Phoenix, AZ —The second attempt to get a verdict in the penalty phase of the Jodi Arias murder trial is about be get underway before Judge Sherry Stephens . Will it be death, life without parole or a 25 calendar year sentence?    Arias would get full credit for her years in pretrial custody.   Arias is understandably and desperately seeking some control over her defense and public relations matters.   The problem is that she’s woefully unqualified to make any of those decisions. The lawyers assigned to defend Arias are not exactly heavy hitters.   They are lightweights with limited skills and resources.   Arias has been widely criticized for her missteps at every turn.   This young woman is fighting for her life while dealing with complicated issues few of us will ever have to face.  For her there are no right answers.  Whatever she does turns out wrong.  The only thing I know about Arias for sure is she has given...

Phoenix, AZ—Jodi Arias was arrested tried convicted and may yet face an executioner.   Her stories about the June 2008 death of her former boyfriend, Travis Alexander varied significantly.  Was it justifiable?  The jury along with everyone else could only guess.  Since when does a guess prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt? Alexander withstood well over 20 cuts or stabs from a knife and a gunshot wound to his head from a tiny .25 ACP pistol bullet.  He had plenty of so-called defense wounds on his hands and arms.  That means he was putting up a serious and deadly fight with Arias.  Apparently Arias won the struggle.  Who was the initial aggressor?  Was this fight spontaneous or a murderous attack on Alexander by Arias?  Many people like to believe that they are positive of their favorite theory of what happened during this epic battle that nobody saw.   Arias lied but innocent people often exaggerate and lie all t...

Chicago, IL —In Chicago like most cops I had a part-time security gig.  I handled security for the now long gone Continental Trailways Bus Company  located at 20 East Randolph.   I had to deal with pimps looking for runaway girls needed for their stables.  Pick pockets, purse-snatchers, baggage thieves, drug addicts and sex-perverts all loved bus and train stations.    Dealing with this culture took a lot of tough love.   Yes, I had some epic and unforgettable battles that sent lots business to the local emergency rooms and the old 001 police lockup at 1121 South State street.      There were times I’d encounter people in real need and helping them was often a challenge.   I sent many people to area shelters and places where they could score a free meal.   I’d find vulnerable and desperate runaway girls in need of social services.    I gave the Salvation Army hundreds of customers over the years.   O...

Los Angeles, CA —Notwithstanding the Second Amendment that clearly grants Americans the right to keep and bear arms we’ve allowed despotic politicians to suspend that right. One such result are those “Gun Free Zones”. Yes, most all of America’s gun laws are unconstitutional. It’s obvious that our judges have allegiance to the tyrannical politicians that appointed them rather than to our Constitution and Bill of Rights. Most American laws require actual intent on the part of someone in order to be convicted of breaking them. For example we forgive accidents even when a human life is lost. People legitimately carry merchandise out of stores forgetting to pay the cashier. I’ve done that myself a time or two. Thankfully I discovered the lapse and scrambled back in to pay for whatever I lifted avoiding arrest. To convict someone of breaking a law the government in most cases must prove that the defendant knowingly and intentionally committed the crime. The human condition of forgetfu...

Chicago, IL —This is one of those stories you just can’t make up. Cook County Circuit Court Judge Edward Jordan has ordered Christmas taken away from a three year-old girl! Despite our Constitution’s First Amendment Judge Jordan has stepped into a religious dispute between parents and ordered the Catholic father not to expose the child to any non-Jewish religious activities. The child’s mother Rebecca Reyes an apparent devout Jew, petitioned for and won the restraining order From Judge Jordan. That order in effect steals Christmas from her daughter. The dispute between Rebecca and Joseph Reyes is not really a trivial issue. Both parents are divided on their daughter’s religious education. Who should mediate this case? No American court has jurisdiction over religion. Is there an acceptable compromise when both the Jewish and Catholic religions claim their supremacy? Judge Jordan is playing the Part of Dr. Suess’ Grinch and the little Reyes girl is none other than Cindy Lou Wh...