The Tennessee Bureau of Investigations, the district attorney’s office and the state Comptroller’s office are investigating the disappearance of thousands of dollars from the Dickson County Clerk’s office.

County Clerk Phil Simons told the county commission at a called budget committee meeting last night that between $14,000-$15,000 had been taken from the Dickson satellite office through an elaborate scheme in which the books appeared to balance at the end of each day.

The situation came to light in mid-September when the deputy clerk who allegedly took the money was off work and another deputy worked at that desk where paperwork was found, leading to the discovery of the alleged theft, Simons said.

He said the employee allegedly manipulated reports through failure to record or voiding cash transactions, then using other peoples’ checks to pay the fees that had been paid in cash.

Simons said as soon as he discovered the alleged theft he went to county attorneys and they notified the district attorney’s office.

The DA contacted the TBI and an auditor from the state Comptroller’s Office.
He said the stolen cash came from automobile registration renewals, business licenses, registrations and other fees that the employee allegedly pocketed.

The investigation is still ongoing and Simons did not identify the employee. However, he said the employee was terminated by mail on the grounds of employee misconduct after walking out of the office following an interview by the TBI and the Comptroller’s Office of Audit.

“There was no admission of guilt and no confession,” Simons said.

When asked why the employee was fired without admitting to the theft and the investigation is incomplete, he said that’s why she was fired for employee misconduct.

“It’s very broad,” he said.

Simons said the county would have to cover the missing money until the case is prosecuted but that either the county’s insurance or a blanket bond, which covers all employees who handle money, will reimburse the county.

Simons said there are normally 10 employees working the Dickson office and he doesn’t plan to fill the position vacated by the former employee.

“I have some other ideas in mind,” he said. “But we have nine other people that we don’t have a problem with. I trust everybody until it’s proven otherwise.”

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20091202/DICKSON01/91202049/TBI-state-auditors-investigating-County-Clerk-employee-for-embezzlement

WAY TO GO K.T. Now Just Keep Working That

Department policy says ‘use of the Taser on young children is discouraged,

except in extreme situations.’
By NICK BONHAM
THE PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN
December 04, 2009 01:24 am

I ENCOURAGE YOU TO LEAVE A COMMENT AND CONTACT THIS REPORTER TO LET HIM KNOW THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.

Days after a deputy stunned an “out of control” 10-year-old, Sheriff Kirk Taylor said his office has no plans of altering its Taser policy in regard to the device’s use on children.

“It’s not black and white. Every scenario is different. The threat is different. (Using a Taser), that discretion needs to be left to the officer and then it needs to be scrutinized, and trust me, it’s been scrutinized,” Taylor said at a press conference Thursday.

The Pueblo County Sheriff Department’s policy says “use of the Taser on elderly persons and young children is discouraged, except in the most extreme situations.”

The boy was stunned and arrested Monday after Deputies Mark Myers and Randy Mondragon were sent to the boy’s Pueblo West foster home.

The call was in regard to a “out of control” juvenile who was destroying property and threatening his foster father, Daniel Biby, with a pipe, a stick and throwing landscape timbers at him. The boy, who Taylor said has a violent history and record of running away, fled from officers holding a 2-foot-long pipe.

The boy ran to a neighbor’s house where he cornered himself between a camper trailer and a pontoon boat that were backed against a fence.

Taylor said the area in which the child was in was no wider than 3 feet.

The boy ignored commands to drop the pipe and was stunned with a Taser by Myers. Mondragon then apprehended the child, who was later booked into Pueblo Youth Center on suspicion of menacing with a deadly weapon.

Neither the boy, deputies or Biby were injured in the incident.

Taylor maintained on Thursday that the deputy’s Taser use and method of arrest was appropriate and justified.

“We get no joy in doing what had to be done. My officers feel pretty bad but they acted appropriately,” Taylor said. “My reaction was no different than the public’s outcry. I probably would’ve deployed my Taser as well. Would have I been happy about it? No. But I can tell you, after looking at the fact-scenario, they acted appropriately.”

Taylor described the physique and size of the boy, who’s name hasn’t been released because he’s a juvenile, as that of a “normal 10-year-old.”

