May 22, 2008 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The President of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence announced today that the organization was endorsing New Jersey Senator Frank Lautenberg in the Democratic primary to serve New Jersey in the United States Senate. The organization rarely endorses primary candidates.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Senator Frank Lautenberg is a hero to those who fight to reduce gun violence in America. He has always been a courageous champion for sensible gun laws and has worked tirelessly to make our communities safer," said Paul Helmke, Brady's President. "We will do everything we can to ensure that Senator Lautenberg is re-elected."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">According to the Brady Campaign, Senator Lautenberg has a stellar record of fighting to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people, including the following:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">-- Senator Lautenberg cosponsored the Senate version of the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act (Public Law 103-159), which, since going into effect in 1994, has stopped more than 1.5 million felons and other dangerous people from buying guns.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">-- Senator Lautenberg authored the Domestic Violence Gun Ban (Public Law 104-208) which, since its enactment in 1996, has denied guns to domestic abusers over 150,000 times.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">-- Senator Lautenberg is the author of legislation to require background checks at gun shows so that criminals, terrorists, and other dangerous people cannot exploit these events to buy and sell guns. Although the Senate passed the Senator's legislation in 1999 with Vice President Gore's tie-breaking vote, the gun lobby killed it in the House of Representatives. Senator Lautenberg has reintroduced this legislation in the 110th Congress.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">-- Senator Lautenberg has introduced legislation that would, for the first time, give the Attorney General the power to prevent known and suspected terrorists from purchasing firearms (S. 1237). In 2007, at Senator</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Lautenberg's urging, the Bush Administration endorsed Lautenberg's proposal to close the "terror gap."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"We make it too easy for dangerous people to obtain dangerous weapons," Helmke said. "There are only a few sensible gun laws on the books at the federal level, and Senator Lautenberg is one of the big reasons we have most of those. The Brady Campaign fights for sensible gun laws to protect Americans and their families and our community, and no one has worked harder for progress than Frank Lautenberg. We strongly support his reelection."</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Brady Center, Law Enforcement Leaders Urge Supreme Court to Reverse Appeals Court Ruling Allowing Domestic Violence Abusers to Have Guns</b></span></div><div>PR Newswire (USA)</div><div>June 17, 2008 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">National law enforcement groups joined the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence and other gun violence prevention groups in filing a "friend of the court" brief in United States v. Hayes, urging the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse an appeals court ruling allowing convicted domestic violence abusers to possess guns.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">If upheld, the appeals court ruling could require the names of thousands of dangerous, convicted abusers purged from the Brady background check system, enabling these individuals to possess firearms.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">The "Lautenberg Amendment," enacted by Congress in 1996, prohibits abusers convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence from possessing firearms. Last April, the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a wife beater's conviction for illegal gun possession. The Court narrowly interpreted the Lautenberg Amendment to bar gun possession only by abusers convicted of laws specifically barring domestic violence, rather than all persons convicted of domestic violence under general battery laws. The 4th Circuit ruling is contrary to the rulings of nine other Federal Circuit Courts. More than half of the states do not have laws specifically barring violence against spouses or family members, but instead charge abusers under general battery laws.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"We urge the Supreme Court to recognize the importance of protecting the families of domestic violence victims and the law enforcement personnel who risk their lives stopping violent abusers by affirming that convicted abusers should not possess guns," said Brady Center President Paul Helmke. "We should not make it easier for dangerous domestic violence abusers to get their hands on firearms."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Brady Center brief argues that the lower court ruling, if affirmed, could re-arm thousands of convicted domestic violence abusers, placing in jeopardy the family members of these abusers as well as the law enforcement officers summoned to address such violence. On average, more than three people are killed by intimate partners every day in this country. Intimate partner homicides account for up to one-half of all homicides of females. Every year between 1,000 and 1,600 women die at the hands of their male partners, and 14 percent of all police officer deaths occurred during a response to domestic violence calls.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Supreme Court will consider United States v. Hayes in its term beginning in October. It will likely be the first Supreme Court case interpreting federal gun laws to be decided after the Court issues its Second Amendment decision in District of Columbia v. Heller which is expected in the next few days.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The groups joining the Brady Center brief are the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Major Cities Chiefs, National Sheriffs' Association, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, Hispanic American Police Command Officers Association, Police Executive Research Forum, National Black Police Association, National Latino Peace Officers Association, Legal Community Against Violence, and School Safety Advocacy Council.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Reasonable Gun Restrictions Are Necessary to Protect Victims of Domestic Violence</b></span></div><div>PR Newswire (USA)</div><div>June 26, 2008 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The following is a statement by Sue Else, President of the National Network to End Domestic Violence:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The National Network to End Domestic Violence is disappointed in the Supreme Court's decision in District of Columbia v. Heller. Guns pose a very grave threat to domestic violence victims, and communities must be able to implement the necessary tools to keep victims safe.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Domestic violence accounts for over one-third of all reported violent crimes in 18 states and the District of Columbia. Domestic violence claims the lives of three women each day and guns are undeniably the weapon of choice in these homicides. Studies show that from 1980 to 2000, 60% to 70% of abusers who killed their female partners used guns to do so. Simply having a gun in the house makes an abused woman seven times more likely than other women to be killed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The mere presence of a gun, whether it is fired or not, has long-term, devastating effects on domestic violence victims. An abuser will often use the gun to terrorize the victim - pointing it at the victim, threatening to harm others or even commit suicide. Such threats lead to a constant state of fear and post-traumatic stress. Justice Breyer's dissent pays specific attention to the deadly role guns play in domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Although it makes it harder for legislatures to protect victims of domestic violence, the Court's opinion does not strike down existing, effective restrictions that keep guns out of the hands of batterers. There is a well-established federal framework for regulating gun possession and such laws are precisely the sort of lawful regulatory measure referred to by the Court. For example, the federal Domestic Violence Offender Gun Ban prohibits anyone convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence or subject a protective order from purchasing or possessing a gun. Similar gun restrictions at the federal, state and local level have been instrumental in protecting thousands of domestic violence victims. Domestic violence convictions and restraining orders are the second most common reasons for the denial of hand gun applications. Statistics collected by the Department of Justice and analyzed by the Congressional Research Service estimate that the Lautenberg Amendment had blocked over 150,000 attempted gun purchases by people convicted of domestic violence crimes.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The National Network to End Domestic Violence will work with the District of Columbia and other states to ensure their firearms prohibitions meet the standards of the Court while keeping guns out of the hands of batterers.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>U.S. District Court upholds domestic violence firearms ban</b></span></div><div>Wisconsin Law Journal (Milwaukee, WI)</div><div>September 8, 2008 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The ban on possession of firearms by persons convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence is constitutional.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In one of the first challenges to the validity of 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(9), since the U.S. Supreme Court's landmark holding in District of Columbia v. Heller, 128 S.Ct. 2783 (2008), U.S. District Judge Barbara B. Crabb held that Heller does not affect the validity of the prohibition.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Judge Crabb reasoned, &#x93;These persons have shown that it is they and not any outside intruders that pose the greater danger to their families.&#x94;</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The defendant, Steven M. Skoien, had moved to dismiss the indictment against him on the ground that the statute violates the Second Amendment's guarantee of the right to bear arms. On Aug. 27, Judge Crabb denied the motion to dismiss.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In Heller, the Supreme Court held that the Second Amendment's right to bear arms protects an individual right to possess and carry weapons in case of confrontation.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">However, the court made a point of saying that its opinion was not intended to suggest that all gun laws and firearms restrictions are unconstitutional.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Supreme Court wrote, "nothing in our opinion should be taken to cast doubt on longstanding prohibitions on the possession of firearms by felons and the mentally ill ..." Judge Crabb read this caveat to include the ban on possession by those convicted of domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Crabb concluded, "the Court's statement about &longstanding prohibitions on arms possession by felons' is an explicit recognition of the fact that persons may forfeit their Second Amendment right to bear arms along with other rights when they commit serious crimes. Congress has made the judgment that one of those &serious crimes' is domestic violence serious enough to result in a misdemeanor conviction."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Crabb declined to decide what level of scrutiny applies to Second Amendment challenges, finding that, even under the highest level, the statute passes muster.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Before concluding, Judge Crabb noted that the Seventh Circuit has upheld the statute against constitutional challenge (albeit before Heller) in Gillespie v. City of Indianapolis, 185 F.3d 693 (7th Cir. 1999), and that remains binding on district courts in the circuit.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Case analysis</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Absent from the court's discussion is any attempt to classify the prohibition on those convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence as "longstanding."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The federal ban on felons and the mentally ill possessing firearms goes back to 1968. In addition, some state prohibitions on felons possessing firearms predate the federal law (Wisconsin's dates to 1981).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In contrast, the Lautenberg Amendment, which created subsec. (g)(9) did not become law until 1996.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Arguably, this is not included in the Supreme Court's reference to "longstanding prohibitions on the possession of firearms by felons and the mentally ill or laws forbidding the carrying of firearms in sensitive places such as schools and government buildings, or laws imposing conditions and qualifications on the commercial sale of arms (emphasis added)."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Supreme Court in Heller could easily have included in the list of bans its holding does not reach, "persons convicted of domestic violence."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The omission from the list, and the fact that the law is not especially "longstanding," make for a strong argument that the ban may be unconstitutional, and defense attorneys should continue to challenge indictments under this statute.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Supreme Court to Hear Arguments in Case That Could Re-Arm Thousands of Convicted Domestic Violence Abusers</b></span></div><div>PR Newswire (USA)</div><div>November 10, 2008 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments today at 11 a.m. in United States v. Hayes, a case that will determine whether thousands of convicted domestic violence abusers will be allowed to possess guns.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Court will interpret the federal Lautenberg Amendment, which bans gun possession by convicted domestic violence abusers. The Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence and law enforcement groups filed a brief in June urging the Court to reverse an appeals court ruling that, if allowed to stand, could re-arm convicted abusers in a majority of states.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Lautenberg Amendment, enacted in 1996, prohibits abusers convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence from possessing firearms. In April 2007, the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a wife beater's conviction for illegal gun possession by narrowly interpreting the Lautenberg Amendment as only barring gun possession by abusers convicted of laws specifically barring domestic violence, rather than all persons convicted of domestic violence under general battery laws. Most states do not have laws specifically barring violence against spouses or family members, but instead charge abusers under general battery laws.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">If the Supreme Court affirms the 4th Circuit ruling, the names of thousands of dangerous, convicted abusers could be purged from the Brady background check system, enabling them to possess firearms.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"The Supreme Court should follow the will of Congress and protect domestic violence victims and law enforcement officers who risk their lives stopping abusers by affirming that convicted domestic violence abusers cannot have guns," said Brady Center President Paul Helmke. "We should not make it easier for dangerous abusers to get firearms."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The brief submitted by the Brady Center and law enforcement highlights the great danger that armed abusers pose to family members of these abusers as well as law enforcement officers summoned to address such violence. On average, more than three people are killed by intimate partners every day in this country. Intimate partner homicides account for up to one-half of all homicides of females. Every year between 1,000 and 1,600 women die at the hands of their male partners, and 14 percent of all police officer deaths occur during a response to domestic violence calls.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The groups that joined the Brady Center brief are the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Major Cities Chiefs, National Sheriffs' Association, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, Hispanic American Police Command Officers Association, Police Executive Research Forum, National Black Police Association, National Latino Peace Officers Association, Legal Community Against Violence, and School Safety Advocacy Council.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>An appropriate response</b></span></div><div>News & Politics Examiner (USA)</div><div>November 21, 2008 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">There's been a local standoff. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">SWAT was called in. Thankfully, the suspect gave up and no one was hurt:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: red;">Police Chief Robert Osiecki, the man charged with keeping the peace in this rural community, had a four-hour confrontation with heavily armed officers</span> on Thursday that shut down much of his quiet neighborhood.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">After two SWAT teams patrolled outside his house and police talked to him for hours Thursday afternoon, Osiecki surrendered peacefully. Police from Osiecki's own department had called the Medina County Sheriff's Office for help after the chief threatened to harm himself.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A police chief? And there were no warning signs?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Oh--there were:</span></b></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Osiecki, 50, who has a history of alcohol-related troubles, was accused by township trustees of handling a loaded gun while intoxicated during a domestic altercation at his home Oct. 29...In 2003, trustees suspended him for 10 days after he was found guilty of driving under the influence and crashing his township car into a ditch....In 1998, Osiecki and his wife, Doreen, were charged with disorderly conduct after a fight outside a local fast-food restaurant.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Yet throughout, Osiecki has been one of the "only ones," a person deemed by the state more trustworthy to carry a gun than you and I. We're the types police hold gun "buybacks" for, to replace our silly notions of being free and responsible sovereigns of the Republic with bread, circuses, gas cards and Cavs tickets.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">And special privileges and immunities, that is, the super citizen status, extend beyond being trusted with a gun. Osiecki only served a tenth of his drunk driving sentence, and tried to use his position to get all charges dropped "as a 'professional courtesy.'" And after an armed "domestic altercation" in his home, Osiecki still retained a weapon on the job and had "at least two handguns in the house."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Tell me you and I would not have lost our guns forever (or at least "legal" possession of them) under the Lautenberg domestic violence gun ban.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">And while I'm glad the standoff ended peacefully with an appropriate response, and that responding officers showed such restraint, tell me they would have held themselves back once in position around one of our houses. Tell me the flash bangs and the gas grenades wouldn't have been used to flush us out, and that positioned snipers wouldn't have taken us out should we so much as twitch while stumbling blindly and retching our way to air.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Tell me, had we survived the experience, the first response would be to whisk us off for a mental evaluation. And tell me police officials would be standing in front of news cameras making sure everyone knew how saddened they were by events, how it hurt, how it was like it happened to one of their family members...</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">And tell me that whatever charges and sentences come out of this will be the same as what you or I would face.------------Speaking of "buybacks"...It looks like the one in Akron is missing its mark by half.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Lt. Charles Brown, commander of community relations for the Akron Police Department, said it's a shame that a lack of funding should prevent the program from taking in as many guns as possible.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">''With the holiday season approaching and people inviting guests into their homes, they want to make sure any firearms won't be picked up by the wrong hands,'' he said. '' . . . It's sad we won't be able to get more guns off the streets and out of people's homes.''</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Yeah, right. Because we all know highly trained community relations professionals like yourself are the "only ones" with powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It seems another Charlie Brown quote would be an appropriate response: "Good grief."</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Supreme Court weighs domestic abusers' gun rights</b></span></div><div>Daily Record, The (Baltimore, MD)</div><div>November 12, 2008 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Supreme Court heard argument Monday in a case that could restore gun-ownership rights to some domestic abusers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Under an amendment to the Federal Gun Control Act, people who have been convicted of a "misdemeanor domestic violence offense" are barred from gun ownership. However, the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals held last year that the prohibition does not apply to a man who was convicted of misdemeanor battery, even though the victim was his wife.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">That decision, which created a conflict between the 4th Circuit and nine others that have considered the question, was under review by the high court on Monday.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Arguments turned into a painstaking scrutiny of the muddled wording and punctuation of the amendment, which Justice Anthony Kennedy called "a mess."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Justice Antonin Scalia, meanwhile, cautioned against reading too much into legislative intent.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"People are governed by the law that is passed, not by the law that Congress intended to pass," Scalia said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Even so, the attorneys and justices tried as best they could to determine the intent of the amendment's author, Sen. Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Sen. Lautenberg specifically said in the legislative record [domestic abusers] are often charged as offenses like assault and battery, and we need to get at these offenses because these people should not have firearms," said Nicole A. Saharsky, assistant to the solicitor general arguing on behalf of the government. "They should not put their families in that type of powder keg situation."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But Troy N. Giatras of the Giatras Law Firm in Charleston, W. Va., disagreed. A broader version of the amendment was proposed and rejected by Congress, he noted.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"The government's reading ignores the legislative compromise that led to the contested language; and, if adopted by this court, would rewrite the statute and hand one side the legislative victory that they were unable to achieve in Congress," Giatras said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Commas and clauses</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The case stems from the 1993 conviction of Randy Edward Hayes under a West Virginia general battery statute for striking his then-wife.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In 2004, police responding to a domestic violence call involving Hayes and his girlfriend found an unloaded Winchester rifle under his bed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Hayes pleaded guilty to violating the Federal Gun Control Act but preserved his right to appeal.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The 4th Circuit, which covers Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia, found that the statute did not apply to him.The Justice Department sought review by the high court.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">On Monday, oral arguments centered on the language of the so-called Lautenberg Amendment, which defines a "misdemeanor crime of domestic violence" as:</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">an offense that (i) is a misdemeanor under Federal or State law; and (ii) has, as an element, the use or attempted use of physical force, or the threatened use of a deadly weapon, committed by a current or former spouse, parent, or guardian of the victim, by a person with whom the victim shares a child in common, by a person who is cohabiting with or has cohabited with the victim as a spouse, parent, or guardian, or by a person similarly situated to a spouse, parent, or guardian of the victim.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Saharsky argued that the most natural reading of the admittedly untidy language is that it includes general misdemeanors if the victim is a domestic partner.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Nine Courts of Appeals have determined that the text does not require a domestic relationship to be an element to the predicate offense," Saharsky argued. "That's because the statute's text uses only one element - using the singular word "element" - which relates to mode of aggression. It then introduces a new concept related to domestic relationship, using a comma and the word &committed.' The word &committed' naturally modifies the word offense.' In common usage, a person commits an offense; he doesn't commit a use or attempted use of physical force."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The argument wasn't an easy sell as the justices jumped into the thorny interpretation.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"You have the &that,' and the &that' applies to both (i) and (ii), and [&committed'] is part of (ii)," Scalia said. "I think you've got to either say &that committed' or put in an &is' - &that is committed.' … Yes, it's not usual to talk about &committing a use of force,' but it happens sometimes."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Saharsky also argued that, under the 4th Circuit's reading, the Lautenberg amendment would have no effect in states that don't separate domestic violence from their criminal laws on assault and battery - including Lautenberg's home state of New Jersey.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"If a lawyer reading this would not think that it applied, I don't care what Congress intended," Scalia said. "If the law doesn't say that, the person is not governed by it."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">During Giatras' argument, Justice Stephen Breyer tried to get to the bottom of Lautenberg's aim.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"[First] Sen. Lautenberg put in the language to say, &I'll tell you a group of people who shouldn't have guns: the people who commit a crime of domestic violence,'" Breyer said. "Then he says after, &I changed that language a little. I'll tell you why. Because somebody told me misdemeanor crime of violence is too broad. It could include cutting up a credit card.'"</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Giatras, though, said Lautenberg's intent is not necessarily co-equal with Congress' intent.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"The legislation that the senator introduced was not the legislation that was passed by Congress," Giatras said, noting "the staunch opposition that was in the House, and the fact that his bill was going nowhere. This may have been his intended purpose with respect to what was introduced, but it was then the will of Congress" to pass the final version with different language from House lawmakers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">On Heller's heels</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Although the case does not turn on the Second Amendment, it does come on the heels of the court's landmark decision in Heller v. D.C. finding gun ownership to be a personal right protected by the Constitution. Hayes is being closely watched by gun rights groups as well as domestic violence advocacy groups.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A decision is expected later this term.</span></div><div><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Kimberly Atkins writes for Lawyers USA, a sister publication of The Daily Record.</span></i></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Guns and domestic violence</b></span></div><div>Blade, The (Toledo, OH)</div><div>November 16, 2008 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A DISPUTE over legal semantics could have serious repercussions for convicted domestic violence abusers if the U.S. Supreme Court upholds the flawed ruling of a lower court in a federal gun possession case.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">At issue is an amendment to the federal Gun Control Act of 1968 that barred convicted felons from possessing firearms. In 1996, Congress amended the law so it would apply to persons convicted of misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence. It was known as the "Lautenberg Amendment," after Sen. Frank Lautenberg, who championed it.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The New Jersey Democrat's intention was to close a loophole that allowed domestic violence abusers to own guns, but because of a discrepancy in legal terminology among states, the loophole wasn't closed entirely. And it took the case of a convicted wife beater, who successfully challenged firearms possession charges, to expose the problem.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Randy Hayes pleaded guilty in 1994 to misdemeanor battery of his then-wife in Marion County, West Virginia. Several years later, police were again summoned to his home on a domestic violence call and found several rifles in his possession.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Mr. Hayes was indicted on federal charges of possessing firearms following conviction of misdemeanor domestic violence. But his lawyer managed to convince the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond that because the language of the West Virginia law on battery in the 1994 case did not contain specific wording about a domestic relationship between the offender and victim, the federal law didn't apply.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Herein lies the rub: The appellate court narrowly interpreted the Lautenberg Amendment to only cover those in states with laws that specifically designate domestic violence, not the more common laws against assault and battery. So Mr. Hayes and thousands of batterers convicted of a misdemeanor for threatening or assaulting a spouse or girlfriend get a pass on what is essentially a technicality.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But Congress intended to prohibit abusers convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence from owning guns, not give a break to abusers in two-thirds of the states which don't happen to have laws specifically targeting domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Attorneys for the Justice Department and other groups are urging the Supreme Court to reject this attempt to weaken the law and give abusers the opportunity to legally arm themselves. The Supreme Court should follow their lead.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">So far, judges on nine other federal courts have rejected the narrow interpretation of the law offered by the 4th Circuit Court. They understand what's at stake. We wish we could say the same for Justice Antonin Scalia, who had the audacity to say the wife-beating charge lodged against the West Virginia man was "not that serious an offense."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He obviously doesn't get it.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Gun ruling unlikely to affect cases in Indiana </b></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;">State battery statute prohibits ownership</span></div><div>Journal Gazette, The (Fort Wayne, IN)</div><div>November 16, 2008 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">While the U.S. Supreme Court ponders recent arguments that some convicted domestic abusers be allowed to own firearms, two area prosecutors are not concerned about the local effect.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The case of the United States v. Hayes, heard Monday by the U.S. Supreme Court, involves the interpretation of the Lautenberg Amendment. Enacted in 1996, the amendment prohibits abusers convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence from possessing firearms.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The question the Supreme Court is to answer is whether the Lautenberg Amendment applied only to those convicted under specific domestic violence laws, rather than a general battery statute.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">If the Supreme Court upholds a 4th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling from April 2007, those who physically harm their spouses or domestic partners and are charged with a general misdemeanor battery statute could again have access to firearms, according to the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">And the names of thousands of domestic batterers convicted under misdemeanor general battery laws would be purged from the Brady background check system, officials at the Brady Center said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">While in some states that might be an issue, particularly those without a specific law regarding domestic battery, it is not an issue here, Allen County Prosecutor Karen Richards said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Years ago, Indiana enacted a domestic battery statute, making it a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail, to physically harm a spouse, someone living as a spouse or someone with whom there is a child in common. If a person has a prior conviction for domestic battery, or if the crime occurs in the presence of a child younger than 16, the charge is elevated to a Class D felony punishable by up to three years in prison.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Normally, if we can prove a domestic violence case, we file as a domestic battery as opposed to a generic battery," she said. "That does carry with it, under federal laws (the Lautenberg Amendment), the prohibition of carrying a handgun. ... I think we're a lot more progressive than people think we are."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Allen County's prosecutors have tried to take a more narrow view of federal laws when charging the crime so that fewer cases would be affected if the higher courts ever required a more narrow view.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"We have always had some concern in our office that a generic battery conviction does not necessarily prohibit someone from carrying a handgun," Richards said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">And Allen County is likely not the only county in the state to stick with the domestic battery statute in charging cases of domestic abuse, Adams County Prosecutor Chris Harvey said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I think everybody files the domestic and pursues the domestic, unless the case goes south with the victim, ... then uses general battery only to resolve the case," he said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Former Fort Wayne Mayor Paul Helmke, president of the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, said Indiana has done a good job with the domestic battery statute, putting the state in a better position than most.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But he would like to see Indiana's statute expand to include violence to children, rather than just violence to a spouse or live-in partner, thus expanding the firearm prohibition. Those who are willing to harm their children might be willing to do greater harm to others in the home, Helmke said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Richards said she sees some wisdom in including battery to children as part of the domestic battery statute.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"It would be good to have the least number of weapons available to them," she said.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>More 'gun control'? Oy vey!</b></span></div><div>News & Politics Examiner (USA)</div><div>Author/Byline: David Codrea </div><div>December 5, 2008 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">First, an update from yesterday's report of the "standoffish" former police chief:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Former Ravenna Police Chief Michael Swartout peacefully surrendered to authorities...after a standoff that lasted more than 35 hours.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Here's the thing:</b></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Swartout resigned as police chief in 1998 after pleading guilty to charges that he threatened to shoot and kill one of his officers at a Christmas party. In 2004, he was arrested for domestic violence against his wife and his 22-year-old daughter.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">One of the reasons I use the term "only ones" is to point out how a different standard can apply in terms of both privileges and immunities. Who among us who are not LEOs think we could get away with threatening to shoot a cop and suffer no criminal repercussions--assuming we survived the experience? And domestic violence qualifies one to become a "prohibited person," forbidden to own guns under the Lautenberg amendment. Which means either the system gave the chief a pass, or we have yet one more example of "gun control" laws being ignored by the non-"law abiding.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"What a surprise that would be.----------------</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Meanwhile, before we were so rudely interrupted...I'd planned on talking about the second sponsor of the Mayors Against YOUR Guns conference, the National Council of Jewish Women. I know you're just dying to meet them--or could be if they have their way.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">My radar goes up when I hear terms bandied about like "social justice," not because I don't believe in it, but because certain groups have appropriated it as code-speak for--how did Mr. Obama put it?--"spread[ing] the wealth around." Then I hear "progressive" (and I like progress as much as the next guy, as long as we're not progressing toward national socialism), and I have to ask myself what they mean by it. And as for being "inspired by Jewish values," I frankly get baffled: Aren't the "progressives" the same ones who scream for separation of church and state? Yet they're imposing those values on the rest of us through gun law advocacy?In the case of gun rights, what they mean by "progressive" is clear, Here are some recent press release titles:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">NCJW Urges Reauthorization of Assault Weapon BanNCJW Outraged by Repeal of DC Gun BanNCJW Denounces Passage of DC Gun BillNCJW Urges Renewed Effort on Gun Control in Wake of Tragedy at Virginia TechNCJW Urges Renewal of Assault Weapon BanNCJW Deplores Gun Decision, Warns of Court's DirectionNCJW Urges Congress to Protect Public Safety</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">And if you need further enlightenment on how our legislative "progressives" view gun ownership, perhaps this will help.Next week I intend to examine whether or not this commu... uh... progressive group has the market cornered on "Jewish values" and guns. If you don't already know him, I'll introduce you to one of my favorite patriots, Aaron Zelman, executive director of Jews of the Preservation of Firearms Ownership.Until then, you might be interested in listening to an interview he did a while back with probably the smartest, best-looking, nicest and most humble guy I know.----------------From the ExaminersSounds like I'm pretty rough on "progressives," doesn't it? I sometimes get agitated. Let me make things up by directing you to the Birmingham Progressive Politics Examiner, who gives us further enlightenment on one of my favorite Mayors Against Guns, the recently-arrested Larry Langford.Also, the Miami Veterans Affairs Examiner just posted "Vets and Guns."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It looks like Ohioans for Concealed Carry is almost there in terms of a location for their Holiday Meet and Greet-Cleveland on Dec.13. I'd like to attend if I can, and I'll let you know when they've agreed on a place. You can see plans for all Ohio locations on their forum.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>U.S. District Court upholds domestic violence gun ban</b></span></div><div>Wisconsin Law Journal (Milwaukee, WI)</div><div>December 8, 2008 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The federal statute making it a crime for a person subject to a domestic violence injunction to possess a firearm does not violate the right to bear arms.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman distinguished the ban from the Washington D.C. gun control law, struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in D.C. v. Heller, 128 S.Ct. 2783 (2008).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Heller held only that the federal government may not forbid possession of handguns for self-defense in the home," Adelman wrote in a recent decision.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The case involved Kenneth Luedtke, who was charged with a violation of the statute, 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(8). Luedtke moved to dismiss the complaint on Second Amendment grounds, but Judge Adelman denied the motion on Nov. 18.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Adelman relied primarily on the following language in Heller: "Nothing in our opinion should be taken to cast doubt on longstanding prohibitions on the possession of firearms by felons and the mentally ill " Heller, 128 S.Ct. at 2816-17.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Adelman acknowledged that the statute -- part of the Lautenberg Amendment, which also prohibited possession of a firearm by a person convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence -- was not enacted until 1996, and thus, is not a "longstanding" prohibition.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Nevertheless, he concluded that the examples given in Heller are not an exhaustive list of permissible restrictions, but "are best understood as representing the TYPES of regulations that pass constitutional muster (emphasis added by court)."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Accordingly, Adelman framed the question as "whether a statutory prohibition against the possession of firearms by felons and the mentally ill is similar enough to the statutory prohibition against the possession of firearms by persons convicted of the misdemeanor crime of domestic violence to justify its inclusion in the list of &longstanding prohibitions' that survive Second Amendment scrutiny (quoting U.S. v. Booker, 570 F.Supp.2d 161, 163 (D.Me.2008)."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Noting that the statutes prohibiting possession of firearms by felons and the mentally ill were designed to keep firearms out of the hand of "potentially irresponsible persons," Adelman concluded that the 1996 amendments were similar enough to pass constitutional muster.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Nothing in Heller suggests that Congress may not -- based on further experience and study -- close such loopholes, adding to the list of dangerous individuals historically barred from firearm possession," Adelman wrote.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He further held that the statute was neither overbroad nor did it contain insufficient procedural protections.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Under Wisconsin law, sec. 813.12(4)(a)3, a domestic abuse injunction may not be issued unless there are reasonable grounds to believe that the person has or may engage in domestic abuse of the petitioner, and the court must warn the person that he may not possess a firearm.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Accordingly, Adelman concluded the statute was not procedurally flawed, and denied the motion to dismiss.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Analysis</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Unlike some previous cases in Wisconsin's U.S. district courts -- U.S. v. Skoien, 08-CR-12 (W.D.Wis., Aug. 27, 2008); U.S. v. Yancey, 08-CR-103 (W.D.Wis., Oct. 3, 2008) -- the opinion in this case at least acknowledges that the 1996 Lautenberg Amendment, which created the restriction at issue, is not a "longstanding" prohibition on the possession of firearms.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Still, the court's analysis leaves other avenues for defense attorneys to make constitutional arguments against the law not addressed by the parties or the court in this case.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">For example, in footnote 3 of the opinion, the court rejected a claim by Luedtke that the originalist approach used by the Supreme Court in Heller disapproves supplanting constitutional protections with 21st century policy decisions.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Adelman wrote, "He cites no authority in support of this argument, and many of the procedural protections criminal defendants now take for granted did not exist in the 18th century (citing Gideon v. Wainwright, 372 U.S. 335 (1963))."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">However, defense attorneys can easily find authority for the proposition that the Second Amendment protections are static, and cannot be supplanted by modern policy decisions -- most notably, the U.S. Supreme Court's recent Confrontation Clause jurisprudence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In Giles v. California, 128 S.Ct. 2678 (2008), and Crawford v. Washington, 541 U.S. 36 (2004), the Supreme Court effectively read the Sixth Amendment's Confrontation Clause as carved in 18th century stone, and held that the right must be interpreted only by reference to 18th century common law.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Whether the Second Amendment should be read the same way or not may be subject to debate, but if defense attorneys cite these Confrontation Clause cases, at least no court can say they have produced "no authority" for such a reading.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In addition, it is not clear why Gideon v. Wainwright has any bearing on the issue. Gideon expanded constitutional rights; in contrast, the congressional restrictions on firearm possession, like the evidentiary rules at issue in Crawford and Giles, contract those rights.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Later, in footnote 5, Adelman wrote, "I can leave for another day the issue of whether a viable constitutional challenge to sec. 922(g)(8) may be mounted if the applicable state law fails to provide the fundamentals of due process."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">This also leaves a lot of room for argument. Before a person can be prohibited from possessing a firearm based on a felony conviction or a misdemeanor conviction for domestic violence, he has the full panoply of constitutional protections available: right to jury trial; proof beyond a reasonable doubt; right to counsel; etc.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">For a domestic violence injunction to issue under Wisconsin law, however, the respondent need not even engage in domestic violence. All that is necessary is that a court find "reasonable grounds" that the respondent "may engage in domestic abuse."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Thus, the ease with which an injunction may be obtained, compared to a criminal conviction, gives defense attorneys room to make a Second Amendment/due process argument against the statute, at least where the underlying injunction was issued in Wisconsin.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Defense attorneys should take advantage of this opening, and continue to argue in future cases that while a person may forfeit the constitutional right to bear arms by committing, and being convicted of, a crime, he cannot forfeit it based on a civil court's prediction of what "may" occur.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b style="color: #800180; font-size: xx-large;">2009: Lautenberg DV Gun Ban - News Articles And Reports</b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Supreme Court Upholds Reasonable Restrictions on Guns for Domestic Abusers</b></span></div><div>PR Newswire (USA)</div><div>February 24, 2009 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The United States Supreme Court today rejected arguments by the gun lobby and convicted wife beater Randy Edward Hayes that federal law allowed Hayes to possess firearms, upholding the broad federal ban on gun possession by convicted misdemeanor domestic violence abusers. The Court cited arguments made by the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence about the risks posed by firearms in the hands of domestic abusers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The 7-2 ruling in United States v. Hayes was a blow to gun lobby groups that had urged the Court to severely narrow the federal Lautenberg Amendment that bars gun possession by abusers convicted of misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence. The Court reversed an earlier ruling by the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit that, if upheld, would have allowed convicted abusers in at least 25 states to rearm themselves with firearms.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"In its first gun case since the landmark Heller decision, the Court wisely upheld this reasonable restriction," said Brady Center President Paul Helmke. "Today's ruling is the right one for victims of domestic abuse and to protect law enforcement officers who are our first responders to domestic violence incidents."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Today, the Supreme Court sided with abused women and children and against the gun lobby," said Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), a leader in the fight to reduce gun violence and the author of the domestic violence gun ban. "Since it was enacted, my domestic violence gun ban has kept more than 150,000 guns out of the hands of domestic abusers. We know a gun in the home makes it much more likely that domestic abuse results in death and today's decision means we can continue keeping guns out of dangerous hands and saving innocent lives."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Congress enacted the Lautenberg Amendment in 1996 to prohibit abusers convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence crimes from possessing firearms. In April 2007, the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a wife beater's conviction for illegal gun possession by narrowly interpreting the Lautenberg Amendment as only barring gun possession by abusers convicted of laws specifically barring domestic violence, rather than all persons convicted of domestic violence under general assault and battery laws.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, joined by law enforcement organizations, had filed a brief in support of the ban on gun possession by all abusers convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence, which was cited by the Court. The brief highlighted the great danger that armed abusers pose to family members of these abusers as well as law enforcement officers summoned to address such violence. On average, more than three people are killed by intimate partners every day in this country. Intimate partner homicides account for up to one-half of all homicides of females. Every year between 1,000 and 1,600 women die at the hands of their male partners, and 14 percent of all police officer deaths occurred during a response to domestic violence calls.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The groups that joined the Brady Center brief are the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Major Cities Chiefs, National Sheriffs' Association, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, Hispanic American Police Command Officers Association, Police Executive Research Forum, National Black Police Association, National Latino Peace Officers Association, Legal Community Against Violence, and School Safety Advocacy Council.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence is a national non-profit organization working to reduce the tragic toll of gun violence in America, through education, research, and legal advocacy. The programs of the Center complement the legislative and grassroots mobilization of its sister organization, the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence with its dedicated network of Million Mom March Chapters.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>National Network to End Domestic Violence Praises Landmark Supreme Court Decision</b></span></div><div>PR Newswire (USA)</div><div>February 25, 2009 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: red;">Advocates against domestic violence today applauded the U.S. Supreme Court's 7-2 decision to uphold the federal Lautenberg Amendment that bans convicted domestic violence abusers from possessing firearms. </span>The United States v. Hayes ruling reversed a decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit that would have posed a serious danger to victims of domestic violence by allowing convicted abusers to maintain firearms.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"We are delighted with the Court's decision to uphold reasonable limits on the possession of firearms," said Sue Else, President of the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV). "Batterers should not have access to guns. This decision is a major victory for victims of domestic violence and their families."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), a leader in the fight to reduce gun violence and the author of the domestic violence gun ban, said, "Since it was enacted, my domestic violence gun ban has kept more than 150,000 guns out of the hands of domestic abusers. We know a gun in the home makes it much more likely that domestic abuse results in death and today's decision means we can continue keeping guns out of dangerous hands and saving innocent lives."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The case originated in West Virginia, and the West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence (WVCADV) is also celebrating today's victory. "The U.S. Supreme Court's ruling aligns the Fourth Circuit with the rest of the country; confirms the intention of Congress in responding to the seriousness of domestic violence; and affirms levying real and long term consequences on people who use violence. WVCADV is pleased with the ruling of the U.S. Supreme Court Justices," said Sue Julian and Tonia Thomas, Team Coordinators for WVCADV.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">NNEDV, joined by the Domestic Violence Legal Empowerment and Appeals Project (DV LEAP) at George Washington University Law School, filed a brief supporting the sensible ban on gun possession by all offenders convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence. The Court cited the brief in its decision.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Joan Meier, DV LEAP's Director, said, "It is gratifying to see a strong majority of the Court reject the cramped and frankly illogical reading of the statute put forward by the Fourth Circuit and instead endorse the clear purpose of the legislature, not to mention common sense."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Arming the people who brutally beat their spouses or partners is a recipe for disaster," Else said. "The Supreme Court made the right decision by upholding the domestic violence gun ban, keeping guns out of the hands of batterers and helping victims recovering from abuse to stay safe."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The National Network to End Domestic Violence Fund (NNEDV) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing public education, training and technical assistance to maintain and develop the professional expertise of advocates working to end domestic violence. NNEDV strives to strengthen advocates as organizers and activists in the tradition of social change movements. </span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Gun laws can save lives</b></span></div><div>Star-Tribune (Casper, WY)</div><div>Section: Opinion</div><div>February 28, 2009 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The U.S. Supreme Court has reinstated a federal ban on gun possession for people previously convicted of certain domestic violence misdemeanors.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Sen. Paul Wellstone (advocate of the Lautenberg Amendment and for victims of domestic violence) once said, "All too often the difference between a battered woman and a dead woman is the presence of a gun."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Violence Policy Center confirms the fact that although firearms are used in a relatively small percentage of domestic violence incidents, when a firearm is present, domestic violence can and all too often does turn into domestic homicide. Congress, recognizing the deadly role firearms play in domestic violence, passed the Protective Order Gun Ban in 1994. The law prohibits gun possession by a person against whom there is a restraining or protective order for domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In 1996, Congress passed the Domestic Violence Misdemeanor Gun Ban, which prohibits anyone convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence or child abuse from purchasing or possessing a gun.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">One-third of all female homicide victims are murdered by an intimate partner. Of these domestic violence victims, two-thirds were killed by a firearm. In Wyoming, a firearm killed an estimated 73 percent of women (33 out of 45) that were murdered as a result of domestic violence between 1985 and 2001. Firearms and domestic violence can be a deadly mix. The federal firearm provision regarding misdemeanor domestic violence crimes focused particularly on the reality of domestic violence prosecutions, which, despite the severity of the physical assault, are almost always charged as, or plea-bargained down to, misdemeanor convictions. This was the primary reason the Gun Control Act was amended to criminalize firearm possession not only for perpetrators of felonies, but also for perpetrators of domestic violence misdemeanors.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Lautenberg Amendment recognizes domestic violence usually involves recurring and escalating acts of violence that will more likely result in murder if the abuser has access to firearms. It is critical that those involved in the legal system be familiar with the dynamics of domestic violence and the federal and state laws that apply so as to not undermine the effectiveness of legislation that has the potential to and, in fact, can save lives.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>DC Council's Mendelson's defense of DC gun registration stretches truth beyond breaking point</b></span></div><div>Washington Examiner (DC)</div><div>Author/Byline: Mike Stollenwerk</div><div>March 22, 2009 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Last month the United States Senate approved a vote in Congress for DC provided that DC end its onerous and odious gun registration scheme.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Then last week DC's pragmatic Mayor Fenty agreed that it would be a net gain for DC to win the right to vote in Congress even if Congress preempted DC's power to require gun registration.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">And DC civic leader Valencia Mohammed, director of Mothers of Unsolved Murders, a D.C. advocacy group for mothers of homicide victims, said she would welcome the deal, even though she has lost two sons to gun violence in the city.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Said Mohammed, "This is one of the inalienable rights that I wanted. I want my vote to be counted. I want representation in Congress. And I also want the right to bear arms. I'm just looking at the history of my ancestors and what they went through and how they were shot and killed, tarred and feathered and burned to death. Guns was one of those things that they could not have and a tool for other people that kept them enslaved. I'm saying no more of that. I want to enjoy all of those rights that they were denied. . . . It's time."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But today Councilmember Phil Mendelson insists in a Washington Post commentary that Congress must allow DC gun registration scheme to continue. Let's consider Mendelson's arguments in detail.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">First, Mendelson said that the Supreme Court "upheld the constitutionality of gun registration."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Um, wrong. In DC v. Heller the Supreme Court said that"Respondent conceded at oral argument that he does not 'have a problem with ... licensing' and that the District's law is permissible so long as it is 'not enforced in an arbitrary and capricious manner.' Tr. of Oral Arg. 74-75. We therefore assume that petitioners' issuance of a license will satisfy respondent's prayer for relief and do not address the licensing requirement."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">128 S.Ct. 2783, 2819.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In other words, the issue of registration per se was not before the Heller Court.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But regardless, the federal Supreme Court, as well as the high courts of the fifty states, have consistently struck down laws requiring Americans to pay fees and register with the government as a precondition to exercise constitutional rights. E.g., Murdock v. Pennsylvania, 319 U.S. 105 (1943) (striking down Pennsylvania statute requiring license to sell religious materials because "[a] state may not impose a charge for the enjoyment of a right granted by the Federal Constitution"); Talley v. California, 362 U.S. 60 (1960) (holding that the First Amendment provides the right to anonymous speech and striking down state requirement to obtain license to distribute literature); City of Tampa v. Tampa Times, Co., 153 Fla. 709 (Fla. 1943) (state may not require license to operate a newspaper); State v. Kerner, 181 NC 574 (NC 1921) (striking down state requirement to obtain license to openly carry handguns in public places); State v. Rosenthal, 75 Vt. 295 (Vt.1903) (requirement to obtain a permit to carry a pistol concealed or openly "is inconsistent with and repugnant to the Constitution and the laws of the state").</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Given this historical constitutional tapestry disfavoring rights registration schemes, it seems unlikely that gun registration can be sustained, especially the onerous and odious scheme that the DC City Council instituted in December 2008.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Second, Mendelson charges that the Ensign Amendment would allow "firearms purchases by people who have a history of violent behavior or who have committed domestic violence."</span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Uh, not true. The federal Gun Control Act of 1968 and its so-called "Lautenberg amendment" prohibits all gun possession by, and all gun sales to, persons who are convicted of violent felonies and even misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Third, Councilman Mendelson says that "when an unregistered gun is seized by police, they have encountered a criminal, not an otherwise law-abiding citizen."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Huh Phil? This is just the self-fulfilling legality of gun registration. If DC were like most of America, which has no gun registration, a person possessing a gun is simply presumed to be law abiding until proven otherwise.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Gun registration is almost unknown in the United States. Only 5 states require guns to be registered - New York, Massachusetts, Hawaii, California, and Michigan - yet only Hawaii requires registration of long guns and only New York has no way for new residents and non-residents to easily bring their guns into that state without running afoul of state law.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Not only does DC require registration of long guns, but there is no way for new residents and non-residents to possess guns in the city. No state has such an extreme gun registration regime.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But there's more.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In December 2008, Phil Mendelson and the rest of the DC City Council enacted additional arbitrary and capricious standards for gun registration that have barred (1) registration of the same handgun the Supreme Court ordered DC to register last year for Mr. Heller, (2) registration of another handgun based merely upon its color, (3) registration of another handgun because the manufacturer did not pay a fee to California, and (4) re-registration of certain rifles merely because they have scary pistol grips or some other cosmetically offensive feature. A federal lawsuit challenging this scheme was filed two weeks ago.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">So don't tell us Mr. Mendleson that you are defending garden variety gun registration. You Sir are just spinning tall tales to defend a plainly constitutionally offensive scheme of gun control that in practice, actively bars Americans from possessing ordinary guns in America's City, the District of Columbia.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">And that's why now more than ever its time for Congress to tell DC's rulers: If you wanna vote in America's house, no more gun registration! </span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>EDITORIAL - No guns for abusers</b></span></div><div>Providence Journal (RI)</div><div>April 28, 2009 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Supreme Court has strengthened a federal domestic-violence law in a Feb. 24 ruling by affirming its relevance to all the states, not just those with their own explicit statutes. Importantly, the decision shores up Congress's effort, in 1996, to bar those who commit domestic violence from owning firearms.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The case at hand involved Randy Hayes, a West Virginia man who pleaded guilty in the 1990s to a misdemeanor battery charge against his wife. In 2004, he was found to possess three guns, and convicted of illegal possession under the federal law. The Lautenberg Amendment, as it is called, prohibits anyone convicted of misdemeanor domestic abuse from owning a firearm. (Congress had made it illegal for felons to own guns several years earlier.)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Mr. Hayes challenged the law, and won before the U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals. The high court disagreed, and reversed the lower court's ruling.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Writing for a 7-to-2 majority, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg sensibly reasoned that the law covers any assault in which there is a domestic relationship, regardless of whether state laws consider it domestic abuse. Only about half the states define assaults against intimate partners or close relatives as domestic violence, or explicitly criminalize domestic abuse. Instead, such offenses are likely to be prosecuted as assaults.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But as Justice Ginsburg noted, Congress was less concerned with what the crime was called than with who was involved. Its paramount aim was simply to keep guns out of abusers' hands. Indeed, why should Congress have bothered writing a law that shields victims in only half the states?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Over and over, Americans have seen guns raise the stakes in domestic-assault cases. According to the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, domestic violence claims roughly three lives daily in the United States, with guns frequently the weapon of choice. More than a tenth of police officers killed in the line of duty die responding to a domestic-violence call.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In his dissent, Chief Justice John Roberts declared the federal statute ambiguous, and said that ambiguity ought to favor the defendant. But, joined by the court's majority, Justice Ginsburg gave the law the clear-eyed reading it invites, and Americans the protections that Congress intended.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>NCIS Protecting Those Who Are In The Service</b></span></div><div>All Hands</div><div>August 1, 2009 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Picture the following, if you can:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A ship's weapons officer has discovered that the topside weapons aren't being properly maintained. His LPO doesn't even notice the coating of rust on the 50-cal guns because she recently found out her identity was stolen.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A Top Secret document is left exposed in an unsecured area. The intelligence specialist who had custody of the document is too distraught to pay attention to proper information security procedures because he has discovered signs of abuse on his child.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Navy depends on its Sailors to rise to the challenge of being the world's preeminent force in 21st century sea power. These men and women are charged with the responsibility of protecting their homeland and the maritime freedom that is the basis for global prosperity. They are responsible for protecting the peace from any threats that may emerge.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But who protects the Sailors?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Sailors need someone to safeguard them from, and educate them about, the crimes that may potentially befall them. The Navy needs a "security blanket" of its own to keep the peace for Sailors and their families, so they may keep the peace - and be at peace - both at home and abroad.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The men and women of Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) are up to the task.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">NCIS 101</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">NCIS is the Department of the Navy's (DON) primary law enforcement and counterintelligence force. The agency works in tandem with local, state, federal and foreign agencies to counter and investigate the most serious crimes. These crimes range from terrorism and espionage to common felonies involving DON personnel which include - but are not limited to - homicide, domestic violence including child abuse, identity theft, child predators and sexual assault and arson.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">NCIS exists for one reason - to prevent and solve crimes that threaten the warfighting capability of the Navy and the Marine Corps.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">NCIS is comprised of roughly 2,400 special agents, investigators, forensic experts, security specialists, intelligence analysts and support personnel who come from a wide variety of backgrounds. Roughly 25 percent of employees are either prior military or serve in the Reserve component. In addition to those with prior military service, many come to NCIS with experience gained from the Secret Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Marshals office or local or metropolitan hometown law enforcement.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Many agents with local law enforcement backgrounds had worked with NCIS in the past and were impressed. On-the-job experience is not required to join the ranks, and a number of agents have backgrounds as lawyers or teachers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">No law enforcement agency relies solely on brute force to keep the peace; intellectual strength and knowledge is essential to the success of any unit. NCIS is no exception. The varied educational backgrounds of the agents and other employees are possibly the greatest asset to the force. Though a baccalaureate degree is the minimum educational requirement to join NCIS, many employees possess a master's degree in their respective fields, to include criminal justice, chemistry, forensics, law and international studies.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Many agents have studied a variety of foreign languages. The average NCIS agent is not your archetypal Eliot Ness-type gangbuster, but more of a walking library of knowledge with a sidearm and a badge. The experience varies with each individual.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">The Crime reduction Program</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The television program "NCIS" provides the impression most people have of NCIS. The agency takes a less aggressive, but highly assertive approach to fighting the crimes that threaten the mission of the Navy and the Marine Corps. Education has proven to be just as effective a weapon as a loaded firearm or a police baton; in that line, NCIS aims to arm Sailors and Marines with the knowledge they need to cut the odds of falling victim to certain crimes through an initiative known as the Crime Reduction program (CRP).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In the CRP, NCIS works with the judge advocate general, its own public affairs office, the Family Advocacy program, the Chaplain Corps and other Navy commands to proactively fight crime within the military community. NCIS spearheads this partnership from its headquarters in Washington, D.C., working with the Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC), Navy Family Ombudsman Program and other Navy and Marine Corps support systems.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"NCIS has primarily been a reactive agency," said Special Agent Carrie Nelson, coordinator for the CRP. "We react to crimes that happen, and we decided that that's not always enough. We [want] to be proactive and help our Sailors and Marines prevent crime rather than react to a crime that's already occurred."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">NCIS does not work solely within the ranks of DON, though; the insight of other organizations, whether law-enforcement oriented or non-profit groups, is actively sought. Counsel is especially sought from organizations that target the topic dujour for the CRP. These resources can provide invaluable information to disseminate to those who fall under DON jurisdiction to reduce their risk of falling victim to the same crimes that NCIS wishes to tackle.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"We want to make sure our Sailors and Marines can focus their lives on their duties at hand rather than worry about how to recover from [these crimes]," said Nelson. "We want to get the message out before the incident occurs.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Awareness is the biggest prevention step. That's the goal [of] these campaigns, to educate our Sailors and Marines."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Domestic violence</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">When NCIS formally kicked off the CRP in October 2008, domestic violence was the first topic in the playbook.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The facts are clear: domestic violence is a serious problem including within the Navy and the Marine Corps. It can destroy families, shatter relationships within and transform the sanctuary of home into a suffocating, nightmarish prison.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Domestic violence is an overriding problem not only in the military but in the civilian community," said Special Agent Jocelyn Dillard, stationed at NCIS headquarters, Naval District Washington (NDW). "When there are children within the family, they are often witnesses and victims themselves. A lot of times, children intercede in an incident that they see occurring and subsequently get injured. [Children] can be vastly impacted not only by actual physical violence, but also by the [emotional and] psychological ramifications of domestic violence."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The destruction wrought at home can send shockwaves into the work environment as well. A Sailor or Marine facing a domestic violence charge can have an adverse effect on unit morale and operational readiness. That person might lose sight of operational responsibilities during the lengthy investigative and legal process.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The consequences of domestic violence can be professionally devastating. A Sailor or Marine can face criminal adjudication in both a military and a civilian court for the same offense, particularly if local law enforcement is called to the home. A service member can expect consequences ranging form a reduction in pay grade to the loss of his career and benefits. The latter can be especially damaging to the family.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Military families are somewhat different from civilian families," said Dillard. "[They] get housing, medical benefits through the military member, [and] commissary privileges. Everything goes away, and here you now have an unemployed spouse. Maybe the spouse is employed, or [is a stay-at-home mom] with two or three kids. Now you have two unemployed adults out in the world with no form of support whatsoever."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A criminal domestic violence conviction, whether at the felony or misdemeanor level, is often catastrophic for a career. The Lautenberg Amendment to the Gun Control Act of 1968, enacted in 1996, makes it a felony for those convicted of misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence to ship, transport, possess or receive firearms or ammunition. DoD expanded this to include those with a felony domestic violence conviction as well. Not only are military personnel not exempt from the Lautenberg Amendment, they are required to fill out a DD Form 2760, Qualification to Possess Firearms or Ammunition, asking whether that service member was ever convicted of a crime of domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"If you have a Sailor out in town [who] pushed his wife, was arrested by the [local] police department and was convicted of that offense," Dillard explained, "that Sailor can never, ever handle a weapon or ammunition. Is that going to impact his or her job? Obviously."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The amendment also makes it a felony to transfer a firearm or ammunition to an individual known, or reasonably believed, to have such a conviction. A Sailor or Marine whose authority to carry, operate or transport a firearm is permanently revoked is non-deployable. Many billets in the military require the use of a firearm, so those barred from carrying a firearm under the Lautenberg Amendment can be subjected to administrative separation, losing pay and benefits.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">NCIS works with FFSC, the Marine Corps Community Services and other community aid organizations to reach as wide an audience as possible on this topic. A video titled "The War At Home," put together by NCIS, illustrates the consequences of domestic violence for the offenders and the victims. NCIS also works with local law enforcement, with special agents personally meeting with commands and briefing them on the effects of domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">NCIS seeks to not only educate Sailors and Marines about the consequences of domestic violence, but also about how they can prevent it from happening in the first place. The importance of having a structured social network is emphasized in preventing a Sailor from becoming an offender, especially considering the isolating nature of constant transfers and permanent change of station moves.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"There are people [who Sailors] can reach out and talk to, [and] there are doctors that they can speak with," said Nelson. "If you are at risk of becoming an offender, get help. Talk to your friends, talk to your family members. [DON] offers a number of services [and] counseling sessions [so you] can seek that help before it becomes an issue."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"If you see, or suspect, that you're escalating and you're feeling the stressors - whether it's work stress, family life stress or financial stress - seek help," said Dillard.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">If nothing else, Nelson wants to get the following point across to the Navy and the Marine Corps.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Domestic violence is not allowed in DON. It is an unacceptable behavior, and there will be dire consequences," added Dillard.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Law aims at gun-related domestic violence</b></span></div><div>Bangor Daily News (ME)</div><div>November 18, 2009 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Horace W. Salley III is one of the reasons U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., in 1996 sponsored a bill making it a federal crime for a person convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence to possess a gun for any reason. The law also made it a crime to have a gun if a protection-from-abuse order is in place.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Salley, 34, of Smyrna is serving a 14-year sentence in Maine State Prison for gross sexual assault, assault and tampering with a witness. He was convicted on those charges in November 2007, a year after his arrest, after a jury trial in Aroostook County Superior Court in Houlton.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">After he completes the state prison term, Salley will serve an additional five years and three months in federal prison for illegally possessing a firearm. He was prohibited from possessing guns due to his conviction in 2003 of a misdemeanor assault on his then-girlfriend.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Congress enacted the legislation with the broad purpose of addressing the widespread problem of gun-related domestic violence by taking guns out of the hands of all individuals with a history of domestic abuse. It is named after Lautenberg, its primary sponsor.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It's almost certain Lautenberg had never heard of, let alone met, Salley when he sponsored his amendment. But given Salley's history - outlined in documents filed in federal court in Bangor - he would have been one of the reasons the senator cited in advocating for the bill's passage.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In putting the bill forward, the senator emphasized the link between the availability of guns in the home and statistics that showed victims of domestic homicides often had been abused and-or threatened with weapons for years.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">There were 31 homicides in Maine in 2008, the last year for which statistics are available, according to the Department of Public Safety. Twelve of the victims died from gunshot wounds and four of those homicides were related to domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Salley never killed a partner, but he appears to have abused every woman with whom he ever had a relationship. The abuse he inflicted on four women and two of their children between 1992 and 2006 was detailed in court documents.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">When the woman he lived with from 1992 to 1998 cut her hair without his permission, Salley loaded her and her three children into his car and forced her to drive for several hours into the North Maine Woods. Once there, he allegedly dragged her out of the car by her hair and told the children he was going to kill her, then come back for them. Only by begging for her life did she survive, according to court documents.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">After the next woman Salley lived with left him in 2002, he broke into her apartment and severely beat her. He broke her nose, knocked out several teeth and reinjured the ribs he had broken in an earlier fight, according to court documents.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A few years later, he held his infant son in his lap and wrapped the baby's finger around the trigger of his rifle, court documents state. Another time, he told his wife that the only way he would ever allow her to leave him was "in a casket."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Serial abusers are not uncommon, according to advocates for victims of domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The 911 call from Salley's wife that led to his arrest on state charges was one of more than 5,700 reports of domestic violence between July 1, 2006, and June 30, 2007, to law enforcement, according to the Department of Public Safety.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A gun was used to threaten the victim in less than 1 percent of them, according to statistics gathered annually by the department. Personal weapons - hands, feet and-or fists - were used in 97.5 percent. Other kinds of weapons, such as knives, were used in the rest.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">One of the questions police officers routinely ask victims of domestic violence is, "Does your partner have any guns at the house?" If the answer is yes, the guns usually are confiscated while the case is pending, since protection-from-abuse orders often are filed against an alleged perpetrator.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Victims, however, don't often mention that their abusers have guns, Margo Batsie, the hot line coordinator for Spruce Run, a shelter for victims of domestic violence in Maine, said recently.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Firearms come up from time to time," she said. "But we have more guns than people in Maine, so I think it doesn't come up more often because it's fairly commonplace [to have guns in a home]."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Criminal charges are not pursued in every case of suspected domestic violence assault reported to law enforcement officials. During fiscal year 2007, which ended June 30, 2007, state prosecutors filed charges in just over 5,000 cases, according to statistics gathered by the Maine Attorney General's Office. Of those, slightly more than 2,800 defendants were convicted, 26 were acquitted and charges were dismissed in just over 1,500.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Out of those, a couple of dozen, including Salley's case, were turned over to the U.S. Attorney's Office for prosecution under the Lautenberg Amendment. Nearly all resulted in a conviction and some time in prison for the defendant.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In Maine, the federal prosecution of gun crimes rose dramatically from 2000 to 2004 under a program called Project Safe Neighborhoods. The final report on the project, submitted earlier this year to the National Institute of Justice, showed that the prosecution of all gun crimes in U.S. District Court in Maine rose from eight cases in fiscal year 2000 to 52 in fiscal year 2007, an increase of 425 percent.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The project, aimed at decreasing gun violence across the country, provided funding to set up anti-violence task forces that included local, state and federal law enforcement officers. It also provided money for training so a small town police officer, county sheriff's deputy, state police and local prosecutors understood how to refer cases to the U.S. Attorneys' Offices for prosecution.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">One of those task forces was credited by the U.S. Attorney's Office with aiding in the prosecution of Salley under the Lautenberg Amendment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Penobscot County Sheriff Glenn Ross said recently that federal officials have been very cooperative in working with his department.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Sometimes common sense says something needs to be done about a particular individual, but state law doesn't fit," he said. "Sometimes, federal law does."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Neale Adams, district attorney for Aroostook County, said the federal gun statutes give state prosecutors "another tool" in dealing with serial abusers such as Salley and individuals local police know are dangerous.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"The work the U.S. attorney has done to prosecute abusers is an amazing part of our community response to domestic violence and one more way to hold abusers accountable," Batsie said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The advocate for victims said local authorities do a very good job of informing people that they cannot have guns when a protection-from-abuse order is filed. A video shown to defendants facing charges of domestic violence assault also informs them that a conviction would mean they would not be able to have a gun again.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Our Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative is one of the most positive I've seen in my 32 years in this office," U.S. Attorney Paula Silsby said recently. "We've engaged a vast array of stakeholders on a common issue to take guns out of the hands of people who shouldn't have them and reducing gun violence."</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Second Amendment debate dates to 1873</b></span></div><div>Bangor Daily News (ME)</div><div>November 18, 2009 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." - 2nd Amendment</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Every citizen has a right to keep and bear arms and this right shall never be questioned. - Maine Constitution Article 1, Section 16</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The ink was long dry on the U.S. Constitution when the debate over the 27 words in the 2nd Amendment started to heat up in the decade after the Civil War.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It would be another century before the arguments over the "right to bear arms" reached a full boil and take until 2008 - nearly 217 years after the Bill of Rights was ratified - for the U.S. Supreme Court to rule that the 2nd Amendment does protect an individual's right to own and use guns for lawful purposes, including self-defense.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In a 5-4 decision issued in June 2008, the justices struck down parts of a 32-year-old Washington, D.C., law that banned handguns and required that all rifles kept in homes be either trigger-locked or unloaded and disassembled. The law essentially prohibited handgun ownership except by retired district police officers, according to a McClatchy Newpapers report.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The justices also upheld federal laws that regulate the carrying of concealed weapons, gun sales and who is prohibited from possessing guns. The court found that guns may be banned from certain locations, such as government buildings and schools.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The nation's first "gun laws" were passed by Congress in May 1792, just five months after the Bill of Rights, including the 2nd Amendment, was ratified by the states. The Calling Forth Act clarified when and how the president can call state militia into service. The Uniform Militia Act required all free white men between the ages of 18 and 45 to enroll in their state militias.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It wasn't until 1873 that the U.S. Supreme Court first weighed in on the question that would shape arguments over the 2nd Amendment for the next 135 years - whether the so-called right to bear arms applies only to militia or to individuals as well. The court found that the amendment only protected states' rights to maintain militias.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It was not until the 20th century that Congress, backed by the court, began regulating the sale and possession of guns. In 1903, lawmakers passed the Militia Act, which replaced the 1792 law. It laid the groundwork for the formation of the modern National Guard by increasing federal funding for militia and setting training and equipment standards.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In 1934, Congress passed the National Firearms Act. It imposed a $200 per gun tax on the sale of sawed-off shotguns and machine guns. President Franklin Roosevelt signed a law four years later which required interstate gun dealers to be licensed and record the names and addresses of purchasers. The Federal Firearms Act also prohibited the sale of guns to people convicted of violent felonies.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">President Lyndon Baines Johnson on Oct. 22, 1968, signed into law the Federal Gun Control Act, which created categories of people prohibited from owning guns including all felons, those involuntarily committed to mental institutions, addicted to illegal drugs, dishonorably discharged from the military or in the country illegally. The Lautenberg Act in 1996 added to the list people convicted of the misdemeanor crime of domestic violence and those subject to protection-from-abuse orders.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act was passed in November 1993. It mandated a five-day waiting period and background checks for all handgun purchases. The waiting period no longer applies and has been replaced by a national computerized background checking system that is required in sales by licensed dealers but not in private sales.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In 1994, Congress banned 19 types of assault weapons. The law was allowed to sunset five years ago.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">While the central question over whether the 2nd Amendment applied to individuals or militia appears to have been settled for now, the U.S. Supreme Court early next year will hear arguments in what is expected to be the first in a series of cases asking justices to decide what, if any effect, the court's decision in the Washington, D.C., case has on state and municipal gun laws.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The argument over what the 2nd Amendment means is not expected go on the back burner any time soon.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Who is prohibited from possessing firearms?</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Under the Gun Control Act of 1968, which later was modified and clarified in the Firearm Owners Protection Act of 1986, the possession of firearms by the following categories of individuals is prohibited:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* Anyone who has been convicted in any court of, a felony punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding 1 year, excluding those crimes punishable by imprisonment related to the regulation of business practices.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* Anyone who is a fugitive from justice.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* Anyone who is an unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* Anyone who has been adjudicated as a mental defective or has been committed to a mental institution.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* Any alien illegally or unlawfully in the United States or an alien admitted to the United States under a nonimmigrant visa. The exception is if the nonimmigrant is in possession of a valid hunting license issued by a US state.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* Anyone who has been discharged from the Armed Forces under dishonorable conditions.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* Anyone who, having been a citizen of the United States, has renounced his or her citizenship.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">* Anyone that is subject to a court order that restrains the person from harassing, stalking, or threatening an intimate partner or child of such intimate partner. (Added in 1996, with the Lautenberg Amendment.)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">* Anyone who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. (Added in 1996, with the Lautenberg Amendment)[6]</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* A person who is under indictment or information for a crime (misdemeanor or felony) punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year cannot lawfully receive a firearm. Such person may continue to lawfully possess firearms obtained prior to the indictment or information, and if cleared or acquitted can receive firearms without restriction.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Matt Mead - rejected for governor by Wyoming Gun Owners</b></span></div><div>Cheyenne Examiner (WY)</div><div>Author/Byline: Anthony Bouchard</div><div>November 19, 2009 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The headline should read "Gun owners beware of formers U.S Attorneys". But it's best that you decide...</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">In 2004, The Sovereign State of Wyoming enacted legislation that established a procedure to expunge misdemeanor convictions “for the purposes of restoring any firearm rights lost”.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">This was specifically to aid Wyoming citizens in restoring gun rights if they had a misdemeanor such as domestic violence on their record. The NRA backed Lautenberg legislation bans gun ownership and use of guns or ammunition by individuals convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence. Wyoming legislators recognized there was nothing to protect individuals that were erroneously convicted.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The unfairness of Lautenberg legislation is that it applies retroactively. So anyone who took a “plea” and accepted and agreed upon sentence suddenly had a large penalty added to their plea bargain, they lose their gun rights retroactively.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Another unintended consequence of the Lautenberg Amendment was that Police and Correctional Officers across the country were terminated for misdemeanor domestic violence that might have happened several years prior. Of course many of the Peace Officers found ways to expunge their records.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Wyoming legislation would have given citizens a process to remove such a misdemeanor from their record so they could legally purchase and own firearms or just go hunting.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">That brings us to the feds fighting back in Wyoming V. United States of America BATF and Matt Mead was on the side of the "Gun Grabbers" and as the U.S. Attorney welcomed a brief filed by the Brady Campaign. Obviously former U.S. Attorney Mead puts more stock in the Brady Campaign than in the people of Wyoming.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Wyoming rightly argued that ”an expungement granted pursuant to this section shall only be used for the purposes of restoring firearm rights that have been lost to persons convicted of misdemeanors. Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect the enhancement of penalties for second or subsequent convictions of misdemeanors under the laws of this state”.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">However Matt Mead, a Jackson Hole native disagreed with individual rights and has historically fought on the side of the “gun control crowd” and he has used firearms for a conviction even when the search warrant stated nothing about firearms.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Wyoming GOP Platform on the "Second Amendment" states, “Supports our rights as stated in the U.S. and Wyoming Constitution as the fundamental guarantees of free speech, to keep and bear arms, private property rights and protection from an oppressive government”. Mead stated this about his own platform, Mead also said he believes in the principles of the state GOP’s platform, but that does not mean he will literally agree with every word of it. “We should commit to the spirit of it“.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Mead has an appealing video on his website but it lacks any substance and speaks about working as a prosecutor and that brings to the bitter taste of trusting these "special attorneys" with gun rights. Laramie County Prosecutor Scott A. Homar also ran on the GOP platform but failed to up-hold the Second Amendment when he went after the victim instead of thugs.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Gun owners need more than a "commitment to the of the spirit" of the Bill of Rights and the Sovereign State of Wyoming doesn't need another U.S. Attorney like Dave Freudenthal to be the governor.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Federal firearms conviction vacated by 7th Circuit</b></span></div><div>Wisconsin Law Journal (Milwaukee, WI)</div><div>November 23, 2009 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Seventh Circuit last week vacated a man's conviction for possession of a firearm after having been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">However, the court did not strike the statute down as unconstitutional, but remanded the case to the district court to give the government the opportunity to :establish a reasonable fit 'between the statutes means and its end'."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Addressing the record made before the district court, Judge Diane S. Sykes wrote for the court, "The government has premised its argument almost entirely on Heller's reference to the presumptive validity of felon-dispossession laws and reasoned by analogy that sec. 922(g)(9) therefore passes constitutional muster. That's not enough."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In 2006, Steven Skoien was convicted of domestic battery in Wisconsin state court and placed on probation. In 2007, he was arrested with a hunting shotgun in his truck. He admitted he had gone hunting and shot a deer earlier in the day. He did not own the gun.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Skoien was charged in federal court and sentenced to two years in prison after pleading guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Barbara B. Crabb; however, he reserved his right to challenge the denial of his motion to dismiss the indictment on Second Amendment grounds. The Seventh Circuit reversed the conviction on Nov. 18.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Dicta</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The government's argument, and the district court&#x92;s denial of Skoien's motion to dismiss, were both based on the following statement in the U.S. Supreme Court's 2008 opinion in District of Columbia v. Heller, 128 S.Ct. 2783: "[N]othing in our opinion should be taken to cast doubt on longstanding prohibitions on the possession of firearms by felons and the mentally ill, or laws forbidding the carrying of firearms in sensitive places, such as schools and government buildings, or laws imposing conditions and qualifications on the commercial sale of arms."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Calling the passage dicta, the Seventh Circuit concluded it was not dispositive of whether Skoien's possession of the firearm was protected by the Second Amendment. Instead, the court concluded that all gun laws must be independently justified.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Examining the statute, and the individual facts in this case, the court noted that the firearm was "a conventional hunting gun", and therefore within the scope of the Second Amendment as understood at the time of its adoption.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The court also noted that the ban on firearms possession by domestic-violence misdemeanants the "Lautenberg Amendment" is not longstanding, but "quite new"; it was enacted in 1996.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The court thus rejected the district court's conclusion that the statute fell squarely within the Heller dicta.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Intermediate scrutiny</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The court next addressed the appropriate standard of scrutiny to apply and concluded that intermediate scrutiny was appropriate.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In Heller, the Supreme Court explicitly rejected rational basis review for bans on possession of firearms.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Seventh Circuit held that the Court in Heller also implicitly rejected strict scrutiny by stating that some firearms laws are "presumptively lawful."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Left with only intermediate scrutiny as an option for the appropriate standard of review, the court articulated it as follows: "for gun laws that do not severely burden the core Second Amendment right of self-defense there need only be a reasonable fit; between an important governmental end and the regulatory means chosen by the government to serve that end", with the government bearing the burden of proof."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Because the government in this case rested its entire case on the Heller dicta, the court held that it had failed to meet its burden, vacated Skoien's conviction, and remanded the case to the trial court to give the government a further opportunity to meet its burden.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Should a misdemeanor conviction strip a person of a basic human right forever?</b></span></div><div>Knoxville Examiner (TN)</div><div>Author/Byline: Liston Matthews</div><div>November 24, 2009 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Natural Law tells us we all have the right to defend ourselves from harmful aggression. As technology has developed, the firearm has become the tool of choice of both the criminal and citizen. Without the right to a gun, the citizen is at a great disadvantage in an encounter with the criminal. The Lautenberg Amendment has stripped many citizens of this basic human right.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Last week, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals issued a ruling on Lautenberg which could have a far-reaching positive effect on gun rights. Ironically, this is the same court that earlier ruled against gun rights in McDonald v Chicago, which is now on the way to a Supreme Court decision next spring.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In this more recent case, Steven M. Skoien had been convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence. Some time later, he was found to be in possession of a Winchester 12 gauge shotgun. As a result he was prosecuted under Lautenberg.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">There are two problems with the Lautenberg Amendment.</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">One, this law , passed during the presidency of William (what does the word is mean) Clinton, is another statist attempt to increase the classes of persons prohibited from possessing firearms.</span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Two, this law is an ex post facto law. From The Constitutional Dictionary:</span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Every law that changes the punishment, and inflicts a greater punishment, than the law annexed to the crime, when committed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">While I am strongly opposed to domestic violence, there are many cases of people who, long before passage of Lautenberg, plead guilty to a misdemeanor domestic violence charge, maybe paid a small fine, and have been exemplary citizens for decades. But, when Lautenberg was passed, these people suffered a greater punishment in that they were stripped of their gun rights. Further, if they were in a profession that required carrying of a firearm, their career took an abrupt turn since they could not possess a firearm.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">We can all take a lesson from this. Be very cautious about pleading guilty to anything. Although the current punishment may be minor, if Congress, or your state legislature passes an ex post facto law such as Lautenberg, you could suffer future punishment you never imagined possible.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Gun ruling reversal tests law Hunter couldn't have gun after domestic violence</b></span></div><div>Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (WI)</div><div>November 28, 2009 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A Rock County man sentenced to two years in federal prison for shooting a deer while he was on probation for domestic violence has had his case overturned by a federal appeals court.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The case could have far-ranging impact in the gun-rights debate. For Steve Skoien, it meant he’ll be home for the holidays.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago ruled earlier this month that, in light of a major Supreme Court ruling about individual gun rights last year, prosecutors need to show that a lifetime ban on gun ownership for those convicted of domestic violence has a reasonable connection to reducing domestic gun violence. That 1996 law, the appeals court found, should not be grouped with other "presumptively legal" firearm restrictions mentioned in the 2008 Supreme Court case, known as District of Columbia vs. Heller.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The opinion by Judge Diane Sykes says that Heller’s "reference to exceptions cannot be read to relieve the government of its burden of justifying laws that restrict Second Amendment rights."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">And so Skoien’s conviction was reversed and his case sent back to Madison so prosecutors can try to meet that burden. On Wednesday, a judge ordered his release from federal prison in North Carolina, where he had been assigned to serve his sentence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Skoien, 30, was convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence in 2006 and sentenced to probation. In 2007, probation agents learned Skoien had gotten a gun deer license. They went by his house and found a shotgun in his pickup. He admitted he’d used it to shoot a deer that morning. In fact, the carcass was in his garage.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A federal grand jury indicted Skoien for violation of a 1996 federal law that prohibits anyone convicted of domestic violence from ever possessing guns for any reason, often referred to as the Lautenberg Amendment. Skoien entered a conditional guilty plea, was sentenced to two years in prison and appealed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">From the beginning, Skoien argued that applying the federal law in his situation violated his 2nd Amendment right to possess a gun for hunting. U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb denied a motion to dismiss, and a second motion made after the Heller ruling. That case found that the 2nd Amendment guarantees individual rights to have guns for self-defense, and that the total handgun ban in Washington, D.C., was therefore unconstitutional.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But the Heller court also said it wasn’t trying to undo the many "presumptively lawful" gun regulations, such as those prohibiting felons and the mentally ill from having guns, or restricting guns from certain places.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">While Crabb thought the ban on guns for people convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence obviously fit the same category, Sykes found that conclusion premature.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"We take all this to mean that gun laws — other than those like the categorically invalid one in Heller itself — must be independently justified," Sykes wrote after discussing aspects of the Heller ruling.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Sykes explains that an intermediate level of review should apply. In other words, the government would need to show more than just a rational basis for the law, but not have to meet the very high standard known as strict scrutiny.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Preventing domestic gun violence certainly qualified as an important government interest. But the government must still show a law that perpetually bans someone convicted of domestic violence from ever having a gun is a reasonable means to that end. Sykes said the government didn’t make enough of a record on that question, and sent the case back.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"If the government successfully discharges its burden, the district court shall reinstate Skoien’s conviction," Sykes wrote</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Lautenberg Introduces Bill to Preserve Gun Records Critical to Law Enforcement, Terrorism Prevention </b></span></div><div>Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) News Release</div><div>Government Press Releases (USA)</div><div>December 2, 2009 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">WASHINGTON, DC - Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) today introduced the PROTECT Act, legislation to preserve records of gun sales for longer periods of time to aid law enforcement officials in preventing gun crimes and terrorist acts. Under current law, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) must destroy these records in most cases within 24 hours of allowing a gun sale to proceed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"It makes no sense to immediately destroy information linking a gun purchase to its buyer and seller," said Sen. Lautenberg. "We are too often asking law enforcement to protect our communities with one hand tied behind their back. Preserving background check information would help law enforcement do its job and keep our families safe from criminals and terrorists. We must overturn the ill-conceived 24-hour destruction policy so we can successfully combat gun violence and terrorism in America."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Brady Law requires federally-licensed gun dealers to conduct background checks using the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) before they sell guns. The NICS system creates an audit log of the purchase during the course of the search. A rider that has been attached to appropriations bills each year since 2004 mandates that the FBI destroy this audit log within 24 hours of allowing the gun sale to proceed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The 24-hour destruction requirement hinders the FBI's ability to verify that gun dealers are conducting background checks properly and to retrieve guns from those who are prohibited from having them. In 2002 - prior to the 24-hour rule - the Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported that over a six-month period the FBI used retained records to initiate 235 actions to retrieve illegally possessed guns, 228 (97 percent) of which would not have been possible under a 24-hour destruction policy.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Records are also destroyed when known and suspected terrorists purchase firearms, since nothing in current federal law prohibits them from purchasing guns. The FBI's current practice is to keep background check records for these purchases for 90 days. If, at the end of the 90-day period, the FBI still has not found any other disqualifying reason to prohibit the purchase under current federal law, all records related to the purchase are destroyed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">At the request of Sen. Lautenberg, the GAO released a report earlier this year finding that from February 2004 through February 2009 there were 963 cases in which a known or suspected terrorist identified in federal terrorist watch list records attempted to buy a gun or explosives. In 90 percent of these cases -- a total of 865 different times -- the known or suspected terrorist was cleared to buy a firearm or explosive. Last week, Attorney General (AG) Holder announced his support for a separate Lautenberg bill, the Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Criminal Act of 2009, which would give the Department of Justice discretion to deny a gun purchase to someone on the terrorist watch list.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Sen. Lautenberg's legislation, the Preserving Records of Terrorist & Criminal Transactions (PROTECT) Act of 2009, would:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* require the FBI to retain for 10 years all records related to a NICS transaction involving a valid match to federal terrorist watch list records; and</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* repeal the requirement that other background check records be destroyed after 24 hours, and instead require that the records of all non-terrorist transactions be maintained for 180 days.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">When asked about the 24-hour destruction rule at a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing in April 2007, FBI Director Robert Mueller said, "[T]here is a substantial argument in my mind for retaining records for a substantial period of time." Video of Director Mueller's remarks can be found here.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Last week, Tom Kean, former Republican governor of New Jersey and Chairman of the 9/11 Commission, and Mayor Bloomberg of New York City wrote an op-ed opposing the 24-hour destruction of gun records and the inability of law enforcement to block gun sales to terror suspects.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The measure is cosponsored by Sens. Charles Schumer (D-NY), Carl Levin (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA). <span style="color: red;">Sen. Lautenberg is a long-time advocate for responsible gun safety measures. He has also introduced legislation to close a loophole that allows guns to be sold at gun shows without a background check. And Sen. Lautenberg is the author of the domestic violence gun ban, which has successfully kept more than 170,000 guns away from domestic abusers.</span></span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>As nation cries out for Tiger Woods domestic violence rumors, courts reconsider Lautenberg</b></span> Amendment</div><div>Chicago Examiner (IL)</div><div>December 4, 2009 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">If he cheated, and she hit him . . . . are her 2nd Amendment rights gone forever?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">What does Tiger Woods story tell us about "gun control?" Should a misdemeanor conviction strip a personof a basic human right forever? Sen. Frank Lautenberg's continued war on gun ownership</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Yesterday, National Gun Rights Examiner David Codrea found a way to discuss gun rights in the context of a national news story that most Americans plainly find more interesting than Constitutional rights or efforts to smother those rights: unsubstantiated rumors of infidelity and domestic violence in Tiger Woods' private life. If the rumors are true, Codrea points out, and Woods' wife Elin Nordegren is convicted of even misdemeanor domestic violence, she'll become a "Prohibited Person" under a federal law commonly known as the "Lautenberg Amendment."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Not long before the Woods story began to dominate most news sources, Knoxville Gun Rights Examiner Liston Matthews covered a much less sensational story with much greater potential for long-term consequences for all Americans, especially gun owners. The 7th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals, he reported, had just issued its ruling in U.S. v. Skoien, (No, Chicago readers, not that Skoien) a case involving the Constitutionality of the Lautenberg Amendment. Briefly, Steven Skoien was convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence in Wisconsin in 2006 and was sentenced to two years' probation. About a year later, his name was flagged when he applied for a Wisconsin permit to hunt deer with a firearm, and police officers found him in possession of a 12-gauge shotgun, hunting gear, and a dead deer. They also found a handgun and a rifle in the house, but prosecutors declined to charge Skoien with possession of those, saying there was evidence that they belonged to Skoien's wife and a roommate, respectively. Skoien was convicted of possessing the shotgun in violation of the Lautenberg Amendment. At sentencing, his penalty was based on his admitted possession of the shotgun in his truck, plus "constructive possession" of the two other firearms in the house.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Skoien argued on appeal in the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals that the Lautenberg Amendment is unconstitutional, because it denies his Constitutional right to self-defense as embodied in the right to keep and bear arms. The government argued that Justice Antonin Scalia's decision in Heller v. D.C. had established that some anti-gun regulations, even those that infringed the right to keep and bear arms, were "presumptively legal." In fact, Scalia had written: "[N]othing in our opinion should be taken to cast doubt on longstanding prohibitions on the possession of firearms by felons and the mentally ill, or laws forbidding the carrying of firearms in sensitive places, such as schools and government buildings, or laws imposing conditions and qualifications on the commercial sale of arms."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The 7th Circuit decision makes it clear that the government cannot expect simply to sit back and refer to that passage every time a gun control law is challenged. The Supreme Court, they decided, clearly did not establish that any gun control law is necessarily Constitutional; it simply cautioned that its decision couldn't be taken to mean that no gun control law can ever be Constitutional. Thus the Heller decision simply establishes that such laws may be challenged and the government may argue that they are permitted because they are necessary, because they are narrow enough not to represent significant infringements, or whatever theory they like.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Unfortunately, there has been some premature celebration in the gun rights community over the Skoien decision, with some gun-rights proponents acting as if the 7th Circuit had invalidated the Lautenberg Amendment and sent it to a well-deserved place at the bottom of a circular file. Sadly, that is not the case. First, if the 7th Circuit did strike down Lautenberg, its decision would have force only within the boundaries of the 7th Circuit, meaning only Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin would be free of Lautenberg. Even more importantly, it's important to note that the Skoien decision does not invalidate Lautenberg even within the 7th Circuit; the judges noted that the government had made no effort to argue that the Lautenberg Amendment meets any standard of Constitutionality, and so they remanded the case back to the original court in which Skoien was convicted. This time, both sides will have to argue over how strictly Lautenberg's Constitutionality should be scrutinized, what the government's real interest in protecting the public from misdemeanor domestic violence convicts is, and how much leeway the Heller decision allows the government in continuing to infringe on an individual right to keep and bear arms when it determines that infringement is necessary.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Domestic violence gun case drawing much attention</b></span></div><div>Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Blogs (WI)</div><div>December 4, 2009 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The 7th Circuit's recent opinion vacating a Rock County man's conviction of having a gun despite a domestic violence conviction, has gotten lots of attention in the law and gun rights blogospheres (see here, here, and here, for samples).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The court essentially said prosecutors needed to show some reason for restricting Steve Skoien's 2nd amendment rights. On remand to the federal court in Madison, they will likely do that and get the conviction reinstated.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But the story left some advocates for limiting domestic violence a little concerned.,</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Tony Gibart, policy coordinator with the Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence, said he was concerned that news reports about U.S. v. Skoien might leave a wrong impression that firearm restrictions imposed on those convicted of domestic violence are somehow different in kind from similar restrictions on felons and those deemed mentally incompetent.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The latter were referred to as presumptively constitutional in a landmark 2nd Amendment ruling last year.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Gibart said he didn't want any misunderstaning of Skoien to give pause to Wisconsin lawmakers considering two bills that would give state procedures much like the federal law that led to Skoien's charges. In the Assembly, those are AB 558 and 559. In the Senate, SB 380 and 381.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Gibart said the bills would establish a state version of the Lautenberg Amendment and provide better notice and procedures for the surrencer of firearms by people who are subject to domestic violence injunction.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">As the Skoien court and Gibart point out, there is likely ample evidence to support the gun restrictions on people convicted of domestic violence under the standard announced in Skoien.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Between October 31, 2008 and October 31, 2009 at least seven people inWisconsin were shot by domestic abusers who had previous convictions of domestic abuse," Gibart said. " An abused woman who has a gun in her home is six times more likely to be killed than an abused woman who lives in a home without a gun."</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Gun bans through the back door-part two</b></span></div><div>Clarksburg Examiner (WV)</div><div>December 17, 2009 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In part one of this series, I explained how thousands of citizens are in danger of losing their right to own or possess a firearm as a result of minor misdemeanor or misdemeanor drug convictions. The present article focuses on the Lautenberg Amendment, a law passed by the U. S. Congress and signed by Bill Clinton in 1997.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">This Federal law amended the Gun Control Act of 1968, and expanded the group of citizens who are not allowed to own or possess firearms. Before this law, anyone convicted of a crime in which the possible prison term exceeded one year was prohibited from possessing a firearm. This meant felony convictions in most states.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Now, (since 1997) federal law makes it a crime to own or possess a firearm if a citizen is convicted of a domestic violence misdemeanor offense under local, federal, or state law. This applies if the offense involves the “…use or attempted use of physical force, or the threatened use of a deadly weapon.” Domestic violence , as defined in most state laws, can mean such an offense between spouses, live-in partners or relatives, parent and child, or even a dating relationship if the couple lives together, or formerly lived together.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">This is a drastic expansion of former law and creates real problems because of the misuse of the domestic violence laws by individuals wanting to get out of a relationship, or to get another person removed from the household to gain a perceived advantage in divorce or juvenile court.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Certainly we can all agree that convicted felons should not be permitted to possess firearms (unless they apply for removal of the disability, as is possible in some states). Convicted felons, by their own illegal acts, have forfeited many of their rights.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">However, now a simple household argument can result in the absolute denial of a citizen’s right to possess a firearm, in spite of the clear language of the Second Amendment. Judges are not currently required to warn a defendant that he or she (and yes, I have represented female defendants on this charge) is jeopardy of losing his or her constitutional right to own a firearm, if he or she pleads or is found guilty of the charge.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Domestic violence is usually a misdemeanor of the first degree, meaning it can carry a possible sentence of six months in jail, and a $1,000 fine, similar to petty theft and DUI. In addition, domestic violence convictions can’t be expunged from the record: It is a permanent conviction.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A slap to the face, a push, a shake, a pinch, a scratch, throwing an object at the other spouse (even if you miss), the mere words “I’ll shoot you” or “I’ll stab you” can all be grounds for a conviction. Once convicted of the first degree misdemeanor Domestic Violence, if you are caught in possession of a firearm, you are guilty of a violation of Title 18, Section 922(g), United States Code. In February of this year, the United States Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of this law in a 7 to 2 vote, in the case of U.S. v. Hayes. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, a first violation of this section is a level 14 offense, assuming no prior criminal record, the sentence starts at 15 to 21 months in a federal prison.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Also connected with domestic violence charges are usually court-issued “restraining orders”, which many times will prohibit a defendant from possessing a firearm while it is in effect, even before trial or conviction. If a citizen violates this “temporary” gun ban, he or she is violating the same federal law, and faces the same federal prison term as if already convicted of the domestic violence offense.