Why the name Ranch Chimp? it was in humour because, science says that humans have similar DNA to a chimpanzee,so I felt some way related biologically to a chimpanzee. 2nd, everytime I was out of Texas on a vacation or for whatever reason I’m always asked things like, do I live on a ranch?,or have cattle? so I commonly call Dallas the Ranch. "Politically Depressed" was also humour inspired by the 1993- 2002 Bill Maher TV/ tele show "Politically Incorrect".
This posting will be Part 13 of the "Halloween" series of this journal/ blog for 2019, and Part 2 of "Nurse With Wound", this will also be included in this journal's music/ arts honour roll society. It will feature a live set of music from "Nurse With Wound" ... the mood from open to close is done to perfection. NWW is a London based crew that goes back to 1979, Steven Stapleton is the only original member of the crew of 3 that started NWW. This project is the main project of Steven Stapleton, although he worx on much else with others as well ... NWW features most of his music, on over 40 albums, and nearly 40 years of worx. I already had planned to have NWW in here for over a year for a Halloween posting of their live music, last year I already had 2 Halloween postings, and didn't get to it. NWW's music, compositions, and visual concepts serve well for Halloween, with their style known well, as a dark ambient avant- garde type. They are considered as industrial, by many fans, even though Steven and the crew, never really cared to be labeled as such, which I can understand, they're truly unique. Steven takes influences from a very wide variety of arts and music genres, and embraces a touch of antiquity and post modern electronica, to the classical. I been a fan of Steven's worx for years, for the music/ compositions, his art and sculpture work, visual concepts, asthetics, to his lifestyle/ home life ... to me, he's a genius at what he does, and has fun doing it, ignoring the constraints of the commercial industry and theories.
I included some of his NWW album art below too. This stuff takes me back to some great memories of the 1980's and 1990's, when there was so much going on in the underground music scene as far as post industrial, the many haunts and venues in the underground, from sounds to art ... stuff that is timeless. There is no setlist for the performance below, and no breaks, it's continuous, and there is not supposed to be, which is also unique ... the music and visual is meant to take you on a journey that you yourself create from it ... and it's an amazing piece of work! At the bottom, for those interested, I included a video interview with Steven, and tour of his Cooloorta farm in Ireland, which is where he likes to do his work. His farm is unique, very modest and simple, with his office, home, family/ children, pets, and animals ... the small homes that he has, he built himself, and all with minimal expense, making most of all from recycled materials and wood, and stuff he found. Other than that ... on to NWW live ... and Have a fun and safe Halloween ... Enjoy! ....
Tusk Festival 2017- Nurse With Wound ... Thanx to TUSK TV
Dallas tornado leaves trail of destruction ... Thanx to CBS This Morning
This posting will serve as Part 35 of the "Taste of Texas" series for this journal/ blog. I wanted to record this in here, because, again, it was one of those experiences that stay with you, and this tornado basically started in our part of town, in Northwest Dallas. A short opening video above, and to correct what they said of it being 110mph winds, no, it was 140mph. The thing about tornadoes, is that they are very unpredictable, as far as how they will move, form, re- form, skip across a landscape, to where they just randomly hit and miss. What is unique about tornadoes is the destruction, you will see a twisted aftermath, maybe a tall metal street light pole, wrapped perfectly around a tree or structure, or a tree, car, or large object sticking out of the side of a structure, total destruction, yet, 10ft from it, something standing that is fragile, that never been touched. Thanx to modern technology, we are able to get some idea these days on how they are moving. North and Northwest Dallas is more densely populated, than the far suburban or rural areas, so of course, you'll get more damage. This tornado they are saying, is the most expensive storm in Texas history, so far ... they estimate now, 4 dayz after, $2 billion, I believe it will be a tad more than the current figures. Northwest Dallas, west by sw of my location, is mainly working classes, lots of retail, clubs/ bars, strip mall type areas, so the residences and businesses are average. But this storm moved east after it formed, and areas like Preston- Hollow are multimillion dollar homes, and more expensive homes just a mile east of where I live ... I live on Marsh Ln & Forest Ln, far edge of NW Dallas, across Marsh Ln going east, starts North Dallas. Heavily damaged shopping areas, such as at Preston & Royal and Forest & Inwood, are more upscale type stores, restaurants, boutiques, etc ... so when these areas get hit, the damage becomes more costly ... shopping centers around Marsh & Walnut Hill, and apartments/ homes, are more working class areas. Then you have so much commercial businesses that was hit and schools across the whole length/ path of it, because it just happened to randomly take that route, which is rare. My neighbour, Brandi, yesterday asked me "how will the insurance companies handle paying out for this damage?" ... I told her "I guess by raising premiums, and trying to deny as many claims possible ... I don't know". Most of the apartment buildings in my complex, about 15 or so, only had some roof and shingle damage.
