Four years without a trial? Ga. legislators refuse to do their job
There’s something deeply wrong with this:
An accused killer from Pike County has sat in jail for nearly four years without a trial — not because of any problems with the evidence but because the state is seeking the death penalty and cannot pay for the man’s defense.
The case, argued Tuesday before the Georgia Supreme Court, could determine whether Georgia can afford the death penalty.
Jamie Ryan Weis, charged with killing a Pike County woman during a 2006 house burglary, did not have lawyers to defend him for more than two years because of money woes plaguing the state public defender system.
Four years without a trial? Because the state refuses to supply him with an adequate legal defense? What is this, some Third World country?
In any other kind of case, I’d say the court should force Weis’ release. Four years without a trial is ridiculous, and Weis’ court-ordered release might finally send legislators a message about the basic responsibilities of their office. But given that the charge is murder, release isn’t practical — you don’t want to endanger innocent lives to send a message. But ordering the case to be tried without the death penalty option seems eminently reasonable.
This isn’t a function of the state’s recent budget problems. It long predates that problem. It’s a function of state legislators trying to play cute with the judicial process by refusing to adequately fund indigent defense in capital cases. State and federal courts — courts generally favorable to the death penalty — have long made it clear that the right to effective counsel is constitutionally guaranteed in such cases. You can argue about it all you want, but it’s the law.
As reported by Bill Rankin, one of the AJCs’ best:
“In recent weeks, the state Office of the Capital Defender has not had enough lawyers to fully defend all of the approximately 70 death cases pending statewide. This includes two defendants charged in the July 26 slaying in Atlanta of former pro boxing champion Vernon Forrest.
Georgia court rules call for a capital defendant to be represented by two experienced attorneys. But because of overwhelming case loads, the capital defender office has been able to provide only one lawyer each for Charman Sinkfield and Jquante Crews, two of three men charged with Forrest’s murder.
The cases cannot move forward until each defendant has two lawyers, Jerry Word, acting head of the capital defender office, said Tuesday. The defender office also has been able to provide only one lawyer to two capital defendants in Walton County and another in Richmond County, he said.”
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97 comments Add your comment
Doggone/GA
November 11th, 2009
2:14 pm
Maybe they should just move him to GITMO
jewcowboy
November 11th, 2009
2:18 pm
But that would interfere with the Republican fishing mantra of throwing them back until they get bigger, then frying them up.
stands for decibels
November 11th, 2009
2:23 pm
Because the state refuses to supply him with an adequate legal defense? What is this, some Third World country?
No, it’s Georgia, but sometimes I think that’s what the state aspires to be.
Seriously, I sometimes hope that the tight-waddedness is what finally turns conservatives against the death penalty. At the end of the day, even most conservatives won’t argue that it should be quick and cheap for the Gubmint to put someone to death.
jewcowboy
November 11th, 2009
2:25 pm
“No, it’s Georgia, but sometimes I think that’s what the state aspires to be”
That made me giggle.
Normal
November 11th, 2009
2:27 pm
Isn’t there a Lawyer out there that would defend this guy Pro Bono, just beacause it’s the right thing to do?
@@
November 11th, 2009
2:29 pm
Bummer!
Maybe the state shouldn’t have wasted so much money on the Brian Nichols case.
Normal
November 11th, 2009
2:32 pm
Wouldn’t you hate to see him walk, because his right to a speedy trial has been violated…
jewcowboy
November 11th, 2009
2:32 pm
“In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district where in the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence”
Somehow, even if he does finally get a trial and is convicted and is sentenced to death, the Supreme Court might have something to say about this on appeal.
jewcowboy
November 11th, 2009
2:33 pm
Normal,
Jinx!
Normal
November 11th, 2009
2:34 pm
Jewcowboy…great minds…
Doggone/GA
November 11th, 2009
2:34 pm
“Isn’t there a Lawyer out there that would defend this guy Pro Bono, just beacause it’s the right thing to do?”
It isn’t a matter of one lawyer. This guy is only an example. From Jay’s piece: “In recent weeks, the state Office of the Capital Defender has not had enough lawyers to fully defend all of the approximately 70 death cases pending statewide”
It’s 70 death cases, not just one.
