Rock FIX the VOTE

the least shocking news in the world, acorn under investigation for voter fraud.
ACORN office in Vegas raided in voter-fraud probe
ACORN office raided in Las Vegas in voter-fraud probe
County rejects large number of invalid voter registrations Indiana October 02, 2008
Bad voter applications found - Clerks see fraudulent, duplicate forms from group Michigan September 14, 2008,
ACORN In The News Again For Workers Registering Dead Voters And Others Milwaukee. August/08
Wikipedia (has current busts as well)
LOTS MORE...

Another Orwellian euphemistic title... the word Reform should be a clue that they are anything but... And those are just the ones that got caught.

Anyone checking what goes on here? Konkler?

Planting Seeds of Disaster
...ACORN, far more than we’ve recognized up to now, had a major role in precipitating the subprime crisis...

Find that silver mustang/UPdate(s)

☛ TS Driver sought: Suspected drag race on 299 results in fatal crash
ARCATA -- The California Highway Patrol was looking Monday night for a newer model silver Mustang with a black top that was reportedly racing another car when a third uninvolved vehicle was clipped, killing an 8-year-old a 9-year-old girl.
Sgt. Brett Fabbri said the silver Mustang may have collision damage, or may be a witness to the accident. Leaving the scene of a crash is considered a hit-and-run, Fabbri said....

Black top? Or black stripe?










TS Update: ☛ TS Police still looking for driver

The CHP has confirmed that two vehicles were in aAn unplanned drag race at around 4:30 p.m. Monday. A 2004 Pontiac Sunbird and what officials believe is a silver Ford Mustang were racing west at 90 miles per hour or more, when they came upon a 2002 Chevy Tahoe in the No. 2 lane.

One of the racing vehicles struck the Tahoe and caused it to lose control. The Tahoe went down an embankment struck a utility pole and ended up on Boyd Road, which parallels Route 299.

The driver of the Pontiac Sunbird also lost control and went down the embankment and came to rest on its roof. The silver mustang kept going, and hasn't been found, the CHP said.

Killed in the wreck was an 8-year-old girl, who died at the scene. The driver of the Tahoe, 50-year-old Debra Quigley, suffered major injuries and was transported to Mad River Hospital.

The driver of the Pontiac Sunbird is believed by the CHP to be 40-year-old Cheri Marcelli of Willow Creek, who was out of the car when authorities arrived.

Another person in the car was uninjured. The CHP is still gathering evidence to confirm who was driving the car.
The CHP is still attempting to identify the driver of the silver Mustang and has been following up on leads from the public. Anyone with information is asked to call the CHP at 822-5981.

We all swear we've seen that car, but none of us can remember where exactly. It shouldn't be hard to find.

Update:
☛ TS Search continues for other driver in fatal crash

Nicole Quigley, 9, was killed, and her mother, Debra Quigley, seriously injured, when their 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe was clipped by a car speeding at 90 miles per hour or more, according to CHP.

Both Marcelli's 2004 Pontiac Sunbird and the Tahoe drove off an embankment.

According to CHP information, the Tahoe slammed into a utility pole, and stopped moving on Boyd Road, which parallels Route 299. The Sunbird came to rest on its roof.

Humboldt County Deputy Coroner Charles Comer said Debra Quigley suffered injuries to her torso and neck.

Debra Quigley was transported to Mad River Hospital, and later flown to Rogue Valley Medical Center in Medford for treatment. Personnel there confirmed Tuesday she had been downgraded from serious to fair condition, and was removed from intensive care.

Fabbri said two other passengers were riding in the Tahoe, including Nicole Quigley's twin sister and a friend. Both of the other passengers sustained minor injures and walked away from the wreck, Fabbri said.

Marcelli was transported to Mad River Hospital with major injuries. Fabbri said investigators have attempted interviews with her.
”We're still working out what her involvement is,” he said, “but she's not being the most cooperative.”

Fabbri said no charges have been filed against Marcelli as it is still too early in the investigation. Fabbri said investigators are now sifting through the tips -- he estimated around 60 -- authorities received from the public Tuesday.

The comments are heartwrenching.

☛ TS New driver identified in fatal crash
☛ TS New driver named in fatal collision

The California Highway Patrol this evening identified a new individual as one of the drivers involved in a suspected illegal street race that killed a 9-year-old girl.

Jason B. Whitmill, 31, has been named the driver of a Pontiac Sunbird involved in the alleged race. A Chevrolet Tahoe also traveling on State Route 299 was clipped by a car speeding at 90 miles per hour or more, according to CHP.

A third person of interest, the driver of a silver Ford Mustang, is still at large.