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It would be interesting to see how many U.S. citizens have lost their gun rights as a result of this, in addition to the drug conviction gun ban discussed in the previous article. The Lautenberg Amendment should be repealed, and new laws should be passed to permit those convicted of domestic violence to expunge or seal the records of their convictions after rehabilitation is demonstrated to the Court, and sufficient time has passed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Useful link: <a href="https://www.gunowners.org/fs9714/" target="_blank">THE LAUTENBERG DOMESTIC CONFISCATION LAW</a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b style="color: #800180; font-size: xx-large;">2010: Lautenberg DV Gun Ban - News Articles And Reports</b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Should John Edwards be a 'prohibited person'?</b></span></div><div>News & Politics Examiner (USA)</div><div>February 5, 2010 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Is there a dark and violent side to former senator and democratic vice presidential candidate John Edwards? Two recent reports make that disturbing case. From the New York Daily News:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">John Edwards' ex-aide Andrew Young speaks on alleged Rielle Hunter sex tape - and fears for his life</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He got taken for a ride? He didn't want to end up like Vince Foster? He used to wake up at 3:00 AM and arm himself with a bat and a knife? Should we just dismiss this as someone who wants to sell a book spicing things up? But now there's corroboration of a propensity for violence. From the New York Post:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Disgraced former presidential candidate John Edwards reportedly beat his cancer-stricken wife during a horrific marriage-ending fight.</span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">We're all aware that a misdemeanor conviction for domestic violence qualifies one for becoming a "prohibited person" under the Lautenberg Amendment--forever barred from even touching a firearm? We should also know that while Edwards made noises about supporting sport shooters as a campaign necessity in North Carolina, NRA's Chris Cox had this to say:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In the early years of his Senate career, Edwards voted to "commend" the Million Mom March, to end private sales at gun shows, and to maintain long-term federal registration of gun buyer records. He voted for national registration of all gun show vendors, and voted to ban importation of ammunition magazines. There wasn't much in the way of gun control legislation that Edwards didn't support.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">While it's true that Edwards hasn't been convicted of anything, his gun-grabbing Democrat pals are trying to not let that minor detail stop them--in fact, none other than Frank Lautenberg is at it again, proposing that people merely suspected by the government be barred from buying guns via a "terror watch list." Don't expect the gun-grabbers to point this out when it involves one of their own--had it been a prominent pro-gun politician, well, do you think they'd keep silent? But hey, they're too busy with important stuff, like pestering coffee companies.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Domestic violence gun ban granted en banc hearing by 7th Circuit</b></span></div><div>Wisconsin Law Journal (Milwaukee, WI)</div><div>March 1, 2010 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Seventh Circuit on Feb. 22 took the rare step of granting a petition for an en banc hearing.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">This summer, the entire court will consider the constitutionality of 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(9), which makes it a crime for a misdemeanant convicted of a domestic violence charge to possess a firearm.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In U.S. v. Skoien, 587 F.3d 803 (7th Cir.2009), a unanimous three-judge panel reversed the conviction of a Wisconsin man under the statute.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Adopting and applying intermediate scrutiny, Judge Diane S. Sykes wrote that the government failed to meet its burden of showing a reasonable fit between its interest in reducing domestic gun violence and total disarmament of domestic-violence misdemeanants.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The court found that it was insufficient for the government to rely solely on a statement by the U.S. Supreme Court in District of Columbia v. Heller, 128 S.Ct. 2783 (2008), that the Second Amendment does not invalidate "longstanding" prohibitions on felons and the mentally ill possessing firearms.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In its request for en banc review, the government contended that, under Heller, federal prohibitions on firearms are "presumptively lawful." It also noted that the circuit courts are in conflict, because the Eleventh Circuit held the statute constitutional in U.S. v. White, No. 08-16010 (11th Cir., Jan. 11, 2010).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In an added twist, the day after the Seventh Circuit granted the en banc petition, the Fourth Circuit weighed in on the issue, adopting the reasoning in Skoien to also reverse a conviction under the statute. (U.S. v. Chester, No. 09-4084 (4th Cir., Feb. 23, 2010).)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Michael W. Lieberman, who represents the defendant, Steven Skoien, opposed en banc review, arguing, "the government's petition for rehearing en banc is nothing more than an attempt to reargue the same points already considered and rejected by the Court. Because rehearing en banc is not a vehicle for a losing litigant to complain about the result, the Court should deny the government's petition."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In his response to the government's petition, Lieberman criticized the "presumptively lawful" standard proposed by the government as one that would render any federal gun statute unreviewable. He also noted that, unlike prohibitions on firearm possession by felons, the statute in this case was enacted in 1996, and thus, is not "longstanding" as the term is used in Heller.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Skoien's brief is due March 26; the government's brief is due April 26; and Skoien's reply brief is due May 10. The en banc oral argument will be scheduled after submission of the briefs.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>First termers faced with career decisions</b></span></div><div>Government Press Releases (USA)</div><div>May 28, 2010 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Many Marines anticipate summer for the warm, sunny weather and the days relaxing at the beach or camping with friends. However, many first term Marines whose active duty end of service dates are in FY11, will be approached this summer with the opportunity to have a future in the Marine Corps.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Incentives for reenlistment will be available in July and the retention specialist office will be accepting reenlistment packages from July 1 to Aug. 1.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Right now, first term Marines need to reach out," said Staff Sgt. Nichole R. Richard, career planner, career retention specialist, Headquarters and Service Battalion. "The opportunity to reenlist is getting slimmer and slimmer. The slimmest it has been in a very long time."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Corps are getting back to when it was a lot more competitive, like in 2001 and 2002. We are enforcing our higher standards more strictly, and allowing only the best of the best to reenlist, she said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Roughly 36,000 first term Marines join the ranks of the Marine Corps every fiscal year, and only about 6,300 get to stay in," said Master Sgt. Marcus L. Cook, career retention specialist, Headquarters and Service Battalion.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He advises Marines to submit their reenlistment packages as early as possible because boat space is limited, he said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">However, those who want to reenlist will comply with thorough background checks, Richard said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Marines must not fall under the Lautenberg Amendment, which is the Gun Control Act of 1968, making it a felony for those convicted of misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence to ship, transport, possess, or receive firearms or ammunition. If they legally cannot have a weapon because they got in trouble in the civilian sector, either involving spousal abuse or harboring a weapon without a permit, they cannot reenlist.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In addition, Marines must have no more than two non-judicial punishments; not be guilty of driving under the influence or driving while intoxicated; have little, but preferably nothing adverse in their page 11s, have high proficiency and conduct marks, and have a very high score on the physical fitness test and combat fitness test, Richard said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"First termers may feel like they are competitive," said Richard. "But even if they meet the bare minimum requirements, they still could be only average or below average compared to their peers. The more important question is, how competitive am I compared to my peers Corps-wide? It's those who are most competitive and well-rounded that will get the opportunity to reenlist."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Reenlistment incentives may include special duty, duty station preference, jump school, 60 points added to composition scores, lateral moves and bonuses.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"There will be very small bonuses for this FY," said Richard. "It's essentially on a first come, first serve basis. If you wait, the bonuses go fast. "</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">For example, a Marine could get a bonus one month for a particular military occupational specialty, and the next month that Marine's friend won't qualify for a bonus and wonder why. That's how time-sensitive this is, said Richard.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">I advise first termers not to wait and to be ahead of the game," said Richard. "I have a screening checklist I go over with them so if they need to re-take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test (to increase their scores to be more competitive), they have the time to do so."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Marine's who choose to make a lateral move may choose an MOS that requires the Marine to have a higher GT score than what they currently have. If this is the case, the Marine will have to retake the ASVAB.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">If a Marine would like more time to think about reenlisting, he or she can ask for another three-year or two-year contract. However, there will be no incentives or bonuses accompanying that because that would be considered their incentive, said Richard.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Career specialists are available for guidance for those individuals who wish to reenlist as well as those who don't. For either choice, it's important to start now and have a good plan, said Richard.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It's paramount Marines start thinking about their future in the Corps a year before their end of active service to ensure they have a good plan, she said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I also encourage spouses to talk to career specialists as well, so everyone is informed and there are no surprises for anyone," said Richard.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It's important to keep family involved in the Marines' decision making, she said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"We just want to ensure there are no missed opportunities," said Richard.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">My advice for Marines considering a career in the Corps, it's crucial for them to ask themselves what kind of path they're on. If they can be doing something to better themselves as Marines, like volunteer work, it will be noticed that they go above and beyond, said Richard.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Marines must be aware that the decisions they make today can impact their lives down the road," said Richard. "For example, excessive tattoos can affect incentives like Marine Corps Security Guard duty, recruiting duty, officer programs, warrant officer and police officer."</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Lautenberg Statement on Supreme Court Decision in McDonald v. Chicago </b></span></div><div>Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) News Release</div><div>Government Press Releases (USA)</div><div>June 29, 2010 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) issued the following statement today following the U.S. Supreme Court ruling to strike down the City of Chicago's ban on handguns:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Today's Supreme Court ruling bears the hallmark of activist justices appointed during the Bush era who put their own rigid ideology ahead of public safety," Lautenberg said. "While I am disappointed that this decision limits the ability of states and communities to determine how best to protect their residents, we must continue to focus on the reasonable restrictions that are critical to keeping guns out of the hands of felons, terrorists and domestic abusers. The Supreme Court has made it clear that communities across our country may still enact strong, common-sense regulations to protect the safety of families and reduce gun violence."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Sen. Lautenberg is a leader for responsible gun safety measures. He is the author of the domestic violence gun ban, enacted in 1996, which prohibits those who have been convicted of domestic violence misdemeanors from buying or possessing firearms. The law has succeeded in keeping approximately 170,000 guns out of the hands of domestic abusers since it was enacted. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><b>Lautenberg has also introduced legislation to:</b></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">* deny the sale of firearms to known or suspected terrorists;</span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">* close a loophole that allows guns to be sold at gun shows without a background check, and;</span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">* prevent individuals from carrying firearms into commercial airports to strengthen airport security and protect the safety of passengers and airline employees.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>At risk: thousands of poor performers</b></span></div><div>Navy Times</div><div>July 12, 2010 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">If you're a proven poor performer, the Navy is putting you on notice - your commanding officer has five new ways to send you home.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Effective immediately, at least 3,000 petty officers are at risk of being discharged because of tough new performance rules issued by Navy Personnel Command, which make it easier for COs to cut non-hackers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Sailors at risk include those with low performance mark averages and promotion recommendations, those who have lost their Navy enlisted classifications, those who fail to cross-train during a rating conversion and those who lose the right to carry and operate firearms.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"This gives commanding officers much more latitude in getting poor performers off their ships," said Capt. Leo Falardeau, head of career progression at Navy Personnel Command. "None of these things are mandatory - but it does give commanding officers options."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The rules were announced in NAVADMIN 210/10, released June 25.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Exactly how many could be affected by the new rules isn't known, Falardeau said, because Millington doesn't maintain performance records of E-4s and below. But the command took a "snapshot" of E-5s and E-6s who had up to 16 years of service and at least one year in their grade and found 2,941 sailors violated one or more of the five new rules.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">These new rules follow last year's announcement that skippers must begin discharging sailors with clear conduct violations, such as sexual harassment, drug abuse, alcohol-rehabilitation failures or sexual misconduct. For whatever reason, COs had not been processing those sailors out. These new rules significantly raise the bar for who can stay.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Until now, the Navy outlined just two reasons a skipper could separate sailors for poor performance: Sailors had 1.0 marks on their evaluations or had lost security clearances needed for their rating. Those remain in effect.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But these new rules do not mean an automatic out. "We do need to stress that these aren't mandatory," Falardeau said. "But this does put anyone with sustained poor performance on notice: We're now going to take a long and hard look at you."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Those sent home under these new rules could get a full honorable discharge, but that's unlikely.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"You can't give a guy a dishonorable discharge if he got a couple 1.0s on an evaluation," Falardeau said. "I would say most of the time these sailors would get a general discharge under honorable conditions and a re-enlistment code that doesn't allow them to re-enlist in any service again."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The new policy has no minimum or maximum paygrade limit. So a deadwood E-2 could be discharged, as could a chief with 17 years in. By law, those with 18 in years are usually allowed finish their remaining two years and retire. The rules for misconduct are different, because misbehaving sailors can be kicked out at any time.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The reason for the new rules comes down to inventory. The Navy's retention is high, and there are high-performing sailors in the fleet who can't re-enlist because lesser sailors are hogging up billets.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Sailors with misconduct that warrants a discharge, and who also meet the new poor-performance criteria, are to be processed out under the misconduct rules.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Maybe if I get this substandard performer off the books now, that might just open up a quota for someone else," Falardeau said. "I may not see it on my ship, but it's a bigger Navy issue he needs to consider."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">The new rules involve:</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* Performance. There are now two new reasons to discharge a sailor based on his eval: a cumulative performance mark average of 2.49 or less, and a less-than-promotable recommendation - with no improvement - over two consecutive evaluation periods.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* Loss of NEC. If a sailor loses his Navy enlisted classification for poor performance, he's out. This does not include sailors who lose an NEC for medical reasons.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Usually we see this happen again for poor performance on the job," Falardeau said. "For some reason they just can't hack the work."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* Rating conversion dropouts. Sailors who receive a Perform to Serve re-enlistment quota to switch ratings and then fail to complete the formal training required to convert can now be discharged.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"If you don't complete your training through negligence or simply not studying, then we can send you home and free up space for another sailor," Falardeau said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But commands should avoid a knee-jerk reaction, he said. Instead, they should determine if that sailor just wasn't suited for the new rating, in which case the CO should help that sailor find a rating for which he is suited.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">* Domestic abuse. Under the Lautenberg Amendment of 1997, sailors convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence or who have restraining orders against them can no longer carry or use weapons. Now a CO can discharge such sailors.</span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">"If you can't carry a weapon, you can't stand a quarterdeck watch or go on an [individual augmentee] assignment," Falardeau said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The new rules won't likely lead to an immediate exodus from the fleet, he said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"If [that sailor has] turned a corner and the captain and [command master chief] agree - he'll probably stay in the Navy," he said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">This effectively raises the level for performance in the fleet and tells sailors that shrugging off their performance won't fly.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"If you want to make this a career, or at least you want to fulfill your obligation and finish your hitch successfully, then you are on notice," Falardeau said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Appeals</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Sailors with less than six years in have no formal appeals process, although they may make a statement that can be viewed by Millington during the discharge process.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But if you have been in the Navy for longer than that, you can request an admin separation board and appeal your case, Falardeau said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The three-person board reviews your case and decides whether you stay, he said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"The rules state the board must be made up of three people not associated with that individual directly, so they can be objective," he said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">For example, he said, a sailor from the deck department would have his administrative board held by officers from a separate department on the ship.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Once the board rules, that's it," Falardeau said. "Though the chain of command can make recommendations, only the secretary of the Navy can overturn that decision."</span></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Court upholds gun ban </b></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;">Domestic violence can hinder right to arms</span></div><div>Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Web Edition Articles (WI)</div><div>July 17, 2010 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In a case watched by gun rights advocates nationwide, the U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals last week reinstated the convictions of a Rock County man for possessing a hunting shotgun while on probation for domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The ruling upholds a categorical exception from full Second Amendment rights for certain people convicted of misdemeanors, and it is likely to generate more challenges to the 1996 law at issue following recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings on gun rights.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"We see this as more incremental usurpation of the federal government into the business of regulating the ownership of private property - a power never granted to it by the people," said Corey Graff, executive director of Wisconsin Gun Owners Inc.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Graff said a woman convicted of domestic violence also would be deprived of having a gun that might be her best protection against a rapist breaking into her home.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But the Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence praised the ruling.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The decision "means victims and law enforcement officers in Wisconsin will continue to be protected by laws that keep guns out of the hands of abusers," said Patti Seger, executive director of WCADV.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Just as law-abiding citizens have a right to own a gun for self-defense in their homes, domestic violence victims have the right to be free in their homes from the terror and increased risk of death that comes when abusers have guns."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">She said many studies indicate that when abusers have guns, their victims are much more likely to be killed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Steve Skoien, 30, was convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence in 2006 - it was his second domestic battery conviction - and sentenced to probation. In 2007, probation agents learned Skoien had obtained a gun deer license. They went by his house and found a shotgun in his pickup truck. He admitted he'd used the gun to shoot a deer that morning. The carcass was in his garage.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A federal grand jury indicted Skoien for violation of a 1996 federal law, often referred to as the Lautenberg Amendment, that prohibits anyone convicted of domestic violence from ever possessing guns for any reason. Skoien entered a conditional guilty plea, was sentenced to two years in prison and appealed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Last fall, a three-judge panel of the 7th Circuit overturned his conviction. The opinion was written by Judge Diane Sykes of Milwaukee, who said that before the government can infringe on an enumerated right like keeping a gun, prosecutors needed to show a stronger connection between the lifetime gun ban and the goal of reducing domestic gun violence. That ruling freed Skoien and sent the case back to the trial court.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Federal prosecutors, however, asked that the case be reconsidered by all 11 7th Circuit Appeals Court judges, or "en banc." It was re-argued in May. Skoien's attorney again argued that lifetime prohibition on gun ownership over a misdemeanor violated Skoien's Second Amendment rights, as highlighted in the 2008 U.S. Supreme court ruling that struck down Washington D.C.'s ban on handguns.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Last week the court came out the other way - except for Sykes, who wrote an 18-page dissent.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Writing for the majority, Chief Judge Frank Easterbrook noted that that case, known as Heller, did allow for certain restrictions on the right to possess guns, and that if nonviolent felons can be banned from having guns, perpetrators of domestic violence certainly can.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In her biting dissent, Sykes accused her colleagues of making the government's case for prosecutors, of misconstruing both Heller,of overstating what colonists thought about gun restrictions in state constitutions in 1791, and more.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Sykes reaches the same conclusion she did in November: The case should be sent back to the trial court, where prosecutors should meet their own burden of showing that the Lautenberg Amendment survives an intermediate level of scrutiny about its constitutionality in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court's latest views on the Second Amendment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">While those cases clearly established that the Second Amendment applies to states, they also said some gun restrictions are constitutional. The extent of those allowable restrictions - such as a lifetime ban on gun possession for people convicted of domestic violence - likely will be the subject of further litigation and legislation for years to come.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Few finish counseling programs for domestic abuse</b></span></div><div>Fayetteville Observer, The (NC)</div><div>September 29, 2010 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Fort Bragg sometimes orders soldiers who commit domestic violence to deploy before they have finished court-mandated programs designed to correct their abusive behavior, court and military officials said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">There are two primary programs for abusive soldiers: The county operates the RESOLVE program, and Fort Bragg oversees the Marching to Change program. Judges refer soldiers to both, and a review committee at Fort Bragg sends soldiers to the on-post program, as well.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Numbers provided by Fort Bragg and the county show that fewer than half of the soldiers enrolled have completed either program. A variety of reasons are listed for the failure to finish, including deployments.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">In Cumberland County, District Court judges often defer prosecution for soldiers who commit domestic violence, allowing the soldiers to clear their records if they abide by the terms of their probation. Many times, those terms include the completion of the RESOLVE or Marching to Change programs.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Debby Tucker, executive director of the National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence, calls the numbers “very discouraging.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">She believes soldiers should not be allowed to deploy or switch Army bases before they complete a rehabilitation program.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">She believes that courts routinely look for ways to keep domestic abusers from suffering the full consequences of their actions. In a military town, she said, it is likely that soldiers get special consideration.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Tucker said there are two schools of thought about letting soldiers deploy before they complete an intervention program.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Some people believe it is an acceptable practice because the abusive soldier is back in the field and cannot do more harm to his family, she said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“While that may create a respite for the victim, it might create a soldier in theater who is not exercising good judgment,” Tucker said. “If we can't trust you to make good decisions on how you treat family, we may not be able to trust you when you are in the field, interacting with citizens.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Beth Keever, the county's chief District Court judge, said Tucker poses a good argument.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“In the best of all possible worlds, they would complete the course in one period of time,” Keever said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But she said there is a big difference between what happens in a soldier's home and what happens in combat, where the soldier is under strict supervision and is accompanied by other soldiers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Linda Giles, a Fort Bragg social worker who helps administer Marching to Change, said she has concerns about allowing soldiers to leave the program before they complete it.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“It is a problem,” Giles said. “We want to stop the escalation to violence. The soldiers' change process is interrupted.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Giles said follow-up therapy after the soldiers return is not always consistent. Some of the soldiers move on to other units or other posts or leave the Army, she said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“Sometimes it takes a long time for the case managers to locate them,” Giles said. “They may have moved on and do not want to be reminded of their incident.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">The Lautenberg Amendment to the Gun Control Act of 1968 makes it a felony for anyone convicted of misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence to carry firearms. The amendment was approved by Congress in 1996. Under the amended law, soldiers who have such a conviction on their records cannot be deployed. <b>But if a soldier has been granted a deferred prosecution, he has no conviction on his record and he will be cleared if he meets the terms of his probation.</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Department of Defense policy allows soldiers charged with domestic violence “reasonable time” to have their records cleared.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">That policy allows soldiers with deferred prosecutions to deploy without finishing the rehabilitation program, said Sharon Phillips, manager of the state probation office. The soldiers are required to return to the program after deployment, Phillips said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But it appears from records provided by the county Department of Social Services that many soldiers are not completing the RESOLVE program.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Those records show that the courts have ordered 94 soldiers into RESOLVE since 2006. Of the 94, the statistics show, only 31 have completed the course. Thirteen soldiers are still enrolled and nine were ordered to take the course but never showed up.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The figures show that eight soldiers left because of deployment, four were suspended from the program and three are expected to return to it.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Bill Dukes, assistant director of adult services, could not say specifically what happened to 26 soldiers who left the course for “unknown reasons.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He said their cases could have been dismissed or plea bargained, or they could have changed Army posts, been discharged by the Army or lost contact with Social Services.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Dukes also could not say what happened to the nine soldiers who were ordered to take the RESOLVE program but never enrolled.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“We would not know their disposition,” Dukes said. “We provide probation with information on who enrolled from court and their attendance.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Phillips, manager of the probation office, said soldiers who violate terms of their probation are punished.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“We don't just go, 'Oh, they didn't finish it, oh well.' We do deal with it,” Phillips said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Dukes said privacy laws prevent him from providing the names of soldiers who didn't finish the program.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Ben Abel, a civilian spokesman for Fort Bragg, said it would be inappropriate to discuss soldiers in the RESOLVE program because Fort Bragg has no authority over it. The responsibility of completing a community-based training course lies with the soldier, Abel said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Of the 90 soldiers enrolled in Marching to Change in the past year, Womack spokeswoman Shannon Lynch said, 12 deployed, 10 left because their service ended, five moved to other Army installations, four were separated from the Army and three were removed because of clinical need or inappropriateness for group treatment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Lynch said 24 soldiers have graduated from the program in the past year. The program typically takes two to six months to complete, though it can last up to a year depending on individual progress.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Abel, the Fort Bragg spokesman, said Marching to Change allows flexibility so soldiers can meet responsibilities to the program and their unit.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Abel said there are only two reasons that soldiers would not complete Marching to Change — they are separated from the military or they complete their service obligation.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Soldiers who deploy while in Marching to Change must complete the program when they return, Abel said. Soldiers who change duty stations must pick up the program at their new locations, he said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In recent months, Abel said, Marching to Change has received excellent support from the commands regarding their soldiers' participation in the program.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b style="color: #800180; font-size: xx-large;">2011: Lautenberg DV Gun Ban - News Articles And Reports</b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Help Repeal The Lautenberg Amendment</b></span></div><div>Cleveland Examiner (OH)</div><div>Author/Byline: Charles Hairston | Section: Cleveland Gun Rights Examiner</div><div>January 22, 2011 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Domestic Violence Offender Gun Ban ("Gun Ban for Individuals <span style="color: red;">Convicted of a Misdemeanor Crime of Domestic Violence", Pub.L. 104-208,[1]18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(9)[2]) is an amendment to the Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Act of 1997 enacted by the 104th United States Congress in 1996. The act is often referred to as "the Lautenberg Amendment" after its sponsor, Senator Frank Lautenberg.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The act bans shipment, transport, ownership and use of guns or ammunition by individuals convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence, or who are under a restraining (protection) order for domestic abuse in all 50 states. The act also makes it unlawful to knowingly sell or give a firearm or ammunition to such person.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">One of things that Clevelanders, Ohioans and people in general don’t realize is that Domestic Violence is a crime of Degrees that range from a fourth degree misdemeanor to a <a href="http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/2919.25" target="_blank">third degree felony</a>, with penalties ranging from 30 days to 5 years. The lowest degree of domestic violence “(C) No person, by threat of force, shall knowingly cause a family or household member to believe that the offender will cause imminent physical harm to the family or household member” can result from a stern look, a sudden movement or spoken words (not necessarily threatening). For example: A family argument ensues when dad tells junior he can’t go out tonight and if he does, he’ll be grounded for a month. Junior really wants to go, so he calls police and makes a statement that he’s afraid of dad because dad threatened him. Dad gets arrested and charged with domestic violence. At court, Junior learns that he can’t drop the charges because the State has taken up the prosecution. Dad gets convicted and his gun rights are gone forever. Even the courts have no power to restore dad’s gun rights.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">This holds particular significance to Cleveland, one of Ohio's largest cities. So much depends on the responding officer, whether or not he's had a good day and how he files his report. More experienced officers play the role of mediators, while some, particularly junior officers feel that if they respond "somebody's going down". I single Cleveland out because Bill Mason's office is notorious for objecting to and contesting everything, even when they know the law is against them. As a general rule, prosecutors have a duty to ascertain the truth, and if te evidence favors the accused, to abandon the prosecution. Case after case reveals that Mason's office has withheld evidence favorable to a accused and prosecuted individuals with less than circumstantial evidence. One individual reports that he was convicted because a Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge stated that he "believes that something happened that day". The law interprets this as reasonable doubt...Mason's office interprets it as a win.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">This happens in the real world. Granted, Domestic Violence is a problem, but something as simple as the scenario above should not affect a person for life. The laws need to change. Prosecute wife beaters and abusers and ban them for life, but not the concerned parent or spouse.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">If you agree with this and want to do your part in changing this, click here to read the contents of the petition and sign it. An ever-increasing number of members of congress are joining this fight, so you are in good company.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Dissecting The Lautenberg Amendment</b></span></div><div>Cleveland Examiner (OH)</div><div>January 29, 2011 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Many Clevelanders and Ohioans, as a result of being turned down for either a firearm purchase or Concealed Carry license have resorted to various forums, such as Ohioans for Concealed Carry and the Buckeye Firearms Association among others, asking the question “Can I be denied because of a misdemeanor domestic violence charge?” or some similar question.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">As a familiar in these forums, the Cleveland Gun Rights Examiner has seen a lot of answers; some are on point, but only partially answer the question while others are out in left field or miss the mark completely.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The answer to the question depends on the facts of each case individually. People see “convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence” and stop at that point. The federal law governing the “domestic violence” gun prohibition is 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(9). The legal definition of domestic violence is defined by 18 U.S.C. 921(a)(33)(A)(ii) as any offense that “has, as an element, the use or attempted use of physical force, or the threatened use of a deadly weapon”.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Following D.C. v. Heller, most courts have taken the position that it would be a mistake to uphold “presumptively lawful regulatory measures” (of which 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(9) is one), without more, and therefore adopted “intermediate” scrutiny as the standard of review. This places the burden of proof on the government to prove that a domestic violence conviction rises to the level of prohibition on a case-by-case basis.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In short, no one in the general sense can definitively answer the question of domestic violence being prohibitive without knowing the details of a specific case. For those of you that have posed the question, if there was a physical altercation, chances are that you are prohibited. For those that only had arguments, you are probably not.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Fortunately, Ohio prosecutors neglect to charge domestic violence under specific degrees of the offense; therefore, most defendants can be convicted and sentenced for ONLY the lowest degree, absent aggravating factors, thus without the records of the case, you have a better than average chance of winning.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">[DISCLAIMER] The above analysis is not intended as legal advice; it is simply an explanation of the Lautenberg Amendment as it applies to Ohio law. Readers are advised to consult professional legal help that is specific to them.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Lautenberg Marks 15 Years of Domestic Violence Gun Ban</b></span></div><div>Targeted News Service (USA)</div><div>September 30, 2011 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 -- The office of Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg, D-N.J., issued the following news release:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Today, U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) marked 15 years since legislation he authored was signed into law to prohibit individuals convicted of domestic violence misdemeanors from buying or possessing firearms. Since it was enacted in 1996, the law has succeeded in keeping guns out of the hands of spousal and child abusers on approximately 200,000 occasions.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Over the past 15 years, this law has made a significant impact on the lives of innocent women and children. Instead of living in fear, domestic violence victims have protections from gun violence as they rebuild their lives," Lautenberg said. "The law is plain and simple: If you are convicted of assaulting your wife or beating your child, we are not going to allow you to arm yourself with a gun. Common-sense laws like this have made our country safer and I will continue working in Washington and fighting the gun lobby to protect our families from gun violence."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Domestic Violence Gun Ban was approved in Congress and signed into law in 1996 by former President Bill Clinton as part of the Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Act of 1997. This law specifically bans the shipment, transport, sale or ownership of guns by individuals convicted of domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Sen. Lautenberg is a leader in Congress for responsible gun safety measures. Earlier this year, he introduced a package of three common-sense bills that would ban high-capacity gun magazines, close the gun show loophole, and keep deadly weapons out of the hands of criminals and terrorists. </span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Both Sides of the Law: At least 93 Milwaukee police officers have been disciplined for violating law</b></span></div><div>Milwaukee Journal Sentinel</div><div>Gina Barton</div><div>October 23, 2011</div><div><a href="https://www.jsonline.com/story/archives/2019/04/25/least-93-milwaukee-police-officers-disciplined-violating-law/3564713002/" target="_blank">https://www.jsonline.com/story/archives/2019/04/25/least-93-milwaukee-police-officers-disciplined-violating-law/3564713002/</a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">This is part one of a three-part series. Read <b><a href="https://www.jsonline.com/story/archives/2019/04/25/milwaukee-police-often-face-minimal-punishment-driving-drunk/3565181002/" target="_blank">part two</a></b> and <b><a href="https://www.jsonline.com/story/archives/2019/04/25/mpd-ignores-national-standards-cops-accused-domestic-violence/3565434002/" target="_blank">part three</a></b>. </span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTnektawA_EvtNg2zLy77_18J8Nny9l-iIhgBhZYa2SrlkEPhvToX-yJ5ukyxuviWf64Nb0g4a6T7e-w531TZ2Yfmdos7GrbkZ-FbvoIAqcqBgTuqqFpJ1neQDTdBSL8rjBQ9R2i7ZU9Xib2ggf_OuR83Tj0ybMnpcmo7EWNzJOvQdLDAfXiQu-GnsQA=s366" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="366" data-original-width="323" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTnektawA_EvtNg2zLy77_18J8Nny9l-iIhgBhZYa2SrlkEPhvToX-yJ5ukyxuviWf64Nb0g4a6T7e-w531TZ2Yfmdos7GrbkZ-FbvoIAqcqBgTuqqFpJ1neQDTdBSL8rjBQ9R2i7ZU9Xib2ggf_OuR83Tj0ybMnpcmo7EWNzJOvQdLDAfXiQu-GnsQA=w565-h640" width="565" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhombe8lno1Bre3XUzHNLZgb6HG8FEcXOWMY4d-oJtgKkNI0tor9tPLRHPHuYS7KUJfV983TcAc9b9EQla7FcLDOoLm8oJgOwrQKRAwQ6C3MmiiU0Gq5LVGff_NfoBb9PX9gsdbBMTeQNCW8yDAgQVW62fRhnEtJNB_v9OXCsgTrdqkfJl963uZaGMnoQ=s364" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="364" data-original-width="325" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhombe8lno1Bre3XUzHNLZgb6HG8FEcXOWMY4d-oJtgKkNI0tor9tPLRHPHuYS7KUJfV983TcAc9b9EQla7FcLDOoLm8oJgOwrQKRAwQ6C3MmiiU0Gq5LVGff_NfoBb9PX9gsdbBMTeQNCW8yDAgQVW62fRhnEtJNB_v9OXCsgTrdqkfJl963uZaGMnoQ=w572-h640" width="572" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuFIEPMhR-bw2fS_cUHSkaJRMnsAsW0trEMvveKM9sWdCgcqPOR7ZkMYjzW1-PCGIhlV3SWS1Xb94UaVQQ5-Q1BNAVqzF0rzvLrFvySw40zBkPOGiVWKe-7FjLYvVpSfP6DT0ANobinCGVQWOPLKuEXU1T3vEe3_oSzV5UmLTCeWaJ9AkZx4DotCIFfQ=s335" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="335" data-original-width="313" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuFIEPMhR-bw2fS_cUHSkaJRMnsAsW0trEMvveKM9sWdCgcqPOR7ZkMYjzW1-PCGIhlV3SWS1Xb94UaVQQ5-Q1BNAVqzF0rzvLrFvySw40zBkPOGiVWKe-7FjLYvVpSfP6DT0ANobinCGVQWOPLKuEXU1T3vEe3_oSzV5UmLTCeWaJ9AkZx4DotCIFfQ=w374-h400" width="374" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikiucDOh6uvAFAoVOFtkHsW1RbkdchX3pzTT88NkNrK0AigZshDjcxsbJ4aaUQGRg54qvwyDL6Mz6Le0EzJYRffXfAwhveojoiy4-ti7eJ0FGwnHwd7tsyK0EtIl0KSmdUBogi0zLhG1uwaNkIR4MN517HgOgkbuqvUonLea_6CctKqtaZ4hCof7s-hA=s363" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="363" data-original-width="316" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikiucDOh6uvAFAoVOFtkHsW1RbkdchX3pzTT88NkNrK0AigZshDjcxsbJ4aaUQGRg54qvwyDL6Mz6Le0EzJYRffXfAwhveojoiy4-ti7eJ0FGwnHwd7tsyK0EtIl0KSmdUBogi0zLhG1uwaNkIR4MN517HgOgkbuqvUonLea_6CctKqtaZ4hCof7s-hA=w349-h400" width="349" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBM8-wfxO8UCTTHiuy7rLPZGTWVGTX_9EwQc1bAcN6LRIm7g9mbC9o3UgauWVffel0g4oIZ3FGQ3-loNgGw3B9jxE1cKi_u7yUlGt2cvphW0zXotx2hYsPyxyFIKHalLuMBaXsEhPazA-49RzjTW0vXldLfmDw9InoNMMJh4sZV3VuzfS48hHd3eNsKA=s357" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="357" data-original-width="319" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBM8-wfxO8UCTTHiuy7rLPZGTWVGTX_9EwQc1bAcN6LRIm7g9mbC9o3UgauWVffel0g4oIZ3FGQ3-loNgGw3B9jxE1cKi_u7yUlGt2cvphW0zXotx2hYsPyxyFIKHalLuMBaXsEhPazA-49RzjTW0vXldLfmDw9InoNMMJh4sZV3VuzfS48hHd3eNsKA=w358-h400" width="358" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0NJTUR4-cJrj5zr6g5wJAQXaEkPtTU0M-8pWpuy5OEeCr0NEcaCXwBhmwZ_a2nkmh2ii7II1hH3t8EeEcDZVMK83tlXCgMifXLsbUzjmsa8SzRFOhEww0avZv3gtt1iANpBsMyhcCR1cTtxDEe-D_uS2_-kKtOnD0Wzze9epnpD2pQfBqs5YRfSwWTA=s446" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="446" data-original-width="319" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0NJTUR4-cJrj5zr6g5wJAQXaEkPtTU0M-8pWpuy5OEeCr0NEcaCXwBhmwZ_a2nkmh2ii7II1hH3t8EeEcDZVMK83tlXCgMifXLsbUzjmsa8SzRFOhEww0avZv3gtt1iANpBsMyhcCR1cTtxDEe-D_uS2_-kKtOnD0Wzze9epnpD2pQfBqs5YRfSwWTA=w286-h400" width="286" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">At least 93 Milwaukee police officers — ranking from street cop to captain — have been disciplined for violating the laws and ordinances they were sworn to uphold, a Journal Sentinel investigation found.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Their offenses range from sexual assault and domestic violence to drunken driving and shoplifting, according to internal affairs records. All still work for the Police Department, where they have the authority to make arrests, testify in court and patrol neighborhoods.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Officers who run afoul of the law often aren't fired or prosecuted, the newspaper found. Consider:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">At least six officers disciplined by the department for illegal behavior suffered no legal consequences whatsoever. One was Reginald Hampton, accused of sexually assaulting two women he met on duty. Another was Mark Kapusta, suspended after a woman said he pointed a gun at her head during a drunken road-rage incident. Neither officer was charged or ticketed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Twenty-three officers got breaks from prosecutors that allowed them to avoid being convicted of serious charges — or any charges at all — as long as they didn't commit more crimes and followed prosecutors' instructions. One was Patrick Fuhrman, originally charged with a felony for a beating that sent his wife to the hospital and, according to a witness, left blood in every room of their house. A conviction on that charge could have gotten him fired from the department, banned from carrying a gun for life and imprisoned for 3½ years. Instead, he ended up with two tickets for disorderly conduct.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Nine of the 93 officers were convicted of crimes. Some even spent time behind bars. Yet when their criminal cases were concluded, they went back to their careers with the Milwaukee police. At least one, John P. Corbett, was a police sergeant by day and an inmate by night. Convicted of driving drunk with a child in the car, Corbett did his job at the police station while on work release from jail. His 13-year-old daughter told authorities Corbett took the wheel after she got lost driving back from a tavern.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Police Department, district attorney's office and Fire and Police Commission share responsibility for keeping officers in line.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">All three fall short.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://projects.jsonline.com/database/archive/both-sides-of-the-law-database.html" target="_blank">INTERACTIVE DATABASE:</a> Search officers and their case histories</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The department tolerates misconduct. Prosecutors give cops career-saving deals. The commission reduces punishments when officers break the rules. As a result, police who have crossed to the other side of the law keep the power that comes with the badge. Meanwhile, citizens have no way of knowing whether the officers responsible for protecting them have tarnished records.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">None of the agencies has a comprehensive list of cops who have broken the law.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It took the Journal Sentinel nearly two years of records requests, a court case and $7,500 in fees to compile the list of 93 — which is about 5% of the force. The list doesn't include cops with juvenile records, arrests before they were hired or discipline under different department rules.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">What's more, no department policy prevents officers from enforcing the same laws they've been disciplined for breaking. An intoxicated motorist may be stopped — or allowed to drive on — by one of more than 30 cops who have been arrested for drunken driving. A woman who calls 911 in fear of her husband may be met by one of more than a dozen officers with a history of domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Cops who break the law should be fired, said Milwaukee County Sheriff David A. Clarke, who worked for the Milwaukee Police Department for 24 years. Illegal conduct undermines officers' authority and erodes the public trust, he said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"There should be a higher standard for (an) . . . employee who enforces the law than for a worker who cuts the grass," Clarke said. "There's no understanding why a cop would drive drunk. There's no understanding why a cop would be abusive to a spouse. When you start to justify and rationalize this type of behavior, it gets ugly."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The newspaper's review — the first of its kind involving the Milwaukee police — has uncovered information even those in charge of the department didn't know.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In a recorded speech to officers, the audio portion of which was obtained by the Journal Sentinel, Milwaukee Police Chief Edward Flynn said he was surprised at the large number of officers arrested for driving drunk.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"We've got an issue of conduct here that's related to culture that we need to confront and deal with," he said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A video of the speech was shown to officers a month after a Journal Sentinel reporter shared the newspaper's key findings with a police spokeswoman and asked for an interview with the chief. In the speech, Flynn announced a new program of training, support and discipline for officers dealing with alcohol-related problems.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He also warned of the newspaper's investigation.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I understand they are going to post . . . names on their website," Flynn said during the presentation. "They are also selecting . . . officers for special scrutiny in their newspaper, with the operating question being whether they should be police officers given their prior conduct."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Flynn didn't answer that question in the video. He also wouldn't answer questions about the newspaper's findings. Instead, he issued a one-sentence statement:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"We recognize that alcohol abuse, divorce and suicide are overrepresented in the law enforcement profession, and we actively educate, intervene, discipline and provide resources for our members to ensure they understand the inherent risks of the job, and the personal and professional consequences of their behavior."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm also would not discuss the problem with a reporter. His chief deputy, Kent Lovern, provided a written statement, pointing out that 70 Milwaukee officers have been charged over the past 10 years.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Of those, 42 were convicted of misdemeanors or felonies under Milwaukee County's jurisdiction, according to an analysis by the newspaper. Most of them are no longer on the force.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But the list was started in 2000, making it incomplete. About one-third of the officers identified by the newspaper were disciplined before that point.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Mayor Tom Barrett, who recruited Flynn to Milwaukee and who appoints the members of the Fire and Police Commission, also refused to meet with a reporter. He issued a statement supporting the chief and the commission.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Only Michael G. Tobin, executive director of the Fire and Police Commission, agreed to discuss the issue with the Journal Sentinel.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://projects.jsonline.com/database/archive/flowchart1.html" target="_blank">INVESTIGATING AN OFFICER:</a> A look at the complaint and review process</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Significant improvements have been made to the commission — a civilian board that oversees hiring and discipline — over the past decade, he said. In 2001, the board began requiring a written psychological test for job candidates. Since 2005, it has been followed up with an in-person mental health exam.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In addition to getting a new slate of members in recent years, the commission was reorganized in 2008, Tobin said. Two independent investigators now handle citizen complaints to the commission. In the past, the commission referred complaints to the department.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The commission also has hired a research analyst who studies trends within the department, including use of force and vehicle pursuits. Some of those reports have resulted in improved training for officers, Tobin said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">As for disciplinary appeals, commissioners can't always do what they want - they must follow procedures dictated by state law, Tobin said. He believes they try their best to protect the public without violating officers' rights.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"It's not a fail-safe system," he said. "With the passage of time it could be proven that a different course of action could have been taken."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Only on the force</span></b></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">The 93 officers identified during the newspaper's two-year investigation include only those the department concluded broke the law while on the force. To compile the list, the newspaper reviewed officers' disciplinary records and built a database of discipline imposed since their hire dates, which range from 1979 to 2010.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The department provided the disciplinary records over a one-year period beginning in January 2010. The list may not include incidents or discipline that occurred after the records were released. It does not include officers hired after 2010. Officers who left the force after Oct. 1 may not have been removed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">More than half the officers disciplined for violating laws or ordinances were suspended for three days or less, according to the newspaper's analysis.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Seven officers were fired but got their jobs back during the appeal process. Four were reinstated by the Fire and Police Commission; two reached agreements with chiefs to return to work; and one was rehired as the result of a settlement in a discrimination lawsuit.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Nine officers were disciplined for more than one instance of illegal behavior. Five were disciplined for breaking the law while employed as police aides — a program that gives teenagers a head start on becoming recruits — yet were allowed to become officers anyway.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">No one tracks how many cops committed crimes before they were hired. A state law that keeps job applications secret and blocks access to their birth dates makes it impossible for the public to figure out that number.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Until about four years ago, applicants with multiple misdemeanor convictions could be hired as Milwaukee police officers, as long as the offenses were not domestic violence and did not occur within three years of applying.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Now there's no magic number," Tobin said. "Every time there's even a single one, that individual gets greater scrutiny."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Several other states ban convicted drug dealers, people who have lied in court and people with recent drunken-driving convictions from working in law enforcement. Not Wisconsin. A state law here prohibits all employers — even police departments — from discriminating against applicants with misdemeanor criminal records unless their convictions are related to the job.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Which crimes are considered related to the job of policing is open to interpretation, Tobin said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The only absolute bars to working in law enforcement here are felonies or crimes of domestic violence, because federal law precludes people convicted of those crimes from carrying guns.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Once officers are on the job, it is difficult to convict them of crimes. Experts say jurors are inherently biased in favor of police.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Your competence and credibility sort of come with the badge," said Dennis C. Elias, who serves on the board of the American Society of Trial Consultants. "Additionally, people don't want to believe the people that we trust to protect us would ever do anything bad."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Deputy District Attorney Lovern has acknowledged that prosecutors take police credibility into consideration when deciding whether to issue charges.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"We always have to consider how a jury will react in considering evidence against a police officer," he said in January, after his office declined to charge fired officer Ladmarald Cates with an on-duty rape.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Federal authorities later launched an investigation, and the U.S. attorney's office secured an indictment against Cates on two felony charges last month. He has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled for trial Jan. 9.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Five prior allegations</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Cates was indicted and fired amid allegations that he raped a woman after responding to her 911 call in July 2010. The Journal Sentinel examined the case and published an interview with the victim in January. The newspaper later found Cates had been accused of breaking the law five times before, all without being charged or losing his job. Three of the previous allegations involved sexual misconduct — two with female prisoners and one with a 16-year-old girl who said he offered her cash in exchange for sex.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Another Milwaukee cop who avoided criminal charges because prosecutors thought the evidence wouldn't stand up in court was Mark Kapusta.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Here is what the woman who encountered Kapusta at a southwest side intersection told investigators, according to a summary of the internal investigation:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">She was helping her boyfriend deliver newspapers around 4:45 a.m. Jan. 20, 2006, when she turned the corner. The driver of a black pickup truck, who also had been waiting to turn, started honking his horn. He pulled behind her, swerving all over the road.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">When she honked back at him, the man pulled his truck in front of her car, forcing her to stop. The man, who turned out to be Kapusta, got out of the truck, yelling. His bloodshot eyes and slurred speech told the woman he was probably drunk.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He was holding a gun.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Kapusta, who was not in uniform, approached the woman's car. Her window was partially open. He pointed his weapon through it, aiming at her head.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Put your hands where I can see them!" he shouted. "I'm the f---ing police!"</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">She feared she was about to die.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But Kapusta didn't fire.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The woman told him she was going to call the police, and he went back to his truck and drove away.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The woman's boyfriend told investigators a similar story, except he said he did not see Kapusta point the gun at the woman's head, according to the summary. The document does not name the boyfriend. He could not be reached for this story.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">When two sergeants showed up at Kapusta's house around 7 a.m., he didn't answer the door.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Two hours later, two detectives knocked for 10 minutes before an intoxicated Kapusta came to the door, the summary says. One of the detectives overheard Kapusta on the phone, telling his partner: "I f---ed up." Asked about it later that day, Kapusta's partner said he "did not recall" the statement.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Around noon — seven hours after the incident — Kapusta's blood-alcohol level was 0.15, nearly twice the legal limit for driving, the summary says.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Kapusta did not respond to requests for comment. Here is what he told investigators, according to the summary:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">After he finished work around midnight, he had two drinks with fellow officers. Around 4:30 a.m., he was on his way home when he noticed the car behind him following too closely and too quickly. Kapusta, who was assigned to the gang unit, suspected its occupants were gang members who recognized his truck. Kapusta approached the car, showed his badge, and identified himself as a police officer, keeping his gun at his side, he said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He instructed the woman to call 911 because he was afraid of her boyfriend. But then the couple left, so he went home.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">At first, Kapusta said he went to sleep as soon as he arrived. He later changed his story to say he went home, drank five to seven shots of alcohol, and then went to sleep.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">About two weeks after the incident, the woman called investigators and said she was too afraid to continue pursuing charges, the summary says. Although she denied being intimidated or threatened, she would not come to the door to discuss her decision with a detective because she was terrified, her boyfriend told police.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Without the woman's cooperation, Milwaukee County Assistant District Attorney Karen Loebel concluded she could not prove the case, the summary says.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Nannette Hegerty, police chief at the time, initially fired Kapusta. While his appeal was pending before the Fire and Police Commission, she agreed to reduce his punishment to a 60-day suspension and allow him to remain on the force, records say.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Records do not explain Hegerty's reasons for changing her mind. She could not be reached for comment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Three years later, Kapusta received an award for distinguished service for devising a system to reduce thefts from cars.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Domestic violence</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In the years following a case in which seven police officers were convicted of beating a man at a Bay View party that was held seven years ago this week, both DA Chisholm and Chief Flynn vowed to take a hard line on officer misconduct.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">That didn't happen in the case of Patrick Fuhrman, who beat his wife so badly there was blood in every room of their house, according to a summary of the internal investigation.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Fuhrman's wife and a neighbor who helped her — both police officers themselves — gave the following description of events, according to the summary:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">When Fuhrman's wife got home from work on Nov. 3, 2008, she was upset because he had told her he wanted a divorce. She tried to talk with him, but the conversation turned into an argument.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Then it turned physical.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Fuhrman grabbed his wife by the neck and threw her to the ground. The force caused her to hit her head on the floor and bite her lip. He punched her several times in the head, then in the nose. While she was on the ground, he kicked her and stomped on her repeatedly, calling her a "n----- lovin' crazy whore woman."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">She was able to get up from the floor, but he came at her again. She threw her police baton at him but missed, cracking the TV screen.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"You disgust me," he said, laughing. "I should have never married you. If you are going to fight, you should learn how."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Then Fuhrman left for work and his wife went to Community Memorial Hospital. She arrived with bruises on her face, legs, elbows and shoulders, the summary says. She needed three stitches in her lip.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In an interview with internal investigators, Fuhrman admitted throwing his wife to the ground, but said he did it because he wanted to get away from her. Fuhrman also admitted striking her "in the chest, chin and/or face area with an open hand," but said he only did so after she tried to hit him with the baton. He also said he may have "gotten her in the nose," the summary says.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">When the investigator asked Fuhrman if he had called his wife a whore and used a racial slur, "he stated he called her many things to that effect and that many hurtful things were said by both of them," the summary says.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Fuhrman also told investigators he was sorry.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I just want to apologize that I brought shame and embarrassment to the Police Department and to my wife and my family," he said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Jeffrey Greipp, then an assistant district attorney, initially charged Fuhrman with domestic violence-related substantial battery, a felony.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A conviction on that charge would have cost him his job.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Within five weeks, prosecutors reduced the felony charge against Fuhrman to misdemeanor battery, according to court records. A conviction on that charge would have knocked him off the force as well. Because his wife was the victim, he would not have been allowed to carry a gun under federal law.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A deferred-prosecution agreement, signed by Assistant District Attorney Gilbert F. Urfer in March 2009, reduced the charge even more and saved Fuhrman's job.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Agreements for deferred prosecution allow defendants to avoid serious criminal convictions if they meet certain conditions, such as getting treatment and not committing more crimes. They must plead guilty to a crime initially, but the charge is reduced or dismissed if they live up to their end of the bargain.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Fuhrman's deal required him to plead guilty upfront to two misdemeanor counts of disorderly conduct, which is less serious than battery.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Prosecutors agreed to reduce the charges a third time — to noncriminal tickets — if Fuhrman completed domestic violence treatment, substance abuse assessment and treatment, and a parenting class. For the seven months of the agreement, Fuhrman also agreed not to commit any additional crimes and not to use alcohol or illegal drugs.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"The agreement was offered to Fuhrman at the request of the victim in the matter, and in consideration of the fact that there was more than one consistent account of the events that supported the prosecution," according to the statement from Lovern, chief deputy prosecutor.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Neither Fuhrman nor his wife responded to requests for interviews.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Lack of cooperation from the victim, which is common in domestic violence cases, is not a valid reason to let an accused batterer go free, said Judy Munaker, who prosecuted such cases in Dane County before working for five years as a state Office of Justice Assistance trainer, where she taught police about officer-involved domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Victims of domestic violence almost never participate in prosecution, said Munaker, now a consultant. When the perpetrator is a police officer, cooperation from the victim is even less likely.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I've never had a case with a law enforcement officer when the victim is willing to testify," she said. "We expect most victims to recant or not testify because they're trying to stay alive."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Fuhrman satisfied his conditions and walked out of court with the municipal tickets and a fine. Flynn suspended him for 30 days.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Fuhrman's personnel record includes an award for arresting an armed robber in 2000. In 2007, he received the chief's superior achievement award for pursuing an armed suspect.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">More diversions</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Fuhrman is among 14 Milwaukee police officers who have benefitted from deferred prosecutions and similar deals known as diversion from Milwaukee County prosecutors. Another four officers have gotten such treatment from prosecutors in other municipalities.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It isn't easy for the public to figure out all the information about either type of case.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">As reported by the Journal Sentinel last year, Chisholm has greatly increased the number of deferred prosecutions since he took office in 2007. He has touted the program as a solution to take pressure off the overcrowded court system, but has not specifically addressed the deferred prosecutions or diversions of police officers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Deferred prosecutions are supposed to be entered into the state's online records system, known as CCAP. But that isn't always done. When it is, the details available electronically are sketchy. The full story is contained only in a paper file at the courthouse.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">There are even fewer records of diversion cases, in which prosecutors agree to hold off on filing charges in the first place. In exchange, potential defendants must meet certain conditions, ranging from staying out of trouble to attending counseling or paying restitution. Diversion cases are not entered into the online database. Because prosecutors don't file charges upfront, there are no paper court records of the deal, either.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The newspaper located limited documentation on diversion cases involving police officers by filing public records requests with the Police Department and district attorney's office.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Those records also contained information about six officers whose cases were "held open" with instructions from prosecutors to meet certain conditions in order to avoid charges, but without a formal deferred prosecution or diversion agreement.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Agreement ignored</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">At least one officer who was offered a diversion agreement, Robert A. Brown II, slipped through the cracks.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Brown was never charged even though he failed to attend anger management classes after a fight with his girlfriend in January 1998, according to a summary of the internal investigation.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">The document gives these details:</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Brown was arrested for domestic violence battery after the woman, who was six months pregnant with his child, was treated at St. Joseph's Hospital for cuts on her forehead, neck pain and a swollen nose. The woman told investigators Brown choked her and punched her in the face.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The woman said she wanted to prosecute because Brown had choked her three times before.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Milwaukee County Assistant District Attorney William Hanrahan — now a Dane County circuit judge — told Brown he would not issue charges if Brown completed an anger management course and refrained from further violent contact with the victim. Brown agreed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Nine months after the fight, a police sergeant contacted the district attorney's office for an update.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Due to a possible error or oversight on the part of the District Attorney's office, this case never made it into the diversion program and records indicated Officer Brown never attended the stated program," the summary says.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In his written statement, Lovern said that because the case was so long ago, he had no information about why charges weren't filed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Brown's only punishment was a one-day suspension. He did not respond to an email seeking comment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">His record also includes recognition for arresting a burglary suspect in 1995.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Altercation with senator</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Jeremy Gonzalez, an officer involved in an altercation with state Sen. Tim Carpenter (D-Milwaukee), also was offered a diversion program. Although Gonzalez was still a probationary officer when the incident occurred on Aug. 14, 2004, he was allowed to remain on the force.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Carpenter, who lived upstairs from his elderly parents in a duplex, was running for U.S. Congress at the time. He heard a noise, and he and his father went outside, Carpenter said in an interview.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Gonzalez and his brother had torn down a campaign sign.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I came out and said, 'What happened?' " Carpenter recalled. "(Gonzalez) got upset. He was kind of combative. He told me to shut my mouth and get inside my house. He (grabbed) my shirt and twisted it and ripped my shirt."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Meanwhile, Gonzalez's brother tackled Carpenter's father, who was in his 80s, Carpenter said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"My dad went flying through the air," Carpenter said. "As soon as he hit the ground, he said, 'Oh, my back.' It still goes through my mind in slow motion: Standing on our own property, having someone come at my dad like a linebacker going after a quarterback."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Gonzalez, who did not respond to a certified letter seeking comment, told internal investigators he kicked the sign because he was angry with his brother. After that, Carpenter started the fight by threatening to "kick his ass," according to a summary of the internal investigation, which also includes Carpenter's account.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Gonzalez denied shoving Carpenter, as a witness reported, or grabbing his shirt.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Gonzalez's blood-alcohol level was 0.10, according to the summary. He was arrested for disorderly conduct. As part of his deal to avoid charges, he completed an anger management program.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">His brother, Dimitri A. Gonzalez — who is not a police officer — was charged with misdemeanor battery and pleaded no contest, court records show.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Jeremy Gonzalez was suspended for two days. He has not been disciplined since, according to his personnel record.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He has received three awards from the Police Department for meritorious arrests: armed robbers in 2004 and 2007 and a marijuana dealer in 2005.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A few days after Gonzalez's fight with Carpenter, Jon Reddin, who has since retired as deputy district attorney, told the Journal Sentinel that Carpenter's reluctance to press charges was part of the reason prosecutors gave the rookie cop a break.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Like Gonzalez, most of the officers disciplined for violating the law did so off duty.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But that isn't always the case.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Assault accusations</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">As the Journal Sentinel first reported in March, three current officers avoided criminal convictions and kept their jobs after women accused them of on-duty sexual assaults, according to records. Unlike Cates, who ultimately was fired, Reginald Hampton, Milford Adams and Scott Charles kept their jobs.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Hampton was accused by two women he met on the job. Internal investigators referred both cases to the district attorney's office, but Hampton was never charged. He was not disciplined as a result of the first investigation, in 1990, according to his personnel record.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">After the second woman came forward in 1991, then-Chief Philip Arreola fired Hampton. But the punishment was overturned by the Fire and Police Commission, which instead suspended him for 60 days.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The commission also overturned the firing of Adams, who was accused of allowing a woman to avoid arrest in exchange for performing a sex act in his squad car in 2004. The woman previously had been convicted of prostitution and drug charges.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">After a jury found Adams not guilty at a criminal trial, the commission rescinded all internal discipline against him, leaving him with a clean employment record.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The commissioners did not find the woman's testimony credible — in part because the jury in the criminal case did not believe her, according to their written decision.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The third officer, Charles, was accused of sexually assaulting a woman after he pulled her over for drunken driving in 1994, according to a summary of the internal investigation. The investigator concluded that Charles went into the woman's apartment "under the guise of ensuring her safety . . . and did have an act of sexual contact with her," the summary says.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The woman told investigators she was very intoxicated and may have blacked out during the assault. Charles told investigators the two sexually touched each other consensually and the woman was not unconscious at any point, the summary says.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Investigators expected Charles would be criminally charged with misconduct in public office, the summary says. But he was not.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The summary does not contain an explanation of why Charles was not charged. The district attorney's records of the incident no longer exist because of a county policy that calls for the destruction of files in uncharged cases after 10 years, Deputy District Attorney James J. Martin wrote in response to an open records request from the newspaper.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Charles was suspended for 60 days, according to his personnel record. He avoided being fired by receiving satisfactory monthly reports from his supervisor for a year. Charles, who did not appeal the punishment to the commission, has since been promoted to sergeant.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Just because officers haven't been criminally convicted doesn't mean they are fit to serve, Sheriff Clarke said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"That type of behavior is incompatible with working in law enforcement," he said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Guilty, but still on force</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Even when officers are successfully prosecuted, they don't automatically lose their jobs.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Nine officers on the force as of Oct. 1 have been convicted of crimes. Of those, seven were prosecuted by the Milwaukee County district attorney's office. One of them was later pardoned.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The other two convicted cops broke the law while in different jurisdictions.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">One of them was John Corbett. He was sentenced to jail by a Fond du Lac County judge, but he didn't have to take a leave from the Police Department while he served his time.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">According to a police report:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A sheriff's deputy spotted Corbett's car, alternately swerving across the centerline and weaving onto the shoulder, around 1:30 a.m. Nov. 21, 2010.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">When the deputy pulled over the car, she saw two men passed out in the back seat, covered in vomit.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Corbett swayed and stumbled as he performed field sobriety tests such as walking a straight line and standing on one foot. His eyes were red and he smelled of alcohol.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Corbett told the deputy he drank just two beers, but a preliminary breath test showed a blood-alcohol level of 0.18, more than twice the legal limit for driving. Two knives hung from Corbett's belt, and a handgun was tucked into the passenger side visor.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Corbett's 13-year-old daughter was crying in the passenger seat. She told another deputy that after a day of deer hunting, she, her father, and some friends went to a bar called Mr. Lucky's. Because the adults were drunk, the 13-year-old was driving them back to Kiel, where they were staying.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Then she got lost, and her father took over.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Corbett did not respond to a request for comment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He told internal investigators he had seven drinks over about 7½ hours. He had used the knives to field dress deer, and had forgotten the gun was in the car, he said. Corbett also told investigators he let his daughter drive for about a mile in a rural area, but said it was on the way to the bar, not after they left.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Corbett pleaded guilty to first-offense drunken driving with a child younger than 16 in the car, a misdemeanor. He was fined $1,059, and sentenced to 30 days in jail, which he was allowed to serve in Waukesha County. His driver's license was suspended for 15 months.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Department spokeswoman Anne E. Schwartz confirmed that Corbett, a desk sergeant, was on the job while on work release from jail. Corbett was on administrative duty, which means his police powers were suspended and he had to turn in his badge and gun. Practically speaking, however, his day-to-day tasks didn't change much, since desk sergeants generally do paperwork and answer phones and don't usually respond to emergency calls or make arrests.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Corbett was suspended from the department for 60 days beginning in June, 21/2 months after his jail term had ended.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Police Department should not tolerate drunken driving or domestic violence by officers, said Carpenter, the state senator.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The small percentage of officers who engage in those behaviors or otherwise violate the law make the rest — who do a good job of protecting the city and serving as role models — look bad, he said. And those with a pattern of wrongdoing also could pose a liability for the city.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Those people need to be screened out and they can't be allowed on the police force," he said. "It's just too dangerous."</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Both Sides of the Law: Police Department ignores national standards for officers accused of domestic violence</b></span></div><div>Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Web Edition Articles (WI)</div><div>October 30, 2011</div><div><a href="https://www.jsonline.com/story/archives/2019/04/25/mpd-ignores-national-standards-cops-accused-domestic-violence/3565434002/" target="_blank">https://www.jsonline.com/story/archives/2019/04/25/mpd-ignores-national-standards-cops-accused-domestic-violence/3565434002/</a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Part three of a three-part series. Read <b><a href="https://www.jsonline.com/story/archives/2019/04/25/least-93-milwaukee-police-officers-disciplined-violating-law/3564713002/" target="_blank">part one</a></b> and <b><a href="https://www.jsonline.com/story/archives/2019/04/25/milwaukee-police-often-face-minimal-punishment-driving-drunk/3565181002/" target="_blank">part two</a></b>. </span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgl4iC--y6p87g4FmfSjDO4vzkDblrdhLd2eY2gnGqmDDHn2-ZmEktqZpkoCR73RSeeAcw7Iwx49XQfSEzVdWYt28wr3SbWQUe_BA2EQT9koL2gN0zd6528_JuaG0_ZDcT3R4ebjy1dzdeiOroU4WhdH9Yqpbnm3qti9aC8VCQaAXkKutrEK2KStHh2QQ=s379" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="379" data-original-width="329" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgl4iC--y6p87g4FmfSjDO4vzkDblrdhLd2eY2gnGqmDDHn2-ZmEktqZpkoCR73RSeeAcw7Iwx49XQfSEzVdWYt28wr3SbWQUe_BA2EQT9koL2gN0zd6528_JuaG0_ZDcT3R4ebjy1dzdeiOroU4WhdH9Yqpbnm3qti9aC8VCQaAXkKutrEK2KStHh2QQ=w348-h400" width="348" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3q6U61EI0nlCRv8kO71ymA6RL2OUfHrTymJ4YVyfxt5pjbUbDiAfqzPG3DU7u8Y_Q9Z7Z-KSrrOXXKbSF95LW14QUB_x5KdpKN72ILWrlZmp25LlZJZ-y27DDVs4093dRAHu34EWf8d1s5jiQDJAoqX9Mz6XbQYgZ3tRuoqVlU3m0O5JdNk_RA3Osjg=s372" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="372" data-original-width="328" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3q6U61EI0nlCRv8kO71ymA6RL2OUfHrTymJ4YVyfxt5pjbUbDiAfqzPG3DU7u8Y_Q9Z7Z-KSrrOXXKbSF95LW14QUB_x5KdpKN72ILWrlZmp25LlZJZ-y27DDVs4093dRAHu34EWf8d1s5jiQDJAoqX9Mz6XbQYgZ3tRuoqVlU3m0O5JdNk_RA3Osjg=w353-h400" width="353" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUbzBqi4iUy19GV6IfhxVVrSvs-CxdVZih9FqaK0x0U_6GeX24MNz40AIK07scv54pkhIK3HvtePejvhxBaz9X8YwdCoPfjAvR_N5UqKP5kgNqptyKgj3i8gfHQ84BbUFkSCIRbpTFoaSUhcXbJQT1NSDxUqrj2wyNgL1I5eEQdMASFT3xpdIbbAh26g=s383" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="383" data-original-width="328" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUbzBqi4iUy19GV6IfhxVVrSvs-CxdVZih9FqaK0x0U_6GeX24MNz40AIK07scv54pkhIK3HvtePejvhxBaz9X8YwdCoPfjAvR_N5UqKP5kgNqptyKgj3i8gfHQ84BbUFkSCIRbpTFoaSUhcXbJQT1NSDxUqrj2wyNgL1I5eEQdMASFT3xpdIbbAh26g=w343-h400" width="343" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-size: medium;">When Robert Velez's wife left their home to escape his abuse, he used his Milwaukee police training — and his badge — to track her down.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">First, Velez connected his missing wife to the Exel Inn hotel chain. He initially showed his badge at the Wauwatosa location, according to court and internal affairs records. Lying to the clerk, Velez said he was working undercover, looking for a suspect.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The woman wasn't checked in there, but the clerk located her in Oak Creek. She had alerted staff that her abusive husband — a cop — might come looking for her.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Nonetheless, the hotel desk clerk led Velez to his wife's room, knocked on the door, and told her to open it. If she didn't, the clerk said, he would use the master key.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">She did.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Velez shoved past her into the room, where he found one of his fellow officers — whom he and his wife had known for about three years. Velez immediately began beating the man, telling him: "I'll break your f---ing neck! I'm going to kill you!"</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">When his wife tried to break up the fight, Velez punched her in the face. He put the man in a headlock and dragged him down the stairs, the records say.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">When Oak Creek officers arrived, Velez also fought with them. He repeated the lie about working undercover a third time and pulled back his black leather jacket to show the gun in his waistband, according to a summary of the internal investigation.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">As a result of the 2001 incident, Velez was arrested for battery while armed, domestic violence battery and misconduct in public office — charges that could have landed him in prison for 5 ½ years and barred him from possessing a gun for the rest of his life.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But that didn't happen. Not only did Velez avoid prison, he was suspended from the department for just six days.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Velez is one of at least 16 Milwaukee police officers disciplined after internal investigators concluded they had committed acts of domestic violence, according to internal affairs records obtained by the Journal Sentinel during a two-year investigation. They are among 93 officers on the force who have been disciplined for violating state laws or local ordinances, according to the newspaper's analysis, the first of its kind involving the Milwaukee police.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://projects.jsonline.com/database/archive/both-sides-of-the-law-database.html" target="_blank">INTERACTIVE DATABASE:</a> Search officers and their case histories</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Department leaders don't follow national standards on how to handle accusations of domestic violence against officers. Prosecutors often charge them with lesser crimes — or no crimes at all. As a result, officers who abuse their spouses or romantic partners are allowed to keep their jobs, carry loaded weapons and respond when battered women call for help, the newspaper found.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Law enforcement agencies that tolerate abusive officers endanger victims, erode the community's trust and leave themselves vulnerable to lawsuits, said Judy Munaker, an attorney who spent five years training cops about officer-related domestic violence through the state Office of Justice Assistance.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">'Protecting their own'</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"They see it as protecting their own, but it's corruption," she said. "They need to stop protecting their own and start protecting victims."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It is impossible to tell how many domestic incidents the Milwaukee Police Department has not investigated. Last year, for example, the wife of a high-ranking commander in the Professional Performance Division, which investigates officer misconduct, called 911 in fear of her husband.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">No one wrote up a report, and department officials say a recording of the emergency call does not exist.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Just three of the Milwaukee officers disciplined for abusing their spouses or romantic partners, including Velez, ended up with criminal records — but none of those convictions was for a felony or misdemeanor domestic violence, crimes that would have ended their careers by stripping them of their right to carry firearms under federal law.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Prosecutors charged Velez with only misdemeanor battery, and he pleaded no contest.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Even though he later violated a court order by contacting the victim, Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Jean DiMotto sentenced Velez to a year of probation.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He spent three days in jail.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Officer Edward McCrary was convicted of disorderly conduct after he fought with his wife and choked her cousin. He was sentenced to one day in jail.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Sgt. Charles Cross was convicted of criminal damage to property for kicking in the door of the apartment he shared with his girlfriend. He was fined $500. Prosecutors offered him a deferred prosecution agreement on the charge of domestic violence-related disorderly conduct. He got treatment for depression and alcohol abuse and the charge was dismissed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A fourth officer, Zebdee Wilson, now has a clean criminal record despite pleading guilty to violating a restraining order in 1994. His wife needed oral surgery after he punched and kicked her repeatedly in the face, court records say.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">That conviction should have stopped Wilson from continuing to serve as a police officer after the federal law banning domestic violence offenders from carrying guns took effect in 1996. The ban was retroactive and applies no matter when the conviction occurred. There is no exception for police officers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But then-Gov. Tommy Thompson pardoned Wilson, erasing his conviction and saving his career.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Another provision in the federal law allows officers to carry weapons on duty despite domestic abuse restraining orders if their employers allow it.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Milwaukee Police Department does.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">What's more, the department does not have a written policy on how to handle officer-involved domestic violence — a practice that goes against recommendations by both the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the state Department of Justice. The assistant chief who oversees officer performance and discipline, Darryl Winston, said in May he had not read the state's model policy, released by the Wisconsin Department of Justice in 2009.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://projects.jsonline.com/database/archive/flowchart1.html" target="_blank">INVESTIGATING AN OFFICER:</a> A look at the complaint and review process</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The model policy contains an educational component that discusses the causes of the problem and its impact on the community. It gives clear, step-by-step instructions for investigations, including lists of who should be called to the scene and what kinds of paperwork should be completed. The policy also addresses how departments should deal with abusive officers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Ignorance is no excuse," said David R. Thomas, an instructor at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, who helped write a model policy for the international association.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"If they're willing to look the other way on this type of criminal activity, where does it stop?"</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Milwaukee Police Chief Edward Flynn and Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm declined to discuss the issue with the Journal Sentinel.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In a written statement, Chief Deputy District Attorney Kent Lovern said prosecutors handle officer-involved domestic violence cases the same as any others.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Domestic violence victims often are forced to struggle with interests in addition to their own personal safety, including children in the household and financial distress," he wrote. "Cases involving police officers are no different, and we evaluate those cases just as we evaluate domestic violence cases involving citizens of other occupations, with a goal of achieving an appropriate measure of accountability under the circumstances."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Certified letters to Velez, McCrary and Wilson were returned, and they did not respond to emails requesting comment. Cross, via email, declined to comment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Velez received a meritorious service award in 2010 for dragging a burning trash bin away from a building and a crowd assembled for an immigration rights march.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He also provided support during a domestic violence awareness walk in the Latino community in 2006, according to a letter in his personnel file.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Wilson received the chief's superior achievement award in 1993, the year before his criminal conviction, for rushing into a burning building and waking seven people inside. In 2002, he received a commendation for disarming and arresting a dangerous suspect.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Far above norm</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Domestic violence is far more common among the families of police officers than among the rest of the population, according to the U.S. Department of Justice and the National Center for Women and Policing. At least 40% of police families are affected by domestic violence, as opposed to an estimated 10% in other households.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Because of the unique stresses that result from confronting dangerous suspects, analyzing bloody crime scenes and witnessing breakdowns in the criminal justice system, police officers also experience higher rates of suicide and post-traumatic stress disorder, experts say. If officers don't learn to manage their stress and to separate their jobs from their personal lives, the results can be disastrous.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The very training that makes someone a good police officer can produce a frightening abuser, experts say.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">For example, officers are trained to take control of every situation. They learn to interrogate suspects and to conduct effective surveillance. They learn how to pursue suspects and physically restrain them — in many cases, without leaving a mark. When they use force, they know how to provide legal justification.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Friends who work in the criminal justice system also tend to believe abusive officers who label their victims crazy or dishonest, according to Thomas.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"He's a master manipulator," Thomas said of an abusive officer. "He's a batterer with a PhD."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">And a gun.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The law that prohibits people convicted of domestic violence from carrying firearms, known as the Lautenberg Amendment, has been counterproductive when it comes to police officers, according to Diane Wetendorf, an Illinois-based consultant who has specialized in officer-involved domestic violence for the past 15 years.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Instead of taking guns away from abusive officers across the nation, it has made prosecutors — who work closely with cops every day — more lenient with them for fear of ruining their careers, she said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Take the case of McCrary, now a detective.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">On July 14, 1998, McCrary's then-wife fled in fear to a neighbor's house after he threw books and disconnected the phone wires when she tried to call 911, court records say. She was six months pregnant at the time.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Prosecutors agreed not to charge McCrary with a crime as long as he got counseling and stayed out of trouble. The Milwaukee County district attorney's office has offered that type of deal, known as a deferred-prosecution agreement, to at least five other current Milwaukee police officers accused of domestic violence, according to the newspaper's analysis.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But McCrary didn't live up to his side of the bargain, according to a summary of the internal investigation. He didn't go to therapy.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">And in October 1998, he got into another argument with his wife. When her cousin intervened, McCrary grabbed the woman by the neck, according to a criminal complaint.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"He choked her, lifted her up off the floor, and started moving her backwards toward the front door," the complaint says.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He yelled obscenities at the woman, pushed her out the door and threw out her clothes and shoes behind her, the complaint says. She had scratches on her neck and her hand was bleeding.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Because McCrary fell short of completing the deferred prosecution deal, prosecutors charged him with domestic violence-related disorderly conduct in connection with the July incident. He also was charged with battery against his wife's cousin as a result of the October fight.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But under a plea agreement, the charge involving his wife was dropped and the battery charge involving her cousin was reduced to misdemeanor disorderly conduct.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">McCrary pleaded no contest. Because he was not convicted of a charge in which his wife was a victim, he was not prohibited from carrying a firearm and kept his job.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Dominic Amato sentenced McCrary to a single day in jail.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">At the sentencing hearing, McCrary apologized and said he accepted responsibility for his actions, according to a transcript.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I didn't want it to go this far," he said. "Me and my wife, we decided that we weren't going to be together, we should have just parted without incident."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">McCrary initially didn't go to counseling because his insurance didn't cover it, but he later started treatment, his attorney, Steve Kohn, said at the hearing.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">McCrary was suspended from the department for 15 days for breaking the rule against violating laws or ordinances. He did not respond to interview requests. His ex-wife declined to comment. Her cousin could not be reached.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Lovern, chief deputy in the district attorney's office, said the plea deal in the cousin's case was done "in accordance with the wishes of the victim." His written statement did not address the charge involving McCrary's wife or explain why he was offered deferred prosecution in the first place.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Police exemption</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Domestic violence injunctions, more commonly known as restraining orders, also don't keep guns away from abusive officers in Milwaukee — and don't always lead to department discipline.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Most people with restraining orders against them lose the right to possess firearms. But the Milwaukee Police Department allows officers in that situation to "check out" their duty weapons at the beginning of each shift and return them afterward.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">That is a constant source of stress for Jill Glidewell, who recently divorced Milwaukee police Detective Herb Glidewell.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"He said if I ever told the things he'd done, I'd disappear," she told the Journal Sentinel.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Nonetheless, she testified in an attempt to get a restraining order against him, detailing abuse dating back to 2006.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Milwaukee County Court Commissioner Dean B. Zemel granted the restraining order based on an incident that occurred Nov. 1, 2008, in which Jill Glidewell — a police officer herself — ended up with a damaged rotator cuff.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The week before, she had told her husband she was pregnant with their second child.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"He viciously attacked me while I was in bed," she testified later. "He got on top of me. With all his weight, he was picking me up and slamming me down as hard as he could on the bed, over and over, more than 10 times. I was screaming for him to stop and get off of me. That it was hurting me. "</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">She grabbed the phone, but he yanked it out of her hand and started beating the barking dog with it, she said. Taking the dog and her baby daughter, she drove to the District 6 police station, barefoot, at 3 a.m.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">She was too embarrassed to go inside. A friend who was on duty came out to comfort her, but didn't push her to file a report, she said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Herb Glidewell appealed the commissioner's decision to grant the restraining order. He denied wrongdoing at a hearing before Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Francis T. Wasielewski, according to court transcripts.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"We argued often, yes," Herb Glidewell testified. "And I'm sure on all those dates, we probably did have disputes; but never, at one point, ever, was it physical. I've never harmed her, never touched her, hit her, pushed her, any of those things."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">At the end of a two-day hearing, Wasielewski, who has since retired, left the restraining order in place. It is in effect until 2013. He based his decision on medical records, which showed Jill Glidewell sought treatment for the shoulder injury and told her doctor it was the result of domestic violence, the transcripts say.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Herb Glidewell is among seven police officers who have had restraining orders imposed against them by a commissioner. Of those, three orders were later dismissed — two by the women and one by a judge when the woman didn't show up at an appeal hearing.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In another 11 cases, officers' spouses or romantic partners filed for restraining orders that were not granted by a commissioner in the first place, either because there was not enough evidence or because those who filed for them did not follow through with the cases. One was later granted by a judge after the victim appealed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But Herb Glidewell's attorney, Barry Book, characterized the burden of proof for restraining orders as extremely low. In the Glidewell case, the law allowed the commissioner and the judge to "err on the side of caution," he said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Book said the timing of the application for the restraining order was suspect, since his client was served with it the same day he signed away his rights to the couple's house in a pending divorce.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Jill Glidewell says she would have done it sooner, but he was out of town. He wanted his name off the house because he already offered to purchase another one, she said. Property records back up her assertion, showing Herb Glidewell closed on a new house five days later.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The attorney also questioned Jill Glidewell's continued assertions of abuse, saying he suspected she was using them as ammunition in a contentious custody battle.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I do think there are some extenuating circumstances in this particular case that call Ms. Glidewell's credibility into question," Book said. "The divorce proceedings lasted about 21/2 years. It was very acrimonious from the beginning."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Nearly two months before she sought the restraining order, Jill Glidewell discussed her then-husband's abusiveness with internal affairs, alleging the same mistreatment she testified about in court.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">After an investigation, the Police Department referred the case to the district attorney's office. Local prosecutors often review cases against Milwaukee police officers themselves. But in this case, they asked Chris Freeman, then a Dane County assistant district attorney, to serve as a special prosecutor.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"The Glidewell case was referred to Dane County due to the appearance of a conflict, although to our knowledge, no actual conflict existed," Lovern's written statement says. It does not say what the perceived conflict was.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In a letter to the department, Freeman, who has since been promoted to deputy DA, said "three major incidents stood out as strongest for charging." One was the episode in which Jill Glidewell's shoulder was injured. In another, Herb Glidewell grabbed her by the throat and pushed her into a wall, Jill Glidewell said. The third "was an incident in which Herb Glidewell started a fire on a grill in front of the residence while he was intoxicated," Freeman's letter says. "The fire raged to such a degree that the wheels of the grill melted into the pavement."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">To corroborate her statements, Jill Glidewell provided the medical records regarding her shoulder, as well as pictures of redness on her neck and of the melted grill.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Freeman did not charge Herb Glidewell with a crime.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"The reason for the lack of charges does not stem from the belief that these events did not occur as Jill Glidewell describes, but that I do believe based on the entirety of the record and reports that this case could not be proved beyond a reasonable doubt," Freeman wrote in the letter, which explained his decision to the Police Department.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Herb Glidewell was not disciplined, and his personnel record remains spotless.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">His ex-wife is frustrated that he hasn't been held accountable.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"He told me, 'If you ever leave me or try to fight me, I'll ruin you,' " she said. "Criminals are afforded the right to a fair and speedy trial. Why aren't victims of domestic violence?"</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Herb Glidewell primarily works burglaries and robberies, according to Book. He carries his gun while on duty. If the department ever asked Glidewell to work domestic violence cases, his attorney said that wouldn't be a problem.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I think he is able to separate his personal situation from his professional obligations," Book said. "I have no question in my mind that if he were to investigate a domestic violence case he would do the right thing. If he had to put a dad under arrest, he would do it."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Jill Glidewell said she has never feared a suspect as much as she fears her ex-husband.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"This is the most dangerous thing I've ever done," she said of leaving him. "I live in fear every day that someone is going to shoot up my house."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Police departments that give abusive officers access to their guns need to be aware of that possibility, according to Thomas, of Johns Hopkins.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"People think you go on duty and all of the sudden there's a protective shield around you and you're not going to do anything stupid anymore? It's just ignorant," he said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Higher standard needed</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">While officers' attitudes about domestic violence in the community have evolved over time, most police around the country still don't take it seriously when the perpetrator is one of their own, according to experts. Handling such accusations the same as any other criminal allegation against police, as Milwaukee does, isn't good enough, experts say.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Because responding officers can be biased, one of the goals of a model policy on officer-involved domestic violence is to remove their discretion, said Thomas, who retired from the Police Department in Montgomery County, Md., in 2000. Following written guidelines step by step protects the victim, the investigator and the alleged perpetrator, he said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"If I'm accused of being involved in this activity and I didn't do it, I want a good, clear exhaustive investigation so I can be exonerated," he said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">That didn't happen in the case of Lt. David Salazar, a supervisor in the Milwaukee police's Professional Performance Division, which investigates wrongdoing by officers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">After receiving a tip that Salazar's wife called 911 during a fight with him, the Journal Sentinel made a public records request for audio recordings of all calls associated with his home address and any police reports affiliated with them.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">No reports were written, according to the department's response.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The department provided only a dispatcher's log of the June 2010 incident, which confirms that Salazar's wife called for help during an argument over suspicions he was cheating. She told the dispatcher he was intoxicated and trying to break down the door.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The newspaper requested the information in August 2010. Three months later, the department said the recording of the call had been inadvertently purged from the system.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Then, in January, the story changed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Department spokeswoman Anne E. Schwartz said that actually, the system malfunctioned and no emergency calls were recorded the entire day Salazar's wife called 911.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The supervisor called to the scene, Capt. Aaron Raap, determined Salazar "had not operated a motor vehicle, had not had physical contact with the caller and did not appear to be intoxicated," Schwartz said in an email.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Raap decided an internal investigation was not necessary, and Salazar was not reassigned or disciplined as a result of the incident, Schwartz said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"The determination was based on Capt. Raap's years of training and experience," she said. "Police officers use their discretion every day in every situation."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The state's model policy says if no arrests are made, "the on-scene supervisor shall submit a written report explaining any and all reasons why an arrest was not made or a warrant was not sought."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Allowing officers to hide behind discretion in cases such as Salazar's is "unacceptable," Thomas said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"It's saying we're just not going to uphold the law with our own the way we do with a citizen," he said. "We should, in law enforcement, be held to a higher standard because we're supposed to enforce the law. . . . Otherwise, it's the fox watching the henhouse."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Neither Salazar — who received a unit service award in 2009 as part of the department's homicide division — nor his wife responded to certified letters seeking comment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Salazar continues to supervise investigations of other officers accused of wrongdoing.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Still investigating cases</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Officers such as Velez, convicted of the beating in the hotel room, continue to investigate domestic violence, the newspaper's investigation found. In April alone, Velez responded to domestic disputes five times — an average of more than once a week, according to the most recent records released to the newspaper.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">That's another direct contradiction to the recommendations in the state's model policy. It's a recipe for destroying community confidence and placing victims at risk, the policy says.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"There are grave concerns regarding how officers who commit the crime of domestic violence respond to domestic violence calls in the community," the policy says. "Obviously, their personal conduct affects their capability to effectively deal with these situations impartially. Moreover, an officer, sympathetic to an abuser, may not adequately protect a victim."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Munaker, the former Office of Justice Assistance trainer, agreed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"We can't let abusers investigate this. We just can't," she said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Flynn has said fighting domestic violence is a priority for the department. In February, he rolled out a new initiative to combat the problem, targeting repeat offenders and calling for greater protection of frequent victims.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"A violent assault is a violent assault, and that warrants justice," he told department supervisors at the time.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">John Diedrich and Ben Poston of the Journal Sentinel staff contributed to this report.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://www.jsonline.com/story/archives/2019/04/25/mpd-ignores-national-standards-cops-accused-domestic-violence/3565434002/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">Read or Share this story</span></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b style="color: #800180; font-size: xx-large;">2012: Lautenberg DV Gun Ban - News Articles And Reports</b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Gun-legislation comment more than a shot in the dark</b></span></div><div>Star-Ledger, The (Newark, NJ)</div><div>January 9, 2012 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">STATEMENT:</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"We haven't had any legislation which took away one gun in the past 20 years from any body in this country-not one."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>DATE: </b>Nov.16,2011</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>CONTEXT: </b>Bill Pascrell comment during a U.S. House hearing.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>RULING:</b> Half True. The statement is Partially accurate but Leaves out important details Or takes things out of context.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">There's another gun battle heating up in Congress that divides politicians not only on the right to bear arms, but to carry them across state lines without penalty.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">And Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-8th Dist.) doesn't want that to happen.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">During a Nov. 16 House hearing, Pascrell spoke against the proposed National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011. If H.R. 822 becomes law, states that allow people to carry concealed weapons would be required to recognize other states' valid concealed-carry permits. At least 40 states already have some form of reciprocity for out-of-state concealed carry permits. The bill has been referred in the Senate to the Committee on the Judiciary.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In opposing the bill, Pascrell said, "We haven't had any legislation which took away one gun in the past 20 years from anybody in this country -- not one."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Pascrell's spokesman, Paul Brubaker, said the congressman was specifically referring to federal legislation, noting that his point "would have been clearer had he specified that he was referring to nonviolent, law-abiding gun owners."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Politi Fact New Jersey found Pascrell's argument somewhat on target.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But two gun-rights organizations we spoke with say two laws do take guns from people.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Larry Pratt, executive director of the Virginia-based Gun Owners of America, and Joe Waldron, legislative director for the Washington state-based Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, said a provision of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 banned semiautomatic weapons with detachable devices. That, in effect, takes a weapon away from someone who wants it, they said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Brubaker disagreed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"The 1994 federal assault weapons ban prohibited for 10 years the possession, transfer and manufacturing of semi-automatic assault weapons and large-capacity ammunition feeding devices," Brubaker said in an e-mail. "However, there was a grandfather clause in the bill, and semi-automatic assault weapons that were legally owned before the ban went into effect were NOT restricted. Those weapons could be transferred and sold within the confines of federal and state laws. "¦ Neither the assault weapons ban, nor any federal prohibition of particular guns from being imported, resulted in the federal government taking legally owned guns away from Americans."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Waldron also pointed to the Domestic Violence Gun Ban, more commonly called the Lautenberg Amendment for its author, Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.). The amendment to the Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Act of 1997 bans anyone convicted of a misdemeanor domestic violence offense from owning or possessing a firearm, even if the person had it before the conviction. The law requires that person to immediately surrender the weapon -- but not necessarily to law enforcement.</span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">That person's gun and ammunition should be transferred to a "third party who may lawfully receive and possess them, such as their attorney, a local police agency, or a federal firearms dealer," according to the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives website. "In addition, such firearms and ammunition are subject to seizure and forfeiture."</span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">The result of the Lautenberg Amendment is "people have been disarmed of weapons within the past 20 years and they've been sent to prison when they've been caught in possession," Waldron said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The consequences of one's actions are central to the issue, according to ATF spokeswoman Ginger Colbrun. As an example, she said that if a gun owner is convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence, the person's actions are to blame for him no longer being allowed to possess a weapon -- not the law.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"It really is semantics when you look at it," she said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But the person still has to give up the gun and to some, that's taking it away.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Our ruling</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Pascrell said there hasn't been any legislation in the past 20 years that took a gun from anyone in the United States. Gun advocates disagree, pointing to the federal crime bill and the Lautenberg Amendment. But the facts are a gun can't be taken from someone who never had it, and having to surrender a gun because of a misdemeanor domestic violence conviction can be construed as it being taken away. We rate Pascrell's claim Half True.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense Hearing</b> </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;">FY13 Department of the Army Budget Request</span></div><div>March 22, 2012 </div><div>Government Press Releases (USA)</div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Section 519(b)</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">*Below the zone active component officers serving in reserve component assignments at time of consideration.