Matilda
November 11th, 2009
2:34 pm
Mark this day, I’m agreeing with AtAt. IMO, when you shoot the judge during your own trial, you forfeit your right to a fair trial. Everything about the Nichols debaucle was an absolute embarrassment. He should have been shot on sight. Funds were, and are still being, wasted on that piece of trash.
Boogers for the Children Fund
November 11th, 2009
2:35 pm
Disagree J. Innocent until proven guilty. Release this fellow on his own recogni-sense, or however its spelled. 4 years is long enough to ruin this fellow and probably has already done so.
This guy should find some shark of an attorney and, if possible, sue the State of GA.
Regardless of lawsuit, guilt/innocence he is INNOCENT until proven guilty. At this time, immediate release is the only remedy.
thomas
November 11th, 2009
2:36 pm
Why does the state require 2 lawyers and experienced at that?
Seems as if 1 experienced and 1 green lawyer would be enough.
The victim of this crime is the truely sad case as they have waited all this time and still no justice only doubt and assumptions.
Redneck Convert (R--and proud of it)
November 11th, 2009
2:42 pm
Well, there must be some old drunk of a lawyer that would do the defense for maybe a couple hundred bucks. Some of them are so hard up they’re putting ads on TV just begging folks to call them and offering to come to their home. Maybe the state could make a parole officer wake the guy up every a.m. and make sure he gets to court and slip him a pint at the end of the day.
Anyhow, I like the Death Penalty. I stayed up late last night switching channels and making sure I got all the news I could get about the execution of this sniper Muslim. It makes me feel like a young man again, if you know what I mean.
And I wouldn’t mind seeing this murderer get the needle. But it ain’t worth a tax increase to get it done. The state’s about run out of money and is laying teachers off and closing the drivers liscence place and about everything else they can think of. So it seems to me they could set up a fund and get donations from people like me to pay some old drunk that still has a law liscence. I mean, I’m willing to pay for stuff I enjoy. Us Conservative Republicans got no problem with user fees. Just with tax increases.
That’s my opinion and it’s very true. Have a good p.m. everybody.
Doggone/GA
November 11th, 2009
2:43 pm
“Why does the state require 2 lawyers and experienced at that?”
I do have to question that also. Does the state require ALL defendents in possible death penalty cases to have 2 experienced lawyers, or does this just apply to indigent defendents that are get court appointed counselers?
jewcowboy
November 11th, 2009
2:43 pm
“Seems as if 1 experienced and 1 green lawyer would be enough.”
We are talking about state sanctioning the termination of life, the ultimate power. I think having 2 experienced lawyers is the least they can provide. How does the state say “I was wrong” to someone who has been executed if they get it wrong?
@@
November 11th, 2009
2:46 pm
Alright, I have to share a conversation I had with a leftist contributor years ago at the cartoonist’s site.
His sole focus was on the detainees at Gitmo and their delayed court hearings. Passionate on the issue, he was. I reminded him that there were hundreds, if not thousands sitting in jails across this country awaiting their right to a speedy trial.
His response? “Gee….I hadn’t thought about that.”
Angry Black Man
November 11th, 2009
2:47 pm
I agree with the Boog as well as Normal and Jewcowboy. The guy is innocent until proven guilty, and he has the right to a speedy trial. Say, for instance, he finally goes to trial and is acquitted. He could then turn around and sue over his rights being violated. It’s pretty safe to say that his right to a speedy trial has already been violated.
On the opposite side, the family of the deceased also should be afforded the opportunity to seek justice in the murder of their loved one. Delaying the trial also prolongs their grief and denies them closure.
Either way, Georgia comes out looking like an a$$.
Paul
November 11th, 2009
2:47 pm
I’ll bet if the state took away the cell phones of most state employees who have them they’d have the bucks.
Not being cute. Somehow, we pay gazillions for government employees to have embellishments that are vital to them being able to do their jobs… but that didn’t even exist a few years ago.
Okay, then, not get rid of… but greatly restrict access and use?
Point is, whenever there’s a ‘not enough dollars’ issue it’s public services (libraries, community pools, police response) that is first put on the chopping block – never, ever nice things that government employees do for themselves.
Gale
November 11th, 2009
2:47 pm
Where is that galactic policeman Klacto when you need him? A guilty perp would not cost one cent.
jewcowboy
November 11th, 2009
2:49 pm
“Georgia comes out looking like an a$$.
