Upcoming Execution - Richard Strong

Richard Strong

At 6pm tonight in Missouri, 48-year old Richard Strong will be executed by lethal injection at the state's Bonne Terre prison. Convicted of the capital murder of his girlfriend, Eva Washington and her 2-year old daughter, Zaendra Thomas, Richard Strong's only hope now is to be granted clemency by Missouri governor, Jay Nixon. 

There was one small survivor of Richard Strong's vicious attack on that fateful day in October 2000 - Strong's 3-month old daughter with Washington - Alyshia. When police discovered the scene, following a 911 call from Strong himself, they found the bodies of Miss Washington, her daughter and a baby laying on a bed, alive and next to the murder weapon. Fifteen years on, Alyshia Strong - who went to live with her paternal grandmother after her mother's death - has been a strong source of support for her father. Despite her father's actions effectively leaving her an orphan, Alyshia is urging Missouri Governor Jay Nixon to spare her more loss. She believes he has spent the last fifteen years feeling nothing but remorse for his 'split-second' violent actions and that to take his life would result in a double loss for her. 

Zaendra Thomas

Richard Strong's defence team have filed several appeals in the Supreme court in the last few weeks. One claiming Strong suffers from depression and another stating his mental state makes him incapable of understanding his execution. According to Alyshia, one thing Strong is capable of is regret and remorse. She told one source that her father was 'inconsolable' that his actions had resulted in the loss of two precious lives, Apparently, Strong and Miss Washington had had a volatile relationship with both parties being violent towards the other. There was also a long history of mental illness for both parties. Richard Strong said 'something snapped in my head' that day in October 2000 and he has regretted his actions ever since. 

As Strong's execution grows ever closer it remains to be seen whether the Governor will take into account Alyshia Strong's pleas for clemency for her father. As it stands at the time of publication she stands to lose her one remaining 'parent' to the American justice system. 

Ayshia Strong with her father and half-sister.

Upcoming Execution - Lester Leroy Bower, Jr

Lester Leroy Bower, Jr

On June 3rd, 2015 the State of Texas will execute one of death row's longest serving residents,  Lester Leroy Bower, Jr. Bower is no stranger to execution dates, he has had a staggering seven dates stayed or postponed in the past. Racking up a near record of over thirty years as a death row inmate, Bower was convicted of four counts of capital murder. 

On October 8th, 1983 Lester Bower, Jr shot and killed four men, Ronald Mayes, Bob Tate, Jerry Mac Brown and Phillip Good, in an ultralight aircraft hanger outside of Sherman, Texas. Prosecutors said Bower arranged to meet one of the men under the pretence of purchasing a $4000 ultralight the man had advertised for sale. It was further alleged by prosecutors that Bower, who had planned to kill one person, had no choice but to kill the other three men too when they turned up unexpectedly at the hanger. The men's bodies were found by law enforcement on one of the victim's ranches. A subsequent search of Bower's home in Arlington unearthed pieces of an ultralight plane that had been taken from the hanger. 

Evidence used during Bower's trial.

There are many people who believe Leroy Lester Bower, Jr is an innocent man. Before being found guilty of the four execution-style murders Bower had no previous criminal record. He was a well-respected, well-liked salesman who people described as 'mild-mannered' and devoted to his wife and two daughters. The jury at Bower's trial took just two hours to convict him of the murders, the following day they took a further two hours to sentence him to death. This was despite the fact the evidence presented during trial was purely circumstantial. The murder weapon was never found, there were no witnesses or finger print evidence placing Bower at the scene and there was no signed confession. The evidence during trial concentrated on two purchases of fire arms that Bower made in 1982. The ammunition purchased, Fiocchi .22-caliber bullets, was the same as those used in the killings. Among the evidence was a sledgehammer belonging to Bower, which prosecutors alleged he used to smash up evidence of his involvement in the murders. Books, mainly on pistols, gun parts and silencers, were also seized from Bower and used as evidence against him.

Bower admitted to owning a pistol similar to the one used in the murders, however he insists he lost the weapon in 1982. Further evidence during trial suggested that Bower's lost gun could not have been the one used to murder the men because it had a specific kind of firing pin. The distinctive marks you would expect the firing pin to leave on bullet casings were not found. In 1989, a woman called one of Lester Bower's attorneys saying that her ex-boyfriend and three of his friends were the ones responsible for the murders. The killings were the result of a dope deal gone wrong. The witnesses identity and those of the people she implicated are in a court sealed document. This information was dismissed by the prosecution as being nothing more than an attempt to delay punishment on the behalf of the defence team.

Bower in 1983

Bower has received stays in the past to allow certain pieces of evidence to undergo DNA testing, which was not available in 1984. So far, the results have not returned anything to indicate Lester Bower is innocent of the crimes for which he is convicted. Bower appears to have exhausted all possible avenues for appeal and in the last couple of days, a Federal Court appeal filed on his behalf was denied by the 5th Circuit court of appeals. No doubt the families of the four men murdered are looking forward to some sort of closure after 30 years. However, many believe that if Bower's execution goes ahead on June 3rd, it will be a true miscarriage of justice. 

Happy Birthday Eye 4 n Eye

Thanks for Reading!

Today marks 12 months since I started this blog and I wanted to mark the occasion in a couple of ways. Firstly, I want to open up the blog once more to any budding writers out there who believe they can bring something to the blog by way of a guest post. I have had great success in the past with guest bloggers and I enjoyed reading another person's point of view. If you are interested in writing a post for the Eye 4 N Eye blog you can simply voice your interest in the comments section of this post or contact me privately at lollipopwrites@gmail.com.

Secondly, I am asking readers for any particular cases they would like to see covered on the blog. If you have a favourite case or you are interested in the story behind an upcoming execution please let me know via comments or contact me at the email address above. 