Last sunday when this happened, it was a drop dead gorgeous day out, above normal temps, mid 80s, etc ... it was later confirmed, that there were a total of 9 tornadoes in the DFW Metroplex that evening. Weather reports that day said to expect thunderstorms after midnight/ 1am. I was out running around alot that day ... was over in Southeast Dallas/ Pleasant Grove area, which is 25 miles down LBJ Frwy (I- 635) from home, and wanted to make sure I got home before 7pm, because Philadelphia Eagles were in town to play the Dallas Cowboys, both tied at 3W- 3L, in NFC East, sure as Hell didn't want to miss it (congrats to Cowboys 37- 10 victory). I guess around 8:30pm or so, the game on the tele kept getting interrupted with emegency warning flashes of severe storms sw of me. I then got a text from my daughter who lives in Bluffview/ North Dallas, an upscale area, between Lovefield/ Bachman Lake & Inwood Rd ... telling me, she thinks there is a tornado forming over by her apartment ... of course, she knows how to take cover. I looked at radar, indeed, just west of the lake around I- 35 (Stemmons Frwy), Northwest Hwy, and the Las Colinas area, up to Walnut Hill, there was confirmation, and that it was also moving east towards her place (still construction on some of the buildings too at her area, being a new built community, so loose construction equipment). My stepson's house is only .25 mile north of me, on the other side of LBJ Frwy in Farmers Branch. Seeing it moving east, she contacted her sister in Rowlett too, to warn her of the path it may be taking, now seemed north of the lake, and missing my daughter in Bluffview by a half mile, it's approx travel speed, if I recall, was @ 25mph. I knew this was serious now, texted my buddy in Lake Highlands, to tell him be aware, so texts were now going back and forth. I went outside immediately, pissed off as Hell, thinking I'm gonna lose my place/ apartment/ belongings. Looking in the skies for lightning flashes to locate the rotation funnel, I have a safe area, and a backup area at my place just for this, so from the street where I live, I can get in place/ cover in approx 15 seconds, moving quick. I tried to listen for that roar of it, which was hard, because of the emergency sirens and sirens from fire/ police vehicles. I didn't catch the uncoming roar (I guess some call it a freight train sound), it roughly looked about 1 to 1.5 miles south of my place and moving north.
At that point though, I'm not sure how it will go, just hoping I miss a direct hit. My neighbour Seline (spelling?) pulls up in her vehicle, I tell her to take immediate cover. She looked in a daze, wondering what's up ... I know that she is unfamiliar with this, she just moved here from LA, early 20s in age, born raised and lived most of her life, just a few miles south of Hollywood and west of downtown LA, this don't happen there, they've had tornadoes before, but very rare. I'm standing in a stance, ready to run in, wearing a hooded windbreaker, here comes the winds off the back of it, a mile away at that! The rains come fast and hard, hail stones, had to be at least, I would guess, 60mph winds, at that distance too ... I start to see debris flying in the skies, I run inside to take cover. 10 minutes later, I knew it was okay to come out, it passed, and went to the east/ northeast, towards Forest Ln & Inwood Rd, Richardson, etc ... I just had a big sigh of relief. My lights flickered a little, and in the neighbourhood, but nothing went out either, about 1 to 1.5 miles south, for miles east and west, all power was lost for folks, over 100,000+ people lost power quick. Now, 4 days after the storm, there is still power out, street and traffic lights even ripped from the ground and mangled ... and a aftermath of debris for miles that is incredible. I know this will probably take weeks to even get this fairly cleaned up. Just to try to get out of our neighbourhoods driving is a challenge, with traffic lines on major streets, many had to be closed, and the small streets to take short cuts were full of debris and trees down, in surrounding North & NW Dallas ... people in traffic for up to 3 hours trying to get to work by street, without traffic lights, etc. The looting you have to expect, they have cops pulling double shifts to try to protect these open businesses, understand, that you have places like jewelry/ diamond stores with missing roofs and walls, phone and tech businesses, and all other kinds ... this must be like a dream come true for looters, it wouldn't surprise me if they try to use drones to boost shit! As I'm writing this, the skies are getting very storm dark, rains starting, they are saying heavy thunderstorms and hail within the next few hours coming in from northwest, this is bad news for clean up and damaged properties, since it's been sunny and dry for the first few days after the tornado. It will also make rush hour traffic a mess, considering what it already is. Whatever we get this afternoon/ tonight, I hope will be nothing like we had the other night. Some more below on this, the last video is during the tornado.