Doesn’t it usually?
Paul
November 11th, 2009
2:50 pm
ABM
[[I agree with the Boog]]
Is that like the Borg?
Boogers for the Children Fund
November 11th, 2009
2:51 pm
“I’ll bet if the state took away the cell phones of most state employees who have them they’d have the bucks.”
Here HERE…and take away the State Credit Cards. The savings/terminations due to employee theft should save 10s of millions of greenbacks.
Angry Black Man
November 11th, 2009
2:52 pm
Paul
Sorta like that. Just didn’t want to type out Booger. There’s just something about that word.
Truth
November 11th, 2009
2:53 pm
The problem is that people continue to commit crimes.
Angry Black Man
November 11th, 2009
2:53 pm
jewcowboy
Can I plead the 5th on that?
Normal
November 11th, 2009
2:55 pm
Headed off to the doctors for my psych screening
then to Moms…See ya tomorrow!
jewcowboy
November 11th, 2009
2:55 pm
Angry Black Man,
“Can I plead the 5th on that?”
Possibly several years from now if your trial is in GA.
joe matarotz
November 11th, 2009
2:56 pm
Bobolink Barr constantly rants about loss of freedom and loss of rights guaranteed by the Constitution, yet it is Jay who actually comes up with a true violation of Constitutional rights. Whether the skell is guilty or not, he still has a right to a speedy trial. The sooner he is tried, the sooner he can be found guilty. Then let him rot in prison.
Joey
November 11th, 2009
2:56 pm
jewcowboy and other interested posters;
Sorry I got pulled away at a most inconvenient time during the last post. I did respond at about 2:52, but it showed I was awaiting moderation.
@@
November 11th, 2009
2:57 pm
…and take away the double dipping state pensioners of old. Heck! my brother-in-law got in under the wire. He’s drawing two and still works as a consultant for the state blah blah blah. A whole slew of the guys who worked with him at the state blah blah blah are too.
Paul
November 11th, 2009
2:57 pm
ABM
Thanks. I wasn’t trying to be snotty, just curious –
Normal
Have a good one and ‘hi’ to Mom.
PS – don’t tell the shrink about your moniker…. he’ll just dig deeper…
Paul
November 11th, 2009
3:01 pm
@@
Your brother in law gets two state pensions? He worked long enough to qualify for two? And the state still pays him as a consultant? What is he – 110 years old?
Heckuva system they’ve set up for themselves. AIG at the state level.
Just wonderin'
November 11th, 2009
3:02 pm
What would his victim have been doing these past 3+ years? Any empathy for her or her family?
Angry Black Man
November 11th, 2009
3:02 pm
Paul
I didn’t take it as snotty. I actually perceived it as curiosity.
Normal
Take it easy, and let the Moms know we said hello.
@@
November 11th, 2009
3:03 pm
Heck! I just looked at the Georgia governors for the time my brother-in-law worked/retired at/from the state blah blah blah. They were all democrats. I’m guessing he’s a contractor under Sonny.
Whooooaaaaa
Dusty
November 11th, 2009
3:05 pm
ABM
I had a message for you over at “Blank Page” but got in too late. Anyway, I once heard a Codetalker make a speech at a Navajo Fair in Gallup, NM. He was a fine old gentleman who told us without any doubt that the Codetalkers had won WWII.
I use to eat breakfast with a Navajo WWII vet at the hospital dining hall in Ganado, AZ.. He said he and his buddies were told they would get to visit home right after basic training. But it turned out to be four years before they got home.
There is also a big memorial for Navajos in WWII at Window Rock, AZ, capitol of the Navajo Nation. There is a long list of those who were killed. A quiet place below the huge wind blown rocks tower over the site. They were loyal Americans fighting for their country.
(Sorry, but I will try to stick to the subject next time.)
Angry Black Man
November 11th, 2009
3:05 pm
just wonderin
^^^ @ 2:47
@@
November 11th, 2009
3:05 pm
Paul:
He started right out of high school. Not bad fer an unedumacated feller, huh?
Mrs. Godzilla
November 11th, 2009
3:06 pm
If we can’t try him….we should let him go.
(but I really hate that idea)
Joey
November 11th, 2009
3:07 pm
I agree that Justice is not being served here.