I have enjoyed every single blog post I have written in the last 12 months and I have watched my little blog gradually gather a little following. Perhaps most importantly though, I have learned an incredible amount from the different people who have left comments over the last 12 months. One person in particular, who I won't name but she regularly comments, has taught me to look at cases, concepts, ideas, evidence etc from several angles. Her comments and amazing knowledge on certain cases have not only changed my mind completely on the Robert Pruett case (I originally felt he was innocent) but she has also made me question why I, and even IF, I support the death penalty. Although I have learned from her comments, she is not the only one who has brought something to the table or had an impact on my point of view. For this, I thank each and every one of you, regardless of your opinion, who has taken the time to read and/or leave a comment on the blog. 

Here's to the next 12 months, I look forward to new and old readers sharing their opinions, experiences and knowledge on all future posts.

Thank's for reading! 

Happy 1st Birthday, Eye 4 N Eye!

Robert Pruett - Stay Given UPDATED

Robert Pruett

 Robert Pruett,  was prepared to die yesterday before finding out he had received a stay just three hours before his execution. Confirmed by the Texas Innocence Network, a judge issued a stay of execution for Pruett to allow more time for DNA testing.

Robert Pruett recieved the stay, his third in as many years, to allow for further DNA tests to be conducted on the weapon he is supposed to have used to kill corrections officer Daniel Nagle 16-years ago. His defence team are hoping modern developments in DNA testing will reveal if the DNA of the actual killer is present. The shank (a crude name for a handmade prison weapon) was tested at the time of the murder, but only the DNA of the victim was found. Pruett's team are hopeful today's technology will enable any other DNA present on either end of the weapon to be found. The team seem convinced that the taped end of the weapon will have stored even a small amount of skin cells from the true murderer - a test that was not available 16-years ago. This would exonerate Robert Pruett of the crime he has always steadfastly denied committing. 

News of the stay was reported so quickly via Twitter (and my little Blog) that even the Texas Criminal Justice Service were unaware of the development. There is currently no news on a potential time limit for the DNA testing. 

Guest Post : The Day You Die in Texas

Death Row, Texas

I am delighted to introduce the following powerful piece written by guest blogger, Kate. 

For most of us, even the terminally ill, it is inconceivable that we would know the exact date and time of our death. Mortality is something none of us really consider until someone close to us dies. Imagine if you will, that you know not only the date and time of your death, but you have a ritual of procedures that last as long as 90 days before you die. If it is your second or third brush with death, it can start as little as 30 days before you die.

You could be looking out your window, chatting with a friend, reading a book or listening to your radio when you hear your "slot" open. The Corrections Officer says "Offender prepare to cuff up". You have to strip down, all the way to your birthday suit. You have to hand your clothes out to be inspected for contraband, then you are watched as you redress. You turn around and kneel to expose your hands behind your back to "cuff up".  The Officers open the door and tell you the Warden is going to see you. You already know this is not because he wants your Christmas "wish list". You are escorted to the Warden.

When you get to the Warden, he reads your death warrant now signed by a Judge and tells you what day you will die. You will get a form called "Notification of Execution Date", it will have a list of information you will need to provide to the Death Row Supervisor at least 2 weeks before your date with death. You will be escorted back to your cell and instructed to pack your property. From there you are moved to the "death cells". This is a cell block that houses only those who have dates with death. Sometimes there are two or three others down there. Sometimes you are all alone. Either way this begins the journey you will make alone.

Any KOP or keep on person medications will be taken from you. 

Close to the 14 days before you die, Ray Hill may pop over to do a media interview. He records these interviews and plays them on the night you are to die during his popular show "Execution Watch". These will be the final words the general public has the opportunity to hear, as Ray Hill will only play your interview if you die. 

14 days before you die, you are presented with your Execution Summary, and your religious orientation statement. You will speak with the Death Row Supervisor. You will discuss things such as whether or not your family will claim your body, or will you be buried in Joe Byrd Cemetery (a rather peaceful place I have had the occasion to visit myself.) While you are doing this, others will be gathering information such as your visitation list, and commissary history. You will answer questions such as who gets your "book" money, and you will fill out a trust fund withdrawal slip in the exact amount of the money on your books. You will tell them what you want to happen to your property, the things you have acquired during your stay. Who gets your books, your hot pot, your radio. You will name those you wish to come watch you die.

You don't get to pick a final meal. Texas wants you to eat the same thing everyone else does.

8 days before you die, you will be moved again. This time to a cell that has a camera watching you 24 hours a day, all 8 days left. Everything you do, will be recorded, every 15 minutes. They are watching for you to resolve to die without their assistance, and they won't have that. The goal is to keep you alive, until you die.

The day you die in Texas starts at 6 am sharp. You are to pack your property. You will give it to the Officers so they can inventory it. This is the last time you will see a cell like this one. You are going to visitation. You will say your goodbye's to loved ones and family. You will see your attorneys and they too will say goodbye. You will get snacks and drinks, and the time will fly. At noon your visitors will have to leave. You will be moved to a cage and stripped. You will be given clean clothes and some slippers.

You are about to leave to die.

You will be taken to a van in shackles and chains. You will be advised that if for any reason the transport van is stopped you will be shot. The van has no windows on the side, but if you strain you can view the rear or front windows for your ride to death. If you are lucky and they transport you over Lake Livingston, you will hear the "thump, thump, thump" of the bridge connectors. You might catch a faint whiff of the water. It will be the shortest ride of your life.

You arrive in Huntsville but can only see big brick walls covered with razor wire and guard towers. When you get inside, to the last cell you will ever be in, you can look to your right and see the end of the gurney where you will die in a few short hours. You can shower. You can make a few phone calls. You will eat dinner and be led to your death bed.

You are removed from the cell to walk to the gurney. You are surrounded by 8 Officers. You have fifteen minutes to live. You may look longingly at the phone by the gurney hoping it will ring. You know the chances of that aren't very good, but you will look anyways. You will also look at the clock. For some reason the second hand seems to move so much faster than you remember ever before now. Tick, Tock.....