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">**Below-the-zone active component officers not serving in reserve component assignments at time of consideration.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">8. The number and distribution by grade, shown for each State, of personnel in the initial entry training and non-deployability personnel accounting category established under section 1115 of ANGCRRA for members of the Army National Guard who have not completed the minimum training required for deployment or who are otherwise not available for deployment. (Included is a narrative summary of information pertaining to the Army Reserve.)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: red;">In FY 11, the ARNG had 49,454 Soldiers considered non-deployable for reasons outlined in Army Regulation 220-1, Unit Status Reporting</span> (e.g., initial entry training; medical issues; medical non-availability; pending administrative or legal discharge; separation; officer transition; non-participation or <span style="color: red;">restrictions on the use or possession of weapons and ammunition under the Lautenberg Amendment</span>). The National Guard Bureau (NGB) maintains the detailed information.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: red;">In FY 11, the Army Reserve had 34,180 Soldiers considered non-deployable for reasons outlined in Army Regulation 220-1, Unit Status Reporting</span> (e.g., initial entry training; medical issues; medical non-availability; pending administrative or legal discharge; separation; officer transition; non-participation or restrictions on the <span style="color: red;">use or possession of weapons and ammunition under the Lautenberg Amendment</span>). The U.S. Army Reserve Command (USARC) maintains the detailed information.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Lautenberg Calls for Passage of Violence Against Women Act</b></span></div><div>YouTube</div><div>April 26, 2012</div><div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ujxd6Mg9Zdw" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ujxd6Mg9Zdw</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ujxd6Mg9Zdw" width="320" youtube-src-id="Ujxd6Mg9Zdw"></iframe></div><br /><div><span style="font-size: medium;">On April 26, 2012, U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) urged his Republican colleagues to vote for reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) to support victims of domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Senator Frank Lautenberg: </span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"<i>Saving the lives of women should be above politics. The Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act passed the Senate unanimously in 2000 and 2005. And it's incomprehensible that we would turn our backs on those who are so abused. I asked those who would vote against passing this bill, think about your own families; think about your spouse; think about your daughters; think about your children.</i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Apparently, some of our colleagues would vote against protecting women if it means that they also have to protect immigrants and people in the gay and lesbian community.</i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>I call on our colleagues on the other side of the aisle. Join us. Join us on our families. We know that you care. Show it. Show it in this vote we're about to take. Send a clear message that this country does not tolerate brutality against anyone. And show it, you know with a little bit of courage stand up and say 'no I want to protect my family. I want to protect those who are abused.</i>"</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Senate Approves Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act </b></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;">Lautenberg Delivers Remarks on Senate Floor Shortly Before Passage</span></div><div>Government Press Releases (USA)</div><div>April 27, 2012 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">WASHINGTON, D.C. - Speaking on the Senate floor today shortly before passage of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) reauthorization bill, U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) urged his colleagues to vote for the bill and support victims of domestic violence. The reauthorization extends critical programs and updates the law by including non-discrimination protection for all victims, regardless of their race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability. The reauthorization was approved in the Senate this evening, by a vote of 68-31 and it must now be approved in the House.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In his floor speech before the vote, Lautenberg said, "Saving the lives of women should be above politics. The Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act passed the Senate unanimously in 2000 and 2005--and it's incomprehensible that we would turn our backs on those who are abused. I call on my colleagues on the other side of the aisle: join us and our families. Send a clear message that this country does not tolerate brutality against anyone."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Violence Against Women Act was originally enacted in 1994 in response to the prevalence of domestic and sexual violence and its impact on the lives of women. The law provides federal funding for programs and initiatives designed to help victims. It has been reauthorized twice--in 2000 and 2005--with unanimous Senate approval. The most recent extension expired in 2011. A reauthorization is needed to ensure that local communities and law enforcement agencies get the full resources they need to fight domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In New Jersey, more than 74,000 domestic violence offenses were reported by the police in 2010. Since 2006, nearly $30 million in federal funding has been provided to more than 40 domestic violence programs in New Jersey through the Violence Against Women Act.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Senator Lautenberg has a long history of protecting victims of domestic violence. He is the author of the "Domestic Violence Gun Ban," a law that prohibits individuals convicted of domestic violence misdemeanors from buying or possessing firearms. Since it was enacted in 1996, the law has succeeded in keeping guns out of the hands of abusers on approximately 200,000 occasions.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Despite law, domestic abusers can buy guns</b></span></div><div>Star-Ledger, The (Newark, NJ)</div><div>May 3, 2012 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg pushed through a law 15 years ago that prohibits people convicted of domestic violence from acquiring a gun. But the New Jersey Democrat said there are still avenues for those individuals to arm themselves.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Lautenberg spoke April 26 on the Senate floor in favor of reauthorizing legislation that supports efforts to help victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse. During his speech, he said even more needs to be done in this area.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Let me be clear. It would be tragic to turn our backs on victims and the people who dedicate their lives to supporting them. While we can't stop all malicious acts, we can do more to keep women and their families safe," Lautenberg said. "In 1996, I wrote the domestic violence gun ban, (which) forbids anyone convicted of domestic violence from getting a gun.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Since the law's inception, we have kept guns from falling into violent hands on over 200,000 occasions. For instance, in our gun laws we're allowing domestic abusers to sidestep this ban on getting a gun. The loophole allows a convicted abuser to walk into a gun show and walk out with a gun, no questions asked."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">PolitiFact New Jersey wondered if a gun purchase is that simple for someone who, under federal law, isn't allowed to have one.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Yes," said James Jacobs, director of the Center for Research in Crime and Justice at New York University School of Law. It's "that simple."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Lautenberg was describing what is commonly known as the "gun show loophole." The Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, or Brady Act, requires all federally licensed firearms dealers to run a background check on potential customers to ensure they are not prohibited from owning a gun.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But private sellers without a federal license don't have to meet the same requirement. Though this exception is known as the "gun show loophole," unlicensed individuals don't have to perform background checks whether they are selling a gun at a gun show or somewhere else.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Of course, a prohibited possessor can also buy from a private party outside of a gun show with no paperwork or background check," said Gabriel Chin, a professor at the University of California's Davis School of Law. "But the trick is that many of the private sellers at gun shows are really unlicensed full-time dealers, so they may be selling scores or hundreds of guns a year with no paperwork. Because of the volume, they are much more reliable sources of firearms for prohibited possessors."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">As a result of the loophole, "it's possible a convicted felon could go into a gun show and buy a firearm without ever being checked," said Chris Bombardiere, public information officer at the Newark Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">That isn't possible everywhere, however, because some states have passed more restrictive gun laws.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">According to the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, 17 states, including New Jersey, "have either closed the gun show loophole or have taken action to close the loophole."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Our ruling</span></b></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Lautenberg said that "in our gun laws we're allowing domestic abusers to sidestep this ban on getting a gun. The loophole allows a convicted abuser to walk into a gun show and walk out with a gun, no questions asked."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">That statement is true because federal law does not require individuals who are not federally licensed to perform background checks before a gun transaction, whether they are at a gun show or not.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Though laws can vary from state to state and some states have passed laws that have essentially closed that loophole, this does not diminish Lautenberg's statement. He was speaking on the Senate floor about federal law.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">We rate the statement True.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>VERONA NATIVE KILLED WHILE SAVING GIRLFRIEND</b></span></div><div>Herald News (Woodland Park, NJ)</div><div>July 23, 2012 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Jacci Fry survived because she played dead while her co-worker next to her succumbed to gunfire. Alexander Teves died under a hail of bullets while protecting his girlfriend.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">More about the lives of the two New Jersey natives emerged Sunday from grieving relatives and friends still trying to cope with the midnight madness at a Colorado movie theater when a gunman unleashed a barrage of bullets.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Fry, 23, a native of Sussex County and an aspiring nurse, was recuperating in a hospital Sunday with 33 pieces of shrapnel in her legs and lost teeth when shrapnel punctured her cheek, said Jamie Fry of Byram Township, her younger sister.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Teves, 24, born in Verona, covered his girlfriend with his own body when the bullets started flying. "He protected his girlfriend," said Barbara Slivinske, an aunt who lives in East Brunswick. "He pushed her to the ground and protected her and saved her. He's a hero."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Details of one of the deadliest shooting sprees in U.S. history began to unfold Sunday as police in Aurora, Colo., continued to investigate the massacre.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A 24-year-old graduate school dropout, James Holmes, was arrested outside the movie theater where he is accused of shooting 70 people early Friday at a midnight premiere of the new Batman movie, "The Dark Night Rises." Twelve of the victims died.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Teves spent the first 13 years of his life in Verona, attending elementary school there. When he was a teenager, his family moved to Phoenix, where his father transferred for work. He graduated from high school there, and attended college locally.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He pursued a master's degree in psychology counseling at the University of Colorado in Denver, where he met his girlfriend in that program. The two graduated in May, but Teves wasn't done with school; he was planning to study physical therapy, his aunt said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He was someone, the aunt said, who always wanted to help others.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"A wonderful person," Slivinske said. "He was very good to everyone. Everyone loved him."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">One friend, identified only as Caitlin, attended the movie with Teves and his girlfriend. She escaped the carnage without injury, but worried for hours about whether Teves and his girlfriend made it out safely.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Taking to Twitter, she tweeted, "Everybody please pray for my friend Alex." By midmorning she learned of his death. "Alex Teves was one of the best men I ever knew," she tweeted. "The world isn't as good a place without him," adding that he died a hero.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Jacci Fry, meanwhile, remained hospitalized Sunday and requires a walker to get around, her sister said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Jamie Fry said doctors repaired her sister's cheek but may not be able to remove all of the shrapnel in her legs because of their location or because the pieces are too small. She said her sister is using a walker to get around and that their parents are with her.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"They haven't started working on the legs yet, which is going to be the tough part," Jamie Fry said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Jacci Fry, who moved to Denver with a friend five months ago after graduating from Dover Business College, was at the theater with about 15 co-workers from a local Red Robin restaurant, where she was the head waitress.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The group was sitting toward the back of the theater when Jacci Fry told her sister that she heard what she described as a "warning shot" from the gunman.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Two seconds later, her co worker Alex Sullivan was lying next to her.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"She nudged him to see if he was awake," Jamie Fry said. "She didn't know if he was unconscious at that point or if he had already passed away. She was playing dead, and also in a lot of pain."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Alex Sullivan, who also worked at Red Robin, was killed in the massacre. He was celebrating his 27th birthday and would have celebrated his first wedding anniversary Sunday, according to media reports.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Holmes was being held in solitary confinement pending his first court appearance Monday.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The deadly rampage prompted New Jersey's senior U.S. senator to renew his call for better gun safety laws.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"[W]e need to start today on efforts to prevent the next attack," Democratic Sen. Frank Lautenberg said in a statement Sunday.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Lautenberg urged Congress to pass legislation he introduced last year to ban the sale of high-capacity ammunition clips. He said the National Rifle Association, which has successfully fought to block a host of proposed gun restrictions, to "join with us and the rest of America on sensible gun safety reform to stop the violence."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"No sportsman needs 100 rounds to shoot a duck," the senator said, "but allowing high-capacity magazines in the hands of killers like James Holmes and Jared Loughner puts law enforcement at a disadvantage and innocent lives at risk."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Loughner is charged in the Oct. 31 deadly shooting in Tuscon, Ariz., that left six people dead and more than a dozen others injured, including U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. Police have said Loughner used an oversized gun clip, allowing him to fire 31 bullets without stopping to reload.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Authorities say Holmes used an AR-15 assault rifle, a Remington 12-gauge shotgun and a 40-caliber Glock handgun to open fire on moviegoers. Aurora police said a 100-round drum magazine was recovered at the scene, which has a capacity to fire 50 to 60 rounds a minute.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Lautenberg's high-capacity ammunition clip ban was among a set of three gun control bills he introduced in January 2011. The other pieces of legislation would ban sales of guns to anyone on a terror watch list and to anyone at a gun show without a criminal background check.</span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Lautenberg also sponsored the Domestic Violence Gun Ban, which bans the shipment, transport, sale or ownership of guns by individuals convicted of domestic violence. Since 1996, the law has kept guns out of the hands of spousal and child abusers 200,000 times, according to the senator's office.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Assault rifles like the AR-15 are illegal in New Jersey, which has strict rules on where gun owners can carry their weapons. Getting a gun permit in New Jersey also is a lengthy process, authorities said.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Lautenberg on the Need for Gun Safety Reforms </b></span></div><div>Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) News Release</div><div>Government Press Releases (USA)</div><div>July 24, 2012 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">WASHINGTON, DC--U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) released the following statement today on the need for gun safety reforms:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Far too many American families have felt the horror of gun violence. Our hearts are still heavy with sadness after the tragedy in Colorado, but we need to start today on efforts to prevent the next attack. We should begin by passing my legislation to ban the sale of high-capacity gun magazines," Lautenberg said. "No sportsman needs 100 rounds to shoot a duck, but allowing high-capacity magazines in the hands of killers like James Holmes and Jared Loughner puts law enforcement at a disadvantage and innocent lives at risk. The NRA should join with us and the rest of America on sensible gun safety reform to stop the violence."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Senator Lautenberg is a leader in Congress for responsible gun safety measures. Last year, Lautenberg introduced common-sense legislation to ban high-capacity ammunition magazines. Lautenberg also is the author of two bills aimed at closing significant loopholes in U.S. law--the "gun show loophole" and the "Terror Gap"--that make it easier for criminals and terrorists to obtain guns and explosives to carry out their crimes. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Senator Lautenberg authored the Domestic Violence Gun Ban, which bans the shipment, transport, sale or ownership of guns by individuals convicted of domestic violence. Since it was enacted in 1996, the law has succeeded in keeping guns out of the hands of spousal and child abusers on approximately 200,000 occasions.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>On Senate Floor, Lautenberg Calls for Real Action on Gun Reform </b></span></div><div>Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) News Release</div><div>Government Press Releases (USA)</div><div>July 25, 2012 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">WASHINGTON, DC--During a floor speech on the Senate floor yesterday evening, U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) called for real action on gun reform:</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6SeeKmVeuA0" width="320" youtube-src-id="6SeeKmVeuA0"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Senator Lautenberg is a leader in Congress for responsible gun safety measures. Last year, Lautenberg introduced common-sense legislation to ban high-capacity ammunition magazines. Lautenberg also is the author of two bills aimed at closing significant loopholes in U.S. law--the "gun show loophole" and the "Terror Gap"--that make it easier for criminals and terrorists to obtain guns and explosives to carry out their crimes. Additional information about Lautenberg's common-sense gun safety reforms can be found here.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Senator Lautenberg authored the Domestic Violence Gun Ban, which bans the shipment, transport, sale or ownership of guns by individuals convicted of domestic violence. Since it was enacted in 1996, the law has succeeded in keeping guns out of the hands of spousal and child abusers on approximately 200,000 occasions.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Office of the Florida Attorney General Issued the Advisory Legal Opinion - AGO 2012-29</b></span></div><div>Targeted News Service (USA)</div><div>September 21, 2012 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Sept. 18 -- The office of the Florida Attorney General issued the following advisory legal opinion:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Number:</b> AGO 2012-29</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Date: </b>September 18, 2012</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Subject:</b> Weapon possession, nolo contendere plea</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Major General Emmett R. Titshaw, Jr.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Florida National Guard</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Office of the Adjutant General</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Post Office Box 1008</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">St. Augustine, Florida 32085-1008</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">RE: FIREARMS--WEAPONS--CRIMES--DOMESTIC VIOLENCE--plea of nolo contendere with adjudication withheld as conviction for barring possession of a firearm. ss. 790.06, 790.065, and 790.233, Fla. Stat.</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Dear Major General Titshaw:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">You have asked this office to comment on the following question:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Does a plea of nolo contendere to a misdemeanor charge of domestic violence with adjudication of guilt withheld and a term of probation imposed constitute a conviction for purposes of barring an individual from possessing a firearm or weapon pursuant to 18 United States Code section 922(g)(9)?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">In sum:</span></b></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">An individual who has entered a plea of nolo contendere to a misdemeanor charge for domestic violence, with adjudication of guilt withheld and a term of probation imposed, would not be considered "convicted" for the purpose of permanently barring such individual from possessing a firearm pursuant to 18 United States Code section 922(g)(9).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: red;">You indicate that under 18 United States Code section 922(g)(9), the "Lautenberg Amendment," an individual who is "convicted" of a misdemeanor crime involving domestic violence is precluded from carrying or possessing a firearm.</span><b>[1]<span style="color: red;"> Your letter states that in determining whether a "conviction" is a qualifying Lautenberg conviction, the controlling law is that of the state in which the proceedings for the domestic violence charge were held.</span></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The pertinent provision in 18 United States Code section 922, states that it is unlawful for any person "who has been convicted in any court of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, to ship or transport in interstate or foreign commerce, or possess in or affecting commerce, any firearm or ammunition; or to receive any firearm or ammunition which has been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce."<b>[2]</b> (e.s.) As you have noted, and the federal act appears to indicate, the determination of whether an individual has been "convicted" of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence for purposes of the act is made by the laws of the jurisdiction in which the proceedings were held.<b>[3]</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In Florida, the term "conviction" is generally recognized as a "determination of guilt by verdict of the jury or by plea of guilty, and does not require adjudication by the court."<b>[4]</b> An adjudication of guilt following a plea of no contest also qualifies as a "conviction."<b>[5]</b> A no contest plea followed by withholding of adjudication of guilt, however, is not generally considered a conviction. In Garron v. State,<b>[6]</b> the Supreme Court of Florida concluded there was no conviction or guilty plea where a defendant had pled no contest and adjudication of guilt was withheld, stating:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"A nolo plea means 'no contest,' not 'I confess.' It simply means that the defendant, for whatever reason, chooses not to contest the charge. He does not plead either guilty or not guilty, and it does not function as such a plea."<b>[7]</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It has been recognized that the term "conviction" used in Florida law is "a 'chameleon-like' term that has drawn its meaning from the particular statutory context in which the term is used."<b>[8]</b> (e.s.) As a result, there have been departures from the general rule of no conviction when there is a nolo contendere plea with adjudication of guilt withheld. For instance, in Montgomery v. State,<b>[9]</b> the Supreme Court of Florida found that an individual is considered "convicted" when he or she enters a nolo contendere plea and adjudication of guilt is withheld, in the context of determining whether an individual has a prior conviction for sentencing guidelines purposes. For sentencing purposes, the Montgomery Court noted that Chapter 921, Florida Statutes, for purposes of the sentencing statute, defines "conviction" as "a determination of guilt that is the result of a plea or a trial, regardless of whether adjudication is withheld."<b>[10]</b> (e.s.) The Court further noted that the Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure, used to implement the sentencing guidelines, define "conviction" as "a determination of guilt resulting from plea or trial, regardless of whether adjudication was withheld or whether imposition of sentence was suspended."<b>[11]</b> (e.s.) Following the plain language of the statute, the Court concluded that a no contest plea is a conviction, regardless of adjudication being withheld, for sentencing guideline purposes.<b>[12]</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It should be recognized, however, that the Montgomery Court did not overrule Garron, but rather acknowledged that the Legislature had created an exception to the general rule in Florida and made a nolo contendere plea with adjudication of guilt withheld a conviction for purposes of sentencing matters. No such similar definition or language recognizing a nolo contendere plea with adjudication of guilt withheld as a conviction is found in the statutes relating to misdemeanor domestic violence. Clearly, had the Legislature wished to make the entry of a nolo contendere plea with adjudication of guilt withheld tantamount to a conviction in such matters, it could easily have done so.<b>[13]</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Absent statutory language which treats a nolo contendere plea with adjudication of guilt withheld in a proceeding for a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence as a "conviction," I cannot say that Florida law makes such a situation a "conviction" for purposes of permanently barring possession of a firearm under the federal law at issue here. Had the Legislature so intended, it could easily have defined "conviction" for purposes of a misdemeanor domestic violence charge to include withheld adjudications.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Accordingly, it is my opinion that Florida law does not treat a plea of nolo contendere to a misdemeanor charge for domestic violence with adjudication of guilt withheld and a term of probation imposed as a "conviction" which would permanently bar an individual from possessing a firearm pursuant to 18 United States Code section 922(g)(9).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Sincerely,</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Pam Bondi, Attorney General</span></div><div><br /></div><div><b>[1]</b> Your question is prompted by a situation in which a member of the Florida National Guard entered a plea of nolo contendere to misdemeanor battery under s. 784.03, Fla. Stat., and the court withheld adjudication and placed the service member on probation for 12 months. In this instance, the guard member was charged in Flagler County and the victim was the member's child.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>[2]</b> See 18 U.S.C.A. s. 922(g)(9). See also 18 U.S.C.A. s. 922(d)(9), making it unlawful for any person to sell or otherwise dispose of any firearm or ammunition to any person knowing or having reasonable cause to believe that such person "has been convicted in any court of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence."</div><div><br /></div><div><b>[3]</b> See 18 U.S.C.A. s. 921(a)(20). See United States v. Willis, 106 F.3d 966 (11th Cir. 1997) (Federal law states that "conviction" with the meaning of s. 922[g][1] to be determined in accordance with the law of the jurisdiction in which the proceedings are held, citing 18 U.S.C. s. 921[a][20]).</div><div><br /></div><div><b>[4]</b> See State v. Gazda, 257 So. 2d 242, 243-44 (Fla. 1971).</div><div><br /></div><div><b>[5] </b>Raydo v. State, 696 So. 2d 1225 (Fla. 1st DCA 1997), approved in part and quashed in part, 713 So. 2d 996 (Fla. 1998).</div><div><br /></div><div><b>[6] </b>528 So. 2d 353 (Fla. 1988).</div><div><br /></div><div><b>[7]</b> Id. at 360.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>[8] </b>See Raulerson v. State, 763 So. 2d 285, 291 (Fla. 2000), citing State v. Keirn, 720 So. 2d 1085, 1086 (Fla. 4th DCA, 1998).</div><div><br /></div><div><b>[9]</b> 897 So. 2d 1282 (Fla. 2005). In Montgomery, the Court approved the appellate court's decision and disapproved a line of cases in which it was held that a no contest plea followed by a withhold of adjudication is not a "conviction" for sentencing purposes. See Negron v. State, 799 So. 2d 1126 (Fla. 5th DCA 2001); Batchelor v. State, 729 So. 2d 956 (Fla. 1st DCA 1999); State v. Freeman, 775 So. 2d 344 (Fla. 2d DCA 2000); and Garron v. State, 528 So. 2d 353 (Fla. 1988).</div><div><br /></div><div><b>[10] </b>See s. 921.0021(2), Fla. Stat. (2002).</div><div><br /></div><div><b>[11]</b> 897 So. 2d at 1284. See Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.701(d)(2).</div><div><br /></div><div><b>[12]</b> The Montgomery Court found that its conclusion was consistent with the legislative intent of s. 921.0021(2), Fla. Stat., as expressed by the statute's plain language that a "conviction" is a "determination of guilt that is the result of a plea or a trial, regardless of whether adjudication is withheld." 897 So. 2d at 1285.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>[13]</b> Cf. s. 784.03, Fla. Stat., providing that a person with a prior conviction for battery who commits a second or subsequent battery commits a felony of the third degree and defining "conviction" as "a determination of guilt that is the result of a plea or a trial, regardless of whether adjudication is withheld or a plea of nolo contendere is entered;" s. 775.13(1), Fla. Stat., defining "convicted" as "a determination of guilt which is the result of a trial or the entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, regardless of whether adjudication is withheld" for purposes of registration of convicted felons; s. 517.161(1)(j), Fla. Stat., allowing denial of registration of a securities dealer who "[h]as been convicted of, or has entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, regardless of whether adjudication was withheld, a crime against the laws of this state or any other state or of the United States or of any other country or government which relates to registration as a dealer, investment adviser, issuer of securities, associated person, or branch office; which relates to the application for such registration;" and s. 458.331(1)(c), Fla. Stat., stating as a grounds for denial of a medical license or disciplinary action, "[b]eing convicted or found guilty of, or entering a plea of nolo contendere to, regardless of adjudication, a crime in any jurisdiction which directly relates to the practice of medicine or to the ability to practice medicine."</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b style="color: #800180; font-size: xx-large;">2013: Lautenberg DV Gun Ban - News Articles And Reports</b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Capps Introduces Domestic Violence Survivors Protection Act</b></span></div><div>Noozhawk (Santa Barbara, CA)</div><div>March 18, 2013 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Rep. Lois Capps, D-Santa Barbara, has introduced legislation to improve existing laws to protect domestic violence survivors from gun violence at the hands of their perpetrators.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Today, one-third of women homicide victims are killed by an intimate partner with a firearm. However, current law makes a distinction between protections from an abusive spouse and protections from an abusive dating partner.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">The Domestic Violence Survivors Protection Act (House Resolution 1177) would rectify this inequality by extending federal firearms prohibitions on individuals subject to a domestic violence restraining order to dating partners. It also would extend the Lautenberg Amendment to dating partners, which would prohibit an individual convicted of a domestic violence misdemeanor from purchasing a gun.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The legislation is modeled after existing California law. On Monday, the New York Times detailed current loopholes in the law as they pertain to domestic violence and gun possession, in an article by Michael Luo titled “Ruled a Threat to Family, But Allowed to Keep Guns.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“Our current legal system makes an arbitrary distinction between protections for dating partners and protections for spouses and ex-spouses, creating a loophole in our gun laws and increasing danger for domestic violence victims and survivors. This is wrong, and that’s why I authored the Domestic Violence Survivors Protection Act, which would ensure that all abused women, whether married or not, are provided the same protections,” Capps said. “In addition, this bill would provide greater security for domestic violence survivors by protecting them during the time when they are most at risk, in the minutes, hours and days immediately after leaving a violent partner. An abusive ex-boyfriend with a gun is no less lethal than an abusive ex-husband with a gun. It is time for federal law to join 18 states in recognizing that reality by passing the Domestic Violence Survivors Protection Act.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Additionally, the Domestic Violence Survivors Protection Act would allow an emergency or ex-parte hearing to trigger a temporary prohibition on possession of a firearm. This change would allow a judge to issue a temporary protective order that would prohibit an abuser from possessing or purchasing a weapon in the days between the time when a woman leaves her partner, and the time at which a full hearing can be scheduled.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Women are most vulnerable in the hours and days immediately after leaving a violent partner, and these protective orders often serve as the first notification to an abuser that his partner is ending their relationship. Allowing temporary prohibitions on firearms would help protect women in the immediate aftermath of an incident and end of the relationship and before a full hearing can be conducted. Research has shown that these early moments in the separation are often the most dangerous to women leaving their abusers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Last week at a hearing held by the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, Dr. Daniel Webster, director of the Center for Gun Policy and Research at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, testified about the importance of passing Capps’ legislation and addressing the existing loopholes in the background check system that allow abusers to purchase firearms.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“Research demonstrates that domestic violence perpetrators’ gun ownership increases the risk of homicide 5 times above that of perpetrators without guns, but that prohibiting abusers access to firearms while they are subject to a restraining order saves lives,” Dr. Webster said. “The Domestic Violence Survivor Protection Act will extend that protection to many who are in danger of armed and dangerous abusers.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Domestic Violence Survivors Protection Act has been endorsed by the Brady Campaign, the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Futures Without Violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“Inconsistent application of and loosely worded laws regulating the sale of guns has led to far too many homicides, whether as mass shootings or the nearly every day occurrence of victims of domestic violence being murdered by their abuser,” said Rita Smith, executive director of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. “Research shows that one out of three domestic violence victims are killed annually. Females whose partner threatens them with a gun or other weapon are 20 times more likely to be murdered than other abused female victims. One study shows that 40 percent of mass shootings that occurred between 2009 and 2012, the shooter targeted and killed a female intimate partner among other innocent bystanders.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“It is imperative that Congress act immediately and pass strong laws such as the Domestic Violence Survivor Protection Act. Law enforcement must be armed with sensible gun legislation in order to keep as many guns out of dangerous hands as possible. No more senseless violent gun tragedies. One is too many.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Kiersten Stewart, director of Public Policy, Futures Without Violence, said: “Guns and domestic violence are a deadly combination, killing thousands of women and children every year. Congresswoman Capps’ bill is a critical step in ending domestic violence homicides. This is legislation that will save lives.”</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Fayette sheriff's office sued over seized weapons </b></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;">Owner wants guns returned</span></div><div>Lexington Herald-Leader (KY)</div><div>June 6, 2013 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">A man filed a lawsuit Tuesday in federal court in an attempt to get back guns that he says the Fayette County sheriff's department seized from him nearly three years ago.</span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Eric Laubis of Lexington claims in the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky that the sheriff's department took 10 guns - including rifles, a shotgun and an 1860 Derringer handgun - from his home on June 14, 2010, when a domestic violence order was granted against him.</span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">The DVO was dismissed on Dec. 15, 2010, but Laubis says in the lawsuit that he has been unable to get the sheriff's department to release the guns.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Sheriff Kathy Witt is named as the defendant in the lawsuit.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Mjr. Jay Pittman, public information officer for the sheriff's office, said late Tuesday that Witt had not seen the lawsuit and did not have any comment on it.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">According to Laubis' complaint, he contacted the sheriff's department the day after the DVO was dismissed and talked to Deputy Chris Tudor, who he says told him that "it would take a year or two for his guns to be released."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Tudor was charged in May 2012 with official misconduct - a misdemeanor - after being accused of writing a false report to cover up for some missing guns that had been confiscated by the sheriff's department in domestic violence cases.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Tudor entered an Alford plea and paid a $404 fine in December. When defendants enter an Alford plea, they do not admit guilt but acknowledge that there is enough evidence to convict them.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Two other sheriff's department employees resigned and were sentenced to house arrest and probation last year, after entering Alford pleas in cases involving firearms seized by the sheriff's department.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Former Sgt. Chester "Merle" McDaniel was convicted of two felony counts of theft of a firearm and one misdemeanor count of first-degree official misconduct. Former Sgt. William Beers was convicted of attempted theft and official misconduct, both misdemeanors.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Laubis said he met with Witt after hearing of those cases, but was told then and on subsequent occasions by sheriff's department employees that "the matter was under investigation."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">An agreed order issued Jan. 14 in Fayette Family Court orders that Laubis' firearms be returned.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Laubis says in the lawsuit that Witt told him the sheriff's department "could keep his guns regardless of any court order because of the Lautenberg Amendment."</span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">That legislation - sponsored in 1996 by Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., who died Monday - prohibits people convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence from having guns.</span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Laubis states in the court documents that he has never been convicted of a felony or of misdemeanor domestic violence.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Firearms and the Family Violence Act</b></span></div><div>Douglas County Sentinel (GA)</div><div>July 15, 2013 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">I am almost hesitant to write this column because the information you are about to receive is not widely known and will be shocking to some. However, I do think that the public should be aware of how our rights under the 2nd Amendment can be affected by our actions.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Everyone knows that convicted felons cannot legally possess firearms in Georgia. However, there is a federal law that in my opinion impedes the right of people convicted of misdemeanors under the Georgia’s Family Violence Act (FVA) to possess firearms as well. This law could even be interpreted to take away gun rights of people convicted of other misdemeanors not charged under the FVA.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">The Gun Control Act of 1968 was signed by President Lyndon Baines Johnson to broadly regulate the firearms industry and firearms owners. In 1996, the “Lautenberg Amendment” added a striking provision to The Act by prohibiting citizens from possessing firearms if they have been convicted of a “Misdemeanor Crime of Domestic Violence.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Before I go further, it should be noted that a person shall not be considered to have been convicted of such an offense under The Act if the conviction has been expunged or set aside, or is an offense for which the person has been pardoned or has had civil rights restored.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">According to the website for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (BATF), a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence is:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">• A misdemeanor under Federal or State law.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">• Has, as an element, the use or attempted use of physical force, or the threatened use of a deadly weapon.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">• Was committed by a current or former spouse, parent or guardian of the victim, by a person with whom the victim shares a child in common, by a person who is cohabiting with or has cohabited with the victim as a spouse, parent or guardian, or by a person similarly situated to a spouse, parent or guardian of the victim.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">This federal definition of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence seems to fit within the parameters of Georgia’s Family Violence Act. It also seems that if a person is charged with a battery, assault or other misdemeanor crime involving family members, that person could lose their 2nd Amendment rights even though he or she was not necessarily charged under the FVA.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">I am no fan of family violence. Repeat offenders under the FVA should be punished severely. However, there are thousands of cases in Georgia every year when a couple gets into a heated argument that leads to poor judgment. Oftentimes, these are once in a lifetime occurrences. These people should not have their gun rights placed in jeopardy.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">While sometimes misdemeanors are not taken as seriously as they should, if a lawful gun owner is ever charged in Georgia with a misdemeanor offense under the FVA, an offense involving family members, or involving violence, that person needs the assistance of counsel in navigating their case.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Each case is different. However, there are a number of ways that convictions can be avoided. If you care about your guns, the obvious advice is to remain lawful and avoid getting arrested for any crimes. If you do happen to get arrested, it would be wise to keep this federal law in mind when dealing with your case.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Cottage Grove man challenges concealed-carry denial</b></span></div><div>Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Web Edition Articles (WI)</div><div>September 2, 2013 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Wisconsin has issued nearly 200,000 permits to carry concealed firearms since Act 35 took effect in late 2011, while turning down about 5,800 requests.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Only one of those who were denied a permit has appealed that decision, according the state Department of Justice, and if he prevails it could clear the way for those with certain domestic violence convictions to legally carry hidden guns.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Congress in 1996 banned people convicted of domestic violence from possessing guns, and some gun rights advocates have challenged the reach of the so-called Lautenberg Amendment ever since.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Citing the federal ban, Wisconsin's Department of Justice, which administers the concealed-carry law, denied Robert W. Evans Jr. a permit in April 2012 because he had been convicted in 2002 of domestic violence/disorderly conduct.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">As Act 35 provides, Evans appealed the denial to circuit court, arguing the offense isn't a misdemeanor crime of violence under federal law and that he didn't have a domestic relationship with the victim — his 36-year-old stepdaughter — under the federal definition.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But after a hearing, Dane County Circuit Judge C. William Foust in February upheld the DOJ's decision to deny the permit.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Evans, 68, of Cottage Grove has now taken the case to the Court of Appeals. In a brief, Evans' attorney argues the stepdaughter was an adult when Evans married her mother, and so he never had a parental relationship with her, and that she was only living with Evans and his wife temporarily. He denied ever punching the woman, admitting when he entered a no-contest plea only to pushing her out a door.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Evans has no other criminal record.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He argues his conviction doesn't meet the federal definition of a crime of domestic violence because in Wisconsin "disorderly conduct" does not require that a person use force against another as an element of the offense.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The federal law prohibits gun possession by anyone convicted of a misdemeanor that "has, as an element, the use or attempted use of physical force, or the threatened use of a deadly weapon, committed by a current or former spouse, parent, or guardian of the victim, by a person with whom the victim shares a child in common, by a person who is cohabiting with or has cohabited with the victim as a spouse, parent, or guardian, or by a person similarly situated to a spouse, parent, or guardian of the victim."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Evans argues "the elements of the offense of conviction, the legal definition of the crime, is the focus of the analysis. The conduct of the defendant in committing the crime is irrelevant."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Wisconsin defines disorderly conduct as "violent, abusive, indecent, profane, boisterous, unreasonably loud or otherwise disorderly conduct under circumstances in which the conduct tends to cause or provoke a disturbance."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Evans argues the DOJ wrongly presumes that violent conduct always means use of physical force against another person, when the Wisconsin statute clearly covers different conduct as well. He offers an example of an Illinois aggravated battery statute that also allows conviction for non-violent touching, and which he says also would not be considered a violent crime for purposes of the Lautenberg Amendment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The state disagrees and argues in its brief that Wisconsin's disorderly conduct offense does include an element of physical force, and that Evans and his adult stepdaughter did have a domestic relationship under the federal definition.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The DOJ says that if a statute includes two different modes of committing an offense, one involving violence and one not, a court is free to consider the facts to see which mode a defendant employed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Further, it argues the Lautenberg Amendment was intended to be broadly applied and enforced. And though Evans was a stepfather to an adult woman he didn't raise or continuously reside with, he was still "similarly situated" to a biological parent who might be a threat to their child.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Nothing in the language or legislative history of the amendment suggests that Congress intended to withhold protection from adults whose family relationship with a biological parent put them at risk for violence at the hands of their biological parent's spouse," the state's brief reads.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"More basically, the notion that an element of 'violent' conduct does not satisfy the definition of 'use of physical force' is nonsensical," the state argues.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A different Wisconsin case briefly seemed to challenge the lifetime ban on guns for those convicted of domestic violence. U.S. Circuit Judge Diane Sykes found, that in light of new U.S. Supreme Court rulings on the Second Amendment, prosecutors should at least have to show a stronger connection between the ban and the goal of reducing domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But Sykes' ruling was later overruled by the full 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Evans does not raise any Second Amendment arguments in his appeal regarding his denial of a Wisconsin concealed-carry permit.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Supreme Court agrees to hear case over gun ban for domestic abusers</b></span></div><div>Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Blogs (WI)</div><div>October 1, 2013 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday announced it will review a case that could clarify when people convicted of domestic abuse misdemeanors can be banned from possessing guns.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">The so-called Lautenberg amendment says anyone convicted of using or trying to use physical force during an act of domestic violence can no longer ever possess firearms. A man convicted of a misdemeanor domestic assault in Tennessee, James Alvin Castleman, was later charged with having a gun.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But a federal appeals court found that the particular Tennessee offense could not serve as the basis for a gun possession ban, since the state law didn't include "violence" as an element.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Federal officials fear that if that interpretation were widely adopted, it would largely gut the law meant to keep guns away from violent family members.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A similar claim has been raised in Wisconsin by the only person to appeal a denial of a concealed carry permit. The state Department of Justice turned down Robert Evans' application in 2012 because of a domestic violence/disorderly conduct conviction 10 years earlier.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Evans says his offense should not ban him from having a guns under the federal law because the Wisconsin statute doesn't require force against another person as an element of the crime.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In Wisconsin, 53 people were killed in Wisconsin by an abuser who shouldn't have had a gun. since 2000, the Journal Sentinel reported Tuesday.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Victims’ Institute to put “Research into Practice”</b></span></div><div>Huntsville Item, The (TX)</div><div>November 20, 2013 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">HUNTSVILLE — The Crime Victims’ Institute (CVI) at Sam Houston State University initiated a new series of reports to help victim advocates translate the latest research in the field into practical services and resources for victims.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Called “Research into Practice,” the new report series began with a study on firearms and intimate partner violence. It provides a summary of laws and policies that can be used to better protect victims of domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“This report summarizes existing research, law and policy on this issue and recognizes that advocates play a critical role in communicating with survivors about firearms and raising awareness,” said Dr. Leana Bouffard, Executive Director of the CVI. “The intent of these reports is to summarize existing research and information on topics of interest to victim advocates and to provide resources to assist in translating that research into specific practices in victim services.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In 2012, 114 women were killed by current or former intimate partners in Texas. Sixty percent of these victims were killed with firearms, and many of the incidents resulted in the death or injury of bystanders, including children.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Research has consistently demonstrated a link between firearms and lethal intimate partner violence. One study showed the most significant factor for predicting homicide in domestic violence cases was gun ownership by the abuser. Another study found that women living with a gun in the home have a significantly higher risk of being murdered, and that risk is 20 times higher when there is a history of abuse combined with gun ownership.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">To protect victims of domestic violence, several laws and policies have been enacted. They include:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The federal Gun Control Act of 1968 makes it illegal to purchase or possess firearms or ammunition by a person who has been convicted of a felony, who is the subject of a protective order, or who has been convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">For protective orders to fall under this federal law, several factors have to be met, including a qualifying relationship, a hearing process, and a specific prohibition against the threat or use of force against the petitioner or child. There is an exception for government employees who use firearms to perform their duties, such as law enforcement officers or military personnel.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Under the Lautenberg Amendment of 1996, the weapons prohibition was added to the federal law for a misdemeanor domestic violence conviction. Under this provision, the charge must include the threat or use of physical force or deadly weapon against a spouse, co-habitant, parent or guardian. The law is retroactive, there are no exemptions for those who use weapons in their official duties, and the ban on gun ownership is effective for a lifetime.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Texas law is similar to federal statues, but also prohibits concealed handgun licenses.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Several Texas judges have required the surrender of firearms in domestic violence cases, verification of compliance by county attorneys and notification of victims if weapons are returned. Many of these steps are identified in Texas Family Violence Bench Book.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A manual published by the National Center on Protective Orders and Full Faith & Credit, “Enforcing Domestic Violence Firearms Prohibitions,” includes a firearms checklist for advocates, law enforcement, prosecutors and judges. It is available <b><a href="http://www.fullfaithandcredit.org" target="_blank">here</a></b>. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">As part of safety planning, advocates should discuss issues with victims about the ownership or use of weapons by the abusers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A copy of the report is available <b><a href="http://www.crimevictimsinstitute.org/publications/" target="_blank">here</a></b>. </span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>'Minor' domestic violence charge can doom career</b></span></div><div>Air Force Times</div><div>Author/Byline: Mathew B. Tully - Veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and founding partner of Tully Rinckey PLLC</div><div>December 23, 2013 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Q. I was arrested for a minor domestic violence dispute. How worried should I be?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A. A misdemeanor charge is anything but a minor offense as far as a military career is concerned.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Under the so-called Lautenberg Amendment to the Gun Control Act of 1968, troops convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence in violation of state, federal or tribal law could be barred from possessing a firearm â€" something that could severely limit their usefulness to the military and all but doom their careers in uniform.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A "misdemeanor crime of domestic violence" is defined as an offense that involves "the use or attempted use of physical force, or the threatened use of a deadly weapon."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The perpetrator must be "a current or former spouse, parent, or guardian of the victim"; "a person with whom the victim shares a child in common"; "a person who is cohabiting with or has cohabited with the victim as a spouse, parent, or guardian"; or "a person similarly situated to a spouse, parent, or guardian of the victim."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">General and special court-martial convictions, as well as convictions in civilian courts, of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence qualify under this law (but not summary court-martial and nonjudicial punishment convictions).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Service members are required to notify commanders of any qualifying convictions. If a commander suspects a member has been convicted of a qualifying domestic violence crime, he or she can order the subordinate to complete DD Form 2760, which has to do with the "Qualification to Possess Firearms or Ammunition."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Under Defense Department Instruction 6400.06, upon learning or reasonably believing a service member has a qualifying conviction, an appropriate authority must collect the member's government-issued firearms and ammunition, and the member's authority to possess these items must be suspended.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">How the various branches handle troops with a qualifying conviction varies, but the recourses generally are the same. Under Army Regulation 600-20, soldiers with qualifying convictions may be prohibited from re-enlisting, receiving a commission as an officer, attending service schools and being promoted. The Army will not mobilize these soldiers or deploy them for missions involving firearms or ammunition.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Officers can request a release from active duty or unqualified resignation. Enlisted members can ask to be separated for the convenience of the government. Involuntary separation is another â€" actually, the likeliest â€" possibility.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The other services' policies are spelled out in MARADMIN 186/03, MILPERS-MAN 1910-156 and AFI 36-3208.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">These harsh consequences make it imperative for troops to consult with a military law attorney who can help them fight domestic violence charges. Depending on the circumstances, an attorney can help prove that the service member did not use or attempt to use physical force, or threaten to use a deadly weapon.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Mathew B. Tully is a veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and founding partner of <a href="http://www.fedattorney.com" target="_blank">Tully Rinckey PLLC</a>. </span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Commentary: On the Defensive: Walker fails with decision to bypass pardons</b></span></div><div>Wisconsin Law Journal (Milwaukee, WI)</div><div>Author/Byline: Anthony Cotton</div><div>December 30, 2013 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Since he was elected governor, Scott Walker has not appointed a single person to Wisconsin’s Pardon Advisory Board.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Walker summed up his viewpoint of the topic to WKOW-TV in Madison: “The only people seeking pardons are people who are guilty and I don’t have any reason to undermine the criminal justice system.” Walker elaborated on that statement by asserting that people who are innocent can be “granted a change in their sentence, based on the court system.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">That myopic view is unfortunate because the pardon process is an important function in Wisconsin.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Wisconsin Constitution vests pardon power exclusively with the governor. Having a power conferred, but refusing to exercise that power, is a clear abuse of discretion.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Despite Walker’s cynical view, pardons serve an important function.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">First, there are tens of thousands of people in Wisconsin who, because they have been convicted of nonviolent felonies, have been stripped of their rights to possess firearms. Those people may have been convicted of low-level crimes, such as second-offense marijuana possession or certain types of theft.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">And it matters little whether those people committed crimes in their teens, in college or as young adults. A felony is a felony, and the law forever strips those offenders of their right to possess firearms.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Sadly, it was not until 2009 that Wisconsin law even permitted expunging certain low-level felonies. However, because the 2009 law is not retroactive, people who committed offenses prior to the law’s passage cannot secure the benefit.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Second, <span style="color: red;">federal law prohibits domestic violence offenders from possessing firearms. The law, known as the Lautenberg Amendment, was passed in 1997. But that one is retroactive, meaning anybody who has a domestic violence conviction is categorically barred from possessing a gun, and it is a lifetime ban.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">But such low-level offenses as arguing with a spouse qualify as crimes of domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">The governor’s pardon power provides the cleanest mechanism by which a reformed offender could have such an unfortunate stigma removed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Finally, pardons help people reintegrate into the community and find employment. That reduces the financial burden on taxpayers because pardons help people contribute toward, rather than receive, government benefits.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Without a pardon, too many people are stymied in their efforts to find meaningful employment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Walker’s political calculations come at the expense of others.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">If he persists in his blanket refusal to consider pardons, he may soon find himself on the losing end of a mandamus action.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b style="color: #800180; font-size: xx-large;">2014: Lautenberg DV Gun Ban - News Articles And Reports</b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Wisconsin issues concealed gun carry permit No. 200,000</b></span></div><div>Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Blogs (WI)</div><div>January 8, 2014 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Wisconsin has reached a concealed weapons permit milestone.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen announced Tuesday that permit number 200,000 was printed Monday at the Department of Justice's secure processing center in downtown Madison.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Wisconsin became the 49th state to license people to carry concealed weapons in 2011 with the passage of Act 35. The law took effect Nov. 1 that year and Van Hollen announced extra staffing to handle the expected rush of applicants.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Van Hollen said the DOJ continues to receive 500 to 1,000 applications a week. "The dedicated staff is able to process the majority of these applications in less than a week," he said in a news release.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The announcement also noted that since the adoption of the permanent rules for administering Act 35, the cost of an application has fallen from $50 to $40.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">More than 5,800 applications have been denied. One person has appealed their denial in circuit court, a man who was turned down over a 2002 misdemeanor conviction for disorderly conduct related to a domestic dispute. A federal law known as the Lautenberg amendment bans firearm possession by anyone convicted of domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday announced it will hear an appeal that involves a similar issue. A Tennessee man who had been convicted of domestic violence was later charged with possessing a firearm in violation of the federal ban.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But an appeals court found that Tennessee's specific statute didn't require violence for the conviction, and threw out the charge. The federal government is concerned that interpretation could gut the law's effect if adopted by other federal circuits, and petitioned for the high court review.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Sean Penn owning guns after domestic violence plea raises legal questions</b></span></div><div>News & Politics Examiner (USA)</div><div>January 15, 2014 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">At the request of actress girlfriend Charlize Theron, actor Sean Penn is getting rid of 65 guns, Fox 411 reported Tuesday. The guns will be melted down into a sculpture to be made by “artist” Jeff Koons, the report advises.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Theron’s aversion to guns results from a terrible personal tragedy, her mother killing her father.* That’s an unimaginable horror to most of us, and it’s a natural reaction to be sympathetic. Respect for freedom requires we accept that personally living “gun free” is her choice and her right. Even so, her high profile makes it fair to point out those convictions haven’t stopped her from wielding firearms for glamor, excitement and profit in her movies, such as 2005’s “Aeon Flux” (see embedded video, above). And when the day’s filming is done, like many elites, Theron can afford to rely on the best bodyguards money can rent, something those of lesser means considering making a similar personal choice might want to keep in mind.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Penn is another story altogether. Aside from the fact that, as a zealous “progressive” he has supported outright communist tyrants (which should hardly be a surprise coming from someone who advocates conservatives being committed to mental institutions by executive order), this is a guy who obtained an almost-impossible-to-get (for “ordinary people”) concealed carry permit -- resulting in his allowing more weapons to be “put on the streets” in gun-hating in Berkeley, of all places. And while government enforcers in New Orleans were busy neutralizing the dreaded Konie menace in her own home, Penn was reportedly free to walk the streets open-carrying a shotgun.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">What Penn is even doing with guns in the first place is a mystery, if the reports are true that when partnered with Madonna, he tied her to a chair and beat her up with a baseball bat.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">The Lautenberg amendment prohibition on gun ownership applies to those convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence, and according to the New York Daily News, “Penn was also charged with felony domestic assault during his marriage to Madonna. He pleaded to a misdemeanor.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Was that report in a major metropolitan newspaper accurate, and if so, is Penn a prohibited person, or have his legally-recognized gun rights been restored? How? Those would seem to be fair questions to explore.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">It also makes it fair to ask if Piers Morgan, who bid $1.3 million for the proposed Penn gun sculpture, supports enforcing Lautenberg against all who are caught up in its net, which would demand prosecution of Penn if the law has been broken -- for each occurrence. And it removes all pretenses that winning $1.4 million bidder Anderson Cooper might make about being objective when “reporting” on the gun issue.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Knowing that California has been rated as the top state by the Brady Campaign for its gun laws, how Penn was able to pass the background checks to amass and keep a collection of 65 guns and also maintain a concealed carry permit is worth understanding, particularly to see if there’s anything that those who aren’t comparably privileged could also do to protect their rights. And how he can lawfully transfer his guns to artist Koons’ studio in New York City, with its own set of requirements and permits and prohibitions, is also something worth learning. But the logistics of that aside, how Penn is able to participate in any of this without incriminating himself is unclear.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">That will be interesting to try to find out, not that any “Authorized Journalists” will, and certainly not Morgan or Cooper. But, per Penn, it’s going to happen.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“Koons will decommission [and] render inactive all of my cowardly killing machines,” he pledged.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Whether that means he thinks guns themselves are cowardly -- or just gun owners who are conservative and ought to be committed to institutions by executive order -- remains unclear. Still, it’s telling that a man who reportedly beat up a woman would inject that element into the discussion.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Not that Penn has to worry about his own safety, even without guns, when all he needs do when he wants armed protection after a night on the town is pick up the phone and order a police escort.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* Article corrected -- initially said "father killed mother." While it was ruled self-defense, the link shows not all in the family accept that version of the incident.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Court deciding on reach of federal gun ban</b></span></div><div>Associated Press News Service, The</div><div>January 15, 2014 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court debated Wednesday how to apply a federal gun ban to those with misdemeanor domestic violence records, with justices trying to figure out a middle road between what one justice called two extreme positions.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Justices heard arguments from government officials who want the ban to apply to James Castleman, who pleaded guilty to misdemeanor domestic assault in 2001 in Tennessee. He was then charged in 2009 with illegal possession of a firearm after he and his wife were accused of buying guns and selling them on the black market.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Federal law bars a person convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence involving physical force or a deadly weapon from possessing a firearm. A federal judge threw the gun charges out because the Tennessee law doesn't require that physical force must have been used in misdemeanor domestic assaults. That decision was upheld by the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Federal officials say under their interpretation, violent force is not required for the gun ban to apply, which could mean that just touching could lead to a conviction. Castleman's lawyer said under his interpretation, not all attacks that led to bodily injury would apply, only those "involving a powerful use of force."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"We sort of have two extreme positions here. The government is arguing that the statute covers mere touching. That's one extreme," said Justice Antonin Scalia. "And you're arguing that the statute doesn't cover all bodily injury, but only what, severe bodily injury? ...Why isn't there something in the middle? It doesn't cover touching, but it covers bodily injury?"</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Justice Department lawyer Melissa Arbus Sherry argued that if the court listened to Castleman's arguments, it would neuter Congress' intent in passing a domestic violence gun ban. Congress "wanted to intervene at an early stage before the violence escalated and certainly before it turned deadly, before the offender reached for a gun," she said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But Castleman's lawyer Charles Rothfeld said the government's expansive reading of what constitutes misdemeanor domestic violence could lead to conviction and gun bans that Congress never intended, an argument Scalia sympathized with. He said that parents who wash their children's mouth "with soap for improper speech or a mother pinching a child ... to bring the child under control in public" could be covered by the law since both inflict pain and injury.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"There is no question that those would be covered under the terms of the text that the government is adding," Rothfeld said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Justices will make a decision later this year.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Feminist Majority to Supreme Court: Don't Gut Federal Domestic Violence Law</b></span></div><div>Targeted News Service (USA)</div><div>January 17, 2014 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>ARLINGTON, Va., Jan. 16 -- The Feminist Majority Foundation issued the following news release:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">The Feminist Majority today urges the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold the Domestic Violence Offender Gun Ban.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Court heard arguments yesterday in U.S. v. Castleman, a case that appears to narrowly involve just one individual, but if the Court does not reverse lower federal court decisions, the Domestic Violence Offender Gun Ban will be gutted. Castleman is arguing that the law does not apply to him because his conviction did not state whether or not he used physical force against the victim. However, in most local jurisdictions, misdemeanor domestic violence cases are resolved under assault and battery statutes and do not specify whether physical force was used. The conviction only states that the offender is guilty.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Domestic violence is violence and convicted abusers should be covered under the Domestic Violence Offender Gun Ban, said Feminist Majority President Eleanor Smeal.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"In a country where three women are already murdered every day through domestic violence, it would be tragic beyond measure to re-arm tens of thousands of abusers," said Kim Gandy, President and CEO of the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">According to NNEDV, women in the United States are 11 times more likely to be murdered with a gun than women in other high-income countries, and victims of domestic violence who live in homes with guns have an 8-fold increase in homicide risk.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"The Domestic Violence Offender Gun Ban has protected millions of women and domestic violence victims since it was first enacted," said Smeal. "Abusers cannot be given access to deadly weapons."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">The Feminist Majority played a pivotal role in passing the Domestic Violence Offender Gun Ban often referred to as "the Lautenberg Amendment," after its sponsor Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) in 1996. The law prohibits individuals convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence crimes from owning or possessing a gun.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Demanding Moms have strange bedfellow in NAACP ‘jaywalking’ apologist</b></span></div><div>News & Politics Examiner (USA)</div><div>February 14, 2014 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The head of the New England Area Chapter of the NAACP decried the expulsion of a Massachusetts state representative by comparing his assaulting a woman to jaywalking.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“[Carlos Henriquez] was convicted of two misdemeanors -- not felonies -- misdemeanors, and there is no standard in the House for expulsion based on misdemeanor convictions” NEAC President Juan Cofield told talk radio host Michael Graham. “Almost every one of us . . . commits a misdemeanor. Jaywalking is a misdemeanor. Would you have a state representative legislator expelled from the House for jaywalking?”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">This column reported on the Henriquez conviction last weekend, noting the leading role he played in advocating for stricter “gun control.” It also noted insidious silence on the part of some of his conspicuous allies in disarmament.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“What especially concerns me is how black leadership, most recently the NAACP, has supported Henriquez in his desperate attempt to stay in office, or has remained silent on the issue,” The Rev. Mark V. Scott wrote in an opinion piece in The Boston Herald. “This is as disgraceful as the violence itself. Black leaders have, with rare exceptions, failed to raise their voices to call for Henriquez’s expulsion from the Legislature.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Also adopting a whistling and looking around with their hands in their pockets posture is the Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence, which can’t find a word to say about their rally supporter Henriquez on their website or Facebook page, but does manage to share links to pieces with titles like “Local moms band together to fight for gun controls” and “Ladies, put your LIPSTICK on! We’re going places in 2014!” as well as links for Moms Demand Action.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">That the NAACP, which never found a citizen disarmament edict they didn’t jump on as an opportunity to exploit, would exhibit racialist solidarity over doing the right thing to condemn abuse of women is hardly unexpected, but it is illustrative of the cynical lack of sincerity that defines the organization’s leadership. Still, it does present a unique chance to cite them, MCPGV and the Bloomberg Moms (BMs) yet again for hypocrisy that qualifies as absurd.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">After all, misdemeanor domestic abuse is enough to get placed on the “no guns” list for a lifetime ban as a prohibited person ever since the Lautenberg Amendment passed. If NAACP leadership is serious that this is tantamount to jaywalking, then they ought to be consistent and call for overturning that gun ban.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">That they won’t, and that none of these “progressive” leaders will condemn fellow citizen disarmament ally Henriquez for assaulting a woman while undermining the ability of all women to defend themselves, shows them to be the hollow frauds they are.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The truth is, every one of them, NAACP, the Coalition, the Demanding Moms, and all the rest of the hive mind groups like MAIG, Brady, VPC, CSGV, etc., would rather see women, including women of color, beaten, raped and killed than armed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Don’t believe me?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Ask any one or all of them, and see how they will do everything but give a straight answer, including dismissing your arguments due to the color of your skin.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Court shoots down concealed carry gun applicant's appeal</b></span></div><div>Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Blogs (WI)</div><div>February 28, 2014 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The one person out of 5,800 denied Wisconsin concealed carry permits who decided to challenge the decision has lost another round, this time at the state Court of Appeals.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">If he had prevailed, Robert W. Evans might have cleared the way for those with certain domestic violence convictions to legally carry hidden guns.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Congress in 1996 banned people convicted of domestic violence from possessing guns, and some gun rights advocates have challenged the reach of the so-called Lautenberg Amendment ever since.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But the Court of Appeals has affirmed a Dane County Circuit Court ruling that the state Department of Justice properly rejected Evans' application because his 2002 misdemeanor conviction for disorderly conduct met the federal law's definition of domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It prohibits gun ownership when someone is convicted of any crime, an element of which is the use of physical force, against someone in one of several kinds of relationships to the victim.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Evans, 68, of Cottage Grove had argued that his misdemeanor did not meet the federal definition because in Wisconsin "disorderly conduct" does not require that a person use force against another as an element of the offense.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Evans had pleaded no contest to pushing his adult stepdaughter. He denied her claims that he struck her. He has no other criminal record.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But the court said Wisconsin's statute doesn't require that disorderly conduct be all the things listed (profane, abusive, boisterous, violent, etc.) but any of them, or any combination of them.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Writing for a three-judge panel of the District 4 court, Judge Paul Lundsten concluded that Evans was convicted of "violent, abusive, and otherwise disorderly conduct" and that "violent conduct necessarily implies the use of physical force."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The court did not consider Evans' actual conduct.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"We have considered only the fact of his conviction, the statutory definition of disorderly conduct, and the ‘permitted class of documents," " Lundsten wrote.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Evans also had argued that his case didn't meet the second prong required to trigger the federal firearm prohibition -- that he was "similarly situated... as a parent" to the stepdaughter, because she was already an adult when Evans married her mother, he was never involved in her parenting, and she was only staying with the couple temporarily.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But the court ignored those particulars and said without much discussion that because Evans was a stepparent to the victim, he met the second prong of the federal law.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Lawmakers in Minnesota push new domestic violence bills</b></span></div><div>St. Paul Legal Ledger Capitol Report (MN)</div><div>February 28, 2014 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In response to a sharp rise in domestic abuse-related homicides, lawmakers are mulling a bill that would give police more time to make arrests in misdemeanor domestic assault cases without first obtaining a warrant. A separate measure would provide victims with “location information” on convicted batterers when they are released from jail or prison.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The two bills — introduced at the House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee on Wednesday — are the product of five “convening sessions” organized by the Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women in the wake of a series of headline-grabbing domestic abuse-related homicides last year.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">By the end of 2013, according to the MCBW annual Femicide Report, there were at least 37 such homicides in Minnesota, more than twice the number in 2012.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“When you see this huge spike in domestic homicides, it should propel all of us to ask, ‘Are we doing enough? What more needs to be done?’ There are no easy answers to those questions,” committee chair Michael Paymar, DFL-St. Paul, said in an interview after the hearing.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Paymar said he was distressed by the increased number of deaths, particularly given national trends that show overall declining rates of domestic violence. The emphasis on improving police’s ability to make misdemeanor arrests is seen as critical, because domestic violence often escalates.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Rebekah Moses, policy director for the MCBW, said the two bills were winnowed from 23 policy ideas developed in meetings with law enforcement, legislators and victim advocates during the summer and fall. The goal is “to hold perpetrators accountable before they murder someone,” said Moses, who called the proposed legislation “proactive” and “life-saving.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Arrest rule change proposed</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The first bill, HF 2141, authored by Rep. Paul Rosenthal, DFL-Edina, would remove the 24-hour time limit under which police can make arrests in non-felony level domestic assaults without first obtaining a court warrant. That exemption would also apply to non-felony violations of court orders.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In 2009, the Legislature raised the time limit from 12 hours to 24 hours. That came in response to complaints that the shorter limit didn’t give police enough time to track down abusers, especially those repeat offenders savvy enough to realize they could evade immediate arrest by fleeing the scene and waiting out the clock.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“It really did work for a little a while and had a great effect,” Rosenthal of the 24-hour limit. “But as we know, people change. And once they understand the rules and the ramifications, they tend to hide longer.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Rosenthal said the 24-hour exemption to the warrant requirement “is no longer having the effect that we hoped.” Rep. John Ward, DFL-Baxter, agreed that a change is needed, saying “perpetrators know the system and they play the system.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Rep. Tony Cornish, R-Vernon Center, said he, too, favored extending the time-limit, but that it should not be “in perpetuity.” He proposed a 72-hour limit — a measure to which Rosenthal said he was amenable.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Two members of the public testified in opposition to any time extension for warrantless arrests. Michael Jones, the director of the Minnesota Parent/Child Advocacy Center in north Minneapolis, said domestic abuse has a disproportionate effect on the African-American community but “at some time, we have to balance the rights of the accused with the rights of the victim.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Bill Ronan, a self-described clinical social worker and hypnotherapist from Hopkins, was more vociferous. Ronan said that extending the time limit would effectively empower people who make false accusations. “The domestic violence industry is like graduate school for psychopaths and sociopaths,” he told lawmakers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In a telephone interview later, Ronan said he was motivated to testify because his former spouse falsely accused him of abuse, which led to expensive and lengthy legal travails and jaundiced his view of the courts. “I feel obligated to inform people about what’s happening,” he said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Notification bill</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee also took testimony on a bill that would provide domestic abuse victims with information about the whereabouts of convicted batterers upon their release from custody. Under the measure, HF 2142, authored by Rep. Barb Yarusso, DFL-Shoreview, victims would not be provided with a street address, only the ZIP code, and the request for information could be denied for public safety reasons.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Paymar said he expects the House will take up some additional domestic abuse-related legislation this session, although that was not broached at Wednesday’s hearing.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">The most notable prospect: an effort to codify on a state level the federal Lautenberg Amendment. That law, enacted by Congress in 1996, prohibits people from possessing guns if they have been convicted of misdemeanor level domestic abuse or are subject to a civil order of protection with a finding of domestic abuse.</span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Nationally, advocates for domestic abuse victims have long complained that enforcement of the law is spotty at best, especially in instances involving protective orders.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“If you look at the research, the highest risk for lethality for a battered woman is an offender’s access to firearms,” Paymar said. “Presently, our courts have not responded to that issue very well and neither has law enforcement.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Paymar said the proposal is still in the drafting stages but added that several lawmakers have expressed interest and he expects that a bill will emerge this session or next. “I don’t think it will raise Second Amendment issues, because this would just create conformity with a federal law that already exists,” he said.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Greenfield man challenges law after he's denied gun, carry permit</b></span></div><div>Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Blogs (WI)</div><div>March 3, 2014 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A Greenfield man who was refused the purchase of a gun over a 14-year-old disorderly conduct conviction has challenged whether it meets the federal definition of a domestic violence offense.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Carmelo Terranova, 68, tried to buy a gun from a licensed dealer in April, and was rejected on the grounds that his 2000 conviction prohibited him from ever having a gun. His application for a permit to carry a concealed weapon was also rejected.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The state Department of Justice affirmed the denial in August, and in September Terranova petitioned a Milwaukee County Circuit Court judge to review the agency's decision.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Last week, the state Court of Appeals ruled against Robert W. Evans, another man who raised a similar challenge after he was denied a permit to carry a concealed weapon, and the opinion may now control the outcome of Terranova's claim.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Congress in 1996 banned people convicted of domestic violence from possessing guns, and some gun rights advocates have challenged the reach of the so-called Lautenberg Amendment ever since. It defines domestic violence as any misdemeanor that includes as an element the use or threat of force.</span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">In last week's case, the court said that Wisconsin's disorderly conduct statute does involve an element of violence, which implies force, even if actual violence is not required to commit disorderly conduct.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Like Evans, Terranova argues that Wisconsin's law doesn't meet the the federal definition. The state law says:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"[w]hoever, in a public or private place, engages in violent, abusive, indecent, profane, boisterous, unreasonably loud or otherwise disorderly conduct under circumstances in which the conduct tends to cause or provoke a disturbance is guilty of a Class B misdemeanor."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"By its terms, the statute can be violated in any number of manners, so long as the conduct tends to provoke a disturbance," wrote Terranova's attorney, Matt Ricci in a petition for review.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Some of these manners may be violent; some may not." He notes that jurors aren't required to find a defendant was loud, profane, abusive or violent, only that he was disorderly.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"The element, and all that a person who pleads guilty acknowledges, is disorderliness," the petition reads. "By its elements, disorderly conduct is not a violent crime."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Wisconsin's disorderly conduct law is as generic as they come, Terranova argues, and clearly does not have an element requiring the defendant and victim be in any domestic relationship. He argues it is inappropriate for the reviewing agency to read beyond the elements of the offense - like the specific facts in Terranova's case as gleaned from the criminal complaint and plea documents.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">According to the state, during an argument over his $40,000 gambling debt in 1999, Terranova grabbed a case containing a handgun and threatened to kill himself, then pushed his wife away several times when she tried to take the case away from him.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He eventually pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct, with a sentencing enhancement of possessing a dangerous weapon. In a plea questionnaire, he said he understood he was pleading to "armed and violent or otherwise disorderly" conduct.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The state argues that in reviewing an administrative ruling, Circuit Judge Kevin Martens must give "due weight deference," to the DOJ's interpretation of the gun restriction rules.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The state argues that whenever a statute is "divisible," meaning it can violated in one of several enumerated ways, courts can consider other information to determine which mode applies, and it even cites the Evans' case, when it was at the circuit court level.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In last week's Evans ruling, the Court of Appeals found that the Wisconsin statutes listed ways of being disorderly are all alternate elements of the crime, not merely alternate modes of meeting the single element of disorderliness, as Terranova argues.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Judge Martens has not yet ruled in Terranova's case.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Empowerment or subjugation? </b></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;">GOP, Dems offer real difference on Women's Issues</span></div><div>Long Island Examiner (NY)</div><div>March 26, 2014 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Recently, former Secretary of State (and First Lady) Hillary Clinton and philanthropist Melinda Gates came together for a new Clinton Foundation initiative, to collect data "to make the case why investing in girls and women, and empowering girls and women is not only the right thing to do but the smart thing to do."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">All around the world, those who look to lift the masses out of devastating poverty, social violence and upheaval have focused on women and girls. They find that when girls are able to get educated and women have access to jobs, the birth rate goes down and living standard goes up. And when capitalists and philanthropists invest in women's enterprise, the investment pays off in a better life for their children, families and community.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">As Oxfam noted in a recent "Tell Congress" email, "Women around the world bear the brunt of poverty.... They perform 66% of the world's work, but earn only 10% of the income. In many countries, women are responsible for the majority of food production... yet they're more likely to face hunger in food shortages....Investments in women are key to winning the fight against poverty and hunger.."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But instead of focusing on the inequities women endure abroad, they should look to the United States, where these lessons are not only ignored but are being contradicted. And what is horrifying is the unabashed misogyny that has been unleashed, without repercussion.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Here's a sampling. Republican power brokers - the fundraisers and the politicians themselves - have said: that if there abortion is available in any form, then sexual violence is okay (Lawrence Lockman, former press secretary of a pro-life group and ally to Maine Governor LePage); that wives have to "voluntarily submit" to sex with their husbands (Rep. Steve Pearce, R-NM, citing the Bible); wives should "consent to at least some form of sexual relations as much as possible" (Dennis Prager, fundraiser for Sen Mitch McConnell, R-KY); that women who use contraception are promiscuous sluts who don't exercise self-control and are becoming dependent on Uncle Sugar (Mike Huckabee).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">And more: that a pregnant woman is merely a "host" to nurture the fetus rather than a mother (Virginia State Sen. Steve Martin, R); that a woman's right to choose should be ended because it robs a man of his right to fatherhood (Rep. Vicky Hartzler, R-MO); that those who teach Women's Studies "should all be taken out and shot" (Austin Ruse, Catholic Family & Human Rights Institute); that "The toxic stew of the modern university is gender studies, it's 'Sex Week,' they all have 'Sex Week' and teaching people how to be sex-positive and overcome the patriarchy. (Austin Ruse again); that a feminist is "Some Fat Pig Who Doesn't Get It Often Enough" (Ted Nugent, actively campaigning for Greg Abbott, candidate to be the next Texas Governor).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">These aren't aberrations, nor are they mere rhetorical flourishes. They describe the underlying philosophy to the policies they have the power to inflict. The statements go directly to actions designed to perpetrate the "patriarchy."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Pick any issue: Pay equity. Living Wage. Health care. Public Education. Environment. Gun violence. Public health. Food stamps. Unemployment benefits. Domestic violence. Immigration reform. Family planning. Voting Rights. The stance that Republicans have taken do damage to all Americans, but especially women and by extension, their children.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Two-thirds of those in minimum wage jobs are women; 2/3 of single parents are women; 2/3 of sole breadwinners are women. 2/3 of "tipped workers" (who make $2 an hour) are women.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It is estimated that if women, who currently earn 77c to every $1 a man earns for the same job, would have income parity, that could mean a $447.6 billion boost to the economy.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Indeed, "at the current rate of change, it will take until the year 2085 for women to reach parity with men in leadership roles in our country," the Center for American Progress reported.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"The opportunity loss implications of women who continue to be marginalized in today's corporate and overarching economic landscape cannot be taken lightly," notes esteemed working women's advocate Michelle Patterson, Founder and President of The California Women's Conference and President and CEO of Women Network.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* Although women are 50.8 percent of the U.S. population earning almost 60 percent of both undergraduate and Master's degrees, also holding almost 52 percent of all professional-level jobs, American women lag substantially behind men when it comes to their representation in leadership positions (CAP, Catalyst, Center for Economic Development):</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* They are only 14.6 percent of executive officers, 8.1 percent of top earners, and 4.6 percent of Fortune 500 CEOs.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* Their presence in top management positions today remains below 9 percent.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* They hold just 16.9 percent of Fortune 500 board seats, representing "no significant year-over-year uptick for the 8th straight year."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* The percentage of women on all U.S. corporate boards has been stuck in the 12.1 percent to 12.3 percent range over the past decade.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* The United States, once a world leader in gender equality, now lags behind other similarly wealthy nations in women's economic participation. In the two decades from 1990 to 2010, our country fell from having the sixth-highest rate of female labor-force participation among 22 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, or OECD, countries to 17th on the list. (CAP)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* America ranks number six in women's economic participation and opportunity on the World Economic Forum's 2013 Gender Gap Index of 136 countries. (Catalyst)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* Stereotypes and skewed perceptions remain powerful and still impede the advancement of women. The dearth of women in leadership roles—and in whole fields—creates the perception that women do not belong in those positions or professions. (CAP)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* Structural barriers: A shortage of role models, for example, means that women—and women of color in particular—lack mentors, sponsors, and opportunities in male-heavy organizations to develop the sorts of social relationships out of which mentorship, sponsorship, board appointments, or simply promotions, naturally evolve. (CAP)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">You have to wonder why, if Republicans are just so very upset about government spending, particularly on food stamps, why they wouldn't want employers to pay their workers a living wage, so taxpayers wouldn't have to make up the difference.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Gun violence is another example. Certainly this is an issue that affects all Americans - in fact, the vast majority of Americans, including Republicans and gun owners, support sensible gun regulations like universal background checks, limits to military-style weapons and magazine capacity. But the facts - not the "beliefs" or the "wishes" or the rhetoric - show that women and children are victims:</span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">"Congressional action has meant the difference between life and death for many women," says former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, who had to leave office after being shot in the head in a massacre that killed women, children and her own Congressional aide. "The Violence Against Women Act protects millions of Americans every year. The Lautenberg Amendment alone has prevented more than 250,000 domestic abusers from purchasing a gun from a licensed gun dealer. But many of those who perpetrate violence against women are still allowed easy access to firearms. And the violence continues." Giffords, the co-founder of Americans for Responsible Solutions, notes that:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* Women are more than three-and-a-half times as likely to be killed by an intimate partner as men.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* A gun in a household with a history of domestic violence increases the risk that a woman will be killed there by 20 times, compared to households without guns.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* More than 1,000,000 women are stalked annually, and more than half are stalked by an intimate partner — with stalkers using guns to harm or threaten their victims in 1 out of 5 of those cases.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">RNC chairman Reince Priebus dismisses any actual Republican War on Women with the sugar coating. "I've said many times before that the policies and principles of our party are sound. However, as we look to grow the ranks of our party, we must all be very conscious of the tone and choice of words we use to communicate those policies effectively." Priebus said at the RNC winter meeting in Washington. In other words, it's all tone and phrase rather than actual policies.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">When you hear them wistfully long "to return to the America of my youth" they mean an America where it was okay to prey upon women and minorities, where men had control.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"What strikes one American woman in four and claims a life in the United States every six hours?" Nicholas Kristof asked in a New York Times column on March 8. The answer is domestic violence. (Obama has proposed in his 2015 budget added funding for reducing the backlog of untested rape kits and assisting prosecution of sexual assault cases - fat chance of being passed. The Republicans, after all, refused to pass the Violence Against Women Act because it would have protected undocumented immigrants and Native Americans).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">President Obama "gets it" and in announcing his proposal to increase funding said, "Sexual violence is more than just a crime against individuals. It threatens our families, it threatens our communities; ultimately, it threatens the entire country. It tears apart the fabric of our communities. And that's why we're here today -- because we have the power to do something about it as a government, as a nation. We have the capacity to stop sexual assault, support those who have survived it, and bring perpetrators to justice."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Texas is the epicenter, a veritable laboratory Petri dish of noxious bacteria, of how to send women back to the 19th century and not just because the Republican candidate, state Attorney General Greg Abbott uses misogynist Ted Nugent as his surrogate, or one of his top advisers dismissed the Democratic Candidate, State Senator Wendy Davis– a Harvard graduate – as "too stupid to be governor" and another Tea Partier labeled her "Abortion Barbie" and, oh yes, a "bad mother."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In Texas, women are being turned away from the polls - being denied the franchise won in 1920 after decades of fighting - because of the discrepancy in their married or divorced name. In other words, their marital status becomes a determinant in whether they get to vote.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Texas offers clear evidence for what Republicans in power actually intend for women (as opposed to that happy face they hope to portray), and what they would do if (heaven forbid) they take over the US Senate in 2014. You only have to look at how, despite a woman's constitutionally protected right to choose, they have passed laws resulting in shuttering of all but a handful of women's health clinics in the state, and also denied low-income women access to Medicaid.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">One of the issues in the Texas gubernatorial campaign is the issue of a state version of the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act (recall the Lily Ledbetter Act was the first law Obama signed when he became president in 2009, when he had a Democratic majority in House and filibuster-proof majority in Senate.)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Wendy Davis, the Democratic candidate, as a State Senator sponsored a law in Texas but it was vetoed by Governor Rick Perry.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Now, Abbott has dodged answering directly whether he would veto such legislation, but has said that there is no need for such a law because "women are already protected."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But we do know if he would veto such a law if he had the chance, because as Attorney General, Abbott defended the state University of Texas against a woman who was paid less, arguing that Lily Ledbetter doesn't apply to state cases. He won and the woman didn't get compensated for the years of discriminatory pay.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Abbott even discriminates in his own staff: he pays a male assistant attorney $79,464 but a female assistant attorney $73,649, according to San Antonio Express-News.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Abbott put up surrogates with Red State Women and the state Republican Party to parrot the Republican meme, "We don't believe Lily Ledbetter Act will solve the problem; we want a real world solution, not more rhetoric. Women are extremely busy" to fight pay disparity, and access to more jobs are what women really want. And this from a woman in the Texas Republican Party, "Men earn more because they are better negotiators. We would encourage women to be better negotiators."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The claim that women get paid less simply because they aren't good negotiators (get it - it's their own fault) apparently includes women CEOs, who are inexplicably not very good negotiators despite becoming CEO. Women CEOs earn 80% of what male CEOs make.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">As MSNBC correspondent Crystal Ball said guest-hosting "Up" on March 22, regarding Republicans' opposition to fair pay, "Republicans assign blame to culture [it's your own fault if you are unemployed, poor, if you earn less money] rather than structural factors.....</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"It gets to a bigger issue – the fact that Republican economic policies benefit people who are already well off, benefits businesses (campaign contributors ) and people at the top of income – increasingly, people feeling this party has nothing to offer."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Part of the reason for persistent gap in pay is that women do still - despite all the technological advancements - are the ones giving birth and still are the primary caregiver for their young children, even though the majority mothers with children younger than 2 are working outside the home.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">While unemployment rates were low, employers were more amenable to offering flexible work solutions to accommodate parents; now that unemployment rates are high, they do not need to make any such accommodation (in fact, I would submit that part of the thrust against contraception is that this crew wants high birth rates to create a large population of workers to keep wages low and demand for products high, along with the fact that women's ability to make demands in the workplace is more limited when they can't afford to challenge their employer). This is the real reason that right wingers are so gung-ho against making contraception available to women. Also, it is empowering, and we can't have any of that.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Still, New School economist Teresa Ghilarducci estimates that 20-30% of the pay gap is purely discrimination. Employers feel they can get away with paying women less, so they do (yet another example where given a "free market," businesses will take a mile).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But here, I would suggest that just as the overpopulated job market makes workers more fearful to ask for higher wages, women, who may well be single-parents and sole-providers in their family, are more fearful of losing their jobs than men are. And up until the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) uncoupled the dependency on employer-sponsored health insurance, women were also subjugated to abysmal jobs and abusive husbands for fear of losing access to affordable health care.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In his proclamation of Women's History Month this year, President Obama stated:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Throughout our Nation's history, American women have led movements for social and economic justice, made groundbreaking scientific discoveries, enriched our culture with stunning works of art and literature, and charted bold directions in our foreign policy. They have served our country with valor, from the battlefields of the Revolutionary War to the deserts of Iraq and mountains of Afghanistan. During Women's History Month, we recognize the victories, struggles, and stories of the women who have made our country what it is today.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"This month, we are reminded that even in America, freedom and justice have never come easily. As part of a centuries-old and ever-evolving movement, countless women have put their shoulder to the wheel of progress -- activists who gathered at Seneca Falls and gave expression to a righteous cause; trailblazers who defied convention and shattered glass ceilings; millions who claimed control of their own bodies, voices, and lives. Together, they have pushed our Nation toward equality, liberation, and acceptance of women's right -- not only to choose their own destinies -- but also to shape the futures of peoples and nations.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Through the grit and sacrifice of generations, American women and girls have gained greater opportunities and more representation than ever before. Yet they continue to face workplace discrimination, a higher risk of sexual assault, and an earnings gap that will cost the average woman hundreds of thousands of dollars over the course of her working lifetime.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"As women fight for their seats at the head of the table, my Administration offers our unwavering support. The first bill I signed as President was the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which made it easier for women to challenge pay discrimination. Under the Affordable Care Act, we banned insurance companies from charging women more because of their gender, and we continue to defend this law against those who would let women's bosses influence their health care decisions. Last year, recognizing a storied history of patriotic and courageous service in our Armed Forces, the United States military opened ground combat units to women in uniform. We are also encouraging more girls to explore their passions for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and taking action to create economic opportunities for women across the globe. Last fall, we finalized a rule to extend overtime and minimum wage protections to homecare workers, 90 percent of whom are women. And this January, I launched a White House task force to protect students from sexual assault.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"As we honor the many women who have shaped our history, let us also celebrate those who make progress in our time. Let us remember that when women succeed, America succeeds. And from Wall Street to Main Street, in the White House and on Capitol Hill -- let us put our Nation on the path to success."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It speaks volumes that Obama has made his Opportunity Agenda about initiatives to benefit women and families. These include:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Expanding women's access to education (women are disproportionately dependent on financial aid, and many enrolled women, especially those over the age of 25, are mothers, meaning they have additional considerations on their time and finances as they work to achieve their educational goals. ) To addressing this issue he is creating the $2,500 American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC); increasing the maximum Pell grant award by $1,000; keeping student loan interest rates low.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Ensuring that women have access to the skills they need to succeed in the workforce: increasing opportunities for STEM mentorship; providing real world job experience to high schoolers; focusing on job-driven training.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The White House is organizing five regional forums on women's issues hosted by senior administration officials that will take place across the country this spring, leading up to the White House Summit on Working Families hosted by the President on June 23. Also, the Small Business Administration and the National Women's Business Council are hosting a roundtable, STEM for Her, that will bring together the private sector, academic experts and other stakeholders to identify actions that can encourage more women entrepreneurs in STEM fields to start and grow their businesses.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"The feedback we hear at all of these events will help inform the Summit and our efforts to build 21st century workplaces that meet the needs of a 21st century workforce," the White House stated.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">At this year's International Women of Courage Awards (did you know there is an Office of Global Women's Issues in the State Department?), First Lady Michelle Obama said, "They teach us that if a woman can fight torture and oppression and get her name on the ballot in Tajikistan; if she can break a glass ceiling and advocate for equality and tolerance as a bishop in Georgia; if she can go door to door, police station to police station, court to court to combat domestic and child abuse in Saudi Arabia -- if these women can do all of that, then surely we can summon a fraction of their bravery in our own lives and communities -- whether that means ending wage discrimination in the workplace, or fighting sexual violence on college campuses, or confronting any of the small injustices that we see every day."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"That is what this day is about. It's about understanding that while our circumstances may be different, in so many ways, the solutions to our struggles are the same. So when we see these women raise their voices and move their feet and empower others to create change, we need to realize that each of us has that same power and that same obligation."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Karen Rubin, Long Island Populist Examiner</span></i></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Supreme Court Unanimously Rejects Challenge to Domestic Abuser Gun Law</b></span></div><div>Targeted News Service (USA)</div><div>March 26, 2014 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">WASHINGTON, March 26 -- Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence issued the following news release:</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Victory for Families Everywhere," According to The Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence Washington, D.C. -</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The U.S. Supreme Court today unanimously agreed that federal law prohibits all convicted domestic abusers from owning guns in U.S. v. Castleman. This is a victory over the corporate gun lobby that argued that federal law allows some domestic violence offenders to possess firearms. <span style="color: red;">The Court rejected the gun lobby's argument as contrary to the federal Lautenberg Amendment, which prevents persons convicted of misdemeanor domestic assaults from owning guns.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"The overwhelming majority of Americans - and every Supreme Court Justice - agrees that guns and domestic violence are a deadly mix, and that we need to make it harder, not easier, for dangerous people to get guns," said Dan Gross, President of the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence. "This decision will save lives by keeping guns out of the hands of domestic abusers. Make no mistake, more needs to be done to expand and strengthen the Brady background check system to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"The U.S. Supreme Court's ruling is an important victory for women, children and families across the country, who thankfully will continue to be protected by strong, sensible federal laws that keep domestic violence abusers from obtaining guns," said Jonathan Lowy, Director, Legal Action Project, Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence. "It is a telling indictment of the gun lobby's extremism that not a single Justice agreed with its call to explode a gaping hole in the law that would have enabled domestic abusers to buy and possess guns in many states."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">In U.S. v. Castleman, a Tennessee man was charged with gun trafficking and illegal possession of a firearm, following a conviction for misdemeanor domestic assault in 2001. He argued that the Lautenberg Amendment did not bar him from possessing a firearm because the Tennessee domestic assault law did not require a sufficient degree of physical force. In 2010, a federal district court agreed, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit upheld the ruling in 2012. The Supreme Court today unanimously reversed that decision.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"The ban on domestic abusers owning firearms has been an important part of federal firearms law since it was proposed by the late Senator Frank Lautenberg in 1996. Keeping guns out of the hands of domestic abusers unquestionably prevents gun violence. In 2010 alone, at least 574 women in the United States were shot to death by a husband, ex-husband, or boyfriend--that is more than one woman murdered by a domestic partner every day," added Lowy. "As the Supreme Court recognized, strong laws are needed to help remedy the undercharging of domestic assaults and difficulties in prosecuting domestic violence."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence filed an amicus brief opposing Castleman's arguments in November 2013. The brief was joined by numerous gun violence prevention organizations, including the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, The Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, States United to Prevent Gun Violence, and the Violence Policy Center. Jonathan Lowy is available for comment on today's ruling by the Supreme Court.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://sblog.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/12-1371-tsac-Brady-Center-to-Prevent-Gun-Violence-et-al.pdf" target="_blank">View the amicus brief filed by the Brady Center</a>.</span></b></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Arming All Personnel on Installations Unsafe, DOD Official Says</b></span></div><div>Targeted News Service (USA)</div><div>April 5, 2014 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">WASHINGTON, April 4 -- The U.S. Department of Defense's American Forces Press Service issued the following news:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Defense Department does not support allowing its personnel to carry weapons on military installations, Pentagon spokesman Army Col. Steve Warren said today.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"The department took a close look at this after the 2009 shooting at Fort Hood and again after [last year's] Washington Navy Yard shooting," Warren said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Such a move would create a number of complications, he said, not the least of which is safety.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Another reason is the ... prohibitive cost of the training, the qualification requirements [and] recertification," the colonel said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">There are legal obstacles as well, he said. Local, state and federal policy requirements pose numerous challenges.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Warren pointed at the Lautenberg Amendment to the Gun Control Act of 1968, which makes it illegal for persons convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence crimes to possess firearms or ammunition, as one example. Service members convicted of such crimes may continue to serve under certain circumstances, but still are prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"So, there are a lot of barriers to this besides the department's position, and we've spelled this out before that we do not support it," the colonel said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The ongoing investigation into the shootings April 2 at Fort Hood, Texas, should be allowed to develop in due course, Warren said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has been clear that something did go wrong, the colonel said. "Now we're allowing this investigation to unfold before we make any major steps," he added. "The focus right now is on caring for the wounded, caring for the family members of those wounded and the greater Fort Hood community, and proceeding with the investigation."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Investigators are looking for potential gaps in the mental health care system or in security procedures, Warren said. One aspect of the investigation will cover whether red flags were raised about the alleged shooter by mental health professionals, he noted.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"It's entirely too early to make a judgment. ... We have to let the investigation unfold, and then we have to examine what we can do better," he said.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>COMMON SENSE, PROTECTION PREVAIL</b></span></div><div>Times Union, The (Albany, NY)</div><div>Author/Byline: Gwen Wright - executive director of the state Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence</div><div>April 26, 2014 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Domestic violence is a complex societal problem that requires a complex, multifaceted approach. A recent unanimous opinion by the U.S. Supreme Court recognizes this fact and will make a real difference by enhancing protections for victims of this crime.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: red;">In U.S. vs. Castleman, the court issued an important opinion about interpretation of the law that prevents people convicted of misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence from possessing firearms (the Lautenberg Amendment)</span>. This case held that the legal standard for force that would constitute a misdemeanor crime is less than the standard for force constituting a violent felony. Common sense? Yes, and that point was reinforced by the court's unanimity in the case, a rarity these days.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">This case is particularly important for domestic violence victims because the court recognized that: (1.) Domestic violence is a crime unlike most others. (2.) Domestic violence offenders are often convicted only of misdemeanors. (3.) The presence of firearms in a home is highly correlated with lethality in domestic violence. (4.) The law that prohibits domestic violence perpetrators from having firearms is vital to victim safety and should be interpreted so it has broad application.