About the cost. And my ignorance my show here, but:
Is this a situation where a Geitner (sp) look-a-like should step in a fix the hourly rates and costs of the defense attorneys to something like 2-times the Prosecuters rates and costs?
Just wonderin'
November 11th, 2009
3:07 pm
Angry Black Man – good call. My oversight. I just get a little queasy when I hear such strong support for someone accused of murder, but little, if any, of the same passion for the victims and their families. Unfortunate, really.
@@
November 11th, 2009
3:09 pm
And to make it even worse….for us, not him….my brother-in-law draws 85 to 90% of his salary from that pension. That’s not including the lifelong health benefits he’s getting.
The government’s been screwing us, not their own, for a loooo-ooo-ng time.
Sunshine and Thunder
November 11th, 2009
3:09 pm
But I thought government did every thing better. Or is it just the Georgia government? I’m really not looking forward to the day you can’t get your appendix taken out because the legislature hasn’t allocated the funds.
Jay
November 11th, 2009
3:10 pm
Joey, the defense side would jump for joy if they got HALF the resources the prosecution gets.
Angry Black Man
November 11th, 2009
3:11 pm
Dusty
I’d love to meet any one of them. I love talking to people who not only witnessed history but were part of it.
Funny story, I was reading a book on the timeline of the Civil Rights movement here in the U.S. I made it halfway through the book and I stumbled across my father’s name in it. He was interviewed for a PBS special years ago along with people who were present at the March on Washington. I didn’t get to see the entire PBS show, but they had footage of him there in D.C. Anyway, the book describes that he and two others walked from Gadsden, AL all the way to Washington D.C. for the march. Until that moment, I never knew how he got there. I had to read the passage in the book a few times to believe it. I called one of my aunts to verify it. Needless to say, I’ll make sure my daughter reads it once she’s able to.
You never know history’s around you until you learn about it.
Paul
November 11th, 2009
3:13 pm
ABM
“Snotty” was just a play on your “Booger” -
just wonderin’
If you were to type ‘the’ victim instead of ‘his’ I’d say ‘lots.’
Here in Texas, Dallas DA has made quite a name for himself. Went head to head with the city council and power players and began reviews of murder cases. Rape cases. Guys in prison for decades. DNA testing. Bunches released. Seems every month one or two’s let out. And the cases where there’s an eyewitness or two? Released.
Spare me from a jury of my peers and a DA who wants a conviction.
@@
Not bad at all. Just seems like a generous system. But those in power know who to take care of, eh?
Joey
November 11th, 2009
3:13 pm
Jay;
In your previous post at 2:52 I responded to jewcowboy and ignorantly used the f-word for gay. Would you go in and modify that so that the post can stay?
Thank you. Joey.
@@
November 11th, 2009
3:16 pm
OR spare me from a jury of my peers who refuse to see the knows on the DA’s case.
Jay
November 11th, 2009
3:16 pm
Done, Joey.
Just wonderin'
November 11th, 2009
3:17 pm
maybe free legal defense could be included in the socialized healthcare program.
Joey
November 11th, 2009
3:17 pm
“The defense side would jump for joy.”
I raise that question because of what I think I know about the Fulton County escapee that had the bevy of attorneys and at least twice ran out of money. It seemed to me that there was a lot of dollars sitting at that defense table. Thanks for correcting me.
Angry Black Man
November 11th, 2009
3:18 pm
Paul
I like the way that DA works too. If they’re guilty, then they deserve what punishment they get. But don’t railroad someone just to keep your conviction percentage high.
@@
November 11th, 2009
3:23 pm
‘Ya know, that penalizing thing in the health care bill doesn’t make a bit of sense. Say a person loses their job but was wise in their saving habits. Are those gonna be assets that will deny that person hardship status. If a person is unemployed and doesn’t have the price of a monthly premium, what are they supposed to do? Deplete their savings until they qualify?
If they can’t pay the financial penalty are they going to jail where they can get free health care?
Hmmmmmm
November 11th, 2009
3:24 pm
BOSTON GLOBE: Stimulus job boost in state exaggerated, review finds…
Mrs. Godzilla
November 11th, 2009
3:24 pm
How about this?
As a condition of maintaining their license to practice…all attorneys should be rotated into the Public Defenders office.
jconservative
November 11th, 2009
3:25 pm
“Georgia court rules call for a capital defendant to be represented by two experienced attorneys.”
