NEW YORK (AP) -- A former nightclub bouncer convicted of brutally murdering a graduate student from Boston was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison without parole. Darryl Littlejohn was convicted of first-degree murder last month for the 2006 killing of criminal justice student Imette St. Guillen in a case that spurred a crackdown on nightlife security.
Littlejohn, wearing the dark glasses he wore during the trial, sat stoically as the sentence was read and didn't speak. The 44-year-old already is serving 25 years to life for kidnapping another woman. The sentences will run consecutively.
Defense attorney Joyce David said Littlejohn maintains his innocence and she will appeal the conviction.Brooklyn state Supreme Court Judge Abraham Gerges offered condolences to St. Guillen's relatives, saying he grieved for them as a father.
"The loss of such a precious young life is horrendous,'' he said, his voice shaking. "If there was truly, truly justice, I would have the power to bring her back to you.''
St. Guillen's mother, Maureen St. Guillen, and sister, Alejandra St. Guillen, sat side by side during the proceedings and made tearful statements before the judge imposed the sentence.
"No one replaces my little Imette, my baby girl, who was with me through the hardest of times, except for this one,'' Alejandra St. Guillen said, speaking of how it felt to be an older sister, having Imette looking up to her.
Maureen St. Guillen read aloud a letter Imette St. Guillen wrote that catalogued her 24th birthday, her last, on March 2, 2005. The almost mundane details of her day, which included shopping, lunch out and an episode of "The Oprah Winfrey Show,'' brought the slain woman to life in the courtroom.
The mother also mentioned her last memory of her daughter: She was leaving after a visit with her parents, turned back to catch her mother's eye, waved and mouthed, "I love you, Mom.''
"I'm leaving it up to you and to your good judgment'' Maureen St. Guillen told the judge.
Imette St. Guillen, capping a night out, went to a Manhattan bar called The Falls early on Feb. 24, 2006. The bar is owned by the family that ran Dorrian's Red Hand, the tavern where ``preppie killer'' Robert Chambers met Jennifer Levin before strangling her during rough sex in the 1980s -- a connection Littlejohn's lawyers emphasized in his trial.
St. Guillen stayed at The Falls past closing. Witnesses said she was asked to leave and Littlejohn escorted her out.
At sentencing, the judge criticized the bar workers. "If one of them had the common decency to call a taxi, we might not be here today,'' he said.
Bar manager Danny Dorrian has denied having anything to do with St. Guillen's killing but has acknowledged that because of his family's history with the Chambers case he initially wasn't forthcoming with investigators about kicking out St. Guillen.
Later on Feb. 24, St. Guillen's body was found wrapped in a quilt along a desolate road in Brooklyn. She was bound and gagged, and she had been beaten and sexually assaulted before being asphyxiated.
Prosecutor Kenneth Taub said he felt the sentence was appropriate, and he agreed with the judge's harsh words for the bar workers.
"I thought of the last moments of Imette's life, the torment and suffering she endured, knowing, as she was bound and gagged and taped and sexually assaulted, that she was going to die,'' he said during the hearing.
At the trial, Littlejohn was portrayed as a sexual predator with a propensity for pretending he was a law enforcement officer. Prosecutors said the nature of St. Guillen's abuse was eerily similar to attacks on two other women who say Littlejohn attacked them. Littlejohn was charged and convicted in one of those attacks, but both women testified during his trial in St. Guillen's death.
David, the defense attorney, pinned the slaying on the bar's manager and argued Littlejohn was framed in a cover-up. She said after the hearing that Littlejohn didn't speak because it wouldn't be genuine to apologize as he maintains his innocence.
As for his courtroom demeanor, she said: "He spent quite a bit of his life in jail, and he's become somewhat stoic. It's not that he's stone cold. He's actually very warm and caring.''
St. Guillen had been studying criminal justice at John Jay College in Manhattan. Her death was part of a string of incidents that prompted scrutiny of nightlife safety and new measures to require security cameras at club doors and to make it easier to close businesses that sell fake identification.
Club owners agreed to back voluntary guidelines for improving security, including using scanning machines to record IDs and screening patrons for weapons.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Brown County, OH teacher pleads to sexual assault
(Original Post 6-4-09)
Heidi Mullinnix, a married Brown County, OH teacher, is expected to resign her position today after pleading guilty to a single count of sexual battery for a relationship she had with a 17 year old student in the late winter of 2004. Mullinnx was a special ed teacher who also coached basketball, most recently the junior varsity girls level.
The now 29 year old woman admitted she had a sexual relationship with the boy back in 2004. The victim was not her student or player, and the encounters took place off campus. A Brown County Grand Jury would have heard evidence in this case, but the perp plead guilty using a "bill of particulars," admitting the facts in the potential indictment were true.
Sentencing is set for July 1, but teachers who sleep with their students are automatically registered as sexual predators in Ohio, a status which requires lifetime registration with quarterly reporting to the police.
(Update 7-8-09) A week ago today, Mullinnix was sentenced to a year in prison, despite the recommendation of community control (house arrest) sans prison time made by Brown County prosecutors. Brown County Court of Common Pleas Judge Scott. T. Gusweiler also classified Mullinnix as a tier 3 sex offender, meaning that she must register every 90 days for life as a sexual predator.
There was also confusion, according to Mullinnix's attorney Katherine M. Kelly about the plea. Kelly said that her client thought sexual battery was a Tier 2 crime, requiring registration for only 25 years, and that when she found out otherwise, was willing to plead guilty to gross sexual imposition, a crime which actually is only Tier 2.
After Judge Gusweiler denied the motion to modify the plea, Mullinnix was led off to the Ohio Reformatory for Women in Marysville, OH.
Heidi Mullinnix, a married Brown County, OH teacher, is expected to resign her position today after pleading guilty to a single count of sexual battery for a relationship she had with a 17 year old student in the late winter of 2004. Mullinnx was a special ed teacher who also coached basketball, most recently the junior varsity girls level.
The now 29 year old woman admitted she had a sexual relationship with the boy back in 2004. The victim was not her student or player, and the encounters took place off campus. A Brown County Grand Jury would have heard evidence in this case, but the perp plead guilty using a "bill of particulars," admitting the facts in the potential indictment were true.
Sentencing is set for July 1, but teachers who sleep with their students are automatically registered as sexual predators in Ohio, a status which requires lifetime registration with quarterly reporting to the police.
(Update 7-8-09) A week ago today, Mullinnix was sentenced to a year in prison, despite the recommendation of community control (house arrest) sans prison time made by Brown County prosecutors. Brown County Court of Common Pleas Judge Scott. T. Gusweiler also classified Mullinnix as a tier 3 sex offender, meaning that she must register every 90 days for life as a sexual predator.
There was also confusion, according to Mullinnix's attorney Katherine M. Kelly about the plea. Kelly said that her client thought sexual battery was a Tier 2 crime, requiring registration for only 25 years, and that when she found out otherwise, was willing to plead guilty to gross sexual imposition, a crime which actually is only Tier 2.