The sheriff described Myers as a “thick” man at 6 foot 2 inches tall. He also said he knew Myers to be a chaplain with the local order of the Fraternal Order of Police.

“Myers is like a gentle giant,” Chief of Law Enforcement Charlene Graham said.

Taylor said this was the fourth time this year that deputies had used a Taser.

In October, the device’s manufacturer, Taser International, issued a recommendation to include the chest in the non-preferred target area, which also includes the head, neck and testicle areas.

The boy was struck by two darts in the preferred target zone, one in the lower abdomen and the other in the left leg, Taylor said.

After the incident was reported in the morning edition of The Chieftain, Taylor said he received phone calls from media as far away as New York. He said he was interviewed for “Inside Edition.”

Tasers are controversial in their use, but much of the national interest stems from the recent firing of an officer in Arkansas who stunned an unruly 10-year-old girl with a Taser.

The officer was not fired for stunning the girl but failing to follow department procedure for not activating a built-in camera on the Taser.

Taylor said Tasers his officers use do not have cameras and that this incident “is nothing like the one in Arkansas.”

Many of the comments posted on The Chieftain’s Web site were critical of the sheriff department’s Taser use on the boy.

“Nobody wants to Tase a 10-year-old. My hope is that this young man gets the help he needs,” Taylor said.

The 10th Judicial District’s Critical Incident Team is not investigating the incident. The team consists of investigators from every law enforcement agency in the county that are charged with probing controversial incidents involving officers, such as in-custody deaths, shootings and serious accidents.

nickb@chieftain.com

http://www.chieftain.com/articles/2009/12/04/news/local/doc4b18c14be4be0333474716.prt

Posted: wnRenderDate(‘Monday, November 16, 2009 4:57 PM EST’, ”, true); Nov 16, 2009 4:57 PM EST Monday, November 16, 2009 4:57 PM EST

“He just wants me to go away. He will be pleased to return my file or deliver it to my new counsel,” Brian Duncan says, referring to the letter he received.

“I have not seen Mr. Threadgill for any meetings. I have not had any personal conversations with him since leaving my retainer there,” Emily Lee said.

“I’ve exercised my best legal effort and judgement based on 40 years of experience,” attorney John Threadgill said.

Facebook | Lisa R Smith 

Concerned Citizens:

We are looking into professional misconduct of . This will be a collective complaint to protect the public.

Superior Court of California

County of San Diego

330 West Broadway

San Diego, CA 92101

Case: 37-2008-00093885-CU-BT-CTL

Emad G. Tadros, M.D., Plaintiff vs. Stephen E. Doyne, Defendant

Complaint:

1. Violation of BPC 17200 et seq.

2. Breach of Contract

3. Negligence; and,

4. Fraud.

Exhibits:

1. In correspondence, Doyne claims to be a “Diplomate American College of Forensic Psychologists.” There is no organization called the American College of Forensic Psychologists.

2. The American College of Forensic Psychology in a letter dated September 18, 2007 the American College of Forensic Psychology writes back to Plaintiff stating, “…Doyne is not, and has not never been, a member of the American College of Forensic Psychology. We do not have Diplomates and he lists the group as American College of Forensic Psychologists, which is not our group.”

3. The American College of Forensic Examiners is a sham organization owned by a con artist named Robert O’Block that provides fake diplomas for a price, he operates a “certification mill.” A pet cat has been issued the same credentials as Doyne; he has the certification that Zoe the cat has. Robert O’Block has also certified a murderer while he was incarcerated in prison; it was mailed it to him while he was in prison (see forensic evidence review by Professor of Law Carol Henderson pp 7 & 8; also Google “the credentialing con” & “the print by mark hansen expertise to go”).

**As implied, Doyne does not possess certification by the one and only well respected forensic Board named the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP). The ABPP is the one and only to be recognized by all state licensing boards and the American Psychological Association (APA), and specifically in Forensic and/or Family Psychology specialty.

4. San Diego Family Court did not have record of Doyne’s curriculum vitae (CV). The court ordered Doyne to release his CV upon Plaintiff’s request. Doyne’s CV lists false and misleading credentials such as:

a. In page 1 under honors and awards, Doyne’s CV states he is a Diplomate in Psychology, American College of Forensic Examiners, which is a sham organization selling fake diplomas (2750 East Sunshine, Springfield, MO 65804).

b. CV states Doyne is a Diplomate of the American Board of Forensic Examiners (child custody evaluators), a sham organization run by the same con artist (2750 East Sunshine, Springfield, MO 65804).

