You Scream, I Scream...and More

We say kudos and plenty of them to the new Shoals marketplace soon to be located on Court Street. While the TimesDaily article didn't state it, our friend Trevor Stokes tells us it's to be at 218 North Court. We're also informed that Reese Shirey, called a "she" in the article, is indeed male and part of a trio of brothers who hope to promote their own brand of ice cream. Reese lives in Muscle Shoals while his two brothers live in other parts of Alabama.

The owner of the Shoals Marketplace has specifically mentioned seeking college age and thirty-something customers. We have to ask if we can see 40 in the highway of life...in the rear view mirror...are we still welcome? Just try keeping us away from great ice cream...

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Trevor also mentioned the Shoals area as being "picky" retail wise. We're not so sure picky is the best term. We once heard a Muscle Shoals librarian say the hamburgers at Backyard Burgers were too expensive. It's a sad commentary on Shoals wages, but we have few to blame but ourselves if we're not rolling in the dough. Think we're joking? Listen carefully and see how long it takes to hear some Shoals resident say: We ain't got no good jobs here.

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Many years ago when jobs were sparse for some here and plentiful in Detroit, several Shoals residents moved to that northern city. So many, in fact, that they started the Florence, Alabama Club. We thought of that recently when we noticed how many friends we have on Facebook who are living in Tuscon and the surrounding areas. At least it's warm there.

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From D.K.:

I have attended about 32 or more trials, Capital Murder, (Felony) Murder & Manslaughter. Yes there was a terrible mistake made, I truly feel an honest mistake and hopefully a lesson was learned! Mr. McWhorter I felt was very well prepared and did a good job after 3 and a half years of waiting, with hundreds of pages of paper work, he handled himself very well under cross examination, from two very good defense attorneys. Lawrence County should be proud of him.

I would like to see Mr. McWhorter use a video system and a recording device that he knew would operate during any interview. The one used was the ABI's and it stopped or would pause as the interview was going on. Most all the others do the video as well the recording.

The Judge stated he did not feel in this case, because it was the defense attorney who was the one questioning Mr. McWhorter, and after reviewing the transcripts he didn't think it hurt or helped either side. Now if the court of appeals agrees.

Lawrence County District Attorney Errek Jett, too did a very good job throughout the trial, Lawrence County should be proud to have him and his staff. This was Errek Jett's first Capital Murder case and as all Capital Murder trials will go thru the appeals court. I would not say either man lied--just a huge mistake.

Errek and his Victim Service Officer did a wonderful job with keeping the Nichols family in the know, as the next step in the case. Most people make a mistake in their job in any profession, but in a case as this, it shows big time and the Judge has to do something. It being a Capital Murder case, the smallest mistake sticks out. Not saying this was a small mistake...

Thanks for the job they each do, what ever level it may be.



Shoalanda

Lies in Moulton?/Dead in 16 Years?

Lawrence County District Attorney Errek Jett says he never got a copy of a suspect's statement in the Bailey and Betty Nichols murder investigation. County investigator Tim McWhorter says he sent it to Jett. Is one of them lying?

It's possible the statement was mislaid by an office worker. We've read statistics that even in the best run offices, at least 2% of all documents are misfiled/mishandled. No matter the truth, the public deserves some answers...especially if there should be a re-trial for Sheffield businessman Charles Moore.

We'll add that while this alleged misconduct occurred in a case where there was overwhelming evidence of the defendant's guilt, what if such a ploy had been used to convict an innocent individual?

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D.K. reports that the Nichols' grandson from Montgomery was able to attend Moore's sentencing. The young man spoke at the hearing and forgave Charles Moore for the murder. We call that a remarkable human being.

It seems the closeness of the Nichols family was the main factor in the early arrest of Moore. Not just one, but at least three of the Nichols family knew the couple would be meeting with Moore the morning of the murders.

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The sanctioned Lawrence County District Attorney's office stated they felt Charles Moore would die in prison before being executed if he should have been given a death sentence. That's a very telling statement.

The average length of appeals in death sentence cases is just under 16 years. Therefore we assume these officers of the court believe Moore will die before reaching the age of 81. We have no idea what condition Moore's health is in, but somehow the prosecutors' statements don't make us feel too good about the condition of health care in Alabama prisons. (No, we don't particularly care about Moore; we do care for those convicted of non-violent crimes.)



Shoalanda

Big Fail for Lawrence County DA/VOCAL Vigil

D.A. Errek P. Jett

From all reports, the case against Charles Moore is a slam dunk. The same reports have stated the prosecution has made every effort to ensure any appeals will be limited if/when Moore should be convicted of the murders of Bailey and Betty Nichols.

Yet today a judge in the case sanctioned D.A. Errek P. Jett for failing to provide the defense team with information relating to a second suspect in the double murder. The defense at worst would have used the second suspect as a red herring; the evidence against Sheffield businessman Moore is so overwhelming that only a miracle could prevent a conviction.

While an appeal is automatic in a Capital Murder case, the prosecution has now given Moore's attorneys grounds for an appeals court ordered second trial. Lawrence County taxpayers should be upset...very upset.

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From D.K.:

On Friday night, the local VOCAL chapter, in partnership with Safeplace and Rape Response, will host a Celebration of Life, which will kickoff the National Crime Victims Rights Week, April 21-27. The event will be Friday beginning at 5:00 p.m. in the gym at First United Methodist Church on Tuscaloosa Street in Florence. At 7:30 p.m. the event will shift across the street to Wilson Park for a balloon release and candlelight vigil.

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Equivocal words? Several sources have been criticized for not calling ricin, a deadly poison in gas form or if otherwise inhaled, by its name. In other words, the material sent to several federal officials was nothing short of ricin and should be identified as such.

So...down with equivocal words in the news. How about "undocumented immigrant" goes next?



Shoalanda