After Judge Gusweiler denied the motion to modify the plea, Mullinnix was led off to the Ohio Reformatory for Women in Marysville, OH.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Husband sentenced to 9 months in British jail for pimping wife, others
Daily Mail [UK]
By Dan Newling and Arthur Martin
Last updated at 4:15 PM on 07th July 2009
A school games master was jailed for nine months today after pleading guilty to running a brothel. Tim Blake-Bowell, 47, a teacher at King Ethelbert School in Birchington, near Margate, Kent, had admitted a charge of controlling prostitutes for financial gain at a previous hearing at Canterbury Crown Court.
His ex-wife Emma, 37, also pleaded guilty to the charge, but was given a nine month suspended sentence today as the judge said she had been susceptible to pressure from her husband due to her vulnerable mental health.
By day, Blake-Bowell was a dedicated teacher at the rural comprehensive, where he was fanatical about hockey and cricket. By night, he sold his body and managed a team of six other prostitutes - including his wife - from a rented flat in Canterbury.
The court heard that Blake-Bowell was responsible for the financial side of the brothel, variously named Gem's, Pandora's and Men for all Seasons, paying the six women they employed and taking care of bills and rent.
His wife, who had herself worked as an escort in the city since 2004, was in charge of the day-to-day running of the business. She acted as a receptionist, worked out the girls' rotas, introduced them to clients and also prostituted herself.
The couple, who have two young children, split up after their arrest in December 2007.
Sentencing the pair today, Judge Adele Williams said: 'You Timothy Blake-Bowell rented a flat at 21 Henry Court, Gordon Road, in Canterbury.
'From the address, six prostitutes including your wife and co-defendant offered sexual activity for money. You and your wife controlled these prostitutes. You placed advertisements in papers and rotas were organised. You and your wife took approximately 40 per cent of their earnings.
This was organised prostitution which is a criminal offence. I accept that there is no evidence of coercion or corruption and there were no illegal immigrants or underage girls, but you did this for money.'
'Your overheads were approximately £2,000 a month and in my judgment you would not have continued with this enterprise unless you were making a profit.'
Alistair Walker, prosecuting, earlier described how Blake-Bowell offered clients 'personal services by male and females for men, women and couples of all persuasions'.
Mr Walker told the court: 'Blake-Bowell organised and paid for advertisements in the press, took bookings, organised rotas and took a share of earnings. In his hands-on position as owner of the business he was in a position to direct operations at close quarters. He helped come up with the advertising strap lines and was responsible for the financial side of the business. He was aware of which girls were working and when.
He drove them home after their shifts and he told them what they should say when talking to clients over the phone.'
Blake-Bowell, 47, paid £560 a month to rent the Canterbury flat and spent another £1,400 a month on advertising. The brothel was staffed from 11am until midnight with the women charging £40 for a massage, £60 for 30 minutes of sex and £100 for a full hour.
The court was told in mitigation that the women were allowed to keep 60 per cent of their takings rather than the 50 per cent rate normal in brothels in the area. Although the Blake-Bowells used only willing British women, their operation was uncovered during a Kent Police probe into illegal sex-trafficking from Eastern Europe.
The court heard that during a raid on the flat in November 2007 officers spoke to a woman calling herself 'Lorna Larouche'. While the flat contained nothing that indicated that anyone lived there permanently, it was filled with underwear, sex toys and massage oils. During a subsequent undercover operation a vice squad officer named in court as Steve posed as a client and was offered sex by a woman at the property. Steve declined and instead had a massage, the court heard.
In court, Emma, 37, who has two more children by a previous husband, was described as a working prostitute who called herself 'Brandy'. She was also the brothel's 'meeter and greeter'.
In police interviews she admitted that she had been involved in running the operation, explaining that she had decided to take a more managerial role as she was 'fed up with being abused'.
While selling your body for money is not illegal in England, profiting from prostitution is.
Shortly after his arrest in December 2007, Blake-Bowell lost his job at 700-pupil King Ethelbert although he was allowed to stay on until the end of term. He has taken up taxi driving.
At the time, school sources said they were astonished at his involvement, with one mother describing the sports master as a 'model teacher'. Blake-Bowell shed tears as a statement from his former headmaster was read out describing him as a 'valued and trusted colleague' who had shown 'unstinting commitment to those pupils in his pastoral care'.
His lawyer offered no insight into why he turned to vice other than to say: 'He is horrified by his situation and what he has done.'
The court also heard that his estranged wife, who since the age of 16 has never worked as anything other than a prostitute, suffered an abusive childhood and a violent relationship with her former partner. She met her current husband while living in a women's refuge in Canterbury and had two more children with him.
Their marriage was not a success either, but she 'simply didn't have the strength to leave him', her lawyer, Deborah Charles, said.
Addressing Emma Blake-Bowell, Judge Williams said: 'I have come to the conclusion that you remained in what was for you a destructive relationship with your co-defendant, and you were unable to resist at the suggestion of your husband, to engage in destructive sexual behaviour.'
She added that pre-sentencing assessments on the defendant had found that she suffered from clinical depression and chronic post-traumatic stress disorder due to her difficult background.
Giving her a nine-month sentence suspended for two years, the judge added that she must also carry out a two-year supervision order in which she must seek treatment, as well as a three-month curfew order. She said: 'If you don't get help now then the cycle will begin again and you will no doubt breach your order and you will come back in front of me.'
Blake-Bowell did not show any emotion as he was led away from the dock. He was suspended from his post at King Ethelbert School, a mixed comprehensive, following his arrest and is now no longer employed there.
By Dan Newling and Arthur Martin
Last updated at 4:15 PM on 07th July 2009
A school games master was jailed for nine months today after pleading guilty to running a brothel. Tim Blake-Bowell, 47, a teacher at King Ethelbert School in Birchington, near Margate, Kent, had admitted a charge of controlling prostitutes for financial gain at a previous hearing at Canterbury Crown Court.
His ex-wife Emma, 37, also pleaded guilty to the charge, but was given a nine month suspended sentence today as the judge said she had been susceptible to pressure from her husband due to her vulnerable mental health.
By day, Blake-Bowell was a dedicated teacher at the rural comprehensive, where he was fanatical about hockey and cricket. By night, he sold his body and managed a team of six other prostitutes - including his wife - from a rented flat in Canterbury.
The court heard that Blake-Bowell was responsible for the financial side of the brothel, variously named Gem's, Pandora's and Men for all Seasons, paying the six women they employed and taking care of bills and rent.
His wife, who had herself worked as an escort in the city since 2004, was in charge of the day-to-day running of the business. She acted as a receptionist, worked out the girls' rotas, introduced them to clients and also prostituted herself.
The couple, who have two young children, split up after their arrest in December 2007.
Sentencing the pair today, Judge Adele Williams said: 'You Timothy Blake-Bowell rented a flat at 21 Henry Court, Gordon Road, in Canterbury.
'From the address, six prostitutes including your wife and co-defendant offered sexual activity for money. You and your wife controlled these prostitutes. You placed advertisements in papers and rotas were organised. You and your wife took approximately 40 per cent of their earnings.
This was organised prostitution which is a criminal offence. I accept that there is no evidence of coercion or corruption and there were no illegal immigrants or underage girls, but you did this for money.'
'Your overheads were approximately £2,000 a month and in my judgment you would not have continued with this enterprise unless you were making a profit.'
Alistair Walker, prosecuting, earlier described how Blake-Bowell offered clients 'personal services by male and females for men, women and couples of all persuasions'.