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: red;">James Castleman, a Tennessee man, pleaded guilty in 2001 to "intentionally or knowingly" causing bodily injury to his girlfriend. When he was later charged with selling black-market firearms, and with possessing firearms in violation of the Lautenberg Amendment, he argued the crime for which he was convicted did not involve use of "physical force" as required in the federal statute, so he was not prohibited from possessing firearms. </span>Based on a Supreme Court case interpreting "physical force" in the context of a law defining when someone can be classified as a "violent felon," Mr. Castleman convinced the trial court, and the 6th Circuit, that his argument made sense. The Supreme Court agreed to hear his case.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Justice Sonia Sotomayor, writing the majority decision, vividly outlined the problem of domestic violence and the increased likelihood of lethality when a firearm is present in a home where domestic violence is being perpetrated. <span style="color: red;">She highlighted the benefits of Lautenberg and noted that interpreting "physical force" to mean the "violent" physical force required for the "violent felon" classification might render the law almost meaningless.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The New York state Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, which works to prevent domestic violence and improve the state's response to the crime, knows that this decision will save lives -- lives of the victims and lives of law enforcement officers who respond to this crime. We are happy to see common sense prevail.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Rhinelander man prevails in concealed carry lawsuit</b></span></div><div>Northwoods River News, The (Rhinelander, WI)</div><div>July 11, 2014 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A judge has ordered the state to issue a concealed carry license to a Rhinelander man, finding that his license application was improperly denied.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">If appealed, the ruling could impact state law and how future concealed carry license applications are processed, according to the man's lawyer, who said he was unaware of any other instances in which a judge in Wisconsin has reversed the denial of a concealed carry license application.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The decision, written by Oneida County Circuit Judge Patrick O'Melia, is also notable given the sheer number of concealed carry licenses issued in Wisconsin.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The state Department of Justice, which administers the state's concealed carry law, has received more than 235,000 applications for concealed carry licenses since the law went into effect in 2011.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Though the lawsuit was filed last year, the case dates back to 1995, when the plaintiff, Raymond von Bober, II, was charged with one misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct in Vilas County.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A police report alleged von Bober "grabbed his wife by her arms with enough pressure to cause pain, and then shoved her into the kitchen."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He pleaded no contest, was ultimately convicted and paid a forfeiture of $202.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He had no prior convictions and has had none since.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Fast-forward 16 years later. The state Legislature in 2011 enacted the state's concealed carry law, allowing qualified persons to possess a concealed firearm.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Under the law, DOJ must issue concealed carry licenses unless applicants can be disqualified for any one of seven specific reasons.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">One such reason is based on a federal statute. Called the Lautenberg Amendment after its sponsor, former New Jersey Sen. Frank Lautenberg, the law criminalizes possession of a firearm or ammunition after conviction of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">That definition requires, as an element of the crime, the use or attempted use of physical force or the threatened use of a deadly weapon.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In Wisconsin, for example, the definition of disorderly conduct has two elements. Under the first element, the defendant must have engaged in "violent, abusive, indecent, profane, boisterous, unreasonably loud or otherwise disorderly conduct." The second element requires that the conduct tend "to cause or provoke a disturbance."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Citing von Bober's 1995 conviction under the disorderly conduct statute, DOJ denied his application for a concealed carry license in April 2013. He filed suit the same month.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">This past June, O'Melia issued a decision: DOJ had erred, he concluded, and he ordered the department to issue von Bober a concealed carry license.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The 18-page ruling is highly technical, but the essence of it is that there is ambiguity as to the precise basis for von Bober's disorderly conduct conviction.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"It is unclear whether the basis of the Petitioner's conviction was 'violent' or 'otherwise disorderly,'" O'Melia wrote.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">That haziness matters, according to O'Melia, because the Lautenberg Amendment restricts firearms based on the legal definition of a crime -- not the actual facts of the case.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Even though the police report in von Bober's disorderly conduct conviction alleged use of physical force in a domestic violence context, the legal issue centers around whether the crime he was convicted of -- misdemeanor disorderly conduct -- actually requires the use of physical force.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Importantly, prosecutors did not attach a domestic violence enhancer against von Bober.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But even if there was clarity as to what von Bober was charged with -- for instance, if he was charged only with "violent" conduct -- O'Melia raised questions as to whether that charge would necessarily trigger the Lautenberg Amendment, which covers the use or attempted use of physical force.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">O'Melia noted there is no definition of the term "violent" in state statutes, and that the charge of "otherwise disorderly conduct" can include mere speech and written statements - acts that clearly do not require the use of physical force.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Those are reasons why von Bober's attorney, Mark Maciolek, of Madison, has argued that a misdemeanor disorderly conduct conviction can never be considered a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence under federal law, and therefore not a legitimate basis to deny a concealed carry license.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">But he's had trouble convincing other judges. In a case similar to von Bober's, the state Court of Appeals affirmed the denial of a concealed carry license earlier this year. In that decision, out of Dane County, the court noted that violent conduct "necessarily implies the use of physical force," though the court did not cite any legal authority or written definition in making that finding.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">And just this week, a separate Court of Appeals panel upheld another denial of a concealed carry license, reciting the finding that "violent conduct necessarily implies the use of physical force."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Maciolek said he was not surprised by the difference in legal conclusions between O'Melia and the appeals courts, noting "there's a lot of confused law out there."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Indeed, Tom Grieve, a Brookfield lawyer who specializes in Second Amendment law, said judges around the country are grappling with similar issues.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"It's a question that we're seeing litigated actually across the United States right now," Grieve said. "It's something that we're watching courts struggle with."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Grieve, who praised O'Melia's ruling, said the task was "like translating French into German." The process of applying the Lautenberg Amendment to state law, he said, is heavily dependent on parsing legal language and precise definitions.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I do think that there are fair questions about what specific words and what specific things need to happen in Wisconsin cases to determine whether or not those federal qualifiers are actually met on a case by case basis," Grieve said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Aside from the legal arguments, Maciolek said the state could help resolve similar disputes by ensuring prosecutors issue charges that are most congruent with the facts of the case. Lowering the seriousness of charges, he said, has consequences.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"If the prosecution wants to ensure that there are certain collateral consequences that go with a conviction, then they need to choose the right crime to accuse somebody of," Maciolek said in an interview.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Whether the Department of Justice will appeal O'Melia's ruling was unclear as of press time. DOJ spokesperson Dana Brueck said the agency has not yet made a decision on that question.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Brueck said she too was unaware of any other cases in which a judge in Wisconsin has reversed the denial of a concealed carry license.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Wisconsin circuit courts have upheld denials of concealed carry license applications in at least three cases, according to Brueck. Two of those cases were appealed, and appeals courts affirmed the denials. A court has also upheld the revocation of a concealed carry license. Two cases -- one a denial of an application, the other a revocation of a license -- remain pending in circuit courts.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Brueck declined to otherwise comment on O'Melia's ruling.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Maciolek said if DOJ does appeal, there's a chance the case could clarify whether disorderly conduct convictions can ever be used to deny concealed carry licenses.</span></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>TAKING EFFECTIVE ACTION AGAINST PERPETRATORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE</b></span></div><div>US Fed News (USA)</div><div>July 31, 2014 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">WASHINGTON, July 30 -- Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member, Chuck Grassley, issued the following news release:</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Mr. Chairman, we discuss today an important subject. All of us want to see the federal government take appropriate action to assist in fighting domestic violence, and especially domestic homicides.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">I have met with many victims of domestic violence over the years. I feel compassion for the physical, mental and emotional injuries they have suffered. They have told me of the fear that they confront. And I want to take effective action against perpetrators of violence against women.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Today, I am one of the lead Republicans in a group of bipartisan senators who have come together on a bill to address sexual assault on our nation's college campuses.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">To me, all domestic homicides are tragedies. It does not matter how the victim died. Forty-five percent of domestic homicides now do not involve guns, a figure considerably higher than in the 1980's.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">In 1996, I voted for the Lautenberg Amendment. Those convicted of domestic violence misdemeanors were prohibited from owning firearms. So were those against whom permanent restraining orders were entered because of domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">For these prohibitions to be effective, records of the convictions and restraining orders must be entered into the national instant background check system.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">So it distresses me that even now, all these years later, according to the Center for American Progress, "only 36 states have submitted any domestic violence misdemeanor convictions to the NICS Index, and of these, 21 states have submitted 20 or fewer of these records. ... An even smaller number of states have submitted records regarding restraining orders: 19 states have submitted domestic violence restraining order records to the NICS Index, and of these, 9 states have submitted 10 or fewer."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Mr. Chairman, I note that Rhode Island has submitted exactly zero misdemeanor domestic violence records to NICS and exactly zero domestic violence restraining order records. The corresponding numbers for Delaware are zero and zero; Hawaii, three and zero; Illinois, one and zero; Minnesota, sixteen and two; New York, zero and ten; Vermont, two and zero.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">These states are failing to do their jobs.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Iowa ranks near the top among the states in this regard, but we still need to do better.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Seventy-nine percent of the records submitted come from three small states. As the report notes, "If all states submitted records of misdemeanor domestic violence convictions at the average rate of these three states, we can project there would be 2.9 million records in the NICS Index in this category, more than 40 times the number currently submitted."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">This means that large numbers of prohibited persons under the law today can purchase a firearm through legal channels because the instant background check system fails to identify them as such. Our NICS system is full of holes with respect to current gun prohibitions, greatly reducing the effectiveness of background checks.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Last year, Senator Cruz and I offered an amendment to legislation before the Senate that would have helped fix the NICS system. Our amendment would have improved state compliance with NICS reporting for mental health records for prohibited persons.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It received the most bipartisan support of any similar legislation, but failed to get the needed 60 votes. We should do the same with respect to persons who have been convicted of domestic violence crimes and subject to permanent restraining orders. We should be able to gain a bipartisan effort to enact legislation of this type.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But that is not the majority's approach.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">There are two bills before the committee on domestic gun violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">One of them, from Senator Klobuchar, expands the definition of prohibited persons to include dating violence, beyond the cohabitating relationships in current law, as well as to add convicted stalkers to the list of prohibited persons.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Another, by Senator Blumenthal, also expands the relationships, and would make those subject to temporary restraining orders, entered without notice to the alleged abuser, prohibited persons.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A significant problem exists with the completeness of background checks under current law. It is hard to believe that expanding the universe of prohibited persons whose records will not show up when a background check is performed will reduce gun homicides.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">I fear that false hopes are again being raised. In many states, few persons are convicted of misdemeanor stalking. In Maryland, for instance, zero were convicted of that crime last year, one in Arkansas, and five in New Mexico. Making these offenders prohibited persons will not accomplish very much, even if their records made it into NICS, a questionable assumption.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">These bills would expand retroactively the definition of a prohibited person. But they will also make actual individuals who were allowed to own guns criminals retroactively, not by virtue of their crime, but from passing the bill.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Who is going to spend the time and personnel to go over every domestic violence conviction record and examine the relationship between the parties to determine whether they fit the definition of these bills? Who is going to actually input those records into NICS?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Suppose someone determines erroneously that a prior conviction was for conduct against a dating partner. What recourse will the individual have to demonstrate that he is not a prohibited person? How will guns actually be taken from prohibited persons? How soon would an officer be diverted from another law enforcement activity to remove these guns?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The restraining order provisions could pose even greater problems. In a large percentage of cases, temporary restraining orders issued without notice to the defendant do not lead to permanent orders. Yet, the constitutional rights of the accused would be taken away without due process. That person will not know that he or she is a prohibited person if, during the brief period the order is in effect, law enforcement should show up to take away the gun.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">We should also be very skeptical that a temporary order will be entered into NICS in time to stop someone from passing a background check. Making existing NICS records more complete is far more likely to make a difference in domestic violence homicides, especially gun homicides, than the bills the Committee is considering.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">I understand that domestic violence advocates asked the majority to hold a hearing on domestic violence homicides many months ago but were repeatedly put off. The Klobuchar bill was introduced more than one year ago. But only as we are about to head out of town, with very few legislative days remaining, did the majority grant the advocates their request for a hearing. Only as the number of days until the election grew short did the committee schedule this hearing.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The committee has not held a markup for bills for two weeks now. Had the majority been serious about reducing domestic homicide, we had the time to work together to come up with a bipartisan solution. There was a real opportunity in this Congress for a bipartisan effort to combat intimate homicides of all kinds. That opportunity was squandered.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The bills before the committee today could exacerbate the problem of keeping currently prohibited persons from owning firearms. I hope that going forward, we will work together to find bipartisan, well thought out, practical ways to protect women and men from violence of all kinds.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Senators discuss protecting women from gun violence</b></span></div><div>Daily Record of Rochester (NY)</div><div>August 1, 2014 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Elvin Daniel is helping to raise his sister Zina’s children because she is no longer around to take care of them.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“Every happy milestone is now covered in sadness,” he said. “Mother’s Day is now a day to survive, rather than celebrate because we know that Zina isn’t here to watch over her girls. She won’t be able to take pictures of her youngest daughter dressed up for prom or congratulate her daughters on their wedding day and dance with them. Those moments will be happy and sad at the same time. I’m committed to honor her memory, but working to reduce the number of women killed.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Zina Daniel Haughton was 42 when she was shot down at her Wisconsin workplace on Oct. 21, 2012, by her abusive ex-husband who also killed two of her co-workers and wounded four others before taking his own life.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Just two days before, an order of protection had been issued against Radcliffe Haughton and his information had been entered into the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, but he skirted the law and was able to buy a gun through a website, paying $500 cash to a seller he met in a McDonald’s parking lot.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“It has been nearly two years since Zina was murdered and it is heartbreaking to know that our weak gun laws continue to allow dangerous abusers to buy guns without a background check,” Daniel told members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, choking back tears.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">With a portrait of his sister in front of him, Daniel, a self-described proud Republican, gun owner, National Rifle Association member and strong supporter of the Second Amendment, testified in favor of common-sense gun laws requiring background checks for everyone and keeping guns out of the hands of abusers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Daniel was one of five witnesses, most with tragic accounts, at a hearing on the “Violence Against Women Act Next Steps: Protecting Women from Gun Violence.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“American women are 11 times more likely to be killed with guns than women in any other industrialized country,” said Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., who chaired the hearing, filling in for Chairman Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt. “Put another way, women in the United States accounts for 84 percent of all female firearm victims in the developed world.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“Of all the women murdered in this country, more than half are killed by family members or intimate partners,” Whitehouse said. “If fact, when a gun is present in a domestic violence situation, it increases the risk of homicide (against] women by 500 percent.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Ranking minority member Sen. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, noting all domestic homicides are tragic, indicated appropriate measures are already in place, such as the Lautenberg Amendment, also known as the Domestic Violence Offender Gun Ban, which he voted for in 1996.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He said the law prohibits those convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence or under a restraining order of protection from owning firearms. To be effective, Grassley said the information has to be entered into the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, but only 36 states submit any information.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He ran down statistics on some of the worst, noting New York has not submitted any records of misdemeanor domestic violence convictions and only 10 filings on restraining orders.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“Our NICS system is full of holes with respect to the current gun prohibitions, greatly reducing the effectiveness of background (checks],” Grassley said, noting he and Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, offered an amendment last year he said would have helped fix the system, but it failed to receive the required 60 votes.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Before the committee are two new bills. One by Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., the Protecting Domestic Violence and Stalking Victims Act, would expand prohibitions to include convicted stalkers and people dating, as opposed to just married couples or those cohabitating.</span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">A proposal by Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., the Lori Jackson Domestic Violence Survivor Protection Act, would prevent someone subject to a temporary restraining order from buying a firearm and expand federal law to protect individuals who have been victims of abuse by dating partners. The bill is named after a murdered victim whose parents were in the audience.</span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Blumenthal said in most states, people under a temporary restraining order can lose access to their home, children and car, but under federal law, can still keep their guns.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“Somebody might be considered too dangerous to see their son, but not too dangerous to buy a handgun and because of that loophole in our law, abuse victims are the least protected by the laws of our nation at the moment they are in the most danger,” he said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Joyce Lee Malcolm, Patrick Henry professor of constitutional law and the Second Amendment at George Mason University School of Law, said the proposed bills violate the Second Amendment, a right against unreasonable search and seizure, and due process.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“A fact very seldom advertised is that homicides in this country have been down sharply for the last 20 years, as well as other violent crimes,” she said, noting the last time the rate for serious crimes was this low, the cost of a gallon of gasoline was 29 cents and the average working person made $5,807 a year.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Malcolm said a new focus on stalking and expanding the definition of “intimate partner” to include non-cohabitating individuals would involve not just serious acts of domestic violence, but bullying and a wide range of other acts under the definition of harassment, “which can be verbal and very vague.” She said the result is large numbers of people who might be convicted of verbally harassing someone would lose their right to own a firearm.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Malcolm said a mere allegation could have police searching homes for firearms without any kind of a hearing, calling it “sentence first, verdict afterwards.” She said another troubling aspect is the laws would be retroactive so many people who have accepted plea bargains with the intent of knowing what that entailed would find they no longer have a right to be armed for the rest of their lives.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Justice Seamus McCaffery, of the Supreme Court in Pennsylvania, asked where all the newly convicted people would be housed, noting there has been a movement to reduce prison populations.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He said to keep in mind there are two parties — the accused and accuser and that his goal has always been to have a level playing field.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He suggested a more proactive approach to deal with the problem is prevention, saying police have GPS technology and can know if a convicted stalker is approaching his victim and can get there to prevent violence before it happens.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Justice McCaffery said legislation is great, but at the end of the day, some woman in a row house in North Philadelphia is going to be battered, probably has been for years and when the case comes to court, she and her abuser kiss and hug and the case disappears, leaving a frustrated prosecutor and even more frustrated police.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“My point is we need to do things that really make things happen,” he said. “You want to send a message out there, you put that bracelet on the abuser, you come within a mile of that victim and not only will you be locked up, but it will be strict, it will be swift and it will be really really bad for you.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Racine County, Wisconsin Sheriff Christopher Schmaling said he is also a conservative Republican, but is in favor of the Klobuchar and Blumenthal proposals.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He said more than half of the women murdered each year are killed by intimate partners, increasingly by boyfriends, and that domestic violence not only poses a threat to the victims, but to his deputies.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“Any cop will tell you that domestic violence calls are the most dangerous calls that law enforcement officers respond to,” he said. “The last thing that victim needs and the last thing my officers need is a dangerous abuser armed with illegal weapons. Abusers routinely threaten to shoot my deputies prior to our arrival at domestic violence calls.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Schmaling said FBI statistics show 150 law enforcement officers have been killed in action while responding to domestic disturbances.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The United States has a higher homicide rate of women than all other westernized countries and is among the highest in the world, according to Dr. Jacquelyn Campbell, professor and Anna D. Wolf chair at John Hopkins University School of Nursing, who said she was testifying as a citizen, nurse and with the endorsement of the American Academy of Nursing.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“This disparity is particularly pronounced for homicides of women committed by guns, in which the country’s rate exceeds by 11 times the average rate in other comparable countries,” she said.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Texas Dems: Texas Republicans Commemorate the Violence Against Women's Act</b></span></div><div>Targeted News Service (USA)</div><div>September 14, 2014 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 13 -- The Texas Democratic Party issued the following news release:</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">When the Violence Against Women Act was signed into law in 1994 it had significant bipartisan support. It was reauthorized in 2000 and again in 2005 with support from both parties. But in 2013, many Texas Republicans voted against a bipartisan reauthorization.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Its not only in Washington, D.C. that Republicans are waging a war on women. Here in Texas the top of the Republican ticket, Greg Abbott, and Dan Patrick have been actively working against the well-being of women.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Chairman of the Texas Democratic Party Gilberto Hinojosa released the following statement:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"The war on women is real, and the heart of the battle is right here in Texas.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Texas Republicans, from Ted Cruz to Greg Abbott to Dan Patrick, continue to treat women like second class citizens. From voting against VAWA, to cutting funds for victims assistance programs, and opposing funding for rape kits, Republicans continue to make it clear that women and their safety, health, and well-being are not a priority for them."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Background on Texas Republicans And Violence Against Women</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Greg Abbott Supported Reducing Funding For Victims Assistance Program</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* Abbott's Legislative Appropriations Request Reduced Funding For The Compensation to Victims of Crime Fund Grant Program By 57 Percent. According to the Attorney General of Texas' 2014-15 Legislative Appropriation Request, "based on the formula prescribed by the Crime Victims' Act, the OAG currently estimates that just $42.8 million will be available for grant awards to crime victim services organizations during the FY '14-'15 budget cycle. As required by the Act, that calculation is based on the CVCF's projected available balance after accounting for compensation payments to crime victims and their families. Under this scenario, CVCF-funded grant awards to crime victims service organizations must be reduced by $45 million - an amount that reflects a 57% reduction from FY '12-'13 funding levels. Accordingly, the OAG's Legislative Appropriations Request reflects a 57% reductions in funding for the CVCF grant program, which is equally apportioned on a pro rata basis among all program participants." </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Dan Patrick Repeatedly Voted Against Measures To Aid Victims of Rape and Domestic Violence</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* Patrick Opposed Funds For Rape Kits, Leaving Rapists To Go Free In Texas. In May of 2013, Patrick voted against SB 1, the general budget bill for 2014 and 2015, which allocated funding for rape kits. The bill was signed by the governor. In June 2013, Texas Tribune reported, "The final [2013] budget also allots the Texas DPS $11 million to help address the state's massive backlog of untested rape kits. In 2011, the Legislature passed Senate Bill 1636, by state Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, which requires that state law enforcement agencies report the number of untested rape kits and submit a certain number to DPS for testing. The line item will cover the outsourcing costs to have the kits tested, and DPS estimates that based on historical data, about half of the untested kits will yield traces of DNA." </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* Patrick Advocates Nullifying Federal Restrictions On Gun Ownership. Under a page on his official website titled "Dan Patrick Defender of the Second Amendment," Patrick pledged to "nullify federal laws that go against our second amendment right to bear arms." </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: red;">* The Lautenberg Amendment To The Federal Gun Control Act Prevents Convicted Domestic Abusers From Owning Firearms. As of September 30, 1996, the Federal Gun Control Act was amended via the Lautenberg Amendment to make it "a felony for those convicted of misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence to ship, transport, possess, or receive firearms or ammunition."</span> [<a href="http://www.armystudyguide.com/content/army_board_study_guide_topics/military_justice/lautenberg-amendment.shtm" target="_blank">Army Study Guide</a>, accessed08/08/14 (l)]</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* Patrick Voted Against Streamlining the Process For Victims Of Domestic Violence To Get Unemployment Compensation. On May 21, 2007 Sen. Dan Patrick voted against HB 550 on third reading and final passage as amended. According to the Enrolled Bill Summary for HB 550, "Previous law specified that unemployment benefits paid to an employee or former employee could not be charged back to the employer's unemployment tax account and an employee could not be denied unemployment benefits if the employee resigned because of family violence or stalking and provided three forms of documentation of such activity, one of which was a physician's statement or other medical record of family violence. House Bill 550 amends the Labor Code to prohibit the chargeback or denial of benefits if the employee presents any one of the forms of documentation and requires that the physician's statement or medical record identify the employee as the patient and relate to the patient's history, diagnosis, treatment, or prognosis." The bill passed the Senate 28 to 3 before it was signed in to law by Governor Perry. [Senate Journal: 80th Legislature, 05/21/07, pg 2452; 80th Legislature, Enrolled Bill Summary:HB 550]</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Texas Congressional Republicans Opposed Violence Against Women Act</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* Both Texas Senators Voted Against Reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act. U.S. Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz voted against the Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act of 2013. [S 47, Vote Number 19,2/12/2013]</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* The Majority of The Texas Republican Congressional Delegation Opposed Reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act. All but two members of the Texas Republican delegation voted against the Reauthorization of Violence Against Women Act of 2013. [S 47, Roll Call Vote 55,2/28/2013 </span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>The false promise of background checks </b></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;">Jeff Knox explains controllers' 'incremental approach to achieving their true goals'</span></div><div>WorldNetDaily (USA)</div><div>Author/Byline: Jeff Knox </div><div>September 25, 2014 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div>The idea of background checks for firearm purchases seems to sound sensible, but the reality is much different from the appearance. In truth, expecting firearm background checks to stop criminals is like trying to catch a few particular salmon during spawning season by placing a rock in the middle of the stream and watching for the specific fish to jump over the rock.</div><div><br /></div><div>There are more than 15 million NICS background checks processed every year, totaling over 180 million checks since the program’s inception in 1998. Between 98 and 99 percent of those checks were on regular, unrestricted people – most of whom already owned at least one firearm. Of the few prohibited persons caught trying to purchase a firearm, the vast majority didn’t realize they were prohibited and had no criminal intent. In 2010, which is typical of recent years, only about 60 individuals – out of 15 million – were considered worthy of prosecution, and only 13 people – out of 15 million – were actually convicted of illegally trying to purchase a firearm. Not a very impressive return from a program that infringes on an enumerated constitutional right – that “shall not be infringed” – and has cost taxpayers an estimated $2 billion dollars so far.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now the same people who brought us this incredibly inefficient and wasteful system want to expand it to include private transfers between individuals. Again, the idea seems, on the surface, logical and reasonable. But again, it is just another rock in the stream – a minor obstacle at best. The arguments in favor of so-called “universal background checks” are, in part, an acknowledgment that the present system can’t work; there’s just too much stream around the rock. One more rock in a wide flowing stream won’t stop, or even perceptibly slow the flow. There will always be plenty of ways for those wishing to acquire guns for criminal purposes to easily get them. Criminals get guns by stealing them, buying them on the black market, or by convincing a girlfriend, family member, or paid associate to purchase them.</div><div><br /></div><div>The idea of “universal background checks” sounds good and seems reasonable, but it is a fantasy that cannot work to keep guns away from criminals. What it would do is increase the cost of firearms, some by as much as 30 to 40 percent, encumber the law-abiding with additional regulations and generate a paper trail that could be – and historically has been in places like California, New York and New Jersey – later used for registration and confiscation. Even a recent special commission set up by the president concluded that background checks on private transfers would be ineffective at reducing illegal gun trafficking unless there was also universal registration of all guns and gun owners – something Americans are vehemently opposed to.</div><div><br /></div><div>So why are advocates like billionaire Mike Bloomberg pushing so hard for something they know will not produce the results they say they are after?</div><div><br /></div><div>The answer is that anti-rights advocates have a proven, incremental approach to achieving their true goals. They push for whatever legislation they can get, then when it proves ineffective, they point to the law’s failure as proof that their next solution is desperately needed.</div><div><br /></div><div>Up until 1968, anyone could buy a gun just about anywhere. Hardware stores, gas stations and general stores all sold guns, and guns could be purchased through the mail from catalogs or ads in the backs of magazines. <span style="color: red;">That changed with passage of the Gun Control Act of 1968, but for the next 30 years crime continued to rise. The law failed to do what its backers promised, but that failure was touted as proof that stricter measures were needed, and we got the Brady Background Check Law, the Lautenberg Amendment expanding the “prohibited person” list to include people convicted of certain types of misdemeanors and the Clinton “Assault Weapons” Ban. None of those “desperately needed” measures accomplished what their proponents claimed they were going to accomplish, and each time, that failure was pointed to as proof that more laws were needed.</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Gun control laws simply don’t work. That’s a historical fact. They impact the law-abiding, and often harm the innocent – like Shaneen Allen. Criminalizing private transfers – which is what “universal background checks” really do – will not reduce crime or save lives. It is just a reasonable-sounding proposal to increase the cost and inconvenience of exercising a constitutional right. Ask any proponent of these laws what they will do if the law is passed. If they are honest they will go into a litany of other laws and regulations they want to see enacted culminating in the total restriction of firearms in private hands.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anti-rights zealots are never satisfied. Each reasonable-sounding proposal is just another incremental step toward the next, more restrictive proposal, and each failure of their laws to accomplish their stated goals is their excuse for the next restrictive, unworkable scheme.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: red;">Gun laws are not about public safety or crime reduction or, or even gun control. They’re about government control over citizens.</span></b></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Bloomberg Moms’ political spots relied on deceptive voter manipulation</b></span></div><div>News & Politics Examiner (USA)</div><div>November 12, 2014 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Employing the same cynical political strategy and contemptuous duping of "stupid" voters as Obamacare promoters, Michael Bloomberg’s Moms Demand Action relied on deception to exploit ignorance, prejudices and fears in the midterm elections, a Gun Rights Examiner analysis of social media messages on TPM Livewire demonstrates. The professionally-produced “Explain Your A” campaign featured in the story targeted three Republican candidates who had received high marks from the National Rifle Association: Carl Domino of Florida, Paul Chabot of California, and Larry Kaifesh of Illinois.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“Does your A grade from the NRA mean you support gun rights for suspected terrorists?” the attack on Domino read. Along with his picture, the Moms included a photo of Al Qaeda’s American-born propaganda tool, Adam Gadahn, whose previous affiliations in the “gun control” debate were with anti-gunners shamelessly exploiting another lie, that full-auto weapons could be bought without background checks and IDs at U.S. gun shows.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“Does your A grade from the NRA mean you support the rights of felons to buy and own guns?” the hit piece on Chabot asked. His portrait was paired with a heavily tattooed prisoner behind bars.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“Does your A grade from the NRA mean you oppose taking guns from domestic abusers?” the smear against Kaifesh insinuated. Accompanying his picture was the image of a distraught, heavily-mascaraed woman with her fists clenched against her cheeks suggestive of both Edvard Munch’s “The Scream” and MacCaulay Culkin in “Home Alone.” For some unexplained reason, the model in the staged photo shoot has what appears to be masking tape across her mouth -- either that or she’s wearing a turtleneck like Mort from “Bazooka Joe” comics. With these crazy MILMs, who the hell knows?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“If they can get you asking the wrong questions, they don't have to worry about answers,” novelist Thomas Pynchon noted in “Gravity’s Rainbow.” In this case, the minds behind the Moms ask those questions for us in order to manipulate emotions and suppress critical examination. After all, who wants terrorists, gangbangers and wife-beaters shooting victims?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The targets of the misleading Bloomberg hit pieces are enabling nothing of the sort, of course. And nothing being demanded would stop the bad guys anyway.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">If a person is a known threat, public safety demands he be apprehended. If he’s only a suspected threat, there’s this little protection we’re supposed to have called due process, where people get a trial, are proven guilty and are sentenced. What they’re going for here is a “terror watch list” for guns, as if tipping off those who are under surveillance makes for smart intelligence work. What they’re also going for is people who are not in custody being stripped of fundamental rights and liberty, not that the Bill of Rights means anything when you‘re a “progressive” with an agenda to shove down throats. Besides, there’s another, bigger deception going on: These people are using fear of an Al Qaeda boogeyman to justify deprivation of liberties they really want extended to those they paint as domestic terrorists – that is, anyone who believes the right to keep and bear arms is a legitimate deterrent to tyranny, and in a last-resort right to rebellion.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">OK, but what about felons, that is, people who have already received their due process? We’ll put aside my longstanding contention that anyone who can’t be trusted with a gun can’t be trusted without a custodian, and focus on the way things are. Such criminals are already prohibited by law from having a gun – for all the good that does at stopping them. What the Bloombergians want here is to end all lawful (!!!) private sales and transfers, done under another deception as we’re seeing unfold in Washington State, so-called “universal background checks.” And yes, of course they’re aware that the National Institute of Justice produced a “Firearm Violence Prevention Strategies” report in which it concluded “Effectiveness depends on the ability to reduce straw purchasing, requiring gun registration...”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">So of course what they really want is gun registration (something the gun-grabbers know felons are exempted from, because requiring it of them would violate their right against self-incrimination). If all they really intended was to ensure recipients of firearms transfers were legally eligible, “common sense gun safety advocates” would be promoting a Blind Identification System, which could verify no legal impediment to a transfer exists but record no information identifying either gun buyers or what they purchased. And, again of course, the real reason they want registration is to facilitate confiscation.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">This is where the ignorant and the intentionally deceptive chime in with accusations of paranoia, and ridicule that "No one wants to take your guns." Of course they do. That's what this is all about -- and always has been. But don’t take my word for it: take the word of The Hartford Courant, which is urging Gov. Dannell Malloy to do just that, and to ruin the lives of “scofflaws” in the bargain.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">So what about the wife-beaters? This one is like the old Certs commercials, with two, two, two edicts in one. The grabbers are not only going after ending private sales, they also want to try another end run around due process. Understand that domestic abusers are already prohibited persons “thanks” to the <b>Lautenberg Amendment</b>, which caught some up in its citizen disarmament net that no one in their right mind would find dangerous. But Bloomberg & Co. aren't satisfied just taking guns away from people convicted of domestic abuse. They also need to stomp a police state boot in the faces of people merely accused of such a crime.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">See?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Then again, who ever heard of a vengeful, jilted or bipolar ex-spouse making things up just to make life hell for a former partner? In the immortal words of Rex Kramer, “That never happens. Sorry ... it's a dumb question, skip that.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">This Bloomberg character and all his Gundupes are incapable of honestly holding that “national conversation on guns” they say they want (but really don’t). Plutocrat funding to buy elections isn't enough for them, nor is the endless line of “real reporters” eager to supplement those efforts with shamelessly blatant PR presented as “news.” It’s not enough because nothing is ever enough for those compelled to control all, to control you.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">That’s why, on top of everything else, they lie.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Wyoming Gun Laws: Quotes From Heated Debate</b></span></div><div>Newsmax.com</div><div>December 11, 2014 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Wyoming leaders have consistently pushed for strong laws to protect gun owners, even standing up to federal gun regulations, making those restrictive laws unenforceable within Wyoming borders.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Whether or not Firearms Freedom Acts, which say that guns manufactured within state borders are not subject to federal regulations, will hold up when challenged in court, passage of such acts was a way for Wyoming to make a statement about firearms and freedom.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The act, passed by Wyoming in 2010, was “harsher” than the laws passed by other states because it included a section saying that any federal official trying to enforce federal gun laws in the state could be subject to a $2,000 fine and a year in prison.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">As is always the case with gun laws, the debate around such acts and regulations sometimes gets contentious. In the last year, Wyoming has failed to pass a law that would allow public school teachers to carry concealed weapons on school grounds and another that would have barred the enforcement of federal regulations regarding the size of magazines and whether semi-automatic weapons were banned.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Here are six quotes that have come out of contentious gun issue debates:</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">• "We have no state laws to keep guns out of those who we should be keeping guns away from," Suzan Campbell, of the Wyoming Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, told Wyoming Public Media. "No state laws. <b>We rely on the federal law, the Lautenberg amendment and that doesn’t even really get enforced</b>. I think we’re probably at the bottom as far as having any state laws to try to deal with that because we just don’t. We actually try to extend people that can get guns instead of trying to keep it away from those that shouldn’t get it."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">• State Rep. John Eklund proposed a bill passed by the Wyoming House in February that would allow school employees to carry a firearm on school property. (It later died in the Senate.) “I believe that it might be a deterrent for a terrorist or criminal to break into a school or harm our kids,” Eklund told The New American. “It might be a deterrent to know that there might be guns waiting on the other side of the wall.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">• Not everyone agreed with Eklund’s bill. “I don’t want a student to be injured because something happens,” The New American quoted Kathy Vetter, president of the Wyoming Education Association.“We’ve had people drop their guns right here in Cheyenne in businesses and people have been hurt.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">• State Rep. Kendell Kroeker proposed a bill that would make it a felony to enforce federal gun laws, including assault weapon bans and high-capacity gun magazine bans. “We take the Second Amendment seriously in Wyoming. I take an oath to uphold, support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the constitution of Wyoming," Kroeker told The Huffington Post. "I believe it is my duty to take that oath seriously. If the federal government is going to pass laws taking back our rights, it is our right as a state to defend those rights."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">*State Sen. Larry Hicks spoke with the Washington Examiner about Kroeker’s proposed legislation, telling the newspaper that his constituents were concerned about Washington’s attempt to take their gun rights. “They are very, very upset that we’re going to see some level of federal takeover of our weapons and abuse of our rights given to us by the Second Amendment,” Hicks said. “Also that the federal government will bypass our legislative officials and confiscate our weapons through executive order. This gives citizens of the Western United States a great deal of concern.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">• Kerry Drake, columnist for Wyofile, wrote about Wyoming’s joining in a “friend of the court” brief about New York gun laws: “Not content to pass gun laws for its own citizens, the state of Wyoming is attempting to force its will on the people of New York. … I don’t understand. Wyoming and its conservative neighbors continually preach about states’ rights, and the fundamental premise states should be allowed to make their own decisions about guns within their borders. Yet here we are telling New York it’s wrong; we and like-minded states know what’s best for the safety of its citizens.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">This article does not constitute legal advice. Check the current gun laws before purchasing or traveling with a firearm.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b style="color: #800180; font-size: xx-large;">2015: Lautenberg DV Gun Ban - News Articles And Reports</b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Criminal - Firearm - Domestic violence</b></span></div><div>Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly (MA)</div><div>February 3, 2015 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Where two defendants pleaded guilty after being indicted under 18 U.S.C. §921(a)(33) for possessing a firearm following a misdemeanor domestic violence conviction, the denial of the dismissal motions must be affirmed despite the fact that the state statute that formed the basis of the domestic violence convictions applies a recklessness standard.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“The Supreme Court has directed us, in light of United States v. Castleman, 134 S. Ct. 1405 (2014), to consider again our decision in these two cases that both defendants had indeed been convicted under state law of ‘misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence,’ as defined in 18 U.S.C. §921(a)(33)(A), even though the state statutes allowed conviction based on a recklessness mens rea. .. . If so, then their motions to dismiss their federal charges for possessing firearms after such convictions, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §922(g)(9), were properly denied.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“Our answer is informed by congressional recognition in §922(g)(9) of the special risks posed by firearm possession by domestic abusers. ‘Domestic violence often escalates in severity over time ... and the presence of a firearm increases the likelihood that it will escalate to homicide. ...’ Castleman, 134 S. Ct. at 1408. It is also informed by the congressional choice in the federal sentencing scheme to honor each state's choice as to how to define its own crimes, through statutory text and judicial decision.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“As we see it, this case turns on the unique nature of §922(g)(9). That section is meant to ensure that individuals who engage in the ‘seemingly minor act(s]’ that actually constitute domestic violence, like squeezing and shoving, may not possess a firearm. Castleman, 134 S. Ct. at 1412. This range of predicate acts is broader than that found in other federal prohibitions involving the use of physical force. Applying the teachings of Castleman, we find that Maine's definition of reckless assault fits within §922(g)(9). …</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“To be clear, we do not decide that, on the spectrum from negligence to intentional acts, recklessness is always closer to the latter. … We also do not decide that recklessness in the abstract is always enough to satisfy §922(g)(9). We decide only that the Maine definition is sufficiently volitional that it falls within the definition of ‘use of physical force’ applied in §922(g)(9). …</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“The question before us is a narrow one. We are asked to decide whether a conviction for reckless assault against a person in a domestic relationship in Maine constitutes a federal ‘misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.’ Congress in passing the Lautenberg Amendment recognized that guns and domestic violence are a lethal combination, and singled out firearm possession by those convicted of domestic violence offenses from firearm possession in other contexts. Castleman recognizes as much.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Dissenting judge’s comments</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Torruella, J. “The majority opinion concedes that this case presents a ‘close’ question. ... I agree. Given the Supreme Court and circuit court cases interpreting similar statutes and holding that merely reckless conduct is insufficient to constitute the ‘use’ of physical force, I believe that the rule of lenity also forecloses the defendants' convictions here. …</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“The Lautenberg Amendment is premised upon grave concerns and laudable purposes, as articulated both by the Supreme Court in Castleman and by the majority in this case. I share those concerns and strongly agree with those purposes. However, a general agreement with those goals need not dictate the result here. This case does not present a litmus test for judges, asking whether we oppose domestic violence and gun violence. Were our job so simple, it would be an easy matter to decide in favor of the government. But that is not our role. Our judicial obligations preclude us from such results-oriented decision making.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“Rather than deciding on the basis of personal beliefs and policy preferences, or seeking to ensure that the Lautenberg Amendment encompass the broadest possible swath of conduct within its ambit, this case requires us to engage in statutory interpretation. This legal task implicates the difference between Congress's broad policy goals versus the precise statutory language employed to achieve those ends. That is, does the language chosen by Congress — the ‘use or attempted use of physical force’ — necessarily apply to all Maine misdemeanor assault convictions for recklessly causing offensive physical contact? Applying the relevant precedent to this question of statutory interpretation counsels that we answer this inquiry in the negative and resolve this appeal in favor of the defendants. I conclude that the particular subsumed Maine offense at issue here, the reckless causation of offensive physical contact, does not necessarily require the ‘use ... of physical force’ and thus does not categorically constitute a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence under the Lautenberg Amendment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“For the reasons stated herein, I would reverse the defendants' convictions. Indeed, I believe that the Supreme Court has obligated us to do so. Therefore, I respectfully dissent.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">United States v. Voisine, et al. (Lawyers Weekly No. 01-019-15) (98 pages) (Lynch, C.J.) (Torruella, J., dissenting) (1st Circuit) Appealed from the U.S. District Court for the District of Maine (Docket Nos. 12-1213 and 1216) (Feb. 2, 2015).</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Evaluation of the Defense Criminal Investigative Organizations' Compliance with the Lautenberg Amendment Requirements and Implementing Guidance</b></span></div><div>Targeted News Service (USA)</div><div>February 7, 2015 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 -- The U.S. Department of Defense Office of the Inspector General issued the following audit report:</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Objective</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">We evaluated the Defense Criminal Investigative Organizations' (DCIOs') compliance with the requirements in the Lautenberg Amendment as implemented by DoD Directive (DoDD) 5210.56, "Carrying of Firearms and the Use of Force by DoD Personnel Engaged in Security, Law and Order, or Counterintelligence Activities," and DoD Instruction (DoDI) 6400.06, "Domestic Abuse Involving DoD Military and Certain A ffiliated Personnel." Specifically, we determined whether the DCIOs have adequate procedures and processes to ensure:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* a qualifying domestic violence conviction (state or Federal convictions for misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence, felony crimes of domestic violence (adjudged on or after November 27, 2001), or general or special court-martial convictions for Uniform Code of Military Justice offenses otherwise meeting the elements of a crime of domestic violence) can be identified prior to entrance on duty;</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* domestic violence convictions are reported for all their personnel during their employment with the DCIO;</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* personnel actions are taken if a qualifying domestic violence conviction is discovered or occurs after an employee enters on duty; and</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* qualifying domestic violence convictions are documented.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Findings</span></b></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">The DCIOs did not comply with the Lautenberg Amendment as implemented by cited DoD policies in the following areas.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command (USACIDC) did not require personnel applying for covered positions to use the DD Form 2760 to certify that they did not have qualifying convictions, in accordance with DoDD 5210.56 and DoDI 6400.06.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), USACIDC, and Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) did not have clear and consistent policies regarding the disposition of privately owned firearms and ammunition by agents found to have a qualifying conviction.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* DCIS, USACIDC, and NCIS did not periodically inform employees in covered positions that they have an affirmative, continuing obligation to inform their commander or supervisor if they have an existing qualifying conviction or later obtain one. * DoDI 6400.06 paragraph 6.1.5 requires a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between DoD and civilian law enforcement agencies for the purposes of sharing information about domestic violence incidents involving DoD employees. USACIDC, NCIS, a nd A FOSI h ave not established MOUs in accordance with DoDI 6400.06, but the requirement is redundant because DoDI 6400.06 also requires an MOU between base legal officials and civilian prosecuting attorneys.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Despite the findings identified, we determined that it is unlikely the DCIOs hired or retained anyone with a qualifying conviction because the suitability investigation process is very thorough.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Recommendations</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Military Community and Family Policy (ODASD/MC&FP) and the Military Criminal Investigative Organizations (MCIOs) should revise their policies to comply with the Lautenberg Amendment. Specifically, their policies must be clear and consistent regarding the disposition of privately owned firearms and ammunition by agents found to have a qualifying conviction. Additionally, the MCIOs should require all employees serving in covered positions to complete the DD Form 2760 annually. Also, ODASD/MC&FP should revise DoDI 6400.06 by removing the requirement for a separate MOU between civilian law enforcement agencies and the MCIOs.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Management Comments and Our Response</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Military Community and Family Policy agreed with our findings and r commendation to revise DoDI 6400.06. In addition, the MCIOs agreed with our findings and recommendations to revise their policies and to implement additional measures to ensure compliance with the Lautenberg Amendment and DoD policies. No further comments are required.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Senators seek compromise to overcome objections to domestic violence gun ban</b></span></div><div>Aiken Standard (SC)</div><div>February 19, 2015 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">COLUMBIA — Senators working on toughening domestic violence laws were forced to take a step back Thursday to try to work out a compromise between those who want to ban batterers from possessing guns and those who fear it encroaches on Second Amendment rights.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Sen. Larry Martin, then-chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and the bill’s sponsor, said he is reluctant to weaken the proposed ban on anyone convicted of domestic violence having a firearm for a decade, but concessions might be necessary to get it passed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“If that brings enough people on board to pass the bill, we may have to speak our piece on it,” Martin said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Sen. Chip Campsen, R-Charleston, is expected to file an amendment next week that would give judges the discretion to decide whether to take guns away from first-time offenders convicted of third-degree domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“I think the judge ought to have discretion,” Campsen said. “Gun rights are important for self-defense, for people who are outdoorsmen. It should not be taken away lightly.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He also said that the amendment could make it less likely that senators who have objected to the ban and have tried to strip it from the bill will continue to try to block it.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“I think my amendment will help the bill win support,”Campsen said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Sara Barber, executive director of the S.C. Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, said the proposed amendment would severely weaken the bill in a state where gun violence plays a pronounced role in domestic homicides.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Studies have shown that a woman is five times more likely to be killed in a domestic confrontation if a gun is in the house, Barber said. Since August, 22 people have been killed in domestic violence in South Carolina, and 73 percent of those killings have involved a gun, according to a Post and Courier analysis.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“If you have been convicted of third-degree, you have made a choice to commit that crime,” she said. “You have been arrested, prosecuted and convicted of a violent crime against your family. I think it’s common sense that you would lose your gun rights. In effect, you have chosen to give those rights away.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The bill would simply bring the state in line with federal law, Barber said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Federal law bars anyone convicted of domestic violence from possessing a gun, but, other than voluntary compliance, there is no enforcement, victims advocates have argued. A state ban is needed so that local and state law enforcement agencies can ensure offenders give up their weapons.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Martin, R-Pickens, has said the gun ban is crucial to protecting women in a state that consistently ranks as one of the deadliest for domestic violence victims. The Legislature’s current effort to strengthen penalties and the appointment of a task force to look at the culture of violence that perpetuates it are credited to the Post and Courier’s series “Till Death Do Us Part” last year.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The newspaper’s series revealed that more than 300 women in South Carolina have been killed by their husbands, exes and live-in boyfriends over the past decade and that guns were used in nearly two-thirds of the deaths.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Martin argued strenuously for the gun ban, which currently is not part of the domestic violence bill in the House.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Senate on Wednesday defeated an attempt to strip the gun ban from the bill by a 45-5 vote after hours of heated debate that included claims Martin was a pawn of former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who bankrolls the gun-control advocacy group Everytown for Gun Safety.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Sen. Tom Corbin, R-Travelers Rest, called the proposed ban “nothing but a big gun grab,” the Anderson Independent Mail reported.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Martin said the debate escalated when Corbin suggested that he was sponsoring the bill on Bloomberg’s behalf.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“Nothing could be further from the truth,” Martin said. “What’s driving my sponsorship of this bill is the fact that we happen to be consistently No. 1 in the nation for domestic violence deaths, and it doesn’t seem to be improving with anything else we do.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In addition to the gun ban, the Senate bill would establish three degrees of domestic violence offenses with stiffer jail sentences based on the level of violence involved. Currently, first-time abusers face only a 30-day jail sentence.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Citizens have become prohibited persons for less than what Hillary allegedly did</b></span></div><div>News & Politics Examiner (USA)</div><div>April 7, 2015 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A new book about life inside the Clinton White House notes reported incidents of violent physical assaults using a lamp and/or other objects as weapons by the former First Lady and presumptive Democrat presidential contender against then-President Bill Clinton, The Washington Times reported Monday. One reported row, over the Monica Lewisnky affair required stitches to the former president's head, and left blood all over the bed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Noting the allegations were provided by multiple White House staffers and are based on claimed witnessed accounts, whether the object thrown was a lamp or heavy books including the Bible is irrelevant. <span style="color: red;">What is relevant is, per the Lautenberg Amendment, which Bill Clinton signed into law, such assaults are cause to rule those found guilty of misdemeanor domestic violence to be "prohibited persons," forever barred by law from possessing a gun</span>. And to be found guilty, you don't need to draw blood or send your victim to the ER.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"A wife tears her husband's pocket during an argument. A daughter throws keys at her mom - and misses. Both 'assailants' are arrested, fingerprinted and booked," Gun Owners of America informed members in a 1998 alert, citing The Washington Post Magazine as a source. "Page after page of examples showed how innocent men, women and children are becoming victims of the latest war against domestic violence ... how easy it is for honest citizens to lose their Second Amendment rights as a result of the Lautenberg domestic gun ban [which] imposes a lifetime gun ban on those who have committed minor infractions in the home – 'offenses' as slight as shoving a spouse or spanking a child."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Hillary Clinton, of course, is perceived as a big champion of "common sense gun safety laws," if by that you mean edicts to eviscerate the Second Amendment, and urges "It's time to get tough on violence against women."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Presumably, violence against men is OK, but lest charges of sexism be unfairly leveled, Ms. Rodham is not completely one-sided. As long as the guy administering the beat-down is her hubby and the target of his abuse is someone who can be dismissed as just another in a long line of bimbo eruptions, Hillary doesn't have all that much to say on the subject.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Which is too bad. Because if any "real reporter/legitimate media" member pressed Hillary for a "yes" or "no" answer to the question "Is Juanita Broaddrick a liar?" we'd also get the answer by default to "Would she have been justified in shooting the 'dysfunctional' [her words] accused rapist?"</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Seeing as how people have been killed with blunt and thrown objects, would Hillary feel justified having her armed Secret Service detail use all force necessary to protect her from someone coming at her with a lamp?</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Lawmakers wary of domestic violence gun ban because of political risks</b></span></div><div>Post and Courier, The: Web Edition Articles (Charleston, SC)</div><div>April 11, 2015 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">COLUMBIA — Rep. Chip Limehouse is proud of his high rating by the National Rifle Association for supporting the Second Amendment, and it certainly doesn't hurt when he's up for re-election in a state known for guarding gun rights.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Yet the Charleston Republican believes a gun ban keeping convicted batterers from having firearms is needed if the state is going to stem an epidemic of domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The gun ban is in the Senate bill that passed by a lopsided 38-3 vote, but is not in the House bill and Limehouse doesn't think it has much of a chance in the House.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"They're worried, and rightfully so, that someone will take a quote or a vote, and in a Republican primary in the most conservative state in the union ... (the gun ban vote) could be used in a primary situation against a person and it could have an impact," Limehouse said. "That's the big elephant in the room. Some legislators don't want to be seen as being soft on gun rights. They just don't want to have that hanging over their head come election time."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The NRA has remained neutral on the domestic violence bills in South Carolina, as it did on similar bills in other states, including Wisconsin.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But the fear that voting for a gun ban to combat domestic violence could come back to haunt a politician is not out of the question. In Colorado, two state senators were recalled in 2013 for backing a ban on high-capacity magazines and requiring background checks on private gun sales in the wake of the Aurora movie theater shooting.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The NRA and gun-control activists poured money into the recall, which was seen as a warning to lawmakers about the risks of voting for firearms restrictions.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Senate Judiciary Chairman Larry Martin, R-Pickens, fought hard for the gun ban in shepherding the bill through the Senate and expects to have to answer for it if he is challenged in the Republican primary.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But, he said, it was the right thing to do, and he expects the House to realize that.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I just can't imagine the House won't at the end of the discussion say, 'Hey, they've abused their family members ... we ought not worry too much about their gun rights,' " Martin said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Demonstrators have rallied at the Statehouse to denounce the gun ban, but local gun rights organizations have mostly stayed out of the debate.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">GOP Majority Leader Rep. Bruce Bannister said the House's approach recognizes that domestic violence primarily deals with mental health and education problems. He also said the House didn't want to imperil the bill by making domestic violence solely about guns.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"You would alienate a lot more members in the majority party if you said you were going to do a gun control bill," Bannister said. "We wanted to make sure the debate did not become 'this is about gun control.' This is about how to protect spouses who are being abused."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Still, he said he recognizes that guns are an important part of the debate. He said that House Republicans could amend the Senate's bill after the House passes its own measure, which would leave some bargaining room and the gun ban on the table.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Sen. Katrina Shealy, R-Lexington, made the gun ban a personal crusade, recounting during Senate hearings how her sister was nearly killed by an abusive husband.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"People in the House aren't willing to stand up and say, 'This doesn't have anything to do with the Second Amendment,' " Shealy said. "When you break the law you lose those rights. ... If the only reason they ran was to get re-elected they don't deserve to be re-elected."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The ban is considered key by advocates, who say federal law banning felons from having guns is rarely enforced in domestic violence cases.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The effort to strengthen the state's domestic violence laws was spurred by last year's Post and Courier series "Till Death Do Us Part," which revealed that more than 300 women have been killed by a spouse or partner in the last decade, and that guns were used in nearly two-thirds of the deaths.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Army Updates Law Enforcement Reporting Requirements</b></span></div><div>Targeted News Service</div><div>May 19, 2015</div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">WASHINGTON, May 19 -- The U.S. Army published the following rule in the Federal Register:</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Law Enforcement Reporting</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A Rule by the Army Department on 05/19/2015</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Publication Date: Tuesday, May 19, 2015</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Agencies: Department of Defense</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Department of the Army</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Dates: Effective May 22, 2015. Consideration will be given to all comments received by: July 20, 2015.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Effective Date: 05/22/2015</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Comments Close: 07/20/2015</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Entry Type: Rule</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Action: Interim rule; request for comments.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Document Citation: 80 FR 28545</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Page: 28545 -28555 (11 pages)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">CFR: 32 CFR 635</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Agency/Docket Number: Docket No. USA-2010-0020</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">RIN: 0702-AA62</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Document Number: 2015-11943</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Shorter <a href="https://federalregister.gov/a/2015-11943" target="_blank">URL</a></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Action -</b> Interim Rule; Request For Comments.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Summary</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Department of the Army amends its regulation concerning law enforcement reporting for a number of statutory requirements to better coordinate law enforcement work and personnel both within the Department of the Army, across DoD, and with other Federal, State, and local law enforcement officials. It meets law enforcement reporting requirements for selected criminal and national security incidents and provides law enforcement agencies, such as the Department of Homeland Security and Transportation Security Administration, with the most current information available. It also provides the Army chain of command with timely criminal information to respond to queries from the Department of Defense, the news media, and others. The rule establishes policies and procedures for offense and serious-incident reporting with the Army; for reporting to the Department of Defense and the Department of Justice, as appropriate; and for participating in the Federal Bureau of Investigation's National Crime Information Center, the Department of Justice's Criminal Justice Information System, the National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System, and State criminal justice systems. It also updates various reporting requirements described in various Federal statutes.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">DATES:</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Effective May 22, 2015. Consideration will be given to all comments received by: July 20, 2015.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">ADDRESSES:</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">You may submit comments, identified by 32 CFR part 635, Docket No. USA-2010-0020 and or RIN 0702-AA62, by any of the following methods:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.regulations.gov" target="_blank">Federal eRulemaking Portal</a>. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Mail: Department of Defense, Office of the Deputy Chief Management Officer, Directorate of Oversight and Compliance, Regulatory and Audit Matters Office, 9010 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-9010.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency name and docket number or Regulatory Information Number (RIN) for this Federal Register document. The general policy for comments and other submissions from members of the public is to make these submissions available for public viewing on the <a href="http://www.regulations.gov" target="_blank">Internet</a> as they are received without change, including any personal identifiers or contact information.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Justification for Interim Final Rule</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Publication of this rule as interim is necessary to maintain national security, ensure the safety and well being of the Soldiers, and/or to avoid legal action against the DOD. While DOD and the Army have implemented many of these requirements through official messages and memorandum, they are not yet published in the internal Army Regulation until this rule becomes final.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">For example, until this rule is published:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Army law enforcement does not have a regulation directing them to report Suspicious activity to the FBI's threat reporting system, eGuardian.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Sexual assaults are not properly reported using the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act Sexual Assault definition.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Offense codes used by Army law enforcement to describe the complaint or offense as used in reports to congress are not adequately updated.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Changes to the restricted sexual assault evidence kits retention schedule from one year to 5 years per the most recent version of the NDAA is causing confusion regarding proper procedures which could result in inconsistency in retaining sexual assault evidence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In addition, the rule adds the requirement to report positive drug urinalysis tests to the National Instant Checks System (NICS) under the authority of the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act of 1993 as amended (18 U.S.C. 922). While the United States Army Criminal Records Center is currently providing these reports to NICS, it may be happening inconsistently.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">The Lautenberg Amendment to the Gun Control Act of 1968, requires commanders and family advocacy programs report all domestic violence incidents to the local Installation Provost Marshal Office/Directorate of Emergency Services (PMO/DES). This rule provides guidance to Army Commanders on reporting domestic violence to the PMO/DES in accordance with the Lautenberg Amendment. Without this rule in place, it is possible for a soldier who is prohibited from carrying a weapon due to a qualifying conviction not being properly identified and continuing in assignments and missions which are prohibited.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The rule ensures crime victims and witness are notified about their rights according to the Victim Rights and Restitution Act (42 U.S.C. 10601) and Victim and Witness Protection Act (Sections 1512-1514 of Title 18, U.S.C.). The Army currently must advise the victim or witness of their rights using the Department of Defense Form 2701 (Initial Information for Victims and Witnesses of Crime) in accordance with Army Regulation (AR) 190-45. This rule requires victim witness notifications to be reported on the Department of the Army Form 3975 which feeds into the Army's law enforcement records management system, Centralized Operations Police Suite (COPS). This provides the Army an ability to query the number of victim witness notifications for congressional inquiries.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The rule adds the requirement to input Army crime data into the Defense Incident-Based Reporting System (DIBRS) to comply with the Uniform Federal Crime Reporting Act, Section 534 note of title 28, U.S.C.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The rule adds registration of sex offenders on Army installation to effectuate federal and state registration requirements including the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA), 42 U.S.C. 16901 et seq,. This ensures all registered sex offenders who reside or are employed on an Army installation register with the installation PMO or DES. This allows the Army to track or monitor sex offender registration compliance on Army installations which impacts the safety of all personnel residing on Army installations.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The rule ensures compliance with the requirement from the Protecting the Force: Lessons from Ft. Hood, report of the DoD Independent Review, January 2010, which requires reporting of Suspicious Activity to the FBI's eGuardian.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">I. Purpose of the Regulatory Action</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">a. The publication of this rule will ensure the Army is in compliance with multiple Department of Defense and Federal requirements.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">This regulatory action will add policy pertaining to the collection of fingerprints and DNA from individuals suspected of certain offenses through the Department of the Defense Instruction 5505.14, Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) collection requirements for criminal investigations, found <a href="http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/550514p.pdf " target="_blank">here</a> and Department of Defense Instruction 5505.11, Fingerprint Card and Final Disposition Report Submission Requirements, found <a href="http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/550511p.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">This rule adds policy on sex offenders on Army Installations and thus ensures the safety of our Soldiers, family members, and civilians that live and work on Army installation through identifying, monitoring and tracking sex offenders on Army installations.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">This rule includes policy pertaining to the release of Military Police (MP) records by adding reporting requirement of domestic incidents to the Army Family Advocacy Program. This rule authorizes the limited use of the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), National Crime Information Center (NCIC) pursuant to FBI regulations and policy to conduct checks of visitors to an installation.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">The rule implements the reporting requirements of DODD 7730.47, Defense Incident-Based Reporting System (DIBRS), by mandating the use of the Centralized Operations Police Suite (COPS) Military Police Reporting System. This implements reporting requirements of Section 534 of Title 28, United States Code (also known as "The Uniform Federal Crime Reporting Act of 1988"), the victim and witness assistance notifications of Sections 10607 10608 of Title 42 (also known as "The Victims' Rights and Restitution Act of 1990"), Section 922 of Title 18, United States Code (also known as "The Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act and The Lautenberg Amendment to the Gun Control Act"), Sections 16901 through 16928 of Title 42, United States Code (Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA)), Section 1701, NDAA FY 14, DoDD 1030.01, DoDI 1030.2. and Public Law 107-188, "Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002," June 12, 2002.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The rule implements the sex offender registration requirements of DODI 1325.07, Administration of Military Correctional Facilities and Clemency and Parole Authority, found <a href="http://dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/132507p.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>. The rule's registration requirements allow the Provost Marshal or Director of Emergency Services to provide all military sex offenders with the "State registration" document(s) and direct Soldiers to the local or State law enforcement agency, which will register them based on their physical residence address. If a MOU/MOA exists with the local or State law enforcement agency, they will notify the installation. Installation PMs and DESs in the United States will provide written notice of the conviction or transfer to the offender's gaining unit commander, the State's chief LE officer, the chief LE officer of the local jurisdiction in which the accused will reside, the State or local agency responsible for the receipt or maintenance of a sex offender registration where the person will reside, and upon request, governmental officials of foreign countries. Installation PM and DES notifications to State and local officials are described in DODI 1325.07, Administration of Military Correctional Facilities and Clemency and Parole Authority, found <a href="http://dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/132507p.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The rule implements the victim/witness requirements contained in DODI 1030.2, Victim and Witness Assistance Procedures, found at http://dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/103002p.pdf, which implements Sections 1512-1514 of Title 18, United States Code and Sections 113 (note), 1058, 1059 and 1408 of Title 10, United States Code by providing guidance on assisting victims and witnesses of crime from initial contact through investigation, prosecution, and confinement.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Army will use eGuardian to report, share and analyze unclassified suspicious activity information regarding potential threats or suspicious activities affecting DOD personnel, facilities, or forces in transit in both CONUS and OCONUS. eGuardian is the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) sensitive-but-unclassified web-based platform for reporting, and in some instances, sharing, suspicious activity and threat related information with other federal, state, tribal, and territorial law enforcement and force protection entities. Information entered into eGuardian by the Army may be either shared with all eGuardian participants or reported directly to the FBI. All information entered into eGuardian by the Army will comply with the policy framework for the system and any existing agency agreements, which incorporate privacy protections.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Analysis of Suspicious Activity Reporting (SARs) will assist Criminal Intelligence analysts and commanders in mitigating potential threats and vulnerabilities, and developing annual threat assessments.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">b. The Department is issuing this interim final rule pursuant to its authority under 28 U.S.C. 534, Acquisition, preservation, and exchange of identification records and information, 42 U.S.C. 10607, Services to Victims, 18 U.S.C. 922, Unlawful Act,, 10 U.S.C. 1562, Database on domestic violence incidents, 10 U.S.C. Chap. 47, Uniform Code of Military Justice, Section 1701, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014, Sexual Assault Prevention and Response and Related Reforms, DoDD 1030.01, Victim and Witness Assistance, and DoDI 1030.2, Victim and Witness Assistance Procedures. Implements crime reporting requirements of the Uniform Federal Crime Reporting Act (Title 10, United States Code, Section 534), the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act (18 U.S.C. 922), and the Victim Rights and Restitution Act (42 U.S.C. 10607).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">II. Summary of the Major Provisions of the Regulatory Action in Question</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The major provisions of this regulatory action include: Records administration, release of information, offense reporting, victim and witness assistance procedures, and the National Crime Information Center policy.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The records administration section includes procedures for safeguarding official information, special requirements of the Privacy Act of 1974 to protect personal information, purpose of gathering police intelligence/criminal information, name checks for criminal background check purposes using the Army's law enforcement databases, registration of sex offenders on Army Installations in the Continental United States and Outside the Continental United States (CONUS and OCONUS), and collection by law enforcement officials of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) from subjects of certain offenses. The System of Records Notice, SORN A0190-45, Military Police Reporting Program Records (MRRP) describes the policies and practices for storing, retrieving, accessing, retaining, and disposing of records in the system, it can be found <a href="http://dpcld.defense.gov/Privacy/SORNsIndex/DODwideSORNArticleView/tabid/6797/Article/569993/a0190-45-opmg.aspx " target="_blank">here</a>. The Privacy Impact Assessment can be found <a href="http://ciog6.army.mil/Portals/1/PIA/2014/CIMS-CID.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The release of information section discusses release of information from Army records, under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act of 1974, and release of law enforcement information furnished by foreign governments or international organizations. The section also contains procedures for requesting amendment of records and accounting for military police record disclosure.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The section on offense reporting provides information on completing the DA Form 4833 (<a href="http://www.apd.army.mil/pub/eforms/pdf/a4833.pdf" target="_blank">Commander's Report of Disciplinary or Administrative Action</a>) for civilian subjects, requirements for submitting fingerprint card and final disposition reports, releasing of domestic incidents reports to the Army Family Advocacy Program (FAP). This section also includes reporting of domestic violence incidents to law enforcement, issuing of protective orders, procedures for establishing Memoranda of Understanding with civilian law enforcement agencies, and reporting of Suspicious Activity to the FBI's eGuardian.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The victim and witness assistance procedures ensure Army personnel involved in the detection, investigation, and prosecution of crimes protect victims and witnesses rights. The National Crime Information Center (NCIC) policy section authorizes NCIC checks, pursuant to FBI regulations and policy, of visitors to a military installation.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">III. Cost and Benefits</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">This rule will not have a monetary effect upon the public. This rule facilitates information sharing between authorized agencies to enhance protection of personnel and resources critical to DoD mission assurance.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">IV. Retrospective Review</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The revisions to this rule will be reported in future status updates as part of DoD's retrospective plan under Executive Order 13563 completed in August 2011. DoD's full plan can be accessed <a href="http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=DOD-2011-OS-0036" target="_blank">here</a>. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">V. Regulatory Procedures</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">A. Regulatory Flexibility Act</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Department of the Army has determined that the Regulatory Flexibility Act does not apply because the rule does not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities within the meaning of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601-612.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">B. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Department of the Army has determined that the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act does not apply because the rule does not include a mandate that may result in estimated costs to State, local or tribal governments in the aggregate, or the private sector, of $100 million or more.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">C. National Environmental Policy Act</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Department of the Army has determined that the National Environmental Policy Act does not apply because the rule does not have an adverse impact on the environment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">D. Paperwork Reduction Act</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Department of the Army has determined that the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) does apply to this rule's sex offender registration requirement; all other requirements are exempted since it is information collected during a criminal investigation.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">DoD has submitted the sex offender registration requirement to OMB under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of DoD, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the information collection on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Title: Army Sex Offender Information.</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Type of Request: New.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Number of Respondents: 550.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Responses per Respondent: 1.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Annual Responses: 550.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Average Burden per Response: 20 minutes.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Annual Burden Hours: 183 hours.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Needs and Uses: The Army requires tracking and management of sex offenders that reside or are employed on an Army installation due to the transient nature of the Army community. Without such a requirement, the Army would have difficulty tracking sex offenders once they transfer to other states or overseas without anyone's knowledge. All registered sex offenders who reside or are employed on an Army installation will submit their registration information with the installation Provost Marshal Office (PMO).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Affected Public: Individuals or households.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Frequency: On occasion.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">OMB Desk Officer:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Written comments and recommendations on the proposed information collection should be sent to Ms. Jasmeet Seehra at the Office of Management and Budget, DoD Desk Officer, Room 10102, New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC 20503, with a copy to the Department of Defense, Office of the Deputy Chief Management Officer, Directorate of Oversight and Compliance, Regulatory and Audit Matters Office, 9010 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-9010.. Comments can be received from 30 to 60 days after the date of this notice, but comments to OMB will be most useful if received by OMB within 30 days after the date of this notice.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">You may also submit comments, identified by docket number and title, by the following method:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">*<a href="http://www.regulations.gov" target="_blank">Federal eRulemaking Portal</a>. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency name, docket number and title for this Federal Register document. The general policy for comments and other submissions from members of the public is to make these submissions available for public viewing on the <a href="http://www.regulations.gov" target="_blank">Internet</a> as they are received without change, including any personal identifiers or contact information.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">To request more information on this proposed information collection or to obtain a copy of the proposal and associated collection instruments, please write to the Department of Defense, Office of the Deputy Chief Management Officer, Directorate of Oversight and Compliance, Regulatory and Audit Matters Office, 9010 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-9010.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">E. Executive Order 12630 (Government Actions and Interference With Constitutionally Protected Property Rights)</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Department of the Army has determined that Executive Order 12630 does not apply because the rule does not impair private property rights.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">F. Executive Order 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review) and Executive Order 13563 (Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review)</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Department of the Army has determined that according to the criteria defined in Executive Order 12866 and Executive Order 13563 this rule is a significant regulatory action and has been reviewed by OMB.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">G. Executive Order 13045 (Protection of Children From Environmental Health Risk and Safety Risks)</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Department of the Army has determined that the criteria of Executive Order 13045 do not apply because this rule does not implement or require actions impacting environmental health and safety risks on children.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">H. Executive Order 13132 (Federalism)</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Department of the Army has determined that the criteria of Executive Order 13132 do not apply because this rule will not have a substantial effect on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">List of Subjects in 32 CFR Part 635</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Crime</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Law</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Law enforcement</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Law enforcement officers</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Military law</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Thomas Blair</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Chief, Law Enforcement Branch, Operations Division, Office of the Provost Marshal General, DA.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Editor's Note: Regulatory text omitted. It can be viewed <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2015/05/19/2015-11943/law-enforcement-reporting" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>No guns for Social Security recipients? </b></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;">Jeff Knox warns of Obama administration scheme to make millions 'prohibited persons'</span></div><div>WorldNetDaily (USA)</div><div>July 24, 2015 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Los Angeles Times reported Saturday that the Obama administration is pushing a plan to submit the names of up 4.2 million recipients of Social Security benefits to the FBI's National Instant Check System, or NICS, the massive database used for criminal background checks on gun buyers. Only "prohibited persons," those for whom possession of firearms and ammunition is illegal under the Gun Control Act, are included in the NICS database. Inclusion in NICS not only blocks gun sales to people on the list, it flags them as "prohibited persons" under the Gun Control Act and makes it a felony for them to be in possession or have access to firearms or ammunition under any circumstances.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The law regarding "prohibited persons" has become increasingly broad over the past few decades. It was originally passed as restrictions on violent felons, fugitives, people with dangerous mental disorders and others who pose a significant threat to public safety, but in fact took away the rights of many non-violent offenders and people who would not be considered dangerous. With the addition of the Lautenberg Amendment in the 1990s, the prohibition was expanded to include anyone convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. Under this provision, a wife fined $25 for slapping a cheating husband's face is barred from possession of firearms for life.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The law (USC Title 18, Section 922, subsection g.) also prohibits possession of guns or ammunition by anyone "who has been adjudicated as a mental defective or who has been committed to a mental institution."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Note the key word "adjudicated." While most reasonable people would interpret that to mean a ruling from a court, the implementing regulations for this law use a much broader definition. Under the Federal Code of Regulations (27 C.F.R. § 478.11) the relevant section reads as follows:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"(1) A determination by a court, board, commission, or other lawful authority that a person, as a result of marked subnormal intelligence, or mental illness, incompetency, condition, or disease:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Is a danger to himself or to others; or</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Lacks the mental capacity to contract or manage his own affairs."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Many years ago, under President Clinton, the Veterans Administration, began submitting the names of veterans and dependent beneficiaries to NICS, whom they said met that definition of "mentally defective," including anyone who is not considered able to manage their VA benefits. Anyone who has had a fiduciary – usually a spouse, parent, or other relative – designated to manage their VA account is added to NICS and considered a prohibited person.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The VA makes this "incompetence" determination, not through a court or commission, but through its own bureaucratic process. There is no judge, or even a determination from a physician required, and the VA determination of incompetence is not binding on any other aspect of the person's life. A person rated as "mentally incompetent" under the VA can still enter into contracts, buy and sell real estate, incorporate a business, marry, divorce, or even adopt a child. The only things they can't do are sign VA-related documents or purchase or possess firearms or ammunition.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Social Security Administration standards for "incompetence" are similar; it is merely a bureaucratic finding that the person's interests are best served by having their benefits processed through what they call a "Representative Payee" rather than going directly to the beneficiary. If the Obama administration gets its way, all of these people will also be prohibited from ever possessing a firearm or ammunition – even under close supervision – for the rest of their lives.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">For most people, a determination of incompetence and the assignment of a fiduciary results in additional financial benefits. Both the VA and Social Security see this as an additional disability, and they increase benefit payments accordingly. In the VA system, this can result in monthly benefit payments going up as much as $1,000 per month or more. That can be a pretty strong incentive for a person to go along with, or even seek, an incompetency determination. Some people, when they discover that this is going to cost them their right to arms, have tried to fight the system, but saving their rights means giving up the additional financial assistance – and that can be a tough choice.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Nobody wants violent lunatics and suicidal individuals to get their hands on guns, but infringing on the rights of millions of innocent, harmless citizens is by no means a reasonable way for the VA or Social Security to attempt that.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Republicans failed to address this problem when they controlled both houses of Congress and the White House, but they have had a bill in Congress every session for the past five years called the Veterans Second Amendment Protection Act, which would correct VA's dangerous overreach by requiring an actual adjudication that a person is a danger to themselves or others, before firearms rights could be revoked. Now that they once again control Congress, things aren't looking much better. The bill only has four House cosponsors.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">If you are outraged by this situation, your elected representatives need to hear from you. The VA practice needs to be stopped, and it must not be allowed to spread to Social Security or other government programs. You can reach your senators and representative through their House.gov and Senate.gov links, or by calling 202-224-3121.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Safety after the shootings</b></span></div><div>Air Force Times</div><div>August 3, 2015 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The military has a gun problem.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Following the murder of five service members in a violent and still-unexplained shooting spree in Chattanooga, Tennessee, by 24-year-old Mohammad Youssduf Adbulazeer, the Defense Department again finds itself in the midst of a broader national feud about gun control, gun rights and public safety.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Defense Secretary Ash Carter ordered a quick turnaround on a full review of facility security policies.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Inside the military, many leaders remain skeptical that the solution to safety concerns is more troops carrying more weapons.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">One exception is Army Gen. Mark Milley, tapped to become the next Army chief of staff, who said July 21 that the service should "seriously consider" arming recruiters "under certain conditions."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">At his Senate confirmation hearing, Milley called the Tennessee shootings "a horrible tragedy" and noted that "force protection is a key task for any commander."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He acknowledged that arming recruiters is "complicated legally," but said he believes that "under certain conditions, both on military bases and in outstations, we should seriously consider it."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Outside the military, the issue has become a political lightning rod. Several governors already have rushed to allow National Guard personnel to carry weapons on bases and in recruiting stations.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">And on Capitol Hill, several top lawmakers are looking at similar measures for active-duty members, in effect allowing more troops to carry personal firearms around military property.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Several Republican presidential candidates are voicing support for those measures. For months, Tea Party favorite Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, has pressed congressional leaders to hold hearings on loosening restrictions regarding arming troops on domestic military bases.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">And a top National Rifle Association leader has released a statement blaming the deaths of the five service members on misguided gun control policies.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"It's outrageous that members of our armed services have lost their lives because the government has forced them to be disarmed in the workplace," said Chris Cox, executive director of NRA's Institute for Legislative Action. "Congress should pursue a legislative fix to ensure that our service men and women are allowed to defend themselves on U.S. soil."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But so far, DoD has not expressed concern about existing laws.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Pentagon resistance</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The July 16 Chattanooga attack is the latest in a series of tragic incidents that has prompted Pentagon reviews, in particular after the 2009 shooting at Fort Hood, Texas, and again after the 2013 shooting at the Navy Yard in Washington, D.C.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Each review has underscored the military's caution about the inherent risk of carrying firearms.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"DoD does not support arming all personnel. We hold this position for many reasons," said Army Lt. Col. Valerie Henderson, a Pentagon spokeswoman.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">She said those include safety concerns and the risk of accidental discharges â€" a concern driven home just a day after the Chattanooga shootings when a Navy recruiter in Georgia accidentally shot himself in the leg with his own handgun, according to police.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Moreover, Henderson said, providing law enforcement-style training and qualification tests for additional segments of the force could be extraordinarily costly.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Other costs of expanding firearms use would include complying with various screening laws, for example the Lautenberg Amendment that restricts weapons access for those with domestic violence convictions, Henderson said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">And any change in military procedures or federal law must comport with a dizzying patchwork of state-level gun control laws.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Complicating the issue further: Concerns about weapons in the military community has intensified in recent years amid the soaring rate of military suicides, most of them involving firearms.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Increases access to firearms can indeed pose public health concerns, said Dr. Elspeth Cameron "Cam" Ritchie, a retired Army colonel and psychiatrist.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"This is a very complex issue without easy solution," she said in an interview. "We know increased availability of weapons leads to increases suicides, homicides, domestic violence. That is something we have to take very seriously."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">She added, however, that while the majority of military suicides are by firearms, most involve personal weapons during off-duty hours. Expanding the use of government-issued weapons during work hours might pose less risk.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"The military is very cautious when it comes to weapons," Ritchie said. "I'd say military folks in general are trained on the use of weapons, know how to take care of them, know how lethal they are and have a great deal of respect for them."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Gun control or gun rights?</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Intelligence reports during the past year have repeatedly suggested that Islamic State militants are encouraging their followers to attack U.S. troops at home.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It remains unclear whether the Chattanooga shooter, Mohammad Youssuf Abdulazeez, a Tennessee resident reportedly born in Kuwait, was linked to Islamic State militants or whether his shooting spree was inspired by extremists.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Ladd Everitt, spokesman for the Coalition to stop Gun Violence, said his group is waiting to get more details on how Abdulazeez obtained his guns before launching their next lobbying push. Local law enforcement reports so far indicate that some of the weapons may have been obtained illegally.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But Everitt also said he is not surprised that the incident is quickly turning into a rallying point for groups that support more guns in public spaces.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Putting the onus for security on the military is insane," he said. "Telling them they have to arm their own guys for security is a pretty perverse idea of freedom. On base, it's the same safety concerns as anywhere else when you arm more and more people."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif. "who plans to introduce new legislation to mandate arming at least one service member at all recruiting stations" argues that troops have more familiarity with firearms than the average citizen, and boosting their ability to defend themselves would heighten everyone's security.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Legislation from Hunter and Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., also will require training those armed individuals in proper security response techniques for non-battlefield settings.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b style="color: #800180; font-size: xx-large;">2016: Lautenberg DV Gun Ban - News Articles And Reports</b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Domestic shooting homicides trigger changes in laws</b></span></div><div>Macomb Daily, The (MI)</div><div>February 6, 2016 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He tried to kill her with a knife.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But she got away.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">She ran and barricaded herself and her three children in a room upstairs, hoping the 911 call her son had made would bring help in time.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But he grabbed his shotgun and blew the door open, hitting both his wife and son.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He saw that she was still alive.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">So, he dragged her into the hall and shot her five more times. Then he held the gun to his chin and in front of his children, pulled the trigger one last time.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">That's when Dave Herrington of Mount Clemens, a retired high school math teacher and former Mount Clemens City Commissioner, got a call from his granddaughter.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">'She said, 'Grandpa! You got to come quick, Daddy shot Logen and he shot Mommy many times,'' Herrington said, recalling the horrific night of Dec. 6, 2011.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">By the time he and his wife, Mary Jane, arrived at the family's home, everyone was gone but the police and stunned members of the rural Lapeer community where they lived.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Left for the Herringtons were the terrible realities of domestic violence. Their daughter, Lara Herrington-Stutz, a successful family law attorney, former U.S. Air Force officer and Sunday school teacher, was shot to death by her husband, Marcel Stutz, in front of their three children.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Herrington knew there were problems, which is why he made sure his grandson had his own cellphone. But his daughter always told him not to worry. 'Everything would be OK,' she would say. 'That was Lara,' Herrington said. She was optimistic and energetic by nature. 'As a family law attorney, she helped a lot of women get out of bad situations.'</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Yet, she never helped herself.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">'At her funeral, women came up to me saying, 'It was Lara who helped get me out of an abusive marriage,'' said Mary Jane Herrington, in an article by the Michigan Bar Journal. 'They said, 'that could have been me if she hadn't gotten me out.''</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">At times things got better but then the drinking and verbal abuse would return. At one point, police were called to the home and Marcel Stutz was arrested. He spent a weekend in jail and was ordered by the court to take anger management classes, attend Alcoholic Anonymous and relinquish his firearms. 'He started the classes but eventually blew them off and since no one showed up to take his gun away, he kept it,' Herrington said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Domestic shootings</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The tragic shooting of Herrington-Stutz is among at least 15 domestic violence deaths across Macomb County involving firearms between 2006 and 2014, reported to local police agencies, according to an analysis of FBI data by The Associated Press. Those agencies include the Macomb County Sheriff's Office and police departments in Chesterfield Township, Clinton Township, Eastpointe, Macomb Township, Roseville, Shelby Township, Sterling Heights and Warren.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">In the past two years, Macomb County has been rocked by five domestic shooting homicides including:</span></b></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><b>Aug. 14, 2014: </b>Woman kills ex-boyfriend and then takes her own life</span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><b>Feb. 16, 2015:</b> Trial set for great-grandfather charged with shooting the father of his grandchildren</span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><b>Feb. 26, 2015:</b> Police investigating murder-suicide in Macomb Township</span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><b>April 3, 2015:</b> Lenox Township man shot his wife, then himself</span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><b>June 25, 2015:</b> Father of three shoots wife, then himself</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Nationally, an average of 760 Americans were killed with guns annually by their spouses, ex-spouses and dating partners between 2006 and 2014, according to The Associated Press analysis.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In the past two years, stories of women like Herrington-Stutz and statistics showing hostile relationships often turn deadly when guns are present, has triggered a response. According to The Associated Press analysis, more than a dozen states have strengthened laws designed to keep firearms out of the hands of domestic abusers in the last two years, a rare and growing area of consensus in the nation's polarized debate over gun rights.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Under the 1996 Lautenberg Amendment to the Federal Gun Control Act anyone convicted of misdemeanor domestic abuse crimes or subject to a domestic violence protective order can't own a gun or buy guns. The law does not apply to dating partners, does not ban guns during temporary restraining orders and says nothing about how or when an abuser must surrender their firearms to authorities.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It is these legal loopholes that a broad coalition of advocates for domestic violence victims, law enforcement groups and gun control supporters hope to close.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Strengthening laws</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Among the states making changes are South Carolina and Wisconsin, usually dominated by Republicans and with a strong tradition of gun ownership.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker signed a law in 2014 requiring people subject to domestic abuse restraining orders to turn over their guns within 48 hours. The National Rifle Association has taken a cautious approach toward such bills, opposing the farthest-reaching measures but staying neutral or negotiating compromises on others. In this case, the NRA stayed neutral after negotiating language that allows individuals to seek the return of their weapons after restraining orders are lifted.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Gov. Nikki Haley of South Carolina recently signed a measure that includes a life ban on gun ownership for the most serious domestic violence offenders. 'South Carolina is no longer thinking about the convenience of the abuser,' Haley said after signing the bill in June. 'South Carolina is thinking about strengthening the survivor.'</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Michigan is not among the states listed as strengthening its laws but that could soon change.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Zero tolerance</span></b></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-Michigan) and Congressman Robert Dold (R-Illinois) introduced the Zero Tolerance for Domestic Abuse Act.</span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">'It's personal for me,' said Dingell, who is a domestic violence survivor.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">'No woman and no child should ever live in fear of their life or their safety because of domestic violence. We should do everything we can to prevent families from experiencing senseless tragedies. This bipartisan, common sense bill will help ensure every woman and child is protected -- and it will save lives.'</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">When Dingell was a young girl, about to start middle school, her father came close to shooting her mother.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">'It was another of their many ugly fights,' she wrote in a Washington Post opinion column. 'I got between them -- literally -- and tried to grab the gun. I will never forget that night: The shouting, the fear, the raw terror that we would all die, my brothers and sisters along with my parents. We survived that occasion, physically. Emotionally, I am not so sure. My baby sister, Grace, was supposed to start first grade the next day. I walked her to school because I believed in trying to be normal, to keep everything together. She died several years ago, after suffering all of her life from demons that haunted her. I cannot help but think that night was the source of many of them.'</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">That's what pushes Dingell to push for change.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">'If I can help someone else not go through what I went through, then I have a moral responsibility to do so,' she said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Among the supporters of the legislation is Suzanne Coats, CEO of Turning Point, one of four domestic violence and sexual assault service agencies in the tri-county area.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">'This legislation will address key loopholes such as allowing for the seizure of firearms when temporary protection orders are issued, and expanding the definition of 'intimate partner' to include dating partners and convicted stalkers,' Coats said. 'Many are under the false belief that just leaving a domestic violence situation ends the violence. Many women are stalked and harassed long after they leave and some are killed. Many are forced to see their abuser during custody exchanges.'</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Critics who argue against gun restrictions believe that if an abuser is determined to hurt someone, he or she will just find another way. The chances of escaping are greater when no firearm is present.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">'If you're in a domestic violence situation and there's access to firearms it increases the risk of homicide by 500 percent,' Coats said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The data used by The Associated Press is a summary from the FBI's Supplementary Homicide Reports for 2006-2014. The SHR includes data from law enforcement agencies in 49 states and Washington, D.C. Florida does not report its data to the FBI. The report includes more than 122,000 homicides over the nine-year period.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Nevada among states outlawing guns for domestic abusers</b></span></div><div>Associated Press State Wire: Nevada (NV)</div><div>February 6, 2016 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">LAS VEGAS (AP) — As convicted felons with criminal histories including violence against former domestic partners, neither Keith Junior Barlow nor Robert Brown Jr. should have had a gun.