According to CHP information, Whitmill was arrested the night of the collision for violating his parole. He is being held in the Humboldt County jail. On Wednesday evening, charges had not been filed, but are pending.

Whitmill suffered minor injuries in the wreck, CHP reported.

Cheri Marcelli, who was hospitalized after the crash, was previously named as the Sunbird's driver. Her name was removed from an updated collision report.

☛ ER Parolee named as driver in fatal collision
Word on the street:
At least one silver Mustang with a black stripe has reportedly gone in and received clearance from the CHP as NOT being involved.

***
Related:
09
◼ Whitmill and Flores trial date delayed another month 08/04/2009
◼ Whitmill, Flores take District Attorney's deal 12/05/2009
◼ Jury selection begins in trial of Whitmill, Flores 11/23/2009
◼ Whitmill, Flores trial to proceed 11/10/2009
◼ Motion denied to suppress blood sample in Whitmill case 11/06/2009
◼ Whitmill faces murder charge for alleged role in crash 10/15/2008
◼ Quigley family, friends remember 9-year-old Nicole 10/06/09
◼ Nearly one year ago 10/01/2009
◼ Case surrounding fatal crash on Highway 299 delayed 09/15/2009
◼ Too many delays 9/10/09
◼ Legal maneuvers slow case of men charged in 9-year-old's death 09/01/2009
◼ Whitmill and Flores trial date delayed another month 08/04/2009
◼ Evidence, charges unchanged against Whitmill 07/17/2009
◼ Evidence for second degree murder charge? 06/19/2009
◼ Thinking of the Quigleys 05/29/2009
◼ Remember Nicole 05/08/2009
◼ Looking forward: Quigley family watches and waits as case continues 05/17/2009
◼ Defendants in 299 wreck plead not guilty 03/28/2009
◼ Judge holds Whitmill, Flores to answer for 299 wreck 03/14/2009
◼ Wife refuses to testify against husband at preliminary hearing 03/13/2009
◼ Investigator testifies suspect in fatal crash changed story 03/12/2009
◼ Officer testifies about 299 crash at prelim 03/11/2009
◼ Preliminary hearing over Highway 299 wreck continues 03/10/2009
◼ Superior Court delays hearing in 299 crash case 02/11/2009
◼ Broken system 01/23/2009

08
◼ Hug your children 12/03/2008
◼ Vehicular manslaughter suspect has extensive criminal history 11/13/2008
◼ Whitmill-Flores hearing continued 11/06/2008
◼ Street race case waiting on CHP reports 10/23/2008
◼ Authorities seek Mustang passenger for questioning 10/17/2008
◼ Court document: Flores tried to 'subvert' investigation 10/16/08
◼ Whitmill faces murder charge for alleged role in crash 10/15/2008
◼ Authorities arrest driver of Mustang 10/10/2008
◼ New driver named in fatal collision 10/09/2008
◼ Search continues for other driver in fatal crash 10/08/2008
◼ ER Parolee named as driver in fatal collision
◼ TS New driver identified in fatal crash
◼ TS New driver named in fatal collision
TS Update: ☛ TS Police still looking for driver
◼ TS Driver sought: Suspected drag race on 299 results in fatal crash

Note: there were other articles in the Eureka reporter, but none are available online anymore.

Attorney in murder-for-hire case withdraws from counsel

☛ ER Attorney in murder-for-hire case withdraws from counsel
Chad Larsen, a Fortuna man facing trial in a foiled murder-for-hire plot, has a new attorney, as his former attorney withdrew from the case last week, citing ethical issues.

In another development, a plea offer proposed last week for both Chad Larsen and his father, Dennis Larsen, was withdrawn Monday, as Chad Larsen didn’t accept the deal, Judge Timothy Cissna said...

...Chad Larsen’s case dates back to early 2006, when he was arrested on suspicion of having sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old girl. Chad Larsen, who was 26 at the time, said he kissed and “fooled” around with the girl and tried to have sex, but said the two weren’t “physically compatible,” according to a probable cause statement for his arrest.

He was placed on two years probation after pleading guilty to the crime, but the probation was revoked in January of this year, as he allegedly committed more sexual crimes against another teenage girl.

It was this then-16-year-old girl that Chad Larsen allegedly told several inmates he wanted killed. He allegedly offered another inmate a payment plan of $5,000, a used car, a partnership in an outdoor marijuana grow, and free rent at his father’s Ferndale ranch in exchange for killing the alleged victim.

The murder plan relayed to then-inmate Carlton Wallace called for giving the girl tainted drugs and taking her to the Ferndale ranch, where she was to be placed in a hole and covered with cement. To show he was serious about going through with the plan, Wallace was to dig a hole on the property and receive a $500 down payment from Dennis Larsen.