When you look to your left you see people behind a glass. Some welcome familiar faces that no doubt stir up emotion. Some with familiar faces that without a doubt bring you some memories. Those are the faces from your trial. The victims family members. They may bring you back to a not so pleasant time. Some are there to watch you die to report it to the public, create a record of the event. You are moments from death and allowed to make a final statement that only the witnesses will hear. The public will read it, but this is the last exercise of your voice.

This is the day you die in Texas.

Thank you for reading. I hope I have at least stirred up a thought that perhaps killing people is what the "bad guys" do, and we are the "good guys". I hope the thought of killing someone repulses you even when the state does so on your behalf. This is a person whose death certificate will be very similar to his victims. Both will list the manner of death as "homicide". More importantly both create more victims. I don't want to coddle the man on the gurney, I just want to recognize that killing the man on the gurney no matter how humane, is still taking a human life and the only thing that separates us from them is how they killed.

Below is the BBC Documentary filmed for the Life and Death Row series - this episode is titled 'Execution' and follows two prisoners in the final weeks before their execution dates. 

Upcoming Execution - Richard Vasquez

Richard Vasquez

On Monday April 20th, Richard Vasquez recieved a stay of execution. The reasons for this stay are not yet known.

On the 23rd of April, 2015 at 6pm CDT, the State of Texas is scheduled to execute Richard Vasquez. 

Vasquez, now 35-years old, has been on death row since he was convicted of the 1998 murder of his four-year-old step-daughter, Miranda Lopez. Vasquez was originally scheduled to be executed on January 15th, 2015, however this execution was delayed for reasons that remain unspecified. 

Richard Vasquez was born in Nueces County, Texas to an alcoholic mother and a drug addict father who spent much of his time in and out of prison. Thanks to his mother's heavy drinking habits, Vasquez was born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome . He was brought up mainly by his aunt and uncle, although Vasquez had regular contact with his father. Rather than shooting hoops or tossing ball, his father taught him how to buy and sell drugs. He also showed him how to steal things in order to pay for those drugs. Richard Vasquez was addicted to heroin at 12-years old and he dropped out of school completely in ninth grade. Although Vasquez had a couple of minor, non-violent misdemeanours on his record as a juvenile, he had no convictions as an adult. 

On March 4th 1998, Richard Vasquez and his girlfriend, Brenda Lopez had a argument, despite this they decided to inject themselves with heroin before going to bed. They were to inject heroin again as soon as they both woke up the next morning. Vasquez then drove Lopez to work, something he admitted in court he was not overly happy about because he was being left to watch the children, Miranda and the 3-month old baby they had together, Meagan. That afternoon, Vasquez contacted Lopez at work demanding to know where she had put the rest of their drugs. Still angry with Vasquez she refused to tell him and put down the phone. Overcome by rage, Vasquez struck four-year-old Miranda four times to the front of her head with his closed fist. Little Miranda Lopez died later that day from severe brain injuries. When questioned by police, Vasquez denied striking the child instead insisting her injuries were the result of a fall from a stool while cleaning her teeth. 

The autopsy results did not support Vasquez's version of events. The autopsy also revealed Miranda Lopez had more than twice the lethal amount of cocaine in her system. There was also evidence of possible sexual abuse although the coroner was unable to determine if the young victim had suffered this around the time of death or if the abuse was ongoing. Vasquez was arrested and charged with capital one murder. On June 26th, 1999, Richard Vasquez was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. 

As well as maintaining his innocence, Richard Vasquez has had several appeals stating his counsel during trial was ineffective. Federal judges tossed out claims that counsel for Vasquez demonstrated 'deficient performance' that prejudiced his case. His claims that due to this poor performance his conviction was unconstitutional were also dismissed. Supporters of Vasquez are adamant he did not receive a fair trial, in particular because important evidence disputing abuse claims were not used by his counsel. Richard Vasquez also states that little Miranda Lopez had no cocaine in her system, a fact he can prove if he is granted a new trial. His appeal lawyers continue to argue for a retrial, believing important mitigating evidence regarding Vasquez's upbringing and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome diagnosis was not used during his trial.

Vasquez has written several 'letters' that have appeared in several places on the Internet, in which he tells of how much he loves and misses his step-daughter. He also claims that his conviction came about because the victim was a child and therefore people needed to find him guilty out of justification. At the time of publication, Richard Vasquez is still set to be executed. 

Richard Vasquez maintains his innocence. 

Finally - The Jodi Arias Circus is Over as she gets LWOP.

Jodi Arias was sentenced in her Prison 'Stripes'

It has been seven long years for the family and loved ones of Travis Alexander, the young man whose life was taken by Jodi Arias in 2008. After initially denying any involvement in the murder, Arias was arrested for the crime. Her 2013 trial saw her story change again, yes she HAD killed Travis Alexander but it was an act done in self defence. The trial quickly turned into a media circus as it was screened live to the nation. Details of a horrific murder scene, tawdry details of secret sex sessions and accusations of domestic violence all made the Arias trial a headline stealer. Arias spent 18 long days on the stand, detailing how Travis' sexual deviancy and violent streak led to a final attack on June 4th 2008 that led to her fighting for her life. While allegedly defending herself, Arias shot Travis Alexander, stabbed him 30 times and then slit his throat. Spectators travelled to Phoenix from all over the country to witness what had become a real life soap opera. Thankfully, after a trial spanning four months, the jury found her guilty of murder, they also decided her crime was especially cruel However, the jury were to deadlock on whether Arias deserved to die for her crime. 

