TheTrenchcoat Chronicles

Tag: cop killer

  • Murdered by Mumia

    Michael Smerconish | THE NAME IN THE TITLE

    Ever since I’ve discovered Tony Allen’s Anti-MOVE/Mumia blog I’ve been kind of laying off of convicted cop killing scumbag Mumia Abu Jamal. Tony is more close to the case and more eloquent and passionate about it than I am plus I’ve been extremely busy and have had to let some subject matter fall by the wayside.

    However I just read this column by Michael Smerconish about how the name came up for the book he co-wrote with Maureen Faulkner, the widow of slain police Officer Danny Faulkner, and I thought that this quote was worth noting.

    “I still have grave concerns about having to constantly refer to Jamal first, then talk about my struggle and Danny’s murder. Having his name in the title opens the door for Jamal’s supporters to tell everyone that we, in particular me, couldn’t make it without exploiting Jamal and using ‘his’ fame to sell our book.”

    I responded that everyone would know that, in fact, she was not accepting a dime for this project, nor am I, despite our three years of labor. All proceeds benefit a not-for-profit she established for the education of Philadelphia children who’ve lost a parent to murder.

    If you’re interested in knowing the true story behind the murder of Daniel Faulkner and why I think Mumia Abu Jamal should be executed please pick up Murdered by Mumia: A Life Sentence of Loss, Pain, and Injustice. (That’s a non-paying link by the way)

  • More on Devin Moore’s appeal

    Moore’s appeal keys on racial makeup of jury:

    Like I predicted, not that it was that hard of a prediction, Devin Moore’s attorneys are not only using the GTA defense but they’re also playing the race card.

    Moore was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death in the June 7, 2003, shootings of officers Arnold Strickland and James Crump and 9-11 dispatcher Leslie “Ace” Mealer at the Fayette Police Department.

    Angela L. Setzer, his appellate lawyer from the Equal Justice Initiative of Alabama, told Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals judges that Moore didnÂ?t get a fair trial because the judge had disallowed expert testimony and the prosecutor improperly removed black jurors. She also charges that Fayette County District Attorney Chris McCool inflamed the all-white jury by comparing the crime to FayetteÂ?s own Â?9-11″ terrorist attack.

    Moore, 22, is black and his victims were white.

    He had just turned 18 and was about to be fingerprinted for car-theft charges when he grabbed Strickland’s .40-caliber automatic pistol and shot his three victims before escaping. Moore also tried to shoot out the glass on the police station door so he could re-enter to retrieve his brand-new, $85 K-Swiss sneakers.

    Let me enlighten some people. This was never about race. This was about Devin Moore’s car stealing then subsequent murder of two cops and a dispatcher.

    Would an all black jury bring those people back to life or go back in time and stop Moore from killing anybody? No. Then this appeal has no legs.

    Moore is a cop killer and he deserves to die.

    Link via GamePolitics.

  • GTA Killer appeals conviction

    Appeals court to hear Moore case:

    Devin Moore, aka the GTA Killer, is appealing his conviction in the murders of two Alabama police officers and a dispatcher. When he was arrested Moore said “Life is a video game. Everybody has to die sometime.”

    Of course, during his trial, The One Who Shall Not Be Named got involved and claimed that Moore’s violence was caused by the infamous Grand Theft Auto video game. The Nameless One went as far as to file lawsuits against the game manufacturer and the game retailer.

    The video game defense wasn’t even allowed into Moore’s trial. Moore was convicted and sentenced to death.

    Now Moore and his attorneys are appealing his conviction using the video game argument again…

    Moore, now 22, claimed the video game “Grand Theft Auto” and childhood abuse influenced his decision-making. His theory was rejected and the video game defense was disallowed during trial. He was convicted on Aug. 9, 2005, and later sentenced to death.

    Moore’s attorney, James Standridge, had said that his client suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder. Standridge argued that when Moore was in a Â?dissociative state” he automatically reverted to scripted behavior influenced by his repetitive video game exposure and childhood abuse.

    If the video game defense wasn’t even allowed into the trial what makes them think it will work in the appeal. If this actually works then there is no justice anymore.

    Link via Game Politics.