Mr Walker told the court: 'Blake-Bowell organised and paid for advertisements in the press, took bookings, organised rotas and took a share of earnings. In his hands-on position as owner of the business he was in a position to direct operations at close quarters. He helped come up with the advertising strap lines and was responsible for the financial side of the business. He was aware of which girls were working and when.
He drove them home after their shifts and he told them what they should say when talking to clients over the phone.'
Blake-Bowell, 47, paid £560 a month to rent the Canterbury flat and spent another £1,400 a month on advertising. The brothel was staffed from 11am until midnight with the women charging £40 for a massage, £60 for 30 minutes of sex and £100 for a full hour.
The court was told in mitigation that the women were allowed to keep 60 per cent of their takings rather than the 50 per cent rate normal in brothels in the area. Although the Blake-Bowells used only willing British women, their operation was uncovered during a Kent Police probe into illegal sex-trafficking from Eastern Europe.
The court heard that during a raid on the flat in November 2007 officers spoke to a woman calling herself 'Lorna Larouche'. While the flat contained nothing that indicated that anyone lived there permanently, it was filled with underwear, sex toys and massage oils. During a subsequent undercover operation a vice squad officer named in court as Steve posed as a client and was offered sex by a woman at the property. Steve declined and instead had a massage, the court heard.
In court, Emma, 37, who has two more children by a previous husband, was described as a working prostitute who called herself 'Brandy'. She was also the brothel's 'meeter and greeter'.
In police interviews she admitted that she had been involved in running the operation, explaining that she had decided to take a more managerial role as she was 'fed up with being abused'.
While selling your body for money is not illegal in England, profiting from prostitution is.
Shortly after his arrest in December 2007, Blake-Bowell lost his job at 700-pupil King Ethelbert although he was allowed to stay on until the end of term. He has taken up taxi driving.
At the time, school sources said they were astonished at his involvement, with one mother describing the sports master as a 'model teacher'. Blake-Bowell shed tears as a statement from his former headmaster was read out describing him as a 'valued and trusted colleague' who had shown 'unstinting commitment to those pupils in his pastoral care'.
His lawyer offered no insight into why he turned to vice other than to say: 'He is horrified by his situation and what he has done.'
The court also heard that his estranged wife, who since the age of 16 has never worked as anything other than a prostitute, suffered an abusive childhood and a violent relationship with her former partner. She met her current husband while living in a women's refuge in Canterbury and had two more children with him.
Their marriage was not a success either, but she 'simply didn't have the strength to leave him', her lawyer, Deborah Charles, said.
Addressing Emma Blake-Bowell, Judge Williams said: 'I have come to the conclusion that you remained in what was for you a destructive relationship with your co-defendant, and you were unable to resist at the suggestion of your husband, to engage in destructive sexual behaviour.'
She added that pre-sentencing assessments on the defendant had found that she suffered from clinical depression and chronic post-traumatic stress disorder due to her difficult background.
Giving her a nine-month sentence suspended for two years, the judge added that she must also carry out a two-year supervision order in which she must seek treatment, as well as a three-month curfew order. She said: 'If you don't get help now then the cycle will begin again and you will no doubt breach your order and you will come back in front of me.'
Blake-Bowell did not show any emotion as he was led away from the dock. He was suspended from his post at King Ethelbert School, a mixed comprehensive, following his arrest and is now no longer employed there.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Massachusetts House Bill 1246 seeks to criminalize teacher/student sex - and much, much more
There is a bill in Massachusetts which seeks to criminalize teacher student sex when the teacher seduces a high school student over 16. Supporters of the bill, Massachusetts House Bill 1246, cite a female teacher who only lost her job when having sexual relationships with a minor between 16 and 18. Snce the current AOC is 16, students over 16 are considered fair sexual game.
While ostensibly focused on protecting high school students from predatory teachers, House Bill 1246 does much more than that. It criminalizes sex between social workers, mental health practitioners and clients, and college/university professors and students. Most of these are considered legal adults. The full text of this bill is below:
Section 21A. Any person who is employed by a public or private school or institution of higher learning, the department of youth services, the department of social services, the department of mental health, the department of mental retardation or any private institution providing services to clients of such departments and who in the course of such employment or contract with a pupil or client of such departments or institutions within or outside of any facility thereof or a pupil or client under the direct custodial supervision and control of such person or another person, a pupil or client shall be deemed incapable of consent to sexual relations with such person.
For purposes of this section, sexual relations shall include intentional, inappropriate contact of a sexual nature, including, but not limited to conduct prohibited by section 22 or 24 of chapter 265 or section 2, 3, 35 or 53A of chapter 272.
Brian's Opinion
I believe that while prohibiting sex between social workers and clients or professors and students is admirable, in most cases, these relationships are between two consenting adults. While it can be argued that consent between adults can be coerced, the existing sexual harassment statutes and institutional policies, if enforced, can handle claims among adults.
While ostensibly focused on protecting high school students from predatory teachers, House Bill 1246 does much more than that. It criminalizes sex between social workers, mental health practitioners and clients, and college/university professors and students. Most of these are considered legal adults. The full text of this bill is below:
Section 21A. Any person who is employed by a public or private school or institution of higher learning, the department of youth services, the department of social services, the department of mental health, the department of mental retardation or any private institution providing services to clients of such departments and who in the course of such employment or contract with a pupil or client of such departments or institutions within or outside of any facility thereof or a pupil or client under the direct custodial supervision and control of such person or another person, a pupil or client shall be deemed incapable of consent to sexual relations with such person.
For purposes of this section, sexual relations shall include intentional, inappropriate contact of a sexual nature, including, but not limited to conduct prohibited by section 22 or 24 of chapter 265 or section 2, 3, 35 or 53A of chapter 272.
Brian's Opinion
I believe that while prohibiting sex between social workers and clients or professors and students is admirable, in most cases, these relationships are between two consenting adults. While it can be argued that consent between adults can be coerced, the existing sexual harassment statutes and institutional policies, if enforced, can handle claims among adults.
Widow of NYFD fire marshal charged in his murder, then convicted, sentenced to 25 to life
(Original Post 3-22-08)
Janet Redmond-Mercereau, a Staten Island woman, was charged with 2nd degree murder, criminal possession of a weapon and tampering with physical evidence for allegedly shooting her husband to death while sleeping. The husband, Douglas Mercereau, was a NYFD fire marshal with a dozen years on the job. He was married a dozen years to Redmond-Mercereau with three daughters. The indictment came down Thursday night from the Richmond County (coterminous with Staten Island) grand jury, and Redmond-Mercereau was arrested immediately.
"She denies the allegations completely," her lawyer, Mario F. Gallucci, said Friday. "She is confident that if she is given a fair trial by Staten Islanders, that she will be acquitted of this charge."
Redmond-Mercereau, who was arraigned on the charges in an indictment unsealed Friday in state Supreme Court, faces a maximum penalty of 25 years to life if convicted on the murder charge. She entered a plea of not guilty.
Her husband, Douglas Mercereau, 38, was found in bed in their Staten Island home the morning of Dec. 2, 2007, shot three times in the head with Mercereau's service pistol. Redmond-Mercereau told investigators that she didn't hear the gunfire because she was wearing earplugs and was sleeping in another room with one of her children, who was sick.