5. Page five, under Teaching Experience, Doyne’s CV states he was an Adjunct Professor at the University of San Diego School of Law. In a letter of response to Dr. Tadros dated August 7, 2007 from the Office of the Vice President and Provost, the Assistant VP for Academic Administration of the School of Law at USD states, “I have searched our paper and digital records back to the mid-1970’s and do not find a record of Stephen Doyne ever teaching at the University of San Diego.”

6. Page five, under Teaching Experience, Doyne’s CV states he was an Instructor at the University of California at San Diego. In a letter of response to Dr. Tadros dated November 6, 2007 UCSD states that, “after extensive research of our payroll documentation, it has come to our attention that Stephen Doyen has not been directly employed by the University of California, San Diego.”

7. Page five, under Teaching Experience, Doyne’s CV states he was an Instructor at the California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP). In a letter of response to Dr. Tadros dated September 5, 2007 CSPP states, “that we do not have employment records.”

If you would like further information please send an email to: itsinthecredentials@gmail.com . We will send you additional information.

Parents for Accountability of Credentials of Court Appointed Experts

Parents for Accountability

Posted in California, Stephen E. Doyne. 1 Comment »

Historic Hate Crimes Legislation Signed

President Barack Obama signed the historic Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr Hate Crimes Prevention Act yesterday. The bill extends the definition of federal hate crimes to include attacks motivated by sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, and disability and empowers federal authorities to help local law enforcement investigate hate crimes.

In his remarks yesterday, President Obama said, “In the most recent year for which we have data, the FBI reported roughly 7,600 hate crimes in this country. Over the past 10 years, there were more than 12,000 reported hate crimes based on sexual orientation alone. And we will never know how many incidents were never reported at all…no one in America should ever be afraid to walk down the street holding the hands of the person they love. No one in America should be forced to look over their shoulder because of who they are or because they live with a disability.”

The law is named for two men who were slain in alleged hate crimes in 1998. Matthew Shepard, a gay university student, was murdered in Wyoming, and James Byrd, Jr., an African-American man, was dragged to death by white supremacists in Texas. Previously, the federal hate crimes law only covered attacks motivated by race, color, national origin or religion.

Judy Shepard, mother of Matthew Shepard wrote, “The legislation went through so many versions and so many votes that we had to constantly keep our hopes in check to keep from getting discouraged…But with President Obama’s support and the continually growing bipartisan majorities in the House and Senate lining up behind the bill this year, it became clear that 2009 was the year it would finally happen.”

The Senate passed the legislation last week on a 68 to 29 vote. The bill passed in the House on October 8 with a vote of 281 to 146.

Media Resources: Feminist Daily Newswire 10/23/09; Remarks of President Barack Obama 10/28/09; Statement of Judy Shepard 10/29/09

Historic Hate Crimes Legislation Signed

President Barack Obama signed the historic Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr Hate Crimes Prevention Act yesterday. The bill extends the definition of federal hate crimes to include attacks motivated by sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, and disability and empowers federal authorities to help local law enforcement investigate hate crimes.

In his remarks yesterday, President Obama said, “In the most recent year for which we have data, the FBI reported roughly 7,600 hate crimes in this country. Over the past 10 years, there were more than 12,000 reported hate crimes based on sexual orientation alone. And we will never know how many incidents were never reported at all…no one in America should ever be afraid to walk down the street holding the hands of the person they love. No one in America should be forced to look over their shoulder because of who they are or because they live with a disability.”

The law is named for two men who were slain in alleged hate crimes in 1998. Matthew Shepard, a gay university student, was murdered in Wyoming, and James Byrd, Jr., an African-American man, was dragged to death by white supremacists in Texas. Previously, the federal hate crimes law only covered attacks motivated by race, color, national origin or religion.

Judy Shepard, mother of Matthew Shepard wrote, “The legislation went through so many versions and so many votes that we had to constantly keep our hopes in check to keep from getting discouraged…But with President Obama’s support and the continually growing bipartisan majorities in the House and Senate lining up behind the bill this year, it became clear that 2009 was the year it would finally happen.”