Fast forward to October 2014 and the retrial of the punishment phase began with a brand new jury. As with the original trial, it quickly descended into tales of tawdry sexual antics and accusations that Travis Alexander was a paedophile with an interest in little boys. While Arias would question his sexuality in one breath, she openly admitted to having a sexual relationship with him herself. Even after this supposed evidence of paedophilia came to light. What was meant to be a short retrial, quickly dragged on into a four month repeat of the trial circus. Poor Travis Alexander and his reputation were dragged through the mud by Arias' defence team and supporters. It soon became clear that, as the jury deliberated, there was a good chance there would be a second deadlocked jury. And so there was, one lone juror could not commit Arias to death. This immediately took the death penalty off the table and left Judge Sherry Stephens with the decision whether Arias would serve life with no parole or life with a chance of parole after 25 years.

And so on April 13th 2015, Judge Sherry Stephens sentenced Arias to life without parole. She also added that Arias' crime was especially cruel and required much in the way of planning and preparation. Therefore confirming her belief that Arias did not kill Travis Alexander in self defence but in cold blood. I cannot begin to imagine what hell the Alexander family have had to endure these past seven years. To lose a brother in such a horrifically senseless way is bad enough but to then listen to his murderer drag his good name and honour through the mud is just cruel beyond belief. 

I wanted Arias to get the death penalty, however, since hearing the verdict I have decided maybe she has received the best punishment. Had she been put on death row she would have been entitled to countless appeals not afforded to the average convict. Being on death row would have allowed her Poor Me act to continue, given her supporters and anti-death penalty activists a cause, something to fight for. It would of kept her in the papers, in the news, in people's minds. This way, Jodi Arias will, eventually, disappear into the cracks of Perryville and Travis Alexander will be remembered for being a loving caring individual who was devoted to his family, friends and religion. May his family find their peace now and may their brother be remembered as a shining light and not the victim of a manipulative, lying, jealous murderer. 

Watch Judge Sherry Stephens sentence Arias to LWOP.

                                  

Robert Pruett - An Uneasy Execution Approaches

Robert Lynn Pruett

The story of Robert Pruett, a man sitting on death row in Texas, was my motivation for starting this Blog. After watching Robert's story on the BBC documentary Life and Death Row, I was convinced of his innocence. However, after listening to the many comments that have been left on my posts about Pruett, from supporters, close friends and others who are convinced of his guilt, I have to admit I am no longer 100% sure Robert is innocent. I do find it an absolute travesty that a 15 year old boy can be sentenced to 99 years (Pruett's original sentencing for the crime that sent him to prison). 

We don't have the death penalty in the UK, although many of the awful crimes I read about make me wonder why not on an almost daily basis. However, had the 15 year old Robert committed the same crime over here, he would, at the very worse of got a couple of years in a young offender's institute. However, because Robert Pruett did not actually murder the man, he incited his father to do the deed, there is a very good chance he would of received a slap on the wrists and given some kind of supervision order (to be honest, even that is unlikely). My point is, how can two justice systems be SO different. 

Despite not having the death penalty here, I have always admired the US for their use of it to deal with the worse of the worse. But if there is one thing the Robert Pruett case has taught me, is this is not always the case. Thanks to the felony murder law, there are plenty of young men in prison who didn't actually commit the unlawful act (the Pruett and Holle case being two that spring to mind). Maybe Pruett, had he not received prison time for his involvement in the initial murder, would of done something else to get him inside. Maybe he was destined to murder that Prison Guard (if indeed he did) but it certainly is a lot of what ifs. 

And this is why the impending execution of Robert Pruett does not sit well with me. It isn't because I believe him to be innocent, I am really not sure that he is. It is because I do not believe anyone should be executed unless his/her guilt is absolutely believed, beyond a reasonable doubt. Pruett has already had two stays in the past, a third is highly unlikely and yet this is not because there isn't any unanswered questions about the case. It is simply because the 'routine' a prisoner goes through in order to get to the point of execution is almost complete, regardless of whether there is potential doubt or questions. 

I don't normally recommend websites but I do recommend everyone -whether you believe in Robert Pruett or not - spends 30 minutes on his website reading some of the things he has written. Prison has obviously had a huge impact on him and he really is an insightful person, with a passion for living even if it is in dire surroundings with little to look forward too. I really don't know whether Robert Pruett is innocent of killing that Prison Guard, I know I was once convinced he was but I have my doubts now. This does not change my opinion that their is far too many questions to be 100% certain he deserves to executed on April 28th. 

Check out Robert's Site

Whether Innocent or Guilty, There is not Enough Evidence to Support Execution.

Casey Anthony: Justice Denied for Little Caylee Marie?

Little Caylee Anthony with her mother Casey, who many believe killed her

Little Caylee Anthony was first brought to the attention of law enforcement, the residents of Florida and the whole of the United States on July 15th, 2008. Her maternal grandmother, Cindi Anthony, had made a frantic 911 call insisting she hadn't seen her granddaughter in 31 days and that her daughter Casey's car smelled 'odd', like she had had a dead body in there. Cindi Anthony explained that Casey had given her and Caylee's grandfather a variety of excuses to account for their granddaughter's absence over the previous four weeks. However, things had come to a head that day, when Casey had told her mother she hadn't seen Caylee in weeks either. This started a series of lies Casey Anthony would tell, with the most consistent being she had left Caylee with a nanny, appropriately called "Zanny". According to Casey Anthony, when she returned to Zanny's apartment to pick her daughter up nobody was there. According to Casey, she had been too scared she would be in trouble with the police and her family for leaving her daughter with someone she didn't know very well and so she had kept the disappearance to herself,, She went on to insist she had been trying to locate 'Zanny' herself. Police soon found out that Casey Anthony hadn't mentioned her daughter's alleged kidnapping to anyone, not even the man she was having a relationship with at the time. Soon after, a woman, whom Casey Anthony insisted was the mystery nanny was taken in for questioning by the police. She was released when law enforcement were happy she had nothing to do with Caylee's disappearance. Police were also happy that the nanny called Zanny did not exist and Casey Anthony was arrested and charged with murder in October 2008. She pleaded not guilty. 