All the prosecutor has to do is drop the death penalty and the case can move forward with only Redneck Convert as his attorney. That is the hangup.
The prosecutors do not want to back off a death penalty fearing that they will get opposition at the ballot box from someone calling them soft on the death penalty. It is entirely the prosecutors call.
Doggone/GA
November 11th, 2009
3:26 pm
“As a condition of maintaining their license to practice…all attorneys should be rotated into the Public Defenders office”
They would still have to be paid. The issue here isn’t lawyers, it’s money.
Paul
November 11th, 2009
3:26 pm
ABM
I’ve thought a lot about some of those men released from prison. Divorced, abandoned by kids, lives shattered, convicted of child molestation, rape, manslaughter, murder; sitting in those cells, sometimes for decades. All the while, innocent. Tragic.
@@
November 11th, 2009
3:27 pm
Most lawyers make their bones in the public defenders or prosecutors office. That’s what makes lawyers greedy. At one time they worked for the government.
Mrs. Godzilla
November 11th, 2009
3:30 pm
Doggone GA
Why do we have to pay them?
Why not simply require as a condition of maintaining their practices every licensed attorney must do a certain number of hours pro bono
as a public defender?
@@
November 11th, 2009
3:30 pm
‘Ya couldn’t pull a thin dime from the joinder between lawyers and politicians.
Not in the Top 10
November 11th, 2009
3:33 pm
The state of Georgia is not in this top 10, so they should release some funds and get this guy in court.
http://money.cnn.com/2009/11/11/news/economy/states_economies/index.htm
Not in the Top 10
November 11th, 2009
3:34 pm
But it did say “Other states — including Colorado, Georgia, Kentucky, New York and Hawaii — were not far behind.”
Jay
November 11th, 2009
3:37 pm
Mrs. G, the number of hours it would take to prepare for and conduct the two phases of a death-penalty case make that approach unworkable. It would bankrupt any attorney forced to do so. Furthermore, a real estate lawyer or corporate lawyer wouldn’t have a chance to conduct a competent defense given the arcanities of death-penalty cases.
@@
November 11th, 2009
3:38 pm
I wonder if there would be a decline in crime if the states put a message out over the airwaves.
If you commit a felony, you’re up the proverbial creek and in jail without a passle.
Curious Observer
November 11th, 2009
3:39 pm
Ya know, that penalizing thing in the health care bill doesn’t make a bit of sense.
Off-topic, but it makes plenty of sense to me. Right now, hundreds of thousands of people who could afford health insurance are walking around without it. They’re mostly young and they think they’re immortal. And when they get very sick or injured in an accident, they show up at a hospital, unable to pay the bill. But the law says they must be treated regardless. And who pays for it? People like you and me, through a combination of taxes and higher health insurance premiums. The hospitals don’t just eat the losses. They pass them on by negotiating higher insurance reimbursements, and we insureds wind up paying the bill.
I don’t want to continue to pay higher health insurance premiums and taxes so that some people can use what they regard as discretionary income to buy fancy cell phones and PCs and even the motorcycles they will use to get into the hospital the next time.
As for the low-income people, all bills I have seen provide for income-based supplements to permit people to afford health insurance.
The rights of these health care freeloaders end when they begin to impinge on mine. I’m sick of hearing from these paper libertarians who think they can sock me if they happen to need hospital care. If it takes a fine to force them to buy health insurance, then so be it. At least they’ll be paying something.
Dusty
November 11th, 2009
3:42 pm
The question here is always the same one that pops up: Where is the money?
I don’t want my taxes raised. Do you? Think of something else.
TV commercials show lawyers begging people to call them for help. Call ‘em!! Call retired lawyers who are already rich. Call the Lawyers Association (there must be one) and tell them to send someone over or lose their licenses! Put 70 prisoners to work on the Prison Farm (there must be one) and let them work for their legal fees. Call Arthur Blank and other rich benefactors and tell them that justice will be served with their help which is much better than a new ball park or soemthing.. Call rich ball players and tell them they can score points by donating a lawyer. Call Georgia politicians (state and federal) and ask for donations to help this situation (as it might come in handy for them at some time).. Have a yard sale of government surplus with the funds dedicated to defense of the accused. Tell Ted Turner that justice is better served than buying two states. Make donations to “justice” tax free. Tell DebbieDoRight that a lawyer is needed from her place.