Former Fort Worth officer: "I'm afraid when I get stopped" ... Thanx to CBS This Morning
This posting will serve as Part 34 of the "Police Brutality" series of this journal/ blog. A short opening video above, from former Fort Worth police officer, Larhonda Young, to hear her out, on how a former, or even active police officer may feel in public, over police officers that are too quick to shoot. Today you have an increased fear, a real fear too, of why some working class and low income people are reluctant to call police for help, especially in a community with a majority of folks of colour, and feeling they are prone to being gunned down in their own home. This is another unjustified killing of a citizen, a model citizen, at that, by local law enforcement here in the Dallas- Fort Worth area, this time on the Fort Worth side of town. Basically, Atatiana was gunned down and murdered, while playing video games in her home, with her 8 year old newphew, by a Fort Worth police officer, Aaron Dean. As former Dallas Police officer, Amber Guyger, was being sent to prison, for the murder of Botham Jean in "his own" apartment ... officer Dean, across town, is killing another model type citizen in Fort Worth, in her home. The amount of unjustified killing of citizens, and use of excessive force in this country by police, is too large for me to even be able to follow, I have a very small fraction recorded in this journal, I would have to devote this whole journal/ blog to these 7 dayz a week, to keep up with most of them. Some news links below, and a video below that to hear out Atatiana's family and attorney. It's still early in the investigative stage of this, so if anything new of interest comes up, I may add some links. Below at the bottom, I'll add some thoughts of my own.
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Thomas Hudson Pickering/ Ranch Chimp
First up, the neighbour, James Smith, who made the call to police to do a wellness check on his neighbour feels awful, but he's been getting much support in the community. I understand how devastated he feels, thinking that if he wouldn't have called the police, Atatiana would still be alive. But this is the fault of the officer, so I hope that Smith can get past this, he said it's even difficult for him to sleep, because he feels somewhat responsible for her death. I don't know the procedure for dispatching officers to a location of a call in Fort Worth ... I would definitely want to fire this dispatcher, if she is the one who sent these units, no excuses, I would fire her, or demotion at minimal. Smith called police, and not emergency 911, just the general non- emergency number. Smith answered all questions properly, even indentifying the vehicles of the residents of the home that were there, just that doors were all open. The front and side interior doors were open, but the glass storm doors were closed, it's a majority black community, I myself know the area, it's not a dangerous high crime area, I been in some really tough areas, so I would know. Somehow, the call was dispatched as an "open structure/ open door" call, this is why I would fire the dispatcher. From what I gathered, 2 units were dispatched to the call, first was an officer Carol Darch, she arrived at 2:28am, and Aaron Dean, he arrived at 2:29am. The procedures the officers took were as if it was a break- in/ burglary in progress call, for some reason ... but still not proper. I mean, they could see the occupants vehicles there, who Smith identified as the vehicles of the people that lived there, lights were on ... at least you would think to check the front door, knock, ring bell, identify themselves as officers, question, etc ... none of this went down. It's the home of Atatiana's mom, she was hospitalized, her daughter Atatiana was staying there, to help her mom out, and was playing video games with her 8 year old nephew, Zion.