According to the indictment, the defendant tampered with evidence found at the scene. Prosecutors alleged that she wiped traces of evidence off the Smith and Wesson pistol, removed shell casings and washed her clothing in an attempt to conceal the alleged crime.
There is no motive for the crime that prosecutors can put a finger on, and her husband's family issued a statement.
"We have patiently waited while the NYPD accumulated their evidence and completed their tests. In our hearts, we hope that a fair and just verdict is delivered swiftly, though we know that this too requires patience."
Mercereau, a 12 year veteran of the NYFD and married to his wife for 12 years, comes from a line of Huguenots (French Protestants) who settled Staten Island in the 1600s to flee persecution from Catholic France. They had separated, but reconciled their marriage before the shooting.
(Update 7-4-09) Redmond Mercereau was sentenced to 25 years to life for killing her husband in a Staten Island courtroom Thursday. On May 21, the wife of fire marshal Doug Mercereau was convicted after 3 1/2 days of deliberation, mostly spent 9-3 in favor of conviction.
The killer was first implicated when spent shell casings from the murder were found in the basement of their home. Because Mercereau was a weapons instructor, prosecutors sucessfully argued that the bullet fired through an archery target was a test shot. The DA, Daniel M. Donovan also sucessfully argued that the reason no blood was found on the weapon and the clothes worn during the murder was because Mrs. Redmond Mercereau washed her clothes and the murder weapon.
The killer's behavior after the murder aroused suspicion. The motive was because Mrs. Redmond-Mercereau was upset by her husband's criticism of her weight and housekeeping, according to prosecutors.
Ms. Redmond-Mercereau's behavior in the weeks following her husband's death -- but prior to her arrest -- earned her the nickname the "Merry Widow": She chopped down a favorite oak tree of her husband's a month after he was killed, and while under a cloud of suspicion in his death the five-foot-three, 240-pound woman posed for photographers and said she felt "like a model."
Fire Department Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta said, "this was a terrible tragedy, especially for the Mercereaus' children, and our thoughts and prayers are with them."
Justice Robert J. Collini also invoked the children when passing sentence.
"You stole away the father of your two little girls...In the final analysis, you stole away their own mother, too."
The victim's sister, Betsy Gallo, said outside the courthouse, "Yes, it's absolutely closure...Doug appreciated justice. This is a just day."
Mrs. Redmond-Mercereau said nothing during her sentencing, but her attorneys plan to appeal.
Janet Redmond-Mercereau, a Staten Island woman, was charged with 2nd degree murder, criminal possession of a weapon and tampering with physical evidence for allegedly shooting her husband to death while sleeping. The husband, Douglas Mercereau, was a NYFD fire marshal with a dozen years on the job. He was married a dozen years to Redmond-Mercereau with three daughters. The indictment came down Thursday night from the Richmond County (coterminous with Staten Island) grand jury, and Redmond-Mercereau was arrested immediately.
"She denies the allegations completely," her lawyer, Mario F. Gallucci, said Friday. "She is confident that if she is given a fair trial by Staten Islanders, that she will be acquitted of this charge."
Redmond-Mercereau, who was arraigned on the charges in an indictment unsealed Friday in state Supreme Court, faces a maximum penalty of 25 years to life if convicted on the murder charge. She entered a plea of not guilty.
Her husband, Douglas Mercereau, 38, was found in bed in their Staten Island home the morning of Dec. 2, 2007, shot three times in the head with Mercereau's service pistol. Redmond-Mercereau told investigators that she didn't hear the gunfire because she was wearing earplugs and was sleeping in another room with one of her children, who was sick.
According to the indictment, the defendant tampered with evidence found at the scene. Prosecutors alleged that she wiped traces of evidence off the Smith and Wesson pistol, removed shell casings and washed her clothing in an attempt to conceal the alleged crime.
There is no motive for the crime that prosecutors can put a finger on, and her husband's family issued a statement.
"We have patiently waited while the NYPD accumulated their evidence and completed their tests. In our hearts, we hope that a fair and just verdict is delivered swiftly, though we know that this too requires patience."
Mercereau, a 12 year veteran of the NYFD and married to his wife for 12 years, comes from a line of Huguenots (French Protestants) who settled Staten Island in the 1600s to flee persecution from Catholic France. They had separated, but reconciled their marriage before the shooting.
(Update 7-4-09) Redmond Mercereau was sentenced to 25 years to life for killing her husband in a Staten Island courtroom Thursday. On May 21, the wife of fire marshal Doug Mercereau was convicted after 3 1/2 days of deliberation, mostly spent 9-3 in favor of conviction.
The killer was first implicated when spent shell casings from the murder were found in the basement of their home. Because Mercereau was a weapons instructor, prosecutors sucessfully argued that the bullet fired through an archery target was a test shot. The DA, Daniel M. Donovan also sucessfully argued that the reason no blood was found on the weapon and the clothes worn during the murder was because Mrs. Redmond Mercereau washed her clothes and the murder weapon.
The killer's behavior after the murder aroused suspicion. The motive was because Mrs. Redmond-Mercereau was upset by her husband's criticism of her weight and housekeeping, according to prosecutors.
Ms. Redmond-Mercereau's behavior in the weeks following her husband's death -- but prior to her arrest -- earned her the nickname the "Merry Widow": She chopped down a favorite oak tree of her husband's a month after he was killed, and while under a cloud of suspicion in his death the five-foot-three, 240-pound woman posed for photographers and said she felt "like a model."
Fire Department Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta said, "this was a terrible tragedy, especially for the Mercereaus' children, and our thoughts and prayers are with them."
Justice Robert J. Collini also invoked the children when passing sentence.
"You stole away the father of your two little girls...In the final analysis, you stole away their own mother, too."
The victim's sister, Betsy Gallo, said outside the courthouse, "Yes, it's absolutely closure...Doug appreciated justice. This is a just day."
Mrs. Redmond-Mercereau said nothing during her sentencing, but her attorneys plan to appeal.
Friday, July 3, 2009
British wife jailed for 4 months for crying rape on husband
By Sam Greenhill [Daily Mail (UK)]
A lying mother who cried rape to get her estranged husband 'removed from her life' was jailed for four months yesterday.
Michaela Lodge's 'wicked' allegation against innocent Martin Lodge resulted in him spending 12 hours in a cell. Only after three months did the 45-year-old mother-of-three confess she had made it all up so she could pursue an affair. Judge Rodger Hayward Smith said her 'calculated' behaviour had done a great disservice to real rape victims'.
Sentencing Lodge, who admitted perverting the course of justice, he said: 'It was a wicked allegation that was pre-planned to hasten his departure from your life.'
Lodge, of Braintree, Essex, was arrested after finally confessing she had lied in a letter of apology to Mr Lodge begging his forgiveness. Last night her 54-year-old husband told the Mail being arrested left him 'totally humiliated' but that his wife, who he supported in court, had 'learned her lesson'.
Prosecutor Andrew Jackson told Chelmsford Crown Court Mr Lodge's ordeal began last November when his wife claimed he had raped her in the house they continued to share, even though they were estranged. Essex Police started a rape investigation and held Mr Lodge in custody for 12 hours and 49 minutes. He was released on bail after insisting he had gone to bed with his wife, but only at her invitation.