Dennis Larsen allegedly left two new shovels beside the mailbox and cash in an envelope inside the box. When a parole officer, who went undercover posing as Wallace, later phoned Dennis Larsen and asked where the hole to bury the girl’s body was to be dug, Dennis Larsen said he wanted no further part in the plot, according to preliminary hearing testimony.

The Larsens remain at the Humboldt County jail on $1 million bail and have a trial confirmation hearing on Oct. 20.

If you only follow one link today...

Fire in the Night

I'll add more later.

Angelel: I alone am responsible for my wife's death

☛ TS Angelel: I alone am responsible for my wife's death
Lawrence Angelel gave a strained account of his wife's death, saying he stumbled badly -- even coming completely out of his prosthetic legs -- against Lonna Angelel in the Fieldbrook couple's carport. The diabetic man claimed he was suffering from low blood sugar and may even have been unconscious when he came to and realized his wife was lying in pool of blood.
He also insisted that his wife's death was not premeditated and claimed he did not decapitate her, leaving unexplained why Lonna Angelel's headless body was found 2 miles from their home covered in brush in February 1996

Hmmm. Interesting. Hard to believe it was an accident.

But - the missing head was basically believed to have been the work of animals in the forest. The body was found some time after she was reported missing (1995), though I forget the details.

Attorney: Gundersen to post bail today - UPDATED

☛ TS Bail lowered from $1.25 million to $50,000 at a hearing this afternoon.
☛ ER Gundersen to be released from jail tonight
On Friday, Watson dismissed the emergency protective order placed on Gundersen follow his preliminary hearing in April, which prohibited him from contacting Seal.

Gundersen will be sentenced on Oct. 22 and faces at worst three years, eight months in prison, mostly related to the firearm charges.

UPDATED:

◼ Former Blue Lake Police Chief David Gundersen has been cleared of all major charges first filed against him in 2008. - Arcata Eye MARCH 2012

****

Another funny quote:

When Stoen talks about the PL suit, his complete confidence in its success is disarming. "I will win this case," he says. "If Paul's not recalled, I am guaranteeing you that we will win this case. I don't know what the penalties will be, but this case is as solid as a rock." ☛ NCJ Cover Story

Yeah. He also said he only needed two pieces of paper and a couple of expert witnesses and this case was a SLAM DUNK.

His own words...

★ "...Top on Gallegos' list is the proliferation of "garbage cases," small-time crimes and overcharged cases that he said are clogging up the court system.

Garbage cases, said Gallegos, come in two forms: Cases that would lose if actually brought to trial and cases that are overcharged for the crimes committed. The idea behind filing both kinds of garbage, he said, is to get the defendant to plead guilty, netting a conviction without having to go into court.

"Probably 95 percent of the cases that are filed plead guilty. In fact, there are a lot of cases that are filed on the assumption they will plead guilty, because of the time and expense involved in defending them. But these cases shouldn't even be filed in the first place, because if they were challenged, they would lose," Gallegos said. Better yet: If they weren't filed at all, it would save the county time and money...." North Coast Journal 2/21/02

Too bad he didn't take his own advice.

Ooooh! Nasty! - UPDATED

UPDATED:

◼ Former Blue Lake Police Chief David Gundersen has been cleared of all major charges first filed against him in 2008. - Arcata Eye MARCH 2012

****

In addition to the 28 charges Gundersen faced in the trial that ended Wednesday, the former police chief was also held to stand trial on charges of forcibly raping a second victim at gunpoint and acting unlawfully with department records.

Friday, Clanton asked that the District Attorney's Office make a decision at the earliest possible time as to how to proceed with those charges.

”You can pester all you want councilor,” said Deputy District Attorney Arnie Klein, who appeared on behalf of the people. “We'll make (the decision) at the appropriate time.”

Funny, Mr. Klein, this case has sped along at the speed of light. From all reports this upcoming case has no evidence in sight. A decision ought to be easy. The decision ought to have been made when the charges were filed. No?

Also in the article: ☛ TS Protective order revoked in Gundersen case
Friday, Seal appeared in court on Gundersen's behalf and requested that Watson lift the protective order.
Gundersen, who appeared in court with his hands shackled in front of him and clad in a red jump suit, was also scheduled to have a bail hearing Friday, but that matter was continued to Monday, when District Attorney Paul Gallegos would be available to appear for the people.

UPDATED:

◼ Former Blue Lake Police Chief David Gundersen has been cleared of all major charges first filed against him in 2008. - Arcata Eye MARCH 2012

****

Lost another one to Ditech!

Deputy District Attorney Kelly Neel, who has been handling the (Belant) case, will be leaving the office for another job at the County Counsel Office, Gallegos said.

Congratulations to Kelly Neel!