Speaking of the kid, Zion, and his account to police about his aunt, Atatiana, grabbing her gun from her purse, movements/ positioning, etc ... this has not been questioned yet in any of the media, why? No, I do not trust, the kid's account of what went down, based on trust and faith only, under these circumstances ... I want to know who all questioned the kid? (according to report, only forensic interviewer), the type of questions and wording?, and I would like to see a video/ audio of the questioning, if I were an attorney representing the victim, there shouldn't be any problem in forking that over, victim's attorney/ crew has a legal right. And don't even tell me some shit, like questioning being based solely on their crew at the scene at 3am, on an 8 year old kid, that had no counsel by his side, and been up playing video games probably for hours, then having to absorb a murder, or some other jerry- rigged, kangaroo type nonsense. It's alwayz importante to get witness accounts as early as possible, for memory reasons of the witness, yes. But I also know how their questioning can be coercive, these are experienced police/ investigators, that know how to coerce even grown adults with decent education, especially when a fellow officer is taking a fall, and an 8 year old kid, under these circumstances, is too easy to mix them up on what they witness ... so I need more than your word. You cannot have an unbiased thorough investigation, without outsider investigation in a case like this. I also feel that we need legislation as far as these tape releases of audio and video, that are edited, in almost every case. Understand, as is, this kid is the key witness in this case, besides officers account at the scene, or if we can get any neighbours, such as Smith, to have imput. Atatiana, by Texas law, has the right to have a gun in her residence, and secondly, she could have a gun on the street for that matter, because she has a concealed carry permit. Her actions, were justified, hearing noises outside her residence at this hour, in protection of herself and the child ... she would have also been justified if she had shot the officer ... there was no bloody evidence for her to know, that it was police creeping around outside.
The surprising thing to hit me, was how quick Officer Dean resigned in this case, and his immediate refusal to not cooperate with his own department and/ or questioning, but, that's his right and choice, it's just somewhat odd. With public outcry and first evidence, interim Police Cheif Kraus, already was going to fire Officer Dean, and had reason to, for a variety of department policy violations, such as de- escalation, unprofessional conduct, use of force, and more. Perhaps, Dean just knew he was going down, and acted quickly to not cooperate, whether it was his decision or his defense ... because CLEAT (Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas) immediately went to his defense, and will be handling his defense in this case. Dean made his $200K bond quick, and despite him being an officer, I see him personally as a flight risk, that's just me, based on his first actions. Dean only been on the department for a year and a half, he was also one of the oldest to graduate from the academy, I haven't seen anything yet on his background, being that he's 35 yrs old, and what he's been doing before he got on the force. Dean is also a member of a more elite tactical SRT (Special Response Team) unit (Guyger in the last posting, was also with a special tactical unit). SRT, is basically a scaled down version of SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics), being on the force for such a short time, I have to wonder, why he was assigned to or requested a unit like SRT?, just found it odd ... and a Hell of a choice of officer to send to a wellness call after 2am, eh? A buddy of mine, Tyrone, worx commercial/ retail security in what's considered as a high crime area of the Pleasant Grove sector of southeast Dallas, but he has often told me, that a problem he sees on the streets in the Grove, is cops being hired who just came out of combat in some place like Iraq or Afghanistan, being they still have that "war zone" in them, and some seem unstable. This is not being anti- veteran, it should be looked at, though ... example, look at the Jordan Edwards killing in neighbouring Balch Springs by Officer Roy Oliver.
We will have to also wait and see how a Tarrant County grand jury will assess this as far as the indictment. As for myself, and the DA, I would expect nothing less than a murder indictment, not something like some degree of manslaughter or less ... Dean intended on killing Atatiana, and it's murder. Even though this is being compared in media to the Amber Guyger killing of Botham Jean case ... I myself don't see these cases as alike. I'm just gonna take a wild guess here ... that Dean will use the fear card as defense, claim that he seen gun, etc ... say that he thought it was a robbery/ burglary suspect. Even though some say that his flashlight reflection on window would have obscured his vision accuracy, no doubt though, considering all and the environment, he had the advantage. I'd be curious to see, how his defense will explain him not identifying himself, or Officer Darch. Or Dean to explain why he did not yell "gun", if he seen one, which is standard procedure required before shooting, to alert partner/ officers, that there is a weapon. I'm sure Darch not only has several violations in this also, but being key in this case, she will have to testify on the stand ... I wonder if Dean will testify in his own defense?, if he's anything like his reaction to the interdepartmental questioning and cooperation, he may choose not to take the stand ... taking the stand for Guyger, actually helped reduce her sentence. It's a natural understanding that a cop can be in fear of his/ her life ... on an urban street, or even in a rural setting, cops get shot and killed too. But this is why they have and practice a system of scenarios and protocol ... that training is for a reason ... there are alot of bad boyz and girlz out there. But this fear of life thing has gotten ridiculous in many cases ... example, look at this case in South Carolina, where Officer Michael Slager killed Walter Scott, a simple fleeing traffic violation suspect, Slager was also in fear of his life, of an unarmed traffic violator, shooting him in the back multiple times while running away, that was 30ft or more from the officer, not even facing the officer or towards the officer, and the officer tampering with evidence and scene ... what kind of fear is that? ... it's a bullshit fear fallacy. Again, change in legislation, is a major key in changing some of these policies too.
