TK the AG Has Problems

July 17th is fast approaching. Perhaps no statewide election is so important as that of the duel between Steve Marshall and Troy King, aka TK the AG (when he was last in office). Now that Mr. Marshall's wife has passed away, there's no certainty that he will remain in the race; however, we believe that he will.

We always try to be up front in our endorsements and with our likes/dislikes. Regular readers know how we've always felt about Troy King, a man whose edicts while in office are still having to be countered by our legislature. Now, AL.com has published an interesting expose' on King. Sure, that media outlet doesn't like King anymore than we here do, but you can read the article and do your own fact checking.

Trouble in Troy's Kingdom

How nice to be president of three companies. Somehow we've always believed that prexys made an actual income from their businesses. Yet that isn't our main takeaway from this article.

Troy King makes no more than 50K annually from his law practice? We've always been both amused and bemused at how the public sees all attorneys as millionaires. Our joke is that the population of Florence is 40,000, and 39,999 of these citizens are lawyers. It's very close to the truth. 

But 50K? We remember two years ago (yes, it's been that long) when an attorney friend of ours commented that accused pimp Chip Dillard had never made over 50K a year from his law practice. We can believe that of Dillard, but of King? What is wrong with that picture...and that's not a rhetorical question. We would love to know why TK has no more paying clients, assuming he's telling the truth about his practice.

So...if Steve Marshall remains on the ballot, he's the lesser of two evils. If he doesn't, the Republican Party is stuck with TK the AG. Remember: Not all Democrats are demons.

Magic Memories? Where's TK?

It was hard to miss the account of the arrest of sex shop owner William Posey Wilson, 72, of Leighton. Wilson was arrested for failure to register as a sex offender and being a convicted felon with unrestored rights in possession of several firearms. He was not arrested for selling sex toys at his shop Magic Memories .

Has Luther Strange quietly instructed his minions not to prosecute those who own such shops, technically illegal in Alabama? The fact that former attorney general Troy King enforced the sex shop law, a law that was accidentally passed, did nothing to ensure his legacy. Now, if Big Luther will remove the laundry list of crimes of moral turpitude that TK added while in office, perhaps the current attorney general will indeed leave a worthwhile legacy.

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Our quote of the week concerning UNA's move to Division I: After all, UNA's football team was beaten last year by Arkansas Christian College with three student preachers in the backfield. - Bobby Boone.

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In honor of the Helen Keller Festival, here's a link to a great article on Teressa Conley Booth, the first actress to portray Keller at Ivy Green:

Teressa Conley Booth

Shoalanda

Should the State of Alabama Control Gambling?

Or, for that matter, engage in retail alcohol sales? While we're in the midst of such profound political debate, we'll further ask if the Federal government should be in the business of selling electricity?

Alas, those questions ultimately lead to the feasibility of letting Ron Sparks out in public without a leash and the advisability of printing tickets to the final showdown between Gov. Bob Riley and TK the AG.

We plan to ponder these politically incorrect questions within the next few days, but first, a look at the Tennessee Valley that many may have missed...





Links: We've recently added a link to one of our favorite blogs, King Cockfight, along with our sister blog Trader Evaluates. We're hearing a lot of great comments about Trader's blog--be sure to let him know how much you're enjoying it.

Shoalanda

Who Set Up Sen. Bobby Denton?

Even if you play bingo or slots, poker or the ponies, we assume you are still adamantly opposed to the crime of political bribery. To accuse anyone of monetary gain or even receipt of a token George Jones memento for voting in a specific manner is no light allegation. To accuse Alabama State Senator Bobby Denton of such a crime is ludicrous--ludicrous to us, but apparently not to certain FBI agents who have interviewed Denton twice in the past four days.

Also questioned were Jim Preuitt of Talladega and Larry Means of Gadsden, two state senators who also changed their stance on placing the bingo issue on a state-wide ballot. Denton has related to his constituents that he prayed over the matter, as well as seeking advice from his wife and minister. If Denton’s minister was jake with the Northwest Alabama legislator’s vote, not all occupants of local pulpits agreed. One Shoals religious leader wrote:

“What a load of BS. Thank God your sorry butt will be leaving office soon. Good luck explaining this to all your Church of Christ brethren. I hope you get the treatment you deserve from them.”