On December 11th, 2008, a trash bag containing a Winnie the Pooh blanket and the skeletal remains of little Caylee was found in a wooded area not far from the Anthony family home. The Medical Examiner said, due to the state of the remains, he had no choice but to register the death as a 'death by unknown means'. However, he said that three pieces of duck tape found on or around the skull gave him cause to believe Caylee's death was actually a homicide. 

Casey Anthony's trial began on May 24th, 2011. The prosecution told the jury Casey Anthony murdered little Caylee using a mixture of chloroform and duck tape to free herself of the burden of parental responsibility. Prosecutors also sought the death penalty. The first shock of the trial was when the defence, led by Casey's attorney Jose Baez, countered with a story that little Caylee had accidentally drowned in the pool at the family home and that her grandfather and Casey's father, George Anthony, had disposed of the body.  

Casey Anthony's entire defence revolved around her alleged dysfunctional upbringing and the sexual abuse she had allegedly endured at the hands of her father. The defence team did not produce any evidence of the alleged abuse, nor did they have any evidence to support how they said Caylee really died. The prosecution on the other hand appeared to have plenty of evidence supporting their opinion that Casey Anthony was guilty of premeditated murder. A forensic researcher told the jury how he had found compounds associated with decomposition in samples taken from the carpet, spare tyre cover, wheel well and air in Casey Anthony's car. A hair found in the car was also proven to have come from a dead body. Mitochondrial testing proved the hair had come from Casey Anthony's maternal line, as Casey, Cindy and Cindy's mother were allegedly ruled out - that only left Caylee as the most likely owner. The prosecution also submitted records of several Google searches that had been taken off the Anthony family's home computer, the searches included 'how to make chloroform' and 'neck breaking'. According to the computer investigations expert, the word 'chloroform' had been searched 84 times. However, it emerged that the expert made a mistake and had misread the data produced by certain software he had used. It transpired that the word chloroform had only been searched for once. Still determined, the prosecution revealed that the Winnie the Pooh blanket was part of a set from the Anthony home. Altogether 400 pieces of evidence were entered in the trial. 

The trial lasted six weeks and on July 5th, 2011, the jury returned their verdict. Much to the shock of the prosecution, law enforcement and virtually everyone all over America and the World, Casey Anthony was found not guilty of murder. She was also find not guilty of aggravated manslaughter and aggravated child abuse. She was found guilty of four counts of providing false information to the police for - lying about dropping Caylee of with Zanny at her apartment, lying about working for Universal Studios during 2008, lying about informing two other people that Caylee had disappeared and for falsely saying she had talked to Caylee on July 15th 2008, which had led to police expanding the search area and increasing manpower. Although the defence wanted all four counts to be counted as one, so as the sentence would run as one, the judge refused and instead acknowledged that the July to December 2008 search for little Caylee had cost a significant amount in police time, resources and costs. Casey Anthony was fined $1000 for each count and sentenced to one year in prison. However, she was credited with 1043 days for time served and she walked free on July 17th 2011. 

Today, almost seven years after little Caylee Marie Anthony died, Casey Anthony allegedly lives the life of a virtual recluse. An apparent 'victim' of her own notoriety, only the odd picture and interview has surfaced in the press since her trial ended. While some people will show her some sympathy, many more believe the real victim, Caylee Anthony, was denied justice and that her mother literally got away with murder. 

I have to say the Caylee Anthony case frustrates me. The prosecution dropped the ball more than once. The defence were able to counter the prosecution's claims about the chloroform found on the carpet of Casey Anthony's car because the prosecution's expert used a technique never before used in a homicide investigation. Add to that the Google searches mistake and the fact that the hair found in the car, that was said to have come from a dead body, was not 100% reliable, and it is no wonder the jury could not convict beyond a reasonable doubt. Considering the mountain of evidence, it almost feels like the prosecution jumped the gun and they ended up paying for it, or Caylee Anthony did. Her story just did not make sense. What sort of mother waits 31 days to tell police and her family that her 2-year old daughter is missing? I tell you what sort, a guilty one! A mother whose child has a fatal accident calls for help! A mother who has something to hide, comes up with one ridiculous excuse after another in order to cover up what really happened. 

What are your thoughts on the Casey Anthony case? Was she really just a compulsive liar who lost her young daughter to a tragic accident? Or was she really guilty of premeditated murder, driven by a need to have no responsibility in her life? 

Casey Anthony Today

Arnold Prieto - Execution Approaching

Arnold Prieto

On January 21st, Texas will carry out it's first execution of 2015 when 35-year old Arnold Prieto is put to death. Barring a last minute stay Prieto will receive a lethal injection a few minutes before 6pm on Wednesday.

On September 11th 1993, Arnold Prieto was approached by two brothers he knew, Lupe and Jesse Hernandez. In the past, Jesse had told stories of his loan shark uncle, Rodolfo Rodriguez, who apparently had a closet stuffed full of money. The brothers had regularly supplied Arnold Prieto with cocaine, and the night of the murder was no different. According to Prieto, Jesse Hernandez pressured him into going with the brothers to their uncle's house to steal his money. Prieto insists he cannot remember much of what was discussed during the car journey to the Rodriguez home because all three men were taking cocaine. He does remember one of the brothers instructing him to remove his socks and put them on his hands so he wouldn't leave fingerprints during the murder.

When the men arrived at the destination in the early morning hours, the door was opened by Rodolfo Rodriguez's wife and the brothers' aunt, Virginia Rodriguez. Pleased to see her nephews, Virginia made all  three men breakfast. According to Prieto's testimony, Jesse called him into the bedroom where Rodolfo Rodriguez was, as Prieto entered the room he heard a scream, turned and saw Lupe Hernandez violently stabbing his aunt. Rodolfo Rodriguez attempted to go and help his wife, but Prieto, using a screwdriver given to him by Jesse, pushed him back down and began stabbing the man. He finished the job by ramming the screwdriver into Rodolfo's head. According to Prieto, he left the bedroom in a state of shock, he saw the body of Virginia Rodriguez on the kitchen floor but was allegedly shocked to see the body of another woman in the lounge area. The other woman was the Rodriguez's friend and former nanny, 92-year old Paula Moran. Prieto continues by saying Jesse Hernandez then emptied the contents of a closet, Lupe Hernandez stole a purse from the bedroom before shouting "Lets Go".