Two months later Lodge made a witness statement in which she said she did not want her husband prosecuted - but continued to maintain he had raped her. However in February she passed a letter to her husband, via her son Daniel, admitting the lie. It had 'a kiss underneath' his name on the envelope, the court heard. The letter read: 'I am so sorry about what I have done to you. My head was and is all over the place.
"I cannot deal with this any more, I need to put it right. When we went to bed we both wanted to make love and the fact is I lied to police about you raping me. I will say goodbye and hope one day you will be able to forgive me. I am so sorry."
When arrested for making the false allegation, Lodge admitted she had lied. Mr Lodge was never charged.
Marc Brown, defending, insisted Lodge had not acted out of malice or revenge and claimed she started having regrets almost immediately. He said: 'It was born out of a confused desire to remove him from the picture. She accepts it was an outright lie. She did what she did without thinking of the consequences.'
Lodge, whose three grown-up children are from a previous marriage, boasts on the Friends Reunited website that she loves 'nights in with a nice bottle of wine' and 'going out with my friends dancing'.Elsewhere she describes herself as 'bisexual', and has also posted photographs of herself in a short dress flashing her stocking tops.
She was jailed despite 'a magnanimous appeal for mercy' from her husband, asking the judge to spare her from prison.
Last night Mr Lodge, a warehouseman who married his wife in 1994, said: 'When the police turned up I was totally gobsmacked. I couldn't believe what was going on. It was totally humiliating. "But I really can't hold too much against her. Maybe I'm too soft - that's why I supported her in court. I think it's a very lenient sentence but I think maybe she could not have been sent to jail as I think she has learned her lesson."
A lying mother who cried rape to get her estranged husband 'removed from her life' was jailed for four months yesterday.
Michaela Lodge's 'wicked' allegation against innocent Martin Lodge resulted in him spending 12 hours in a cell. Only after three months did the 45-year-old mother-of-three confess she had made it all up so she could pursue an affair. Judge Rodger Hayward Smith said her 'calculated' behaviour had done a great disservice to real rape victims'.
Sentencing Lodge, who admitted perverting the course of justice, he said: 'It was a wicked allegation that was pre-planned to hasten his departure from your life.'
Lodge, of Braintree, Essex, was arrested after finally confessing she had lied in a letter of apology to Mr Lodge begging his forgiveness. Last night her 54-year-old husband told the Mail being arrested left him 'totally humiliated' but that his wife, who he supported in court, had 'learned her lesson'.
Prosecutor Andrew Jackson told Chelmsford Crown Court Mr Lodge's ordeal began last November when his wife claimed he had raped her in the house they continued to share, even though they were estranged. Essex Police started a rape investigation and held Mr Lodge in custody for 12 hours and 49 minutes. He was released on bail after insisting he had gone to bed with his wife, but only at her invitation.
Two months later Lodge made a witness statement in which she said she did not want her husband prosecuted - but continued to maintain he had raped her. However in February she passed a letter to her husband, via her son Daniel, admitting the lie. It had 'a kiss underneath' his name on the envelope, the court heard. The letter read: 'I am so sorry about what I have done to you. My head was and is all over the place.
"I cannot deal with this any more, I need to put it right. When we went to bed we both wanted to make love and the fact is I lied to police about you raping me. I will say goodbye and hope one day you will be able to forgive me. I am so sorry."
When arrested for making the false allegation, Lodge admitted she had lied. Mr Lodge was never charged.
Marc Brown, defending, insisted Lodge had not acted out of malice or revenge and claimed she started having regrets almost immediately. He said: 'It was born out of a confused desire to remove him from the picture. She accepts it was an outright lie. She did what she did without thinking of the consequences.'
Lodge, whose three grown-up children are from a previous marriage, boasts on the Friends Reunited website that she loves 'nights in with a nice bottle of wine' and 'going out with my friends dancing'.Elsewhere she describes herself as 'bisexual', and has also posted photographs of herself in a short dress flashing her stocking tops.
She was jailed despite 'a magnanimous appeal for mercy' from her husband, asking the judge to spare her from prison.
Last night Mr Lodge, a warehouseman who married his wife in 1994, said: 'When the police turned up I was totally gobsmacked. I couldn't believe what was going on. It was totally humiliating. "But I really can't hold too much against her. Maybe I'm too soft - that's why I supported her in court. I think it's a very lenient sentence but I think maybe she could not have been sent to jail as I think she has learned her lesson."
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Porn producers sentenced to a year and a day for obscenity
Porn producer, wife get 1-year jail terms - Acrimonious obscenity case took 7 years
Thursday, July 02, 2009
By Paula Reed Ward, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Porn producer Rob Zicari's attorney called his client a changed man at his sentencing yesterday for distributing obscenity. "I believe Rob has learned a valuable lesson" since being indicted for selling graphic pornography featuring the rape and murder of women, said H. Louis Sirkin. "I think he's an entirely different human being today."
But U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan, who represented the government in court yesterday, disagreed. "I agree he's remorseful now," she said, noting that he continued to sell his videos even after indictment. "He's not a positive influence on anyone. He's certainly not a positive influence on his wife. He has her out stripping."
And so the case that began more than seven years ago with Extreme Associates brazenly challenging law enforcement to come and get them -- and Ms. Buchanan happily following a Department of Justice priority to go after obscenity -- ended with a short prison term for both Mr. Zicari and his wife, Janet Romano, and much acrimony. Ms. Romano offered her hand to Ms. Buchanan after the hearing and said, voice steeped in sarcasm, "Congratulations." Her attorney had to pry her hand away from Ms. Buchanan.
Both Mr. Zicari and Ms. Romano were sentenced to one year and one day in prison.
The sentencing was the conclusion of a long, hard-fought battle on both sides, in which the defendants nearly secured a victory 16 months after the charges were filed when U.S. District Judge Gary L. Lancaster threw out the case.
His decision was later overturned by the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
The defendants planned to take the case to a jury trial, but in March, instead decided to plead guilty. Both Mr. Zicari, 35, and Ms. Romano, 32, of Northridge, Calif., faced a potential term of 21 to 27 months in prison, but Judge Lancaster chose to sentence them below the recommended guideline range.
By adding an extra day onto the year-long sentence, they can qualify to earn nearly two months of time off their sentences, provided they do not have any disciplinary problems in prison.
Though the case began with much fanfare -- seen as an important test of First Amendment and obscenity law when it was originally filed six years ago -- it ended with the defendants conceding.
Yesterday, Mr. Sirkin told the judge the prosecution has ruined the couple.
"This case, obviously, created a ripple effect on the adult industry," he said. "It's had a devastating effect on this individual. They've lost everything they had."
The couple has lost their home and been blacklisted in their industry, he continued.
Ms. Romano, who made a lengthy statement on her own behalf, said she had no idea that what she called "horror porn" could ruin her life.
"We're not Lizzie [Borden] and Rob Black at home," she continued. "They're two characters we created. We show bloopers. We show how it's made -- fake blood, fake slaps.
"People, maybe they find it tasteless. It was a horror porn. I now know the difference."
She took umbrage at Ms. Buchanan's characterization of her as a stripper.
"My shows aren't what she thinks they are. I swallow swords and fire," Ms. Romano said. "For her to say that, I thought that was a stab. My husband never forced me to do anything. He's my best friend."
Her attorney, Warner Mariani, said his client is an exotic dancer.