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But both did, according to criminal charges against them, and both are accused of shooting ex-girlfriends to death in Las Vegas in attacks that law enforcers and gun safety advocates say illustrate a terrifying pattern of repeat domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"A history of abuse is highly suggestive of future abuse," said Ted Alcorn, research chief for the advocacy group Everytown for Gun Safety. He pointed to FBI data that found that more than half of women slain with guns in the U.S. in 2011 were killed by intimate partners or family members.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Other FBI data analyzed by The Associated Press shows that in Nevada, 94 people were shot to death by a spouse, ex-spouse or dating partner from 2006 to 2014, including 71 in the Las Vegas area.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Brown's case dates to December 2012. He's accused of fatally shooting his ex-girlfriend, Nichole Nick, and wounding Nick's mother. Police also reported finding a bullet hole in the bed of Nick's 3-year-old niece, who wasn't wounded. Brown was arrested a little more than a year later in Los Angeles.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Barlow allegedly confronted his ex-girlfriend and her boyfriend in February 2013 in an alley behind a convenience store and warned that he'd be back. Two hours later, he kicked in an apartment door and shot Danielle Woods and Donnie Cobb to death with a .40-caliber handgun he got from a friend, according to the criminal charges against him. The gun owner later reported the weapon had been stolen.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Repeat violence involving domestic partners is an issue that state lawmakers tried to address last year, passing a law banning anyone convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence in Nevada or any other state from possessing a gun.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The law went into effect with Republican Gov. Brian Sandoval's signature in June. It also prohibits people from buying a gun if they've been ordered by a court to stay away from their estranged partner.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The new law made Nevada one of 13 states to tighten restrictions in the last two years to keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers, according to the AP survey. Such laws are a rare area of consensus in the nation's highly polarized debate over guns.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In Carson City, Democrats lost a bid to go further. The GOP-controlled Legislature rejected a stricter measure that would have required people to turn over guns they already have if a restraining order is filed against them.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Nevada's domestic violence gun ban was part of a wider law hailed by the National Rifle Association as a victory for law-abiding gun owners. It also eliminated a registration requirement for gun owners in Clark County, home to Las Vegas and some 2 million of the state's 2.5 million residents. The law extended from homes to vehicles the reach of the so-called "castle doctrine" or stand-your-ground right to use lethal force for self-defense.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">No permit is required to obtain most firearms in Nevada, and guns can generally be openly carried, although buying high-powered weapons may require a federal permit.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson, the top prosecutor in Las Vegas, said enforcing the domestic violence gun ban hasn't been easy. But he said people convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence are being informed in court — in writing and by a judge — that they can't possess a gun.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Both Brown and Barlow have pleaded not guilty in their cases. Brown's defense attorney didn't respond to messages. Barlow's lawyers declined to comment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Prosecutor Richard Scow, who is handling both cases, said Barlow had prior convictions in Nevada in 1987 for shooting at a former girlfriend and her new boyfriend and in 1997 for shooting at Woods.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Brown was convicted in Los Angeles and sentenced to prison in 1998 for felony carjacking and corporal injury to a spouse in a case arising from allegations that he stabbed and slashed his then-wife. Attempted murder, kidnapping and assault with a deadly weapon charges were dropped.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">With his felony convictions, Brown wouldn't have been able to purchase a gun under the new law or the old law, Scow said.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>DOD Inspector General Issues Report on Compliance with Lautenberg Amendment Requirements, Implementing Guidance</b></span></div><div>Targeted News Service (USA)</div><div>February 23, 2016 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">WASHINGTON, Feb. 23 -- The U.S. Department of Defense Office of the Inspector General issued the following report:</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Investigative Oversight</span></b></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Evaluation of the Defense Agencies' Law Enforcement Divisions' Compliance with the Lautenberg Amendment Requirements and Implementing Guidance (Project No. 2015C010) DODIG-2016-053</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Objective</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Our objective was to determine whether the law enforcement divisions (LED) in the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), National Security Agency (NSA), and Pentagon Force Protection Agency (PFPA) complied with the Lautenberg Amendment as implemented by DoD Directive 5210.56, "Carrying of Firearms and the Use of Force by DoD Personnel Engaged in Security, Law and Order, or Counterintelligence Activities," and DoD Instruction (DoDI) 6400.06, "Domestic Abuse Involving DoD Military and Certain Affiliated Personnel."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Specifically, we evaluated whether the LEDs have adequate procedures and processes to ensure:</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* qualifying domestic violence convictions could be identified before an employee's entrance on duty;</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* qualifying domestic violence convictions were reported for all personnel during their employment with the LED;</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* qualifying domestic violence convictions were documented; and</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* required personnel actions were taken if a qualifying domestic violence conviction was discovered or occurred after an employee entered on duty.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Finding</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: red;">We determined that the LEDs fully complied with the Lautenberg Amendment requirements as implemented by DoDD 5210.56, DoDI 6400.06, and the LEDs' agency guidance.</span> We reviewed the agencies' policies and determined that the policies comport with the Lautenberg Amendment as implemented by DoDD 5210.56 and DoDI 6400.06. We also conducted a randomly selected statistical sampling of the agencies' personnel records and found that the DD Forms 2760 were completed and filed correctly. We noted that DIA, NGA, NSA, and PFPA exceeded the requirements of DoDI 6400.06 by requiring their employees to recertify annually that they do not have a qualifying domestic violence conviction. Furthermore, DIA, NGA, and PFPA went beyond policy requirements when they implemented internal processes to conduct annual records checks of personnel in covered positions, helping ensure that the divisions did not issue firearms or ammunition to anyone with a qualifying domestic violence conviction. Therefore, we are not making any recommendations.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Evaluation of the Defense Agencies’ Law Enforcement Divisions’ Compliance with the Lautenberg Amendment Requirements and Implementing Guidance</b></span></div><div>Inspector General</div><div>U.S. Department of Defense</div><div>February 23, 2016</div><div><a href="https://www.oversight.gov/sites/default/files/oig-reports/DODIG-2016-053.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.oversight.gov/sites/default/files/oig-reports/DODIG-2016-053.pdf</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiuBkIawbQodZK6wLsQkCZp6mbjbuwaIr4683MRMXcJTgA5DSn4YQ1odpYE9B4yqqv1LrDrtFGvW1oIjQwt3E9snsruJw5q2zNBurN409uD7UFXiI5IR-ctzNO0_S3FqoKixsP3NCP-MTs1sT9JdzqY9qlRfD0bwzSqzuEQ6gv96gDNIRvAzn95dwOXQw=s700" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="546" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiuBkIawbQodZK6wLsQkCZp6mbjbuwaIr4683MRMXcJTgA5DSn4YQ1odpYE9B4yqqv1LrDrtFGvW1oIjQwt3E9snsruJw5q2zNBurN409uD7UFXiI5IR-ctzNO0_S3FqoKixsP3NCP-MTs1sT9JdzqY9qlRfD0bwzSqzuEQ6gv96gDNIRvAzn95dwOXQw=w500-h640" width="500" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jQJwRFA22swhPlxpAqiYVugzo5Q7LDyO/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">02232016--Evaulation-Of-The-Defense-Agencies'-LE-Divisions'-Compliance-With-Lautenberg-Amendment--Report</a></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Ohio lawmakers want to keep guns from domestic abusers, like in Hudson murder-suicide</b></span></div><div>Plain Dealer, The: Web Edition Articles (Cleveland, OH)</div><div>March 22, 2016 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A Hudson man who murdered his wife before killing himself might not have had access to a gun under a bill introduced by a pair of Northeast Ohio lawmakers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Democrat Reps. Nickie Antonio of Lakewood and Janine Boyd of Cleveland Heights said Saturday's murder-suicide in Hudson is the latest example showing Ohio law does not do enough to keep guns out of the hands of abusers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Antonio and Boyd introduced a bill Tuesday that would prohibit persons subject to certain civil protection orders and anyone convicted of a domestic violence crime from buying or possessing firearms.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Additionally, the bill would allow judges to place the same restrictions on people accused of abusing, if they were subject to a temporary protection order.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Stephen Bice was subject to both civil and temporary protection orders in the months before he killed his wife Kristi Bice. Bice had recently bought the Ruger 9-millimeter semiautomatic handgun used in the crime, according to police reports, but it was unknown how or when he bought it.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Previous coverage: Hudson man texted sons to get them out of their home before murder-suicide</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"As a legislator, as a neighbor, as a member of a community who never knows what goes on behind closed doors, this is personal," Boyd said at a Tuesday press conference. "The fact of the matter is guns are the leading weapon of choice when an abuser makes the irreversible decision to murder his victim. The fact of the matter is the most dangerous period for a victim is immediately after they file a civil protection order."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The bill faces an uncertain future in a GOP-controlled Statehouse that has advanced bills expanding gun rights.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">As of Tuesday, the bill had no Republican co-sponsors. But Boyd and Antonio were hopeful they will get Republican support, as both sides of the aisle have approved bills to protect domestic violence victims.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Want to know more?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">What would the bill do?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Antonio and Boyd said the bill mirrors federal law that has been largely unenforceable in Ohio.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Domestic Violence Offender Gun Ban, also called the Lautenberg Amendment, prohibits gun sales to people convicted of domestic violence crimes and subject to protection orders restraining the person from harassing, stalking, or threatening an intimate partner or child of the intimate partner.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Under the Ohio bill, domestic violence victims could list in a protection order all firearms owned by the alleged abusers. Like the federal law, the Ohio bill would require those protection orders to be issued after a hearing that the person was notified of and given an opportunity to be heard.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Abusers would have to surrender their firearms to local law enforcement or federally licensed firearms dealer within 24 hours of the judgment. Violating the law would be a fifth-degree felony.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The firearm restriction would show up during a criminal background check and bar a gun shop from selling to the abuser. Firearms would be returned when the protection order expires.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">What is the response?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Nancy Neylon, executive director of the Ohio Domestic Violence Network, said women in abusive relationships are six times more likely to be killed when a gun is present in the house. Neylon said the bill will allow courts to enforce federal law and will save lives.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Antonio said the bill won't stop every domestic abuse case from ending in homicide but it will help protect families.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"The reality is we do the best we can," Antonio said. "We don't want a woman to be murdered. I don't think we want that intimate partner to spend the rest of his life in jail either. This is giving time for both sides to cool off and maybe step back."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Domestic Violence Gun Bill Ohio lawmakers proposed legislation that would ban the sale of new guns to people who are convicted of domestic violence crimes, or people who are subject to domestic violence orders. The bill came after Kristi Bice was killed by her husband. Stephen Bice turned the gun on himself and took his own life after the killing.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Domestic Violence Could Affect 2nd Amendment Rights</b></span></div><div>Targeted News Service (USA)</div><div>April 29, 2016 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont., April 28 -- The U.S. Air Force Malmstrom Air Force Base (341st Missile Wing) issued the following story:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Lautenberg Amendment to the Gun Control Act of 1968 makes the possession of firearms or ammunition unlawful for certain civilian and military members. The amendment creates a felony classification for anyone "who has been convicted in any court of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, to ship or transport in interstate or foreign commerce, or possess in or affecting commerce, any firearm or ammunition; or to receive any firearm or ammunition which has been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce." Therefore, essentially, if a person has a domestic violence conviction, they cannot legally possess ammunition or a firearm. Additionally, the person who knowingly gives a firearm or ammunition to a person with a domestic violence conviction can be prosecuted for a felony as well.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The domestic violence conviction (state or federal) qualification covers a range of offenses. Basically, a qualifying conviction represents any offense that involves the use or attempted use of physical force, or threat of a deadly weapon, by a spouse, parent, guardian or domestic partner. Further, the amendment applies to convictions that happened at any time, whether before of after passage of the amendment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Additionally, the Lautenberg Amendment does not apply to major military weapon systems or "crew served" military weapons and ammunition. The "crew served" military weapons include tanks, missiles, aircraft and other non-individual weapons. Thus, the amendment does not prohibit an A-10 aircraft pilot from flying the aircraft and shooting its 30 mm guns or Sidewinder missiles.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The amendment does, however, cover personal firearms such as the M-4 carbine and 9 mm. Anyone required by their position to qualify on either of these weapons or carry one on a daily basis will be unable to do so. This affects Air Force military personnel, as well as civilians, in positions requiring the handling of firearms or ammunition. In addition, this prohibition can have an immediate effect on the deployment readiness of any individual.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Department of Defense policy requires civilian and military personnel to inform their supervisor if they have a qualifying conviction or if they later receive one. Such information should be recorded on a DD Form 2760, especially before deployment. DoD policy further requires all Air Force facilities storing, issuing, disposing or transporting firearms or ammunition to display a notice about the Lautenberg Amendment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The practical effect of the Lautenberg Amendment on military and civilian personnel is to limit the career paths of those with domestic violence convictions. If personnel are in a career that requires them to carry a firearm, qualify periodically on a firearm, or handle ammunition, such as security forces, they will not be able to meet their responsibilities in that career field. For some, this can mean a practical end to their Air Force career, or at least their current Air Force specialty code.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Dems seek to override Gov. on domestic violence gun ban</b></span></div><div>Jersey Journal, The (Jersey City, NJ)</div><div>June 17, 2016 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><b>TRENTON - </b>State Senate President Steve Sweeney (D-Gloucester) said yesterday Democratic lawmakers will push to override Gov. Chris Christie's veto of a bill that would force those convicted of domestic violence in New Jersey to surrender their guns and their permits to buy new ones.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Flanked by Assemblywoman Gabriela M. Mosquera (D-Camden) and Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen), Sweeney told reporters at the Statehouse that the mass shooting in Orlando earlier this week made their override attempt especially timely.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"If that doesn't send a signal that we need to do more to protect our citizens, I don't know what does," Sweeney said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Originally passed with broad bipartisan support, the bill (S-805) would create a formal process to remove firearms from the hands of domestic abusers both in cases where a restraining order was in effect and upon conviction of a domestic violence offense.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"If you abuse your partner, you shouldn't be able to have a gun," Sweeney said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In May, the governor vetoed the bill, proposing a rewrite of it that would instead expedite the permit process for domestic abuse victims seeking access to guns for their own protection.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A visibly angry Weinberg yesterday called Christie's veto and his call for women to arm themselves against abusers "stupid and insensitive."</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Ruling upholds scope of gun ban for domestic violence</b></span></div><div>Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Web Edition Articles (WI)</div><div>June 27, 2016 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Anti-domestic violence organizations cheered a U.S. Supreme Court ruling Monday that bars people with misdemeanor domestic violence convictions from owning guns, a ruling gun rights groups called unnecessary.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The ruling, which came on the last day of the court's session, says the 1996 amendment passed by Congress to ban people convicted of domestic abuse from purchasing or owning firearms does not exclude people who are convicted of "reckless" misdemeanors.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"For the vast majority of voters or concerned citizens, it is common sense that someone who has been violent to a spouse or ex-spouse is a dangerous individual and should not possess a gun," said Tony Gibart, public policy director at End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin, which contributed to a brief filed in the case.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The petitioners in the case, Voisine vs. United States, were two men from Maine who were charged with violating the federal statute after police discovered they had been convicted of domestic abuse misdemeanors.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The men took the conviction to court, arguing that the language of the amendment — referred to as the Lautenberg amendment after the bill's sponsor, Sen. Frank Lautenberg — only applied to people convicted of felonies and intentional misdemeanors.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In a 6-2 decision, with Justice Elena Kagan writing the majority and Justice Clarence Thomas writing the dissent, the court rejected that argument.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">According to Gibart, if Congress had intended for the ban to exclude people who have been convicted of reckless domestic abuse misdemeanors, legislators would have explicitly written that into the amendment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"That's not what Congress said," Gibart said. "They said that when someone uses force (in domestic abuse incidents), they've demonstrated themselves to be dangerous and they've demonstrated that they're not able to responsibly possess a firearm."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But local gun rights groups see the decision as unwarranted.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I think if something wasn't serious enough to warrant a felony charge, it shouldn't be serious enough to warrant losing your gun rights over a misdemeanor conviction," said Nik Clark, chairman and president of Wisconsin Carry.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Clark said he's received multiple calls from people with misdemeanor convictions who are no longer able to buy firearms.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Lautenberg amendment, which was tacked onto a 1996 omnibus appropriations bill, is targeted at people convicted of domestic violence crimes. The court, in looking only at that statutory language, did not address what it would think of a law that banned firearms possession for people convicted of reckless misdemeanors unrelated to domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But Clark took issue with what he thinks is an inconsistency in how domestic violence and non-domestic violence misdemeanors are treated.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"If you commit the exact same act (of assaulting someone), and the only difference is the relationship between you and the person — shouldn't that be the exact same crime?"</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Gibart said there is a distinction, saying domestic violence is "a pattern of intentional acts to exert power or control over a victim."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">According to the FBI's 2010 homicide reports, the presence of a gun in a domestic violence situation increases the risk of homicide for a woman by 500%.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Domestic Violence: Firearms</b></span></div><div>Uintah Basin Standard (Roosevelt, UT)</div><div>September 15, 2016 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In a politically charged climate, such as the one which envelops the country at the present time, any mention of “gun control” or “gun laws” is likely to evoke lively reactions, pro and con. Nevertheless, in an era of ever increasing numbers of incidents of domestic violence, such discussions are essential to addressing the connections between domestic violence and firearms.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">According to the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, guns increase the probability of death in incidents of domestic violence, and abused women are five times more likely to be killed by their abuser if the abuser owns a firearm. In practice, many existing gun laws are poorly defined and poorly enforced, with predictably devastating results.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Lautenberg Amendment to the Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Act of 1997 bans access to firearms by people convicted of crimes of domestic violence. The act applies to individuals convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence or who are under a protective (restraining) order for domestic abuse. This federal gun ban has been upheld by the United States Supreme Court, with justices rejecting arguments that the law only covers “intentional or knowing acts of abuse and not those committed recklessly—where a person is aware of the risk that an act will cause injury, but not certain it will.” Gun-rights groups argued that perpetrators should not lose their constitutional right to bear arms. The judges chose to rule otherwise, despite the argument that the ban could “trigger a lifetime ban on gun ownership.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Unfortunately, domestic abusers frequently get to retain their guns. There are a number of reasons why this is the case:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Federal law does not outline a procedure for gun surrender, so states have to craft their own. Some, but not all, states have closed this gap, and these actions have proved to be successful in addressing domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Even where relinquishment laws do exist, some judges don’t order abusers to surrender their guns, perhaps because they don’t see domestic violence as “a real type of violence.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Some police departments aren’t familiar with relinquishment laws, or don’t have the resources to enforce them.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It can take weeks for protective orders to come through. A gun prohibition may become effective only when a permanent protective order is issued, providing a window during which an abuser can retain access to these weapons.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The so-called “boyfriend loophole” can limit the definition of domestic abuse. This gap in legal protection results in the assumption that if a couple have no children together and were never married, the appropriate charge is “simple assault,” rather than “domestic violence,” and the gun ban does not apply.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Domestic violence records may not appear in the federal background check data base. Without the additional investigation that would trigger a ban on firearms, an abuser is free to retain or purchase firearms without restrictions. The National Rifle Association has consistently fought legislation to strengthen protective laws, citing due process issues that may or may not apply, while ignoring the risk to the lives of domestic violence victims.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">While the National Rifle Association has not done an about-face, the organization has recently softened its opposition to certain state laws regarding the possession of firearms by abusers convicted of misdemeanor domestic abuse, served with protective orders, or deemed by a court to pose significant threats to their families. The timing of the willingness of the NRA to work with lawmakers in addressing these issues may be related to the political climate in which recent polling by the Wall Street Journal showed that 65 percent of women favor stricter gun laws, compared to 44 percent of men.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Victims of domestic abuse are almost certain to be aware of ownership of firearms by the abuser. Here are important questions for the victim to address:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Did the abuser commit a domestic violence misdemeanor? A permanent domestic violence ban must fit the legal definitions, including the use or attempted use of physical violence or force against a person who is in a close personal relationship with the abuser (spouse, parent, girlfriend or boyfriend, for example).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Did you get a restraining order? If you have gotten a final restraining order or an order of protection, you may be able to prevent the abuser from purchasing, owning, or using a gun for as long as the order remains in effect. State laws vary, and it is important that you be informed of the various legal technicalities that may exist.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">What to do if you think the abuser has a gun: Once you have determined that the preceding requirements have been met, notify local law enforcement and let them know the reasons you believe the gun ban applies. An investigation will be initiated and the police will sort out the details. Contacting an attorney who specializes in domestic violence issues is a good option.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">There are numerous sources of information, including the following:</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://smartgunlaws.org" target="_blank">Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence</a> </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://everytownresearch.org" target="_blank">Everytown For Gun Safety</a> </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.thehotline.org" target="_blank">The National Domestic Violence Hotline</a> </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org" target="_blank">Domestic Violence Offender Gun Ban</a> for links to Department of Justice Criminal Resource Manual; The Consumer Law Page Article; Misdemeanor Crime of Domestic Violence; The Emerson Case; and others.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">PBS Newshour June 27 2016</span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.thetrace.org" target="_blank">The Trace, September 10, 2016</a> </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com" target="_blank">Huffington Post</a> </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.justice.gov" target="_blank">Offices of the United States Attorneys</a> </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Being informed may well be the best defense.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>At Start of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Reminder that Kelly Ayotte Wants to Repeal Lautenberg Amendment</b></span></div><div>Targeted News Service (USA)</div><div>October 6, 2016 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">CONCORD, N.H., Oct. 5 -- The New Hampshire Democratic Party issued the following news:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">At the beginning of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, New Hampshire voters are reminded that Kelly Ayotte supports repealing the Lautenberg Domestic Misdemeanor Gun Ban and allowing those convicted of domestic violence to own deadly weapons. You can view that questionnaire <a href="http://nhdp.us6.list-manage.com/track/click?u=99da013f2bd49930e82805c66&id=d91af60bcf&e=716f6872f6"e=716f6872f6" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">People with a history of domestic violence are five times more likely to murder their intimate partner if there is a firearm in their home, yet Ayotte told the New Hampshire Firearms Coalition in 2010 that she supported repealing the ban on misdemeanor domestic abuser gun ownership. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"When a Senator supports allowing convicted domestic abusers to own guns, despite the evidence that such gun ownership dramatically increases intimate partner murders, it could not be more clear that she puts her campaign backers at the gun lobby ahead of the safety of the people she allegedly represents," said New Hampshire Democratic Party Press Secretary Melissa Miller.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"New Hampshire needs a Senator who will stand up for common sense gun safety measures like blocking domestic abusers from owning guns and expanding criminal background checks for gun purchases. Granite Staters have had enough of Kelly Ayotte siding with the gun lobby instead of public safety."</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b style="color: #800180; font-size: xx-large;">2017: Lautenberg DV Gun Ban - News Articles And Reports</b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Domestic offenders in Colorado are supposed to relinquish their guns, but it doesn't always happen</b> </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;">Enforcement of 2013 law is inconsistent, and state doesn't track weapons</span></div><div>Denver Post, The: Web Edition Articles (CO)</div><div>April 8, 2017 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Glen Galloway knew the two-story home on Miramont Street in Colorado Springs well.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He had been there many times before May 30, 2016, when police say he shot Janice Nam twice in the head in her home, killing her.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Nam and Galloway had dated and broken up years before, but he remained a malevolent presence in her life. He allegedly stole her washer, dryer and refrigerator, and left food to rot on the kitchen counter. Another time, Nam's faucets were left on and her television remote was stolen.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Galloway was charged in 2014 and later convicted of stalking Nam, and twice he was ordered to relinquish his firearms. The first time he complied and turned over three weapons, but the second time, about a year later, he told the court he had none. It is not known whether anyone investigated to confirm that claim, but it was not required.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Roughly a year later, Nam was shot dead. Galloway has pleaded not guilty to 29 counts against him, ranging from murder to bail bond violation and theft.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Colorado passed a law three years before Nam's death to ensure domestic violence abusers who are subject to protection orders surrender their firearms. But The Denver Post found that judicial districts across the state vary wildly in their interpretation and enforcement of the law, leaving some domestic violence survivors more protected than others.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Post uncovered other problems that make it difficult to measure the law's effectiveness.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">At least 45,000 men and women have been ordered to surrender their firearms under the law — either by selling or transferring them to a licensed firearms dealer or a third party who underwent a background check, or by storing them at a law enforcement agency or licensed firearms dealer.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Transferring a weapon requires a receipt as proof. But individual courtrooms have differing protocols for filing and organizing relinquishment receipts. They are not required to keep track of the receipts, and the state does not track what happens to the weapons.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Logistical issues also hinder enforcement. Colorado, like most states, does not have searchable registries of firearms owners that authorities can use to assist in getting guns out of domestic offenders' hands.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Advocates and law enforcement officials say systems like Colorado's put too much accountability on offenders to police themselves.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"It is somewhat naive to just expect all of these people to follow the honor system and relinquish their firearms," said April Zeoli, an associate professor at the School of Criminal Justice at Michigan State University who specializes in studying domestic violence firearms law and crime statistics.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Relinquishment "is something law enforcement should be responsible for, because it is about keeping the public safe," she said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Enforcement varies</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Post reviewed state records analyzed by the nonprofit Everytown for Gun Safety that show enforcement varies widely across the state.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The data show that judges reported they ordered offenders to relinquish their guns in fewer than 1 percent of protection order cases last year in counties including Dolores and Montezuma, the 22nd Judicial District, while judges in the 17th Judicial District, which includes Adams and Broomfield counties, filed those orders nearly 70 percent of the time. On average, across the state, judges filed relinquishment orders in 36.3 percent of their total protection order cases, according to data they reported to the state.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Since SB-197 became law in Colorado in 2013, 126 people have been charged in violation of it, according to the Colorado Judicial Branch.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Analysis of some of those cases by Everytown found that the incidents tended to happen during chance encounters with law enforcement during traffic stops or unrelated crimes, or when they tried to purchase firearms from licensed dealers. Everytown was unable to find a case in which an offender was charged for neglecting to file a receipt.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"If you look at it statistically, if 45,000 people are charged with relinquishment and you can't find many charges brought against them, that's a problem," said Robert Wareham, a Highlands Ranch attorney who also runs a firearms storage business for people who are ordered to relinquish.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The level of scrutiny domestic violence offenders face is unequal across the state and is based on each judicial district's interpretation of the law, not their crimes, critics say.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Judicial districts are concerned that the law conflicts with several statutes, including the state Constitution and the Rules of Criminal Procedure, said Jon Sarche, a public information officer at the state judicial branch. "In some counties or judicial districts, no law enforcement agency can or will accept firearms under relinquishment orders," he wrote in an email.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The law requires courts to issue a warrant for the party's arrest if they fail to file a receipt in the allotted time. "Several districts noted, however, that finding a defendant or restrained party noncompliant may be left up to chance (occurring only if the court receives outside information) because of the statute's silence on follow-up," Sarche wrote.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Judges order relinquishment of firearms in protection-order cases when they find the relationship between the parties qualifies it as domestic-violence related. If the court doesn't deem the case domestic violence, both parties may be allowed to keep their firearms.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In Weld County, people are informing the courts that they've surrendered their firearms, District Attorney Michael Rourke said. "What we have done on the front end is to train law enforcement in a domestic violence situation to ask 'are there any firearms in the home?' We're including it in the filings," he said. Judges in the 19th Judicial District, which includes Weld County, ordered relinquishment in about 32 percent of their cases.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Judges in the 18th Judicial District, which includes Arapahoe, Douglas, Elbert, and Lincoln counties, ordered relinquishment in 28 percent of their protection order cases in 2016.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"The intent of the legislation is right. We want to keep guns out of the hands of people who would most likely turn them on a loved one," said George Brauchler, district attorney for the 18th district. "The legislation is flawed, and almost impossible to enforce."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Forcing people to admit to owning firearms is a potential violation of the 5th Amendment of the Constitution, Brauchler said. That amendment forbids the justice system from forcing citizens to self incriminate through testimony.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Federal law since 1996</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In 1996, Congress passed the Lautenberg Amendment, which bans firearm possession for anyone convicted of a misdemeanor domestic violence crime or subject to a protection order.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Enforcing this law was left up to states and up until 2013, Colorado had no mechanism of enforcement. Colorado now is one of 25 states that has passed domestic violence relinquishment laws, and it is one of just five that requires proof of relinquishment in all cases.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"What happened before 2013 was nothing," said Annmarie Jensen, a lobbyist who worked on passing the bill. "Nobody did anything in court and nothing happened to make it go away."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Gun violence researchers hold a handful of law enforcement agencies as exemplary in seeking out solutions to the problems that plague the effort to retrieve firearms. The Montgomery County Sheriff's Department in Maryland is one of them.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">When a protection order gets filed in the county, the Family Justice Center in the sheriff's office is notified immediately. Deputies research the offender in the state's gun ownership database, a tool Colorado does not have, that includes new residents of the state and assault rifle owners.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The sheriff's office interviews the protected party to see if they know of weapons the offender did not previously mention to the courts. The best intelligence usually comes from the victim, explained Captain Rodney Brown of the Montgomery County Sheriff Department. After that, they travel to the offender's home.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Sometimes when we go there, the weapon can be taken legally if it's in plain view," said Lt. Zachary Grant. "If the gun is not there, we emphasize, 'If you access this gun, there will be criminal charges.' "</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The sheriff's department confiscates about 100 to 300 firearms a year using this system. The guns are booked into the sheriff's office, and "it's a process" to get them back, he said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">To get their firearms back, offenders have to send a letter to the sheriff. Many end up leaving their firearms with the sheriff's department, which melts them down if no one comes to retrieve them. The sheriff's office has been recovering firearms like this for about a decade, Brown said. The only cost has been hiring a few extra deputies to replace those reassigned to the unit, he said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Few states have registry</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Only six states and Washington D.C. maintain easily searchable gun registries at varying levels of detail, according to the the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Authorities use the databases to learn whether an offender previously purchased a weapon before they became ineligible for ownership. Colorado, like eight other states, has a law that prohibits such a database from existing. Without a searchable registry, Colorado law enforcement is hindered by a lack knowledge of who in the state owns a firearm.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Police stations and sheriff's departments across the state said that requests to tally the firearms they have in their possession would take weeks to fulfill, because of the lack of an established filing system for these guns. Sheriff's departments have little room for storing firearms at their facilities and don't want to be held liable for damage to the guns, said Chris Johnson, executive director of County Sheriffs of Colorado.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"None of us want to become gun holders. We actually encourage people to relinquish them to family members or friends," said Carrie Haverfield, a public information officer at the Boulder County Sheriff's Department.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Judges from the 20th Judicial District, which includes Boulder, filed relinquishment orders in 0.57 percent of their cases, which county officials say is artificially low due to the court's document filing protocol.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Other states have found creative ways around the gun storage issue</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In Vermont, a law orders the state's department of public safety to create a list of facilities where offenders can store their firearms and a fee schedule for using the service. Those fees are paid to the law enforcement agency, which can also take out a loan to build more space for the guns. The law also releases all offices of liability from damage to the firearms if they're stored properly.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A private gun range in Dallas County, Texas, takes in relinquished firearms. There, judges begin by assessing defendants' access to firearms at their initial court appearances and using information acquired through law enforcement. The court orders defendants to relinquish firearms to the gun range or a third party for the duration of their cases.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Domestic violence advocates say relinquishment laws — if enforced properly — not only can save lives but are valuable in removing the looming threat of a gun at home, explained Lydia Waligorski, director of public policy at the Colorado Coalition for Domestic Violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"The mere presence of a gun says, 'I can kill you whenever I want,' " she said.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Texas killer was able to buy guns because of Air Force lapse</b></span></div><div>Albert Lea Tribune (MN)</div><div>November 6, 2017 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The gunman who slaughtered 26 people at a Texas church was able to buy weapons because the Air Force failed to report his domestic violence conviction to the federal database that is used to conduct background checks on would-be gun purchasers, authorities said Monday.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Federal officials said the Air Force didn't submit Devin Patrick Kelley's criminal history even though it was required to do so by Pentagon rules.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Kelley, 26, was found guilty of assault in an Air Force court-martial in 2012 for abusing his wife and her child and was given 12 months' confinement followed by a bad-conduct discharge in 2014. That same year, authorities said, he bought the first of four weapons.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Under Pentagon rules, information about convictions of military personnel for crimes like assault should be submitted to the FBI's Criminal Justice Investigation Services Division.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It's the kind of lapse that gun-control advocates say points to loopholes and failures with the background check system.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">At issue is the Lautenberg Amendment, enacted by Congress in 1996. The federal law was designed to prohibit people convicted of domestic violence from buying or possessing a firearm regardless of whether the crime was a felony or a misdemeanor.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"This is exactly the guy the Lautenberg Amendment is supposed to prevent from possessing a firearm," said Rachel VanLandingham, a professor at Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles and a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel and former judge advocate. "Of course, the law only works if folks are abiding by the law."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Air Force spokeswoman Ann Stefanek said in an email that the service is launching a review of its handling of Kelley's case and taking a comprehensive look at Air Force databases to make sure other cases have been reported correctly.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">An initial review indicates that Kelley's conviction was not entered into the federal database by officials at Holloman Air Force Base's Office of Special Investigations, the Air Force said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Kelley served at Holloman in New Mexico from 2010 until his discharge. He was in logistics, responsible for moving passengers and cargo.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Law enforcement authorities said Kelley owned four guns, including the three he had with him during the attack: a Ruger AR-15 that was used in the church and two handguns that were in his car. The weapons were purchased — one each year — from 2014 to this year.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A 2015 report by the Pentagon's inspector general found lapses in the military's reporting to civilian authorities of domestic violence convictions.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">From Nov. 30, 1998, until last week, firearms purchases in the U.S. were denied 136,502 times because of a domestic violence conviction, according to Justice Department statistics.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"The fact this guy was even court-martialed at all indicates it reached a certain level of severity that should act as a red flag that this is a dangerous person and shouldn't have a gun," said Lindsay Nichols, the federal policy director at the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, named after former Rep. Gabby Giffords, who was gravely wounded by a gunman in 2011.</span></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>How was the Texas gunman able to buy a firearm?</b></span></div><div>Associated Press State Wire: Arizona (AZ)</div><div>November 6, 2017 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">ATLANTA (AP) — A two-decade-old federal law is supposed to prevent people with a history of domestic violence from buying or owning a firearm. So why didn't Devin Kelley's conviction prevent him purchasing weapons before he killed 26 parishioners at a Texas church?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The answer isn't clear, but it may have to do with where his domestic violence case was handled: in a military court.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Kelley was found guilty of abusing his wife and her son and received a bad-conduct discharge from the Air Force. But it's unclear if the Defense Department reported his conviction to the federal database that is used to conduct background checks on citizens looking to purchase a firearm.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Lautenberg Amendment, enacted by Congress in 1996, was designed to prohibit people convicted of domestic violence from buying or possessing a firearm regardless of whether the crime was a felony or a misdemeanor.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"This is exactly the guy the Lautenberg Amendment is supposed to prevent from possessing a firearm," said Rachel VanLandingham, a professor at Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles and a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel and former judge advocate. "I'm not sure how he was able to obtain his weapon. Of course, the law only works if folks are abiding by the law."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Neither the Air Force nor the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives returned messages seeking information on what the military is required to report — and what reports, if any, were filed in Kelley's case.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Local law enforcement said that Kelley did not have a permit to carry a firearm in Texas. However, a license to carry is not required to buy a gun in the state.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Kelley served at Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico from 2010 until his discharge in 2014. He was in logistics, responsible for moving passengers and cargo. He served 12 months' confinement after his 2012 court-martial.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Law enforcement authorities said Monday that Kelley owned four guns, including the three he had with him: a Ruger AR-15 that was used in the church and two handguns that were in his car. The weapons were purchased — one each year — from 2014 to this year.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Some experts said the military is required to report only criminal cases that result in dishonorable discharges into the database, while others said any military conviction for domestic violence should be reported.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A 2015 report by the Pentagon's inspector general found lapses in the military's reporting to civilian authorities of domestic violence convictions.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Robert Spitzer, chairman of political science at the State University of New York at Cortland and an expert on firearms and Second Amendment issues, said it appears Kelley was able to avoid being flagged when he bought his guns because he received a bad-conduct discharge and not a dishonorable one.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"This apparently is why he cleared the background check. That certainly poses a problem," Spitzer said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">From Nov. 30, 1998, until last week, firearms purchases in the U.S. were denied 136,502 times because of a domestic violence conviction, according to Justice Department statistics.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"The fact this guy was even court-martialed at all indicates it reached a certain level of severity that should act as a red flag that this is a dangerous person and shouldn't have a gun," said Lindsay Nichols, the federal policy director at the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, named after former Rep. Gabby Giffords, who was gravely wounded by a gunman in 2011.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Gunman in church attack was convicted of fracturing stepson's skull</b></span></div><div>San Antonio Express-News: Web Edition Articles (TX)</div><div>November 6, 2017 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The gunman who killed at least 26 people in a church south of San Antonio was kicked out of the Air Force after cutting a plea deal in which he admitted to fracturing his stepson's skull, the former head of Air Force prosecutors said Monday.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Devin Patrick Kelley faced at least five years in a military prison for attacking the baby and also his wife, the former top Air Force prosecutor, retired Col. Don Christensen, said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">An Air Force jury handed him a 12-month sentence in 2012, he said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"He entered pleas of guilty to fracturing his son's skull, his stepson's skull, and to assaulting his wife. And as a result of that there really is no question about his guilt," Christensen said. "He should not have been able to get a gun (after Kelly's discharge from the service.) There is no way this man should have legally owned a gun based upon what he was convicted of."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A traffic management apprentice after entering the Air Force nearly eight years ago, Kelley bought four guns from 2014-2017. Two were purchased in Colorado, while two others were purchased in Texas, according to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">No one has yet to explain how that happened.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Kelley entered First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs on Sunday wearing a body armor and military-style clothing, and gunned down the worshipers, making the mass shooting the worst in the state's history. Dozens more were wounded. He approached the church with an assault rifle, shooting at the building from outside before entering and continuing the gunfire, witnesses said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A neighbor grabbed his rifle and shot at Kelley, who drove off toward Guadalupe County, crashed his vehicle and shot himself, authorities said..</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Kelley had at least three weapons with him. Authorities recovered a Ruger AR-556 rifle at the church. They also found a Glock 9mm and a Ruger .22-caliber handgun from the Ford Explorer he had been driving, said Fred Milanowski, a special agent in charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives field office in Houston.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Kelley did not have a license to carry a concealed handgun but did have a "non-commissioned, unarmed private security license similar to a security guard at a concert-type situation," said Freeman Martin of the Texas Department of Public Safety.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Christensen said Kelley's conviction was automatically appealed because he received a bad-conduct discharge in addition to the 12-month sentence. A record obtained by the Express-News on Monday shows that the Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed his conviction. A higher court rejected Kelley's request to overturn that ruling.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Details of the case were not immediately available from the Air Force, but Christensen said the potential five-year prison sentence for badly injuring the child should have precluded Kelley from legally obtaining a firearm.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Lautenberg Amendment to the Gun Control Act of 1968 makes it a felony for those convicted of misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence to ship, transport, possess, or receive firearms or ammunition.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The amendment, which took effect Sept. 30, 1996, also made it a felony to transfer a firearm or ammunition to an individual known, or reasonably believed, to have a domestic violence conviction, according to the Army.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Christensen said there were two legal reasons why he should not have had a firearm — his conviction of an offense punishable by more than a year in confinement, and the Lautenberg Amendment. Because he was convicted of two domestic violence offenses, Kelley should not have been able to have a gun.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Without a doubt, the system failed. Your question to be discovered is, why did it fail? Who failed?" said Christenson, the director of a group called Protect Our Defenders that advocates for assault and sexual assault victims. "Did the military fail in their reporting obligations? Was it a failure that we use archaic language in the military to describe our process that didn't translate well into the civilian system?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"And was it a failure that civilians had the right information and still allowed him to do it? So I don't know where the failure happened, but without a doubt there was a failure."</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Rifle, handguns linked to gunman in Texas church shooting</b></span></div><div>Herald-Dispatch, The (Huntington, WV)</div><div>November 7, 2017 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">ATLANTA - A two-decade-old federal law is supposed to prevent people with a history of domestic violence from buying or owning a firearm. So why didn't Devin Kelley's conviction prevent him purchasing weapons before he killed 26 parishioners at a Texas church?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The answer isn't clear, but it may have to do with where his domestic violence case was handled: in a military court.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Kelley was found guilty of abusing his wife and her son and received a bad-conduct discharge from the Air Force. But it's unclear if the Defense Department reported his conviction to the federal database that is used to conduct background checks on citizens looking to purchase a firearm.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Lautenberg Amendment, enacted by Congress in 1996, was designed to prohibit people convicted of domestic violence from buying or possessing a firearm regardless of whether the crime was a felony or a misdemeanor.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"This is exactly the guy the Lautenberg Amendment is supposed to prevent from possessing a firearm," said Rachel VanLandingham, a professor at Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles and a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel and former judge advocate. "I'm not sure how he was able to obtain his weapon. Of course, the law only works if folks are abiding by the law."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Neither the Air Force nor the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives returned messages seeking information on what the military is required to report - and what reports, if any, were filed in Kelley's case.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Local law enforcement said that Kelley did not have a permit to carry a firearm in Texas. However, a license to carry is not required to buy a gun in the state.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Kelley served at Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico from 2010 until his discharge in 2014. He was in logistics, responsible for moving passengers and cargo. He served 12 months' confinement after his 2012 court-martial.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Law enforcement authorities said Monday that Kelley owned four guns, including the three he had with him: a Ruger AR-15 that was used in the church and two handguns that were in his car. The weapons were purchased - one each year - from 2014 to this year.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Some experts said the military is required to report only criminal cases that result in dishonorable discharges into the database, while others said any military conviction for domestic violence should be reported.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A 2015 report by the Pentagon's inspector general found lapses in the military's reporting to civilian authorities of domestic violence convictions.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Robert Spitzer, chairman of political science at the State University of New York at Cortland and an expert on firearms and Second Amendment issues, said it appears Kelley was able to avoid being flagged when he bought his guns because he received a bad-conduct discharge and not a dishonorable one.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"This apparently is why he cleared the background check. That certainly poses a problem," Spitzer said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">From Nov. 30, 1998, until last week, firearms purchases in the U.S. were denied 136,502 times because of a domestic violence conviction, according to Justice Department statistics.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"The fact this guy was even court-martialed at all indicates it reached a certain level of severity that should act as a red flag that this is a dangerous person and shouldn't have a gun," said Lindsay Nichols, the federal policy director at the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, named after former Rep. Gabby Giffords, who was gravely wounded by a gunman in 2011.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Sens. Flake and Heinrich Press Conference on Domestic Violence Loophole Closure Act</b></span></div><div>Senator Jeff Flake</div><div>November 7, 2017</div><div><a href="https://youtu.be/1lJtBUgJpyw?t=41" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/1lJtBUgJpyw?t=41</a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">U.S. Sens. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) hold a press conference and media avail to introduce the Domestic Violence Loophole Closure Act; legislation that will close the background check loophole exploited by the Sutherland Springs, Texas shooter and prevent any individual convicted of domestic violence – whether it is in civilian or military court – from legally purchasing a firearm.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1lJtBUgJpyw" width="320" youtube-src-id="1lJtBUgJpyw"></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Sens. Flake, Heinrich Introduce Bill To Permanently Close Gun Loophole Used By Texas Shooter</b></span></div><div>Targeted News Service (USA)</div><div>November 7, 2017 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">WASHINGTON, Nov. 8 -- The office of Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., issued the following news release:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">U.S. Sens. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) today introduced the bipartisan Domestic Violence Loophole Closure Act; legislation that will close the background check loophole exploited by the Sutherland Springs, Texas shooter and ensure that any individual convicted of domestic violence - whether it is in criminal or military court - cannot legally purchase a firearm.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Currently, the Uniform Code of Military Justice does not have a specific charge of domestic violence, instead charging such cases as general assault. This can complicate the enforcement of the domestic-violence ban on gun purchases, as happened with the shooter responsible for the deaths of 26 people in Sutherland Springs, Texas this week, whose crime of domestic violence did not disqualify him from purchasing a firearm.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">This bill permanently clarifies the ambiguity in 1996 Lautenberg amendment to the Gun Control Act of 1968 as it applies to the military, and requires the military to report misdemeanors of domestic violence to the NICS database to be used in background checks for all legal gun purchases.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Despite the Lautenberg amendment's intentions, since the NICS database was modernized in 2007, only one case of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence conviction has been reported by the DOD.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">To view video of Flake and Heinrich's press conference on the bill, click <a href="https://youtu.be/1lJtBUgJpyw?t=17m52s" target="_blank">here</a>. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"It appears this loophole allowed a man who was clearly unfit to purchase a firearm to do so at the cost of 26 innocent lives," said Flake. "This bill will ensure that a situation like this will not happen again and that anyone, anywhere convicted of domestic violence is kept from legally purchasing a gun."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Our country is weary from violence and grief and the American people deserve meaningful action from Congress. With each new tragic shooting, we see clear examples of how we are failing to keep guns out of the hands of those who would turn them against our communities," said Heinrich. "We must address the loopholes that helped lead to this weekend's mass shooting in Texas. The military failed to report a domestic violence conviction that should have prevented the gunman from purchasing weapons. The Department of Defense has a responsibility to report these convictions and ensure the NICS database is accurate to prevent tragedies like the Sutherland Springs shooting. This is something Republicans and Democrats can agree on and action we must take to prevent future tragedies."</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b style="color: #800180; font-size: xx-large;">2018: Lautenberg DV Gun Ban - News Articles And Reports</b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Guns and domestic violence</b></span></div><div>Union-Sun & Journal (Lockport, NY)</div><div>January 1, 2018 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In December 2015, a Chautauqua County man went to the Orchard Park home of his girlfriend, stole some of her property, destroyed other property and started a small fire in her garage.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The following January, David Lewczyk, 53, turned himself in and was charged felony criminal mischief and misdemeanor arson and petit larceny. A judge also issued a "refrain from" order, requiring that Lewczyk be cordial in any future contact with the victim, Ruby Stiglmeier, 51.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The order did not force Lewczyk to temporarily surrender his legally-registered pistol, and on March 29, he used it to shoot Stiglmeier to death in her Queens Place home, before turning the gun on himself.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Stiglmeier was one of 25 New Yorkers killed last year by a domestic partner using a firearm.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">They're tragedies that Gov. Andrew Cuomo believes can be prevented with stronger state laws aimed at keeping firearms away from those convicted of or charged with domestic violence crimes.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">And in his first proposal for 2018, Cuomo introduced sweeping legislation aimed at just that. His proposal calls for extending the state-level firearm ban to domestic violence misdemeanors, including long guns in the ban and requiring judges to order the removal of firearms when issuing orders of protection, including "refrain from" orders.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Cuomo framed the proposal as a crucial tool to protect women, who are overwhelmingly the victims of domestic violence, and to prevent mass shootings. In nine of the past 10 deadliest mass shootings, including the recent massacres in Las Vegas and Sutherland Springs, Texas, the shooter had a prior history of domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Building on the Women's Equality Agenda, we are continuing our mission for progressive values and women's rights with this legislation to target the unquestionable relationship between domestic violence and gun violence," Cuomo said in a statement.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Federal law</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">However, as some wary Second Amendment rights activists point out, federal law already bars convicted domestic abusers bars owning or buying guns.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Domestic Violence Offender Gun Ban, passed in 1996 with broad bi-partisan support (97-2), makes it a crime to own a firearm if one has been convicted of a domestic violence misdemeanor or is under a restraining order for domestic abuse. The Gun Control Act of 1968 had previously banned convicted felons from owning or buying firearms.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"It's very, very redundant to what's already in place federally," Don Hey, chairman of the Shooters Committee on Political Education, said of Cuomo's proposal.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But domestic violence victim and gun control advocates say the federal law, often called the Lautenberg Amendment, is not consistently enforced and contains loopholes that can prove deadly.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">For one, the law only applies to couples that are or were married, co-habitat and/or have a child in common, allowing what many call the "boyfriend loophole."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">As marriage rates continue to trend downward, these type of relationships may be growing more prevalent, putting more domestic violence victims at risk.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"That boyfriend can certainly be someone who could be a domestic violence perpetrator, and they wouldn't fall under the current federal law," said Mary-Brennan Taylor, vice president of programs for the YWCA of the Niagara Frontier, which offers services for domestic violence victims. "I'm hoping it ... addresses some loopholes — loopholes that can be deadly."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">State proposal</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">According to a Cuomo spokesperson, the proposal would cover more misdemeanor charges, such as stalking, and more domestic situations, including the boyfriend loophole, than are currently covered under the Lautenberg Amendment. It would also empower state law enforcement, as opposed to the gun ban being a lower-level federal priority.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"This will hopefully clarify for all levels of law enforcement and courts how gun removal is to be handled in these types of situations," Taylor said. "There shouldn't be any ambiguity about the removal of firearms, and I think that's where federal law has been a bit weak."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Meanwhile, under current state and federal law, judges have discretion on whether to order removal of firearms when issuing an order of protection in a domestic violence case.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Cuomo's proposal would require judges to order removal of firearms whenever an order of protection is issued, which typically occurs after an individual is arrested but before conviction. Firearms are returned upon expiration of a temporary order of protection, assuming the individual is not first convicted of a domestic violence or other felony charge.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">As Stiglmeier's case shows, this discretion can allow dangerous individuals to retain their guns.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Some judges may see a perpetrator and see them as a serious threat and another judge may not. I'm hoping this legislation would remove that discretion," Taylor said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But pro-gun rights activists say this discretion is crucial to ensuring non-abusers do not face a violation of their Constitutional rights.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Hey used an example of a person charged with harassment for repeatedly and disruptively contacting an elected official's office. Others worry about domestic violence charges brought against someone who was acting in self-defense.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"We do have judges for a reason, because every case is different," Hey said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The proposal also would extend firearm removals to include long guns, such as rifle and shotguns. State law currently requires removal of handguns when orders of protection are issued or when an individual is convicted of a felony or other serious offense, but excludes long guns.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">However, unlike handguns and assault weapons, which have licensure and registration requirements, there is no state or federal system that tracks long guns.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Federal efforts</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Domestic violence victim advocates say more needs to be done at the federal level to keep weapons out of the hands of convicted abusers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">After the Sutherland Springs shooting, a bi-partisan group of senators introduced legislation to ensure federal and state agencies report relevant criminal histories to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System. The bill also would penalize agencies that fail to do so.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Shooter Devin Patrick Kelly should not have been able to legally purchase the AR-15-style rifle he used in the church massacre after a 2012 court-martial for assaulting his then-wife and stepson.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Meanwhile, a bi-partisan group of Congress members are pushing legislation to bolster state and local authorities' ability to prosecute convicted felons and domestic abusers who attempt to buy guns by lying on background check forms.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Currently, when a NICS denial occurs, the information is sent to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms; however, the federal government rarely prosecutes these cases.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The House bill, NICS Denial Notification Act, would require that state and local authorities be notified whenever a NICS denial occurs.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Second Amendment lobby</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Gun-control legislation aimed at domestic abusers often draws mixed reactions from pro-gun advocates, many of whom have adopted an increasingly absolutist position against any restriction of 2nd Amendment rights.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A New York State Rifle & Pistol Association spokesperson declined to comment on Cuomo's proposal until legislation is introduced. However, like Hey, he called the proposal redundant because of the Lautenberg Amendment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Hey said he's wary of any gun control legislation proposed by Cuomo, who angered many gun-owners when he passed the Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Act in 2013.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"What Gov. Cuomo has shown in the past is a propensity that goes beyond the norm and try to remove guns from people that aren't a threat to society," Hey said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Assembly member Michael Norris said he was "anxiously waiting" hearing the details of Cuomo's proposal.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Any time we can have a dialogue about protecting New Yorkers from such senseless violence like domestic abuse, I am happy to take the first seat at the table," Norris said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Norris added such efforts should include passage of Brittany's Law, which would create a public registry of felons convicted of domestic violence-related crimes.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">New York State Sen. Robert Ortt, R-North Tonawanda, when asked about the proposal, simply replied in an emailed statement: "I remain a steadfast supporter of the Second Amendment."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">When asked if he would oppose a bill similar to Cuomo's proposal, Ortt's office did not reply.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Taylor said she didn't believe Cuomo's proposals would affect law-abiding gun-owners.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"What this legislation addresses are these bad actors who are dangerous individuals and pose a threat to their intimate partners and children," Taylor said. "I don't believe that this is in any way a violation of Second Amendment rights. I think what it is is a protection for innocent individuals who face certain lethality from domestic violence perpetrators."</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Keeping guns from the most dangerous</b></span></div><div>Daily Leader, The (Pontiac, IL)</div><div>January 3, 2018 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Hooray! America has just set a new record. Want to guess what it is?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Record-breaking high school math scores, you say?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Nope. Maybe a record number of workers pulling themselves out of poverty, or a banner year for a decline in infectious diseases?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">No and no.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Here's the news: On just one day last month, the citizenry of the United States filed the largest number of applications for an instant gun background check. Yup. On Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, a record-breaking 203,086 of us weren't just counting our blessings; we were asking the FBI to hurry up and approve our gun purchase.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">So, who are these people?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Were they simply exercising their Second Amendment right to own a firearm, or did some of them have more sinister motives?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">There isn't enough room in this column to include everything that needs to be said about gun ownership in America - both pro and con. And please understand this is not an attack on the constitutionally protected right to bear arms, so hold off on the angry emails. This is a call to take a close look at the criminal damage done by those who use guns to kill people.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Who are they?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">How can we identify them?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">And can we stop the most damaging shooters - the mass murderers - before they take innocent lives?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"You could think of domestic violence as a canary in the coal mine for future violence," said Sarah Tofte of the nonprofit group Everytown for Gun Safety.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The group's analysis of the problem concludes that in 54 percent of mass shootings between 2009 and 2016, the gunman had a history of family or domestic violence that should have been viewed more seriously.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Think about that. There were red flags of domestic abuse for more than half of mass shooters before they turned their gun on others. Tofte told Time magazine, "We may not know everything we need to know about why and when it reverberates outside the home, but we know that it does, and we've seen it over and over again." Yet only 17 states and the District of Columbia have passed gun-relinquishment laws that force those convicted of domestic violence and other violent offenders with restraining orders to hand over their firearms.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Could a determined offender get another gun illegally?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Yes. That's a different and difficult problem. But according to a study by Michigan State University, states that take guns from those with domestic-violence restraining orders have a 22 percent lower rate of intimate-partner homicide. Naturally, it is women and children who suffer the most.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Two decades ago, Congress passed the so-called Lautenberg Amendment that prohibited people from owning or buying a gun if they've been convicted of assaulting a spouse or child, or are under a permanent protective order. That is reported to have kept guns out of the hands of some 195,000 angry people. But over the years, the family dynamic has changed. Live-in partners, boyfriends, ex-spouses and convicted stalkers aren't covered under that law.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Gee, I know Washington lawmakers are busy these days, but maybe they could find some time to update this?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">You know what else would help keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Department of Defense obeying the existing federal law requiring the military to report service members who are violent felons and domestic abusers convicted of crimes that disqualify them from owning guns.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Each branch of the service is supposed to pass on to the FBI the names of those with court-martialed convictions, so they can be added to the national gun background-check database. The DOD has ignored its own inspector general, who has been warning about this lapse since back in the 1990s. According to a 2015 report and another issued just weeks ago, nearly 1 in 3 military convicts who should be barred from gun ownership remains unknown to the FBI.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The most recent case in point is Devin Kelley. He was found guilty during a court-martial on two vicious domestic-abuse charges against his wife and infant stepson, and he had a history of violence against women.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Air Force never reported Kelley to the FBI for inclusion on the do not-buy gun list. After serving time in a military prison and being discharged, the disgraced former airman bought more firearms and committed mass murder at a Texas church earlier this year. Twenty-six people died, and more than 20 others were wounded.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">By the way, three cities (New York, Philadelphia and San Francisco) are now suing the Pentagon to force it to comply with the federal reporting law. It's sad that the department tasked with ensuring national security has to be forced into action.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Every state and the U.S. Congress should pass laws that take away a violent convict's right to own a gun.common sense tells us that those who have perpetrated violence against others in the past should not be allowed to have the deadliest of weapons.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>If Texas can protect domestic violence victims from guns, why not Missouri?</b></span></div><div>St. Louis Post-Dispatch (MO)</div><div>Author/Byline: the Editorial Board</div><div>January 3, 2018 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Missouri Legislature opens its 2018 session Wednesday. Before moving on to tax breaks and special interest legislation, lawmakers should consider protecting women from being murdered by their husbands and boyfriends.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Yes, this will involve putting some limits on the sale and possession of firearms. But Republican lawmakers in states as conservative as Texas, Tennessee and Utah have decided that if an individual has been convicted of domestic abuse, or if there’s an order of protection against him, he shouldn’t possess firearms. It’s not an argument the gun lobby wants to publicly oppose.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Here’s a chance for a bipartisan effort to protect at least a few women and children, and the police officers who intervene in domestic disputes, from unhinged individuals.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Federal law passed in 1996, and upheld by the Supreme Court in 2016, bars domestic partners convicted of misdemeanor domestic-violence offenses from owning firearms. The law is hardly foolproof, as witness the killing of 26 churchgoers in Sutherland Springs, Texas, in November by a man the Air Force forgot to enter in the domestic violence database. More than half of mass killings stem from domestic disputes.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Some 22 states and the District of Columbia have passed even stronger laws that extend bans to ex-boyfriends and stalkers. Eleven of those states, including Texas, flatly bar people under restraining orders from having or buying guns.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Some states rely on voluntary compliance, but others give judges or law enforcement the right to seize weapons from high-risk individuals. Some states allow judges to issue “extreme risk” protection orders barring gun possession.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Missouri is among 13 states that offer women no protection of any sort from angry men with guns.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Clearly these sorts of laws are not a panacea. But researchers at Michigan State University who studied 34 years of data found that making it harder for abusive partners to possess weapons can cut homicide rates in such cases by about 10 percent to 23 percent. The stronger the laws, the greater the reduction.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Nationally, some 10,018 women were murdered between 2003 and 2014, nearly half of them by current or former domestic partners. Guns were used in the majority of the killings. In Missouri in 2015 there were 30 domestic-violence related homicides, the Highway Patrol reported, with guns used in 22 cases.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Last year there was some support among Republicans in the Missouri House for restricting access to firearms in domestic violence cases. This year only Democrats have filed bills. With a veto-proof Republican majority in both houses, these bills will go nowhere without GOP support.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">We enter each legislative year with hope, but the usual Missouri Republican response to any common-sense limit on guns is more guns — in schools, campuses, churches, etc. If that’s all they’ve got this year, Missouri’s vulnerable women can only conclude they don’t care.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Five years after Sandy Hook: Nothing</b></span></div><div>Free Press, The (Mankato, MN)</div><div>Author/Byline: Rich Cowles Special to The Free Press</div><div>January 5, 2018 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Five years ago December, a disturbed young man armed with an assault rifle and two handguns walked into Sandy Hook Elementary School and turned his deadly distress on first graders, killing 20 of them and six adults trying to protect them.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The massacre of children horrified us. The president shed tears on behalf of a grieving nation. Congressional bills were introduced to make it harder for dangerous people to possess guns and to ban assault weapons.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But in the end, Congress offered its thoughts and prayers, and moved on. Nothing changed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">For many Americans, this congressional shrug following the Sandy Hook massacre became the watershed moment when our country's identity changed. America changed from balancing individual rights and the public good to placing gun rights above even the rights of children to live to the ripe old age of 7.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Suddenly it was undeniable that our elected representatives were subservient to the gun industry, unwilling to even attempt to prevent mass shootings, not to mention address our gun homicide rate that's 25 times the average of other wealthy countries (American Journal of Medicine).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It doesn't need to be this way. Evidence shows that the right to bear arms and dramatically improved gun safety can co-exist.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">For instance, in the 19 states (Minnesota isn't one of them) that have closed the criminal background check loophole — extending required checks to include the 40 percent of sales from private sellers such as at gun shows and online — deaths have been reduced by nearly 50 percent (EverytownResearch.org).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Another example: According to FBI data gathered since its 1996 enactment, the Lautenberg Amendment banning the possession of firearms by people convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence — or having a protection/restraining order — has prevented 195,000 people from purchasing firearms. However, efforts to expand this life-saving coverage to include dating partners or other family members have not found sufficient support in Congress, in spite of the fact that the presence of a gun in a domestic violence situation makes it five times more likely that a woman will be killed (American Journal of Public Health).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">This is an agonizing time — and a vexing issue — for the concerned citizen infused with an optimistic belief that concerted action on behalf of the common good will win the day. It's like we're caught in a maze of horrors with no way out. There are proposed solutions in different paths but, try as we might, there's an NRA-sponsored politician blocking every hopeful path, waving a Second Amendment banner in our face. Meanwhile the clock ticks — often only a few seconds — till the next preventable death by gun.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">That the Second Amendment permits gun regulation was unambiguously upheld even in the 2008 Supreme Court decision that opened the door to individual ownership of guns. In the 5-4 majority opinion, Chief Justice Scalia wrote "Like most rights, the right secured by the Second Amendment is not unlimited … not a right to keep and carry any weapon whatsoever in any manner whatsoever and for whatever purpose … nothing in our opinion should be taken to cast doubt … on laws imposing conditions and qualifications on the commercial sale of arms."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Surveys show that most Americans share a belief in sensible gun laws. Most recently, both the Gallup and Quinnipiac polls taken this October show 60 percent of Americans support stricter gun laws. It would seem the large majority of us expect that with rights go responsibilities.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Yet, as if culturally tone-deaf, the first bill passed by the U.S. House since the recent spate of mass shootings — Concealed Carry Reciprocity — would make it easier for people to carry guns anywhere, even those who can't pass a background check. If Congress refused to act after Sandy Hook, we shouldn't be surprised at its latest kowtowing to the gun lobby.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">While individual states have had some success in enacting reasonable and effective gun laws like background checks on all gun sales and protections against domestic violence, Congress has the unique power to quickly pass measures that safeguard our daily lives and, ultimately, define our national identity.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">What will it take for the U.S. to begin to shed its gun-dominated identity and rejoin the ranks of civilized nations that place paramount value on the lives of their citizens?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Rich Cowles of Eagan, a retired nonprofit leader, is a volunteer for gun violence prevention groups.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Wisconsin woman who lost gun rights for a misdemeanor conviction can't withdraw plea</b></span></div><div>Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Web Edition Articles (WI)</div><div>February 8, 2018 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A Johnson Creek woman says she should be able to withdraw her guilty pleas to a misdemeanor because her lawyer didn't warn her it would result in a lifetime ban on having a gun.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But the Court of Appeals on Thursday rejected Amanda Longley's argument that losing gun rights should be treated like being deported when it comes to important consequences of a guilty plea.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The key for Longley, 29, was that her disorderly conduct was part of domestic violence. She says she didn't know that such a conviction, even though not a felony, would mean she could never again possess firearms.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">That has been the law since the 1996 Lautenberg Amendment but has also been under attack in recent years by gun rights advocates after Supreme Court decisions expanding some other Second Amendment rights.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">When she learned that truth, she tried to withdraw her guilty plea and was denied. On appeal, she argued that a 1999 Wisconsin case should be reconsidered in light of other rulings since then that found a defendant should be able to withdraw a plea because he wasn't told he could be deported upon conviction.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The 1999 case held that a defense lawyer need not discuss a gun ban with a client if the ban is merely a collateral consequence of a guilty plea.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In 2010, the U.S. Supreme Court found that lawyers must tell clients if a plea carries the risk of deportation, which the court found to be a unique and serious risk akin to "banishment or exile."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In 2016, Wisconsin's Supreme Court said even indefinite civil commitment as a violent sexual offender under the state's Chapter 980 wasn't equivalent to deportation and said lawyers were not required to mention the possibility to clients considering pleas to certain sex offenses.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">And so appellate Judge Paul Lundsten rejected Longley's argument. He found that even though the 2016 case recognized factors that went into the deportation case, it "did not, however, indicate that courts are now generally free, let alone required, to apply these factors to expand counsel's duties as to all manner of collateral consequences."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">According to court records, Longley struck the father of her child and his girlfriend during an argument at the man's home in August 2015. The disorderly conduct charge carried a domestic abuse enhancer because of Longley's relationship with the man and their child, who was also present.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Longley was convicted of battery of the girlfriend, which did not have domestic violence enhancer because the two women had never met.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A judge sentenced Longley to a year of probation.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Offenses sent to database way up</b></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;">FBI didn't get case of church gunman</span></div><div>San Antonio Express-News (TX)</div><div>February 13, 2018 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In the weeks after Devin Patrick Kelley gunned down 26 people in a Sutherland Springs church Nov. 5, the U.S. military sent more than 4,500 dishonorable discharge records to an FBI database used to prevent former service members from obtaining firearms.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Kelley, 26, of New Braunfels had been kicked out of the Air Force after serving time for a 2012 domestic assault and child abuse conviction. The service did not report his case to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System database, which would have prevented him from legally buying four firearms after his discharge - one of which was used in the killings.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The military failed to forward thousands of similar records to the FBI. The database contained just under 11,000 dishonorable discharges from all service branches at the time of the shooting, the worst in modern Texas history. FBI records show that the number of dishonorable discharges on the list increased to 14,825 in November and 15,583 at the end of December.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I'm disappointed that it took a tragedy like this to get them to do what they're supposed to do, but am not surprised there were that many they had to add," said retired Air Force Col. Don Christensen, president of Protect Our Defenders, an advocacy group for military assault and sexual assault victims. "They were not complying with the law, there were multiple IG (inspector general) investigations . and it was never a priority to comply with it, and they didn't."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Kelley's rampage, which ended in his suicide, occurred during a Sunday service at First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs. He had served in the Air Force but was kicked out after being convicted of spousal and child abuse at a base in New Mexico. The Air Force admitted that its Office of Special Investigations, responsible for reporting Kelley's conviction and discharge status, failed to do so.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The problem was decades old. A Pentagon inspector general's report released Dec. 5 said the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps often failed to submit fingerprint cards and documentation of convicted felons and noted that such widespread failures went back more than 20 years.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Stung by outrage over the shooting, Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein ordered a review of all records with reportable offenses across the Air Force back to 2002. More than 60,000 cases described as "serious offenses" were said to be under scrutiny. The status of that review isn't known.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">There was no indication of how far back the newly added cases went. The Air Force said it could not discuss the changes, citing lawsuits filed since the shooting spree, and referred all questions to the Justice Department, which had not responded as of late Monday.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">At least five lawsuits have been filed by families of the victims or survivors.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Given we are in ongoing litigation, I don't have any additional details I can release at this time," Air Force spokeswoman Ann Stefanek said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The latest NICS database information shows that dishonorable discharges represent a relatively small number of prohibited categories, which include convictions of crimes punishable by more than one year in prison. More than 3.4 million people were included in that category.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But the Defense Department and service branches appear to have reported dishonorable discharges much more frequently than other required categories. A summary of the NICS database published at the end of 2016 showed that the military had forwarded only one domestic violence case, a handful of "adjudicated mental health" reports, one felony and 10,958 dishonorable discharges to the list.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The database is one of three used for background checks on gun purchases. The others are the Interstate Identification Index and the National Criminal Information Center.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Kelley was given a bad-conduct discharge after his conviction at Holloman AFB in New Mexico on charges of assaulting his wife and infant child, who suffered a skull fracture. He was sentenced to a year in a Navy brig and drummed out of the Air Force with a the bad-conduct discharge in 2014.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Crimes under military law are not classified as felonies or misdemeanors, said Geoffrey Corn, a professor at South Texas College of Law in Houston. The Manual for Courts-Martial lists sentences for a variety of crimes and allows for punitive discharges, including dishonorable and bad-conduct discharges, that can be issued as punishment after a conviction.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Federal law prohibits any person charged or convicted of a crime with an authorized penalty of more than one year, or any person discharged from the military under dishonorable conditions, from possessing a firearm. In 1997, under the Lautenberg Amendment, Congress added people convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence crimes.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Because not all military offenses authorize a dishonorable discharge as part of the sentence, many service members were not disqualified from possessing weapons. To resolve the uncertainty, Corn said, the military required that any domestic violence case be reported as if it fell under the Lautenberg Amendment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In Kelley's case, the Air Force's failure to report his conviction and discharge allowed him to legally buy a firearm each year between 2014 and 2017. In 2016, he bought a Ruger AR-556 rifle at an Academy Sports & Outdoors in San Antonio. Academy said Kelley passed his background check. The weapon was used in the church shooting.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Pentagon inspector general report cited failures by the military to report required names to the FBI in 2015 and 2016, and it noted similar failure rates from a 2010 to 2012 study period and in 1996.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"What's disappointing about this is that for decades multiple service chiefs knew about this happening, and multiple service chiefs didn't make sure that it was corrected and not a single one of them will be held accountable for failing to ensure their service followed the law," said Christensen, a former Air Force judge who served as the service's chief prosecutor. "The shooting showed the serious consequences of not doing your job."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Appearing on the database is no guarantee that the rules will be followed. A 2016 report from the Government Accountability Office examined domestic violence-related NICS checks from 2006 to 2015, reviewing 59,000 cases that ended in convictions and 30,000 involving protective orders. It found more than 6,700 instances where purchasers still walked away from retailers with firearms.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>CSRA Probation Service talks gun laws amid recent tragedies</b></span></div><div>Northeast Georgian, The (Cornelia, GA)</div><div>March 28, 2018 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">EVANS – In 2018, according to data from Gun Violence Archive, there have already been more than 30 mass shootings in the United States. After one of the most recent shootings at a school in Florida, the constant debate on gun control continues with many questions, also many opinions. But, how many people really know the gun laws in their state?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In Georgia, if you have been charged with a crime but you have no prior felony convictions, the First Offender Act may allow you to avoid conviction, thus allowing you to keep your right to bear arms. But, when it comes to domestic violence, even if you are convicted on a misdemeanor charge, your right to purchase or even own a gun is stripped away from you.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Lautenberg Amendment is the provision that makes it lawful to ban guns from misdemeanor domestic violence offen-ers. The offender’s right to bear arms can never be gained back, preventing them from participating in recreational activities like hunting. In order to keep track of offenders who are now on probation, it’s important that the reporting from the supervising agencies is done properly.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">At CSRA Probation Service Inc., the probation offi-cers use different means of monitoring and supervising to follow up with higher-risk offenders, who may potentially find a way to unlawfully purchase a gun. They work closely with the Georgia Crime Information Center to report information about probationers who may have committed other crimes.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">This keeps background checks, and other information about offenders, as accurate as possible and helps in the prevention of future crimes.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Once a person completes their probation sentence, it is up to that offender to apply to have his or her civil rights and rights to own a firearm restored, but it is not the same process. Just because a person has his or her civil rights restored, it doesn’t automatically give that person the right to purchase or own a firearm.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Probation and probation officers play a key role in keeping track of offenders who could potentially commit other violent crimes. There is no guarantee that reporting to other governmental criminal justice agencies will stop all offenders from purchasing firearms or committing other crimes, but it is a way of aiding the criminal justice system to prevent future errors within the system.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">CSRA Probation Services is a state-regulated company committed to providing professional, ethical and diligent services to the courts, clients and citizens of Georgia.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Bill passed to confiscate guns for domestic-violence misdemeanors</b></span></div><div>Buffalo News, The: Web Edition Articles (NY)</div><div>March 31, 2018 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">New York gun owners convicted of misdemeanors in domestic-violence cases would have their firearms taken away under a bill lawmakers approved along with the new state budget.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Convicted felons already are barred from gun ownership in the state. The new bill, promoted by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, would strip guns from people convicted of misdemeanor counts of assault, menacing, criminal contempt, unlawful imprisonment, aggravated harassment and similar charges if the victims are members of their family or their household.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The bill, which was swiftly approved Friday along with general budget legislation, also clarifies that long guns, as well as handguns, are to be surrendered for felony convictions, serious criminal convictions and matters involving orders of protection, along with now misdemeanor domestic-violence convictions. The bill's authors said existing laws had left unclear when rifles and shotguns were to be taken.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Gun owners will have the right to a hearing to challenge orders to surrender weapons, though guns can be confiscated taken and held before such hearings occur.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Early this year, Cuomo talked up the need for such a law, pointing out that the shooters in many of the deadliest mass shootings in recent U.S. history had an existing record of violence against women, threatening violence against women, or harassing or disparaging women. In 2016, firearms were used in 25 domestic homicides in New York, according to the governor's office.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Domestic violence is one of the main indicators of the potential for deadly use of weapons," said Paul McQuillen of Hamburg, upstate coordinator for the group New Yorkers Against Gun Violence. "To be honest, I don't think anybody is a supporter of allowing an individual who is capable of misdemeanor domestic violence to have access to a weapon. Anybody who is capable of engaging in domestic violence is certainly capable of escalating that."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">However, doubts were raised Saturday about the usefulness of the new legislation. In practice, law enforcement officers already have discretion to take guns from people accused in domestic violence cases, especially after a judge issues an order of protection, said Harold "Budd" Schroeder, chairman emeritus of the Shooters Committee on Political Education, a longtime critic of Cuomo for his gun-control measures.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"The procedure is already there to take away a weapon from any person the police deem to be a problem," Schroeder said. "But Cuomo is looking for any ways to deny people their Second Amendment rights."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Further, the federal "Lautenberg amendment" – named in 1996 for U.S. Senate sponsor Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J. – already makes it illegal for people convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence to own guns, Schroeder said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But even supporters of the Lautenberg amendment say it can be problematic because of gaps in the way states and other authorities report those convictions for background checks.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">One who slipped through was Devin Kelley, the shooter who in November massacred parishioners in a church in Sutherland Springs, Texas. Kelley obtained an AR-15 rifle even though he had been convicted while in the Air Force of beating his wife and fracturing his stepson's skull. His conviction had not been entered into the National Criminal Information Center database. The Air Force has since acknowledged its error.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"The Lautenberg Amendment was bare bones," Kim Gandy, the chief executive of the National Network to End Domestic Violence, told The New York Times in November. "There are a lot of gaps in the instant criminal background check system; the data is only as good as what goes into it. "</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>GUN LAW TARGETS DOMESTIC ABUSERS</b></span></div><div>Times Union, The (Albany, NY)</div><div>April 2, 2018 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The state tightened gun restrictions for domestic violence abusers by passing legislation Friday that increases the list of crimes that would prevent someone from purchasing or owning a gun.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Now, if a member of a family or household is convicted of one of more than 10 different crimes -- including criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation, menacing and unlawful imprisonment -- the conviction is reported to the state Division of Criminal Justice Services, which then allows that agency to report the information to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Such information held by the FBI would then be seen during firearm purchase background checks.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Conviction of domestic-related crimes now will also require the loss of a gun license and the surrender of all firearms.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Federal law already bans gun ownership by those convicted in domestic violence cases. But there are gaps in how such people are tracked nationally.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The new state legislation also added the term "rifle or shotgun" to the firearms prohibited, and included a ban on anyone trying to obtain a gun license who is being sought by law enforcement on a warrant for a felony or "serious offense."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Late last year, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced his intention to tie gun ownership with lesser misdemeanor crimes that are commonly linked with domestic abuse. State law had largely prohibited weapons possession only in felony convictions.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">As budget negotiations wound down Friday, the domestic violence gun ban was removed from the spending plans and was voted on separately as a governor's program bill in the state Assembly and Senate.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The governor's office issued a statement Saturday saying that in nine of the 10 deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history, the shooter had a record of committing or threatening violence against women, or harassing or disparaging women.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Cuomo's office said that in 2016, firearms were used in 35 domestic homicides in New York.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Prevent Child Abuse New York, along with the New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the YWCA of NorthEastern NY, had previously asked sheriffs from across the state to sign a letter in support of the proposal.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The legislation was built on bills previously pushed by Assemblymember Amy Paulin, Sen. Diane Savino and other members of the Legislature, the governor's office said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Such legislation, however, is not a failsafe in keeping weapons out of the hands of those convicted of domestic-related crimes.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In the case of the Sutherland Springs church mass shooting in Texas last November, the U.S. Air Force acknowledged it should have provided information to the FBI that the shooter was previously convicted by a general court-martial for domestic assault. The Air Force said the offense was not entered into a national database, which meant the shooter was able to pass background checks to purchase weapons.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Cuomo's office said that in 2016, firearms were used in 35 domestic homicides in New York.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Cuomo signs abuser gun ban</b></span></div><div>New York Daily News (NY)</div><div>May 2, 2018 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">JOINED BY House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Florida school shooting survivor Aalayah Eastmond, Gov. Cuomo signed a bill Tuesday to take firearms out of the hands of domestic abusers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The governor hailed the law as a step toward national "common-sense gun reform," and said "50% of the women killed with a gun in this country were killed by an intimate partner." Cuomo (photo) told the approximately 200 politicians and activists at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in Midtown the law will require domestic abusers to surrender all types of firearms. He also said he's pushing to extend the waiting period from three to 10 days for people who aren't readily approved though the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Pelosi said the governor and the state have her full support. "This bill will not only save lives, but it will serve as a model for the rest of the country," the California Democrat said. Eastmond, a junior at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School who hid under the lifeless body of a classmate during the Feb. 14 mass shooting in Parkland, Fla., said, "It's been 66 days since the shooting at my school, and nothing has changed in Washington."</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b style="color: #800180; font-size: xx-large;">2019: Lautenberg DV Gun Ban - News Articles And Reports</b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Idaho legislators have a duty to keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers</b></span></div><div>Idaho Statesman, The (Boise, ID)</div><div>January 27, 2019 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEis9BrHKQ4zI38eWqY4jARnruq4-KHmgXH5YiusxTeqs41JzvtT0PMe6Il64f5eD6qN7UWBCCHdBclMp3GLnmWrFBg02u_Bd4UOnFzpjgFejLyN2xHO9DaORRvs2kWXCCdKmf1crBympCaUIre_TiHHz44a7JTc-96biT4OIgo6daH2QF6RWdkqliTUbw=s782" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="461" data-original-width="782" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEis9BrHKQ4zI38eWqY4jARnruq4-KHmgXH5YiusxTeqs41JzvtT0PMe6Il64f5eD6qN7UWBCCHdBclMp3GLnmWrFBg02u_Bd4UOnFzpjgFejLyN2xHO9DaORRvs2kWXCCdKmf1crBympCaUIre_TiHHz44a7JTc-96biT4OIgo6daH2QF6RWdkqliTUbw=s16000" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It's a shame shared by every resident of Idaho: Since 2017, at least 13 women in our state have been killed by men they loved, or once loved.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Their slayings have helped make homicide one of the top 10 causes of premature death for Idaho women. And we aren't doing all we could do to stop it.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Statesman reporter Audrey Dutton, in a chilling report, documented how frequently Idaho women die at the hands of current and former husbands and boyfriends.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Women like Jaclyn Zabel, 29, who told police as early as 2014 that her husband, Ian Stone, had beaten her in front of her children, and later that he threatened her with his gun. Stone returned May 28 to fulfill his promise.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Or like Lora Skeahan, 48, whose abusive boyfriend repeatedly violated no contact orders, returning home to beat and torment Skeahan, before killing her July 5.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The victims were of different ages and backgrounds, but they had in common boyfriends and husbands with a documented history of violence against women, and the means to carry out their threats to kill, thanks in part to inadequate state laws.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Idaho, unlike most other states, does nothing to prevent monsters who prey upon their former partners from obtaining and possessing firearms. State lawmakers could change that, and should.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Yet last year, the Idaho House of Representatives torpedoed a bill that would have prevented convicted domestic abusers from owning guns for two years.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Opponents said a federal law, the Lautenberg Amendment, already covers this sort of situation. It does. But inadequately.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Because the Lautenberg Amendment is a federal law, it often goes unenforced. Agents from the FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives lack the manpower to follow up on every gun purchase by an abuser, assuming they even find out about it.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><b>State and local law enforcement don't have the authority to enforce federal law.</b> The Lautenberg Amendment also is too limited. It forbids abusers only from buying weapons. It says nothing about weapons they already own.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">And it contains a gaping boyfriend loophole. It applies only to a current or former spouse, parent or guardian of the victim, or someone with whom the offender shares a child. Boyfriends convicted of beating up their girlfriend or stalking their ex can go buy a gun that afternoon.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Twenty-nine states have adopted tougher state versions of the Lautenberg Amendment to protect their residents. Many confiscate weapons from abusers not allowed to own them, and they close the boyfriend loophole.</span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">In states with such laws, intimate partner homicides occur with 10 percent less frequency, and domestic killings with guns decrease 14 percent.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Idaho would save lives with a similar law. Prohibit individuals convicted of domestic violence or subject to domestic violence protective orders from buying guns, and require them to surrender any firearms and ammunition. Go even further and empower local law enforcement to temporarily confiscate weapons they find at the scene of a domestic violence incident until the situation is defused.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Such measures would not infringe on Second Amendment rights ... period. The U.S. Supreme Court repeatedly has upheld these restrictions, and Idaho's attorney general agreed last year that they met the state constitutional test.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">This should not become a gun rights issue. The Idaho Statesman has always defended the rights of proper gun owners. But women have the right to be safe from violence, and the state has an obligation to do all it can to provide that safety.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Responsible gun owners have nothing to fear from legislation that keeps firearms out of the hands of those who would use them to kill women. In fact, it is in their interest to prevent guns from being misused.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Domestic violence is messy and complex. No single measure will prevent failed relationships from spiraling out of control. But sensible steps should be taken.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Domestic violence hotlines such as the ones run by Boise's Women's and Children's Alliance and the National Domestic Violence Hotline can help if women reach out. So can centers such as Faces of Hope for women and children extracting themselves from abusive relationships.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But the bottom line is that lawmakers have a responsibility to make it harder for abusers to kill women.</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>If lawmakers don’t act, blood will be on their hands</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Lewiston Tribune (ID)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">February 2, 2019 </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It’s a shame shared by every resident of Idaho: Since 2017, at least 13 women in our state have been killed by men they loved, or once loved.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Their slayings have helped make homicide one of the top 10 causes of premature death for Idaho women. And we aren’t doing all we could do to stop it.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Statesman reporter Audrey Dutton, in a chilling report, documented how frequently Idaho women die at the hands of current and former husbands and boyfriends.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Women like Jaclyn Zabel, 29, who told police as early as 2014 that her husband, Ian Stone, had beaten her in front of her children, and later that he threatened her with his gun. Stone returned May 28 to fulfill his promise.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Or like Lora Skeahan, 48, whose abusive boyfriend repeatedly violated no contact orders, returning home to beat and torment Skeahan, before killing her July 5.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The victims were of different ages and backgrounds, but they had in common boyfriends and husbands with a documented history of violence against women, and the means to carry out their threats to kill, thanks in part to inadequate state laws.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Idaho, unlike most other states, does nothing to prevent monsters who prey upon their former partners from obtaining and possessing firearms. State lawmakers could change that, and should.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Yet last year, the Idaho House of Representatives torpedoed a bill that would have prevented convicted domestic abusers from owning guns for two years. The opposition came exclusively from Republicans.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Opponents said a federal law, the Lautenberg Amendment, already covers this sort of situation. It does. But inadequately.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Because the Lautenberg Amendment is a federal law, it often goes unenforced. Agents from the FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives lack the manpower to follow up on every gun purchase by an abuser, assuming they even find out about it.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">State and local law enforcement don’t have the authority to enforce federal law. The Lautenberg Amendment also is too limited. It forbids abusers only from buying weapons. It says nothing about weapons they already own.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And it contains a gaping boyfriend loophole. It applies only to a current or former spouse, parent or guardian of the victim, or someone with whom the offender shares a child. Boyfriends convicted of beating up their girlfriend or stalking their ex can go buy a gun that afternoon.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Twenty-nine states have adopted tougher state versions of the Lautenberg Amendment to protect their residents. Many confiscate weapons from abusers not allowed to own them, and they close the boyfriend loophole.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In states with such laws, intimate partner homicides occur with 10 percent less frequency, and domestic killings with guns decrease 14 percent.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Idaho would save lives with a similar law. Prohibit individuals convicted of domestic violence or subject to domestic violence protective orders from buying guns, and require them to surrender any firearms and ammunition. Go even further and empower local law enforcement to temporarily confiscate weapons they find at the scene of a domestic violence incident until the situation is defused.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Such measures would not infringe on Second Amendment rights — period. The U.S. Supreme Court repeatedly has upheld these restrictions, and Idaho’s attorney general agreed last year that they met the state constitutional test.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This should not become a gun rights issue. The Idaho Statesman has always defended the rights of proper gun owners. But women have the right to be safe from violence, and the state has an obligation to do all it can to provide that safety.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Responsible gun owners have nothing to fear from legislation that keeps firearms out of the hands of those who would use them to kill women. In fact, it is in their interest to prevent guns from being misused.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Domestic violence is messy and complex. No single measure will prevent failed relationships from spiraling out of control. But sensible steps should be taken.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Domestic violence hotlines such as the ones run by Boise’s Women’s and Children’s Alliance and the National Domestic Violence Hotline can help if women reach out. So can centers such as Faces of Hope for women and children extracting themselves from abusive relationships. But the bottom line is that lawmakers have a responsibility to make it harder for abusers to kill women.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">If lawmakers again refuse to join most other states in prohibiting abusers from owning firearms, the blood of the next woman shot by a boyfriend or an ex will be on their hands.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Federal Prosecutors Are Cracking Down on Domestic Abusers With Guns </b></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;">As U.S. attorneys prosecute more gun crimes, they are catching domestic abusers in their net</span></div><div>Slate (USA)</div><div>March 25, 2019</div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A version of this article was originally published by the Trace, a nonprofit news organization covering guns in America. Sign up for the newsletter, or follow the Trace on Facebook or Twitter.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In February, Erin Nealy Cox, a Trump-appointed U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Texas, held a press conference to announce steps her office was taking to reduce deaths from domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Standing behind a lectern, Cox introduced a districtwide initiative informally called "Abusers with Guns." Its mission: to prosecute people who should not have firearms because of prior domestic violence misdemeanors, felonies, or protective orders.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Not only could the Justice Department theoretically prosecute you for firearm possession, but in the Northern District of Texas, we will prosecute you," said Cox in her prepared remarks. "And upon conviction, the penalties will be swift, stiff, and serious."