I KNOW! Rediculous!! But you have to think outside the box sometimes. Seems nobody has thought of something “in the box”. So what’s your suggestion???
AND..the next person who “throws off” on Georgia will automatically receive a healthy hex on their humanity. So there!
PS: Rich journalists , ’specially newspaper types, can lead the way with BIG CONTRIBUTIONS!!
Mrs. Godzilla
November 11th, 2009
3:43 pm
Jay
When you shoot a gal’s idea down, you do it politely!
You’ll never make a good blogger…..
Dusty
November 11th, 2009
3:44 pm
I just got moderated for making legal suggestions. . I think I need a lawyer.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm!
November 11th, 2009
3:50 pm
Let’s just skip the trial, like we do to “offenders” on the bookman blog.
just kidding……..
Bosch
November 11th, 2009
3:51 pm
If this guy were to get two lawyers today, it would probably be another four years before his case came to trial.
Dusty
November 11th, 2009
3:52 pm
Not only that, but my two dictionaries have no such word as ARCANITY There is arcane and arcanum. I think Jay should be MODERATED for “showing off”.
@@
November 11th, 2009
3:52 pm
Curious:
Yeah, but who will determine the circumstances under which one is qualified? If the turnip has no blood, what’re ‘ya gonna end up with? The cost of incarceration is pretty up there. That cost is on us. It also includes medical care free from any contribution on the inmate’s part.
It’s kinda like one of those “cross our fingers and hope to die” government solutions. Not well thought out.
Paul
November 11th, 2009
3:54 pm
Hey Bosch
Were you well enough for V?
@@
November 11th, 2009
3:57 pm
Why isn’t the ACLU jumping in to defend all these people? HECK! this sounds like a mess for the ACLU to straighten out. Aren’t the libs paying their monthly dues? If not, it’s time they start. If they are, and it’s not enough….PAY MORE!
Dusty
November 11th, 2009
3:58 pm
Thank you, Jay, for removing me from the ranks of the guilty. I don’t understand the ARCANITIES of this moderation system. How sweet it aint!!
Bosch
November 11th, 2009
3:59 pm
Hey Paul!
Yeah, I saw it – I re-arranged my work schedule – one of the BSG chicks was in it huh (you just know she’s a Visitor – she was looking all suspicious and stuff AND she’s on the task force – maybe they are trying to throw us BSG fans off). That Anna chick is COLD! Glad to see those BSG folks get work – Lord knows they deserve it!
But now – off to work again. Later!
Disgusted
November 11th, 2009
4:01 pm
Hey, I have a really wild idea! Just raise taxes enough to fund the justice system. We have too few judges in Georgia, and therefore it often takes three or four years from arrest before trial even begins. We have jails bursting at the seams, with county taxpayers unwilling to spring for more–all the while insisting on maximum sentences for everybody. We have an indigent defense fund that’s busted.
I told ‘ya it was wild.
Jackie
November 11th, 2009
4:01 pm
It appears to be reflective of how “justice” is dispensed in this country.
We have more people in jail – over 2 million – than any country in the world.
As a measure of our Constitutional principals and a supporter of human rights, we have an obligation to determine a safer and more humane way in dealing with those that are a danger to society.
Studies have shown it is more expensive to seek and administer the death penalty than to give the person life in prison without parole. Plus, our Supreme Court has ruled it takes too much of the courts time for those convicted of any crime to be allowed to appeal repeatedly and within a prescribed time.
There is overwhelming evidence that Texas executed a innocent man. The commission set up by the governor was abolished by the governor because they would hear forensic evidence presented during the trial that was not valid. The governor has literally refused to reconstitute the panel saying they were politically motivated, even though they were appointed by the Governor.
I believe there are many instances of wrongful convictions, therefore, there are instances of wrongful executions.
Do away with this arcane method of punishment. It does not offer a determent to any crime, therefore, it is useless.
Dusty
November 11th, 2009
4:03 pm
@@…3:57
That ACLU idea was the best yet. I’m sure that bosch has their phone number. Maybe he will jump right on this one.
@@
November 11th, 2009
4:03 pm
Better idea! Let the government cut out their waste before hitting us up, yet again. You know….like all the waste in Medicare and Medicaid that’s gone unaddressed for decades.
