Saturday, December 30, 2017

Imagine hearing the "Final Jeopardy" theme music, forever?

Just recently, I dropped off another juror questionnaire and am awaiting that demand to appear notice to arrive in my mail. Bear in mind, it doesn't make much sense to pursue the death penalty in a state that has not executed anyone, since October 2013. The likelihood of future executions are on hold, indefinitely. Pinal County and the State of Arizona should think of the taxpayers, first. 

Trial delayed in 2015 Maricopa double-murder case

No plea agreement was reached, as expected by James Mannato, one of Valenzuela’s attorneys. He said more time is needed to try and negotiate with the state. It’s possible the case could be resolved without going to trial, he added. The parties may set a new trial date for Valenzuela at his next court date in late January. Maricopa Monitor

Special prosecutor selected by Navajo County for two murder cases in Pinal

Navajo County was asked to step in and take over prosecution of Jose Ignacio Valenzuela and Arturo Jimenez after it was determined that the election of County Attorney Kent Volkmer created apparent conflicts of interest in a number of matters. Volkmer, a defense attorney prior to his election, or one of his former law partners was involved in the representation of some defendants whose cases are being heard in Pinal County Superior Court; in the Valenzuela case, Volkmer had been representing the defendant’s son, according to prosecutor Vince Goddard at a hearing in January. Maricopa Monitor






Tuesday, July 18, 2017

Defense Attorney: Client had no motive to kill the victims. Don't buy it.

One doesn't actually need a motive to commit murder. Remember, we're not watching "Murder She Wrote" or some other fictional TV nonsense. This is the real world. The best thing that can happen to the taxpayers of Pinal County would be Jose Valenzuela falling down some stairs and breaking his neck in jail. A wrongful death settlement would still be cheaper, than this sure to be circus trial, followed by decades of appeals.

Attorneys in Maricopa double-murder case squabble about talking to the press

Gary Husk, the Navajo County prosecutor assigned to litigate Jose Valenzuela, whose accused of murdering a Maricopa couple two years ago, took issue with comments the defendant's lawyer recently made to PinalCentral and the Casa Grande Dispatch. Maricopa Monitor

Locals shocked by gruesome details

One woman, who declined to give her name, said the details of the case have made her afraid to continue living in the neighborhood. Drugs, crime and strange activity, like stolen gas from her vehicles in the previous month, have put her on edge. “Someone needs to do something about this area,” she said. The woman said she plans on packing up and moving soon. CG Dispatch






Friday, June 2, 2017

Same old Story: Dope Fiends and Thugs

As summer rapidly approaches, my neighborhood has, once again, been invaded by the "Meloneros," who pick cantaloupes, by day and get drunk and stoned at night. It should come as no surprise that gang activity and drug use is on the rise. This is most certainly the benefits and byproducts of living in a multicultural society. Try to remember, "Diversity is our strength." Also keep in mind, "tolerance" is how much of something you can take, before it kills you.

Youth gang activity higher in Pinal than Phoenix, Tucson

Friendship and making money were the top two reasons Pinal teens gave for wanting to join a gang. Statewide, friendship had been the most common reason for youth gang membership but the trend has shifted more toward making money over the last four years. Full Story

More Arizonans are dying from opioid use

The increase occurred even as state officials made it a top priority to combat the opioid epidemic. Gov. Doug Ducey put a limit on prescription painkiller prescriptions for people on Medicaid, and Phoenix implemented a program that lets addicts turn in their drugs to a local police precinct and get treatment. 12News






Friday, February 24, 2017

Iraqi refugee still hasn't gone to trial

The Iraqi refugee an accused murderer and Casa Grande, Arizona Social Security office bomber, Abdullatif Aldosary, may run the risk of dying of old age, before he manages to get to trial. Should anyone be deprived of their right to a speedy trial? Or does "speedy" include five or more years? Looking on the bright side, he received five years in federal prison on convictions, stemming from the from the Social Security office bombing.

Death penalty no longer sought in Maricopa shooting, CG bombing

The Pinal County Attorney's Office will no longer seek the death penalty against the Iraqi refugee accused of detonating a homemade bomb at the Social Security office in downtown Casa Grande just days after shooting a man in Maricopa.

Abdullatif Aldosary refused to appear before Pinal County Superior Court Judge Joseph Georgini yet again on Friday morning. He faces a litany of severe charges based on the 2012 incidents, and he has already been found guilty in federal court for being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. Dispatch