Question once more is, "Who's left?" He's now down 41. Maybe more.

It also means Gallegos no longer has a Vertical Child Abuse Prosecutor

Fundamental Lack of Understanding

Coming on the heels of Gallegos' statement that the statute of limitations doesn't start until law enforcement finds out about a crime comes another that reveals his complete lack of understanding of how his own department functions.

It's the case of Andrew Belant, accused of molesting three boys, who has just secured the right to represent himself in his trial.

Gallegos' reaction - “It gives him a chance to beat up on these kids and to personally ask them questions,” Humboldt County District Attorney Paul Gallegos said. “Can you imagine if you’re a victim and the person cross-examining you is the person who victimized you?” ☛ ER Defendant to represent himself in molestation case

Apparently, Gallegos doesn't know any more about the law than anonymous bloggers - does not understand that the children do not have to submit to direct questioning and do not have to face the man accused of molesting them. They can testify via videotape. That's what you have/HAD? a CAST unit for. To PROTECT kids.

more t/k

Links to BELANT coverage

☛ TS Teacher's aide, assistant youth director arrested on molestation charges 3/04/2008
☛ ER Eureka resident arrested for alleged sexual abuse 3/04/08
☛ TS Alleged child molester pleads not guilty 3/05/2008
☛ ER More charges filed in alleged molestation case3/06/08
☛ TS More charges filed against accused child molester 3/07/2008
☛ TS DA: Investigation into child molestation case could take two weeks 3/08/2008
☛ ER Molestation charges reduced 4/17/08
☛ ER Intervention hearing for Belant scheduled for May 22 4/29/2008

Huh? - UPDATED

For his part, District Attorney Paul Gallegos said he believes the statute of limitations clock, even on misdemeanors, doesn't start running until law enforcement knows or reasonably should have known of the offense. In this case, Gallegos said, that means the statute of limitations would not run out at least until Feb. 8, 2009, or one year after Gundersen's arrest and the discovery of the photographs in question. ☛ TS Gundersen's battery convictions may come under fire

UPDATED:

◼ Former Blue Lake Police Chief David Gundersen has been cleared of all major charges first filed against him in 2008. - Arcata Eye MARCH 2012

****

So much to blog - UPDATED

so little time... I'll get the rest up later

UPDATED:

◼ Former Blue Lake Police Chief David Gundersen has been cleared of all major charges first filed against him in 2008. - Arcata Eye MARCH 2012

****

☛ TS Gundersen's battery convictions may come under fire
According to juror Ruth Moon, the jury arrived at the battery convictions based on 10 nude photos that Gundersen allegedly took of Seal without her consent and while she was unconscious. Moon said that, based on the photos, the jury felt Gundersen had touched Seal, without her consent, in order to pose her for the pictures. So, Moon said jurors convicted him on one charge of battery for each of the photos, and an additional charge for undressing Seal in order to take them.
But there may be a problem, as the battery charges are misdemeanors carrying a one year statute of limitations. Because the jury chose to convict on the battery charges in counts 1 through 11, counts that allegedly took place in January through November of 2006, it appears the statute of limitations would have run out, and that the convictions may have to be overturned as a result.
”The prosecution has a real problem,” said University of California Berkeley School of Law professor Franklin Zimring, adding that the defense will likely file a motion to vacate the convictions. “That means that either the jury wasn't aware of (the statute of limitations for misdemeanors), or that there's somebody brilliant on the jury who found a way to reprimand the chief without really convicting him.”
☛ TS No longer the man in blue A TS editorial
☛ TS
Judgment: Jury acquits Gundersen on rape charges, convicts on battery and guns
☛ ER Gundersen Trial Concludes
Gundersen verdict closes a chapter
Blue Lake looks back, moves forward
A timeline of the David Gundersen case
☛ ER Break it down: The various verdicts of David Gundersen
24 counts of felony spousal rape with an intoxicant: NOT GUILTY
11 counts of misdemeanor battery (lesser charge than rape): GUILTY up to six months in jail, a fine or both
Felony attempting to prevent or dissuade a victim or witness of a crime: NOT GUILTY
Felony possession of a machine gun: GUILTY brings maximum sentence of three years in prison
Felony possession of a silencer: GUILTY brings maximum sentence of three years in prison
Misdemeanor violation of a court order: GUILTY up to one year in jail, a fine or both
Misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance: DISMISSED at the beginning of trial

UPDATED:

◼ Former Blue Lake Police Chief David Gundersen has been cleared of all major charges first filed against him in 2008. - Arcata Eye MARCH 2012

****

Here's a question

the big money Foundations get their money from Corporations.

If your group is funded by those big Foundations, you are supported by (laundered) Corporate money.

Right?