"That's not subjugation of women," he said. "I'm sorry that's something the U.S. attorney's office looks down on. I'm sorry my client can't live up to their lofty standards."
During Mr. Zicari's sentencing, Ms. Buchanan characterized the films as "the most vile and disgusting."
"On the spectrum of obscene material, this is on the farthest edge of what can be produced," she said. "In this case, the industry is watching."
But experts in adult entertainment said they don't believe that the prosecution will have much impact on those who make adult films.
"It could have been a lot worse," said Bill Margold, a spokesman for the Adult Video Association, and veteran actor of more than 300 pornographic films. "It could have been the quintessential witch hunt of all time and used them as the sacrificial lamb."
He described those working in the adult film industry as "over-aged juvenile delinquents," and said it wasn't likely the others would learn from the sentence. "Unless it happens to you, you don't learn much," Mr. Margold said.
He said that he warned Mr. Zicari when he flaunted his movies in a 2002 PBS "Frontline" special that he was going to be prosecuted."There are certain things you just don't do anymore -- denigration and degradation. We have to comply with what society feels is comfortable."
Though he ordered both defendants to prison, Judge Lancaster downplayed the seriousness of the crime, saying there were no victims and no evidence of any unwilling adults or children being subjected to viewing the films. In addition, he noted that the Department of Justice has only filed three other obscenity cases in the 3rd U.S. Circuit in the past 20 years.
He noted the intense media coverage of the case, but said that was more likely a result of the unusualness of the charges, as well as comments made by both the government and defense from the very beginning of the prosecution. "It would be improper for this court to allow media attention to dictate its determination of the seriousness of this offense," the judge said.
Paula Reed Ward can be reached at pward@post-gazette.com or 412-263-2620.
First published on July 2, 2009 at 12:00 am
Thursday, July 02, 2009
By Paula Reed Ward, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Porn producer Rob Zicari's attorney called his client a changed man at his sentencing yesterday for distributing obscenity. "I believe Rob has learned a valuable lesson" since being indicted for selling graphic pornography featuring the rape and murder of women, said H. Louis Sirkin. "I think he's an entirely different human being today."
But U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan, who represented the government in court yesterday, disagreed. "I agree he's remorseful now," she said, noting that he continued to sell his videos even after indictment. "He's not a positive influence on anyone. He's certainly not a positive influence on his wife. He has her out stripping."
And so the case that began more than seven years ago with Extreme Associates brazenly challenging law enforcement to come and get them -- and Ms. Buchanan happily following a Department of Justice priority to go after obscenity -- ended with a short prison term for both Mr. Zicari and his wife, Janet Romano, and much acrimony. Ms. Romano offered her hand to Ms. Buchanan after the hearing and said, voice steeped in sarcasm, "Congratulations." Her attorney had to pry her hand away from Ms. Buchanan.
Both Mr. Zicari and Ms. Romano were sentenced to one year and one day in prison.
The sentencing was the conclusion of a long, hard-fought battle on both sides, in which the defendants nearly secured a victory 16 months after the charges were filed when U.S. District Judge Gary L. Lancaster threw out the case.
His decision was later overturned by the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
The defendants planned to take the case to a jury trial, but in March, instead decided to plead guilty. Both Mr. Zicari, 35, and Ms. Romano, 32, of Northridge, Calif., faced a potential term of 21 to 27 months in prison, but Judge Lancaster chose to sentence them below the recommended guideline range.
By adding an extra day onto the year-long sentence, they can qualify to earn nearly two months of time off their sentences, provided they do not have any disciplinary problems in prison.
Though the case began with much fanfare -- seen as an important test of First Amendment and obscenity law when it was originally filed six years ago -- it ended with the defendants conceding.
Yesterday, Mr. Sirkin told the judge the prosecution has ruined the couple.
"This case, obviously, created a ripple effect on the adult industry," he said. "It's had a devastating effect on this individual. They've lost everything they had."
The couple has lost their home and been blacklisted in their industry, he continued.
Ms. Romano, who made a lengthy statement on her own behalf, said she had no idea that what she called "horror porn" could ruin her life.
"We're not Lizzie [Borden] and Rob Black at home," she continued. "They're two characters we created. We show bloopers. We show how it's made -- fake blood, fake slaps.
"People, maybe they find it tasteless. It was a horror porn. I now know the difference."
She took umbrage at Ms. Buchanan's characterization of her as a stripper.
"My shows aren't what she thinks they are. I swallow swords and fire," Ms. Romano said. "For her to say that, I thought that was a stab. My husband never forced me to do anything. He's my best friend."
Her attorney, Warner Mariani, said his client is an exotic dancer.
"That's not subjugation of women," he said. "I'm sorry that's something the U.S. attorney's office looks down on. I'm sorry my client can't live up to their lofty standards."
During Mr. Zicari's sentencing, Ms. Buchanan characterized the films as "the most vile and disgusting."
"On the spectrum of obscene material, this is on the farthest edge of what can be produced," she said. "In this case, the industry is watching."
But experts in adult entertainment said they don't believe that the prosecution will have much impact on those who make adult films.
"It could have been a lot worse," said Bill Margold, a spokesman for the Adult Video Association, and veteran actor of more than 300 pornographic films. "It could have been the quintessential witch hunt of all time and used them as the sacrificial lamb."
He described those working in the adult film industry as "over-aged juvenile delinquents," and said it wasn't likely the others would learn from the sentence. "Unless it happens to you, you don't learn much," Mr. Margold said.
He said that he warned Mr. Zicari when he flaunted his movies in a 2002 PBS "Frontline" special that he was going to be prosecuted."There are certain things you just don't do anymore -- denigration and degradation. We have to comply with what society feels is comfortable."
Though he ordered both defendants to prison, Judge Lancaster downplayed the seriousness of the crime, saying there were no victims and no evidence of any unwilling adults or children being subjected to viewing the films. In addition, he noted that the Department of Justice has only filed three other obscenity cases in the 3rd U.S. Circuit in the past 20 years.
He noted the intense media coverage of the case, but said that was more likely a result of the unusualness of the charges, as well as comments made by both the government and defense from the very beginning of the prosecution. "It would be improper for this court to allow media attention to dictate its determination of the seriousness of this offense," the judge said.
Paula Reed Ward can be reached at pward@post-gazette.com or 412-263-2620.
First published on July 2, 2009 at 12:00 am
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Obion County, TN teacher fired due to sexual proposition towards 18 year old student
The Obion County School Board voted unanimously to fire a 24 year veteran teacher for hitting on an 18 year old student during a school sponsored trip after a 4 hour hearing Thursday night.
The incident involving the student S.C. stemmed from a convention of the Future Farmers Of America (FFA) which took place in Gatlinburg, TN. The student went out with others to eat, then was called into South Fulton High School agriculture teacher Bryant Driver's hotel room. S.C. thought that she was going to be reprimanded for smoking and brought an adult female chaperone with her. After the chaperone left, Driver, 46, instructed her to close the door and started to take about his marriage and other subjects, eventually hitting on S.C.
S.C., scared, pretended to recieve texts so she could leave the situation, and contacted her mother. The mother contacted school officials, who then confronted Driver. Driver admitted during the hearing that he began to see S.C. as a "young lady" instead of a student, but denied the sexual banter. He admitted that he tole the victim that he thought a lot about her, and “probably love[d] her, if you want to know the truth.”