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Since she was sworn into office in November 2017, Cox has established one of the most aggressive records in the country for prosecuting domestic abusers who unlawfully keep guns. In fiscal year 2018, Cox prosecuted 23 people with the lead charge of unlawful gun possession despite a prior domestic violence misdemeanor conviction, according to Syracuse University's Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse database (TRAC), which compiles information on federal prosecutions. That tally is the highest of any district in the country. (Cox said the total "sounded high" but her office was unable to provide a precise figure. TRAC's figures were confirmed by several other districts though its national tally was slightly higher than the one provided by the Justice Department.)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Just four years earlier, only 23 people in the entire country were prosecuted under the federal statute banning people convicted of a domestic violence misdemeanor from possessing firearms, according to TRAC.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Domestic violence cases are just a no-brainer because of the violence associated with them," said Cox. "If I have limited resources and—let's just say I'm going after felons with a gun—why wouldn't you prioritize going after domestic violence felons if you know that they're high-risk offenders?"</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Northern District of Texas is just one of several across the country that has announced new efforts to punish abusers who unlawfully keep guns. In the past five months, U.S. attorneys in Ohio, Oklahoma, and Vermont have also said they are using the force of federal law to crack down on these crimes.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">According to data provided by the Justice Department, there has been an 80 percent increase in the past two years in the number of people charged under 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(9), the federal law banning those convicted of a domestic violence misdemeanor from possessing firearms. In fiscal year 2018, 197 defendants were prosecuted, up from 110 in fiscal year 2016.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"We've been saying to anyone who will listen, this is homicide prevention," said Mike Tobin, a spokesman for the U.S. attorney in the Northern District of Ohio. There, prosecutions of 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(9) have increased from zero in fiscal 2014 to six in fiscal 2018, according to TRAC.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It "just doesn't seem like there's much downside" to taking on these cases, added Tobin.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"If you're willing to punch your wife in the face and hit her over the head with a beer bottle, you're probably more likely to pull a firearm and shoot her or shoot the police officers who are responding to the call from the neighbor. And there are countless examples of that."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A woman is shot to death by a current or former romantic partner every 16 hours, according to FBI and state crime data analyzed by the Associated Press. Domestic violence claims the lives of children, innocent bystanders, and police officers called to help; it sometimes escalates to mass shootings. Abused women are five times more likely to die if their abuser has access to a gun.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Recognizing the dangerous link between guns and domestic abuse, Congress passed a federal law known as the Lautenberg Amendment in 1996 to ban those convicted of domestic violence misdemeanors from possessing firearms.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">There is some evidence to suggest that the law has saved lives by preventing dangerous people from having guns; it is also thought to be massively underutilized. In 2015, a former federal prosecutor claimed it was "egregiously ineffective" and noted that "hundreds of thousands" of Americans were potentially in violation of it.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Domestic abuse is typically handled at the state and local levels, where laws vary widely. So federal prosecution numbers do not provide a complete picture of how these crimes are handled in the criminal justice system. But for years, experts on the issue have encouraged the feds to do more to punish abusers who unlawfully keep guns.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Now it seems a shift is underway.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">As part of the "Abusers with Guns" initiative, Cox designated one federal prosecutor to partner with state and local law enforcement to identify the offenders whose cases should be handled federally.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">These efforts are part of a nationwide uptick in federal gun prosecutions that began in 2014 during the Obama administration. It was strengthened by former Attorney General Jeff Sessions. One consequence of trying more gun crimes is that federal prosecutors are catching domestic abusers in their net.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Advocates for survivors of domestic violence say they're glad to see more domestic abusers penalized for unlawful gun possession.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"To the extent that federal prosecutions mean that we are now taking both domestic violence and gun violence against survivors more seriously, I am all for it," said Natalie Nanasi, a law professor at Southern Methodist University who runs the Judge Elmo B. Hunter Legal Center for Victims of Crimes Against Women. She added that any approach should be informed by the opinions of individual survivors.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">One advantage of the feds targeting domestic abusers who unlawfully keep guns, says David Keck, director of the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence and Firearms, is that in some states, "the only way of prosecuting somebody is to prosecute federally."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Advocates for survivors of domestic violence say they're glad to see more domestic abusers penalized for unlawful gun possession.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">As of this writing, 21 states do not have laws that align with the federal gun ban for those convicted of domestic violence misdemeanors, according to the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"If there isn't a state law that mirrors that federal law, it can be very confusing—if not impossible—for states' law enforcement professionals and the state courts to figure out how to implement that federal law," adds Sierra Smucker, an expert on firearms regulations at the RAND Corporation.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A Justice Department spokesman attributed the recent increase in federal prosecutions under this statute across the country to two factors. First, he noted three recent Supreme Court cases (notably Voisine v. U.S in 2016) that clarified the kinds of lower-level cases that can be prosecuted at the federal level. He also cited Project Safe Neighborhoods, an initiative to combat gun violence that was first implemented in 2001 under President George W. Bush and reinvigorated in March 2017 by Jeff Sessions.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">One component of Project Safe Neighborhoods is designed to encourage U.S. attorneys to partner with state and local law enforcement officials to identify the most violent criminals and determine the cases that should be handled in federal courts, which typically have harsher penalties.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Several representatives for U.S. attorneys' offices—including those in northern Ohio, western Oklahoma, and Vermont—attributed their increased emphasis on domestic violence to Project Safe Neighborhoods and specifically mentioned the increased cooperation.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In northern Ohio, funding from Project Safe Neighborhoods has paid for additional prosecutors to handle violent crime cases.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In Vermont, a Project Safe Neighborhoods task force, composed of members from state, local, and federal law enforcement, created an education campaign to warn domestic violence offenders of the consequences they faced if caught with illegal firearms.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It is too early to say whether or not these new efforts have reduced intimate partner homicides.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">There is some evidence that in its early years, Project Safe Neighborhoods was effective at reducing homicides. Critics of the program have noted that it ignores corrupt gun suppliers, targets black Americans, exacerbates America's overincarceration problem, and catches nonviolent offenders in its net.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Several experts interviewed for this piece say they support the federal efforts but share concerns about America's high rates of incarceration. "I am also concerned about overincarceration," said Nanasi. "However I am more concerned about over incarceration of nonviolent drug offenders, misdemeanants who jaywalk, who can't pay their bond, for crimes that don't endanger the safety of the people around them."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Rather than prosecuting people, Keck of the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence and Firearms would prefer for guns to be surrendered by people who shouldn't have them because they pose a threat to public safety. Ideally this would happen when the offense is first adjudicated—and before the defendant is in violation of federal law.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Still, Keck believes that enforcing the federal law will encourage more people to comply with it. "You send a message that the federal government's going to take it seriously," he added.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">That, says Cox, is one of her goals. She hopes it will encourage family violence judges to say to defendants, "This is not just a theoretical prosecution, this is happening, there's an initiative. So don't possess a gun, whatever you do."</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>After three domestic violence charges made it to court, he walked away with no convictions and the right to keep guns</b></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;">Then came the deadly shooting on Jan. 4</span></div><div>Danville Register & Bee (VA)</div><div>April 20, 2019 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgwRBullEMfOSJTMO29eRTTCovw0P2miaD77frFT9eW1d4uhzz1PHLI4DXSEHj56vbVPnvvpHhP8pVruFUYKQfY2oGZAEaDOE0rX13KdmqR9nc6sU1tpqp180zXYxXahNdAVeLpzsDxlGWXy3cLmXBjBPmpQ0rmSJWfvF0lHoKHPrqw3-jHW56a7YpcXQ=s1021" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="1021" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgwRBullEMfOSJTMO29eRTTCovw0P2miaD77frFT9eW1d4uhzz1PHLI4DXSEHj56vbVPnvvpHhP8pVruFUYKQfY2oGZAEaDOE0rX13KdmqR9nc6sU1tpqp180zXYxXahNdAVeLpzsDxlGWXy3cLmXBjBPmpQ0rmSJWfvF0lHoKHPrqw3-jHW56a7YpcXQ=s16000" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEggMKtS3OjBY3MnMjCAy3hlSFV0js4hm3j_9Jxs1owxaGYb5rqFy1EFaxVenwhgplIrPp6Wv0FdHV9q15I81TKDBvhtatSQcR2cXcE8PFLob2UPR-9GZHeRjDYEmrs_CX3R0W25H-cd06958rePzFvgrqcNqKmi4p2RUQv48S7ts0qS9zlgoNUT8FCKSw=s1000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEggMKtS3OjBY3MnMjCAy3hlSFV0js4hm3j_9Jxs1owxaGYb5rqFy1EFaxVenwhgplIrPp6Wv0FdHV9q15I81TKDBvhtatSQcR2cXcE8PFLob2UPR-9GZHeRjDYEmrs_CX3R0W25H-cd06958rePzFvgrqcNqKmi4p2RUQv48S7ts0qS9zlgoNUT8FCKSw=s16000" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjE21RWNNHJknj_u7wRj9rFEpcL-WmRkhLxHEix7pGWmLiP1jmjW9qBNWlhGacsRxeRklqkM4HMgtcE5Wcd9RybMzatRyY4s-xuA5OU4DEiz6PmiIIH8Io5XMrPCuMyPbVi4f8qcb2gu5KRaRnU0-jYHZ6KPEIjGkeL2ZMaTSyyInv_dDw4RhCJLtcjpA=s994" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="507" data-original-width="994" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjE21RWNNHJknj_u7wRj9rFEpcL-WmRkhLxHEix7pGWmLiP1jmjW9qBNWlhGacsRxeRklqkM4HMgtcE5Wcd9RybMzatRyY4s-xuA5OU4DEiz6PmiIIH8Io5XMrPCuMyPbVi4f8qcb2gu5KRaRnU0-jYHZ6KPEIjGkeL2ZMaTSyyInv_dDw4RhCJLtcjpA=s16000" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">There were plenty of red flags in the years before Jason Owen Davis killed his wife, their 12-year-old son and himself earlier this year.</span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">There were three assault-and-battery charges over a one-year period, each time over allegations he hit or threatened his wife. Guns were mentioned in the complaints she penned to police. But after all three charges made it to court, he walked away with two years of probation, a 12-session anger management class, the right to keep firearms and no conviction.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Virginia law helped him do that.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The documents filed in Pittsylvania County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court illuminate the loophole in state law that helped precipitate the killings of Jan. 4.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The difference between jail time and probation lies in Virginia's first-offender statue.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Davis' first charge of assault and battery of a family member — in 2007 — resulted in a not-guilty verdict.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">And though Davis, 44, pleaded guilty to his second charge that same year, it was eventually dropped, pursuant to the law. After a two-year probationary period and an anger management class, which he completed shortly before being charged again, the case was dismissed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">After he was accused of assaulting his wife a third time, he was summoned to court for a hearing on the charges. His wife did not show up for the first hearing on the charge, and he did not show up to the second hearing. Sheriff's deputies could not find him either. So after 10 years, the court dropped the charge in April 2018 — nine months before he would kill wife Twana Rhodes Davis and son Ramand Kassadine Davis at their 3197 Shula Drive home in Hurt.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Though there was a wide wake of paperwork alleging and substantiating domestic violence misdemeanors, nothing in Virginia law prohibited him from having a gun. When police searched his house after the killings, documents filed in Pittsylvania County Circuit Court show, they found quite a few: at least three handguns, two rifles and a shotgun.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Virginia's first-offender laws also shielded him from federal law governing firearms possession, which could have made him ineligible to buy or possess one had he been convicted of a domestic violence misdemeanor in state court. It may have changed the course of Jan. 4.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But, more likely than not, nothing would have happened.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Jan. 4</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">At 5:51 p.m., Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to a gas station on Blue Ridge Drive after receiving a call from an employee, who reported that two women with gunshot wounds showed up to the store in a bullet-riddled car Jan. 4. There, deputies found Patricia Poindexter and Deborah Isabel Rhodes as the clerk said — both shot. The two are the mother and aunt, respectively, of Twana Rhodes Davis.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Neither Poindexter nor Rhodes, who were reached through an intermediary, wished to be interviewed for this story.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">After talking with the two gunshot victims, deputies went to visit the house on Shula Drive, where the women said Davis had shot up their car. As deputies raced there, warrants were taken out on Davis for gun-related charges. They were not needed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Deputies found both the elder Davises dead in the kitchen. Their son was dead in a bedroom. The Roanoke Medical Examiner's Office ruled Jason Davis shot himself in the head.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">At a news conference the day after, Pittsylvania County Sheriff Mike Taylor said the state of the room and displaced furniture indicated there may have been an "altercation" ahead of the shooting, and that guns were found "in close proximity" to Jason Davis.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Taylor said that Davis was "known to law enforcement" before Jan. 4 for other offenses.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Reached months later, Taylor said federal agencies were probing how Davis came to have those guns. Much of their work is finished, Taylor said, but he declined to release the information he had before informing the family.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I want to meet with the families first and then meet the media," he said. "I would want them to know the end result first."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Courts of law</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Virginia law does not restrict gun ownership among people convicted of misdemeanor domestic abuse, though multiple bills have been put forth to change that. Every year since at least 2013, one or more bills seeking to curtail domestic abusers' gun ownership have cropped up in Virginia's legislature. None have ever passed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Domestic violence misdemeanors, it turns out, are one class of crime for which the state offers a second chance. Under the first-offender statute, someone found guilty of their first domestic violence offense can forgo traditional sentencing and be placed on a minimum of two years community probation and compelled to take classes or participate in specialized programs at a judge's discretion.</span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">After the conditions of probation are fulfilled, according to Virginia law, the charge is dismissed, though it can be brought back if the person reoffends.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">So because Davis was put on first-offender status the second time he was charged, it did not count as a conviction. To be banned from possessing guns, the court would have needed to find him guilty of domestic violence again. It doesn't matter that he'd already admitted wrongdoing in a crime that would have federally disqualified him from buying and owning guns.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Since Congress passed an amendment to federal gun laws — called the Lautenberg Amendment — in 1996, it has been illegal for anyone convicted of a domestic violence misdemeanor to buy or possess a gun. But the amendment bows to local laws, according to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"The law of the jurisdiction determines whether a conviction has occurred," the ATF website states. "Therefore, if the law of the jurisdiction does not consider the person to be convicted, the person would not have the Federal disability."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">So without a conviction officially on the books in state court, the federal law does not apply.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Jody Madeira, a professor of law at the University of Indiana Bloomington, said that constitutes a loophole because it allows an offender to circumvent the federal prohibition.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"It does allow a carve-out," she said. "So it is like a huge loophole."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The attorney who attained first-offender status for Davis is Bryan Turpin, now a judge in Pittsylvania County's Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court. He declined to comment on the 2007 proceedings.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Hamstrung</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The federal prohibition can lead to firearms-related charges, but it does not happened often, said Kelly Roskam, legal director of the Washington, D.C.-based Coalition to Stop Gun Violence. Federal agencies that handle those cases, she said, are preoccupied with charging violent felons. Domestic abusers simply do not chart.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"There are very little resources through the FBI and ATF to prosecute these gun cases," she said. "They are considering where to spend those precious resources, and it is not often domestic violence."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The National Rifle Association's public relations office did not respond to multiple requests for an interview on the subject.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">An announcement to U.S. Attorney's Offices from the Department of Justice advises prosecutors to consider the date of domestic violence incidents and assess the potential for harm. But even if the offense does not merit prosecution, "steps should be taken to assure that the firearm is removed from the possession of the prohibited individual," the announcement states.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"United States Attorneys' Officers should be working with state and local law enforcement to establish guidelines for handling these cases which will often arise in emergency situations," states the announcement.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Though the law advises federal prosecutors to work with local law enforcement and take guns out of the hands of convicted domestic abusers, there is no system for confiscating or monitoring those guns, Roskam said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">State courts and local law enforcement are also not statutorily bound to inquire if a defendant owns a gun upon their conviction of a qualifying misdemeanor.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"There is no mandate from the state that law enforcement ask, if they have firearms, to turn them over," Roskam said. Furthermore, "there is no federal framework for turning them over to somebody."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Some judges, said federal policy director at the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence Lindsay Nichols, do inquire if defendants have guns. But their choice to ask is more a matter of judicial preference than fear of censure or making a procedural misstep.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"There is no consistent policy throughout Virginia," she said. "It is left up to the jurisdiction, and certainly in Virginia there have been no consistent efforts made to close this loophole."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Taylor said that the sheriff's office has worked with federal agencies, but his deputies do not have the power to bring federal charges anyway.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"It is a whole different set of laws on the federal than it is on the state or local," he said.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Senate must act to protect women</b></span></div><div>Virginian-Pilot, The (Norfolk, VA)</div><div>April 23, 2019 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">THE U.S. SENATE should move promptly to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act. The House of Representative has already done so, with the support of 33 Republicans who joined the Democratic majority to do the right thing.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">For a quarter of a century now, the Violence Against Women Act has done a great deal to protect women and punish those who abuse them.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">This is another of many issues that should not fall victim to the polarization that's making it difficult to get worthwhile things done in Washington. Protecting women against violence on the streets or in their homes ought to be a goal that's supported by everyone.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Unfortunately, what ought to be a routine reauthorization has run afoul of the National Rifle Association. The NRA, predictably, opposes a sensible gun-control provision in the bill, and a lot of senators are all too happy to carry the NRA's water.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Of course, there's been controversy over the Violence Against Women Act before. One of the hurdles the original act, passed in 1994, had to overcome was the prevailing idea that women who were abused had somehow "asked for it." There was also a reluctance to interfere in "private" matters.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">There was such a stigma about domestic violence that many women suffered in silence, afraid of being judged harshly and not knowing where to go for help.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Back in 1994, even women's groups and civil rights groups didn't take a strong stand in support of increased protections for women who faced domestic violence. But the law passed, and over the years it has done a great deal of good. There is no doubt it has saved lives, even though there's no way of knowing how many.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The law has helped women understand that they don't have to suffer abuse. It has raised awareness of domestic violence and the punishments that await abusers. And it has made it easier to prosecute and punish abusers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The law has made possible a national hotline and an office within the Justice Department focused on violence against women. It has provided grants that help train local law enforcement and set up rape crisis centers and shelters for abused women and their children. In more recent years, it has increased its focus on education and prevention, including on college campuses.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Like any good law, through periodic reauthorizations, it has evolved to reflect changing times. There's now more emphasis on stalking, including cyberstalking, and provisions to make sure that minority women are equally protected.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Back in 2011, the reauthorization stalled because conservative lawmakers objected to minor provisions that touched on their pet issues, including visas for abused undocumented immigrants and protections for victims in same-sex relationships.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Women voters made their dissatisfaction known at the polls in 2012, and Republicans supported reauthorizing the act the next year.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">This time the main opposition is from the NRA, and it's over a needed move to tighten a loophole.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Under the existing Lautenberg Amendment to the Gun Control Act of 1968, a person convicted of specified domestic violence crimes cannot buy or own a gun.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But there's a loophole because the amendment's wording applies only to convicted domestic abusers who are or have been married to the victim, or live with the victim, have a child with the victim or are a parent or guardian of the victim.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In other words, a stalker or boyfriend or dating partner who doesn't meet one of these criteria - for example, a person who's in a long-term relationship with the victim but doesn't live with her - can buy and own a gun even if that person has been convicted of domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The reauthorization bill the House passed sensibly closes this "boyfriend loophole." But the NRA opposes just about any gun control language, so it opposes this effort to correct a technicality and keep guns out of the hands of more people with a history of violence against women or children.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Fortunately, the House has already voted to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act, despite the NRA's stance. Senators should also move promptly to renew this effective and needed law.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Both Sides of the Law: At least 93 Milwaukee police officers have been disciplined for violating law</b></span></div><div>Milwaukee Journal Sentinel</div><div>Gina Barton</div><div>April 25, 2019</div><div><a href="https://www.jsonline.com/story/archives/2019/04/25/least-93-milwaukee-police-officers-disciplined-violating-law/3564713002/" target="_blank">https://www.jsonline.com/story/archives/2019/04/25/least-93-milwaukee-police-officers-disciplined-violating-law/3564713002/</a></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Editor's note: This report was originally published on Oct. 23, 2011.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">This is part one of a three-part series. Read <b><a href="https://www.jsonline.com/story/archives/2019/04/25/milwaukee-police-often-face-minimal-punishment-driving-drunk/3565181002/" target="_blank">part two</a></b> and <b><a href="https://www.jsonline.com/story/archives/2019/04/25/mpd-ignores-national-standards-cops-accused-domestic-violence/3565434002/" target="_blank">part three</a></b>. </span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTnektawA_EvtNg2zLy77_18J8Nny9l-iIhgBhZYa2SrlkEPhvToX-yJ5ukyxuviWf64Nb0g4a6T7e-w531TZ2Yfmdos7GrbkZ-FbvoIAqcqBgTuqqFpJ1neQDTdBSL8rjBQ9R2i7ZU9Xib2ggf_OuR83Tj0ybMnpcmo7EWNzJOvQdLDAfXiQu-GnsQA=s366" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="366" data-original-width="323" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTnektawA_EvtNg2zLy77_18J8Nny9l-iIhgBhZYa2SrlkEPhvToX-yJ5ukyxuviWf64Nb0g4a6T7e-w531TZ2Yfmdos7GrbkZ-FbvoIAqcqBgTuqqFpJ1neQDTdBSL8rjBQ9R2i7ZU9Xib2ggf_OuR83Tj0ybMnpcmo7EWNzJOvQdLDAfXiQu-GnsQA=w565-h640" width="565" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhombe8lno1Bre3XUzHNLZgb6HG8FEcXOWMY4d-oJtgKkNI0tor9tPLRHPHuYS7KUJfV983TcAc9b9EQla7FcLDOoLm8oJgOwrQKRAwQ6C3MmiiU0Gq5LVGff_NfoBb9PX9gsdbBMTeQNCW8yDAgQVW62fRhnEtJNB_v9OXCsgTrdqkfJl963uZaGMnoQ=s364" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="364" data-original-width="325" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhombe8lno1Bre3XUzHNLZgb6HG8FEcXOWMY4d-oJtgKkNI0tor9tPLRHPHuYS7KUJfV983TcAc9b9EQla7FcLDOoLm8oJgOwrQKRAwQ6C3MmiiU0Gq5LVGff_NfoBb9PX9gsdbBMTeQNCW8yDAgQVW62fRhnEtJNB_v9OXCsgTrdqkfJl963uZaGMnoQ=w572-h640" width="572" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuFIEPMhR-bw2fS_cUHSkaJRMnsAsW0trEMvveKM9sWdCgcqPOR7ZkMYjzW1-PCGIhlV3SWS1Xb94UaVQQ5-Q1BNAVqzF0rzvLrFvySw40zBkPOGiVWKe-7FjLYvVpSfP6DT0ANobinCGVQWOPLKuEXU1T3vEe3_oSzV5UmLTCeWaJ9AkZx4DotCIFfQ=s335" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="335" data-original-width="313" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuFIEPMhR-bw2fS_cUHSkaJRMnsAsW0trEMvveKM9sWdCgcqPOR7ZkMYjzW1-PCGIhlV3SWS1Xb94UaVQQ5-Q1BNAVqzF0rzvLrFvySw40zBkPOGiVWKe-7FjLYvVpSfP6DT0ANobinCGVQWOPLKuEXU1T3vEe3_oSzV5UmLTCeWaJ9AkZx4DotCIFfQ=w374-h400" width="374" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikiucDOh6uvAFAoVOFtkHsW1RbkdchX3pzTT88NkNrK0AigZshDjcxsbJ4aaUQGRg54qvwyDL6Mz6Le0EzJYRffXfAwhveojoiy4-ti7eJ0FGwnHwd7tsyK0EtIl0KSmdUBogi0zLhG1uwaNkIR4MN517HgOgkbuqvUonLea_6CctKqtaZ4hCof7s-hA=s363" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="363" data-original-width="316" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikiucDOh6uvAFAoVOFtkHsW1RbkdchX3pzTT88NkNrK0AigZshDjcxsbJ4aaUQGRg54qvwyDL6Mz6Le0EzJYRffXfAwhveojoiy4-ti7eJ0FGwnHwd7tsyK0EtIl0KSmdUBogi0zLhG1uwaNkIR4MN517HgOgkbuqvUonLea_6CctKqtaZ4hCof7s-hA=w349-h400" width="349" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBM8-wfxO8UCTTHiuy7rLPZGTWVGTX_9EwQc1bAcN6LRIm7g9mbC9o3UgauWVffel0g4oIZ3FGQ3-loNgGw3B9jxE1cKi_u7yUlGt2cvphW0zXotx2hYsPyxyFIKHalLuMBaXsEhPazA-49RzjTW0vXldLfmDw9InoNMMJh4sZV3VuzfS48hHd3eNsKA=s357" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="357" data-original-width="319" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBM8-wfxO8UCTTHiuy7rLPZGTWVGTX_9EwQc1bAcN6LRIm7g9mbC9o3UgauWVffel0g4oIZ3FGQ3-loNgGw3B9jxE1cKi_u7yUlGt2cvphW0zXotx2hYsPyxyFIKHalLuMBaXsEhPazA-49RzjTW0vXldLfmDw9InoNMMJh4sZV3VuzfS48hHd3eNsKA=w358-h400" width="358" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0NJTUR4-cJrj5zr6g5wJAQXaEkPtTU0M-8pWpuy5OEeCr0NEcaCXwBhmwZ_a2nkmh2ii7II1hH3t8EeEcDZVMK83tlXCgMifXLsbUzjmsa8SzRFOhEww0avZv3gtt1iANpBsMyhcCR1cTtxDEe-D_uS2_-kKtOnD0Wzze9epnpD2pQfBqs5YRfSwWTA=s446" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="446" data-original-width="319" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0NJTUR4-cJrj5zr6g5wJAQXaEkPtTU0M-8pWpuy5OEeCr0NEcaCXwBhmwZ_a2nkmh2ii7II1hH3t8EeEcDZVMK83tlXCgMifXLsbUzjmsa8SzRFOhEww0avZv3gtt1iANpBsMyhcCR1cTtxDEe-D_uS2_-kKtOnD0Wzze9epnpD2pQfBqs5YRfSwWTA=w286-h400" width="286" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">At least 93 Milwaukee police officers — ranking from street cop to captain — have been disciplined for violating the laws and ordinances they were sworn to uphold, a Journal Sentinel investigation found.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Their offenses range from sexual assault and domestic violence to drunken driving and shoplifting, according to internal affairs records. All still work for the Police Department, where they have the authority to make arrests, testify in court and patrol neighborhoods.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Officers who run afoul of the law often aren't fired or prosecuted, the newspaper found. Consider:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">At least six officers disciplined by the department for illegal behavior suffered no legal consequences whatsoever. One was Reginald Hampton, accused of sexually assaulting two women he met on duty. Another was Mark Kapusta, suspended after a woman said he pointed a gun at her head during a drunken road-rage incident. Neither officer was charged or ticketed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Twenty-three officers got breaks from prosecutors that allowed them to avoid being convicted of serious charges — or any charges at all — as long as they didn't commit more crimes and followed prosecutors' instructions. One was Patrick Fuhrman, originally charged with a felony for a beating that sent his wife to the hospital and, according to a witness, left blood in every room of their house. A conviction on that charge could have gotten him fired from the department, banned from carrying a gun for life and imprisoned for 3½ years. Instead, he ended up with two tickets for disorderly conduct.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Nine of the 93 officers were convicted of crimes. Some even spent time behind bars. Yet when their criminal cases were concluded, they went back to their careers with the Milwaukee police. At least one, John P. Corbett, was a police sergeant by day and an inmate by night. Convicted of driving drunk with a child in the car, Corbett did his job at the police station while on work release from jail. His 13-year-old daughter told authorities Corbett took the wheel after she got lost driving back from a tavern.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Police Department, district attorney's office and Fire and Police Commission share responsibility for keeping officers in line.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">All three fall short.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://projects.jsonline.com/database/archive/both-sides-of-the-law-database.html" target="_blank">INTERACTIVE DATABASE:</a> Search officers and their case histories</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The department tolerates misconduct. Prosecutors give cops career-saving deals. The commission reduces punishments when officers break the rules. As a result, police who have crossed to the other side of the law keep the power that comes with the badge. Meanwhile, citizens have no way of knowing whether the officers responsible for protecting them have tarnished records.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">None of the agencies has a comprehensive list of cops who have broken the law.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It took the Journal Sentinel nearly two years of records requests, a court case and $7,500 in fees to compile the list of 93 — which is about 5% of the force. The list doesn't include cops with juvenile records, arrests before they were hired or discipline under different department rules.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">What's more, no department policy prevents officers from enforcing the same laws they've been disciplined for breaking. An intoxicated motorist may be stopped — or allowed to drive on — by one of more than 30 cops who have been arrested for drunken driving. A woman who calls 911 in fear of her husband may be met by one of more than a dozen officers with a history of domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Cops who break the law should be fired, said Milwaukee County Sheriff David A. Clarke, who worked for the Milwaukee Police Department for 24 years. Illegal conduct undermines officers' authority and erodes the public trust, he said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"There should be a higher standard for (an) . . . employee who enforces the law than for a worker who cuts the grass," Clarke said. "There's no understanding why a cop would drive drunk. There's no understanding why a cop would be abusive to a spouse. When you start to justify and rationalize this type of behavior, it gets ugly."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The newspaper's review — the first of its kind involving the Milwaukee police — has uncovered information even those in charge of the department didn't know.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In a recorded speech to officers, the audio portion of which was obtained by the Journal Sentinel, Milwaukee Police Chief Edward Flynn said he was surprised at the large number of officers arrested for driving drunk.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"We've got an issue of conduct here that's related to culture that we need to confront and deal with," he said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A video of the speech was shown to officers a month after a Journal Sentinel reporter shared the newspaper's key findings with a police spokeswoman and asked for an interview with the chief. In the speech, Flynn announced a new program of training, support and discipline for officers dealing with alcohol-related problems.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He also warned of the newspaper's investigation.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I understand they are going to post . . . names on their website," Flynn said during the presentation. "They are also selecting . . . officers for special scrutiny in their newspaper, with the operating question being whether they should be police officers given their prior conduct."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Flynn didn't answer that question in the video. He also wouldn't answer questions about the newspaper's findings. Instead, he issued a one-sentence statement:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"We recognize that alcohol abuse, divorce and suicide are overrepresented in the law enforcement profession, and we actively educate, intervene, discipline and provide resources for our members to ensure they understand the inherent risks of the job, and the personal and professional consequences of their behavior."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm also would not discuss the problem with a reporter. His chief deputy, Kent Lovern, provided a written statement, pointing out that 70 Milwaukee officers have been charged over the past 10 years.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Of those, 42 were convicted of misdemeanors or felonies under Milwaukee County's jurisdiction, according to an analysis by the newspaper. Most of them are no longer on the force.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But the list was started in 2000, making it incomplete. About one-third of the officers identified by the newspaper were disciplined before that point.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Mayor Tom Barrett, who recruited Flynn to Milwaukee and who appoints the members of the Fire and Police Commission, also refused to meet with a reporter. He issued a statement supporting the chief and the commission.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Only Michael G. Tobin, executive director of the Fire and Police Commission, agreed to discuss the issue with the Journal Sentinel.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://projects.jsonline.com/database/archive/flowchart1.html" target="_blank">INVESTIGATING AN OFFICER:</a> A look at the complaint and review process</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Significant improvements have been made to the commission — a civilian board that oversees hiring and discipline — over the past decade, he said. In 2001, the board began requiring a written psychological test for job candidates. Since 2005, it has been followed up with an in-person mental health exam.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In addition to getting a new slate of members in recent years, the commission was reorganized in 2008, Tobin said. Two independent investigators now handle citizen complaints to the commission. In the past, the commission referred complaints to the department.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The commission also has hired a research analyst who studies trends within the department, including use of force and vehicle pursuits. Some of those reports have resulted in improved training for officers, Tobin said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">As for disciplinary appeals, commissioners can't always do what they want - they must follow procedures dictated by state law, Tobin said. He believes they try their best to protect the public without violating officers' rights.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"It's not a fail-safe system," he said. "With the passage of time it could be proven that a different course of action could have been taken."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Only on the force</span></b></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">The 93 officers identified during the newspaper's two-year investigation include only those the department concluded broke the law while on the force. To compile the list, the newspaper reviewed officers' disciplinary records and built a database of discipline imposed since their hire dates, which range from 1979 to 2010.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The department provided the disciplinary records over a one-year period beginning in January 2010. The list may not include incidents or discipline that occurred after the records were released. It does not include officers hired after 2010. Officers who left the force after Oct. 1 may not have been removed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">More than half the officers disciplined for violating laws or ordinances were suspended for three days or less, according to the newspaper's analysis.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Seven officers were fired but got their jobs back during the appeal process. Four were reinstated by the Fire and Police Commission; two reached agreements with chiefs to return to work; and one was rehired as the result of a settlement in a discrimination lawsuit.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Nine officers were disciplined for more than one instance of illegal behavior. Five were disciplined for breaking the law while employed as police aides — a program that gives teenagers a head start on becoming recruits — yet were allowed to become officers anyway.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">No one tracks how many cops committed crimes before they were hired. A state law that keeps job applications secret and blocks access to their birth dates makes it impossible for the public to figure out that number.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Until about four years ago, applicants with multiple misdemeanor convictions could be hired as Milwaukee police officers, as long as the offenses were not domestic violence and did not occur within three years of applying.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Now there's no magic number," Tobin said. "Every time there's even a single one, that individual gets greater scrutiny."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Several other states ban convicted drug dealers, people who have lied in court and people with recent drunken-driving convictions from working in law enforcement. Not Wisconsin. A state law here prohibits all employers — even police departments — from discriminating against applicants with misdemeanor criminal records unless their convictions are related to the job.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Which crimes are considered related to the job of policing is open to interpretation, Tobin said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The only absolute bars to working in law enforcement here are felonies or crimes of domestic violence, because federal law precludes people convicted of those crimes from carrying guns.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Once officers are on the job, it is difficult to convict them of crimes. Experts say jurors are inherently biased in favor of police.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Your competence and credibility sort of come with the badge," said Dennis C. Elias, who serves on the board of the American Society of Trial Consultants. "Additionally, people don't want to believe the people that we trust to protect us would ever do anything bad."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Deputy District Attorney Lovern has acknowledged that prosecutors take police credibility into consideration when deciding whether to issue charges.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"We always have to consider how a jury will react in considering evidence against a police officer," he said in January, after his office declined to charge fired officer Ladmarald Cates with an on-duty rape.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Federal authorities later launched an investigation, and the U.S. attorney's office secured an indictment against Cates on two felony charges last month. He has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled for trial Jan. 9.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Five prior allegations</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Cates was indicted and fired amid allegations that he raped a woman after responding to her 911 call in July 2010. The Journal Sentinel examined the case and published an interview with the victim in January. The newspaper later found Cates had been accused of breaking the law five times before, all without being charged or losing his job. Three of the previous allegations involved sexual misconduct — two with female prisoners and one with a 16-year-old girl who said he offered her cash in exchange for sex.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Another Milwaukee cop who avoided criminal charges because prosecutors thought the evidence wouldn't stand up in court was Mark Kapusta.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Here is what the woman who encountered Kapusta at a southwest side intersection told investigators, according to a summary of the internal investigation:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">She was helping her boyfriend deliver newspapers around 4:45 a.m. Jan. 20, 2006, when she turned the corner. The driver of a black pickup truck, who also had been waiting to turn, started honking his horn. He pulled behind her, swerving all over the road.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">When she honked back at him, the man pulled his truck in front of her car, forcing her to stop. The man, who turned out to be Kapusta, got out of the truck, yelling. His bloodshot eyes and slurred speech told the woman he was probably drunk.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He was holding a gun.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Kapusta, who was not in uniform, approached the woman's car. Her window was partially open. He pointed his weapon through it, aiming at her head.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Put your hands where I can see them!" he shouted. "I'm the f---ing police!"</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">She feared she was about to die.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But Kapusta didn't fire.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The woman told him she was going to call the police, and he went back to his truck and drove away.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The woman's boyfriend told investigators a similar story, except he said he did not see Kapusta point the gun at the woman's head, according to the summary. The document does not name the boyfriend. He could not be reached for this story.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">When two sergeants showed up at Kapusta's house around 7 a.m., he didn't answer the door.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Two hours later, two detectives knocked for 10 minutes before an intoxicated Kapusta came to the door, the summary says. One of the detectives overheard Kapusta on the phone, telling his partner: "I f---ed up." Asked about it later that day, Kapusta's partner said he "did not recall" the statement.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Around noon — seven hours after the incident — Kapusta's blood-alcohol level was 0.15, nearly twice the legal limit for driving, the summary says.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Kapusta did not respond to requests for comment. Here is what he told investigators, according to the summary:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">After he finished work around midnight, he had two drinks with fellow officers. Around 4:30 a.m., he was on his way home when he noticed the car behind him following too closely and too quickly. Kapusta, who was assigned to the gang unit, suspected its occupants were gang members who recognized his truck. Kapusta approached the car, showed his badge, and identified himself as a police officer, keeping his gun at his side, he said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He instructed the woman to call 911 because he was afraid of her boyfriend. But then the couple left, so he went home.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">At first, Kapusta said he went to sleep as soon as he arrived. He later changed his story to say he went home, drank five to seven shots of alcohol, and then went to sleep.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">About two weeks after the incident, the woman called investigators and said she was too afraid to continue pursuing charges, the summary says. Although she denied being intimidated or threatened, she would not come to the door to discuss her decision with a detective because she was terrified, her boyfriend told police.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Without the woman's cooperation, Milwaukee County Assistant District Attorney Karen Loebel concluded she could not prove the case, the summary says.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Nannette Hegerty, police chief at the time, initially fired Kapusta. While his appeal was pending before the Fire and Police Commission, she agreed to reduce his punishment to a 60-day suspension and allow him to remain on the force, records say.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Records do not explain Hegerty's reasons for changing her mind. She could not be reached for comment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Three years later, Kapusta received an award for distinguished service for devising a system to reduce thefts from cars.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Domestic violence</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In the years following a case in which seven police officers were convicted of beating a man at a Bay View party that was held seven years ago this week, both DA Chisholm and Chief Flynn vowed to take a hard line on officer misconduct.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">That didn't happen in the case of Patrick Fuhrman, who beat his wife so badly there was blood in every room of their house, according to a summary of the internal investigation.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Fuhrman's wife and a neighbor who helped her — both police officers themselves — gave the following description of events, according to the summary:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">When Fuhrman's wife got home from work on Nov. 3, 2008, she was upset because he had told her he wanted a divorce. She tried to talk with him, but the conversation turned into an argument.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Then it turned physical.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Fuhrman grabbed his wife by the neck and threw her to the ground. The force caused her to hit her head on the floor and bite her lip. He punched her several times in the head, then in the nose. While she was on the ground, he kicked her and stomped on her repeatedly, calling her a "n----- lovin' crazy whore woman."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">She was able to get up from the floor, but he came at her again. She threw her police baton at him but missed, cracking the TV screen.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"You disgust me," he said, laughing. "I should have never married you. If you are going to fight, you should learn how."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Then Fuhrman left for work and his wife went to Community Memorial Hospital. She arrived with bruises on her face, legs, elbows and shoulders, the summary says. She needed three stitches in her lip.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In an interview with internal investigators, Fuhrman admitted throwing his wife to the ground, but said he did it because he wanted to get away from her. Fuhrman also admitted striking her "in the chest, chin and/or face area with an open hand," but said he only did so after she tried to hit him with the baton. He also said he may have "gotten her in the nose," the summary says.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">When the investigator asked Fuhrman if he had called his wife a whore and used a racial slur, "he stated he called her many things to that effect and that many hurtful things were said by both of them," the summary says.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Fuhrman also told investigators he was sorry.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I just want to apologize that I brought shame and embarrassment to the Police Department and to my wife and my family," he said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Jeffrey Greipp, then an assistant district attorney, initially charged Fuhrman with domestic violence-related substantial battery, a felony.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A conviction on that charge would have cost him his job.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Within five weeks, prosecutors reduced the felony charge against Fuhrman to misdemeanor battery, according to court records. A conviction on that charge would have knocked him off the force as well. Because his wife was the victim, he would not have been allowed to carry a gun under federal law.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A deferred-prosecution agreement, signed by Assistant District Attorney Gilbert F. Urfer in March 2009, reduced the charge even more and saved Fuhrman's job.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Agreements for deferred prosecution allow defendants to avoid serious criminal convictions if they meet certain conditions, such as getting treatment and not committing more crimes. They must plead guilty to a crime initially, but the charge is reduced or dismissed if they live up to their end of the bargain.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Fuhrman's deal required him to plead guilty upfront to two misdemeanor counts of disorderly conduct, which is less serious than battery.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Prosecutors agreed to reduce the charges a third time — to noncriminal tickets — if Fuhrman completed domestic violence treatment, substance abuse assessment and treatment, and a parenting class. For the seven months of the agreement, Fuhrman also agreed not to commit any additional crimes and not to use alcohol or illegal drugs.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"The agreement was offered to Fuhrman at the request of the victim in the matter, and in consideration of the fact that there was more than one consistent account of the events that supported the prosecution," according to the statement from Lovern, chief deputy prosecutor.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Neither Fuhrman nor his wife responded to requests for interviews.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Lack of cooperation from the victim, which is common in domestic violence cases, is not a valid reason to let an accused batterer go free, said Judy Munaker, who prosecuted such cases in Dane County before working for five years as a state Office of Justice Assistance trainer, where she taught police about officer-involved domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Victims of domestic violence almost never participate in prosecution, said Munaker, now a consultant. When the perpetrator is a police officer, cooperation from the victim is even less likely.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I've never had a case with a law enforcement officer when the victim is willing to testify," she said. "We expect most victims to recant or not testify because they're trying to stay alive."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Fuhrman satisfied his conditions and walked out of court with the municipal tickets and a fine. Flynn suspended him for 30 days.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Fuhrman's personnel record includes an award for arresting an armed robber in 2000. In 2007, he received the chief's superior achievement award for pursuing an armed suspect.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">More diversions</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Fuhrman is among 14 Milwaukee police officers who have benefitted from deferred prosecutions and similar deals known as diversion from Milwaukee County prosecutors. Another four officers have gotten such treatment from prosecutors in other municipalities.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It isn't easy for the public to figure out all the information about either type of case.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">As reported by the Journal Sentinel last year, Chisholm has greatly increased the number of deferred prosecutions since he took office in 2007. He has touted the program as a solution to take pressure off the overcrowded court system, but has not specifically addressed the deferred prosecutions or diversions of police officers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Deferred prosecutions are supposed to be entered into the state's online records system, known as CCAP. But that isn't always done. When it is, the details available electronically are sketchy. The full story is contained only in a paper file at the courthouse.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">There are even fewer records of diversion cases, in which prosecutors agree to hold off on filing charges in the first place. In exchange, potential defendants must meet certain conditions, ranging from staying out of trouble to attending counseling or paying restitution. Diversion cases are not entered into the online database. Because prosecutors don't file charges upfront, there are no paper court records of the deal, either.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The newspaper located limited documentation on diversion cases involving police officers by filing public records requests with the Police Department and district attorney's office.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Those records also contained information about six officers whose cases were "held open" with instructions from prosecutors to meet certain conditions in order to avoid charges, but without a formal deferred prosecution or diversion agreement.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Agreement ignored</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">At least one officer who was offered a diversion agreement, Robert A. Brown II, slipped through the cracks.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Brown was never charged even though he failed to attend anger management classes after a fight with his girlfriend in January 1998, according to a summary of the internal investigation.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">The document gives these details:</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Brown was arrested for domestic violence battery after the woman, who was six months pregnant with his child, was treated at St. Joseph's Hospital for cuts on her forehead, neck pain and a swollen nose. The woman told investigators Brown choked her and punched her in the face.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The woman said she wanted to prosecute because Brown had choked her three times before.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Milwaukee County Assistant District Attorney William Hanrahan — now a Dane County circuit judge — told Brown he would not issue charges if Brown completed an anger management course and refrained from further violent contact with the victim. Brown agreed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Nine months after the fight, a police sergeant contacted the district attorney's office for an update.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Due to a possible error or oversight on the part of the District Attorney's office, this case never made it into the diversion program and records indicated Officer Brown never attended the stated program," the summary says.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In his written statement, Lovern said that because the case was so long ago, he had no information about why charges weren't filed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Brown's only punishment was a one-day suspension. He did not respond to an email seeking comment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">His record also includes recognition for arresting a burglary suspect in 1995.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Altercation with senator</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Jeremy Gonzalez, an officer involved in an altercation with state Sen. Tim Carpenter (D-Milwaukee), also was offered a diversion program. Although Gonzalez was still a probationary officer when the incident occurred on Aug. 14, 2004, he was allowed to remain on the force.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Carpenter, who lived upstairs from his elderly parents in a duplex, was running for U.S. Congress at the time. He heard a noise, and he and his father went outside, Carpenter said in an interview.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Gonzalez and his brother had torn down a campaign sign.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I came out and said, 'What happened?' " Carpenter recalled. "(Gonzalez) got upset. He was kind of combative. He told me to shut my mouth and get inside my house. He (grabbed) my shirt and twisted it and ripped my shirt."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Meanwhile, Gonzalez's brother tackled Carpenter's father, who was in his 80s, Carpenter said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"My dad went flying through the air," Carpenter said. "As soon as he hit the ground, he said, 'Oh, my back.' It still goes through my mind in slow motion: Standing on our own property, having someone come at my dad like a linebacker going after a quarterback."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Gonzalez, who did not respond to a certified letter seeking comment, told internal investigators he kicked the sign because he was angry with his brother. After that, Carpenter started the fight by threatening to "kick his ass," according to a summary of the internal investigation, which also includes Carpenter's account.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Gonzalez denied shoving Carpenter, as a witness reported, or grabbing his shirt.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Gonzalez's blood-alcohol level was 0.10, according to the summary. He was arrested for disorderly conduct. As part of his deal to avoid charges, he completed an anger management program.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">His brother, Dimitri A. Gonzalez — who is not a police officer — was charged with misdemeanor battery and pleaded no contest, court records show.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Jeremy Gonzalez was suspended for two days. He has not been disciplined since, according to his personnel record.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He has received three awards from the Police Department for meritorious arrests: armed robbers in 2004 and 2007 and a marijuana dealer in 2005.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A few days after Gonzalez's fight with Carpenter, Jon Reddin, who has since retired as deputy district attorney, told the Journal Sentinel that Carpenter's reluctance to press charges was part of the reason prosecutors gave the rookie cop a break.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Like Gonzalez, most of the officers disciplined for violating the law did so off duty.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But that isn't always the case.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Assault accusations</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">As the Journal Sentinel first reported in March, three current officers avoided criminal convictions and kept their jobs after women accused them of on-duty sexual assaults, according to records. Unlike Cates, who ultimately was fired, Reginald Hampton, Milford Adams and Scott Charles kept their jobs.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Hampton was accused by two women he met on the job. Internal investigators referred both cases to the district attorney's office, but Hampton was never charged. He was not disciplined as a result of the first investigation, in 1990, according to his personnel record.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">After the second woman came forward in 1991, then-Chief Philip Arreola fired Hampton. But the punishment was overturned by the Fire and Police Commission, which instead suspended him for 60 days.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The commission also overturned the firing of Adams, who was accused of allowing a woman to avoid arrest in exchange for performing a sex act in his squad car in 2004. The woman previously had been convicted of prostitution and drug charges.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">After a jury found Adams not guilty at a criminal trial, the commission rescinded all internal discipline against him, leaving him with a clean employment record.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The commissioners did not find the woman's testimony credible — in part because the jury in the criminal case did not believe her, according to their written decision.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The third officer, Charles, was accused of sexually assaulting a woman after he pulled her over for drunken driving in 1994, according to a summary of the internal investigation. The investigator concluded that Charles went into the woman's apartment "under the guise of ensuring her safety . . . and did have an act of sexual contact with her," the summary says.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The woman told investigators she was very intoxicated and may have blacked out during the assault. Charles told investigators the two sexually touched each other consensually and the woman was not unconscious at any point, the summary says.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Investigators expected Charles would be criminally charged with misconduct in public office, the summary says. But he was not.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The summary does not contain an explanation of why Charles was not charged. The district attorney's records of the incident no longer exist because of a county policy that calls for the destruction of files in uncharged cases after 10 years, Deputy District Attorney James J. Martin wrote in response to an open records request from the newspaper.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Charles was suspended for 60 days, according to his personnel record. He avoided being fired by receiving satisfactory monthly reports from his supervisor for a year. Charles, who did not appeal the punishment to the commission, has since been promoted to sergeant.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Just because officers haven't been criminally convicted doesn't mean they are fit to serve, Sheriff Clarke said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"That type of behavior is incompatible with working in law enforcement," he said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Guilty, but still on force</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Even when officers are successfully prosecuted, they don't automatically lose their jobs.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Nine officers on the force as of Oct. 1 have been convicted of crimes. Of those, seven were prosecuted by the Milwaukee County district attorney's office. One of them was later pardoned.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The other two convicted cops broke the law while in different jurisdictions.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">One of them was John Corbett. He was sentenced to jail by a Fond du Lac County judge, but he didn't have to take a leave from the Police Department while he served his time.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">According to a police report:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A sheriff's deputy spotted Corbett's car, alternately swerving across the centerline and weaving onto the shoulder, around 1:30 a.m. Nov. 21, 2010.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">When the deputy pulled over the car, she saw two men passed out in the back seat, covered in vomit.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Corbett swayed and stumbled as he performed field sobriety tests such as walking a straight line and standing on one foot. His eyes were red and he smelled of alcohol.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Corbett told the deputy he drank just two beers, but a preliminary breath test showed a blood-alcohol level of 0.18, more than twice the legal limit for driving. Two knives hung from Corbett's belt, and a handgun was tucked into the passenger side visor.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Corbett's 13-year-old daughter was crying in the passenger seat. She told another deputy that after a day of deer hunting, she, her father, and some friends went to a bar called Mr. Lucky's. Because the adults were drunk, the 13-year-old was driving them back to Kiel, where they were staying.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Then she got lost, and her father took over.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Corbett did not respond to a request for comment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He told internal investigators he had seven drinks over about 7½ hours. He had used the knives to field dress deer, and had forgotten the gun was in the car, he said. Corbett also told investigators he let his daughter drive for about a mile in a rural area, but said it was on the way to the bar, not after they left.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Corbett pleaded guilty to first-offense drunken driving with a child younger than 16 in the car, a misdemeanor. He was fined $1,059, and sentenced to 30 days in jail, which he was allowed to serve in Waukesha County. His driver's license was suspended for 15 months.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Department spokeswoman Anne E. Schwartz confirmed that Corbett, a desk sergeant, was on the job while on work release from jail. Corbett was on administrative duty, which means his police powers were suspended and he had to turn in his badge and gun. Practically speaking, however, his day-to-day tasks didn't change much, since desk sergeants generally do paperwork and answer phones and don't usually respond to emergency calls or make arrests.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Corbett was suspended from the department for 60 days beginning in June, 21/2 months after his jail term had ended.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Police Department should not tolerate drunken driving or domestic violence by officers, said Carpenter, the state senator.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The small percentage of officers who engage in those behaviors or otherwise violate the law make the rest — who do a good job of protecting the city and serving as role models — look bad, he said. And those with a pattern of wrongdoing also could pose a liability for the city.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Those people need to be screened out and they can't be allowed on the police force," he said. "It's just too dangerous."</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Both Sides of the Law: Police Department ignores national standards for officers accused of domestic violence</b></span></div><div>Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Web Edition Articles (WI)</div><div>April 25, 2019</div><div><a href="https://www.jsonline.com/story/archives/2019/04/25/mpd-ignores-national-standards-cops-accused-domestic-violence/3565434002/" target="_blank">https://www.jsonline.com/story/archives/2019/04/25/mpd-ignores-national-standards-cops-accused-domestic-violence/3565434002/</a></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Editor's note: This report was originally published on Oct. 23, 2011.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Part three of a three-part series. Read <b><a href="https://www.jsonline.com/story/archives/2019/04/25/least-93-milwaukee-police-officers-disciplined-violating-law/3564713002/" target="_blank">part one</a></b> and <b><a href="https://www.jsonline.com/story/archives/2019/04/25/milwaukee-police-often-face-minimal-punishment-driving-drunk/3565181002/" target="_blank">part two</a></b>. </span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgl4iC--y6p87g4FmfSjDO4vzkDblrdhLd2eY2gnGqmDDHn2-ZmEktqZpkoCR73RSeeAcw7Iwx49XQfSEzVdWYt28wr3SbWQUe_BA2EQT9koL2gN0zd6528_JuaG0_ZDcT3R4ebjy1dzdeiOroU4WhdH9Yqpbnm3qti9aC8VCQaAXkKutrEK2KStHh2QQ=s379" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="379" data-original-width="329" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgl4iC--y6p87g4FmfSjDO4vzkDblrdhLd2eY2gnGqmDDHn2-ZmEktqZpkoCR73RSeeAcw7Iwx49XQfSEzVdWYt28wr3SbWQUe_BA2EQT9koL2gN0zd6528_JuaG0_ZDcT3R4ebjy1dzdeiOroU4WhdH9Yqpbnm3qti9aC8VCQaAXkKutrEK2KStHh2QQ=w348-h400" width="348" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3q6U61EI0nlCRv8kO71ymA6RL2OUfHrTymJ4YVyfxt5pjbUbDiAfqzPG3DU7u8Y_Q9Z7Z-KSrrOXXKbSF95LW14QUB_x5KdpKN72ILWrlZmp25LlZJZ-y27DDVs4093dRAHu34EWf8d1s5jiQDJAoqX9Mz6XbQYgZ3tRuoqVlU3m0O5JdNk_RA3Osjg=s372" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="372" data-original-width="328" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3q6U61EI0nlCRv8kO71ymA6RL2OUfHrTymJ4YVyfxt5pjbUbDiAfqzPG3DU7u8Y_Q9Z7Z-KSrrOXXKbSF95LW14QUB_x5KdpKN72ILWrlZmp25LlZJZ-y27DDVs4093dRAHu34EWf8d1s5jiQDJAoqX9Mz6XbQYgZ3tRuoqVlU3m0O5JdNk_RA3Osjg=w353-h400" width="353" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUbzBqi4iUy19GV6IfhxVVrSvs-CxdVZih9FqaK0x0U_6GeX24MNz40AIK07scv54pkhIK3HvtePejvhxBaz9X8YwdCoPfjAvR_N5UqKP5kgNqptyKgj3i8gfHQ84BbUFkSCIRbpTFoaSUhcXbJQT1NSDxUqrj2wyNgL1I5eEQdMASFT3xpdIbbAh26g=s383" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="383" data-original-width="328" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUbzBqi4iUy19GV6IfhxVVrSvs-CxdVZih9FqaK0x0U_6GeX24MNz40AIK07scv54pkhIK3HvtePejvhxBaz9X8YwdCoPfjAvR_N5UqKP5kgNqptyKgj3i8gfHQ84BbUFkSCIRbpTFoaSUhcXbJQT1NSDxUqrj2wyNgL1I5eEQdMASFT3xpdIbbAh26g=w343-h400" width="343" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-size: medium;">When Robert Velez's wife left their home to escape his abuse, he used his Milwaukee police training — and his badge — to track her down.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">First, Velez connected his missing wife to the Exel Inn hotel chain. He initially showed his badge at the Wauwatosa location, according to court and internal affairs records. Lying to the clerk, Velez said he was working undercover, looking for a suspect.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The woman wasn't checked in there, but the clerk located her in Oak Creek. She had alerted staff that her abusive husband — a cop — might come looking for her.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Nonetheless, the hotel desk clerk led Velez to his wife's room, knocked on the door, and told her to open it. If she didn't, the clerk said, he would use the master key.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">She did.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Velez shoved past her into the room, where he found one of his fellow officers — whom he and his wife had known for about three years. Velez immediately began beating the man, telling him: "I'll break your f---ing neck! I'm going to kill you!"</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">When his wife tried to break up the fight, Velez punched her in the face. He put the man in a headlock and dragged him down the stairs, the records say.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">When Oak Creek officers arrived, Velez also fought with them. He repeated the lie about working undercover a third time and pulled back his black leather jacket to show the gun in his waistband, according to a summary of the internal investigation.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">As a result of the 2001 incident, Velez was arrested for battery while armed, domestic violence battery and misconduct in public office — charges that could have landed him in prison for 5 ½ years and barred him from possessing a gun for the rest of his life.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But that didn't happen. Not only did Velez avoid prison, he was suspended from the department for just six days.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Velez is one of at least 16 Milwaukee police officers disciplined after internal investigators concluded they had committed acts of domestic violence, according to internal affairs records obtained by the Journal Sentinel during a two-year investigation. They are among 93 officers on the force who have been disciplined for violating state laws or local ordinances, according to the newspaper's analysis, the first of its kind involving the Milwaukee police.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://projects.jsonline.com/database/archive/both-sides-of-the-law-database.html" target="_blank">INTERACTIVE DATABASE:</a> Search officers and their case histories</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Department leaders don't follow national standards on how to handle accusations of domestic violence against officers. Prosecutors often charge them with lesser crimes — or no crimes at all. As a result, officers who abuse their spouses or romantic partners are allowed to keep their jobs, carry loaded weapons and respond when battered women call for help, the newspaper found.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Law enforcement agencies that tolerate abusive officers endanger victims, erode the community's trust and leave themselves vulnerable to lawsuits, said Judy Munaker, an attorney who spent five years training cops about officer-related domestic violence through the state Office of Justice Assistance.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">'Protecting their own'</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"They see it as protecting their own, but it's corruption," she said. "They need to stop protecting their own and start protecting victims."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It is impossible to tell how many domestic incidents the Milwaukee Police Department has not investigated. Last year, for example, the wife of a high-ranking commander in the Professional Performance Division, which investigates officer misconduct, called 911 in fear of her husband.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">No one wrote up a report, and department officials say a recording of the emergency call does not exist.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Just three of the Milwaukee officers disciplined for abusing their spouses or romantic partners, including Velez, ended up with criminal records — but none of those convictions was for a felony or misdemeanor domestic violence, crimes that would have ended their careers by stripping them of their right to carry firearms under federal law.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Prosecutors charged Velez with only misdemeanor battery, and he pleaded no contest.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Even though he later violated a court order by contacting the victim, Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Jean DiMotto sentenced Velez to a year of probation.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He spent three days in jail.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Officer Edward McCrary was convicted of disorderly conduct after he fought with his wife and choked her cousin. He was sentenced to one day in jail.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Sgt. Charles Cross was convicted of criminal damage to property for kicking in the door of the apartment he shared with his girlfriend. He was fined $500. Prosecutors offered him a deferred prosecution agreement on the charge of domestic violence-related disorderly conduct. He got treatment for depression and alcohol abuse and the charge was dismissed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A fourth officer, Zebdee Wilson, now has a clean criminal record despite pleading guilty to violating a restraining order in 1994. His wife needed oral surgery after he punched and kicked her repeatedly in the face, court records say.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">That conviction should have stopped Wilson from continuing to serve as a police officer after the federal law banning domestic violence offenders from carrying guns took effect in 1996. The ban was retroactive and applies no matter when the conviction occurred. There is no exception for police officers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But then-Gov. Tommy Thompson pardoned Wilson, erasing his conviction and saving his career.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Another provision in the federal law allows officers to carry weapons on duty despite domestic abuse restraining orders if their employers allow it.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Milwaukee Police Department does.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">What's more, the department does not have a written policy on how to handle officer-involved domestic violence — a practice that goes against recommendations by both the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the state Department of Justice. The assistant chief who oversees officer performance and discipline, Darryl Winston, said in May he had not read the state's model policy, released by the Wisconsin Department of Justice in 2009.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://projects.jsonline.com/database/archive/flowchart1.html" target="_blank">INVESTIGATING AN OFFICER:</a> A look at the complaint and review process</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The model policy contains an educational component that discusses the causes of the problem and its impact on the community. It gives clear, step-by-step instructions for investigations, including lists of who should be called to the scene and what kinds of paperwork should be completed. The policy also addresses how departments should deal with abusive officers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Ignorance is no excuse," said David R. Thomas, an instructor at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, who helped write a model policy for the international association.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"If they're willing to look the other way on this type of criminal activity, where does it stop?"</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Milwaukee Police Chief Edward Flynn and Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm declined to discuss the issue with the Journal Sentinel.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In a written statement, Chief Deputy District Attorney Kent Lovern said prosecutors handle officer-involved domestic violence cases the same as any others.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Domestic violence victims often are forced to struggle with interests in addition to their own personal safety, including children in the household and financial distress," he wrote. "Cases involving police officers are no different, and we evaluate those cases just as we evaluate domestic violence cases involving citizens of other occupations, with a goal of achieving an appropriate measure of accountability under the circumstances."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Certified letters to Velez, McCrary and Wilson were returned, and they did not respond to emails requesting comment. Cross, via email, declined to comment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Velez received a meritorious service award in 2010 for dragging a burning trash bin away from a building and a crowd assembled for an immigration rights march.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He also provided support during a domestic violence awareness walk in the Latino community in 2006, according to a letter in his personnel file.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Wilson received the chief's superior achievement award in 1993, the year before his criminal conviction, for rushing into a burning building and waking seven people inside. In 2002, he received a commendation for disarming and arresting a dangerous suspect.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Far above norm</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Domestic violence is far more common among the families of police officers than among the rest of the population, according to the U.S. Department of Justice and the National Center for Women and Policing. At least 40% of police families are affected by domestic violence, as opposed to an estimated 10% in other households.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Because of the unique stresses that result from confronting dangerous suspects, analyzing bloody crime scenes and witnessing breakdowns in the criminal justice system, police officers also experience higher rates of suicide and post-traumatic stress disorder, experts say. If officers don't learn to manage their stress and to separate their jobs from their personal lives, the results can be disastrous.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The very training that makes someone a good police officer can produce a frightening abuser, experts say.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">For example, officers are trained to take control of every situation. They learn to interrogate suspects and to conduct effective surveillance. They learn how to pursue suspects and physically restrain them — in many cases, without leaving a mark. When they use force, they know how to provide legal justification.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Friends who work in the criminal justice system also tend to believe abusive officers who label their victims crazy or dishonest, according to Thomas.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"He's a master manipulator," Thomas said of an abusive officer. "He's a batterer with a PhD."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">And a gun.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The law that prohibits people convicted of domestic violence from carrying firearms, known as the Lautenberg Amendment, has been counterproductive when it comes to police officers, according to Diane Wetendorf, an Illinois-based consultant who has specialized in officer-involved domestic violence for the past 15 years.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Instead of taking guns away from abusive officers across the nation, it has made prosecutors — who work closely with cops every day — more lenient with them for fear of ruining their careers, she said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Take the case of McCrary, now a detective.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">On July 14, 1998, McCrary's then-wife fled in fear to a neighbor's house after he threw books and disconnected the phone wires when she tried to call 911, court records say. She was six months pregnant at the time.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Prosecutors agreed not to charge McCrary with a crime as long as he got counseling and stayed out of trouble. The Milwaukee County district attorney's office has offered that type of deal, known as a deferred-prosecution agreement, to at least five other current Milwaukee police officers accused of domestic violence, according to the newspaper's analysis.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But McCrary didn't live up to his side of the bargain, according to a summary of the internal investigation. He didn't go to therapy.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">And in October 1998, he got into another argument with his wife. When her cousin intervened, McCrary grabbed the woman by the neck, according to a criminal complaint.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"He choked her, lifted her up off the floor, and started moving her backwards toward the front door," the complaint says.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He yelled obscenities at the woman, pushed her out the door and threw out her clothes and shoes behind her, the complaint says. She had scratches on her neck and her hand was bleeding.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Because McCrary fell short of completing the deferred prosecution deal, prosecutors charged him with domestic violence-related disorderly conduct in connection with the July incident. He also was charged with battery against his wife's cousin as a result of the October fight.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But under a plea agreement, the charge involving his wife was dropped and the battery charge involving her cousin was reduced to misdemeanor disorderly conduct.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">McCrary pleaded no contest. Because he was not convicted of a charge in which his wife was a victim, he was not prohibited from carrying a firearm and kept his job.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Dominic Amato sentenced McCrary to a single day in jail.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">At the sentencing hearing, McCrary apologized and said he accepted responsibility for his actions, according to a transcript.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I didn't want it to go this far," he said. "Me and my wife, we decided that we weren't going to be together, we should have just parted without incident."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">McCrary initially didn't go to counseling because his insurance didn't cover it, but he later started treatment, his attorney, Steve Kohn, said at the hearing.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">McCrary was suspended from the department for 15 days for breaking the rule against violating laws or ordinances. He did not respond to interview requests. His ex-wife declined to comment. Her cousin could not be reached.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Lovern, chief deputy in the district attorney's office, said the plea deal in the cousin's case was done "in accordance with the wishes of the victim." His written statement did not address the charge involving McCrary's wife or explain why he was offered deferred prosecution in the first place.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Police exemption</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Domestic violence injunctions, more commonly known as restraining orders, also don't keep guns away from abusive officers in Milwaukee — and don't always lead to department discipline.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Most people with restraining orders against them lose the right to possess firearms. But the Milwaukee Police Department allows officers in that situation to "check out" their duty weapons at the beginning of each shift and return them afterward.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">That is a constant source of stress for Jill Glidewell, who recently divorced Milwaukee police Detective Herb Glidewell.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"He said if I ever told the things he'd done, I'd disappear," she told the Journal Sentinel.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Nonetheless, she testified in an attempt to get a restraining order against him, detailing abuse dating back to 2006.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Milwaukee County Court Commissioner Dean B. Zemel granted the restraining order based on an incident that occurred Nov. 1, 2008, in which Jill Glidewell — a police officer herself — ended up with a damaged rotator cuff.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The week before, she had told her husband she was pregnant with their second child.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"He viciously attacked me while I was in bed," she testified later. "He got on top of me. With all his weight, he was picking me up and slamming me down as hard as he could on the bed, over and over, more than 10 times. I was screaming for him to stop and get off of me. That it was hurting me. "</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">She grabbed the phone, but he yanked it out of her hand and started beating the barking dog with it, she said. Taking the dog and her baby daughter, she drove to the District 6 police station, barefoot, at 3 a.m.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">She was too embarrassed to go inside. A friend who was on duty came out to comfort her, but didn't push her to file a report, she said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Herb Glidewell appealed the commissioner's decision to grant the restraining order. He denied wrongdoing at a hearing before Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Francis T. Wasielewski, according to court transcripts.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"We argued often, yes," Herb Glidewell testified. "And I'm sure on all those dates, we probably did have disputes; but never, at one point, ever, was it physical. I've never harmed her, never touched her, hit her, pushed her, any of those things."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">At the end of a two-day hearing, Wasielewski, who has since retired, left the restraining order in place. It is in effect until 2013. He based his decision on medical records, which showed Jill Glidewell sought treatment for the shoulder injury and told her doctor it was the result of domestic violence, the transcripts say.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Herb Glidewell is among seven police officers who have had restraining orders imposed against them by a commissioner. Of those, three orders were later dismissed — two by the women and one by a judge when the woman didn't show up at an appeal hearing.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In another 11 cases, officers' spouses or romantic partners filed for restraining orders that were not granted by a commissioner in the first place, either because there was not enough evidence or because those who filed for them did not follow through with the cases. One was later granted by a judge after the victim appealed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But Herb Glidewell's attorney, Barry Book, characterized the burden of proof for restraining orders as extremely low. In the Glidewell case, the law allowed the commissioner and the judge to "err on the side of caution," he said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Book said the timing of the application for the restraining order was suspect, since his client was served with it the same day he signed away his rights to the couple's house in a pending divorce.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Jill Glidewell says she would have done it sooner, but he was out of town. He wanted his name off the house because he already offered to purchase another one, she said. Property records back up her assertion, showing Herb Glidewell closed on a new house five days later.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The attorney also questioned Jill Glidewell's continued assertions of abuse, saying he suspected she was using them as ammunition in a contentious custody battle.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I do think there are some extenuating circumstances in this particular case that call Ms. Glidewell's credibility into question," Book said. "The divorce proceedings lasted about 21/2 years. It was very acrimonious from the beginning."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Nearly two months before she sought the restraining order, Jill Glidewell discussed her then-husband's abusiveness with internal affairs, alleging the same mistreatment she testified about in court.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">After an investigation, the Police Department referred the case to the district attorney's office. Local prosecutors often review cases against Milwaukee police officers themselves. But in this case, they asked Chris Freeman, then a Dane County assistant district attorney, to serve as a special prosecutor.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"The Glidewell case was referred to Dane County due to the appearance of a conflict, although to our knowledge, no actual conflict existed," Lovern's written statement says. It does not say what the perceived conflict was.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In a letter to the department, Freeman, who has since been promoted to deputy DA, said "three major incidents stood out as strongest for charging." One was the episode in which Jill Glidewell's shoulder was injured. In another, Herb Glidewell grabbed her by the throat and pushed her into a wall, Jill Glidewell said. The third "was an incident in which Herb Glidewell started a fire on a grill in front of the residence while he was intoxicated," Freeman's letter says. "The fire raged to such a degree that the wheels of the grill melted into the pavement."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">To corroborate her statements, Jill Glidewell provided the medical records regarding her shoulder, as well as pictures of redness on her neck and of the melted grill.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Freeman did not charge Herb Glidewell with a crime.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"The reason for the lack of charges does not stem from the belief that these events did not occur as Jill Glidewell describes, but that I do believe based on the entirety of the record and reports that this case could not be proved beyond a reasonable doubt," Freeman wrote in the letter, which explained his decision to the Police Department.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Herb Glidewell was not disciplined, and his personnel record remains spotless.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">His ex-wife is frustrated that he hasn't been held accountable.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"He told me, 'If you ever leave me or try to fight me, I'll ruin you,' " she said. "Criminals are afforded the right to a fair and speedy trial. Why aren't victims of domestic violence?"</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Herb Glidewell primarily works burglaries and robberies, according to Book. He carries his gun while on duty. If the department ever asked Glidewell to work domestic violence cases, his attorney said that wouldn't be a problem.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I think he is able to separate his personal situation from his professional obligations," Book said. "I have no question in my mind that if he were to investigate a domestic violence case he would do the right thing. If he had to put a dad under arrest, he would do it."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Jill Glidewell said she has never feared a suspect as much as she fears her ex-husband.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"This is the most dangerous thing I've ever done," she said of leaving him. "I live in fear every day that someone is going to shoot up my house."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Police departments that give abusive officers access to their guns need to be aware of that possibility, according to Thomas, of Johns Hopkins.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"People think you go on duty and all of the sudden there's a protective shield around you and you're not going to do anything stupid anymore? It's just ignorant," he said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Higher standard needed</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">While officers' attitudes about domestic violence in the community have evolved over time, most police around the country still don't take it seriously when the perpetrator is one of their own, according to experts. Handling such accusations the same as any other criminal allegation against police, as Milwaukee does, isn't good enough, experts say.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Because responding officers can be biased, one of the goals of a model policy on officer-involved domestic violence is to remove their discretion, said Thomas, who retired from the Police Department in Montgomery County, Md., in 2000. Following written guidelines step by step protects the victim, the investigator and the alleged perpetrator, he said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"If I'm accused of being involved in this activity and I didn't do it, I want a good, clear exhaustive investigation so I can be exonerated," he said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">That didn't happen in the case of Lt. David Salazar, a supervisor in the Milwaukee police's Professional Performance Division, which investigates wrongdoing by officers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">After receiving a tip that Salazar's wife called 911 during a fight with him, the Journal Sentinel made a public records request for audio recordings of all calls associated with his home address and any police reports affiliated with them.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">No reports were written, according to the department's response.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The department provided only a dispatcher's log of the June 2010 incident, which confirms that Salazar's wife called for help during an argument over suspicions he was cheating. She told the dispatcher he was intoxicated and trying to break down the door.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The newspaper requested the information in August 2010. Three months later, the department said the recording of the call had been inadvertently purged from the system.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Then, in January, the story changed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Department spokeswoman Anne E. Schwartz said that actually, the system malfunctioned and no emergency calls were recorded the entire day Salazar's wife called 911.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The supervisor called to the scene, Capt. Aaron Raap, determined Salazar "had not operated a motor vehicle, had not had physical contact with the caller and did not appear to be intoxicated," Schwartz said in an email.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Raap decided an internal investigation was not necessary, and Salazar was not reassigned or disciplined as a result of the incident, Schwartz said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"The determination was based on Capt. Raap's years of training and experience," she said. "Police officers use their discretion every day in every situation."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The state's model policy says if no arrests are made, "the on-scene supervisor shall submit a written report explaining any and all reasons why an arrest was not made or a warrant was not sought."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Allowing officers to hide behind discretion in cases such as Salazar's is "unacceptable," Thomas said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"It's saying we're just not going to uphold the law with our own the way we do with a citizen," he said. "We should, in law enforcement, be held to a higher standard because we're supposed to enforce the law. . . . Otherwise, it's the fox watching the henhouse."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Neither Salazar — who received a unit service award in 2009 as part of the department's homicide division — nor his wife responded to certified letters seeking comment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Salazar continues to supervise investigations of other officers accused of wrongdoing.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Still investigating cases</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Officers such as Velez, convicted of the beating in the hotel room, continue to investigate domestic violence, the newspaper's investigation found. In April alone, Velez responded to domestic disputes five times — an average of more than once a week, according to the most recent records released to the newspaper.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">That's another direct contradiction to the recommendations in the state's model policy. It's a recipe for destroying community confidence and placing victims at risk, the policy says.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"There are grave concerns regarding how officers who commit the crime of domestic violence respond to domestic violence calls in the community," the policy says. "Obviously, their personal conduct affects their capability to effectively deal with these situations impartially. Moreover, an officer, sympathetic to an abuser, may not adequately protect a victim."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Munaker, the former Office of Justice Assistance trainer, agreed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"We can't let abusers investigate this. We just can't," she said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Flynn has said fighting domestic violence is a priority for the department. In February, he rolled out a new initiative to combat the problem, targeting repeat offenders and calling for greater protection of frequent victims.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"A violent assault is a violent assault, and that warrants justice," he told department supervisors at the time.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">John Diedrich and Ben Poston of the Journal Sentinel staff contributed to this report.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://www.jsonline.com/story/archives/2019/04/25/mpd-ignores-national-standards-cops-accused-domestic-violence/3565434002/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">Read or Share this story</span></a></div></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Dangerous Calls: Legislation seeks disarming domestic abusers</b></span></div><div>Daily Citizen, The (Dalton, GA)</div><div>November 24, 2019 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">TIFTON — Domestic abuse cases can be chaotic, dangerous and even deadly.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Austin Cannon knows.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">As a Colquitt County Sheriff's Office criminal investigator, he has dealt with many domestic abuse cases.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"One of the most important steps is going to be separating the two parties involved," he said. "That way you can get a side of the story from each person without input from the other party."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Capt. Steve Hyman with the Tifton Police Department agrees.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">That emotional, chaotic nature is the reason why most departments have a policy of sending at least two officers to a domestic call, Hyman said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Domestic violence pervades every community – friends, family and neighbors often looking the other way — until the "private family matter" turns tragic.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">While the primary victims of abusers are significant others and children they share, authorities in the SunLight Project coverage area of Dalton, Moultrie, Thomasville, Tifton and Valdosta say domestic violence calls can be just as dangerous for responding officers, especially if guns are involved.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Even without the presence of firearms, domestic calls pose a high risks for officers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Lt. Tim Watkins, Thomas County Sheriff's Office chief investigator, also said his agency tries to send a minimum of two officers to a family violence call if possible.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"We ask dispatch to gain as much information as possible while officers are on the way there, such as are there any weapons involved, if so what type," he said. "We try to park adjacent to or away from the front of the residence and listen, then walk up to the residence and announce. We're listening for what type of activity is happening inside the residence, what is actually verbal or physical."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Officers always worry about weapons when responding to domestic calls, because even the victim can turn on responding officers while an arrest is underway.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Hyman said officers double up on the calls not only to separate the parties and get each side of the story but to watch each other's backs.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I've been in situations where we had an aggressor and when we go to arrest them, they start fighting," Hyman said. "Then I've had the victim see we're arresting their spouse or boyfriend and they jump on me to try to help them out."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Thomasville Police Chief Troy Rich said all domestic violence calls are extremely dangerous for law-enforcement officers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Statistics show if an officer can survive the first minute of the domestic violence call, the chances increase dramatically for officer safety as the investigations continue," he said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Rich said law-enforcement officers must take every precaution to prepare themselves on how to diffuse the situation for a successful outcome for the officer, the victim and other innocent parties involved, as well as the offender.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Family violence calls vary. Most family violence calls generally involve spouses arguing about personal matters with some type of battery involved. Some situations involve children who witness the incident.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Rich could not recall an incident where a gun was turned on officers during a response, but the department has had incidents where other types of weapons have been used, and officers had to defend themselves.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Hyman and Cannon say it's not common for their officers to deal with firearms during domestic calls. Cannon's experience has seen more "weapons of opportunity," something picked up to defend one's self rather than a gun — a blunt object, knife or more likely hands and feet.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Hyman said the Tifton Police Department hasn't experienced many domestics where firearms are involved, but if they are involved, it's a situation that has been an ongoing, escalating issue.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Both the Whitfield County Sheriff's Office and the Dalton Police Department did not report any instances of officers either being threatened or shot at with a gun while responding to a domestic call.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">If the abuser is shooting a gun, then it's more likely they'll kill the abused, Serenity House Shelter Manager Melissa Sparks said, but that happening is a rare occurrence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Sparks said guns are more commonly used as threats of physical abuse.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"A great deal of them — way more than 50% — will say, 'Yeah in the past, he pointed a gun at me or threatened to kill me,'" she said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Rare but Deadly</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">While firearms may not be the typical weapon in domestic violence cases, guns prove more deadly for victims of abuse than other weapons or forms of abuse.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">According to the Georgia Commission on Family Violence's annual fatality review, in cases reviewed between 2004-18, 59% of domestic violence victim deaths were caused by firearms. That same report states 83% of perpetrators had previous interaction with law enforcement and 55% of perpetrators had previously threatened to kill the victim.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Firearms are more likely to result in more widespread deaths of children, other members of the victim's family and any law enforcement responding to a call for help.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In Thomasville, Watkins said a family violence subject fired at sheriff's officers when they reached the incident location on West Jackson Street. The subject shot at deputies with an AK-47 assault-type rifle.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Domestic disputes "are one of the most dangerous calls you can go on," Lowndes County Sheriff Ashley Paulk said. "A large number of law-enforcement officer deaths take place on domestic calls."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Paulk answered a domestic violence call during his first term in the 1990s where a man was holding his wife and daughter hostage.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">When he got to the house, Paulk said he discovered the man was a good friend and he knew the whole family by name. That didn't stop the man from pointing a shotgun at the sheriff and Paulk had to jerk the gun from the man's hand.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Though he couldn't document it, Paulk said he has heard Lowndes County's first deputy to die in the line of duty — in the 1850s — was killed while dealing with a family violence situation.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Tift County Sheriff's Office has had one deputy killed in the line of duty. The officer was responding to a domestic call.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Capt. Raymond Merritt Sr. was killed while responding to a domestic disturbance call June 8, 1991.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Merritt was not supposed to be working that weekend but was filling in for another deputy when he responded to the call and was shot by the aggressor. The man pleaded guilty to murder and later died in prison.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Georgia House Bill 137/Senate Bill 150</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">On the state level, there are two pieces of legislation targeting domestic abuse; legislation which could save the lives of victims and law enforcement.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">House Bill 137 and Senate Bill 150 would prohibit people convicted of family violence offenses, including misdemeanor offenses, from possessing or carrying a firearm.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">State Sen. Jennifer Jordan, D-Atlanta, who introduced SB150, is hoping the legislation will get through the floor and to the Senate rules committee.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"The hope is that we'll be able to get it through," Jordan said. "It's a really common-sense piece of legislation that law-enforcement officers are behind, district attorneys are behind and it makes sense because it saves lives."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Opinion about the efficacy of the proposed law is mixed</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Watkins of the Thomas County Sheriff's Office said a federal law, the 1996 Lautenberg amendment, has prohibited domestic abusers from shipping, transporting or owning firearms or ammunition. It is a felony under federal law.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I am glad to see that our Legislature has caught up with this 23-year-old law," Watkins said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Thomasville Chief Rich could not recall an incident where a gun was turned on officers during a response, but the department has had incidents where other types of weapons have been used, and officers had to defend themselves.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"The law clearly defines if you are found guilty of violating the family violence law, your privilege to possess a firearm in the state of Georgia has been revoked," the chief said. "Any law that is passed to prevent any violence and protect the community and all officers is a good law."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Sparks said the question of should guns be taken away from those convicted of family violence would be a "double-edged sword question."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"You can say 'All right, he beat the crap out of her,' but he's a hunter and hunting's his life," the shelter manager said. "You just have some people that shouldn't have guns and some people that can handle it. But I think if he threatened to kill her with a gun, no, he should not have a gun."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Paul Nagy, Colquitt County District 5 commissioner, said his feelings on HB137 are mixed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Of course, abusers and firearms are a dangerous mix, but he wonders how to hinder the bill's hidden agendas.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"When you pass these ordinances over time — five, 10, 15, 20 years — they can expand and they can be abused or used as a tool to just take weapons away from you if you don't watch it," said Nagy, a retired lieutenant colonel in the Marine Corps and adviser to the Colquitt County High School Junior ROTC program.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Safeguards are his answer to making the bill better</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"If they can make safeguards to make sure this thing is not fraudulently used in the future to take guns away from people who are law-abiding citizens, I would lean in favor of it," he said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Austin Cannon doesn't see the point of the bill, saying it won't really change things.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I don't know that this person would even abide by that rule," he said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He and Sparks would rather see change or restrictions on drugs and alcohol since they encounter substance abuse more often in domestic violence cases.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I would say that — and it's a rough estimate — probably nine out of every 10 domestics that I've ever responded to — you'll probably see this department wide, maybe even nationwide — would be that some form of substance abuse was involved," he said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Sheriff Paulk concurred, saying alcohol and drugs are often a factor in domestic disputes.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Terry Scott wears several hats in the Thomasville community. A U.S. Army veteran, he pastors a church and is Thomasville mayor pro tem.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">While counseling men and woman in abusive relationships, he said he has learned a lot of the violence comes from one's childhood.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"A lot of times, an abuser will use anything to get their point across and out of anger will use a weapon for leverage to make them feel like they are in control of the situation," Scott said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">However, Scott said, if an individual is a repeat offender, he said the state should have a law to remove the firearm rights for the protection of residents.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Law-enforcement officers never know what they are walking into or responding to until they arrive at the scene where an abuser will feel intimidated, due to the fact an officer is carrying a weapon," Scott said, "even though officers are trained on how to deescalate the potential violent situation."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He suggests letting the community know how police officers are trained and how they expect the public to comply when they are approached by an officer.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In addition to Eve Copeland-Brechbiel, SunLight Project team reporters Bryce Ethridge, Patti Dozier, Charles Oliver, Terry Richards and Riley Bunch contributed to this report.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Acevedo had cause to slam GOP senators after sergeant's slaying</b></span></div><div>Houston Chronicle (TX)</div><div>December 11, 2019 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo was visibly angry in discussing the shooting death of a beloved sergeant, Chris Brewster - and had some choice words for Senate Republicans whom he believes help enable such tragedies.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Brewster, 32, was responding to a domestic disturbance in Magnolia Park on Saturday evening when police say he was shot multiple times by the subject of the complaint, Arturo Solis. Solis opened fire on Brewster as the nine-year veteran was trying to get his attention, authorities said, and he was seemingly remorseless after being apprehended later that evening. Brewster allegedly told investigators that he should have shot his girlfriend, who had called the police. (SEE CORRECTION)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">This tragedy fits a familiar pattern in which acts of of gun violence are preceded by instances of domestic violence. So in remarks to reporters, Acevedo singled out Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz and John Cornyn for criticism for not having taken up the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which has been stalled in the Senate along with other legislation passed by the Democratic-controlled House.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The National Rifle Association opposes the House-approved legislation because in addition to reauthorizing the act itself, it includes a provision intended to tackle the "boyfriend loophole," under which certain domestic abusers are not barred from buying or owning firearms.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">As Acevedo sees it, Senate Republicans are putting the political demands of the GOP-allied NRA over the well-being of their own constituents, including law-enforcement officers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I don't want to see their little smug faces about how much they care about law enforcement when I'm burying a sergeant because they don't want to piss off the NRA," Acevedo said, referring to the three senators.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"You're either here for women and children and our daughters and our sisters and our aunts or you're here for the NRA," he continued. "Make up your minds."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The outspoken Acevedo, who recently began his fourth year as chief, concluded by saying that he had nothing more to say on the subject for now and intended to spend the week focusing on Brewster's life, and mourning his death.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Cornyn and Cruz seemed to feel that Acevedo had already said enough.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"What the chief neglected to mention yesterday is Solis, who had a prior conviction of family violence, was already prohibited from owning a firearm under Texas and federal law," said Drew Brandewie, a spokesman for Cornyn.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"So the 'loophole' he spent so much time blaming Sens. Cornyn and Cruz for didn't apply because he already wasn't supposed to own a gun," Brandewie said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The 1996 Lautenberg Amendment to the Federal Gun Control Act bans people convicted of domestic violence against a spouse, co-parent, or family member of possessing a gun. Solis, who has been charged with capital murder, has a previous conviction for misdemeanor assault of a family member.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Cruz made this point also, about the federal law, before suggesting that Acevedo's interest in the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act was politically motivated.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"It's unfortunate the chief of police in Houston seems more focused on trying to advance his own political ambitions than on supporting the brave men and women of HPD," said Cruz.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It's true that the reauthorization of the 1994 law, co-sponsored by then-U.S. Sens. Joe Biden and Orrin Hatch and signed by President Bill Clinton, probably wouldn't have prevented Brewster's death.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But it's hard to fault Acevedo for giving voice to the grief and anger many Houstonians are feeling, in the wake of such a tragedy.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">And if the chief's critics think there's a more appropriate moment to have a discussion about the nexus between domestic violence and gun deaths, they should feel free to suggest it.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Acevedo, for his part, raised the issue last week, just two days before the sergeant's slaying, at a news conference with Mayor Sylvester Turner, Mayor Pro-Tem Ellen Cohen, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez and Emilee Whitehurst, the president and CEO of the Houston Area Women's Center.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Enough is enough," Acevedo said then, noting that the city had seen 40 homicides through November - out of 253 overall, up to that point - that were related to domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Every day that this is not authorized, it gives the notion that there's a passive acceptance that violence against women is acceptable," Gonzalez said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Acevedo called on Cornyn and Cruz to help pass the measure in the Senate and work with their House counterparts to resolve any disagreements over the "boyfriend loophole," for example, in conference.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"The one thing that we know is that the fear to pass this is a disservice to women, to children, and it's a disservice to our community," he said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Advocates agree with that.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Honestly, it's ridiculous that we would even have to have a conversation," said Barbie Breshear, executive director of the Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council. "That it wouldn't be reauthorized .?" she sighed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">On Tuesday, the department's SWAT team had a standoff after another such call, involving a boyfriend with a gun and a criminal record.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"It's always in the back of officers' minds, on every call that they run, after we have an incident like (the one) that happened last week," said HPD Lt. Rick Besselman, after the suspect was apprehended. "But we have to do our job."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Senate Republicans, including Cornyn and Cruz, need to do theirs.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b style="color: #800180; font-size: xx-large;">2020: Lautenberg DV Gun Ban - News Articles And Reports</b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Vulnerable adults, guns and a divisive bill</b></span></div><div>Concord Monitor (NH)</div><div>February 2, 2020 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Gov. Chris Sununu issued a number of vetoes in 2019 – 57, famously. Only one of them was accompanied by a two-page letter of explanation.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">That would be House Bill 696, an effort to establish a procedure for protective orders for vulnerable adults. The bill would have given recourse to older Granite Staters hit by financial crimes, allowing them, for instance, to immediately block fund transfers to the suspect’s account.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The proposal had strong support from legal aid advocates. But it also included a provision allowing the confiscation of “any deadly weapon” involved in that abuse. Bolstered by firearms groups, Sununu vetoed the bill, citing potential confusion with existing domestic violence protective orders and Second Amendment violations.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Now the bill is back as Senate Bill 677, this time with Sununu’s support.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But firearms groups are still split over their position on it. And how that opposition ebbs and flows in the next few months could affect the bill’s future.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“This week there is a nasty anti-gun bill, SB 677, ‘Eldercare Gun Confiscation,’ ” said J.R. Hoell, the secretary of the New Hampshire Firearms Coalition, in an email to supporters.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The conflict came even despite an amendment meant to address gun owners’ concerns. The new change to the bill, submitted by Republican Sen. Jeb Bradley, strips any reference to firearms or deadly weapons in the text.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Still, some see it as an instant non-starter.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“Not only is the bill bad, but the amendment does nothing to fix the issues,” Hoell argued.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">To Hoell, even if the state law does not mention guns, creating a new order could allow for firearm confiscation through federal law.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">That’s because of what is known as the “Lautenberg Amendment,” a 1997 addition to a federal statute that prohibits firearms possession for those issued protection orders for domestic abuse.