Botham Jean
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Botham Jean's mother Allison addresses the public after Amber Guyger is sentenced ... Thanx to WFAA
This posting will be a Part 2 for "Botham Shem Jean", and Part 33 of the "Police Brutality" series of this journal/ blog. This posting I wanted to record in this journal, to review the ex- DPD officer, Amber Guyger's murder conviction and sentencing, for killing Botham Jean in his apartment last year, when she thought she was in her apartment, and that he was an intruder. Some folks are relieved, and some folks are angry as Hell over such a short sentence Guyger recieved, prosecution asked jurors for no less than 28 years, minimal ... and it is and was a very difficult case for the families and friends of both the defendant and the victim. It was emotionally tough on many ... and even the part where Botham's younger brother asked to hug Guyger, and forgave her. He's 18 years old, and probably didn't want to just be angry for years to come, which was his choice, and being the younger brother of the victim, that choice should be respected. The jury had several options, for even more leniency on Guyger, and flexibility on charges, so they were not partial in Guyger's favour in how they acted. It's a local case that I followed, and because it was somewhat unique, complicated, and rare, as far as an officer killing an innocent unarmed person, that was doing nothing, but in his own living room, watching a ball game on the tele ... the officer was the actual intruder in this case, and admittingly intended to kill the subject/ victim. But the bottom line here, is that officer Guyger intentionally murdered Botham Jean. There was also speculation of police involvement, when a key witness in the trial, Joshua Brown, who lived across the hall from Botham, and heard the exchange between Guyger and Jean, was also gunned down and murdered, outside a North Dallas apartment complex, after his testimony. It was not related to the Guyger case, they have 1 suspect in custody, in the murder of Brown, 2 at large, they identified, it was over a drug deal gone bad (NBC News).
I wanted to open with a video above, out of respect, from the mother of Botham, who should be heard out first, after Guyger's sentence was handed down by the jury. What Allison Jean points out, is a very serious issue, that we as Americans, have become too desensitized to, she notices it more, since she is from Saint Lucia ... which is the training and deadly force policies ... our officers today, are basically trained to kill first, and to target the area of the body that makes a kill most certain. And we have a very ethnically diverse population, with a long history of systemic racism and classism, and police brutality being allowed, which intensifies the killing, punishment, and assaults on innocent people. Much of where we are today, is also from legislation from our politicians, and their neglect to do much of anything about it ... after all, they alwayz had the power to change this, and neglect to do much of anything. Yet, many politicians complain about racism and inequality among the people in politipop talk? ... the whole system and America was bred and built on racism and classism, and continues to be. You people in key political positions, on both sides, created and maintained the damn system, some of you should be punished and imprisoned. So save your crocodile tears, and don't tell us how compassionate you are, and how racist common people are ... who created and sustains it?, you lame mother fuckers. You (politicians), and your policies, are a key problem in this country ... in other words ... either do something, or just shut the fuck up, your words are worthless, and even insulting to most people. Below I included some newsread and videos, which includes, community reaction outside the courtroom after, as well as Dallas County DA, John Creuzot's response, and the first 2 jurors that broke their silence to mainstream media on their deliberations. At the bottom of the posting, I will add some of my views on this.
