I've been watching this story closely and today I can tell you that an unarmed 13 year old African American shot by his white 76 year old neighbor last year will get the justice that was denied Trayvon Martin. The 76 year old was found guilty of 1st Degree Intentional Homicide will spend the rest of his life in prison as the jury rejected an insanity defense that his lawyers put forth after the guilty verdict earlier this week.
He approached and shot Darius Simmons on the sidewalk in front of his home on May 31, 2012 because he believed that Simmons and his brother had entered his home and stolen some guns. He shot Simmons twice. The shooting was videotaped by one of Spooners own security cameras (and was played in court).
Against the advice of his lawyers, Spooner testified at the insanity portion of the trial, stunning everyone when he stated that his killing of Simmons was "not revenge, but justice". Simply unbelievable to the point I have no words.
Despite the complete lack of evidence, Spooner continues to believe that the brothers burglarized his home. Simmons home was searched after the shooting and none of the allegedly stolen guns were found nor was any evidence that they burglarized Spooners home.
If you view the article, there are videos to the left of the article including video of the shooting which is chilling to watch. Spooner simply walks up to the teen and shoots him.
Unlike Trayvon Martin, Darius Simmons family did get justice and I'm thankful for that. The Simmons case never received the national attention that Trayvon Martins case did although both occurred at roughly the same time.
Nothing will bring Darius home or heal the hurt his friends and family feel, but thankfully they weren't victimized again by our faulty criminal justice system as Trayvon Martins friends and family have been.
Multiple articles are available which you can select here.
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And There's More on a different topic: The Sharks Are Circling our Wisconsin State Buildings. And we only know about this because the Associated Press reported the story- another indication on how Republican loving our state and local media have become. They reported it a full day after the AP.
Part of the Wisconsin State Budget that Scott Walker sorely wanted (and didn't get in 2011) was handed to him on a platter this year: the ability to sell off state buildings and state assets without much of a bidding process. This year, the no-bid sales were tempered by the addition of the veneer of oversight (if you could call it that) in requiring the approvals of both the Legislatures Republican dominated Budget Committee and the state Building Commission which Republicans also dominate and Walker, himself, chairs. In other words, what Walker wants to sell, Walker gets to sell.
It's gotten smelly already with the revelation that a major real estate developer, Republican donor (he gave $8,854 to Walker between 2005 and 2012) sent a letter to the Governors office 11 days prior to the addition of the no-bid sales to the State Budget.
Terrence Wall offered his cellphone number in the letter, urging that the "appropriate person" call him to discuss possible deals for properties including the State Crime Laboratory, records obtained by The Associated Press show. Wall also offered his support for the change in the bidding process, an idea that originated with Walker.
Wall sent the letter on June 10. The Republican-controlled Legislature agreed 11 days later to allow no-bid sales of state properties over the objection of Democrats, who argued that it opened the door for political cronies to be cut special deals.
Walkers office, naturally, is backing away from this as fast as they can; even denying that the letter was even answered and "reaffirming Walkers commitment to transparency" in the sale process (please restrain your guffaws at the most secretive an non-transparent governorship in the history of Wisconsin claiming otherwise).
Of course, the stench of this doesn't seem to be hampering a possible deal
But Rep. John Nygren, co-chairman of the Legislature's budget committee, said lawmakers would seriously consider any proposal.
"If he stepped up and made an offer we couldn't refuse, we'd have to take a look," Nygren said of Wall's proposal.
After all, Scott Walker is well known for punishing his enemies and opponents and vastly rewarding his donors. And this guy has given tens of thousands of dollars "investing" largely in Republicans. A very large return is an expectation from a coin-operated government.
Walls letter indicates a vast interest in acquisitions:
Wall indicated he was interested in buying the property that houses the Department of Transportation office building in Madison and the nearby State Crime Lab, which also houses other state offices. Other properties in which he expressed interest include the nearly 150,000-square-foot central services building on the east side of Madison, home to the state's motor vehicle pool, printing and mail services; and the DOA building along the shores of Lake Monona a couple blocks from the Capitol, which Wall said could be leased back to the state after he buys it.
Wall said he would also be interested in other properties but didn't offer specifics.
Yeah, the sharks are circling already and Scott Walker needs the money in order to pay off another of his major donors, the road builders. Stay tuned.
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