Once safely away from the crime scene, Prieto says the Hernandez brothers split the stolen goods. Prieto received a man's gold ring, a child's crucifix and a couple of necklaces. Each man also had around $100 in cash. According to Prieto, a few days after the murders he confessed to his wife, saying he had "killed someone and so did Lupe and Jesse".

Once the jury had convicted Prieto of capital murder, the same jury then entered the punishment phase. During this time, the jury were made aware of Prieto's previous criminal record, which included stealing $676,000 worth of laptops from his employer. The jury also heard that during his incarceration awaiting trial Prieto persistently disobeyed orders, was caught several times with contraband and was constantly yelling and annoying other inmates. Prieto was sentenced to death on March 30th, 1995.

There is no questioning Arnold Prieto's guilt, he has confessed to murdering one person during the course of a robbery and being present when two others were also killed. However, he appears to have shown little remorse, instead he appears to make the Hernandez brothers solely responsible that night. He is insistent the brothers pressured him to do it, that he was numb with shock the whole time. However, the crime scene was bloody, especially in the bedroom where Prieto killed Rodolfo Rodriguez. It was no conducive with someone who had struggled to carry out a murder on someone else's instructions.

I believe Arnold Prieto fully deserves the death sentence, what do you think?

Texas Death Chamber

Guest Blog Piece - Correctional Officers or Corruptional Officers?

Correction or Corruption?

I am very pleased to introduce my first guest blogger, Gem and her post below.

As of the 2012 statistics,there are 2.3 million individuals incarcerated in the United States,more than any other nation in the world.That means that for every 100,000 people, you'll roughly find 700 of them currently behind bars.The infamous American justice system has, for many years now, fascinated, confused, and absolutely terrified me. I have many qualms when it comes to the American justice system as a whole, the death penalty and the frightening, ever climbing number of exonerations (which requires a whole separate Blog itself !!)  then there's the mandatory minimum sentencing, racial discrimination, ahhh the prison slave trade of the 21st century, the devastating effects of long term solitary confinement, the introduction of longer and harsher sentences, the treatment of juveniles, the diabolical living conditions and so on and so fourth, it's a perpetual list that would make the most sane person go crazy with questions..how the fuck do they get away with it? I'm still working on that answer!!

 But what I want to talk about today is ..correctional officers. And not the good, job - well done kind!! The corrupt, abusive, immoral type with their warped mentality for harassment and power exploitation and the troubling allegations that are continuously arising in the media today! ((although, I'd like to state at this point, this is in no reference to every C/O, or even the majority for that matter and it is a fundamental point to recognise that there are and continue to be some very respectable, hardworking and decent correctional officers within the system) 

In march 2012, in Lanesboro prison, Polkton N.C an escalating series of events occurred which finally ended in two inmates savagely attacking and stabbing another inmate. It is alleged that the correctional officer working that particular unit opened the cell door to allow the perpetrators to carry out the brutal attack. And sadly this isn't just an isolated incident, it seems to be shockingly common within prison with more and more cases happening.  

In 2014, another inmate, at another facility was approached by a dangerous and some what delusional inmate and in so many words 'offered out'. The victim saw an opportunity to flea through an exiting door, but unfortunately before he could reach it, a correctional officer shut and trapped him in, leaving him caged in to accept and suffer the unprovoked attack, beaten with bare fists within an inch of his life. He sustained severe head injuries that at best will take months to heal from, at worst years or possibly never. Stripped back to the bare basics, left to learn how to write, walk and even talk again. Meanwhile, the families of such victims receive little support, it's an incredible battle just to get even the most minuscule of information on where or how their loved one is, and in some cases the only way to receive information is from the cell mates who have the decency to contact them and keep them informed! Figure that? The ones much of society blanket labels as heartless criminals unfit for society are the ones who show more humanity and compassion than the ones you would expect to. 

And now I sit here and try and comprehend how people are suppose to trust in the integrity of correctional officers for the safe guarding of their loved ones when the very people who are suppose to control and maintain the peace and order within prison are the very ones breaching it and assisting in fostering the prison system's culture of brutality and violence?? And this isn't anything new, nobody (OK maybe some) is under the illusion that the system isn't a breeding ground of opportunity for corruption on both sides of the law. Daily exploitation, abuse of power, smuggling operations of contraband, fraternising and sexual relations, bribes, beatings to name a few. 

It is all too often publicised that correctional officers risk their lives on a daily basis for little reward, and that is true. The average wage for a C/O is documented at between $22,000-$39,000 a year, in places it's one officer to every 100 inmate ratio, if not more. Long shifts, unsociable hours and often known as the lowest, dirtiest step on the criminal justice career ladder. However, none of that makes the corrupt conduct of a correctional officer right, or even OK for that matter!.. How many inmates are going to have to die or be seriously injured mentally...physically at the hands of the system's negligence before change occurs, how many family members are going to have live in fear of not only having to worry about the environment their loved one lives in but over the people who are 'suppose' to protect them? How many more travesties of the American justice system will be swept under the rug and conveniently covered up and forgotten about? It's the stuff nightmares are made of..,It's children being sentenced as adults, it's young men and women being thrown in to the lions den to deal with the most sadistic of people and that's just some of the officers, and they can't always speak out,It's shut up and put up or face more danger, more abuse, more aggression, more retaliation. And then those very same people have to be introduced back in to society upon release after years of torment under the care of officers, bullied in to believing they are less than human, worthless, their confidence, dignity and self perception whittled away, it's sad, heartbreaking. Some serious amendments need to be made in all areas of the system...that's a given, and hopefully one day change will prevail, until then...i will keep talking about it, writing about it, and doing what ever is possible even to make the tiniest of difference. 