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Thomas Hudson Pickering/ Ranch Chimp
This case was really unusual, as far as trying it ... and it was very emotional throughout the trial's testimonials, full of surprise and cries, for sure. One guy I know was expecting 75 years for Guyger, and he's a white guy, and supports police fervently. Another guy I know, told me she deserves the full 99 years, he's black, and strong against many policing policies. Others I know locally were somewhat mixed up, a couple folks told me, that they think Guyger and Jean were having sexual relations, and she went off on him. I try to base my assessments on facts, and not hearsay ... there was much hearsay in the community here in Dallas, about a relationship between Guyger and Jean ... I need some evidence ... so I can't buy that. Most folks I know, never even heard out the testimony, which was lengthy, they just took bits and pieces of what they heard in the news on their phones and social media. The trial was covered in its entirety, and live, on YouTube by WFAA8- Dallas, FOX10- Phoenix, and KTLA5- Los Angeles. "IF" folks would have viewed the testimonies and evidence, they could see that this was not a simple case ... this also was hard on the jury, and well as the families. I don't find the jury at fault in any way on this conviction and sentence. DA Creuzot had a Grade A team prosecuting this, with an ethnically diverse selection of jurors reflecting of our community/ city. The defense team for Guyger were good, and knew how to present this case, considering they had many objections from the judge who overruled defense requests, in what is admissible ... so that worked in the prosecutions benefit as well. The defense in this case, had the option from the start, as for their choice on who they want to impose sentencing, the judge or jury?, which is common ... they chose jury. Can this be appealed? ... of course ... but do you want to appeal, if you're Guyger's defense? Understand, that if you appeal, you still have the 5 to 99 sentence to deal with, and you're taking a chance, of getting more than the 10 years you recieved from the first run. Also consider, as emotional as this was, the anger that will be added, of a jury and witnesses having to go through this again. Personally, if I was Guyger, and at her age (31), I would let it go, and decline to appeal ... but that's their right and choice, and some folks are expecting an appeal. Guyger should just do the time, and maybe when she gets out, become an advocate, and give back to the community by trying to change police policies, or related. All the evidence that I seen in this case, made me conclude, that this was really an accident. Guyger was inattentive, just left a 14 hour shift, distracted by texting, walking to what she thought was her apartment. She wasn't thinking, fucked up, and neglected using proper protocol. After she shot Botham, she just panicked and freaked out, after seeing what she had done.
This was just such a bittersweet case to deal with, I heard out all the testimony in this. Guyger testified that her intentions were to kill Jean, the jury wasted no time, and found her guilty of murder, and were committed to her conviction and imposing a sentence for prison time. And Guyger showed much remorse for what she done to the family of Jean and the court. The jury came back fairly quick with the guilty verdict of murder, and people were praising the decision outside the court, and even surprised, because of a cop actually getting convicted. I was more reserved, though ... because I expected that the sentencing, from what I seen, would be difficult, to impose a sentence of maximum. The jury was emotionally drained, and restless on top of it, because of the lengthy sequester they had with no media, outside contact, or communications ... whether you are defense or prosecution, you have to expect what kind of mental stress the jury is going through, while being isolated for days, and having to weigh it all. For me, if I were on the jury, after hearing all evidence and testimonies, it would be difficult for me to give Guyger a maximum sentence. Even despite the texts and social media postings, that were clearly racially insensitive, looking at her background, and most of her best friends and folks she helped and grew up with, were black and latino. Even the testimony from the former drug addict woman was compelling, who was also black, that Amber gave a break to in a crackhouse raid, didn't bust her, instead gave her a citation, and helped her get clean, the woman asking Guyger to be at her drug rehab graduation. These testimonies with evidence, and NOT from fellow officers, clearly told me that Guyger was not racist. I think the texts and social media posts was small talk, and in humour, although bad humour, if anything. Example ... about a year ago, at a social gathering of sort ... a friend of mine Tyrone, a black man, who is big, muscular, and mean looking to some folks, mid 40's ... told me in some small talk, "I think you're a racist ... are you racist, man?!", and he had an angry look ... I just said "Yeah, I am", folks around us just went silent, looking at us ... he broke out laughing. Tyrone was just joking around, and asked me a dumb ass question, and I gave him a dumb ass response ... he knew it and I knew it ... but one white guy told me, looking serious ... "I can't believe you told him that" ... but Tyrone and I were just fucking around. The social media posts about "shooting first", is like gung- ho type sort of shop talk ... bad taste for an officer of the law though, especially to post in public ... even if it is sarcasm, tongue in cheek, bad choice of humour, or whatever.