  • Amnesty International and the new Mumia film

    Death Penalty: Hard Hitting Mumia Abu-Jamal Film Launched:

    It seems that Amnesty International has its claws in a new movie about convicted cop killing scumbag Mumia Abu-Jamal.

    A new documentary film on the case of Mumia Abu-Jamal will screen at the London Film Festival next month. The film has the support of Amnesty International as part of its international campaign to abolish the death penalty.

    The feature-length documentary, ‘In Prison My Whole Life’, examines the controversial case of Mumia Abu-Jamal, a former Black Panther Party activist who has been in prison for murder in the United States since 1981, much of that time facing a death sentence. There are serious doubts about the fairness of Mumia Abu-Jamal’s original trial and he is currently appealing against his conviction. Amnesty international is calling for fresh trial.

    The only people who have doubts about Mumia’s conviction are the anti-death penalty zealots which AI happens to be a part of if not the head.

    Let’s hear from some of the said zealots…

    Livia Firth said:

    ‘The film illustrates another example of the many reasons why the death penalty is never an acceptable form of punishment.

    ‘Amnesty International has contributed to the making of the film, having previously called for a new trial for Mumia Abu-Jamal and we are thrilled that they have agreed to support the film as part of their ongoing worldwide campaign against capital punishment.’

    Amnesty International UK Director Kate Allen said:

    ‘It’s shocking that the US justice system has repeatedly failed to address the appalling violation of Mumia Abu-Jamal’s fundamental fair trial rights.

    ‘We’ve documented Mumia Abu-Jamal’s plight several times before and we strongly welcome this film as a fresh opportunity to focus attention on his situation. We hope that the film’s viewers will back our call for a fair retrial for Mumia Abu-Jamal – and also support our work opposing the death penalty in the US and around the world.’

    I wonder what AI’s stance on cop killing is? Amnesty International used to be an honorable organization. They had a big hand in having apartheid abolished in South Africa but it seems like ever since then they’ve been nothing more than a bunch of busybodies sticking their noses into letting criminals free. Mumia is not a political prisoner. He’s nothing more than a cowardly thug who is overdue on his appointment with a needle.

  • No gag order in cop killing trial

    Gag order denied in police slayings:

    Superior Court Judge Robert Johnston has denied the request from the defense to instill a gag order on the trial of Demeatrius Montgomery. Montgomery is accused of the shooting deaths of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police officers Jeff Shelton and Sean Clark.

    However, Judge Montgomery said that the defense could renew their request if they feel the media is hurting Montgomery’s right to a fair trial.

    I for one hope the media does not step out of line. I don’t want there to be any complications with this trial, whether or not Montgomery is convicted or not.

  • Gag order sought in Charlotte cop killings

    Defense seeks gag order in police killings:

    The defense attorney for accused Charlotte cop killer, Demeatrius Montgomery, is requesting a gag order on the proceedings in order to help Montgomery get a fair trial.

    The lawyer, Duane Bryant, said such an order is necessary to preserve Montgomery’s right to a fair trial.

    Montgomery, 25, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the March 31 fatal shootings of Charlotte-Mecklenburg police Officers Jeff Shelton and Sean Clark.

    Prosecutors announced this month they would seek the death penalty against Montgomery.

    “This case has been subjected to substantial, pervasive publicity,” Bryant wrote in his motion.

    Bryant’s motion suggests that investigating officers are responsible for the publicity. The publicity, the defense lawyer said, includes the dissemination of inaccurate information and matters that would not be admitted into evidence at trial.

    Bryant did not cite in his motion the information he claims is inaccurate or the matters he claims would not be allowed into evidence.

    The funny thing is police and prosecutors have been very tight-lipped about this case. However, if Mr. Bryant wants a gag order I say we give it to him. I want there to be no doubt if a conviction is eventually handed down.

    Of course, the press is falling all over themselves with righteous indignation.

    Jon Buchan, a lawyer for the Observer, said Wednesday he will file an objection to the defense lawyer’s motion. He said a hearing date has not been set.

    “The public is very interested in this case, and it should be,” said Observer Editor Rick Thames. “Two police officers lost their lives. A local resident is accused of killing them. All the more reason why this motion to conceal the judicial proceedings from the public should be denied.”