The Senate passed the legislation last week on a 68 to 29 vote. The bill passed in the House on October 8 with a vote of 281 to 146.

Media Resources: Feminist Daily Newswire 10/23/09; Remarks of President Barack Obama 10/28/09; Statement of Judy Shepard 10/29/09

I think I’m with the judge on this one, even if the state supreme court said he screwed up.

Municipal Court Judge Emery Toth was reprimanded last month for violating the New Jersey Code of Judicial Conduct by "speaking disrespectfully and intemperately to a litigant" and for abusing his contempt power by throwing the litigant in jail after he responded.  The litigant had escalated matters, though, by using certain well-known gestures and that time-honored salute, the "raspberry."

The defendant, a cab driver named Esmanuel Buldoni (a.k.a., oddly, "Luis Martinez"), had been charged with three traffic violations.  He was in prison at the time of his arraignment, possibly because he had failed to show up for a prior court date, and so the exchange took place over a video link to the courtroom.  After Buldoni pleaded not guilty, he and the judge got into a dispute over why exactly Buldoni was in prison at the time.  After a short exchange, Judge Toth ended the argument.  "I don’t want to have an Oprah Winfrey conversation with you," he said.  "All right? . . . I’ll give you a trial date next week.  See you around.  Goodbye."

According to Toth, Buldoni then made the "raspberry" sound and gestured with his middle finger in a way that Toth said he interpreted as meaning "kiss off."  The kiss-off does not seem to have been a big deal, but the raspberry was not to be endured:

http://www.law.com/newswire/cache/1202433825070.html

Posted: Oct 16, 2009 8:02 AM EDT Friday, October 16, 2009 8:02 AM EST

Ken Taylor

By ERICA ESTEP
6 News Anchor/Reporter

ROGERSVILLE (WATE) — A Hawkins County jury is scheduled to begin deliberations Friday morning in the trial of a Morristown man accused of strangling his foster son.

Ken Taylor is accused of intentionally choking to death his foster son, Jordan Shelton, 16, in October 2007. His defense attorney has said Taylor was defending himself and the death was accidental.

Taylor is charged with first degree murder, but the jury could find him guilty of a lesser charge, including:

• Second degree murder
• Involuntary manslaughter
• Reckless homicide
• Criminally negligent homicide
• Attempted aggravated child abuse
• Attempted aggravated assault
• Aggravated child abuse
• Aggravated assault
• Reckless aggravated assault
• Reckless assault
• Assault
• Child abuse

In its closing statement to the jury Thursday, the state said Taylor strangled Shelton for three to five minutes and continued to apply pressure after he was limp.

Defense attorney Herb Moncier argued that Taylor had a right to restrain the out-of-control teen and protect himself, his family and his property when Shelton knocked him down.

http://www.wate.com/Global/story.asp?s=11325572&clienttype=printable

or civil liberties – derive themselves in the original Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments to the Constitution, and have been expanded since with the several amendments to the Constitution, most notably the 13th through 15th Amendments, though many might argue that for the first time in American history, our civil liberties are no longer expanding, but might, in fact, be narrowing with the Patriot Act. Civil liberties deals primarily with those constitutional amendment that give Americans the right to freedom of religion, speech, to peaceably assemble, to carry arms, to be free of discrimination, and the rights to be free of search or seizures without probable cause. Each of these will be discussed in further detail in other sections.

http://www.legal-definitions.com/civil-rights-law/civil-rights-overview.htm

Title 18, U.S.C., Section 241
Conspiracy Against Rights

This statute makes it unlawful for two or more persons to conspire to injure, oppress, threaten, or intimidate any person of any state, territory or district in the free exercise or enjoyment of any right or privilege secured to him/her by the Constitution or the laws of the United States, (or because of his/her having exercised the same).

Punishment varies from a fine or imprisonment of up to ten years, or both; and if death results, or if such acts include kidnapping or an attempt to kidnap, aggravated sexual abuse or an attempt to commit aggravated sexual abuse, or an attempt to kill, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned for any term of years, or for life, or may be sentenced to death.

http://www.fbi.gov/hq/cid/civilrights/statutes.htm