There was much focus on Guyger's sexual relationship with her team/ patrol partner, Officer Martin Rivera, prosecution put it on the table, and it's common to do, Rivera was also married, this is to bring out a negative character of Guyger. But both admitted openly about their sexual relationship, and put it all out on the table, so it didn't have much impact. However, Rivera is being investigated, and a couple others, Rivera also, tampering with evidence, as far as deleting phone texts, and whatever else. And the community are asking for Rivera's 2007 case to be reopened, where he shot and killed a young unarmed black man, and for his resignation. I didn't know a thing about Rivera's shooting and killing of Brandon Washington, but my buddy Tyrone, who also lives in Pleasant Grove, ran it down to me. Brandon Washington, was a 20 year old black man, who Rivera shot in the head and killed, over a call from a 7-11 store in Pleasant Grove, they alleged Washington stole a candy bar, Rivera found the suspect in vicinity, Rivera said he thought he was armed, slowly removing his hand from his pocket, and killed Washington ... nothing was done to Rivera (Dallas News). I don't know what will be done as far as Guyger or Rivera deleting phone texts, they are officers, and texts were related to offense of Guyger, even. I mean, I myself as a citizen, delete texts daily on my phone, not because of what they say though, I have alot of texts that are just short basic messages, on going somewhere, meeting someone, reminders, etc ... it's pointless to cram my phone and saving every damn message I get or send out ... I don't need them for anything, just more junk to store. But people should ask for the resignation of Rivera, and to reopen his case. And the reason why folks were so angry at the 10 year sentence of Guyger, is because in case after case across America, unarmed black men are killed at an alarming rate, and too many officers get off with no time. Dallas County convicted and sent 2 to prison over the last year alone, but the Roy Oliver case for killing the Jordan Edwards kid, was completely different, and Oliver only got 15 years ... so yes, people are justified in their anger ... not everyone chooses to forgive and forget. Yes, this Guyger case goes on the books, and a plus for a conviction and precedent for upcoming trials, but the circumstances of this case are not likely to be matched, and Botham, was a model citizen, like stainless steel. It also angers people in the community, to see that it takes the murder of such a near perfect citizen, to even only get 10 years for an officer, that clearly admitted, her intentions were to kill the victim.
I was somewhat surprised on how fast Guyger pulled chain ("pulling chain" means transferred from County Jail to prison), I known folks that had to wait weeks or even months in county before pulling chain. Guyger's at the women's Mountain View Unit at Gatesville now, this is not an easy place to do time, but it's common for women that are on murder convictions and death row to be sent there. She'll probably be in orientation for a couple weeks to break her in, before she's assigned to a cell. I visited this unit many times, I know 4 women that done their time on this unit (Yolanda, Minerva, Tess, and Veronica). Those I know, and a couple other women I talked to, that done time there, all worked what's called the "hoe squad", before their request/ app will be considered for any indoor work, like kitchen, clean- up, laundry, mailroom, etc. Work is a common requirement, and it helps time pass quicker, but you don't make money. Most likely, Guyger will get what's considered in prison, as a decent job inside, because of her background, college degree. They'd rather utilize her somewhere, for her previous experience, not some menial job like clean up ... no pay, but good for parole reference. The majority who work hoe squad, you are hoeing, even if the land already been hoed, you'll be hoeing the same shit over and over, and in the summer in 95/ 100 degree heat, your ass is going to be sweating bullets. The food there is bland and minimal, so you depend on commissary to get food, junk food shit, but at least filling and tastier. So you need money on your books/ account, or do without ... Guyger would have money, though. Seeing a nurse these dayz, I hear they even take money off your books for that. Those who don't have money, sell services to other inmates, like writing letters for them, if you have writing talent, personal art, custom greeting cards, giving tattoos, sexual favours, or whatever to make it. Guyger will get a parole hearing in 5 years. I'm not sure what a penitentiary year is in TDCJ now. Back about 20 years ago, it was 7 to 8 months, as having served a penitentiary year. Or what kind of incentives she'll get, like "good time" for early release, once it's out of the courts, the sentence is prison's responsibility, the court just required a basic 10, so she is required to do 5. What I'm saying, it's possible that she may do a little less than 5 years. Things that may delay granting parole, is, if you get write- ups, giving trouble to guards or inmates, fights, new charges from within the walls, such as contraband. Also, the Jean family may go to the parole hearing, and can address the board, if they want to dispute the board on releasing/ granting parole to Guyger early. I assume they may consider some time in protective housing for a while, being that Guyger is a former cop, and someone may give her trouble ... I don't know, never knew a cop that done time in there. That's it from me ....
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