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Even though the vulnerable adult order would not entail an outright ban of firearms, if a person applied for one and met the domestic violence criteria under the Lautenberg law, the court could remove firearms from the alleged abuser, Hoell argued.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Hoell also cited issues with due process for those on the other end of the protective order.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But other gun groups disagree with the Lautenberg interpretation.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The National Rifle Association appears satisfied, at least to the point that it isn’t opposing the bill. In a Jan. 28 email to the Senate Judiciary Committee, NRA State Director Lauren LePage said the organization believed the changes made in the new version did not trample on gun rights.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“I understand that this amendment ensures that law-abiding individuals will not be threatened with the unconstitutional removal of their personal property,” LePage wrote.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It’s a split that could pose political challenges to Sununu, who supports the vulnerable adult protection order but has also been a steadfast supporter of gun rights in office.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In 2016, Sununu gave a nod to some gun control advocates by stating his support for universal background checks in a gubernatorial debate.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But largely, the governor has stood firmly with gun rights supporters, signing in a concealed carry bill in his first few months in office and vetoing a raft of bills last year sent by Democrats.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Still, Sununu has supported the efforts to introduce a vulnerable adults protective order, which advocates say is necessary in a rapidly aging state with little immediate recourse for victims of financial crimes. New Hampshire currently has protective orders available for victims of domestic violence and stalking.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In a statement Friday, Ben Vihstadt, a spokesman for the governor, said Sununu remained committed even through any bumps in the process.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“The governor supports passing legislation to protect vulnerable adults,” he said. “Our office is currently working with lawmakers and advocates from both sides of this issue so that we can come to a consensus and get this done.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">And Bradley, the prime sponsor of the new bill, said that he has sought out legal advice from the Attorney General’s Office on whether the concerns have legal merit.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Meanwhile, for supporters of the bill the concerns are overblown.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“We’ve heard a lot about this bill violating the constitution,” said Cheryl Steinberg, the senior law project director for New Hampshire Legal Assistance. “All I can say is it’s based on an already existing (state) law … which has been in effect for 20 years; it’s constitutionally sound.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">And she said that the Lautenberg Amendment would not likely apply because the criteria are so narrow that they’d only apply to those who qualified for domestic violence orders anyway.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Meanwhile, Steinberg said, the bill would allow speedy judicial relief for seniors, people with disabilities and others, which would ordinarily be cumbersome and expensive to obtain.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The effort will move forward to an executive vote in the Senate Judiciary Committee, which is likely to support it.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But as gun groups continue to coalesce, the governor’s support may still be a moving target.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Assault survivor bill won't get a vote because of NRA's unnecessary demands</b></span></div><div>Times-News, The (Twin Falls, ID)</div><div>Author/Byline: Rep. Melissa Wintrow District 19, Boise | Section: Columnists</div><div>March 7, 2020 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Dear Co-sponsors and Stakeholders,</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">I have heard from many of you, inquiring about the progress of H383, and it is with a heavy heart that I inform you that H383 will not receive a vote in committee. On Feb. 13, many of you, along with survivors of rape and advocates from throughout the state, showed up to testify in support of H383. I appreciate everyone's efforts to support rape survivors and to support legislation that would have provided them a pathway to seek protection during a very traumatic time.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">As Annie Hightower from the Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence testified, in Idaho, the approximate average time between crime reporting and arrest in these crimes is about 85 days, and since a no-contact order cannot be granted until a criminal charge is filed, these orders could provide some safety for a survivor after a sexual assault or rape.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The bill will not get a vote because the NRA intervened, demanded unnecessary changes to this bill and unrelated changes to the Domestic Violence Protection Act, and will not remain neutral on HB383 unless those demands are met. <span style="color: red;">It was their opinion that the Lautenberg Amendment would apply to civil protection orders under the proposed Sexual Assault Protection Act, thus allowing judges to take firearms from respondents, which has never been substantiated.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In order to ensure a fair process under the proposed legislation, we defined "sexual assault" to be aligned with existing statutes, which should act to further clarify the separation from the Domestic Violence Protection Act. However, the NRA claimed, without evidence, that our definition of sexual assault would be translated by judges into a reference to "sexual abuse" cited in the Domestic Violence Protection Act, still allowing judges to take firearms. There is no indication that judges are currently interpreting the term "sexual abuse" contained within the Domestic Violence Protection Act any more narrowly (or broadly) than the definitions included in H383. Nonetheless, the NRA wanted to amend the definitions of sexual assault and sexual abuse to include a required finding of use of prior force.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: red;">The Lautenberg Amendment, as it applies to civil protection orders between intimate partners does not require a finding of prior force. In fact, the Attorney General's Office issued an opinion that clarified what is actually required for the Lautenberg Amendment to apply and that our proposed legislation did not meet those standards, therefore the NRA's demand to change language was unnecessary.</span> In fact, including the terms related to showing force is a major step backwards in how we, as a society, have defined sexual assault and rape in law. Chair Chaney and I met with NRA representatives along with the Criminal Attorney General, the Law and Policy Director for the Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence, and a scholar/expert in the field of criminal justice and sex crimes. In that meeting, the NRA representative indicated that they actually did not have a problem with the Sexual Assault Protection Act bill.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: red;">Even though the NRA's claims about judges and the Lautenberg Amendment are completely unsubstantiated</span>, as mentioned above, we added some language the NRA requested to ensure that victims of domestic violence and sexual assault were directed to the appropriate order, to ensure that a sexual assault protective order would not impact firearm possession of the respondent. At that point, even though the NRA representative indicated they had no problems with civil protection orders for victims of sexual assault, they refused to remain neutral on this bill. Instead, they stated that their true purpose was to redefine domestic abuse in the Domestic Violence Protection Act, a statute that is not even a part of our proposed bill. I let the NRA representatives know that their request was unreasonable and a clear overreach beyond the scope of the bill and their coming out against the bill would surely kill it regardless of the facts.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">After considerable discussion and debate, along with the stakeholders, I feel it is inappropriate to go into an unrelated section of code and make such a significant change at the last minute without ample time to consult with the courts, stakeholders, and case law. We know that good policy is not created in such a haphazard manner. Without understanding the entire, potential impact, such changes could unintentionally harm DV victims. Therefore, unless the NRA agrees to remain neutral and to not pressure legislators to vote against this bill, civil protection orders will continue to be unavailable for victims of sexual assault in Idaho.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Sexual assault survivors will continue to be at risk of further harm with one less option to protect themselves. I am deeply disappointed that with all the official endorsements H383 received (Criminal Defense Lawyers, Chiefs of Police, Sheriffs Association, Prosecuting Attorneys, Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence and many advocates across the state) that one special interest group would have this amount of power to influence public safety policy. In the interim, I will work with criminal justice professionals and community and legislative stakeholders to figure out how we can put forward a bill to provide protections for people who are sexually assaulted, just like we offer protections for people in domestic violence, stalking, and phone harassment situations. Thank you for your support.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>DHS I.G.: 'DHS Components Have Not Fully Complied With Department's Guidelines for Implementing Lautenberg Amendment'</b></span></div><div>Targeted News Service (USA)</div><div>November 19, 2020 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 -- </b>The Homeland Security Inspector General issued the following report (No. OIG-21-09) entitled "DHS Components Have Not Fully Complied with the Department's Guidelines for Implementing the Lautenberg Amendment" on Nov. 13:</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj9rPNXHDzZnkghkTptqOfvqilKlVMF9kTYaWJYGgT7KjcstMCHeK0BVDxl18te-HOwd7n9pundwWfqTUUe5uXbvOaMmJ0FgOjL7jS9PeknNR5CPUqRmPfCZRYtIR0_TfReCGzCcGfEzrfYFL9YZ6d1ZohxgM4t2XwAxia6zJ2b5jBEfnujxBw5_poZyQ=s696" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="696" data-original-width="537" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj9rPNXHDzZnkghkTptqOfvqilKlVMF9kTYaWJYGgT7KjcstMCHeK0BVDxl18te-HOwd7n9pundwWfqTUUe5uXbvOaMmJ0FgOjL7jS9PeknNR5CPUqRmPfCZRYtIR0_TfReCGzCcGfEzrfYFL9YZ6d1ZohxgM4t2XwAxia6zJ2b5jBEfnujxBw5_poZyQ=w494-h640" width="494" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aRR9GdpBItuzqDuPvVxiM9ZG8gh8ik8B/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">11132020--REPORT--Office-Of-Inspector-General--DHS-Components-Have-Not-Fully-Complied-With-Dept's-Guidelines-For-Implementing-The-Lautenberg-Amendment</a></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* * *</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>MEMORANDUM FOR: </b>See Distribution List</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>FROM:</b> Joseph V. Cuffari, Ph.D., Inspector General</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>SUBJECT: </b>DHS Components Have Not Fully Complied with the Department's Guidelines for Implementing the Lautenberg Amendment</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">For your action is our final report, DHS Components Have Not Fully Complied with the Department's Guidelines for Implementing the Lautenberg Amendment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">We incorporated the formal comments provided by DHS, CBP, and ICE.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Consistent with our responsibility under the Inspector General Act, we will provide copies of our report to congressional committees with oversight and appropriation responsibility over the Department of Homeland Security. We will post the report on our website for public dissemination.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Please call me with any questions, or your staff may contact Thomas Kait, Assistant Inspector General for Special Reviews and Evaluations, at (202) 981-6000.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Attachment</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Distribution List: Mark A. Morgan, Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Commissioner U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Tony H. Pham, Senior Offical Performing the Duties of the Director, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement; The Honorable James M. Murray, Director, U.S. Secret Service; The Honorable David P. Pekoske, Administrator, U.S. Transportation Security Administration</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* * *</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">HIGHLIGHTS</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Why We Did This Evaluation</span></b></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">In 1996, Congress amended the Gun Control Act of 1968 (Lautenberg Amendment) to prohibit individuals convicted of misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence from possessing firearms. We conducted this evaluation to determine whether CBP, Secret Service, ICE, and TSA complied with guidelines for implementing the Lautenberg Amendment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">What We Recommend</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">We made three recommendations to ensure implementation of departmental requirements related to the Lautenberg Amendment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">What We Found</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: red;">U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), United States Secret Service (Secret Service), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) have not fully complied with DHS' guidelines for implementing the Lautenberg Amendment. To illustrate, CBP and Secret Service did not ensure law enforcement officers completed annual Lautenberg Amendment certifications as required. CBP and ICE also did not use available resources to monitor the arrests and convictions of law enforcement officers subject to the Lautenberg Amendment.</span> None of the four components provided domestic violence awareness training to law enforcement officers as required by the implementing guidelines. The DHS Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans should ensure components are uniformly applying and enforcing the Department's guidelines for implementing the Lautenberg Amendment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Agency Response</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">DHS concurred with the recommendations and described corrective actions either already taken or planned to address the findings in this report. We consider recommendations 1 and 3 resolved and open. We consider recommendation 2 resolved and closed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* * *</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Introduction</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In 1996, Congress amended the Gun Control Act of 1968 (Lautenberg Amendment) to prohibit individuals convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence (MCDV) from possessing a firearm. As a result, Federal law enforcement officers, whose jobs require them to possess a firearm, cannot continue to hold their positions if convicted of MCDVs. Several Department of Homeland Security components employ law enforcement officers -- including U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) with a force of approximately 45,000, United States Secret Service (Secret Service) with more than 5,000, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) with more than 12,000.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees also include law enforcement officers.<b>/1</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* * *</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Background</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Lautenberg Amendment prohibits any person convicted of an MCDV from possessing a firearm.<b>/2</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A qualifying MCDV under the Lautenberg Amendment consists of any misdemeanor conviction that has as an element: the use or attempted use of physical force, or the threatened use of a deadly weapon, committed by a current or former spouse, parent, or guardian of the victim, by a person with whom the victim shares a child in common, by a person who is cohabitating with or has cohabitated with the victim as a spouse, parent, or guardian, or by a person similarly situated to a spouse, parent, or guardian of the victim.<b>/3</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">There is no exception for law enforcement officers. Therefore, any law enforcement officer with a qualifying MCDV shall not lawfully possess or receive firearms or ammunition for any purpose, including performance of his or her official duties.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In 2017, then-Acting Deputy Secretary Russell Deyo issued Policy Directive 045-05 (Policy Directive)<b>/4</b> to ensure department-wide compliance with the Lautenberg Amendment. The Policy Directive instructs components to "ensure officer behavior is consistent with the Department's law enforcement mission, responsibilities, and values" and to clarify the "expectation that its law enforcement personnel will uphold the highest standards of conduct." DHS initially assigned responsibility for overseeing implementation of the Policy Directive to its Law Enforcement Policy Division within the DHS Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans. According to DHS officials, in May 2019 the Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans reassigned staff from the Law Enforcement Policy Division to other portfolios, and DHS did not reassign oversight responsibility of the Policy Directive to another group. The officials also stated that the Department re-established the Law Enforcement Policy Office in September 2020 to resume the Lautenberg Amendment oversight functions described in the Policy Directive.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Policy Directive outlines component and law enforcement officer responsibilities for complying with the Lautenberg Amendment and reporting domestic violence offenses and convictions. The Policy Directive states components must, among other actions:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">* require law enforcement officers to report all off-duty reportable law enforcement officer/agency and judicial contact, including MCDV convictions;</span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">* require law enforcement officers to annually certify they have no convictions of an MCDV;</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* require domestic violence awareness training for all law enforcement officers; and</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* revoke law enforcement officers with a qualifying MCDV conviction their authority to carry a weapon and perform law enforcement duties.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">At the component level, CBP, Secret Service, ICE, and TSA identify incidents of domestic violence committed by their law enforcement officers through various methods, including employee self-reporting; partnerships with local law enforcement agencies regarding contact or arrests; periodic employee background checks; and information-sharing agreements with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). According to component field office personnel, after becoming aware of a domestic violence allegation, the components take steps to protect the interests of the public, including removing firearms from law enforcement officers and immediately suspending their authority to perform law enforcement duties. If the allegation involves an arrest, the components cooperate with local law enforcement in the formal investigation and any related legal proceedings. Law enforcement officers convicted of an MCDV are removed from their positions since they can no longer carry a weapon, which is a condition of their employment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">We conducted this evaluation to determine whether CBP, Secret Service, ICE, and TSA complied with DHS' guidelines for implementing the Lautenberg Amendment. Specifically, we evaluated actions taken by each component to comply with various requirements in the Policy Directive and <span style="color: red;">reviewed all domestic violence-related arrests identified by the four components from January 2016 through December 2018. Of these 344 arrests, we selected a judgmental sample of 162 cases and examined investigative and disciplinary files for each. We identified two cases in which the employee was convicted of a domestic violence offense and removed.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* * *</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Results of Evaluation</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">CBP, ICE, Secret Service, and TSA have not fully complied with DHS's guidelines for implementing the Lautenberg Amendment. We found that CBP and Secret Service did not ensure law enforcement officers completed annual Lautenberg Amendment certifications as required. CBP and ICE also did not use available resources to monitor the arrests and convictions of law enforcement officers subject to the Lautenberg Amendment. None of the four components provided domestic violence awareness training to law enforcement officers as required by the Policy Directive. The DHS Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans should ensure components are uniformly applying and enforcing the Department's guidelines for implementing the Lautenberg Amendment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Some Components Have Not Taken Steps to Identify Law Enforcement Officer Arrests or Convictions for Domestic Violence Offenses</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">CBP and Secret Service did not comply with the Policy Directive's requirement that all law enforcement officers complete an annual Lautenberg Amendment certification stating they do not have an MCDV conviction. While TSA and Secret Service have taken advantage of available FBI monitoring programs to identify law enforcement officer arrests and MCDV convictions through continuous background checks, CBP and ICE have not.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">CBP and Secret Service Did Not Enforce Completion of DHS-Required Annual Lautenberg Certification</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Policy Directive requires all law enforcement officers to complete an annual Lautenberg Amendment certification stating they have not been convicted of an MCDV. None of the CBP field offices we visited required law enforcement officers to complete the annual certifications mandated by the Policy Directive.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Management at these CBP field offices told us that they were not aware of the annual certification requirement. In addition, CBP did not provide an implementation plan to DHS to outline how the component planned to comply with the Policy Directive, including the annual certification requirement. The DHS Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans did not conduct oversight to ensure CBP had implemented this requirement. As a result, since the Policy Directive became effective in January 2017, CBP law enforcement officers have not submitted annual certifications attesting that they have not been convicted of an MCDV the previous year.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Secret Service also did not require law enforcement officers to complete annual certifications during the reviewed timeframe. Secret Service management told us that, in lieu of signing annual certifications, agents signed an annual statement of compliance with the contents of the Secret Service Law Enforcement Manual. However, this manual did not specify agent responsibilities related to the Lautenberg Amendment. The implementation plan Secret Service submitted to the DHS Law Enforcement Policy Division suggested DHS should develop an annual Lautenberg Amendment certification for use by all of the components, but did not specify how Secret Service would comply with the annual certification requirement in the absence of DHS action.<b>/5</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">DHS did not conduct oversight to ensure Secret Service had implemented the certification requirement under the Policy Directive.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Unlike CBP and Secret Service, ICE and TSA both complied with the Policy Directive's annual certification requirement. Every ICE field office and all but one TSA field office we visited provided 100 percent of the annual certifications, documentation we requested. One TSA field office was missing 5 of 115 signed annual certifications from the 2 years we examined; according to TSA, this was due to a clerical error.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">CBP and ICE Did Not Use Available Resources to Monitor Law Enforcement Officer Arrests and Convictions for Domestic Violence Offenses</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Secret Service and TSA currently enroll all their respective law enforcement agents in FBI monitoring programs that notify the components when an officer is arrested or convicted.<b>/6</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">These monitoring programs help Secret Service and TSA comply with the Lautenberg Amendment by identifying officers arrested for or convicted of an MCDV. The FBI monitoring programs are described below:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* Secret Service receives notifications of law enforcement officer arrests and convictions through the Blue Force program, operated by the FBI Specialized Identity Management Unit. Secret Service enrolls each law enforcement officer in Blue Force upon hire and provides the FBI with the identification and biometric data necessary to match the Secret Service officers against FBI crime databases. As the FBI databases are updated, real-time notifications of Secret Service law enforcement officer arrests and convictions, including those for domestic violence offenses, are sent to Secret Service.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* TSA participates in the FBI Rap Back service, which functions similar to the Blue Force Program and provides the component with continuous monitoring of the law enforcement officers enrolled in the service and notifications of any TSA law enforcement officer arrests and convictions.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Like Secret Service, TSA enrolls all of its officers in the service upon hire and provides FBI with a list of the identifying information necessary to match TSA law enforcement personnel with the FBI crime databases.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In contrast, CBP and ICE do not participate in FBI monitoring programs.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Although these free services are currently available to CBP and ICE, DHS officials told us CBP and ICE have not enrolled their law enforcement officers in these programs because they are awaiting full implementation of an internal DHS technology solution that will provide real-time monitoring of FBI databases for arrests and convictions of DHS law enforcement officers ("continuous evaluation program"). DHS is currently enrolling a portion of each component's population into the continuous evaluation program and expects to complete implementation sometime in 2021.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Components Did Not Provide Required Domestic Violence Awareness Training to Law Enforcement Officers</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In January 2017, DHS issued Policy Directive 045-05 as part of "the Department's strong stand against crimes of domestic violence." It requires components to provide: 1) annual domestic violence awareness training for law enforcement officers and their supervisors, and 2) quarterly oral advisement to officers, during quarterly firearms qualifications, of the duty to report any off duty reportable contact with law enforcement. However, CBP, Secret Service, ICE, and TSA did not fully develop plans to implement the Policy Directive and did not comply with most of the training requirements.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">DHS' Law Enforcement Policy Division requested each component provide a plan to implement the policy. ICE, TSA, and Secret Service provided implementation plans, which identified component officials or offices responsible for implementation, and ICE and TSA identified the written policies that required revisions in order to meet the requirements of the Policy Directive.<b>/7</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">However, none of the implementation plans described specific actions the components intended to take to comply with the new training requirements. For example, none of the implementation plans specified whether the component would develop a new training course, how the component would deliver the training to law enforcement officers in the field, or when the training would begin.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Additionally, none of the components could provide documentary evidence, such as training records or training slides, to demonstrate they consistently provided either annual awareness training or quarterly oral advisements.<b>/8</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Finally, law enforcement officers from the 15 field offices we visited across the four components unanimously confirmed that the required domestic violence awareness training was not provided annually to either law enforcement officers or supervisors. The law enforcement officers we asked in the field also told us they were not receiving the mandatory oral advisements during quarterly firearms qualifications.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Moreover, we found that DHS did not conduct oversight of, or provide assistance to, components to ensure they met the Policy Directive requirements. When we asked why, DHS' Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans told us the Law Enforcement Policy Division, the unit responsible for overseeing implementation of the Policy Directive, was eliminated during a May 2019 reorganization and DHS never reassigned the oversight responsibility.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Notwithstanding this explanation, DHS did not provide documentation of oversight conducted by the Law Enforcement Policy Division between the March 2017 request for implementation plans and when the group was eliminated in May 2019.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* * *</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Recommendations</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Recommendation 1: We recommend the DHS Under Secretary for the Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans establish an oversight mechanism to ensure Department components implement DHS Policy Directive 045-05 as required, including:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">1. Providing annual domestic violence awareness training for law enforcement officers and their supervisors;</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: red;">2. Orally advising all law enforcement officers, during quarterly firearms qualifications, of their duty to report when law enforcement contacts them concerning engagement in domestic violence</span>; and</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">3. Ensuring all law enforcement officers annually complete Lautenberg Amendment certifications.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Recommendation 2: We recommend the CBP Commissioner fully implement the DHS continuous monitoring program to allow for notification and tracking of employee arrests.</span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Recommendation 3: We recommend the ICE Director fully implement the DHS continuous monitoring program to allow for notification and tracking of employee arrests.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* * *</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Management Comments and OIG Analysis</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">DHS concurred with our recommendations and described corrective actions to address the issues identified in this report. Appendix B contains management comments in their entirety. We also received technical comments to the draft report and revised the report as appropriate. We consider recommendations 1 and 3 resolved and open. We consider recommendation 2 resolved and closed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">A summary of DHS responses and our analysis follows.</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">DHS Comments to Recommendation 1:Concur. On September 28, 2020, the DHS Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans <b><span style="color: red;">re-established the Law Enforcement Policy Office</span></b><span style="color: red;">, which will perform the oversight functions related to Lautenberg Amendment requirements</span>, as specified in DHS Policy Directive 045-05. These functions include: <span style="color: red;">1) collecting and reporting department-wide data on revocation of LEO firearm authorities due to violations; 2) ensuring department-wide compliance with relevant domestic violence training and LEO reporting mandates</span>; and 3) compilation and coordination of component implementation plans for Policy Directive 045-05. Estimated Completion Date: October 29, 2021.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">OIG Analysis: We consider these actions responsive to the recommendation, which is resolved and open. We will close this recommendation when we receive documentation confirming that the Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans has completed collecting revocation information, ensuring policy compliance and compiling implementation plans.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">DHS Comments to Recommendation 2:Concur. CBP's Office of Professional Responsibility implemented a continuous evaluation program in June 2018 for all active CBP Federal employees in sensitive security positions. The program conducts real-time vetting checks on 52,000 CBP employees, including all active law enforcement officers who would be subject to the Lautenberg Amendment. The program runs a variety of checks daily and/or weekly, including National Crime Information Center address and secondary inspection checks, as well as screenings in terrorist databases. Adjudicators review any derogatory information and refer verified arrest incidents and protection orders to CBP's Investigative Operations Division.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In addition to CBP's continuous evaluation program, since May 2019, CBP also enrolled all eligible employees in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence's continuous evaluation program, which is part of the security clearance process. This program allows for review of information between periodic reinvestigation cycles. Together, these continuous evaluation programs allow for tracking and notification of employee arrests.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">DHS requested that the recommendation be resolved and closed, as implemented.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">OIG Analysis: We consider these actions responsive to the recommendation, which is resolved and closed. We received documentation confirming CBP has completed the appropriate corrective actions and has fully implemented continuous monitoring of employee arrests.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">DHS Comments to Recommendation 3:Concur. ICE stated that per DHS Memorandum, "DHS Enterprise Continuous Evaluation Program," ICE enrolled 25 percent of personnel occupying national security positions in FY 2019 and 50 percent of personnel occupying national security positions in FY 2020 in the Department's Continuous Evaluation Program. ICE's Chief Security Officer and Office of Professional Responsibility staff will continue to ensure ICE meets the established requirement to enroll 100 percent of its personnel occupying national security positions in the program. Estimated Completion Date: October 29, 2021.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">OIG Analysis: We consider these actions responsive to the recommendation, which is resolved and open. We will close this recommendation when we receive documentation confirming that ICE has completed enrollment of all its personnel occupying national security positions.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* * *</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b>Footnotes:</b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>1 </b>The number of TSA law enforcement officers is Sensitive Security Information, which is information TSA has determined that, if publicly released, would be detrimental to transportation security, as defined by Federal Regulation 49 Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.) Part 1520.5(a)(3). Accordingly, we have not reported the number of law enforcement officers employed by TSA in this report.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>2</b> 18 United States Code (U.S.C.) Sec. 922(g)(9).</div><div><br /></div><div><b>3</b> 18 U.S.C. Sec. 921(a)(33)(A)(ii).</div><div><br /></div><div><b>4</b> Policy Directive 045-05, Required Reporting of Off-Duty Contact with Law Enforcement by DHS Law Enforcement Personnel and the Suspension and/or Revocation of Authority to Carry a Firearm or other Weapon and Perform Law Enforcement Duties, January 10, 2017.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>5</b> In June 2019, Secret Service issued a policy requiring compliance with the annual Lautenberg Amendment certification requirement. OIG could not examine the implementation of this new policy for compliance with the DHS Policy Directive because Secret Service had not completed a full cycle of certifications at the time of our review.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>6</b> FBI officials explained that although their programs provide comprehensive monitoring of arrests and convictions of enrolled officers based on a thorough search of FBI databases, they are not foolproof because the underlying FBI databases are dependent upon the accurate and timely reporting of arrests and convictions by state and local jurisdictions.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>7</b> According to the Director for DHS Office of Strategy, Policy and Plans, CBP initially acknowledged it received the Policy Directive, but never submitted a completed plan. CBP did not provide evidence that it took action to implement the Policy Directive.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>8 </b>TSA did provide policies referencing oral advisements as part of the Federal Air Marshal Service quarterly training, but we could not ascertain if the training was actually provided.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>* * *</b></div><div><b><a href="https://www.oig.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/assets/2020-11/OIG-21-09-Nov20.pdf" target="_blank">REPORT</a></b></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>MEASURE KEEPING GUNS FROM WRONG HANDS NOT BEING ENFORCED</b></span></div><div>Record, The (Hackensack, NJ)</div><div>December 6, 2020 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A federal law barring gun ownership to people convicted of a domestic violence offense, including misdemeanors, was enacted 24 years ago at the stubborn and fiery insistence of the late New Jersey Sen. Frank Lautenberg.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But a recent audit at President Donald Trump's Department of Homeland Security found that the "Lautenberg amendment" as it was known, was not properly enforced within law enforcement ranks of the sprawling DHS bureaucracy.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The department's Office of Inspector General last month found that employees at the agencies under Trump's watch failed to follow agency directives designed to comply with the 1996 law.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Inspectors discovered, for example, that Customs and Border Protection and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement -- the two DHS agencies that have carried out Trump's hardline crackdown on undocumented immigrants -- failed to enroll in free FBI programs that would have flagged agents arrested or convicted for domestic violence abuse. Convicted agents are "removed from their positions" since they are no longer permitted to carry firearms, according to the audit.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Customs and Secret Service did not annually certify that they have not been convicted of domestic violence offenses, the report also said. And all four agencies that were audited -- including the Transportation Service Agency -- failed to provide domestic violence awareness training.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The findings prompted a sharp rebuke from one of the nation's leading gun control advocacy groups.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">T. Christian Heyne, vice president of policy at Brady United Against Gun Violence, has singled out the ICE and border patrol units' failure to enroll in the FBI monitoring programs.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"That federal agencies with law enforcement authority have not complied with their legal duty is troubling on its own, but the fact that several of them have eschewed a readily available means to ensure this compliance is a dereliction of duty," Heyne said in a statement to NorthJersey.com and the USA TODAY Network. "The reality is that by intentionally putting their heads in the sand, these agencies could allow convicted domestic abusers to continue to possess firearms and (maintain) law enforcement authority."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In response to the audit, DHS officials said Customs and ICE officers are awaiting full implementation of the DHS' own internal screening system that will provide "real-time" monitoring of the FBI databases. ICE has already enrolled about half of its staff in the program and has targeted next October for full compliance. Customs has also been relying on its own internal screening system, the report said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The report comes amid an increase in violence within homes as couples and families spend extended time together because of joblessness, school closings and restrictions on public and social gatherings.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Lautenberg's bill was crafted in an earlier era. It was included in a sprawling appropriations bill that had bogged down in bitter, partisan deadlock in September 1996.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">At one point, the bill, which amended the Gun Control Act of 1968, sailed through the House with a 97-2 vote. But weeks later, Republican Rep. Bob Barr of Georgia had planned to substitute a stripped-down version that would have allowed exemptions for abusers not convicted by a jury.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It also would have exempted anyone whom police failed to inform about the ban at the time of arrest, thus exempting anyone convicted of abuse before the ban went into effect.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Lautenberg, who died in 2013, decried the changes as a "sellout to the most radical fringe of the gun lobby." He delivered a scathing condemnation of Barr's version on the Senate floor, threatened to block any bill that contained the new language, and accused Republicans of opening loopholes in the law large enough to "drive a truckload of wife beaters through."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The law proved to be far from foolproof.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Devin Patrick Kelly, the shooter in the massacre in Sutherland Springs, Texas, church massacre in 2017, was barred from owning or possessing a firearm after his conviction on domestic violence charges during a court-martial while in the U.S. Air Force.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">An investigation revealed that the Air Force failed to report the conviction to the FBI's National Crime Information Center database. The incident propelled passage of a 2017 law that created penalties for not reporting the conviction data.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b style="color: #800180; font-size: xx-large;">2021: Lautenberg DV Gun Ban - News Articles And Reports</b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Peters & Menendez Lead Push for DHS to Enforce ‘Lautenberg Amendment’ to Keep Firearms Out of Hands of Domestic Abusers</b></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Federal law enforcement agencies failed to screen their ranks for domestic abusers</span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Homeland Security And Government Affairs</span></div><div>February 05, 2021</div><div><a href="https://www.hsgac.senate.gov/media/majority-media/peters-and-menendez-lead-push-for-dhs-to-enforce-lautenberg-amendment-to-keep-firearms-out-of-hands-of-domestic-abusers" target="_blank">https://www.hsgac.senate.gov/media/majority-media/peters-and-menendez-lead-push-for-dhs-to-enforce-lautenberg-amendment-to-keep-firearms-out-of-hands-of-domestic-abusers</a></div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjkZp1NQy6zZukQRj_pZyGeX-UaB2rQ7wuJNIBVho0OHxo7LFrwfXl-3BzFZbwq5nzMJYqhS5GWsOJ1LQoRvONCGcLcspq3j7OvSPYMBNFo7Sk3PTLFHEmu1HhMkKdLVDJsjZCdzot1Wp9wUAi59pKS0WxPGuUdo1eSeD9XkwByFUH9nSW9P6FCxUq2Tw=s697" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="697" data-original-width="536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjkZp1NQy6zZukQRj_pZyGeX-UaB2rQ7wuJNIBVho0OHxo7LFrwfXl-3BzFZbwq5nzMJYqhS5GWsOJ1LQoRvONCGcLcspq3j7OvSPYMBNFo7Sk3PTLFHEmu1HhMkKdLVDJsjZCdzot1Wp9wUAi59pKS0WxPGuUdo1eSeD9XkwByFUH9nSW9P6FCxUq2Tw=w492-h640" width="492" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MjJ2jaQgJutOP36vzmi29kts7W7r3vUU/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">02052021--Senators'-Letter-To-DHS--DHS-Compliance-With-Lautenberg-DV-Gun-Ban</a></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>WASHINGTON, D.C. – </b>U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and Bob Menendez (D-NJ) today led several of their colleagues in urging the Department of Homeland Security to establish a zero-tolerance stance for domestic violence and take immediate steps to enforce a federal law that keeps firearms out of the hands of those convicted of domestic violence or subject to a restraining law—including those who carry a federal badge.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The statute, known as the “Lautenberg Amendment” to the Gun Control Act of 1968, is named for the late New Jersey U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg and has resulted in a 17% drop in murders of intimate female partners, according to a 2017 Stanford University study. The amendment makes it a felony for anyone convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence to ship, transport, receive or possess firearms without exceptions for federal law enforcement officers.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Regrettably, some of the nation’s law enforcement agencies charged with protecting the public have failed to comply with this important law,” the Senators wrote in a letter to DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. “We request that DHS act swiftly to ensure that federal law enforcement meaningfully addresses domestic violence within its ranks. In addition to mandating domestic violence training at all DHS law enforcement agencies, we request that you take action to ensure that all federal officers are appropriately screened for domestic violence convictions on an ongoing basis.”</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The DHS Inspector General (IG) found last year that Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) failed to screen their agents for domestic abusers through the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) databases. The IG investigation also revealed these agencies, along with the Secret Service and Transportation Security Administration (TSA), failed to provide required domestic violence awareness training to law enforcement officers.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Senators also requested DHS report back to Congress within six months on its progress implementing the Lautenberg Amendment to ensure full compliance.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Joining Peters and Menendez on the letter are U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Patty Murray (D-WA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Edward Markey (D-MA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Mazie Hirono (D-HI).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Full text of the letter is below and available <b><a href="https://www.hsgac.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/210205_Letters_LautenbergAmendment.pdf" target="_blank">here</a></b>. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Dear Secretary Mayorkas:</span></i></div><div><div><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-size: medium;">We are writing to request that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) establish a clear zero-tolerance stance for domestic violence and take immediate steps to enforce the current federal law known as the “Lautenberg Amendment.” It is imperative that DHS keep firearms out of the hands of those convicted of domestic violence or subject to a restraining order.</span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Nearly twenty-five years ago, Congress adopted an amendment by former Senator Frank Lautenberg to prevent domestic abusers from obtaining firearms. The Lautenberg Amendment to the Gun Control Act of 1968 makes it a felony for anyone convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence to ship, transport, receive or possess firearms. There are no exceptions for federal law enforcement officers. A 2017 Stanford study found that implementing this amendment resulted in a seventeen percent decrease in murders of intimate female partners. </span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Regrettably, some of the nation’s law enforcement agencies charged with protecting the public have failed to comply with this important law. Last year, the DHS Inspector General found that Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) failed to check their agents through the FBI databases that would have flagged domestic abusers. In addition, the Inspector General noted that CBP, ICE, Secret Service, and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) neglected to provide the required domestic violence awareness training to law enforcement officers.</span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-size: medium;">We request that DHS act swiftly to ensure that federal law enforcement meaningfully addresses domestic violence within its ranks. In addition to mandating domestic violence training at all DHS law enforcement agencies, we request that you take action to ensure that all federal officers are appropriately screened for domestic violence convictions on an ongoing basis. Finally, we respectfully ask that you report back to Congress within six months of receipt of this letter on your progress to ensure that DHS is fully compliant with the Lautenberg Amendment.</span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Thank you for your attention to this serious issue. We look forward to working with you on this important issue.</span></i></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Despite federal law, many domestic abusers keep their guns in Mississippi</b></span></div><div>Clarke County Tribune, The (MS)</div><div>March 26, 2021 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">This article is the third in a series about how the criminal justice system fails domestic violence victims in Mississippi.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Last year, 23-year-old Phoenicia Ratliff of Canton was kidnapped and shot by her ex-boyfriend before he turned the gun on himself. Just a week earlier, he had been arrested on domestic violence and stalking charges.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Phoenicia Ratliff, who was killed in 2020.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Ratliff was one semester short of graduating from Jackson State University. She left behind a two-year-old little girl.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"To know her was to love her," her mother Suzanne Ratliff said. "She was always smiling — you never knew what was really going on with her because she smiled through everything."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Her tragic case illustrates the reality of a startling statistic: that the presence of a gun in a domestic violence situation increases the risk of homicide by 500%. And one national study on intimate partner homicides showed women are more likely to be murdered with a gun than all other means combined.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In Mississippi, where gun laws don't mirror the prohibitions placed on domestic violence offenders in federal law, the statistic sounds a loud alarm bell.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Under federal law, anyone convicted of a domestic violence crime, whether a misdemeanor or felony, is not allowed to purchase or possess a firearm. The same goes for anyone with a domestic abuse protection order (a specific type of restraining order) against them. The law is commonly referred to as the Lautenberg Amendment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Thirty states and the District of Columbia have their own laws mirroring these federal prohibitions, but Mississippi does not.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Across the state, officials are hesitant to take away offenders' guns, and in some cases even charge abusers with other crimes, such as simple assault, to avoid the task, a top law enforcement official told Mississippi Today.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In Forest Municipal Court, for example, Judge Norman Brown has ordered guns returned to domestic violence offenders, according to four sources, including current and former employees of the police department.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"He has literally handed the suspects their guns back in court … and that's with us showing there's a history of a conviction, not just being charged," said one former Forest police officer who now works with another agency.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The officer remembers one particularly violent individual who had multiple run-ins with the law, including assault on a law enforcement officer and at least one misdemeanor domestic violence conviction.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"He still said that's (his) right to own a gun," the officer said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Brown declined to answer questions from Mississippi Today, saying he does not discuss cases.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In Grenada, guns are never seized from individuals convicted of domestic violence or who are the subject of domestic abuse protections, according to an individual who works in the county court system.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">These crimes aren't being prosecuted at the federal level, either. Since 2013, the U.S. Southern District of Mississippi's office prosecuted only three cases dealing with the unlawful possession of a gun by someone who had previously been convicted of a domestic violence crime. There were no cases prosecuted for the illegal possession of a firearm for someone under a domestic violence protection order in that same time period.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"We do train both law enforcement and prosecutors on due process requirements associated with the Lautenberg Amendment," said Colby Jordan, director of communications for the Attorney General's office.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The office declined to answer any other questions about the issue, including whether Attorney General Lynn Fitch would or would not push lawmakers to develop an accompanying state law or what the office is doing aside from training on this issue.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Efforts to align state and federal laws have proved futile in recent years. Last year, the National Rifle Association and global pandemic stomped out even the earliest conversations, according to Luke Thompson, former president of the Mississippi Association of Chiefs of Police and the former chief of police in Byram.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The idea was to modify the existing state statute prohibiting possession of a weapon by a convicted felon by adding "or otherwise prohibited by" the relevant federal law.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Any type of gun legislation in Mississippi is met with a great amount of resistance, and the (National Rifle Association) got a hint on that and bashed it real quick before we had a chance to have discussions with people and say, 'This is what we're trying to do,'" said Thompson.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The National Rifle Association did not respond to Mississippi Today's request for comment on the issue.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">After being painted as "pro-gun control" and supportive of "far-left" gun laws, Thompson penned a letter in February 2020 to Speaker of the House Philip Gunn and all House Republicans explaining his position.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He described a situation that captured the problems that arise because of the lack of a state law. Officers in his department responded to an incident in which a man fired a round from his gun through the ceiling of his home during an argument with his estranged wife. During the investigation, his officers discovered he had a domestic violence conviction and seized his weapons.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Due to domestic offense being a state misdemeanor, federal authorities would not prosecute the possession case," Thompson explained, going on to describe how he did not return the weapons to the offender, even when the offender and his lawyer began repeatedly contacting him over a five-year period and accusing him of illegally seizing the guns.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">So Thompson set out to add the federal law language to the state law detailing which people cannot legally own or buy a gun.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"The intent was to give police chiefs an option when federal authorities would not assist and to keep local law enforcement officers safe," he continued in his letter.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Although he never heard back from Gunn or other lawmakers, House Judiciary B Chairman Nick Bain said he's aware of the issue Thompson was trying to address.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I'm aware of an inconsistency there. I'm not opposed to talking about it, but I don't want to go into a situation where we're having more gun control than what is needed," said Bain, a Republican from Corinth. "But I'm not opposed to having a discussion about it with our federal prosecutors, federal authorities and local state authorities."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Bain's counterpart in the Senate, Sen. Brice Wiggins responded similarly, saying he was open to a debate about possible legislation.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Advocates have kept their distance from the issue in recent years, though they see firsthand the failure to remove guns from the hands of abusers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Wendy Mahoney, executive director of the Mississippi Coalition Against Domestic Violence, said she remembers having some talks years ago.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">There was always pushback, she said. She remembers one person questioning where law enforcement would put the seized guns. Then last year, she saw what happened to Thompson when he brought the issue to lawmakers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I don't think we have the support to even have an open conversation right now, even though we know … in most domestic violence situations, when a gun is involved, the correlation is very high with imminent danger and death," Mahoney said. "That should be enough to have that conversation."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The gap in federal and state law led former U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst to launch an initiative last year to combat what he said is a "lack of knowledge" among law enforcement and courts about federal restrictions on firearm ownership. The initiative, named "Operation Phoenicia" for Ratliff, continues today under the current U.S. attorney.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Operation Phoenicia" involves educating and training law enforcement and judges about federal domestic violence laws in addition to other efforts to crack down on domestic violence offenders with guns.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Hurst, along with his then counterpart in the northern district of the state, vowed to prioritize prosecution of these crimes, and the efforts continue under his successor, acting U.S. Attorney Darren LaMarca. The plan is to begin by identifying individuals in the city of Jackson who currently have a domestic violence protective order or a domestic violence misdemeanor and calling them into the office to put them on notice.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"We tell them it is a federal crime for them to possess a firearm and we tell them, 'If we catch you, we will prosecute you federally,'" Hurst said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">They are also issuing what is referred to as "call-outs," or working with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to put domestic violence victims on notice if their abuser is attempting to buy a gun.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But as of March, no such cases have been prosecuted yet, nor have any call-ins taken place due to the pandemic, according to LaMarca. Call-outs have been ongoing through the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The office is also working to ensure local state and local officials understand certain standards must be met in a domestic violence crime in order for federal prosecution to occur. For example, one deals with whether there was use or attempted use of force, while another deals with the type of relationship the victim has with the perpetrator.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">LaMarca said he is collaborating with state and local officials to more fully identify certain specifics of domestic violence offenses, the relationship between the two involved individuals and the amount and type of involvement the offender has with the legal system. By doing that, officials can better understand whether the offense in question falls under the Lautenberg Amendment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Mahoney, whose organization works with domestic violence shelters and victims, said the mixed messages and lack of enforcement around domestic abusers with guns creates fear and distrust in victims.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"If you're not taking away their firearm, you're invoking more fear" in an already fearful victim, she said. "It makes the victim question, 'Is the system really on my side to help me?'"</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>GAO Report To Congressional Committees</b></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;">Domestic Abuse: Actions Needed To Enhance DOD's Prevention, Response and Oversight</span></div><div>May 01, 2021</div><div><a href="https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-21-289" target="_blank">https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-21-289</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjgbT-aVJdhnIlTON10SGAX8yTOslXWI0uAiYEY9_h0QhMt0ipBzJCBphtgx5V2E6mbUFmzMf58wGIu9GRz-zfufUTOaBGuQ-ZAr5BNovD4GdwJkHf1VALGsjjQsZmma2MVaeFa_4P6pIvqqUe3kXnD3tslVN3pR-9PuGzzI5SM1pQau4jeILSR8Q5jOg=s697" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="697" data-original-width="538" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjgbT-aVJdhnIlTON10SGAX8yTOslXWI0uAiYEY9_h0QhMt0ipBzJCBphtgx5V2E6mbUFmzMf58wGIu9GRz-zfufUTOaBGuQ-ZAr5BNovD4GdwJkHf1VALGsjjQsZmma2MVaeFa_4P6pIvqqUe3kXnD3tslVN3pR-9PuGzzI5SM1pQau4jeILSR8Q5jOg=w494-h640" width="494" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Cu3sKXaxFY3Ht3t8dQZ9MtIv6KbO_Y_N/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">05012021--US-Government-Accountability-Office--GAO--<b>REPORT-HIGHLIGHTS</b>-To-Congressional-Committees--Domestic-Abuse--Actions-Needed-To-Enhance-DOD's-Prevention-Response-And-Oversight</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhhxzKaEx84wNGtWTRq4BCeShpz4GwiqIySlFtbCPmmaJYVJP7j9vKOodkaUeQNU3PnXvlJDzltpYg9rrORG2Btf9xqfstD22o__Q38qjPe-SKFJDfVzHnm7np9uLwPb5fdGjldjUl-0-xAL0CVKc7omi4eZCgcR43MILvyeOgNwWbxATfA4HMENqHmkQ=s697" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="697" data-original-width="538" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhhxzKaEx84wNGtWTRq4BCeShpz4GwiqIySlFtbCPmmaJYVJP7j9vKOodkaUeQNU3PnXvlJDzltpYg9rrORG2Btf9xqfstD22o__Q38qjPe-SKFJDfVzHnm7np9uLwPb5fdGjldjUl-0-xAL0CVKc7omi4eZCgcR43MILvyeOgNwWbxATfA4HMENqHmkQ=w494-h640" width="494" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EsjHPG1dbwniscEvIq68Msb54gFqZ8WG/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">05012021--US-Government-Accountability-Office--GAO--<b>REPORT</b>-To-Congressional-Committees--Domestic-Abuse--Actions-Needed-To-Enhance-DOD's-Prevention-Response-And-Oversight</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div></div></div><div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Sen. Shaheen Joins Letter Calling for Protection of Survivors of Domestic Gun Violence Through Full Enforcement of 'Lautenberg Amendment'</b></span></div><div>Targeted News Service (USA)</div><div>May 4, 2021 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>WASHINGTON, May 4 --</b> Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-New Hampshire, issued the following news release:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) joined a letter led by Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) urging the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to take additional steps to ensure federal law enforcement agencies fully comply with the Lautenberg Amendment. The Lautenberg Amendment makes it a felony for anyone convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence to ship, transport, receive or possess firearms without exceptions for law enforcement officers. Since its enactment as part of the Gun Control Act of 1968, murders of intimate female partners have dropped by 17%, according to a 2017 Stanford University study.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"We are writing to urge the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to take additional steps to ensure federal law enforcement agencies are in full compliance with the Lautenberg Amendment," said the Senators. "In light of the recent sharp uptick in mass shootings and the escalating gun violence crisis in underserved communities, it is more critical than ever that federal agencies fully enforce all relevant existing laws to keep guns out of the wrong hands."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">They continued: "We look forward to working with you to ensure DHS is doing everything required under current law to keep guns out of the hands of individuals who pose an unacceptable risk. Thank you for your efforts to date and your prompt attention to this timely matter."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Last year, the DHS Inspector General (IG) reported that Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) failed to screen their agents for domestic abusers through the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) databases. The IG investigation also revealed these agencies, along with the Secret Service and Transportation Security Administration (TSA), failed to provide required domestic violence awareness training to law enforcement officers. Following these serious revelations, the new administration has already taken critical steps to ensure law enforcement agencies are complying with the life-saving Lautenberg Amendment; however, questions remain.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Ed Markey (D-MA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) also signed onto the letter.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Throughout the pandemic, Senator Shaheen has worked to provide more resources and services to domestic violence survivors nationwide. She helped lead calls to Congressional leadership to include additional funding to support the victims of child abuse, domestic violence and dating violence in COVID-19 response legislation. Shaheen helped introduce legislation with Senator Klobuchar (D-MN) that would close what is referred to as the "boyfriend loophole" to prevent people who have abused dating partners from buying or owning firearms and stop convicted stalkers from possessing guns. She also recently helped introduce the Lori Jackson Domestic Violence Survivor Protection Act, which is narrowly crafted to close loopholes that allow domestic abusers to legally obtain weapons.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Shaheen is a leader in Congress on efforts to combat domestic and sexual violence, and to bolster resources to help survivors stay safe, recover and seek justice. Last year, she visited the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence (NHCADSV) in Concord where she met with NHCADSV's leadership and representatives from crisis centers to hear more about the impact COVID-19 has had on survivors and the state's crisis centers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Senator Shaheen has led efforts in the Senate to establish basic rights and protections for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Her bill, the Survivors' Bill of Rights Act, was signed into law in 2016 and created the first federally codified rights specifically for sexual assault survivors and for the first time allowed survivors the opportunity to enforce those rights in federal court. In 2019, Shaheen introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Survivors' Bill of Rights in the States Act to build on the Survivors' Bill of Rights Act by incentivizing states to pass legislation that guarantees the survivors rights included in the federal legislation. Senator Shaheen - through her leadership on the Senate Appropriations subcommittee that funds the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) - once again successfully added the highest funding amount ever for Violence Against Women Act programs in the fiscal year (FY) 2021 government funding.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* * *</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Dear Secretary Mayorkas,</span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-size: medium;">We are writing to urge the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to take additional steps to ensure federal law enforcement agencies are in full compliance with the Lautenberg Amendment. While we appreciate the actions your agency's representative described in her response to our February 5, 2021 letter, we believe DHS can do more to prevent domestic abusers from accessing and possessing firearms. In light of the recent sharp uptick in mass shootings and the escalating gun violence crisis in underserved communities, it is more critical than ever that federal agencies fully enforce all existing laws to keep guns out of the wrong hands.</span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-size: medium;">The Lautenberg Amendment prohibits individuals convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence crimes from possessing firearms. There is no exception for law enforcement officers. In November 2020, the DHS Office of the Inspector General (OIG) reported that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the United States Secret Service (USSS), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) were not fully complying with DHS's Lautenberg Amendment implementation guidelines.</span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-size: medium;">We commend DHS for taking action in response to the OIG's findings and our previous letter, including the reinstatement of the central office tasked with ensuring DHS-wide compliance with the Lautenberg Amendment. Despite this important progress, we believe there may still be gaps in compliance. For example, the OIG's report stated that none of the DHS law enforcement agencies provided the required annual domestic violence prevention trainings. While your office's March 26, 2021 response letter indicated that the agencies updated their official policies to require such trainings, it is unclear if and when agencies implemented the trainings.</span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Additionally, the OIG's report found that CBP and ICE were not using FBI's databases to monitor the arrests and convictions of law enforcement officers. These systems flag domestic abuse convictions and are helpful for ensuring compliance with the Lautenberg Amendment. Your agency's response letter noted that ICE is on track to implement an alternative database by the end of 2021, but provided no information regarding CBP's progress in this area.</span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-size: medium;">In light of these concerns, we would appreciate responses to the following questions no later than May 14, 2021:</span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-size: medium;">* Your agency's response letter stated that DHS's Law Enforcement Policy team will "ensure DHS-wide compliance with relevant domestic violence trainings." What is the status of such trainings at CBP, USSS, TSA, and ICE? Please provide any available statistics regarding the implementation of the required domestic violence prevention trainings at each of the four listed agencies.</span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-size: medium;">* Your agency's response letter stated that ICE is in the process of implementing a database to monitor the arrests and convictions of its law enforcement officers. TSA and USSS already have such systems in place. Is CBP implementing a similar database to flag domestic abuse convictions? If so, please provide a brief description and an implementation timeline for both ICE and CBP.</span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-size: medium;">* The OIG's November 2020 report found that CBP and USSS were not requiring their law enforcement officers to complete the required annual Lautenberg Amendment certification stating they have no domestic violence misdemeanor convictions. In the case of USSS, the OIG specifically stated the annual statement of compliance the contents of the Secret Service Law Enforcement Manual was insufficient. Have CBP and USSS implemented the compliant Lautenberg Amendment certification processes? If so, please provide a brief description and implementation timelines for the certification processes at CBP and USSS.</span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Finally, we respectfully reiterate our request that your agency report back to Congress within six months of receipt of our initial February 5, 2021 letter regarding its progress towards achieving full compliance with the Lautenberg Amendment.</span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-size: medium;">We look forward to working with you to ensure DHS is doing everything required under current law to keep guns out of the hands of individuals who pose an unacceptable risk. Thank you for your efforts to date and your prompt attention to this timely matter.</span></i></div></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>GAO Issues Report: Actions Needed to Enhance DOD's Prevention, Response, Oversight</b></span></div><div>Targeted News Service (USA)</div><div>May 7, 2021 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-xrKbABdLQCnLxowgd7d4eDnHOekyxGaOv7ZENWFeXISDRlV0YEPqA1nSRDVnbGc-nLRs6iuoqQyxWzQFIbP7bX91JYOw6loLFV71PzaSOaoZiUUZRKcluqjgbC5DVtVaW0Fn1sQOajmFug0jWPXjWdJuhjiFKz97XaKXClRsZQxWcRCUEqBFeSy_gg=s728" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="358" data-original-width="728" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-xrKbABdLQCnLxowgd7d4eDnHOekyxGaOv7ZENWFeXISDRlV0YEPqA1nSRDVnbGc-nLRs6iuoqQyxWzQFIbP7bX91JYOw6loLFV71PzaSOaoZiUUZRKcluqjgbC5DVtVaW0Fn1sQOajmFug0jWPXjWdJuhjiFKz97XaKXClRsZQxWcRCUEqBFeSy_gg=w640-h314" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>WASHINGTON, May 7 --</b> The Government Accountability Office has issued a report (GAO-21-289) entitled "Domestic Abuse: Actions Needed to Enhance DOD's Prevention, Response, and Oversight".</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The report was sent to Sen. Jack Reed, D-Rhode Island, chairman, Sen. James M. Inhofe, R-Oklahoma, ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Rep. Adam Smith, D-Washington, chairman, and Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Alabama, ranking member of the House Committee, on May 6, 2021. Here are excerpts of summaries associated with the report.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">What GAO Found: "The Department of Defense (DOD) met a statutory requirement to collect and report data for incidents that it determined met its criteria for domestic abuse. In fiscal years 2015-2019, DOD determined that over 40,000 domestic abuse incidents met its criteria (<a href="https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-21-289" target="_blank">see figure</a>), of which 74 percent were physical abuse. However, DOD has not collected and reported accurate data for all domestic abuse allegations received, including those that did not meet DOD's criteria, as statutorily required. Thus, DOD is unable to assess the scope of alleged abuse and its rate of substantiation. In addition, despite a statutory requirement since 1999, DOD has not collected comprehensive data on the number of allegations of domestic violence--a subcategory of different types of domestic abuse that constitute offenses under the Uniform Code of Military Justice--and related actions taken by commanders. Improving collection of these data could enhance DOD's visibility over actions taken by commanders to address domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">DOD and the military services have taken steps to implement and oversee domestic abuse prevention and response activities, but gaps exist in key areas. For example, the military services perform limited monitoring of installation incident-screening decisions and therefore lack reasonable assurance that all domestic abuse allegations are screened in accordance with DOD policy. In addition, while DOD and the military services have taken steps to promote awareness of reporting options and resources, DOD has not fully addressed challenges in reaching its audience, or developed metrics to assess the effectiveness of its awareness efforts. As a result, DOD and the military services may miss opportunities to provide available resources to victims.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The military services have developed domestic abuse prevention and response training for key personnel that meets some DOD requirements. For example, installation Family Advocacy Programs provide such training to commanders and senior enlisted advisors, but the training GAO assessed from a nongeneralizable sample of 20 installations did not consistently cover all DOD-required topics, and the services have not provided guidance to ensure that training addresses these requirements. As a result, commanders and senior enlisted advisors may not be aware of key responsibilities for domestic abuse prevention and response."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Why GAO Did This Study: </b>"Domestic abuse can result in devastating personal consequences and societal costs, and according to DOD, is incompatible with military values and reduces mission readiness. In fiscal year 2019, the military services recorded 8,055 incidents that met DOD's criteria for domestic abuse.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">House Reports 116-120 and 116-333 included provisions for GAO to review the military services' efforts to prevent and respond to domestic abuse, including domestic violence. This report examines, among other objectives, the extent to which (1) DOD has met statutory requirements to collect and report complete data on reports of domestic abuse, and describes how many incidents were recorded by DOD in fiscal years 2015-2019; (2) DOD and the military services have implemented and overseen domestic abuse prevention and response activities in accordance with DOD policy; and (3) the military services have developed domestic abuse training for key personnel that meets DOD requirements. GAO analyzed program data, policies, and guidance; assessed documents from a nongeneralizable sample of 20 military installations; and interviewed 68 domestic abuse survivors as well as DOD, service, and civilian officials."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">What GAO Recommends: "GAO is making 32 recommendations, including that DOD improve its data collection and awareness efforts and that the military services improve monitoring of incident screening and provide guidance for training of key personnel. DOD concurred and described actions planned or underway, as discussed in the report."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>* * *</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">May 6, 2021</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">To: The Honorable Jack Reed, Chairman, The Honorable James M. Inhofe, Ranking Member, Committee on Armed Services, United States Senate</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Honorable Adam Smith, Chairman, The Honorable Mike Rogers, Ranking Member, Committee on Armed Services, House of Representatives</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Domestic abuse, including physical, emotional, or sexual abuse and neglect committed by a spouse or intimate partner, can result in devastating personal consequences and is a significant public health issue that engenders substantial societal costs.<b>/1 </b>According to the Department of Defense (DOD), domestic abuse is incompatible with military values and reduces mission readiness.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In fiscal year 2019, the military services recorded 8,055 incidents that met DOD's criteria for domestic abuse.<b>/2</b> DOD defines domestic abuse as a pattern of behavior resulting in emotional or psychological abuse, economic control, or interference with personal liberty that is directed toward a current or former spouse, a person with whom the abuser shares a child in common, or a current or former intimate partner with whom the abuser shares or has shared a common domicile.<b>/3</b> In addition, DOD defines domestic violence, which is an offense under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), as a subcategory of domestic abuse.<b>/4</b> DOD categorizes the types of domestic abuse--including domestic violence--as physical, emotional, sexual, or neglect.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Domestic abuse in the military has been a subject of congressional concern for over 20 years. From 2000 through 2003, DOD convened a congressionally directed Defense Task Force on Domestic Violence, which issued three reports containing nearly 200 recommendations for improvement. In 2006, we reported on the status of these recommendations, finding that further management action was needed to improve domestic violence data tracking, guidance, and training, among other things. We made seven recommendations for improvement in these areas.<b>/5</b> Subsequently, DOD took action to address three recommendations related to entering actions taken by commanders in response to domestic violence into law enforcement data systems, establishing a communications strategy to inform DOD and service officials of new guidance, and developing chaplain guidance and training concerning privileged communications.<b>/6</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In 2010, we found that sustained leadership and oversight were needed to improve DOD's prevention and treatment of domestic abuse, and we recommended that DOD develop an oversight framework to assess the effectiveness of its efforts and finalize a key policy<b>./7</b> Subsequently, in 2015, DOD issued an instruction and manual for the Family Advocacy Program (FAP)--a DOD program that is intended to prevent and respond to domestic abuse in military families, among other things--along with an oversight framework in 2016.<b>/8</b> However, the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness--which is responsible for FAP policy and oversight--has been led by 13 officials in turn since 2010, including eight in an acting capacity. In 2019, the DOD Office of Inspector General found that military service law enforcement organizations did not consistently comply with DOD policies when responding to adult nonsexual incidents of domestic violence.<b>/9</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">House Reports 116-120 and 116-333, accompanying proposed bills for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020, included provisions for us to report on the military services' efforts to prevent and respond to domestic abuse, including domestic violence.<b>/10</b> This report assesses the extent to which (1) DOD has met statutory requirements to collect and report complete data on reports of domestic abuse, and describes how many incidents were recorded by DOD in fiscal years 2015-2019; (2) the military services have issued domestic abuse policies in accordance with DOD policy and taken steps to ensure memoranda of understanding are appropriately established with civilian response organizations; (3) DOD and the military services have implemented and overseen domestic abuse prevention and response activities in accordance with DOD policy; and (4) the military services have developed domestic abuse training for key personnel that meets DOD requirements and tracked training completion for commanders and senior enlisted advisors.<b>/11</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">For the first objective, we reviewed DOD domestic abuse data and annual reports against statutory and policy requirements related to the collection and reporting of domestic abuse data. Specifically, we evaluated DOD's annual reports on Child Abuse and Neglect and Domestic Abuse in the Military for fiscal years 2016-2019 against the requirements set forth in Section 574 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017.<b>/12 </b>We also evaluated data related to domestic violence and related actions taken by commanders for fiscal years 2015 through 2019, as well as associated collection procedures, against the requirements of Section 594 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000 and DOD policies related to responsibilities for collecting such data.<b>/13</b> We determined the control environment and information and communication components of the Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government were significant to this objective, along with the underlying principles that management should establish an organizational structure, assign responsibility, and delegate authority and should use quality information and communicate the information internally and externally to achieve the entity's objectives.<b>/14</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">To determine how many incidents of domestic abuse were recorded by DOD during fiscal years 2015 through 2019, we analyzed FAP data from the military services to determine the number and characteristics of domestic abuse incidents reported to the military from fiscal years 2015 through 2019. We selected data from this time frame because it constituted the most recent and complete data available at the time of the review. We also analyzed domestic violence incident and command action data collected by DOD FAP annually from the military services during fiscal years 2015 through 2019 to determine the number and types of domestic violence incidents and actions taken by commanders. We selected data from this time frame because it was consistent with the period that the DOD FAP data collection requirement was in place.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">We assessed the reliability of incident and command action data by reviewing the data for errors, omissions, and inconsistencies; reviewing documentation on data collection procedures and systems; interviewing cognizant officials; and administering questionnaires on data collection and synthesis. We determined that the FAP incident data were sufficiently reliable to describe the number and types of incidents that met DOD's criteria for domestic abuse across the services and the number of total allegations each for the Army, the Air Force, and the Marine Corps during fiscal years 2015 through 2019.<b>/15</b> We found that the FAP command action data were of undetermined reliability due to the military services' different compilation processes, but we present the data in this report because they are the most comprehensive data available to DOD decision makers to determine the number and type of command actions taken.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">For the second objective, we reviewed military service FAP and domestic abuse policies against key elements of DOD Instructions 6400.01 and 6400.06, including responsibilities of the military services, commanders, and FAP.<b>/16</b> We also reviewed memoranda of understanding (MOU) between military and civilian domestic and sexual response organizations drawn from a nongeneralizable sample of 20 installations that we selected to reflect a range of installations' volume of domestic abuse incidents during fiscal years 2015 through 2019. We evaluated 45 MOUs provided by these 20 installations against content requirements in DOD Instruction 6400.06. We assessed the services' monitoring of these MOUs against requirements in DOD Instructions 6400.01 and 1342.22.<b>/17</b> In addition, to obtain perspectives on coordination of domestic abuse prevention and response efforts between military and civilian organizations, we interviewed officials from four installations and four civilian organizations proximate to those installations.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">For the third objective, we reviewed documentation for a nongeneralizable sample of 80 domestic abuse incidents from the 20 selected installations to determine the installations' adherence to key FAP program standards identified in DOD Manual 6400.01 and responsibilities in DOD Instruction 6400.06.<b>/18</b> This review included documentation related to four domestic abuse incidents at each installation. The four incidents included two that were determined to meet DOD's criteria for domestic abuse and two that were determined not to meet these criteria. We also selected four installations, one installation per military service, and conducted 13 or 14 interviews with installation personnel from each one who have roles in responding to domestic abuse. We selected the installations to reflect a range of volume of domestic abuse incidents, among other factors.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">We listened by phone to an Incident Determination Committee (IDC) proceeding--the process used to determine whether an allegation meets DOD's criteria for domestic abuse--at each of the four installations and at two additional installations per service to assess the extent to which the IDCs were conducted in accordance with DOD policy. For each military service, we assessed installation FAP certification status and processes against DOD requirements for certification scope and periodicity. We also conducted voluntary, confidential, semi-structured interviews with 68 survivors of domestic abuse who were military servicemembers, spouses, or intimate partners, to obtain their perspectives on the military's domestic abuse prevention and response efforts.<b>/19</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In key areas, such as risk assessment and incident determination, we evaluated DOD and the military services' implementation, oversight, and planning against the Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government and, as applicable, the Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK(R) Guide).<b>/20</b> We determined that the control activities, information and communication, and monitoring components of internal control were significant to this objective, along with the underlying principles that management should design control activities to achieve objectives and respond to risks, use and externally communicate quality information, and remediate internal control deficiencies on a timely basis.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In addition, we determined the risk assessment and control environment components of internal control were significant to the objective, along with the underlying principles that management should define program objectives in measurable terms so that performance toward achieving those objectives can be assessed; identify, analyze, and respond to risks related to achieving defined objectives; and oversee the design, implementation, and operation of the entity's internal control system.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">For our fourth objective, we evaluated domestic abuse-related training materials for all servicemembers, commanders and senior enlisted advisors, victim advocates, and chaplains to assess their adherence to DOD requirements specified in DOD Instructions 6400.01 and 6400.06, and our Guide for Strategic Training and Development Efforts.<b>/21</b> In addition, we reviewed available training completion data for commanders and senior enlisted advisors to assess the extent to which these personnel received training within the time frames prescribed by DOD Instruction 6400.01 and training completion was monitored consistent with Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government. We determined that the information and communication component of internal control was significant to this objective, along with the underlying principle that management should receive quality information about the entity's operational processes. We assessed the reliability of the training completion data by reviewing the data for errors, omissions, and inconsistencies; reviewing documentation on data collection requirements and procedures; interviewing cognizant officials; and administering questionnaires on data collection and synthesis. We determined that the data were not sufficiently reliable to report on the completion of the training, which is discussed in more detail later in this report.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">For all objectives, we interviewed relevant DOD and military service officials regarding policies, procedures, and responsibilities related to domestic abuse prevention and response. We also interviewed officials from six domestic abuse related nonprofit organizations to obtain their perspectives on leading practices in domestic abuse prevention and response, both generally and in relation to military families. Appendix I provides additional details about our objectives, scope, and methodology.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">We conducted this performance audit from September 2019 to May 2021 in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain sufficient, appropriate evidence to provide a reasonable basis for our findings and conclusions based on our audit objectives. We believe that the evidence obtained provides a reasonable basis for our findings and conclusions based on our audit objectives.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">See footnotes <b><a href="https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-21-289.pdf" target="_blank">here</a></b>.</span></div><div><br /></div><div>* * *</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Conclusions</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Domestic abuse can devastate servicemembers and their families, and it presents profound challenges to the military that include diminished mission readiness. While DOD has acknowledged the impact of domestic abuse and taken various actions to improve its prevention and response capacity, significant gaps exist. For example, DOD has collected and annually reported some required data, such as the number and type of incidents that meet its criteria for domestic abuse. However, it has not met statutory requirements to collect data on all domestic abuse allegations received or the number of allegations received of domestic violence and related command actions. As a result, DOD has limited visibility of the rate at which allegations of domestic abuse are determined to meet its criteria and of the number and type of command actions taken in response to the criminal offense of domestic violence. Until DOD takes action to improve its data collection and reporting, decision makers in Congress and DOD will lack key information needed to evaluate the effectiveness of DOD's prevention and response efforts.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In addition, while each military service has established FAP policies and memoranda of understanding with civilian response organizations that are generally consistent with DOD requirements, gaps exist in service policies for civilian protective orders and service-level monitoring of memoranda of understanding with civilian response organizations which, if addressed, would present opportunities to better coordinate with civilian entities to support domestic abuse victims. For example, by issuing DOD-required regulations that address violation of civilian protective orders, the Army, the Navy, and the Air Force may better ensure that members of the coordinated community response, including victim advocates and commanders, are aware of and communicate that violating a civilian protective order is punishable under the UCMJ and thereby enhance the effectiveness of these orders. Further, by developing a formal process, such as through certification reviews, to ensure installation FAPs engage in memoranda of understanding with civilian organizations, as appropriate, each military service can improve its ability to ensure servicemembers and families have access to key domestic abuse resources and services.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Although DOD and the military services have taken steps to implement domestic abuse prevention and response activities, gaps also exist in key areas, including for initial screening of reports, risk assessment, and creating awareness of reporting options and resources. Specifically, the military services have developed processes for screening of allegations and tools for assessing risk, but no service has developed a timely, consistent process to monitor the screening of allegations at installations, and the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps have not issued guidance to specify the responsibilities for completing risk assessment tools. The military services and DOD have also taken several approaches to create awareness of reporting options and resources for families experiencing domestic abuse, but continue to face challenges that DOD has not comprehensively addressed through a communications strategy or performance metrics. Further, the Army has not yet fully implemented the IDC process for determining whether allegations meet DOD's criteria for domestic abuse--although the IDC has been required across the department since 2016--and its plan for doing so remains incomplete. By taking action to ensure consistent screening and risk assessment and improve awareness efforts across the department, DOD and the military services can improve their ability to consistently identify instances of abuse and provide available safety measures and resources to servicemembers and families affected by abuse. Also, without updating its schedule and milestones and identifying and assigning the necessary resources for its implementation of the IDC Army-wide, the Army may be more likely to experience further challenges in implementing this key process, resulting in a heightened potential for inconsistency in the response to domestic abuse across the department.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Similarly, while DOD and the military services have taken steps to conduct oversight of domestic abuse prevention and response, gaps exist in DOD and service-level oversight of IDC proceedings and visibility of command actions related to domestic violence incidents. By taking actions to enhance oversight of IDC proceedings, DOD, the Army, and the Air Force can better ensure these proceedings are conducted consistently and in accordance with DOD guidance. In addition, by assessing its current model and alternative models for determining dispositions--or command actions--for domestic violence incidents, DOD may be better positioned to identify the effects of such actions on victims and alleged abusers and ensure that abusers who are servicemembers are held accountable in accordance with DOD policy.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Finally, while the military services have developed domestic abuse training for key personnel that meets some DOD requirements, there are opportunities to improve the comprehensiveness and consistency of training provided to some key personnel and to better track training completion for commanders and senior enlisted advisors. For example, by taking steps to ensure that training for new commanders and senior enlisted advisors includes all DOD requirements, the services can better ensure that these personnel are prepared to assist victims in accordance with DOD policy. Additionally, by developing a process to ensure the quality and completeness of training completion data for these personnel, DOD can better ensure that commanders and senior enlisted advisors have received the required training needed to carry out their responsibilities for domestic abuse prevention and response. Further, by specifying content requirements for chaplain training on domestic abuse, DOD can better ensure that chaplains receive training that is comprehensive of chaplains' responsibilities for domestic abuse prevention and response. In doing so, the department may also be able to better position chaplains to respond to disclosures of abuse, such as by connecting victims with available resources.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* * *</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Recommendations for Executive Action</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">We are making a total of 32 recommendations, including 11 to the Secretary of Defense, seven to the Secretary of the Army, nine to the Secretary of the Navy, and five to the Secretary of the Air Force.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Secretary of Defense should ensure the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness clarifies guidance for submitting data on the number and types of domestic abuse allegations. (<b>Recommendation 1</b>)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Secretary of Defense should ensure the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness develops a quality control process for reporting accurate and complete data on allegations of abuse, including those that were determined to not meet DOD's criteria for domestic abuse. (<b>Recommendation 2</b>)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Secretary of Defense should ensure the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness expands the scope of its planned future reporting of domestic abuse data annually to the Congress to include analysis of the types of allegations of abuse. (<b>Recommendation 3</b>)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Secretary of Defense should evaluate and, if needed, clarify or adjust responsibilities for tracking domestic violence and related command action data, including how any necessary coordination among responsible offices should occur. (<b>Recommendation 4</b>)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Secretary of the Army should ensure the cognizant offices revise or issue regulations to clarify that violation of civilian protective orders is punishable under the UCMJ as required by DOD policy. (<b>Recommendation 5</b>)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Secretary of the Navy should ensure the cognizant offices revise or issue regulations to clarify that violation of civilian protective orders is punishable under the UCMJ as required by DOD policy. (<b>Recommendation 6</b>)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Secretary of the Air Force should ensure the cognizant offices revise or issue regulations to clarify that violation of civilian protective orders is punishable under the UCMJ as required by DOD policy. (<b>Recommendation 7</b>)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Secretary of the Army should develop a process, such as through certification reviews, to ensure installation FAPs attempt to enter into memoranda of understanding with civilian organizations, as appropriate. (<b>Recommendation 8</b>)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Secretary of the Navy should develop a process, such as through certification reviews, to ensure installation FAPs attempt to enter into memoranda of understanding with civilian organizations, as appropriate. (<b>Recommendation 9</b>)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Secretary of the Navy should ensure that the Commandant of the Marine Corps develops a process, such as through certification reviews, to ensure installation FAPs attempt to enter into memoranda of understanding with civilian organizations, as appropriate. (<b>Recommendation 10</b>)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Secretary of the Air Force should develop a process, such as through certification reviews, to ensure installation FAPs attempt to enter into memoranda of understanding with civilian organizations, as appropriate. (<b>Recommendation 11</b>)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Secretary of Defense should ensure the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness updates its Family Advocacy Program manual to (1) add and fully define reasonable suspicion as the standard for determining whether an allegation meets the initial threshold to be referred to the IDC, and (2) establish standardized criteria for determining whether reported allegations of abuse meet that threshold. (<b>Recommendation 12</b>)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Secretary of the Army should develop a risk-based process to consistently monitor how allegations of domestic abuse are screened at installations to help ensure that all domestic abuse allegations that should be presented to an Incident Determination Committee are consistently presented. (<b>Recommendation 13</b>)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Secretary of the Navy should develop a risk-based process to consistently monitor how allegations of domestic abuse are screened at installations to help ensure that all domestic abuse allegations that should be presented to an Incident Determination Committee are consistently presented. (<b>Recommendation 14</b>)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Secretary of the Navy should ensure that the Commandant of the Marine Corps develops a risk-based process to consistently monitor how allegations of domestic abuse are screened at installations to help ensure that all domestic abuse allegations that should be presented to an Incident Determination Committee are consistently presented. (<b>Recommendation 15</b>)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Secretary of the Air Force should develop a risk-based process to consistently monitor how allegations of domestic abuse are screened at installations to help ensure that all domestic abuse allegations that should be presented to an Incident Determination Committee are consistently presented. (<b>Recommendation 16</b>)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Secretary of the Army should issue guidance, such as through updating its service FAP policy, to specify the risk assessment tools required to be used and the type of personnel responsible for implementing each tool. (<b>Recommendation 17</b>)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Secretary of the Navy should issue guidance, such as through updating its service FAP policy, to specify the risk assessment tools required to be used and the type of personnel responsible for implementing each tool. (<b>Recommendation 18</b>)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Secretary of the Navy should ensure that the Commandant of the Marine Corps issues guidance, such as through updating its service FAP policy, to specify the risk assessment tools required to be used and the type of personnel responsible for implementing each tool. (<b>Recommendation 19</b>)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Secretary of Defense should ensure the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness develops the planned communications strategy or takes other action to support the services in increasing awareness of domestic abuse reporting options and resources. (<b>Recommendation 20</b>)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Secretary of Defense should ensure the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness develops metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of DOD and military service domestic abuse awareness campaigns, including by identifying a target audience and defining measurable objectives. (<b>Recommendation 21</b>)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Secretary of the Army should update its schedule and milestones and identify and assign resources needed for implementation of the IDC Army-wide. (<b>Recommendation 22</b>)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Secretary of Defense should ensure the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness updates its FAP oversight framework to include oversight of IDC proceedings. (<b>Recommendation 23</b>) The Secretary of the Army should establish a formal process to monitor IDCs to ensure they are conducted in accordance with DOD and service policy. (<b>Recommendation 24</b>)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Secretary of the Air Force should establish a formal process to monitor IDCs to ensure they are conducted in accordance with DOD and service policy. (<b>Recommendation 25</b>)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Secretary of Defense should assess the risks associated with its current disposition model and the feasibility, advantages, and disadvantages of alternate disposition models for domestic violence. This could include elevating the disposition authority, requiring additional review of these dispositions, or other methods as appropriate. (<b>Recommendation 26</b>)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Secretary of the Army should provide additional guidance or sample training materials for installation-level commander and senior enlisted advisor domestic abuse training that meets all DOD requirements. (<b>Recommendation 27</b>)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Secretary of the Navy should provide additional guidance or sample training materials for installation-level commander and senior enlisted advisor domestic abuse training that meets all DOD requirements. (<b>Recommendation 28</b>)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Secretary of the Navy should ensure that the Commandant of the Marine Corps provides additional guidance or sample training materials for installation-level commander and senior enlisted advisor domestic abuse training that meets all DOD requirements. (<b>Recommendation 29</b>)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Secretary of the Air Force should provide additional guidance or sample training materials for installation-level commander and senior enlisted advisor domestic abuse training that meets all DOD requirements. (<b>Recommendation 30</b>)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Secretary of Defense should ensure the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, in coordination with the Secretaries of the military departments, develops a process to ensure the quality and completeness of commander and senior enlisted advisor domestic abuse training completion data. (<b>Recommendation 31</b>)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Secretary of Defense should ensure the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness specifies learning objectives or content requirements for chaplain training on domestic abuse by updating DOD Instruction 6400.06 or through other methods. (<b>Recommendation 32</b>)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* * *</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Agency Comments and Our Evaluation</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">We provided a draft of this report to DOD for review and comment. In its written comments, reproduced in their entirety in appendix III, DOD concurred with each of our 32 recommendations and cited actions it plans to take to address them. In some instances, DOD described planned or completed actions that it indicated would fully address the recommendation, as discussed below. DOD also provided technical comments, which we have incorporated as appropriate.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In concurring with recommendation 10, that the Marine Corps should develop a process to ensure installation FAPs attempt to enter into memoranda of understanding with civilian organizations, as appropriate, the Marine Corps stated that its current certification standards require installation FAPs attempt to enter into MOUs with civilian organizations, as appropriate. Based on these standards, the Marine Corps requested that we close this recommendation as implemented. However, as described in this report, the Marine Corps' certification standards require the review of content for existing MOUs, but do not require a review of whether MOUs have been established, as appropriate. As a result, we continue to believe that by establishing a formal process to ensure that installations establish--or attempt to establish--MOUs with all appropriate civilian response partners, the Marine Corps FAP will have greater assurance that Marine Corps installations appropriately engage civilian response partners and establish processes necessary to successfully operationalize relationships.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In concurring with recommendation 26, that the Secretary of Defense should assess the risks associated with its current disposition model and the feasibility, advantages, and disadvantages of alternate disposition models for domestic violence, DOD noted that the recommendation mirrors language in section 549C of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021. Section 549C requires DOD to seek to contract an independent study of a range of issues related to the prevention of and response to domestic violence, including the potential effect on prevention of elevating the disposition authority for domestic violence offenses. DOD stated that it will comply with this provision.<b><span style="color: red;"> However, as noted in our report, the provision does not require the study to assess the effect of the current disposition model on outcomes, such as eligibility for transitional compensation or qualification for the Lautenberg Amendment</span></b>, and does not address the feasibility of other alternative disposition models, as specified by our recommendation. We believe that including these elements in the planned study would better position the department and military services to fully understand potential risks associated with the current disposition model and ensure that servicemember abusers are held accountable in accordance with DOD policy and law.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In concurring with recommendation 28, that the Navy should provide additional guidance or sample training materials for installation-level commander and senior enlisted advisor domestic abuse training that meets all DOD requirements, the Navy stated that it implemented domestic abuse training materials in February 2021 for FAP officials that address this recommendation. Based on these training materials, the Navy requested that we close this recommendation as implemented. We will review the sufficiency of these materials as part of our standard recommendation follow-up process.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In concurring with recommendation 29, that the Marine Corps should provide additional guidance or sample training materials for installation level commander and senior enlisted advisor domestic abuse training that meets all DOD requirements, the Marine Corps stated that it updated its sample materials for installation-level commander and senior enlisted advisor domestic abuse training in October 2020 and that these materials meet all DOD requirements. However, as previously described in this report, we found that the Marine Corps' materials address 11 of the 13 DOD-required topics. Further, Marine Corps officials stated that the standardized training materials are intended specifically for the training provided to new commanders, although senior enlisted advisors may sometimes attend those briefings. As a result, we continue to believe that without guidance or sample training materials that include all of DOD's requirements, both commanders and senior enlisted advisors may not be aware of important aspects of the installation's coordinated community response, including their roles and responsibilities in those efforts.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">* * *</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The text of the GAO report is available <b><a href="https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-21-289" target="_blank">here</a></b>. </span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>City pledges 'prompt and proper resolution' over fate of convicted Erie police officer's job</b></span></div><div>Erie Times-News: Web Edition Articles (PA)</div><div>November 26, 2021 </div><div>https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Justin Griffith was found guilty on Nov. 12 of repeatedly striking his wife in face and biting her in face. He is suspended without pay and faces getting fired from his job. His sentencing is Jan. 24.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Two weeks after an Erie police corporal was convicted of physically assaulting his wife, the administration of Mayor Joe Schember said it is close to completing an internal review regarding the corporal's future with the force.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"The city is aware of the verdict and is reviewing the matter internally," City Solicitor Ed Betza told the Erie Times-News. "The city intends to meet with the officer and will work to bring this matter to a prompt and proper resolution."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Erie police corporal convicted of assaulting wife, faces loss of job; wife at odds with DA</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The corporal, Justin W. Griffith, convicted Nov. 12 and to be sentenced in January, faces loss of his job under federal law.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: red;">As the Erie police have confirmed, the law prohibits possession of a firearm for anyone convicted in any court of a "misdemeanor crime of domestic violence," as was Griffith. The federal law, known as the <b>Lautenberg Amendment</b>, after the late Sen. Frank Lautenberg, of New Jersey, was adopted in 1996</span>.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Such a conviction for domestic violence also disqualifies a police officer for certification in Pennsylvania, according to the Pennsylvania Municipal Officers' Education and Training Commission.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Griffith, 40, on the force since 2008, has been suspended since his arrest in February, with the suspension becoming unpaid after his preliminary hearing in March. With Griffith barred from working as an Erie police officer, the city has not had to take immediate action on his future.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Erie police corporal held for trial in domestic abuse case despite wife's no-show in court</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Griffith was found guilty of repeatedly striking his wife in the face and biting her in the face at their residence in Millcreek Township around 1:25 a.m. on Feb. 13, while Griffith was off duty.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Shortly after Griffith was convicted, Erie Police Chief Dan Spizarny reviewed the police's internal review of the case, said Schember's chief of staff, Renee Lamis. A deputy police chief, Mike Nolan, attended Griffith's trial and confirmed to the Erie Times-News that the federal law would bar Griffith from the force if he were convicted of domestic violence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Lamis, like Betza, said the administration is reviewing the case, including how to proceed under the labor contract with the Erie police.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"The Erie Police Department will work with the City to ensure that we take the appropriate action and that the action is in compliance with applicable law and the collective bargaining agreement," Lamis said in an email. "We need to follow the appropriate process and will share information in a timely manner as soon as it becomes available."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Griffith was convicted of a third-degree misdemeanor related to domestic violence — simple assault by mutual affray, for the fight with his wife. He was found guilty after a two-day trial in the courtroom of Erie County Judge Daniel Brabender. The defense argued self-defense but presented no witnesses and did not have Griffith take the stand.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Erie police officer charged in domestic dispute, placed on leave, chief says</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Griffith's wife, Dawn Griffith, testified for the District Attorney's Office under subpoena and said she did not want her husband to be charged. She testified that her husband struck her because she struck him.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"I didn't want him arrested," Dawn Griffith, 45, testified. "I was just as much in the wrong as he was."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A jury of eight women and four men convicted Griffith after deliberating for about two hours. Brabender convicted Griffith of a summary count of harassment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">As a third-degree misdemeanor, the simple assault charge carries a maximum sentence of a year in prison. Brabender set sentencing for Jan. 24 and allowed Griffith to remain free on an unsecured bond of $10,000.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Griffith's lawyer, John Carlson, said he has not yet determined whether he will appeal the conviction. He said he is "assessing appealable issues."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">DA Jack Daneri's new Domestic Violence Unit gives victims another way to call for help</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">The domestic incident marks the second time in five years that Griffith has been charged with a crime. He was acquitted in 2017 on a misdemeanor simple assault charge that, as an Erie police patrolman, he kicked a handcuffed and prone suspect during an October 2016 arrest at an apartment in Erie. Griffith was reinstated to the police force following his acquittal.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b style="color: #800180; font-size: xx-large;">2022: Lautenberg DV Gun Ban - News Articles And Reports</b></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Erie police corporal resigns following conviction </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;">Patrolman was found guilty in November on domestic violence charge</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Erie Times-News (PA)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">January 13, 2022 </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">https://infoweb.newsbank.com/</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Griffith will still be eligible for pension benefits from the city, as he was on the force for at least 12 years, the amount of time an Erie police officer must be on the force to be vested in the pension plan, according to the city.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">An acquittal on a simple assault charge in 2017 did not stop an Erie police patrolman, Justin Griffith, from getting promoted to corporal in 2018.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Three years later, a conviction on a domestic violence charge has led to Griffith's resignation from the Erie police force.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Mayor Joe Schember promoted Griffith, and Griffith submitted his resignation to the Schember administration, ending a situation in which the administration could have fired Griffith if he had not stepped down on his own. Griffith, 40, an Erie police officer since 2008, had been suspended without pay since the domestic violence case against him was held for trial at his preliminary hearing in March.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">With Griffith's resignation, "the matter is closed," Erie City Solicitor Ed Betza said.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He said the resignation avoids any potential union grievance that could have been filed over Griffith's dismissal had the city fired him.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Betza confirmed the resignation to the Erie Times-News on Tuesday. He said Griffith submitted it on Nov. 23.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The resignation came 11 days after a jury in Erie County Common Pleas Court convicted Griffith of physically assaulting his wife. Griffith was found guilty of repeatedly striking her in the face and biting her in the face at their residence in Millcreek Township around 1:25 a.m. on Feb. 13, while Griffith was off duty.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">With the resignation, Griffith will still be eligible for pension benefits from the city, as he was on the force for at least 12 years, the amount of time an Erie police officer must be on the force to be vested in the pension plan, according to the city.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Federal law and domestic violence</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Griffith, 40, who is free on an unsecured bond of $10,000, is scheduled to be sentenced before Judge Daniel Brabender on Jan. 24.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">A jury on Nov. 12 convicted Griffith of a third-degree misdemeanor related to domestic violence — simple assault by mutual affray, for the fight with his wife. Brabender found him guilty of a summary count of harassment.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">As a third-degree misdemeanor, the simple assault charge carries a maximum sentence of a year in prison. The conviction all but guaranteed that Griffith would lose his job under federal law.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">The law prohibits possession of a firearm for anyone convicted in any court of a "misdemeanor crime of domestic violence," as was Griffith. The federal law, known as the <b>Lautenberg Amendment</b>, after the late Sen. Frank Lautenberg, of New Jersey, was adopted in 1996.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Such a conviction for domestic violence also disqualifies a police officer for certification in Pennsylvania, according to the Pennsylvania Municipal Officers' Education and Training Commission.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Betza, the city solicitor, said the city will have to disclose Griffith's disciplinary history to any prospective employer who asks.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And Erie Police Chief Dan Spizarny said that Griffith's work history will be automatically available to potential employers under Act 57, the state law that the General Assembly unanimously passed in 2020 in response to the death of George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer on May 25, 2020.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Act 57, among other things, requires law enforcement agencies to provide, to a prospective hiring agency, all employment records, including performance evaluations and reasons for separation, for a previously employed law enforcement officer, according to the governor's office.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Griffith's promotion</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Griffith's acquittal in the previous case did not prevent him from getting reinstated to the police force after he was suspended without pay following the preliminary hearing in that case. The acquittal also did not prevent him from getting promoted from patrolman to corporal in June 2018.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Schember and Spizarny both approved the promotion, according to records the Erie Times-News obtained from the city through a request under the state's Right-to-Know Law. The promotion, which was effective on June 25, 2018, increased Griffith's pay to $81,612 from $80,012, according to the records. Griffith's final salary as a police officer was not immediately available.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The records show that Griffith applied for an open corporal position that had been posted in March 2018. The promotion was a "first-step" promotion in that Griffith was promoted from a patrolman, the lowest rank on the police force, to corporal, the next-highest rank.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Griffith's promotion came a year after he was acquitted of a misdemeanor simple assault charge that, while on duty, he kicked a handcuffed and prone suspect during an October 2016 arrest at an apartment in Erie. The jury delivered its verdict in June 2017.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Schember, who was elected to his first four-year term in November 2017, took office in January 2018 and was reelected in November. In an interview on Tuesday with the Erie Times-News, Schember was asked whether he knew about Griffith's acquittal when he signed off on his promotion.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">"I had no idea who he was at the time," Schember said. "I guess I was not aware of issues then." Of Griffith's promotion, Schember said, "The police chief must have wanted it approved."