I just want to thank you all for taking the time out of your day to read something very important to me.

The American justice system needs change. 

Jodi Arias - Does she Deserve to Die for her Crime?

Jodi Arias mugshot from 2008

The Jodi Arias case has been a constant source of frustration for me, and I am in no way related to the case, live 1000s of miles away and have never met any of the individuals involved. Convicted of the first-degree murder of her ex-boyfriend in 2013, the jury were unable to reach a unanimous decision whether Arias should live or die during the penalty phase. The penalty phase retrial, initially scheduled for July 2014, began on Monday September 29th 2014 and, to this day, is still being heard. 

The toxic, troubled and deeply obsessive love affair between Jodi Arias and her Mormon on/off boyfriend, Travis Alexander, ended in his murder on June 4th, 2008. As the prosecution in the Arias trial would later say, Mr Alexander was murdered three times over - after being stabbed 30 times, shot and having his throat cut from ear to ear. Travis Alexander's body lay undiscovered in the shower at his home until concerned friends broke in and found him. Arias initially denied all knowledge of Travis' murder, instead playing the distraught friend and former love. Unbeknown to Arias, her name had already been mentioned to police by Travis' friends, as early as the 911 call from his home on June 9th. Arias was formally questioned by police on June 14th where she stuck to her story of knowing nothing. However, the physical evidence at the crime scene was beginning to tell a different tale, and Arias knew her game was up when police revealed they had found her hair and blood mixed in with Travis' at the crime scene. Rather than confess any wrongdoing, she told her second set of lies. Weaving a some what elaborate tale of how she and Travis were attacked in his home by two masked ninjas. Travis, she said, had desperately fought for his life. Probably the only true sentence she uttered in her deceitful web of lies. After learning from friends of Travis, his own emails and texts and Arias' own emails and journals, a picture of a beyond obsessed jilted lover soon emerged. She had manipulated Travis Alexander into taking her into his bed by conforming to his Mormon faith and acting like the demure girlfriend in public and a slut in the bedroom. Arias was indicted by Grand Jury for first-degree murder on July 9th 2008 and arrested on July 15th. Following her extradition to Arizona, Arias officially pleaded 'not guilty' on September 11th, 2008. 

The object of Jodi Arias' obsession
Travis Alexander

Due to a number of delay tactics by the defence, including having Arias submitted for an IQ test to assess competency, it was the summer of 2011 when Arias submitted a request to represent herself at trial. Judge Sherry Stephens,presiding over the upcoming trial, agreed to this although she specified that Arias' defence counsel (Victoria Washington and Kirk Nurmi) stay on in an advisory capacity. Later in the same year, Arias requested letters sent to her by Mr Alexander in the weeks leading up to his death be admitted into evidence. According to her, these letters were proof that Travis Alexander was not only a paedophile, but he was also abusive, controlling and violent towards her. Judge Stephens denied the request. She also denied the defence's motion to have the death penalty removed as potential punishment. Shortly after, Victoria Washington's request to step down as Arias' defence counsel was accepted and she was replaced by death penalty qualified attorney, Jennifer Wilmott. Around Christmas 2011, Jodi Arias' sister Angela appeared on a special edition of 48 Hours. During the programme, Angela Arias said her sister's claims of being attacked by ninjas was false and that Jodi Arias herself had killed Travis Alexander in an act of self defence after an abusive Alexander had attacked her. It was, therefore no surprise, when Arias' trial finally opened on January 2nd that she claimed she was guilty of killing Alexander but only because she was defending her own life. It was also no surprise that she had decided to hand over her representation to her attorneys. 

During opening arguments, Maricopa County Prosecutor Juan Martinez pointed out the many lies Jodi Arias had told before settling with her self defence motive. He highlighted the fact that, up until then, she had told many lies and two other versions of the events of June 4th 2008. He pointed out that, not only did Mr Travis Alexander have significant self defence injuries, he had actually been killed three times over. He concluded his opening argument with a segment of interview from July 2008, before Arias claimed stories of ninjas and self defence, where she said "I did not kill Travis. Mark my words, no jury will convict me". Arias' defence team told a much different tale. Telling the jury that Travis Alexander, who appeared wholesome and devoutly Mormon to his friends and loved ones, was actually an aggressive bully who bullied Arias into having both anal and vaginal sex. On June 4th 2008, Alexander had become violently outraged when Jodi Arias accidentally dropped his new camera. Warding off his violent attack, Arias had been left with no choice but to fight back, seemingly to the death. During the trial, Juan Martinez brought several female friends of Travis Alexander to the stand. All testified that Alexander was kind, devout to his religion and that they all felt safe in his company. Police Detective Esteban Flores who had interviewed Arias way back in 2008, remembered her calling him in the days after Travis Alexander's body was found. He told how Arias had said she and Travis were 'friends or buddies', she said they had once had an intimate relationship but that they had broken up as she suspected him of 'cheating...plus he got upset real easy'. He also recalled Arias telling him that she had been told the crime scene was a bloody one and enquiring whether a weapon had been recovered at the scene. Finger print experts, the Medical examiner, forensic firearms experts and blood spatter specialists all took the stand to explain the physical evidence. On January 9th 2013, Ryan Burns a once potential new love interest for Arias, took the stand and revealed how he and Jodi Arias had enjoyed an intense make out session on the day after Travis Alexander was killed. Burns also testified how Arias showed up at his home several hours late and with two fingers covered by bandages. He concluded his testimony by stating that Arias was 'fit' and 'much stronger than she may appear'. Jodi Arias would also take the stand, in fact she testified for 13 long days. During this time she appeared confident, almost emotionless. She was not swayed by the fact the Alexander family were in court,nor was she bothered when she revealed how she had been physically abused by her parents as a child. All this as her mother sat in court in support of her.