    Thames said he knew of no inaccuracies in news coverage that could affect Montgomery’s ability to receive a fair trial. He also noted that the courts have the means to offset the potential effects of pretrial publicity, key among them the careful questioning of potential jurors.

    Yes, Charlotte-Mecklenburg police Officers Jeff Shelton and Sean Clark did lose their lives. And as a community, which even includes you Charlotte Disturber, we should do everything within our power to ensure that the trial goes off without a hitch. If that means a gag order then so be it. I think the public will understand. I dare you to tell me that your appeal has nothing more to do with selling a few more papers.

  • Charlotte prosecutors seek the death penalty

    Death penalty sought in officer killings:

    Prosecutors in the case of Demeatrius Montgomery, the suspect in the killings of Charlotte Mecklenburg police officers Sean Clark and Jeff Shelton, have stated they intend to seek the death penalty. Of course, the defense is trying to prevent that…

    Defense attorney Duane Bryant opened Thursday’s hearing by seeking to prevent prosecutors from putting Montgomery on trial for his life. He argued that the indictment against Montgomery does not list any aggravating circumstances that prosecutors must prove to obtain a death sentence.

    “It makes it hard to prepare a defense in this matter … ,” Bryant told the judge. “They have to apprise this young man what he’s going to be tried for.”

    In court papers, the defense lawyer maintained that the aggravating circumstances must be listed in an indictment in order for the state to obtain a death sentence. He conceded, however, that the N.C. Supreme Court has rejected that argument.

    Bryant also told the judge that North Carolina’s death penalty is cruel and unusual. He argued that North Carolina “has no constitutionally acceptable means by which to execute someone.” He cited lawsuits challenging the state’s legal-injection procedures used to execute condemned killers.

    Superior Court Judge Don Bridges denied the defense motion.

    Let’s see here. Aggravating circumstances? How about that he allegedly killed two cops who were responding to a call that had nothing to do with him. Is that circumstance aggravating enough for you? And the death penalty is not cruel and unusual. Dropping someone feet first into a wood chipper is cruel and unusual. Like ambushing and killing two cops is kind and usual.

    Luckily Judge Bridges denied the defense’s motion. With the revolving door policies in place in Mecklenburg County, this is a refreshing change.

  • Accused cop killer’s lawyer steps down

    Montgomery Appointed New Attorney:

    The public defender assigned to alleged cop killer Demeatrius Montgomery has stepped down citing conflict of interest…

    Jean Lawson, an attorney from the Mecklenburg County Public Defenders Office, was assigned to the case just days after Montgomery was charged.

    Jail records show Lawson spoke with her client at the Mecklenburg County jail several times, and even had a conversation that lasted more than an hour. But Lawson’s request to withdraw cites two North Carolina state rules about lawyer conduct, including one that says a lawyer should not represent a client if that representation will hurt another client.

    I wonder if her client’s testimony would hurt Montgomery or the other way around.

  • CMPD instructed to stay quiet

    Officers Ordered To Remain Mum On Investigation Into Deadly CMPD Shootings:

    The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department has been instructed to not release any information regarding the investigation of the shooting deaths of officers Jeffrey Shelton and Sean Clark.

    District Attorney Peter Gilchrist confirmed that he has instructed Charlotte-Mecklenburg police to release no more information about the case against Montgomery and the investigation that surrounds it.

    Gilchrist says talking about whether the murder weapon has been found or whether police are still looking for it, or even whether Montgomery’s hands have been tested for gunshot residue, could hurt the investigation.

    I am personally very happy with this decision. If a conviction is eventually handed down I don’t want there to be any doubt or causes for endless appeals. I’m sure the families, friends, and co-workers of officers Clark and Shelton do too.

  • Call had nothing to do with shooter

    Suspect in protective custody awaiting court appearance:

    The part if the article I want to talk about is not about Demeatrius Montgomery’s court appearance. It’s this…

    It was a domestic call, between a brother and sister arguing over a bill, that brought Officers Sean Clark and Jeff Shelton to the Timber Ridge Apartments.

    That call had nothing to do with Demetrius Montgomery. But, police say he’s the one who shot officers Clark and Shelton in the head.

    I wonder what the defense will be for this.