</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Spizarny, the police chief, told the Erie Times-News that Griffith "put in for a corporal's job and he got it." Asked if Griffith's previous criminal case, which ended in the acquittal, was considered as part of the promotion process, Spizarny said, "I'm sure it was considered at that time, but it is a first-step promotion."</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In the case in which he was acquitted, Griffith was accused of kicking the suspect in the face when the suspect, who had been handcuffed after a struggle with police, said he might have AIDS and began spitting blood in Griffith's direction. Officers had responded to a call for a domestic disturbance that could involve weapons.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Griffith argued he never kicked the suspect but was justified in moving his foot to the suspect's mouth to prevent the suspect from spitting blood at him.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Multiple Erie police officers testified that they saw Griffith "kick" or "strike" the suspect's face with his foot.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Wife defends Griffith in court</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In the domestic violence case, in which he was convicted, Griffith did not testify and the defense called no witnesses. But his lawyer, John Carlson, told the jury Griffith admitted that he struck his wife with an open hand on the left side of the face, which, according to photographs presented in court, caused her face to swell and her lip to bleed.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Carlson argued that Griffith acted in self-defense. He said Griffith's wife, Dawn Griffith, 45, had been hitting and kicking him — including in the crotch — in a fight over him cheating on her and over him taking her cellphone right before the fight. Both had been drinking, according to evidence presented in court.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The self-defense theory fit with Dawn Griffith's trial testimony, in which she diverged from what she initially told the police and instead said that she was the aggressor during the fight and that her husband did nothing wrong.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In his closing argument at trial, Carlson also suggested that Dawn Griffith, to get back at her husband in a possible divorce, could have hurt herself to make her injuries look worse in the photos that were entered into evidence.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Erie County District Attorney's Office prosecuted the case, and the assistant district attorney who handled it, Hillary Hoffman, pressed for a conviction based on photos of Dawn Griffith's swollen face, a 911 call and Dawn Griffith's statements to Millcreek police at the scene.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Carlson declined to comment on Griffith's resignation from the police force, and Griffith could not be reached for comment. After his acquittal, in 2018, Griffith issued a statement in which he said he was ready to rejoin the force.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Griffith said in the statement in 2018, "The Erie police department has been facing an uphill battle against the gun violence and heroin epidemic that has plagued our community and they have done a great job departmentwide, especially the officers on the street who are subject to those dealings on a daily basis."</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">His statement at the time continued: "I look forward to getting back in the community to assist with the issues the city has unfortunately been faced with."</span></div><div><br /></div></div></div><br /><div><br /></div></div><br /><div><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><br /></div></div>Renee' Harringtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01414390590891254320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3957752986490500628.post-61392271857806697152022-02-16T15:53:00.043-06:002022-04-27T09:29:34.566-05:0002162022 - Former Fremont PD Chief Randall Wright - 2019 CSC Charges - Accepted Plea Deal - Sentenced To 30 Days In Jail<div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Fremont PD Chief Randall Wright Posts:</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2019/06/06082019-fremont-pd-chief-randall.html" target="_blank"><b>06082019 - </b>Fremont PD Chief Randall Wright - Investigated And Charged With Fourth-Degree - Criminal Sexual Conduct - Charged In Both Kent AND Ingham Counties</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/02/02162022-former-fremont-pd-chief.html" target="_blank"><b>02162022 - </b>Former Fremont PD Chief Randall Wright - 2019 CSC Charges - Accepted Plea Deal</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: xx-large;">Chief Randall Wright</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgrmTba46LBdOaelkEhSa9lOqcXg3S5HqzCPFWDBpi8ItvUfMEHbS4Kgc5d5FbhR0h0jUyaXLbPCDj7nKbzpxy1zES0txT1D2TXDNt7OGWQ3q2ofJVoPLLEWEBULUpEbW4FnW_lt2HBY1CUYmmDOV5Ak279M2JE_4iLCILgHibwEXi5MFxQo5wzFcQsIg=s890" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="514" data-original-width="890" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgrmTba46LBdOaelkEhSa9lOqcXg3S5HqzCPFWDBpi8ItvUfMEHbS4Kgc5d5FbhR0h0jUyaXLbPCDj7nKbzpxy1zES0txT1D2TXDNt7OGWQ3q2ofJVoPLLEWEBULUpEbW4FnW_lt2HBY1CUYmmDOV5Ak279M2JE_4iLCILgHibwEXi5MFxQo5wzFcQsIg=s16000" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>June 08, 2019 - </b>During a Fraternal Order Of Police bus trip to the Tigers baseball game, Chief Wright was reportedly touching some of the women on the bus inappropriately. One woman reported that "“He (Chief Wright) was commenting about my body — made sexual comments about what he would like to do to me sexually."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>June 2019 - </b>Victim of the sexual assault reported the incident to the Michigan State Police - who in turn began an investigation</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>September 23, 2019 -</b> News of the investigation of Chief Wright became public. Wright remained on duty. Fremont City Manager Todd Blake "said he spoke with the chief who told him the situation was a “personal issue.” Blake said the chief remained on duty and that he had no plans to change the chief’s status until he learns criminal charges have been filed."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>September 24, 2019 - </b>Chief Wright was placed on<b> paid </b>administrative leave, after the criminal investigation against him became public.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><b>September 30, 2019 - </b>Kent County Prosecutor confirmed that his office had </span>filed a charge of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct against Chief Wright.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>October 02, 2019 - </b>Chief Wright arraigned in <b>KENT COUNTY </b> on charges of fourth-degree criminal-sexual conduct. According to court records, the investigator had written, "Wright “forcefully” pushed his groin into the woman’s buttocks area...This contact was unwanted by the victim and she previously told him to stop."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>October 03, 2019 - </b>Chief Wright arraigned in <b>INGHAM COUNTY</b> on charges of fourth-degree criminal-sexual conduct.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>October 07, 2019 - </b><b> </b>Chief Wright terminated from the Fremont Police Department, after criminal charges filed against him.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>November 04, 2019 -</b> Wright waived his right to a preliminary exam in the Kent County CSC case. Wright was considering a plea deal with prosecutors.</span></div><div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>February 16, 2022 - </b>Former Chief Wright plea bargain in criminal sexual conduct case. Wright pled no-contest to two reduced misdemeanor charges: aggravated assault which carries a penalty of up to one year in jail and disorderly person obscene conduct which could result in up to 90 days in jail. Sentencing for Wright is scheduled for April 26, 2022.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Former Fremont police chief sentenced to jail</b></span></div><div>FOX 17, West Michigan</div><div>Apr 25, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.fox17online.com/news/local-news/former-fremont-police-chief-sentenced-to-jail" target="_blank">https://www.fox17online.com/news/local-news/former-fremont-police-chief-sentenced-to-jail</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib1h6UxmCH6TgeKFKpr6Hx3QjyDWEoVP714V0PCdxPxLJ-Pr31CE6jI1kCoFdlGCc2_Aj1GBrlRriEqVmtQhIyVKoeVreprDeim5alFr7dbm_amQOhdCTTk9qEemci-uFzF0a6m2fiwAwv5kiYEE-RC0CFTKKj5u5CGurnkLrbf89v0WG1SWxN2nV7RQ/s635/Wright--31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="382" data-original-width="635" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib1h6UxmCH6TgeKFKpr6Hx3QjyDWEoVP714V0PCdxPxLJ-Pr31CE6jI1kCoFdlGCc2_Aj1GBrlRriEqVmtQhIyVKoeVreprDeim5alFr7dbm_amQOhdCTTk9qEemci-uFzF0a6m2fiwAwv5kiYEE-RC0CFTKKj5u5CGurnkLrbf89v0WG1SWxN2nV7RQ/s16000/Wright--31.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>FREMONT, Mich. —</b> The former Fremont police chief has been sentenced to serve time in jail.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Monday, a judge sentenced Randall Wright to 30 days in jail for disorderly person – obscene conduct and 90 days for aggravated assault. If Wright serves the first 30 days, the remaining 60 days will not have to be served. Wright was also granted 1 day of time served. In total, Wright will spend 29 days in jail.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Wright will also spend two years on probation.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Back in 2019, Wright was charged after being accused of inappropriately touching a woman while on a bus trip to a Detroit Tigers game. The trip had been organized by the Fraternal Order of Police.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Wright was put initially put on administrative leave, but the city council voted to fire him in October 2019.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Former Fremont police chief gets jail in sexual assault case</b></span></div><div>Wood TV</div><div>Apr 25, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.woodtv.com/news/kent-county/former-fremont-police-chief-gets-jail-in-sexual-assault-case/" target="_blank">https://www.woodtv.com/news/kent-county/former-fremont-police-chief-gets-jail-in-sexual-assault-case/</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS9Sea-VixwORVVruMeH4y6a8k0fkAcgIC6Eil-94uMOoTbsHrBIkfDvs9aLBRqLUbFEVuHBPKLyB2l8b7W8wlLNnuF-UaskZSJGWgRtOjmPuRMFLDsn5FU-8eZtariS-zk4VPpWCa7V5-V-AvcOuw64rHM56tDJfbSNzM47G4dcjWbVFt-ijNF4jDqw/s517/Wright--30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="373" data-original-width="517" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS9Sea-VixwORVVruMeH4y6a8k0fkAcgIC6Eil-94uMOoTbsHrBIkfDvs9aLBRqLUbFEVuHBPKLyB2l8b7W8wlLNnuF-UaskZSJGWgRtOjmPuRMFLDsn5FU-8eZtariS-zk4VPpWCa7V5-V-AvcOuw64rHM56tDJfbSNzM47G4dcjWbVFt-ijNF4jDqw/s16000/Wright--30.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — </b>The former Fremont police chief will serve about a month in jail for grabbing a woman in 2019.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Randall Wright was sentenced Monday to 30 days in the Kent County jail for disorderly person-obscene conduct and 90 days in jail for aggravated assault. In both sentences, he was granted credit for one day served. Sixty days of the second jail sentence were suspended, which means he will spend a total of 29 days in jail for both cases. He was also sentenced to two years of probation for the assault charge.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The assault happened in June 2019 while Wright and a woman were on a bus back to Fremont after going to a Detroit Tiger’s game with the Fraternal Order of Police. Speaking with News 8 in 2019, the woman said Wright was drunk but that did not excuse his behavior.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">“(He was) commenting about my body, made sexual comments about what he would like to do with me sexually and he reached back with his hand and grabbed my private area aggressively,” the woman said in 2019, adding that he also rubbed his genitals against her backside.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">She said she shoved him away.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Wright pleaded no contest in February to the misdemeanor obscene conduct and assault charges. Under the terms of a plea agreement, more serious charges of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct were dismissed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">He was placed on leave from the Fremont Police Department in September 2019 while Michigan State Police investigated the case. He was fired after charges were issued in October 2019.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Fremont PD chief takes deal in sexual assault case</b></span></div><div>WOOD TV News</div><div>February 16, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_p0zTkXR0-4" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_p0zTkXR0-4</a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The former police chief of Fremont was in court Wednesday as he took a plea agreement in a sexual assault case. </span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzPPlctUDgcYlOtf-omINUaX8WDx5ljP0olL7iKVN4vbTvXXBvdsIcVS_rAjne9UKC3MCH18R-fHZ4870xWlw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Fremont PD chief takes deal in sexual assault case</b></span></div><div>WOOD TV News</div><div>February 16, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.woodtv.com/news/grand-rapids/fremont-pd-chief-takes-deal-in-sexual-assault-case/" target="_blank">https://www.woodtv.com/news/grand-rapids/fremont-pd-chief-takes-deal-in-sexual-assault-case/</a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — </b>The former police chief of Fremont was in court Wednesday as he took a plea agreement in a sexual assault case.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Randall Wright was accused of inappropriately touching a woman back in June of 2019. The alleged incident happened on a bus trip to Detroit for a Tiger’s game with the Fraternal Order of Police. The victim spoke with News 8 a few months after the alleged assault. She said Wright was intoxicated at the time.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">“That is no excuse for behavior. I’ve known many men in my life who were highly intoxicated, and they’ve never been sexually inappropriate with women,” said the victim in the 2019 interview. “(He was) commenting about my body, made sexual comments about what he would like to do with me sexually and he reached back with his hand and grabbed my private area aggressively.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">After Target 8 investigators informed city leaders that the Michigan State Police were investigating the assault, they placed Wright on administrative leave in September of 2019. Wright was later fired once prosecutors issued formal charges in October 2019.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: red;">On Wednesday, Wright was in court for the 2019 allegations. He entered a no contest plea to two reduced misdemeanor charges. The first charge is for aggravated assault which carries a penalty of up to one year in jail. The second charge is for disorderly person obscene conduct which could result in up to 90 days in jail. </span>Although the case stems from sexual assault allegations, Kent County judge Christina Elmore said the current charges would mean Wright does not have to register for the Michigan Sex Offenders Registry. The Kent County prosecutor confirms the final charges are a result of a plea deal. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Judge Elmore read further details about the case during the hearing. She said the police report also showed Wright jerked the victim’s ponytail while making sexual comments and at one point smelled her hair, making her uncomfortable. Elmore said the police report also detailed Wright pressing his genitals against the victim’s backside during the bus ride.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">News 8 attempted to get comment from Wright and his attorney following the hearing, but they declined. News 8 also reached out to city and police leaders in Fremont for comment but did not hear back. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Wright is due back in court for sentencing on April 26th. </span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Ex-West Michigan police chief takes plea deal after woman assaulted on party bus</b></span></div><div>MLive</div><div>February 16, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2022/02/ex-west-michigan-police-chief-takes-plea-deal-after-assaulting-woman-on-party-bus.html" target="_blank">https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2022/02/ex-west-michigan-police-chief-takes-plea-deal-after-assaulting-woman-on-party-bus.html</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjk7g40s6Hd1fizyWccfVYfCP2CbIZhdSKXhCQ8UAMgZm6eb5hKR-YWG8EMVfTRAi1_ZnFhaZIi-a4MzDHxF4RggSaO6HwfdkD01Dpe1DAl1zghMsh3skvDloIjMmgEcZoSACvJP38Kf7eSGnLAynTEAupkKuYwe3tXrlwb8nD2jgkwnD0eRofyF7MMKg=s622" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="619" data-original-width="622" height="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjk7g40s6Hd1fizyWccfVYfCP2CbIZhdSKXhCQ8UAMgZm6eb5hKR-YWG8EMVfTRAi1_ZnFhaZIi-a4MzDHxF4RggSaO6HwfdkD01Dpe1DAl1zghMsh3skvDloIjMmgEcZoSACvJP38Kf7eSGnLAynTEAupkKuYwe3tXrlwb8nD2jgkwnD0eRofyF7MMKg=w640-h636" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>GRAND RAPIDS, MI --</b> A former West Michigan police chief will avoid the state’s sex offender registry after he entered pleas for allegedly inappropriately touching a woman on a party bus in 2019.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Randall Scott Wright, 50, pleaded no contest Wednesday, Feb. 16 to misdemeanor charges of aggravated assault and disorderly person-obscene conduct.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Wright had attended the Detroit Tigers “Law Enforcement Night” baseball game in June 2019, traveling on a bus from West Michigan to Detroit.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">On the return trip, state police alleged he made unwanted sexual contact with a woman on the bus.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Wright initially was charged with two counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, carrying a potential two years in prison and registration on the state sex offender registry for 15 years.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The charges of aggravated assault, a one-year misdemeanor, and disorderly conduct, a 90-day misdemeanor, carry no registry requirement.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker said several factors weighed into the plea deal, including whether the victim would agree to it. She did.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“The victim was on board with it,” he said. “It has been lingering with her to, so just to move it along.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Becker also said there was no evidence that Wright was involved in any other similar incidents. And the courts are still backlogged from COVID-19 delays, making plea deals in some cases a good option, he said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“We found this mutually agreeable,” Becker said, referring to discussions with Wright’s attorney.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">During Wednesday’s hearing, Kent County Circuit Judge Christina Elmore read parts of a state police report to substantiate the pleas. State police earlier said the woman reported that Wright was intoxicated on the bus.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The victim told police that Wright made comments about her breasts. She said he also leaned over and smelled her hair, making her uncomfortable, Elmore said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">At one point, the woman alleged, Wright grabbed her ponytail and jerked her head back.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“He then started making lewd comments about sexual things that he wanted to do to her,” Elmore said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The woman also told police that, as she was getting off the bus, Wright was behind her and forcefully pushed his groin area into her back side.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">She alleged that Wright asked her if she liked it. She told him no.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Wright was fired from his position as the Fremont police chief in October 2019.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">His attorney, Matthew Vicari, declined comment outside the courtroom on Wednesday.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Sentencing is scheduled for April 26.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Fired police chief had good reviews before sex-assault allegations, personnel file shows</b></span></div><div>MLive</div><div>November 05, 2019</div><div><a href="https://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/2019/11/fired-police-chief-had-good-reviews-before-sex-assault-allegations-personnel-file-shows.html" target="_blank">https://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/2019/11/fired-police-chief-had-good-reviews-before-sex-assault-allegations-personnel-file-shows.html</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjA6ZlfyHHYHhO4ullRkp5K44NLEaqvBx06Q_Y_HGtAjmMoAOCWKH1j8HTRPIxrBW4n0OU3EsaNarUmt_gZjJWUjbpWJG2EFdCg4Nn17eRh-mIrf_WiukbUvW5yXwoUkZFi5XpPvgoT7y7kl9l6L_ORqYygRsLJpui17yWmoO-NfLI2dxRoIO1hoyCmKA=s637" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="618" data-original-width="637" height="620" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjA6ZlfyHHYHhO4ullRkp5K44NLEaqvBx06Q_Y_HGtAjmMoAOCWKH1j8HTRPIxrBW4n0OU3EsaNarUmt_gZjJWUjbpWJG2EFdCg4Nn17eRh-mIrf_WiukbUvW5yXwoUkZFi5XpPvgoT7y7kl9l6L_ORqYygRsLJpui17yWmoO-NfLI2dxRoIO1hoyCmKA=w640-h620" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>FREMONT, MI – </b>Before he became police chief, Randy Wright, as a sergeant in 2011, wanted the job so badly he was willing to forego overtime and take on responsibilities of the chief.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He eventually got the job as police chief, along with a raise, later that year.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It all ended eight years later after a “party bus” trip in June to see the Detroit Tigers on “Law Enforcement Night.” On the way home, Wright allegedly sexually assaulted a woman while he was intoxicated.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“Please be advised that this letter serves as your notice of your termination, effective immediately …,” City Manager Todd Blake wrote Oct. 8.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The letter was among documents in Wright’s personnel record obtained by MLive in a Freedom of Information Act request.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Wright was fired less than a week after he was charged with fourth-degree criminal-sexual conduct, a high-court misdemeanor punishable by up to two years in prison upon conviction.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Before that, Wright had positive reviews, awards, commendations and letters of praise from those in law enforcement and the community.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“He continues to strive for delivering the best law enforcement department services to the community and I know he is truly committed to it,” Blake wrote in one of his reviews.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Wright had strong leadership skills and worked hard to develop staff, work with other agencies and develop relationships with the community. The city received “many positive comments from the community of his friendliness and community-minded volunteerism,” Blake wrote.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Wright, who has a strong interest in firearms and police tactical skills, was also commended for his work with tactical teams responding to deadly situations.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He has given presentations on how the public should respond to an active-shooter event.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“Your presentation was thoughtful, well organized, informative and interesting,” a Hesperia pastor wrote.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Wright’s attorney, Matthew Vicari, declined to comment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">His client on Monday, Nov. 4, waived his right to a preliminary examination in 63rd District Court while he negotiates a possible plea deal with Kent County prosecutors.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He is accused of having sexual contact, using force or coercion, with a woman on the party bus. He also faces the same accusations in Ingham County - where another alleged crime occurred on the bus.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In the Kent County case, the alleged victim told state police that Wright “was intoxicated and was making numerous sexually explicit advances toward her while traveling on a ‘party bus’ to a Detroit Tigers game and back,” state police Trooper Brian Komm said in a probable-cause affidavit.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">After making sexual remarks to the woman, Wright “forcefully” pushed his groin into the woman’s buttocks area when the bus stopped on the way home near 10 Mile Road NW and Peach Ridge Avenue for a bathroom break, Komm wrote.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“Some of this contact was observed by witnesses as the (defendant) smacked the buttocks of other women on the bus without their consent,” Komm wrote.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Ex-Fremont police chief weighs plea deal in alleged sex assault on party bus</b></span></div><div>MLive</div><div>November 04, 2019</div><div><a href="https://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/2019/11/ex-fremont-police-chief-weighs-plea-deal-in-alleged-sex-assault-on-party-bus.html" target="_blank">https://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/2019/11/ex-fremont-police-chief-weighs-plea-deal-in-alleged-sex-assault-on-party-bus.html</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj06stNZsEcqlidHSZVMvuXz5t18FUOU8gMZEG_EC2MFLF3P-3EHE83zQ0VVSPFUQArluWLo-0onSJjBkQVyLvqevKpwQ2uDHn7CVde8bwYiL3LRLY0FNSe_FALpDM_OecFc6ztGedR8ZnXcMyystca2TmsyqL2dYjTMa1TRkUCY7gIYFETiR7GH62z_A=s648" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="648" height="594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj06stNZsEcqlidHSZVMvuXz5t18FUOU8gMZEG_EC2MFLF3P-3EHE83zQ0VVSPFUQArluWLo-0onSJjBkQVyLvqevKpwQ2uDHn7CVde8bwYiL3LRLY0FNSe_FALpDM_OecFc6ztGedR8ZnXcMyystca2TmsyqL2dYjTMa1TRkUCY7gIYFETiR7GH62z_A=w640-h594" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQkZaJQ84T-Mz6p4OuPcGIV_0SfsKEjJkkl8Bg0vkuYqLMis03jWq_V74KWGFb19w6znuv_B2bF7gcUxVf7EXKbnCcGC_0WplREGgM81xosVGgRB8toFkdQ-glwi2ThhvLRwdX0X8nWUAK4AOa6pMI9ncOiL4tUyOgr5lmgaO0FcksqGajehadF35m2Q=s647" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="605" data-original-width="647" height="598" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQkZaJQ84T-Mz6p4OuPcGIV_0SfsKEjJkkl8Bg0vkuYqLMis03jWq_V74KWGFb19w6znuv_B2bF7gcUxVf7EXKbnCcGC_0WplREGgM81xosVGgRB8toFkdQ-glwi2ThhvLRwdX0X8nWUAK4AOa6pMI9ncOiL4tUyOgr5lmgaO0FcksqGajehadF35m2Q=w640-h598" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhp11enzkwZnXyOroMEeFkI8WsQHaYokn4g6WNKT2Tshcr216V4Tmypz6XXOv5FUKkYenMYk-TBilShQrYVy6xGS0_rBzUk9VSzKOUf4YTvZAlhk2diZXiBKvtOAvbRMKTtidNzG22hc2vcBBqt1vA2ieQy2IhPMH6e1GdlQPBcstjrvcx3Z4wPcnVFOQ=s642" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="618" data-original-width="642" height="616" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhp11enzkwZnXyOroMEeFkI8WsQHaYokn4g6WNKT2Tshcr216V4Tmypz6XXOv5FUKkYenMYk-TBilShQrYVy6xGS0_rBzUk9VSzKOUf4YTvZAlhk2diZXiBKvtOAvbRMKTtidNzG22hc2vcBBqt1vA2ieQy2IhPMH6e1GdlQPBcstjrvcx3Z4wPcnVFOQ=w640-h616" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQcmgriiiKna6LLtAyFYSTUpBIzoFZowLT0BkWUZycVeKZ8UAbF3KHPjlR6wln1Njdf88NaIauGYTFbe8dukJ55JabUWEgp4BSVaFQgPp19ajV98ftETd4cu18jB9ORtsZE02bKdTu4nlgbD9p8S4fgdDPfpm2dCIkhKp9N4_MsjFiRBJPx9cyvx35uA=s642" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="597" data-original-width="642" height="596" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQcmgriiiKna6LLtAyFYSTUpBIzoFZowLT0BkWUZycVeKZ8UAbF3KHPjlR6wln1Njdf88NaIauGYTFbe8dukJ55JabUWEgp4BSVaFQgPp19ajV98ftETd4cu18jB9ORtsZE02bKdTu4nlgbD9p8S4fgdDPfpm2dCIkhKp9N4_MsjFiRBJPx9cyvx35uA=w640-h596" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhP7vqaD-reVWAXHHf--2zaxRx5VXfiObpXhSMLRdLfXx22Ec3cJ7mmnup_I48DRsSThnmYx67_2yUXBU2z09LkbErG2O9HQjYEswZLy2PTWpk_pfteJ6oxLwEGyAIooBGoRilL3V_Vg-MtT8tcn-FyPXd2PQcps6c3V4hrGwP49oBV5Bd84EkAoneTxQ=s637" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="618" data-original-width="637" height="620" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhP7vqaD-reVWAXHHf--2zaxRx5VXfiObpXhSMLRdLfXx22Ec3cJ7mmnup_I48DRsSThnmYx67_2yUXBU2z09LkbErG2O9HQjYEswZLy2PTWpk_pfteJ6oxLwEGyAIooBGoRilL3V_Vg-MtT8tcn-FyPXd2PQcps6c3V4hrGwP49oBV5Bd84EkAoneTxQ=w640-h620" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>NEWAYGO COUNTY, MI – </b>Fired Fremont police Chief Randall Wright is considering a plea deal with prosecutors for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman on a party bus to a Detroit Tigers game.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Wright, 48, had attended the Tigers’ June 5 “Law Enforcement Night,” when he allegedly sexually assaulted a woman on the way back.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He is charged with fourth-degree criminal-sexual conduct, a two-year high-court misdemeanor. He is accused of making unwanted sexual contact, using force or coercion, with a woman on the outing.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He faces a second fourth-degree criminal-sexual conduct charge in Ingham County while on the party bus. He has a preliminary hearing in that case on Nov. 14, court records show.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">On Monday, Nov. 4, Wright waived his right to a preliminary examination before 63rd District Judge Jeffrey O’Hara and had his case bound over to Kent County Circuit Court.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Wright acknowledged he would have further negotiations with prosecutors on a plea agreement.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Wright was fired effective Oct. 7.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In the Kent County case, the alleged victim told investigators that Wright “was intoxicated and was making numerous sexually explicit advances toward her while traveling on a ‘party bus’ to a Detroit Tigers game and back,” state police trooper Brian Komm wrote in a probable-cause affidavit.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The bus had stopped so riders could use the bathroom when Wright “forcefully” pushed his groin into the woman’s buttocks area, Komm wrote in court records.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“This contact was unwanted by the victim and she previously told him to stop,” Komm wrote.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“Some of this contact was observed by witnesses as the (defendant) smacked the buttocks of other women on the bus without their consent,” Komm wrote.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Waterford Township cop charged with sexual assault, but authorities mum about case </b></span></div><div>Metro Times</div><div>October 24, 2019</div><div><a href="https://www.metrotimes.com/detroit/waterford-township-cop-charged-with-sexual-assault-but-authorities-mum-about-case/Content?oid=22951994" target="_blank">https://www.metrotimes.com/detroit/waterford-township-cop-charged-with-sexual-assault-but-authorities-mum-about-case/Content?oid=22951994</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhhEUonEVZ-sQR6q5ytHBUfNSTTb_TVMD4Rxo1VTm3q9wF1zw87VIXkTUFzS-kBE_0CWouMYwqjLbbVeirnmCdrBXYFDkghKh_9Vne6LX971pRzmYUCgf5I5on1r5wIrGLQf6ucGq1ITg8_lDoAkkAHGapjAi8AGTBpIgGwAR3rh8qcIXR-k8rI2hhkPg=s613" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="613" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhhEUonEVZ-sQR6q5ytHBUfNSTTb_TVMD4Rxo1VTm3q9wF1zw87VIXkTUFzS-kBE_0CWouMYwqjLbbVeirnmCdrBXYFDkghKh_9Vne6LX971pRzmYUCgf5I5on1r5wIrGLQf6ucGq1ITg8_lDoAkkAHGapjAi8AGTBpIgGwAR3rh8qcIXR-k8rI2hhkPg=w640-h416" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A Waterford Township cop has been charged with two counts of criminal sexual conduct, but authorities aren’t saying much about what happened.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Officer Kevin Thompson, 29, was placed on unpaid administrative leave in late May after township officials learned he had been charged with third-degree criminal sexual conduct, a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Thompson is due back in Genesee County’s 67th District on Monday for a preliminary examination to determine whether the evidence is sufficient to warrant a circuit court trial.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The case stems from an alleged incident while Thompson was off-duty in Grand Blanc on Dec. 28, according to court records. But neither police nor the Genesee County Prosecutor’s Office would elaborate on the allegations.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Authorities are typically more forthcoming after someone has been charged.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Township officials said they took quick action after learning about the charges. “On Thursday, May 30, 2019 the Waterford Police Department became aware that Officer Kevin Thompson had been charged with two counts of criminal sexual conduct, 3rd degree, by the Genesee County Prosecutor,” the township said in a news release. “The alleged incident took place while Thompson was off duty and did not occur within the Township of Waterford.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“Kevin Thompson, a two year veteran of the Waterford Police Department, was immediately placed on administrative leave and he will remain on leave without pay until there is some resolution in the pending case.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">In another sexual assault case involving a cop in Michigan, Fremont Police Chief Randall Wright was fired on Oct. 7 after he was charged with sexually assaulting a woman on a party bus. A woman told Michigan State Police that the chief was intoxicated and forcefully pushed his groin against her butt after making other unwanted sexual advances on June 8. Other women on the bus said the chief "smacked" their butts.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Michigan police chief fired after alleged sexual assault on a party bus </b></span></div><div>Metro Times</div><div>October 09, 2019</div><div><a href="https://www.metrotimes.com/detroit/michigan-police-chief-fired-after-alleged-sexual-assault-on-a-party-bus/Content?oid=22870525" target="_blank">https://www.metrotimes.com/detroit/michigan-police-chief-fired-after-alleged-sexual-assault-on-a-party-bus/Content?oid=22870525</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjPNiAhcg82BNSehWlN80PJWkZ4eK2RZ_aD5AK-5k8qxry_czpvhF5BML0KoWbXQHVwouspWxtWIWlchr7bHSld4_yZN1lQdf1FOmpfczSkT4ohrktejR-KrpRzV1zF8QlUWgLHIY8pVUeYHzVVHYjSsAo9WMGzJEXF_9GJxeGAkYAsOxSScCMRM3aQTQ=s610" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="610" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjPNiAhcg82BNSehWlN80PJWkZ4eK2RZ_aD5AK-5k8qxry_czpvhF5BML0KoWbXQHVwouspWxtWIWlchr7bHSld4_yZN1lQdf1FOmpfczSkT4ohrktejR-KrpRzV1zF8QlUWgLHIY8pVUeYHzVVHYjSsAo9WMGzJEXF_9GJxeGAkYAsOxSScCMRM3aQTQ=w640-h388" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A western Michigan police chief who was charged with sexually assaulting a woman on a party bus has been fired.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Fremont City Council terminated Randall Wright on Monday. In a news release Tuesday, the city said it “will have no further comment on this matter at this time.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The 48-year-old chief was charged Oct. 2 with fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct. A day earlier, he was placed on paid administrative leave.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A woman told Michigan State Police that the chief was intoxicated and forcefully pushed his groin against her butt after making other unwanted sexual advances on June 8. Other women on the bus said the chief "smacked" their butts.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Fremont Mayor James Rynberg initially dismissed the accusations as "a huge misunderstanding" in an interview with Wood-TV8, saying he had "full faith in our chief of police."</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Fremont police chief fired after being charged with criminal sexual conduct</b></span></div><div>ABC News - Channel 13</div><div>October 08, 2019</div><div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtDmkxsfO-E" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtDmkxsfO-E</a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Fremont Police Chief Randall Wright has been fired, effective immediately, the city council decided Monday night. Wright is embroiled in a criminal sexual conduct scandal, after a woman reported "unwanted touching" from him. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Wright has been charged in both Ingham and Kent counties with 4th degree criminal sexual conduct.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyIEUpDBg4O-xItSW3MetwJGVCG4WG51v67NPEmrK5InA3zeX1L-AoJDHatwrxKuMEZ5hzbDeTzuDa7l1LjcA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Fremont Police Department Chief fired amid sexual assault case</b></span></div><div>Wood TV 8 News</div><div>October 08, 2019</div><div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_346ixSuv0">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_346ixSuv0</a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Fremont Police Chief Randall Wright has been fired after being charged with two counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct. </span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzMr07OBZwUnm6YzzC9R_vIqVAPweMnzCRCC1_zR2n5kB40IZo97_mVpCNgJKPlBni7vybiUDwFNh2aC2srXA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Fremont police chief charged with CSC</b></span></div><div>WOOD TV News</div><div>October 08, 2019</div><div><a href="https://www.woodtv.com/news/michigan/fremont-police-chief-charged-with-csc-2/" target="_blank">https://www.woodtv.com/news/michigan/fremont-police-chief-charged-with-csc-2/</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHDXfbOR3bSfa17tLqAZWqvlMj5CdwM9A3MK9ddGA5xNqfxfbtQmd8yIVDHUKWhLhIyuj1Zvg3rS1dNs9yI9LQUQPH0g-5qO8wzcXg9e1dN_pMaif6vC_Pyf62_G8Fr7UZ2tkShnl5h-I7CrYdMgfYT2i9q92S3emZkM0cfN981hI8toEOUSzRvEsvUg=s897" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="531" data-original-width="897" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHDXfbOR3bSfa17tLqAZWqvlMj5CdwM9A3MK9ddGA5xNqfxfbtQmd8yIVDHUKWhLhIyuj1Zvg3rS1dNs9yI9LQUQPH0g-5qO8wzcXg9e1dN_pMaif6vC_Pyf62_G8Fr7UZ2tkShnl5h-I7CrYdMgfYT2i9q92S3emZkM0cfN981hI8toEOUSzRvEsvUg=w640-h378" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>GRAND RAPIDS TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) —</b> Fremont’s police chief has been formally charged with a sex crime.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Fremont Police Chief Randy Wright appeared in 63rd District Court Wednesday morning where he was arraigned on a charge of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker announced the charge against Wright Monday, after reviewing allegations that he inappropriately touched a woman.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The woman reported to Michigan State Police that Wright was drunk and belligerent when he touched her in an unwanted and sexual manner while the two rode a bus back to Fremont from an outing with the Fraternal Order of Police in June.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">On Thursday, Wright was arraigned in Ingham County on the same charge.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The charge is a high court misdemeanor that carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison and a $500 fine. Becker said Wright is expected to turn himself in at some point to be booked on the charge.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">On Monday, the city of Fremont said in a statement that Wright would remain on paid administrative leave “until further notice,” and said it was conducting its own investigation.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Fremont city officials also said Sgt. Jon Greeting would remain in charge of the police department while Wright is on leave.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Wright is expected back in court for a probable cause conference on Oct. 16.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Fremont PD chief fired amid sexual assault case</b></span></div><div>WOOD TV News</div><div>October 08, 2019</div><div><a href="https://www.woodtv.com/news/michigan/fremont-pd-chief-fired-amid-sexual-assault-case/" target="_blank">https://www.woodtv.com/news/michigan/fremont-pd-chief-fired-amid-sexual-assault-case/</a></div><div><br /></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgrmTba46LBdOaelkEhSa9lOqcXg3S5HqzCPFWDBpi8ItvUfMEHbS4Kgc5d5FbhR0h0jUyaXLbPCDj7nKbzpxy1zES0txT1D2TXDNt7OGWQ3q2ofJVoPLLEWEBULUpEbW4FnW_lt2HBY1CUYmmDOV5Ak279M2JE_4iLCILgHibwEXi5MFxQo5wzFcQsIg=s890" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="514" data-original-width="890" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgrmTba46LBdOaelkEhSa9lOqcXg3S5HqzCPFWDBpi8ItvUfMEHbS4Kgc5d5FbhR0h0jUyaXLbPCDj7nKbzpxy1zES0txT1D2TXDNt7OGWQ3q2ofJVoPLLEWEBULUpEbW4FnW_lt2HBY1CUYmmDOV5Ak279M2JE_4iLCILgHibwEXi5MFxQo5wzFcQsIg=s16000" /></a></div></div><div><div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>FREMONT, Mich. (WOOD) —</b> After being charged with inappropriately touching a woman while on a bus trip, Randall Wright has been fired from his post at chief of police in Fremont.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">On Monday, in its first meeting since Wright was charged, the Fremont City Council terminated him effective immediately. The council said in a Tuesday statement it would not be commenting further.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Wright was arraigned last week on two counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, one each in Kent and Ingham counties.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A woman says he assaulted her in June while they were returning from a Detroit Tigers game, a trip they took with the Fraternal Order of Police. The woman told News 8 that Wright, who she said was drunk, made inappropriate comments about her body and touched her “aggressively” despite her objections.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Wright was placed on paid administrative leave when the allegations became public last month. Sgt. Jon Getting has been in charge of the Fremont Police Department since then, and will remain so until a replacement is hired.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Wright previously declined to comment to News 8.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Fremont's police chief arraigned on charges of criminal sexual conduct after 'unwanted touching' </b></span></div><div>ABC News - Channel 13</div><div>October 03, 2019</div><div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0BhV7hQuPs" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0BhV7hQuPs</a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Kent County Prosecutor's Office charged Fremont Police Chief Randall Wright with one count of criminal sexual conduct after a woman reported instances of “unwanted touching.” Wednesday, Oct. 2 and Thursday, Oct. 3, Wright was arraigned on those charges in both Kent and Ingham Counties.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzZk_Yw7Qvfky4V2skyN27eKPR8zmr2z1ZwUoPjBOwOX_dGhJGcADudUcMsvWG4tccntC3LZzOVdUS5vB4lkQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Fremont police chief also charged in Ingham County for alleged ‘party bus’ assault</b></span></div><div>MLive</div><div>October 03, 2019</div><div><a href="https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2019/10/fremont-police-chief-also-charged-in-ingham-county-for-alleged-party-bus-assault.html" target="_blank">https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2019/10/fremont-police-chief-also-charged-in-ingham-county-for-alleged-party-bus-assault.html</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-CKUCUE_ahI1FpOGgpl_vPpab41r9JdDFdp80zq90ED0Om9iHTqttYqA8Ys37hpaPYdWOPv7a7UikiXl0LEoDO7zloF0Gq_gk_DQYw8fRX56dp-by6mg4Yr5OmY1e2RWRSHv6RGKLkVlcD_FfY5XR7-4_Nggni16-VWdahC5xL8RSIMuD38ac6MxEgw=s642" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="597" data-original-width="642" height="596" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-CKUCUE_ahI1FpOGgpl_vPpab41r9JdDFdp80zq90ED0Om9iHTqttYqA8Ys37hpaPYdWOPv7a7UikiXl0LEoDO7zloF0Gq_gk_DQYw8fRX56dp-by6mg4Yr5OmY1e2RWRSHv6RGKLkVlcD_FfY5XR7-4_Nggni16-VWdahC5xL8RSIMuD38ac6MxEgw=w640-h596" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>INGHAM COUNTY, MI -- </b>Fremont’s police chief is facing a second sex assault charge, this time in Ingham County, for allegedly touching a woman inappropriately on a “party bus” to a Detroit Tigers game.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Randy Wright, 48, was arraigned Thursday, Oct. 3 in Ingham County on a charge of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct. He was arraigned Wednesday on the same charge in Kent County.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">State police said the two counties were the locations where the alleged assaults happened as the party bus was traveling.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Wright is on paid administrative leave from his job.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The woman told investigators that Wright “was intoxicated and was making numerous sexually explicit advances toward her while traveling on a ‘party bus."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In the Kent County incident, Wright allegedly pushed his groin into the woman’s buttocks area when the bus stopped to allow passengers to use the bathroom.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Police chief accused of sex assault on ‘party bus’ to Detroit Tigers game</b></span></div><div>MLive</div><div>October 02, 2019</div><div><a href="https://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/2019/10/police-chief-accused-of-sex-assault-on-party-bus-to-detroit-tigers-game.html" target="_blank">https://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/2019/10/police-chief-accused-of-sex-assault-on-party-bus-to-detroit-tigers-game.html</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtONjjLlUOSt4ZFiTJsxFJShStJLqErEd_jZ648pFCIcAzZcN6zIOwZ8frYuxy9Z6eU_wsRGozEiY6bAkSWoE4VNUxs5XR0Vc8aIaFfEnZu6tlDV1-DGekJJEZgTJAwl_QB_nh2VRs0GHNZXk3U2qLCF55eBz9isdnnrzlIh3-GvjyrjQDcUxM7MMa1A=s643" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="597" data-original-width="643" height="594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtONjjLlUOSt4ZFiTJsxFJShStJLqErEd_jZ648pFCIcAzZcN6zIOwZ8frYuxy9Z6eU_wsRGozEiY6bAkSWoE4VNUxs5XR0Vc8aIaFfEnZu6tlDV1-DGekJJEZgTJAwl_QB_nh2VRs0GHNZXk3U2qLCF55eBz9isdnnrzlIh3-GvjyrjQDcUxM7MMa1A=w640-h594" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">KENT COUNTY, MI – Fremont police Chief Randy Wright sexually assaulted a woman on a “party bus” in a trip to a Detroit Tigers game, state police said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Wright, 48, was arraigned Wednesday, Oct. 2, on a charge of fourth-degree criminal-sexual conduct, a high-court misdemeanor.</span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">The charge alleges sexual contact using force or coercion.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">His attorney, Matthew Vicari, entered a not-guilty plea on his client’s behalf during a brief hearing before 63rd District Judge Jeffrey O’Hara.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The alleged victim told state police that the incident happened June 5 on a “party bus."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">She told police that Wright “was intoxicated and was making numerous sexually explicit advances toward her while traveling on a ‘party bus’ to a Detroit Tigers game and back,” state police Trooper Brian Komm wrote in a probable-cause affidavit.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">When the bus stopped near 10 Mile Road NW and Peach Ridge Avenue so riders could use the bathroom, Wright “forcefully” pushed his groin into the woman’s buttocks area, the investigator wrote in court records.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Wright had just made sexual remarks to the woman, police said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">“This contact was unwanted by the victim and she previously told him to stop,” Komm wrote.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“Some of this contact was observed by witnesses as the (defendant) smacked the buttocks of other women on the bus without their consent,” Komm wrote.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The trip was a Fraternal Order of Police outing, WOOD-TV8 has reported.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Wright was placed on paid administrative leave, effective Tuesday, Sept. 24. At the time, City Manager Todd Blake issued a statement that said: “Due to the recent allegations made against Chief Wright the City of Fremont has placed Wright on administrative leave until further notice. The city is conducting its own investigation into this matter.”</span></div><div><br style="font-size: medium;" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>CSC charge filed against Fremont police chief</b></span></div><div>WOOD TV News</div><div>September 30, 2019</div><div><a href="https://www.woodtv.com/news/michigan/fremont-police-chief-charged-with-csc/" target="_blank">https://www.woodtv.com/news/michigan/fremont-police-chief-charged-with-csc/</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgm10-mb4k3nMS5fhO6q9Te-m9l8uhhj8-ehs1ObI87MU3oCrJ5KVPN7p4koiwC-fRqKLmaf88SaL6VZIPd3KE7JsTL30eWAu8KiyKUHPimlcU3S83RV97U-4I8pAzoYEHRJDkHgsyS0D6c4vgP75xPTJo4TCJQmlNVUWKKNWFPMp8HtgR0k8PdxSw8Xw=s897" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="531" data-original-width="897" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgm10-mb4k3nMS5fhO6q9Te-m9l8uhhj8-ehs1ObI87MU3oCrJ5KVPN7p4koiwC-fRqKLmaf88SaL6VZIPd3KE7JsTL30eWAu8KiyKUHPimlcU3S83RV97U-4I8pAzoYEHRJDkHgsyS0D6c4vgP75xPTJo4TCJQmlNVUWKKNWFPMp8HtgR0k8PdxSw8Xw=w640-h378" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — </b>The Kent County prosecutor is charging Fremont Police Chief Randy Wright with criminal sexual conduct.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Wright was placed on administrative leave last week after allegations that he inappropriately touched a woman were publicized by News 8.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The woman reported to Michigan State Police that Wright was drunk and belligerent when he touched her in an unwanted and sexual manner while the two rode a bus back to Fremont from an outing with the Fraternal Order of Police in June.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker was one of two prosecutors reviewing the case. He confirmed Monday that his office filed a charge of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct against Wright.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">The alleged victim in the case said she was notified last week that the Ingham County prosecutor was also filing the same charge in that county.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The charge is a high court misdemeanor that carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison and a $500 fine. Becker said Wright is expected to turn himself in at some point to be booked on the charge.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><span style="font-size: medium;">On Monday, the city of Fremont said in a statement that Wright would remain on paid administrative leave “until further notice” and said it was conducting its own investigation:<br /></span><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><i>“In light of the recent charges filed against the City of Fremont Police Chief, Randall Wright, Chief Wright will remain on administrative leave until further notice. The City of Fremont is continuing its own investigation into this matter. Chief Wright is innocent until proven guilty and the City will respect the legal process. The City will continue to closely monitor this situation involving Chief Wright as it moves forward. Sergeant Jon Geeting will remain in charge of the City of Fremont Police Department and its operations while Chief Wright is on leave.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>“The City will have no further comment on this matter at this time.”</i></div></blockquote><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Fremont police chief charged with fourth-degree criminal-sexual conduct</b></span></div><div>MLive</div><div>September 30, 2019</div><div><a href="https://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/2019/09/fremont-police-chief-charged-with-fourth-degree-criminal-sexual-conduct.html" target="_blank">https://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/2019/09/fremont-police-chief-charged-with-fourth-degree-criminal-sexual-conduct.html</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiEwWuHaYraTAnUCQZjHBQ77f_kbbvsd5FWwp5xDSObPREon79cLHmh72umGw5s5NKmvvrbX-0BihWJE5nD3zIIQI6tvcg7yEvDwFhkuiJpeedpPlZZJan9z9eZMdfbp3Eu9mA1pwH35datX3QUotg3iDO5DgXs4XzjK01NCU-748x_mNWzaUhGd6IIzw=s618" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="618" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiEwWuHaYraTAnUCQZjHBQ77f_kbbvsd5FWwp5xDSObPREon79cLHmh72umGw5s5NKmvvrbX-0BihWJE5nD3zIIQI6tvcg7yEvDwFhkuiJpeedpPlZZJan9z9eZMdfbp3Eu9mA1pwH35datX3QUotg3iDO5DgXs4XzjK01NCU-748x_mNWzaUhGd6IIzw=w640-h482" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>KENT COUNTY, MI – </b>Fremont police Chief Randy Wright has been charged with fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The charge, a high-court misdemeanor, alleges the use of force or coercion. The maximum penalty if convicted is two years in prison.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker alleged that the incident happened June 5 in the Kent City area.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: red;">Wright was placed on paid administrative leave, effective Tuesday, Sept. 24</span>. City Manager Todd Blake issued this statement then: “Due to the recent allegations made against Chief Wright the City of Fremont has placed Wright on administrative leave until further notice. The city is conducting its own investigation into this matter.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">WOOD-TV8 has said that Wright was accused of inappropriate contact with a woman during a Fraternal Order of Police outing.</span></div><div><br style="font-size: medium;" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Fremont police chief on administrative leave</b></span></div><div>ABC News - Channel 13</div><div>September 24, 2019</div><div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcOugaAcPt4" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcOugaAcPt4</a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Michigan State Police Sgt. Ed Doyle confirms Fremont Police Chief Randall Wright is under investigation after a woman reported instances of “unwanted touching.”</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz0iz1R_t6Ckh01L_IaNr_mB8su81qgHKnfba4cwM0gh0wGjvkdmmL-hgtnN84KyM8ISVlLC44fK2mRFRparA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Woman accusing Fremont chief says he was drunk</b></span></div><div>WOOD TV News</div><div>September 24, 2019</div><div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zn3nf84Naus" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zn3nf84Naus</a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The woman claiming she was inappropriately touched by the Fremont police chief said the longtime officer was drunk and belligerent when the incidents occurred.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyv0jLaEF-OOEfZiGUPKJqACGttSmnEuRd7F_LliEnbUWwIQhQkJXzC3j5xVXGCXVWw8h4JO7mcNlx4cKr-yw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Woman accusing Fremont chief says he was drunk</b></span></div><div>WOOD TV News</div><div>September 24, 2019</div><div><a href="https://www.woodtv.com/news/michigan/woman-accusing-fremont-chief-says-he-was-drunk/" target="_blank">https://www.woodtv.com/news/michigan/woman-accusing-fremont-chief-says-he-was-drunk/</a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">FREMONT, Mich. (WOOD) — The woman claiming she was inappropriately touched by the Fremont police chief said the longtime officer was drunk and belligerent when the incidents occurred.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The alleged victim reported to Michigan State Police that Fremont Police Chief Randall Wright touched her in an unwanted and sexual manner while the two rode a bus back to Fremont from an outing with the Fraternal Order of Police in June.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The FOP organized a trip to Detroit where members watched a Tigers baseball game. The alleged victim said there was no trouble on the way to Detroit but after the game, the trip back was a different story.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">The woman claiming the chief victimized her said Wright was drunk and touching some of the women on the bus inappropriately. While most people on the bus were law enforcement officers or their spouses, the alleged victim and her husband were not. </span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">She said the chief seemed to fixate on her.</span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: red;">“He was commenting about my body — made sexual comments about what he would like to do to me sexually,”</span> the alleged victim told News 8 Monday.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: red;">The alleged victim said the chief had smacked some of the trip attendees’ rear ends. </span>Trying to avoid giving Wright the opportunity to do the same to her, the alleged victim said she avoided walking in front of the chief at one point when people on the bus were moving. She said she allowed the chief to pass in front of her. But Wright was undeterred, she said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">“He reached back with his hand and he grabbed my private area aggressively,” she said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">At another time the alleged victim said the chief approached her from behind and rubbed himself against her in such a way that she could feel his genitals pressing on her back side as he made sexual comments.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">The woman said she shoved Wright at that time in another of many attempts to rebuff his advances. </span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">“It was aggressive,” she said of Wright’s behavior.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">MSP confirmed that a criminal sexual conduct investigation involving allegations of “unwanted touching” was underway. Officials would not disclose details of the case given the pending possibility of criminal charges.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Sgt. Ed Doyle said the investigative reports have been forwarded to prosecutors in Kent and Ingham counties where the bus was believed to be traveling at the time of the allegations.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Doyle said police conducted an extensive investigation and contacted the 31 people said to have been on board the bus.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Wright said she contacted police immediately following the trip and was ultimately directed to speak with Doyle from the Michigan State Police Lakeview post to avoid any conflicts of interest with officers who know Wright.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Wright has held his position in Fremont for several years, prompted to chief after serving the department for many years prior. He declined speak with News 8 about the allegations and responded “nope” when asked over the phone if he would comment on whether he touched anyone inappropriately during the trip.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">The alleged victim said she did not get drunk during the trip, but she said Wright was severely intoxicated. She claimed that he was observed drinking an entire fifth of liquor.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">“That is no excuse for behavior,” she said. “I’ve known many men in my life that have been highly intoxicated, and they’ve never been sexually inappropriate with women.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Prior to the bus trip, the alleged victims said she and her husband were friendly with Wright and his wife and had spent time with them as a couple.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Wright has the support of city leaders who seemed to question the veracity of the claims made against the chief.</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Fremont City Manager Todd Blake said he did not know about the investigation or allegations until he was contacted by News 8. He said he had no intentions on changing the chief’s work status unless criminal charges were authorized. He said he remained hopeful that the allegations were false.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Fremont Mayor James Rynberg said he learned of the allegations Monday after he was briefed by Blake. The mayor was explicit about his position.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“I support our chief of police,” Rynberg said. “I have full faith in our chief of police…”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The mayor said he has “full faith” in the officials handling the investigation into the allegations and awaits the final outcome.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Prosecutors in Kent and Ingham counties had not filed charges as of Monday. Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker said his office got the reports last Thursday and had yet to complete a determination on whether charges would be filed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">The alleged victim said she fears the chief may have victimized other women. She said she wants Wright criminally charged and removed from his role as the city’s police chief.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">“It’s about standing up,” she said. “And saying when things aren’t OK — when things are not acceptable.”</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>After allegations publicized, Fremont chief placed on leave</b></span></div><div>WOOD TV News</div><div>September 24, 2019</div><div><a href="https://www.woodtv.com/news/michigan/after-allegations-publicized-fremont-chief-placed-on-leave/" target="_blank">https://www.woodtv.com/news/michigan/after-allegations-publicized-fremont-chief-placed-on-leave/</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmSKisguPW--7NlDT9Q8WwbSSAUaYEt25gpmZnJywogsvSgHyCC9vihH15x60hlpBJXGxiiXegPHbS553dtP47QRMwz5Ev7jC1sOQ3edsS6NUA1GaD-VoqaqNOfCUY1cUzULfdVVK3JI1bL-etI_5uJBggrInisxF8niX9P9G6D1D1B47ObIFqLdsTxw=s897" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="531" data-original-width="897" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmSKisguPW--7NlDT9Q8WwbSSAUaYEt25gpmZnJywogsvSgHyCC9vihH15x60hlpBJXGxiiXegPHbS553dtP47QRMwz5Ev7jC1sOQ3edsS6NUA1GaD-VoqaqNOfCUY1cUzULfdVVK3JI1bL-etI_5uJBggrInisxF8niX9P9G6D1D1B47ObIFqLdsTxw=w640-h378" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>FREMONT, Mich. (WOOD) —</b> The day after “unwanted touching” allegations were publicized regarding Fremont Police Chief Randall Wright, the city placed him on administrative leave.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Michigan State Police started investigating Wright months ago after an adult female came forward to report that the chief had touched her during a Fraternal Order of Police trip in June. The woman claimed the chief was drunk when he grabbed her between her legs and rubbed himself against her back side while making lewd sexual remarks.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">City leaders said they weren’t aware of the allegations until News 8 contacted them Monday for comment on the situation.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">As of late Monday, City Manager Todd Blake said the chief would remain on his post unless and until he was criminally charged. Fremont’s mayor said the chief had his support and that opined that the allegations must be a “misunderstanding” of sorts.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Monday night, News 8 broke news of the investigation airing an interview with the alleged victim in the matter.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Tuesday, things changed at city hall. In a statement shortly after 12 p.m., the city manager said Wright was placed on administrative leave.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“Due to the recent allegations made against Chief Wright the City of Fremont has placed Chief Wright on Administrative Leave until further notice,” the written statement from the city manager stated. “The City is conducting its own investigation into this matter.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Blake said Fremont Police Sgt. Jon Geeting would oversee police operations during Wright’s leave.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The reports from the state police investigation were forwarded to prosecutors late last week. Charging decisions had not been made as of the end of the day Monday.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Fremont police chief placed on administrative leave</b></span></div><div>MLive</div><div>September 24, 2019</div><div><a href="https://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/2019/09/fremont-police-chief-placed-on-administrative-leave.html" target="_blank">https://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/2019/09/fremont-police-chief-placed-on-administrative-leave.html</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiZzrTPPqHSVROPenwIG5h9xLWIGvKyJEa624HvnmgSIGH--M0qesL2SKf1TH2_KNozwh8948PFe_CVXOSb_K8eYqGummhtCDg1V65zTw6CpvANVcw2Slu6d4cCa01Ez06m9G6um-GhmaeSUripal9jyRoofj7gcLhn8Ar2UhLJYgYoA4C5yDw2yYQ33A=s624" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="446" data-original-width="624" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiZzrTPPqHSVROPenwIG5h9xLWIGvKyJEa624HvnmgSIGH--M0qesL2SKf1TH2_KNozwh8948PFe_CVXOSb_K8eYqGummhtCDg1V65zTw6CpvANVcw2Slu6d4cCa01Ez06m9G6um-GhmaeSUripal9jyRoofj7gcLhn8Ar2UhLJYgYoA4C5yDw2yYQ33A=w640-h458" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>FREMONT, MI –</b> The <span style="color: red;">chief of police in Fremont has been placed on <b>paid </b>administrative</span> leave while the city investigates his conduct.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Fremont City Manager Todd Blake said Police Chief Randall Wright was placed on paid administrative leave effective Tuesday, Sept. 24.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Blake provided MLive/Muskegon Chronicle with the following statement:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“Due to the recent allegations made against Chief Wright the City of Fremont has placed Wright on administrative leave until further notice. The city is conducting its own investigation into this matter.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In Wright’s absence, Fremont Police Sgt. Jon Geeting “will be in charge,” the statement says.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Blake declined to elaborate on the reasons for the investigation. WOOD News 8 has reported that Wright is accused of inappropriate contact with a woman during a Fraternal Order of Police outing.</span></div><div><br style="font-size: medium;" /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Fremont PD chief accused of ‘unwanted touching’</b></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;">WOOD TV News</div><div style="font-size: medium;">September 23, 2019</div><div style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zp5upoVi_4U" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zp5upoVi_4U</a></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Fremont police chief is under investigation, accused of touching a woman inappropriately while on a trip with the Fraternal Order of Police.</span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: medium; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwbBNfv7VHsDTqaPya2ql7omueu6YkiPG3N36hyBm6jzXT-nmZxAUZ5Hsr4s6WGaqwp1iveepTetexTgVs8mQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Fremont PD chief accused of ‘unwanted touching’</b></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;">WOOD TV News</div><div style="font-size: medium;">September 23, 2019</div><div style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.woodtv.com/news/michigan/fremont-pd-chief-accused-of-unwanted-touching/" target="_blank">https://www.woodtv.com/news/michigan/fremont-pd-chief-accused-of-unwanted-touching/</a></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>FREMONT, Mich. (WOOD) — </b><span style="color: red;">The Fremont police chief is under investigation, accused of touching a woman inappropriately while on a trip with the Fraternal Order of Police.</span></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The trip took place in June as a group traveled to see a Detroit Tigers baseball game. A woman reported instances of “unwanted touching” from Fremont Police Chief Randall Wright.</span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Michigan State Police Detective Sgt. Ed Doyle confirmed the criminal sexual conduct investigation but released few details Monday, citing a pending decision from prosecutors.</span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“I have an investigation that’s ongoing right now,” he told News 8.</span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Doyle said the victim alleges the incidents happened on a bus trip. He said MSP has made contact with the 31 people who were on the bus at the time.</span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Police reports have been sent to prosecutors in Kent and Ingham counties, where the bus was believed to be when the incidents happened.</span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Reached by phone Monday, Wright declined to answer questions.</span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“I really have no comment,” he told News 8.</span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When asked if he wanted to comment on whether he touched anyone inappropriately on the trip, the chief responded, “nope.”</span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Fremont City Manager Todd Blake, the chief’s boss, was blindsided by news of the allegations when reached by News 8 Monday. Blake said he was unaware of the investigation and needed to confer with the chief about the situation.</span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Later, Blake said he spoke with <span style="color: red;">the chief who told him the situation was a “personal issue.”</span></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Blake said the <span style="color: red;">chief remained on duty and that he had no plans to change the chief’s status until he learns criminal charges have been filed.</span> As of late Monday afternoon, Blake said he had not spoken with the Michigan State Police regarding the investigation. He said he remained hopeful that the allegations against the chief are not true.</span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Fremont Mayor James Rynberg said he is awaiting a decision from prosecutors before drawing any conclusions. </span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“I have full faith in our chief of police,” Rynberg told News 8 over the phone. “I can’t understand the charge. … There must be a huge misunderstanding.”</span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker said his office received reports of the incident Thursday but had not yet made a conclusion as to whether charges would be filed. A spokesperson for Ingham County’s prosecutor said no charges had been filed against Wright as of Monday afternoon.</span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Wright has been police chief in Fremont for several years. He served the department in other capacities for many years prior to becoming chief.</span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Fraternal Order of Police Ben Bradford Lodge #135 organized the trip.</span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">“Shortly after an event that our lodge took part in we were informally told that an allegation had been made regarding some activity that had taken place during the event,” Bryan Kolk, the lodge president, told News 8, reading from a prepared statement. “The State Police conducted the investigation regarding this allegation. Our membership provided full cooperation to them. We deeply regret that anyone involved with this event had an experience that made them feel like a victim.”</span></div></div></div></div></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div></div>Renee' Harringtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01414390590891254320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3957752986490500628.post-56350389746771500592022-02-16T11:44:00.003-06:002022-08-07T12:29:11.800-05:0002162022 - Genesee County SD Deputy Scott Zayler – Arrested/Charged with CSC (December 02, 2021 Incident)<div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;">Related Post:</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><a href="https://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2022/02/02162022-flint-pd-officer-caleb-tierney.html" target="_blank">02162022 - Flint PD Officer Caleb Tierney – Arrested/Charged with CSC (December 02, 2021 Incident)</a></b></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;">CSC Case:</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Victims: </b>Two female victims, one 19-year-old and one 21-years-old</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Flint Police officer Caleb Andrew Tierney: </b>Charged with one count of Criminal Sexual Conduct in the 1st degree. Facing possibility of life in prison.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Genesee County SD Deputy Cameron Scott Zayler: </b>Charged with two counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct in the 1st degree. Facing possibility of life in prison.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><b>Timeline: CSC charges against Officer Caleb Tierney and Deputy Scott Zayer</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>December 02, 2021 - </b>Two women reportedly sexually assaulted by Deputy Zayler and Officer Tierney, in Tierney's home in Linden.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>December 03, 2021 -</b> Both women reported the December 2nd sexual assault to the Linden PD</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>December 03, 2021 - </b>Flint PD notified of investigation of Officer Caleb Tierney. Tierney was moved to desk duty. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>December 03, 2021 -</b> Genesee County SD notified of investigation of Deputy Scott Zayler. Deputy Scott Zayler was fired from Genesee County SD</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>December 03, 2021 - </b>Officer Tierney immediately relieved of duty and placed on administrative leave without pay</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>December 2021 - </b>Tierney passed a polygraph administered by independent polygraphers</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>December 2021 -</b> Zayler passed a polygraph administered by independent polygraphers</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>January 04, 2022 -</b> Tierney failed a polygraph test administered by the Michigan State Police</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>January 04, 2022 - </b>Zayler failed a polygraph test administered by the Michigan State Police</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>February 16, 2022 -</b> Arrest warrants issued for Tierney and Zayler</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>February 17, 2022 - </b>Tierney and Zayler turned themselves in</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>February 17, 2022 - </b>Zayler arraigned on two counts of first-degree CSC. Facing possibility of life in prison.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>February 17, 2022 - </b>Tierney arraigned on one count of first-degree CSC. Facing possibility life in prison.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>February 22, 2022 - </b>Zayler posted a $100,000 cash surety bond and was released</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>February 22, 2022 - </b>Tierney posted a $50,000 cash surety bond and was released</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>March 17, 2022 - </b>Probable cause conference. Defense attorney Jodi Hemingway requested data charts of a January polygraph conducted by the MSP.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>April 9, 2022 - </b> Evidentiary hearing. District Court Judge William H. Crawford denied defense attorney Jodi Hemingway's March 17th request for polygraph data charts of Zayler and Tierney.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>May 30-31, 2022 - </b>Preliminary examination hearing. Both victims testified. Genesee County District Court Judge William H. Crawford bound Tierney and Zayler over to circuit court for trial</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><b>Former corrections officer, Flint officer charged with CSC bound over for trial</b></span></div><div>WNEM News</div><div>June 01, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.wnem.com/2022/06/01/former-corrections-officer-flint-officer-charged-with-csc-bound-over/" target="_blank">https://www.wnem.com/2022/06/01/former-corrections-officer-flint-officer-charged-with-csc-bound-over/</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN5-l8HLVKbmVLwGR5tgXF9z3TeR3StseSxo2oABLnXSeYaU7bxyv-74ncMFEpKxNaLnE96FGWvue3mfGJ_2IEheNuPOWZhrUaXjB8LWaVXccf3SSeWbfP1Ru-PaOcSgKDungSMW6NZUMekuQwzayVcL9-R-txOyf98hjKC1s24EQGm9CzESSfjT3GQg/s944/Zayler--20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="944" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN5-l8HLVKbmVLwGR5tgXF9z3TeR3StseSxo2oABLnXSeYaU7bxyv-74ncMFEpKxNaLnE96FGWvue3mfGJ_2IEheNuPOWZhrUaXjB8LWaVXccf3SSeWbfP1Ru-PaOcSgKDungSMW6NZUMekuQwzayVcL9-R-txOyf98hjKC1s24EQGm9CzESSfjT3GQg/w640-h380/Zayler--20.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>FLINT, Mich. (WNEM) -</b> Two law enforcement officers in Genesee County accused of sexual assault have been bound over to circuit court.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Caleb Tierney, a Flint police officer, and Cameron Zayler, a former Genesee County Sheriff’s Office corrections officer, were in court on Tuesday, May 31 at 1:30 p.m. for a preliminary examination in front of Judge William Crawford.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">No word yet on when the defendants’ next court date in Genesee County Circuit Court. Both of them are charged with one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">They’re accused in the rape of two women at Tierney’s home in December. Each of them denied the accusation.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><b>Flint cop, former Genesee County Sheriff’s deputy accused in sexual assault case bound over for trial</b></span></div><div>MLive</div><div>June 01,2022</div><div><a href="https://www.mlive.com/news/flint/2022/06/flint-cop-former-genesee-county-sheriffs-deputy-accused-in-sexual-assault-case-bound-over-for-trial.html" target="_blank">https://www.mlive.com/news/flint/2022/06/flint-cop-former-genesee-county-sheriffs-deputy-accused-in-sexual-assault-case-bound-over-for-trial.html</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDJmbREOtKwTqP8Q0sBt9GMTLumKHTz0XFw7DQizXshD-jDRAzJdnTmwVwu_nOxWvMiL_HeiBqIqIePAmWy0rIQ4ReQ1ABBx2dfzepIWTAbc5AG7ynLYWrGvfpn9w3QVJHdHdIIWwkRjOBqGlI7zTJYNHAEUKoz5cIZFmcnXpeNZUcD0iidRbbBDWMKg/s626/Zayler--12.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="586" data-original-width="626" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDJmbREOtKwTqP8Q0sBt9GMTLumKHTz0XFw7DQizXshD-jDRAzJdnTmwVwu_nOxWvMiL_HeiBqIqIePAmWy0rIQ4ReQ1ABBx2dfzepIWTAbc5AG7ynLYWrGvfpn9w3QVJHdHdIIWwkRjOBqGlI7zTJYNHAEUKoz5cIZFmcnXpeNZUcD0iidRbbBDWMKg/w640-h600/Zayler--12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">FLINT, MI – A Genesee County District Court judge said prosecutors presented enough evidence to show probable cause in the felony cases against a former Genesee County Sheriff’s deputy and a Flint police officer accused of sexually assaulting two women in 2021.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">After a more than two-hour preliminary examination hearing Tuesday, May 31 – the second day of the examination – Genesee County District Court Judge William H. Crawford bound Caleb Andrew Tierney and Cameron Scott Zayler over to circuit court for trial.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“It’s clear that the events that took place could weigh in favor of or against the defendant in this matter,” Crawford said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Zayler is a former Genesee County Sheriff’s Office correctional deputy who was fired because of the charges pending against him.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Tierney was placed on unpaid leave from the Flint Police Department when the department learned of the allegations he faces. The department indicated Tuesday that his status has not changed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Prosecutors authorized two first-degree criminal sexual conduct (accomplices) charges against Zayler while charging Tierney with one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct (accomplices).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The charge is a felony punishable by up to life in prison if convicted.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Both men turned themselves in and were arraigned Feb. 17 in Genesee County District Court.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The two victims were 19 and 21 at the time of the alleged assaults, prosecutors previously said. The younger of the two victims testified on May 19 during the first day of a preliminary examination. The second victim – who is now 22 years old – testified Tuesday.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">MLive-The Flint Journal does not typically identify the alleged victims of sexual assault.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Attorneys in the case have requested that the hearing not be streamed on the court’s YouTube channel to prevent other potential witnesses from viewing the testimony of others in the case.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">On Tuesday, the elder of the victims testified that she is friends with the other victim. The two had agreed to go to Tierney’s Linden home. The younger victim had for months been talking with the Flint police officer on Snapchat and invited her friend to come with her to his home because he was going to have a friend there, too.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The four people met up on Nov. 30, 2021. The two women, who are from Tuscola County, drove to Linden, where they parked in a senior center parking lot about a mile from Tierney’s home.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Zayler picked them up in his vehicle and drove them to Tierney’s house.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The female victim testifying Tuesday said that when the women arrived to Tierney’s home his police cruiser was parked in the driveway, with a Golden Shepherd dog in the back.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The women drank Mike’s Hard Lemonade that Tierney had bought for them. They played a drinking game called Picolo – a game similar to the popular Truth or Dare game.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">While playing the game, the victim who testified Tuesday said she was dared to send a provocative photo to someone. She sent a nude photograph shown in court Tuesday to Zayler via Snapchat.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The woman testified that the four played the game for a few hours. She said she drank one-and-a-half Mike’s Hard Lemonades during that time. The other victim, she said, also had one-and-a-half Mike’s Hard Lemonades, and also a small shot of tequila.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">At one point, the girls went to the bathroom together. They were there for a couple of minutes before returning to the living room, where the four continued playing the game.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“It all got a little blurry,” the woman said. “I felt drunk but more than I should have with the amount of alcohol I consumed.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The woman said she woke around 2 a.m. beside Zayler on the couch. The other victim was with Tierney in his bedroom. Both women began vomiting, she said. When they were done being sick, they returned to the couch and bedroom, respectively.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The victim then recounted being naked and Zayler sexually assaulting her.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“I was out of it,” she said. “I felt like I couldn’t move, like I was paralyzed.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The next morning, the woman testified, Zayler drove them back to their vehicle. She kissed him goodbye, and they drove to the other victim’s home in Tuscola County.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">After discussing the night’s events with one of their parents, the two women went to McLaren Lapeer Regional Hospital, where they waited hours for a rape kit to be performed. They were eventually told to go to the YWCA in Flint, where they were examined.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The next day, the women reported the assault to the Linden Police Department.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Attorneys Jodi Hemingway, who represents Zayler, and Major White, Tierney’s lawyer, both questioned the victims’ stories throughout portions of the testimony Tuesday.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Hemingway said the women, who both had long-term boyfriends, told their significant others that they were going to a friend’s house, and not the home of “two hot CrossFit cops.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The victim testifying Tuesday recalled hearing on their way to Tierney’s house the other victim tell a friend to lie if her boyfriend were to ask about she was.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">She also admitted to not sharing with police that a provocative photo was shared the night of the alleged assaults.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Linden Police Chief Scott Sutter, taking the stand after about 90 minutes of testimony from the victim, said urine and blood collected following the assaults showed no signs of any date rape drug.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Hemingway asked Crawford to not bind the case to circuit court, questioning the credibility of the victims’ statements.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“Basically, these young ladies, because they didn’t want to get in trouble with their boyfriends, made this up to cover their own behinds and did not care one bit whose life it ruined,” she said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In binding the cases over to circuit court, the two defendants can either plead as charged, proceed to trial, or accept any number of plea agreements offered to them by the Genesee County Prosecutor’s Office.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><b>Attorney for former sheriff’s deputy charged with CSC to appeal ruling on polygraph notes</b></span></div><div>MLive</div><div>Apr. 08, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.mlive.com/news/flint/2022/04/attorney-for-former-sheriffs-deputy-charged-with-csc-to-appeal-ruling-on-polygraph-notes.html" target="_blank">https://www.mlive.com/news/flint/2022/04/attorney-for-former-sheriffs-deputy-charged-with-csc-to-appeal-ruling-on-polygraph-notes.html</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEAwEpfNg0qayWFV71Ln8uyxpibulr7ylPwX-JKFurIkRBMQMAaGED1uAwwCuzZbyIO_FREPUwt2z1-Ue2i0d_p2pXzGvPohPtMAzACaf_5flRIwRCfYvw7BIKXHa9V3zeATR4ncL9kCKu-V2MyJ1DTrzd-BvddC89YSBUprShv3czDpjdc9gzlASmtQ/s618/Zayler--14.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="404" data-original-width="618" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEAwEpfNg0qayWFV71Ln8uyxpibulr7ylPwX-JKFurIkRBMQMAaGED1uAwwCuzZbyIO_FREPUwt2z1-Ue2i0d_p2pXzGvPohPtMAzACaf_5flRIwRCfYvw7BIKXHa9V3zeATR4ncL9kCKu-V2MyJ1DTrzd-BvddC89YSBUprShv3czDpjdc9gzlASmtQ/w640-h418/Zayler--14.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>FLINT, MI – </b>The defense attorney for a former Genesee County Sheriff’s deputy accused of sexual assault plans to appeal a judge’s ruling denying a motion requesting Michigan State Police (MSP) turn over notes from January polygraph examinations her client and a co-defendant are said to have taken and failed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Jodi Hemingway told MLive-The Flint Journal that she plans to file an interlocutory appeal to have a Genesee County Circuit Court judge review the decision of District Court Judge William H. Crawford, who on Thursday, April 7, denied Hemingway’s motion to compel MSP to turnover polygraph notes as well as a motion requesting a stay in proceedings.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><b>MSP asked to hand over polygraph results in case of former sheriff’s deputy, Flint cop accused of sexual assault</b></span></div><div>MLive</div><div>March 22, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.mlive.com/news/flint/2022/03/msp-asked-to-hand-over-polygraph-results-in-case-of-former-sheriffs-deputy-flint-cop-accused-of-sexual-assault.html" target="_blank">https://www.mlive.com/news/flint/2022/03/msp-asked-to-hand-over-polygraph-results-in-case-of-former-sheriffs-deputy-flint-cop-accused-of-sexual-assault.html</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwcXwbY233FZBPLe9Tsd-P3ZAhTO2ojkLUNpH1juDFriwJWvjKuytwR7AXpzhhLkRlsyGK-C6ozg9yCegvJedfJ7IQDLIJY0_H6AY8WjAYCl5ZYm62oNCp-zY0Qk_xQc3pSKg_qhMLF_JEcGUKjb_b9VKDRjln3lO1SqDp41Ox_4vpjPkKR9yviDQiqA/s598/Zayler--13.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="441" data-original-width="598" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwcXwbY233FZBPLe9Tsd-P3ZAhTO2ojkLUNpH1juDFriwJWvjKuytwR7AXpzhhLkRlsyGK-C6ozg9yCegvJedfJ7IQDLIJY0_H6AY8WjAYCl5ZYm62oNCp-zY0Qk_xQc3pSKg_qhMLF_JEcGUKjb_b9VKDRjln3lO1SqDp41Ox_4vpjPkKR9yviDQiqA/w640-h472/Zayler--13.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>FLINT, MI—</b>Michigan State Police are being asked to hand over the data charts of a January polygraph conducted by the agency on a former Genesee County Sheriff’s deputy and current Flint police officer accused of sexually assaulting two women so that the results can be reviewed by independent experts.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Appearing before Genesee County District Court Judge William H. Crawford for a probable cause conference Thursday, March 17, Jodi Hemingway, the attorney for one of the accused men said she and prosecutors have agreed she is entitled to the charts, which she hopes to have examined by independent experts by an April 9 evidentiary hearing.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Hemingway said she hopes the MSP polygraph examiners can testify about how they administered the test, adding she believed they used indirect questioning that may have skewed the results.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“If bad questions are being asked and that’s why people are failing then that’s bad for everyone,” Hemingway told MLive-The Flint Journal.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The two men, Cameron Scott Zayler, and Caleb Andrew Tierney, are accused of sexually assaulting two women on Dec. 1, 2021 while at Tierney’s Linden home.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Prosecutors in February announced two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct (accomplices) had been filed against Zayler and that Tierney is charged with one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct (accomplices).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Hemingway said Zayler was fired from his position as a corrections deputy with the sheriff’s office in December 2021, after the agency learned of the allegations put forth against him.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Flint police said Tierney was originally placed on administrative desk duties with pay, but he was suspended without pay once the Genesee County Prosecutor’s Office issued a warrant for his arrest.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Det. Sgt. Tyrone Booth of the Flint Police Department said Tierney’s status with the department has not changed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Tierney is also the subject of an internal affairs investigation by Flint police, Booth said previously.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“Tierney’s future employment with the Flint Police Department will be based on findings from the internal investigation and the outcome of judicial proceedings,” Booth said in a Feb. 17 statement.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The two men are accused of sexually assaulting two women while the group were at Tierney’s Linden home in December 2021.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The victims—19 and 21 years old, respectively—went to the home and had drinks, Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton said at a February news conference.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The victims were assaulted that same day and reported the assaults soon after, according to Leyton.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Linden Police Chief Scott Sutter said the department was made aware of the allegations against Zayler and Tierney on Dec. 3.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Rape kits and interviews were conducted soon after, Sutter said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In a call with MLive-The Flint Journal earlier this month, Hemingway said that both Tierney and Zayler had passed polygraphs administered by independent polygraphers prior to Jan. 4, when they took, and reportedly failed, polygraphs administered by MSP.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">MSP Lt. Kimberly Vetter deferred to Linden Police Department for comment when asked about the polygraphs, saying that MSP handles polygraphs for departments across the state and noting she did not have the specifics on this investigation.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A message left at the Linden Police Department was not immediately returned.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton declined to comment on the contentions raised by Hemmingway.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Both men remain free on bond.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><b>Two former officers arraigned</b></span></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;">Facing criminal sexual conduct charges involving 19 and 21 year old women</span></div><div>Tri-County Times | Fenton, MI </div><div>Mar 8, 2022 </div><div><a href="https://www.tctimes.com/news/two-former-officers-arraigned/article_d8afb57e-90f1-11ec-aac6-a7510fee9a9b.html" target="_blank">https://www.tctimes.com/news/two-former-officers-arraigned/article_d8afb57e-90f1-11ec-aac6-a7510fee9a9b.html</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcJjIaenCJVdIGhA9lzhcoGVc5wy1SyK6HUZtXq1umlOmrKkXfUsb3z6ec24re_d8uxe6fyt7J_OQSZEni6u8m_Z9Yvrzqnpd1LRfeXy3R2A8rfTGl742HoZelWWWW-hR2Neh-34o235NScOAFSQtEvNHT2HayKq4VS6sevFXszlA2lZscHOGUT089bw/s525/Zayler--21.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="291" data-original-width="525" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcJjIaenCJVdIGhA9lzhcoGVc5wy1SyK6HUZtXq1umlOmrKkXfUsb3z6ec24re_d8uxe6fyt7J_OQSZEni6u8m_Z9Yvrzqnpd1LRfeXy3R2A8rfTGl742HoZelWWWW-hR2Neh-34o235NScOAFSQtEvNHT2HayKq4VS6sevFXszlA2lZscHOGUT089bw/w640-h354/Zayler--21.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Caleb Tierney (left), Cameron Zayler</span></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A former Flint police officer and a former Genesee County Sheriff’s Office guard at the Genesee County Jail are facing criminal sexual conduct (CSC) charges.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">On Wednesday, Feb. 16, the Genesee County Prosecutor’s Office issued arrest warrants.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The 25-year-old former Flint police officer is Caleb Tierney, formerly of Linden and now a resident of Davison. The 24-year-old former county jail guard is Cameron Zayler, formerly of Davison and now a resident of Prudenville.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The suspects were arraigned Thursday, Feb. 17 in Genesee County 67th District Court.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Linden Police Chief Scott Sutter said he learned of the alleged criminal sexual conduct when the YMCA of Flint contacted his police department Dec. 3 after two female victims, ages 19 and 21, requested CSC kits. The victims said the crimes occurred Dec. 1, 2021 at a home in the 700 block of Aldrich Street in Linden. They told police they initially went to the hospital the morning of Dec. 2 and were advised to go to the YMCA for the CSC kit.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The police chief said both women are from the Vassar area. The 19-year-old met Tierney at a gym in Lapeer. He said Tierney invited her to the Linden home. When he said his friend, Zayler, would be there, she invited her 21-year-old female friend.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Sutter said the women were told to park at the Loose Center parking lot since there was not enough parking at the Aldrich Street home. Zayler picked them up from the parking lot and drove them to the house.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The victims told police that they left their Mike’s Hard Lemonade in the living room while they went to the bathroom. When the two women returned to the living room, they continued to drink their beverages. They allege there was possibly drugs in their drink and told police that they felt “fuzzy” afterward. The victims told police that they were driven back to the Loose Center parking lot the morning of Dec. 2.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">At a press conference on Thursday, Feb. 17, Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton said Tierney allegedly engaged in sexual penetration with a victim and the suspect had a reason to know that the victim was physically helpless. Zayler allegedly engaged in sexual penetration and digital penetration. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Leyton said he isn’t sure if rape facilitation drugs were involved. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Sutter said police executed a search warrant Dec. 4 on the home in Linden and evidence was submitted to the Michigan State Police crime lab for analysis. Test results are pending. Following Linden’s investigation, the police department submitted their report to the Genesee County Prosecutor’s Office for review.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Zayler is charged with two charges of first-degree CSC. Tierney is charged with one count of first-degree CSC. Zayler posted a $100,000 cash surety bond on Feb. 22 and released. Tierney posted a $50,000 cash surety bond on Feb. 22 and was released. They have probable cause conferences scheduled for March 17 at 10:30 a.m.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><b>Police Culture: 2 Cops Arrested For Heinous Acts</b></span></div><div>Indisputable with Dr. Rashad Richey</div><div>Feb 18, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1eeR4eYxnE" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1eeR4eYxnE</a></div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx36khAM3s5qOGavwD6xsbzrZOmU8x11Zh6aprYW8fWjk-wFuY26lHZiX2vlSi7zXfQEhcnjbfM3c-Ut8S7Rw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><b>Prosecutor: Police officer, former corrections officer charged with 1 count CSC each</b></span></div><div>WNEM News</div><div>February 17, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQSgUnWZyzc" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQSgUnWZyzc</a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A Flint police officer and a former Genesee County Sheriff's Office corrections officer are both facing charges stemming from a sexual assault investigation.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxewkqDVVlb5UZnCHmZpjVnfiR26jLtfZZjyNnTnSW89Q3YIhOW_WY_mdoiySN9KcNMv04XlPGMiDpTwghRLg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><b>Prosecutor discussing charges against Flint police officer, former corrections officer</b></span></div><div>WNEM News</div><div>February 17, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evczDZ7ljH0" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evczDZ7ljH0</a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton is holding a press conference to discuss the charges against a Flint police officer and a former corrections officer.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/evczDZ7ljH0" width="320" youtube-src-id="evczDZ7ljH0"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><b>Flint police officer, former corrections officer charged with criminal sexual conduct</b></span></div><div>MLive</div><div>February 17, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DT4j6z7CESQ" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DT4j6z7CESQ</a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton, right, and Linden Police Chief Scott Sutter speak during a press conference to announce charges against a Flint police officer and a former county correctional officer at the Genesee County Circuit Court in downtown Flint. Cameron Scott Zayler, 24, a former Genesee County Sheriff’s Office correctional officer, faces two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct (accomplices). Caleb Andrew Tierney, 25, who is on unpaid leave from the Flint Police Department, is charged with one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct (accomplices). (Video by Jake May | MLive.com)</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy7UtHyV-uAYi3m4tWN4tqeCWuwB3ZisGsuV4_VzRUqMiZsQyUQurO-XlhS0GmNPOShClj_RiRGhvHZ8fVePA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><b>Flint Police Officer and former Genesee County corrections officer charged in sex crimes</b></span></div><div>FOX 2 News - Detroit</div><div>February 17, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/flint-police-officer-and-former-genesee-county-corrections-officer-charged-in-sex-crimes" target="_blank">https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/flint-police-officer-and-former-genesee-county-corrections-officer-charged-in-sex-crimes</a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A Flint Police Officer and a former Genesee County corrections officer are both arrested and accused of criminal sexual conduct and authorities are investigating if they possibly drugged their alleged victims.</span></div></div><div><br /></div></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" mozallowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" src="https://w3.mp.lura.live/player/prod/v3/anvload.html?key=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%3D" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="640"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>FLINT, Mich. (FOX 2) - </b>A Flint Police Officer and ex-Genesee County corrections officer have both been charged with sex crimes and officials are investigating if they possibly drugged the victims.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton announced charges against Caleb Tierney and Cameraon Zayler. According to Leyton, the two men met up with two women after Tierney met one of them at a gym. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"He invited her over to the house said I have a friend with me, why don’t you bring a friend," Leyton said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The alleged victims, ages 19 and 21, were picked up from the Loose Center and taken to a house on Linden. A search warrant was served to collect evidence and Leyton said they're investigating if drugs were used.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"There’s a possibility that that happened. The way they described the incident is that they were drinking Mike's Hard Lemonade and the two left the room together and then came back. So there was an opportunity for someone to slip that in there," Leyton said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">According to Leyton, Tierney is facing one charge of 1st degree CSC while Zayler has two charges against him.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"First Caleb Andrew Tierney, he is a Flint Police Officer assigned to K-9 unit. He is charged with one count criminal sexual conduct in the first degree," Tierney said. "Zayler) is a former Genesee County corrections officer. He is charged with two counts of criminal sexual conduct in first degree, although of a different victim. He is also charged with a second count because we believe there was digital penetration."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Tierney is on unpaid leave from the Flint Police Department. Both men turned themselves into authorities and were arraigned Thursday</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Everyone enjoys the presumption of innocence in our system and it’s our job to prove it Beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law," Leyton said.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><b>Flint police officer, former county corrections officer face criminal sexual conduct charges</b></span></div><div>Flint Beat</div><div>February 17, 2022</div><div><a href="https://flintbeat.com/flint-police-officer-former-county-corrections-officer-face-criminal-sexual-conduct-charges/" target="_blank">https://flintbeat.com/flint-police-officer-former-county-corrections-officer-face-criminal-sexual-conduct-charges/</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfLZoX6nGnWIEEEgjAcc6HKAkFvmMsr93OxS6EcrcViSm2T7gQy5jdj60kdRBjdjKNPmoQaOGKiTJw6lDkOM-a1FHyjvw-hkHA1Nkh01FvnnlOjtNVAtUxMmUG3orHTKeIMHg0skL8yP8vEOz2BhoxCWNpoPOHuMz1QOLvNIkYbP6BSPJvc6VgiLg2qA/s968/Zayler--22.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="733" data-original-width="968" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfLZoX6nGnWIEEEgjAcc6HKAkFvmMsr93OxS6EcrcViSm2T7gQy5jdj60kdRBjdjKNPmoQaOGKiTJw6lDkOM-a1FHyjvw-hkHA1Nkh01FvnnlOjtNVAtUxMmUG3orHTKeIMHg0skL8yP8vEOz2BhoxCWNpoPOHuMz1QOLvNIkYbP6BSPJvc6VgiLg2qA/w640-h484/Zayler--22.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Flint, MI– </b>Two local law enforcement officers are facing charges of criminal sexual conduct– crimes punishable by up to life in prison.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">On Feb. 16, warrants were issued for Caleb Tierney, 25, a current sworn officer of the Flint Police Department, and Cameron Zaylor, 24, a former Genesee County corrections officer, for criminal sexual conduct involving two victims. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">At a press conference on Feb. 17, Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton said the two men turned themselves in this morning. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Tierney is facing one charge of criminal sexual conduct in the first degree.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“The allegation is that he engaged in sexual penetration with a victim, and that he knew or had reason to know that the victim was physically helpless, while either being aided and abetted by one or more other persons,” Leyton said. “Or he caused physical injury to that victim, the person whom the defendant knew or had reason to know was physically helpless.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Zaylor is facing two charges of criminal sexual conduct in the first degree, for sexual penetration and digital penetration.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The victims were two women, 19 and 21 years old. According to Leyton, Tierney had known the first victim from his gym. He invited her to his house in Linden and said to bring a friend. Leyton said the women had been drinking, but was not sure if rape facilitation drugs were involved.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“We’re examining what we have for rape facilitation drugs. But as I’ve said, even if it comes back negative and even if it’s shown that these young ladies consumed too much alcohol, that still doesn’t give anybody a license to sexually assault them, and that’s still a crime,” Leyton said. “And it’s still the same crime if they had been totally sober.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The morning after the incident, on Dec. 3, the women went to the hospital, the YWCA, and filed a complaint with the Linden Police Department.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Linden Police Chief Scott Sutter said that the Flint Police Department was made aware of the incident prior to Tierney’s arrest. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">On Feb. 16, the Flint Police Department stated in a press release that the officer in their department was “immediately relieved of duty and placed on administrative leave without pay,” that morning after officials learned of the arrest warrant. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“We fully support the ongoing investigation being conducted by Linden Police Department and will assist in any way that we can aid,” the press release stated. “We will continue to hold our officers to the highest standards, and nothing less will be accepted in this agency.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The department stated that they could not comment on any potential criminal allegations “until we are given all the facts at the conclusion of any possible court proceedings,” but that an internal investigation is being conducted. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Leyton said the women were “brave to come forward.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“It takes a great amount of bravery for somebody to come forward and say, ‘I’ve been sexually assaulted.’ And they’ve already suffered the trauma and yet there’s going to be more trauma because just about every victim of crime, and especially victims of sexual assault, are going to be faced with a real tough situation when they come into the criminal justice system,” he said. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Assistant Prosecutor John Potbury said that the two men were arraigned this morning.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><b>Flint police officer, former corrections deputy, charged in CSC case</b></span></div><div>MLive</div><div>Feb. 17, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.mlive.com/news/flint/2022/02/flint-police-officer-former-corrections-deputy-charged-in-csc-case.html" target="_blank">https://www.mlive.com/news/flint/2022/02/flint-police-officer-former-corrections-deputy-charged-in-csc-case.html</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0alu2Ib6aIyELnG8MY2NyE2gyh2ketQVLLjOEWtKSlKajWAz1b6MAC2fGcS3vEjl0QVwnofEqRu5ydriZHNNGh7lcM5UqDAPLadatNrf70qfiP7B59CfNqcE9RmpkaMG5SSk1C58U5PNEyGBi8dHNA-OCZT3OTaWL8w3QQduamLdllssar4HILtha5Q/s675/Zayler--01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="642" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0alu2Ib6aIyELnG8MY2NyE2gyh2ketQVLLjOEWtKSlKajWAz1b6MAC2fGcS3vEjl0QVwnofEqRu5ydriZHNNGh7lcM5UqDAPLadatNrf70qfiP7B59CfNqcE9RmpkaMG5SSk1C58U5PNEyGBi8dHNA-OCZT3OTaWL8w3QQduamLdllssar4HILtha5Q/w608-h640/Zayler--01.jpg" width="608" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimiJcMI61UWcm1APVNKHv4uL7wTfI9IeNULYeB7ZCOD-XiqyxZeISZ1xTnU3grZi6U5GW5btaQri0ChJK4_RQDg9B_-ecyIfsW7aANxSQfu_CK70I-XBiCgkcpsUmXyvxwnaIqguO1uyhYM-E_YsNVDJZlNCP0atmZ0RUPG-MNfE831bB5pR1Z-rShAw/s676/Zayler--11.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="676" data-original-width="637" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimiJcMI61UWcm1APVNKHv4uL7wTfI9IeNULYeB7ZCOD-XiqyxZeISZ1xTnU3grZi6U5GW5btaQri0ChJK4_RQDg9B_-ecyIfsW7aANxSQfu_CK70I-XBiCgkcpsUmXyvxwnaIqguO1uyhYM-E_YsNVDJZlNCP0atmZ0RUPG-MNfE831bB5pR1Z-rShAw/w604-h640/Zayler--11.jpg" width="604" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO3fD4dGxPQS4c-YR-U6yJzv38asRAZW4hWH6KhBnA2x6NpI00cCqwK-aWVTR9rQapocIyLMNMn9EzjIfYDPC8dLSJqG4IdbEuMagEJcvWU2l2KNhRFUFkIOclmh8mShNJikbCmEn4T_dTxt1N9sYZff4JVog1RN5byqRL9tdv158zxxmBmMwAQP30GA/s626/Zayler--12.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="586" data-original-width="626" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO3fD4dGxPQS4c-YR-U6yJzv38asRAZW4hWH6KhBnA2x6NpI00cCqwK-aWVTR9rQapocIyLMNMn9EzjIfYDPC8dLSJqG4IdbEuMagEJcvWU2l2KNhRFUFkIOclmh8mShNJikbCmEn4T_dTxt1N9sYZff4JVog1RN5byqRL9tdv158zxxmBmMwAQP30GA/w640-h600/Zayler--12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>FLINT, MI—</b>The Genesee County Prosecutor’s Office has announced criminal sexual assault charges against two men with law enforcement backgrounds, accusing them of assaulting two women in Linden in December 2021.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Cameron Scott Zayler, 24, a former Genesee County Sheriff’s Office correctional officer, faces two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct (accomplices).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Caleb Andrew Tierney, 25, who is on unpaid leave from the Flint Police Department, is charged with one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct (accomplices).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The criminal sexual conduct charge is a life offense.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Both men turned themselves in and were arraigned Thursday, Feb. 17 in Genesee District Court.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton said during a news conference Thursday morning the two victims in the case were 19 and 21 years old. Prosecutors allege the victims went to Tierney’s Linden home in December 2021 and, along with Zayler, had drinks.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The victims were assaulted that same day and reported the assaults soon after, according to Leyton.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Linden Police Chief Scott Sutter said Thursday they were made aware of the allegations against Zayler and Tierney on Dec. 3.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Rape kits and interviews were conducted soon after, Sutter said.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Leyton said authorities are still working to determine if any date rape drugs were used in the alleged assault.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">At one point, he said, the two women left the room, meaning there may have been the opportunity for a date rape drug to be used.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“We’re examining what we have for rape facilitation drugs,” Leyton said. “But as I’ve said, even if it comes back negative and even if it’s proof showing that these young ladies consumed too much alcohol, that still doesn’t give anybody a license to sexually assault them, and that’s still a crime and it’s still the same crime if they had been totally sober.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson did not immediately respond to a message about the whether Zayler was a deputy at the time of the reported assault.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Flint police said Wednesday, Feb. 16, they had placed an unnamed officer, later identified as Tierney, on administrative leave without pay after they’d learned a warrant for his arrest was issued.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Flint Police Det. Sgt. Tyrone Booth did not immediately return a message asking whether Tierney was still a member of the Flint police department.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A news release issued by the department Wednesday stated the department had only recently learned of the warrant but declined to comment further citing an open investigation led by the Linden Police Department, while also stating the department doesn’t comment on personnel matters.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The release also said the Flint Police Department was also conducting an internal investigation.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“We fully support the ongoing investigation being conducted by Linden Police Department and will assist in any way we can aid,” Flint police said in a statement. “We will continue to hold our officers to the highest standards, and nothing less will be accepted in this agency.”</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><b>Criminal sexual conduct investigation led to charges against Flint-area officers</b></span></div><div>ABC News - Flint, MI</div><div>Feb 17, 2022 </div><div><a href="https://www.abc12.com/news/crime/criminal-sexual-conduct-investigation-led-to-charges-against-flint-area-officers/article_4e11f444-900c-11ec-bbe5-af36a66b22e0.html" target="_blank">https://www.abc12.com/news/crime/criminal-sexual-conduct-investigation-led-to-charges-against-flint-area-officers/article_4e11f444-900c-11ec-bbe5-af36a66b22e0.html</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0hUTlySS6xlsy4Pt26B1Uh5Ge2LFv7xYh1uJU5Gt1LX5o1PiI84pZ0GkNN2FAmvQcKXKNfWbc983pcu5UbbPzxGyyleK5NjAD6xVJBfsTYQR8v1VMafvVDAc0dwwX_nMPewBpGRlVP_H-0p4A_MF3L1aZwEL_qqQcDk12EYA2rWu0wECjWf4O-L13vw/s936/Zayler--15.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="936" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0hUTlySS6xlsy4Pt26B1Uh5Ge2LFv7xYh1uJU5Gt1LX5o1PiI84pZ0GkNN2FAmvQcKXKNfWbc983pcu5UbbPzxGyyleK5NjAD6xVJBfsTYQR8v1VMafvVDAc0dwwX_nMPewBpGRlVP_H-0p4A_MF3L1aZwEL_qqQcDk12EYA2rWu0wECjWf4O-L13vw/w640-h292/Zayler--15.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>LINDEN, Mich. (WJRT) - </b>A Flint police officer and a former Genesee County Jail corrections officer both are charged with criminal sexual conduct.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton has charged 25-year-old Caleb Tierney with one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct. Tierney is a Flint police officer.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Leyton also charged 24-year-old Cameron Zayler with two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct. Zayler is a former Genesee County Sheriff's Office corrections officer.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It was not clear Thursday when or why he left his job at the Genesee County Jail.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Both men face up to life in prison if they are convicted.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The charges stem from an incident that allegedly happened back in December involving a 19-year-old woman and a 21-year-old woman at Tierney's residence on Aldrich Street in Linden.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Leyton said one of the two victims knew Tierney from a gym in Lapeer. Tierney allegedly sexually penetrated one of the women when he knew she was physically helpless.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Zayler's charges indicate he alleged engaged in sexual penetration twice.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"This is a situation where two young ladies went over to a house willingly and may have engaged in some kind of intake of alcohol and perhaps there was a lot of intake of alcohol," Leyton said. "But the law is very, very clear that even if someone has a lot to drink, you still cannot take advantage of them. You still cannot do what these individuals are alleged to have done." </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The women came forward after the incident, leading to an investigation by the Linden Police Department. Investigators could not comment on whether the women were drugged before the alleged rapes.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A Genesee County District Court judge has set Zayler's and Tierney's bonds at $50,000 each. Both are scheduled to appear in court again on March 3.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">The Flint Police Department says Tierney was moved to desk duty when the allegations surfaced in December. He was suspended without pay and removed from active duty this week after criminal charges were filed.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Flint police are conducting a separate internal investigation into the allegations against Tierney. The outcome of that investigation and criminal proceedings against him will determine whether he returns to work with the Flint Police Department.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><b>Charges announced against Flint Police officer and former corrections officer</b></span></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;">The charge is punishable by up to life in prison</span></div><div>WILX News</div><div>February 17, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.wilx.com/2022/02/17/watch-live-charges-announced-against-flint-police-officer-former-corrections-officer/" target="_blank">https://www.wilx.com/2022/02/17/watch-live-charges-announced-against-flint-police-officer-former-corrections-officer/</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiym5Z7OWvcL2wp6VVBUjhb9_TxmYH6941nWozuIjIrYU8FW5sRe10_yjqLG0u6GRIafX2_WY5bjKo6surhUr7paQxyjmL5UsY0aQ7YgASXXyY0W6G0P0kMaSrRC0Zp3_yHvgTFMCE5hMj5wYsP7GdNaCd9O5DMcj1wFkXIv5Rzd9ekXE0WssZC712OpA/s927/Zayler--18.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="494" data-original-width="927" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiym5Z7OWvcL2wp6VVBUjhb9_TxmYH6941nWozuIjIrYU8FW5sRe10_yjqLG0u6GRIafX2_WY5bjKo6surhUr7paQxyjmL5UsY0aQ7YgASXXyY0W6G0P0kMaSrRC0Zp3_yHvgTFMCE5hMj5wYsP7GdNaCd9O5DMcj1wFkXIv5Rzd9ekXE0WssZC712OpA/w640-h342/Zayler--18.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>LINDEN, Mich. (WILX) - </b>The Flint Police Department announced this week they were made aware of an arrest warrant issued for one of their sworn officers. They say that they were made aware of the charges on Dec. 3, and that the officer was immediately relieved of duty and placed on administrative leave without pay.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton and Linden Police Chief Scott Sutter announced on Thursday the charges issued against both the Flint police officer as well as a former Genesee County corrections officer.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Flint police officer has been identified as Caleb Andrew Tierney, a 25-year-old resident of Linden. He has been charged with one count of criminal sexual conduct in the first degree, punishable by up to life in prison.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The second person charged was Cameron Scott Zaylor, a 24-year-old from Davison. Zaylor is a former corrections officer for the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department. He is charged with two counts of criminal sexual conduct in the first degree, also punishable by up to life in prison.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“The incident occurred in the City of Linden,” Leyton said. “The two victims went over to a house in Linden. One of the victims knew Mr. Tierney from a gym in Lapeer.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Leyton says that Tierney asked the woman he knew from the gym to bring a friend with her.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“This is a situation where two young ladies went over to a house willingly, and may have engaged in some kind of intake of alcohol,” Leyton said. “But the law is very clear that, even if somebody has a lot to drink, you still cannot take advantage of them. You still cannot do what these individuals are alleged to have done.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The department said it is supporting the ongoing investigation being conducted by the Linden Police Department. An internal investigation is being conducted by the City of Flint Police Department Internal Affairs Division.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><b>Flint police officer, former Genesee County Jail officer arrested on undisclosed charges</b></span></div><div>ABC News - Flint MI</div><div>Feb 16, 2022</div><div>Updated: Feb 17, 2022</div><div><a href="https://www.abc12.com/news/crime/flint-police-officer-former-genesee-county-jail-officer-arrested-on-undisclosed-charges/article_4f14e3b6-8f6b-11ec-8348-ef1977fb48d3.html" target="_blank">https://www.abc12.com/news/crime/flint-police-officer-former-genesee-county-jail-officer-arrested-on-undisclosed-charges/article_4f14e3b6-8f6b-11ec-8348-ef1977fb48d3.html</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ_shZYvdIb0k4CLbT-09jKijN5euL9OPpV_MmtENhPkM8rZQGuhS8X17iqEsHOq4Pqtyb7C5hlh4NtzsCjznAuoMgM9t9DTUbwiAkt8Ow_Vu9ePObhZehtSINrXYMtBnnX8l2mNN_G8GxhHMveY8bJJ4bFTsG9gX2lnQlKj1jdKSnYzpu34lrPOCAhQ/s962/Zayler--16.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="962" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ_shZYvdIb0k4CLbT-09jKijN5euL9OPpV_MmtENhPkM8rZQGuhS8X17iqEsHOq4Pqtyb7C5hlh4NtzsCjznAuoMgM9t9DTUbwiAkt8Ow_Vu9ePObhZehtSINrXYMtBnnX8l2mNN_G8GxhHMveY8bJJ4bFTsG9gX2lnQlKj1jdKSnYzpu34lrPOCAhQ/w640-h360/Zayler--16.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmZ9EvMtiyXZwdLFYmKFn0DqdjIsFr0mVZp31e85XiDxjDi0bCtdTtRGTOlWWOq--o4HljUhIGYgCeCPqmmCI4D7iut3B4GhJz9uRiTgewZx6VQTm5Mv9CRQjC_ULpJyd_5Fr0EzFl4gkJAL3_f31FV9KsEChXtZ2m5p_uPkENvRbq8oZc7Ly5kfnf8g/s1119/Zayler--17.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="698" data-original-width="1119" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmZ9EvMtiyXZwdLFYmKFn0DqdjIsFr0mVZp31e85XiDxjDi0bCtdTtRGTOlWWOq--o4HljUhIGYgCeCPqmmCI4D7iut3B4GhJz9uRiTgewZx6VQTm5Mv9CRQjC_ULpJyd_5Fr0EzFl4gkJAL3_f31FV9KsEChXtZ2m5p_uPkENvRbq8oZc7Ly5kfnf8g/w640-h400/Zayler--17.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>FLINT, Mich. (WJRT) - </b>A Flint police officer and a former Genesee County Jail corrections officer are off the job Wednesday after being arrested on undisclosed charges.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Flint Police Department said an arrest warrant has been issued for an officer, who was not identified Wednesday. Charges also are pending against the unidentified former corrections officer.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Genesee County Prosecutor's Office issued the warrants after an investigation by the Linden Police Department. Police from neither agency provided any details on what the investigation entailed or what the officer is accused of.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The prosecutor's office planned a press conference for Thursday afternoon to provide more details on the charges.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Flint Police Department says the officer at the center of the investigation has been placed on unpaid administrative leave and removed from active duty while the investigation continues.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A separate internal investigation is under way at the Flint Police Department into the officer's alleged conduct.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"We will continue to hold our officers to the highest standards, and nothing less will be accepted in this agency," the Flint police statement says.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><b>Flint PD officer & former Gen. Co. corrections officer charged for alleged sexual assault</b></span></div><div>UP North Live</div><div>February 16, 2022</div><div><a href="https://upnorthlive.com/news/local/flint-pd-officer-being-investigated-put-on-leave-without-pay" target="_blank">https://upnorthlive.com/news/local/flint-pd-officer-being-investigated-put-on-leave-without-pay</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxM8iH2_7guMT1HMbaOAVcl1GzAQDuqOF-YkUzFC_IMuHoQtCQoUyv4CvbJRPfRR1e5C1FaOiMhzD4qYkKbng' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxh2DtvRN61z_fBbTvlTbccEG0AY7T1EaWb0G1JW7Kb3nXR0_oKc6TgzVChSAe4VAiXrCcFqK94zZahc4w1CQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRrwt790GjugCpXXe80_ituXngeTEb9fdG-SqQMQc9ygW78gH5-eabDkyQj2RN5YGo_spzCgXbw2QR90V-whgSn5AofOt8l9NFiXPstmdCXmuPsL2fpbTiJGfEa1wZYU_jUjgLA9wA0Tv8oThtCNhoPcukgI-lV0eqtGCcUwXUwTtfeItSYdLOb5VTCA/s318/Zayler--19g.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="216" data-original-width="318" height="435" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRrwt790GjugCpXXe80_ituXngeTEb9fdG-SqQMQc9ygW78gH5-eabDkyQj2RN5YGo_spzCgXbw2QR90V-whgSn5AofOt8l9NFiXPstmdCXmuPsL2fpbTiJGfEa1wZYU_jUjgLA9wA0Tv8oThtCNhoPcukgI-lV0eqtGCcUwXUwTtfeItSYdLOb5VTCA/w640-h435/Zayler--19g.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>FLINT, Mich. -</b> The Flint Police Department was made aware the that Genesee County Prosecutor’s Office has issued an arrest warrant for one of its officers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The officer was immediately relieved of duty and placed on administrative leave without pay.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A joint statement from Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley and Chief of Police Terence Green reads:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">We fully support the ongoing investigation being conducted by Linden Police Department and will assist in any way we can aid. We will continue to hold our officers to the highest standards, and nothing less will be accepted in this agency.</span></i></div></div></div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The investigation is ongoing.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">An internal investigation is also being conducted into the matter.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Genesee County Prosecutor's Office also says a former corrections officer is facing charges in relation to this case.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Prosecutor's Office held a press conference with the Linden Police to detail the charges on Thursday.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Prosecutor David Leyton detailed the following charges:</span></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Flint Police officer Caleb Andrew Tierney is facing once count of Criminal Sexual Conduct in the 1st degree.</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Former Genesee County corrections officer Cameron Scott Zayler is facing two counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct in the 1st degree.</span></li></ul></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The charges are punishable by up to life in prison if convicted.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The incident occurred at a house in Linden, according to police.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Prosecutor's office says there were two female victims, one 19-year-old and one 21-years-old.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The two men charged turned themselves in on Thursday morning and were arraigned on charges.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton stresses that these crimes are alleged, and that both are innocent until proven guilty.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Each defendant was given a $50,000 cash.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Sheriff Swanson statement on the employment status of Zayler:</span></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">"He did work for us and was fired last December. If I recall, he only had 6 weeks or so on the job when he was released. I don’t know any details about the case since I didn’t investigate nor did it involve us.</span> "</i></div></div></div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Renee' Harringtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01414390590891254320noreply@blogger.com0