The long  trial came to a close in May 2013. The prosecution had painted her as manipulative, obsessive and absolutely determined to 'have' Mr Alexander at any cost. When it looked like he was potentially thinking of marrying someone else, her plan to murder him was put in place. Her active cover up both before and after the murder were proof of premeditation and the prosecution had no doubt if she were to be set free it would only be a matter of time before she killed again. The defence painted an altogether more different person. Jodi Arias, who had been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder since the murder, was deeply in love with Travis Alexander and only ever sort to please him. Her testimony that he was a paedophile and that she had caught him getting aroused over pictures of young boys, was proof that she loved him. She had kept his secret, hoping to help 'cure' him. She put up with abuse and violence from Travis because she saw the good in him. Why, she even chose to enter his religion, because she loved him. Of course, she was actually scared of Alexander and complied with his sexual requests, which she actually found debasing, because she was too scared to say no. The day of the murder, says Arias, Travis flipped and, although she couldn't remember a lot of what happened due to a 'brain fog'. She knew Travis was going to try and kill her.

The jury found Jodi Arias guilty of First Degree murder on May 9th 2013. While the same jury panel found Arias guilty of committing murder in an especially cruel and unusual manner, they could not reach a unanimous verdict on the appropriate punishment - death or life without parole. The jury was dismissed and Judge Sherry Stephens ordered a retake of the penalty phase with a new jury. And that brings us to today, January 5th 2015, some seven years after Travis Alexander's death. The retrial of the penalty phase, which began in October 2014, was originally scheduled to be over by December,2014. However, due to the long list of mitigating factors introduced by the defence, secret testimony by Jodi Arias and a plethora of witnesses still to give evidence it looks like we won't be seeing a verdict soon. 

So, what is your view? Is Jodi Arias guilty of cold, calculated murder and therefore should receive the death penalty? Or does her self defence story have a ring of truth to it, can a jury be happy beyond a reasonable doubt that she DID kill Travis Alexander in cold blood or is there an element of doubt that means she should be sentenced to life without parole?

Update

On April 13th 2015, following a second hung jury, Judge Sherry Stephens sentenced Jodi Ann Arias to life in prison with no chance of parole. 

Jodi Arias refused to give any interviews without makeup or
in her prison stripes.

Juvenile Life Without Parole - Right or Wrong?

Lewis was convicted of Felony murder at 14-years old
he will serve time in Juvenile Detention before being
officially sentenced at age 21 where life without
parole is a very real possibility.

According to the Amnesty International website, there are around 2500 people serving life without parole sentences in the U.S for crimes committed when they were under 18. Furthermore, although other countries, such as Antigua, Cuba and Nigeria, also permit life without parole for juveniles the United States is the only country actively practising it. Despite a U.S Supreme Ruling in 2012 demanding ALL states abolish mandatory life sentences without parole for juveniles, only 13 out of 28 states have complied. According to Amnesty International, these states are actively breaking international law and certain standards that are generally accepted worldwide. 

In California, around 237 juveniles are serving life without parole sentences, with some of these being as young as 14 when sentenced. Perhaps more striking is the fact that over half of these juveniles did not commit the actual criminal act themselves. Instead, they either assisted during the commission of the crime or provided support to the actual individual(s). 

In Florida, several individuals who were sentenced to life without parole as juveniles are bringing law suits before the Supreme court in a hope of getting their sentences commuted to a lesser term. One of the plaintiffs is Shimeek Gridine, in 2009 a 14-year old Gridine and his 12-year old friend made a bungled attempted to rob a man in Jacksonville, Florida. The victim, somewhat stunned by the robbery attempt ran away from the boys, when Gridine fired a shotgun. The bullet grazed past the man's shoulder and head but thankfully he wasn't seriously injured. Despite hoping for a lenient sentence as a young offender with no past criminal history, he was jailed for 70 years with no chance of parole. In a Supreme Court ruling in 2005, the death penalty for juveniles under the age of 18 was abolished as 'cruel and unusual punishment'. It is this ruling that is being used in many of the Florida lawsuits, Shimeek Gridine's included, on the basis that sentences of 70 years plus violate this ruling. 

So what is your opinion? Do you believe if you are big enough to commit the crime, you are big enough to do the time? Or does sentencing juveniles to life without parole not take into account that these individuals are still maturing, physically, emotionally and mentally? Should a 'child' of 14 be held just as culpable if they commit the same crime as a 30-year old? Or is 14, 15 years of age just too young to assume they cannot be rehabilitated and reintegrated into society?

Shimeek Gridine sentenced to 70 years
without parole at 14-years old.

Happy New Year! Guest Bloggers Wanted!

                                                               

The death penalty debate still rages on...

First of all, Happy New Year to all who stop by and read my blog - I hope 2015 is a happy, healthy year for each one of you. Although I started this blog back in April 2014, I haven't had as much time to dedicate to it as I would of liked. This has especially frustrated me, because it has proved to be a popular....small....but popular blog. It is therefore my new year's resolution to spend more time on my blog. I have been lucky enough to have several people leave comments on my posts, all had differing opinions and all had a good point to make. This is why I have decided to appeal for guest bloggers. Basically, it would involve you writing a piece on ANY subject (within the criminal justice genre) that you like. It can be written as you want it, no matter what your opinion and your piece will be posted to the blog as is - it will only be checked by me for spelling errors. 

The Robert Pruett case has fascinated me from the minute I watched the Life and Death Row documentary over here in the UK. I was convinced from that, Pruett was innocent - of the murder of the corrections officer, Daniel Nagle - and that was that. Yet, when I wrote a post on this case, it received many comments, some from people who know Robert Pruett, others who are all to familiar with the TDCJ system and people who just knew more than I did about the case. I must admit I now sit on the fence with this case, something I never like to do but I believe these people and the Pruett case have helped me become more open minded. Something I would like to do for others. 

If you would like to write a guest blog piece, you can contact me directly at lollipopwrites@gmail.com . 

Write a post on a criminal subject of your choice...