Weems & Moyers: Our Legal System is Flawed

We've been reading several comments on the Ron Wikkid Weems murder case, and it appears many think Weems could face the death penalty. Sorry, folks, Weems is charged with Felony Murder, not Capital Murder. Why?

We should all ask that. Surely the Colbert County District Attorney could have added attempted rape to the list of charges Weems faces. According to Weems' mother, he and Amanda Taylor had at one time been lovers, yet at this point it's not just a rape case, but a murder. The charge would have insured Weems was tried for Capital Murder and faced either death by lethal injection or life in prison. As it stands now, Weems will be eligible for parole and probably make it at some point.

In Limestone County we have a man who lived alone and was afraid of the thieves and vandals who had been frequenting his lonely stretch of road. When Joel Moyers saw suspicious activity, he attempted to stop the vehicle in which Brandon Hydrick was a passenger. As the driver sped off, Moyers fired one shot.

Here the story becomes much more nebulous. Moyers states he tried to fire over the vehicle, using a rifle that weighs at least nine pounds and probably as much as twelve. The Limestone County District Attorney says Moyers deliberately fired into the truck. Now Joel Moyers is charged with killing a man he'd never met...not out of anger or for money or any other personal reason. Why?

Yes, why is Ronald Weems not charged with Capital Murder and Joel Moyers is? Our hodge podge of Capital Murder crimes needs to be revamped, but it won't happen until the public demands it.

Related post: Alabama Capital Crimes

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There will be an appeal of the David Riley murder verdict on April 23rd. Riley was convicted of shooting liquor store clerk Scott Kirtley during a robbery. We understand it's just a formality. Like Ronald Weems, Riley is best kept off the streets. Unlike Weems, he's awaiting death by lethal injection.

While on the subject of revamping laws, why may the defense bring up any past indiscretion of the victim, but the prosecution may not enter most past arrests of the defendant into testimony? Shouldn't we bar such testimony on both sides?



Shoalanda

"He Made Some Mistakes"/ Missing Cherokee Fuel

Chris Childers, defense attorney for David Riley, yesterday stated that the defendant had "made some mistakes." Mistakes? Really?

No, Mr. Childers, a mistake is taking the wrong exit on the Interstate. A mistake is incorrectly subtracting an amount from a check register. What David Riley did was cold-blooded murder. He should spend the rest of his life in prison; however, Judge Jones will in all probability sentence Riley to death no matter the recommendation of the jury. Other than the cost of appeals for such a sentence, will anyone really be sorry?

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Last month our fellow blogger J.J. Ray wrote a column concerning the excess amount of fuel supposedly used by the small town of Cherokee, specifically its rescue squad:

Cherokee: Bigger Than You Thought

J.J. has continued to look into what could be a large amount of fuel--either missing or undocumented as to its use. Here's a link to what J.J. found:

Cherokeegate Part I

Sources report that the rescue squad had a meeting yesterday; we wonder if this was the main topic?

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A reader has commented on President Bush's visit to the Shoals:

A former President is coming to visit and where does the daily disappointment put the article? The land appraisal along Wilson Dam road is more news worthy?

Well, Wilson Dam Road is more newsworthy...than the Easter Bunny.


Shoalanda

He Didn't Mean for Anyone to Get Hurt/Atheists Among Us

Dewon Jones didn't mean for anyone to get hurt when he helped rob Dandy's Package Store? That's why he allegedly provided the gun for the robbery. That's why he didn't question the fact David Riley made no effort to hide his identify. That's why he didn't attempt to get help for Scott Kirtley after he was shot. No, that's why Dewon Jones should have been sentenced to life without parole for his role in the robbery--he didn't care who got hurt as long as he and Riley had money for drugs. Now the taxpayers of Lauderdale County are paying for a second trial for Riley. We've never assumed our court system is perfect, but it really dropped the ball in the case of Dewon Jones.

Related post: A Tale of Two Accessories to Murder

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For every four or so complimentary e-mails we receive, we usually get one that's not so full of praise. We have one or two critics who are regular contributors to our G-Mail in box. Recently we've received some criticism for allowing an atheist to post a guest blog. It being the start of a special religious season for some, we feel this is an appropriate time to address these.

We don't ask the manager of the grocery store if he's an atheist. We don't ask our CRNP is she's an atheist. In short, we deal with those every day whose religious affiliation or lack thereof is unknown to us.

Yes, shunning an atheist is the ideal way to convert him or her to Christianity. We hope those of little or no faith don't judge all Christians by such individuals as our critic.

Note: We welcome guest blogs. We are happy to publish views from all perspectives as long as they are not libelous. We do reserve the right to edit for profanity, etc.



Shoalanda

A Tale of Two Accessories to Murder

In 2005, Joe Jones stood outside a store and watched for customers as a second man robbed, shot, and killed the clerk. Jones then took the gun used in the crime to the home he shared with his mother and hid it in his bedroom. Joe Jones admitted these facts under questioning of both the police and, at his trial, the Lauderdale County District Attorney.

In 1998, John Smith drove to a business on the request of his brother. Smith claimed he waited in his truck as his younger sibling entered to ask for money supposedly owned him. When his brother exited the building, he was carrying a broken knife and soaked with blood stains. Smith, under the influence of alcohol, then drove his brother to a bar where they both spent the money the younger brother had stolen from the man he killed. Forensics could not disprove Smith's story during his trial, an account that the man still adamantly claims is true.

Which man was charged with and indicted for Felony Murder and which for Capital Murder?

Before you answer that question, let us state that no one here thinks any of the four young men involved in these two murders is an angel. We also think it's a strong possibility that John Smith was and is lying when he stated he did not enter the business where his brother admitted killing the proprietor; however, since there was no evidence connecting him to the actual killing, we cannot be sure of his guilt. We cannot in good conscience unequivocally link him to the murder as some members of the victim's family have.

The above accounts are cited to prove that justice isn't equal for everyone. Over six years separated these Lauderdale County murders, as well as the election of a new District Attorney. Steve Graham asked for and received an indictment of Capital Murder for John Smith, who is in reality Eric Boyd. A jury convicted Boyd of the lesser charge of Felony Murder, allowing him to be paroled at some point. Chris Connolly stated it could not be proved that Joe Jones had murderous intent; a jury did convict Jones, who is in reality Duwon Jones, of Felony Murder, allowing an admitted participant in the murder to be eligible for parole.

Now Duwon Jones' partner in crime has been afforded a new trial. The Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals has stated errors on the part of both Chris Connolly and Judge Mike Jones in referencing David Riley's juvenile record.

No, justice is never equal. Neither Duwon Jones nor David Riley deserves to see the free world again.

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Sources report that David Saccocci, the Littleville police officer arrested Saturday after an 11 hour standoff is a Rhode Island native and a 1997 graduate of Burrillville High School. He, along with his wife, and young daughter have been Colbert County residents for a short period of time.

The source further states that Saccocci has been charged with making terrorist threats due to statements made in the presence of his estranged wife's family. He also threatened to kill himself before being overcome with tear gas and taken to a local hospital.

The area needs more police officers--just not ones like David Saccocci. Not only will Littleville remember this incident for years to come, unfortunately so will his daughter.


Shoalanda