@@
November 11th, 2009
4:06 pm
Dusty:
Not wanting to sound boastful, but I thought it was a pretty darned good idea, myself.
@@
November 11th, 2009
4:09 pm
So how many here think the American people are gonna sit still for another stimulus bill? It’s being considered, you know. More government jobs to beef up infrastructure (I thought we already paid for that one)…then there’s weatherizing the above ground.
I can’t wait!
Redneck Convert (R--and proud of it)
November 11th, 2009
4:10 pm
Well, ain’t their some blood or p!ss that Sister Dusty needs to look at thru a microscope? Or maybe a Burger King that has a couple Whoppers left over? Her ideas ain’t no ideas at all and she’d be better off going back to work.
@@
November 11th, 2009
4:14 pm
Drinkin’ makes some folks just plain ornery. You been suckin’ down the inventory, RC?
Jackie
November 11th, 2009
4:16 pm
How many are aware of the budgeted amount for the Department of Corrections?
I read an article where it was stated the Department of Corrections did not want to reveal the actual budget amount in a time of budget constraints.
The last figure I heard was $14 Billion dollars yearly, with Georgia having one of the largest youth incarceration programs in the country.
Dusty
November 11th, 2009
4:30 pm
Angry Black Man
I almost missed your comment a 3:11.
I have always enjoyed working in Indian country, mostly AZ, enjoying new people and lifestyles. I really miss it when I can’t go. So many good times and people and places where new things to me are old things to them and I learn a lot. They are proud and I found great pleasure working with them.
But the story of your father, that must have been a surprise. He walked all the way from Alabama to Washington DC!! Now, that is dedication!! And you didn’t even know how he got there!! That is an amazing story. We don’t always hear about the individual efforts of those who never gave up. I’m sure you will tell your daughter about her Grandfather. Great effort in difficult times..
md
November 11th, 2009
4:37 pm
Simple solution – when they are caught in the act, shoot first and file reports later.
I’m guessing Mr Booger and those like him/her wouldn’t be all for releasing this predator if it was his/her mom/dad/daughter/son.
Predators have no place in modern society, don’t like the death penalty, how about releasing them all into the wild and let them prey on each other, a big fenced off area in the wilderness. If they survive each other, than mother nature can do them in.
The problem we have is we coddle the ones we KNOW are predators, lets save the bucks for the ones that are questionable.
Dusty
November 11th, 2009
4:47 pm
Aw, come on, RedNeck. I just gave ‘em some ideas so you wouldn’t come blundering in talking about hanging ‘em tree high and all that tough talk and stuff.
As to Burger King, you’re just jealous ’cause you have to eat fatback and beans all the time. A big juicy whopper would do you good. Raise your cholesterol better than chitlins’. Now run on out front and strighten up the pink flamingos you ran over.. Better do it before the missus comes home and straightens you out….
Boogers for the Children Fund
November 12th, 2009
8:11 am
Mrs. Godzilla
November 11th, 2009
3:30 pm
Now there is an idea!! Kinda like Obobo’s Compulsory/Voluntary programs.
tbone
November 12th, 2009
6:09 pm
The Court needs to tell the state: you can not get the death penalty unless you properly fund the defense. Period.
Saturday Links/Open Thread | The Agitator
November 14th, 2009
8:24 am
[...] Georgia killer has sat in prison four years without a trial, apparently because the state claims it can’t afford to pay an attorney to [...]
Dr. T
November 14th, 2009
7:43 pm
The problem will be solved immediately if a new law requires that the governor, the speaker for the Georgia assembly, and the head of the Office of the Capital Defender have to house these untried prisoners within their own residences.
Waste93
November 14th, 2009
11:25 pm
Easy way to get this issue resolved. Court should order the trail held and the money comes from the Legislatures budget. That would get them to solve the issue in no time I reckon.
DeLaine3000
December 3rd, 2009
7:06 pm
Hey Iam from b’ham , al. I got a friend who has been in the county jail 3yrs now. It will be 4 in april. I’ve been sending as much info as I can but, i don’t know what to do. she is charged with cap. murder. She is also in one of the most racial counties in Alabama. I know for a fact she wont and doesn’t have an adequate defense lawyer. Can anyone help? Or atleast direct me in the right direction to get her some help.