The insubordination charge was the result of an incident in which Driver, while on suspension status, allegedly came to a school-sponsored Vocational Advisory Committee meeting the evening of April 2 and initially refused to leave, according to the charge letters recently presented to the board by Obion County Director of Schools David Huss, who recommended Driver be dismissed.
Driver, who had been on suspension status since April 2, had requested Thursday night’s hearing as part of the due process afforded him. He was represented by Virginia A. McCoy, an attorney with the Tennessee Education Association, while school administration was represented by attorney John Miles of Union City.
In Tennessee, teacher student sex is punishable by prison time only when the student is under 18. States such as TX, WA, OH, and NC criminally prohibit teacher/student sex at any age.
The incident involving the student S.C. stemmed from a convention of the Future Farmers Of America (FFA) which took place in Gatlinburg, TN. The student went out with others to eat, then was called into South Fulton High School agriculture teacher Bryant Driver's hotel room. S.C. thought that she was going to be reprimanded for smoking and brought an adult female chaperone with her. After the chaperone left, Driver, 46, instructed her to close the door and started to take about his marriage and other subjects, eventually hitting on S.C.
S.C., scared, pretended to recieve texts so she could leave the situation, and contacted her mother. The mother contacted school officials, who then confronted Driver. Driver admitted during the hearing that he began to see S.C. as a "young lady" instead of a student, but denied the sexual banter. He admitted that he tole the victim that he thought a lot about her, and “probably love[d] her, if you want to know the truth.”
The insubordination charge was the result of an incident in which Driver, while on suspension status, allegedly came to a school-sponsored Vocational Advisory Committee meeting the evening of April 2 and initially refused to leave, according to the charge letters recently presented to the board by Obion County Director of Schools David Huss, who recommended Driver be dismissed.
Driver, who had been on suspension status since April 2, had requested Thursday night’s hearing as part of the due process afforded him. He was represented by Virginia A. McCoy, an attorney with the Tennessee Education Association, while school administration was represented by attorney John Miles of Union City.
In Tennessee, teacher student sex is punishable by prison time only when the student is under 18. States such as TX, WA, OH, and NC criminally prohibit teacher/student sex at any age.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Jail guard sentenced to 60 days jail, sex offender restrictions after "affair"
A Missouri jail officer was ordered to undergo 5 years of probation, sex offender treatment, and 60 days in jail after a sexual relationship with an inmate turned into marriage. 29 year old Tara Hewkin, of the St. Louis suburb of Warrenton was sentenced by Circuit Judge Keith Sutherland yesterday after being convicted on March 26 in a bench trial. Sentencing was delayed to give probation officers time to prepare a report.
Hewkin began working at the jail as a corrections officer in April 2007. David Latham, 34, was one of several federal inmates being housed in the Warren County jail in the fall of 2007. On Oct. 15, 2007, jail staff found a cell phone in Latham's cell. Officers determined it belonged to Hewkin.
Hewkin admitted to police she gave Latham the phone so he could stay in touch with her. She told police she and Latham were involved in an intimate relationship. She reported that on three occasions she and Latham had sexual contact, once in the laundry room of the jail and the other times between the doors of two cell pods.
Latham was convicted on marijuana charges and sentenced to 5 years in USP Leavenworth. Besides the conviction, as a sex offender, Hewkin cannot live within 1000 feet of schools or day care centers.
Hewkin began working at the jail as a corrections officer in April 2007. David Latham, 34, was one of several federal inmates being housed in the Warren County jail in the fall of 2007. On Oct. 15, 2007, jail staff found a cell phone in Latham's cell. Officers determined it belonged to Hewkin.
Hewkin admitted to police she gave Latham the phone so he could stay in touch with her. She told police she and Latham were involved in an intimate relationship. She reported that on three occasions she and Latham had sexual contact, once in the laundry room of the jail and the other times between the doors of two cell pods.
Latham was convicted on marijuana charges and sentenced to 5 years in USP Leavenworth. Besides the conviction, as a sex offender, Hewkin cannot live within 1000 feet of schools or day care centers.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Chris Brown sentenced to community service, 150 foot buffer after plea in attack on Rihanna
From the LA Times
Chris Brown will do six months of "community labor" but no time behind bars for assaulting the pop star Rihanna under the terms of a plea agreement reached this afternoon [June 22].
The R&B singer reached a deal with prosecutors less than two hours before the scheduled start of a hearing, in which his former girlfriend was prepared to testify about the violent altercation that left her bruised, bloodied and screaming for help last February on a Hancock Park side street.
Under the agreement, Brown, 20, will serve five years' probation and take a year-long domestic violence prevention class. L.A. County Superior Court Judge Patricia Schnegg also ordered him to stay at least 50 yards away from Rihanna, 21, for the next five years.
After a lawyer for Rihanna said the singer thought the order was too severe given that they often attend the same industry functions, the judge said that at such public events Brown was required to stay only 10 yards away.
The judge said Brown can complete his sentence in his native Virginia, where he owns a home.
"I think it's commendable you took responsibility for your conduct," Schnegg told the singer.
Rihanna, whose real name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty, entered the courtroom through a back entrance as Brown, his mother and an entourage of eight filed out.
The pop star, wearing a short black dress and pearl necklace, listened as the judge explained the terms of the protective order. Her only words were a quick "thank you" to the judge.
Outside the courthouse, her lawyer, Donald Etra, said she "did not object" to the deal when informed of it this afternoon in the L.A. County district attorney's office."She was fully prepared to testify. She would have told the truth about what happened that night," Etra said.
A spokeswoman for the district attorney's office said the agreement was "similar to those in other cases where the defendant is charged ... with this type of felony."She noted that Brown would be required to perform about 1,400 hours of trash pickup, graffiti removal or similar tasks.
"The sentence is not an easy task," spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons said.
Chris Brown will do six months of "community labor" but no time behind bars for assaulting the pop star Rihanna under the terms of a plea agreement reached this afternoon [June 22].
The R&B singer reached a deal with prosecutors less than two hours before the scheduled start of a hearing, in which his former girlfriend was prepared to testify about the violent altercation that left her bruised, bloodied and screaming for help last February on a Hancock Park side street.
Under the agreement, Brown, 20, will serve five years' probation and take a year-long domestic violence prevention class. L.A. County Superior Court Judge Patricia Schnegg also ordered him to stay at least 50 yards away from Rihanna, 21, for the next five years.
After a lawyer for Rihanna said the singer thought the order was too severe given that they often attend the same industry functions, the judge said that at such public events Brown was required to stay only 10 yards away.
The judge said Brown can complete his sentence in his native Virginia, where he owns a home.
"I think it's commendable you took responsibility for your conduct," Schnegg told the singer.
Rihanna, whose real name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty, entered the courtroom through a back entrance as Brown, his mother and an entourage of eight filed out.
The pop star, wearing a short black dress and pearl necklace, listened as the judge explained the terms of the protective order. Her only words were a quick "thank you" to the judge.
Outside the courthouse, her lawyer, Donald Etra, said she "did not object" to the deal when informed of it this afternoon in the L.A. County district attorney's office."She was fully prepared to testify. She would have told the truth about what happened that night," Etra said.
A spokeswoman for the district attorney's office said the agreement was "similar to those in other cases where the defendant is charged ... with this type of felony."She noted that Brown would be required to perform about 1,400 hours of trash pickup, graffiti removal or similar tasks.
"The sentence is not an easy task," spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons said.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Former Boise, ID teacher gets 6 months in jail, 10 years probation for sex with student
Michelle Farley, a married mother of a 5 year old boy, was sentenced to up to 6 months in jail, a $2000 fine, and sex offender treatment and registration for having a relationship with a 17 year old boy while she taught philosophy at Boise, ID's Borah High School. The jail term may be shortened once Farley completes a "thinking errors" course at the Ada County Jail, where she is scheduled to be held. Fourth District Judge Timothy Hansen accepted Farley's plea agreement Friday.
The sentence also includes 10 years probation, a prohibition on being near school property, which is why attorney Chuck Peterson wanted a sentence that would allow Farley to take her 5 year old son to kindergarten this fall.
"I want to apologize to (the teen) and his family for the embarrassment and hurt I caused. It hurts me that I have hurt so many people because what I did was so wrong."
Ada County prosecutors say [the victim] was in Farley's psychology class in the 2008/2009 school year when the two began their sexual relationship. Court records say the boy told police he had as many as 15 sexual encounters with Farley between May and Oct. 30.
Ada County Deputy Prosecutor Fafa Alidjani told Hansen that Farley displayed "classic grooming behavior," giving him attention and gifts before the relationship got sexual.
Alidjani also said the teen suffered humiliation once news of Farley's arrest got out, since many students knew who he was - including students at other schools who watched sporting events he participated in.
But Peterson said the teen turned 18 in October and was a willing participant in the relationship.
"She was attracted to a younger man," Peterson said. "It is not a case of sexual abuse of an adolescent."
Peterson also said that the teen sought out the relationship to become "a legend," "but he didn't become a legend. He became a pariah," Peterson said. "He brought the whole thing down on his head." He also showed her psychosexual evaluation showed that she was a low risk to reoffend.
However, Judge Hansen explained that the victim was too young to make informed decisions on sex with adults. Hansen also made sure that Farley recognized she was a sex offender.
"I want to emphasize for the record, ma'am, you are a sexual offender," Hansen said. "You will be a sex offender under Idaho law."
The sentence also includes 10 years probation, a prohibition on being near school property, which is why attorney Chuck Peterson wanted a sentence that would allow Farley to take her 5 year old son to kindergarten this fall.
"I want to apologize to (the teen) and his family for the embarrassment and hurt I caused. It hurts me that I have hurt so many people because what I did was so wrong."
Ada County prosecutors say [the victim] was in Farley's psychology class in the 2008/2009 school year when the two began their sexual relationship. Court records say the boy told police he had as many as 15 sexual encounters with Farley between May and Oct. 30.
Ada County Deputy Prosecutor Fafa Alidjani told Hansen that Farley displayed "classic grooming behavior," giving him attention and gifts before the relationship got sexual.
Alidjani also said the teen suffered humiliation once news of Farley's arrest got out, since many students knew who he was - including students at other schools who watched sporting events he participated in.
But Peterson said the teen turned 18 in October and was a willing participant in the relationship.
"She was attracted to a younger man," Peterson said. "It is not a case of sexual abuse of an adolescent."
Peterson also said that the teen sought out the relationship to become "a legend," "but he didn't become a legend. He became a pariah," Peterson said. "He brought the whole thing down on his head." He also showed her psychosexual evaluation showed that she was a low risk to reoffend.
However, Judge Hansen explained that the victim was too young to make informed decisions on sex with adults. Hansen also made sure that Farley recognized she was a sex offender.
"I want to emphasize for the record, ma'am, you are a sexual offender," Hansen said. "You will be a sex offender under Idaho law."
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Black Canadian prosecutor accuses Toronto police of sexually motivated strip search
Betsy Powell
COURTS BUREAU[Toronto Star]
A Crown attorney is asking a Superior Court judge to lay sexual assault charges against two Toronto police officers who "forced him to submit to an unlawful strip search," according to court documents.
The prosecutor, identified on the court docket yesterday as R.S., is appealing a decision by a justice of the peace last year not to charge the officers in connection with the Oct. 6, 2007, incident.
The allegation raises "implications for police as it relates to their long impugned practice of conducting strip searches on short-term detainees without the requisite lawful grounds," according to court documents filed by Donald McLeod, the lawyer representing R.S.
The justice of the peace did, however, approve assault charges against the two arresting officers after R.S. took the unusual step of laying charges privately. Those charges were withdrawn in March.
The 37-year-old Crown attorney, who is black, was arrested for causing a disturbance in the Entertainment District and later filed a human rights tribunal complaint alleging racism was behind his arrest. He was identified when the story became public earlier this year.
Now McLeod and Patrice Band, the lawyer representing the Crown, are requesting a publication ban on the full identify of R.S. as well as the two officers.
Justice Ian Nordheimer yesterday adjourned the matter to July 7.
The court documents submitted on behalf of R.S. say there was nothing "that could possibly justify a complete level 3 strip search."
"The applicant believed he was forced to submit to the degrading and humiliating strip search for an improper purpose – the impugned officers wanted to teach him a lesson."
During the strip search, R.S. says he was forced to "touch and manipulate his genitalia with his hands." He submits "that when assessed in the context of the relevant and controlling judicial authorities, the conduct of the impugned officers satisfies the legal elements of sexual assault."
A factum filed on behalf of the respondent says "there is no evidence that the search was conducted in circumstances of a sexual nature."
COURTS BUREAU[Toronto Star]
A Crown attorney is asking a Superior Court judge to lay sexual assault charges against two Toronto police officers who "forced him to submit to an unlawful strip search," according to court documents.
The prosecutor, identified on the court docket yesterday as R.S., is appealing a decision by a justice of the peace last year not to charge the officers in connection with the Oct. 6, 2007, incident.
The allegation raises "implications for police as it relates to their long impugned practice of conducting strip searches on short-term detainees without the requisite lawful grounds," according to court documents filed by Donald McLeod, the lawyer representing R.S.
The justice of the peace did, however, approve assault charges against the two arresting officers after R.S. took the unusual step of laying charges privately. Those charges were withdrawn in March.
The 37-year-old Crown attorney, who is black, was arrested for causing a disturbance in the Entertainment District and later filed a human rights tribunal complaint alleging racism was behind his arrest. He was identified when the story became public earlier this year.
Now McLeod and Patrice Band, the lawyer representing the Crown, are requesting a publication ban on the full identify of R.S. as well as the two officers.
Justice Ian Nordheimer yesterday adjourned the matter to July 7.
The court documents submitted on behalf of R.S. say there was nothing "that could possibly justify a complete level 3 strip search."
"The applicant believed he was forced to submit to the degrading and humiliating strip search for an improper purpose – the impugned officers wanted to teach him a lesson."
During the strip search, R.S. says he was forced to "touch and manipulate his genitalia with his hands." He submits "that when assessed in the context of the relevant and controlling judicial authorities, the conduct of the impugned officers satisfies the legal elements of sexual assault."
A factum filed on behalf of the respondent says "there is no evidence that the search was conducted in circumstances of a sexual nature."
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