The TimesDaily refused to identify the name of the foul-mouthed e-mail author; however, if Senator Denton will send us his name, we will gladly publish it. His congregation needs to know what kind of bellowing Cretin stands before them each Sunday morning.

Whether one feels that Denton’s career has been illustrious or not, until now his motives and subsequent actions have never been questioned, begging the question of who is behind the FBI investigation into possible vote buying. Both Gov. Bob Riley and Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks have been mentioned as possible instigators in the matter. Detractors accuse Riley of becoming vindictive in the waning days of his term, while Sparks desperately needs a high profile issue to distract the public as he attempts to rebuild his flagging campaign. The same could be said for TK the AG, subject of his own FBI probe.

Even for Goat Hill shenanigans, the FBI’s questioning of Senator Denton ranks among the most bizarre. Sell his vote for a guitar? From George Jones? We wonder what these agents would have insinuated had Denton been female--perhaps the gift of silk stockings and a candy bar?



Weather or not? After we introduced our new comics widget, readers requested a similar one for weather. Apparently, they haven’t been scrolling to the bottom of the blog. Several weeks ago, we introduced a weather widget providing temperature and other info, while a click of the mouse will take you to a more detailed forecast from the Muscle Shoals Airport. Stay informed and stay safe.

Shoalanda

The TimesDaily has just identified the minister responsible for the rude and vulgar e-mail as Steve Thompson, currently associated with Woodmont Baptist Church. Currently, but perhaps not for long.

Tuscumbia Police: The New Keystone Kops?

When Tony Logan arrives at the Tuscumbia Police Department tomorrow, presumably riding a bicycle, he may not have a good day. It seems Tony could be spending at least part of tomorrow interviewing replacements for a TPD employee recently terminated for stealing city gasoline. That's only if he isn't attacked by another disgruntled and spurned female officer. Well, variety is the spice of life, but one would think the city of Tuscumbia might at some point prefer their chief to do some routine police work and leave the drama for the courtroom.

We wonder if those who once criticized Florence Chief Rick Singleton for sacking Logan still feel he made the wrong decision. The FPD is extremely fortunate to have a chief who is able to weed out rogue officers and maintain a department with at least some semblance of integrity.

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Judging by comments on local forums, many don't understand the Alabama ban on the sale of so-called sex toys. The highly controversial ban didn't originate because of any crusade by area churches or self-appointed keepers of morality. It seems at last look the states of Georgia, Indiana, Texas, Virginia, and Louisiana also have such bans. In fact, Alabama's 1998 ban on sex toys was taken directly from Georgia law. Further it was taken from Georgia law by mistake.

It seems a Huntsville legislator sought to curtail drug use and other illegal activity at a so-called gentleman's club in the city of Madison. His idea was to outlaw topless dancing and, being either frugal with his time or just downright lazy, he lifted Georgia's law word for word. The legislator failed to read the entire law, and thus Alabama's ban on so-called sex toys came into effect as an addendum to the State's obscenity law. The fact that the ban was accidental has done nothing to prevent Troy King from stringently enforcing the sex toy clause. This would be the ideal place to insert a bon mot about Mrs. TK's feelings concerning the law, but obviously the poor woman has suffered enough.


What's up with this: Florence's One Luv shop had over 3,500 MySpace friends before it even introduced sex novelties; can we say mail order sales?

Shoalanda

More Problems for the Muscle Shoals Police?

Our March 1st blog referred to the suspension of a Muscle Shoals police officer stationed at the city jail. Ten days later the TimesDaily confirmed the suspension of Charles Richard Michael. Now our contact with the MSPD informs us that two more officers are in trouble--one of them a long-term veteran with the department.

The two officers, a patrolman and a sergeant, are being questioned in the beating of a handcuffed black suspect. The source indicates that we can expect another announcement from Muscle Shoals law enforcement within the week.

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For those seeking to clean house at the Lauderdale Board of Education, Chad Holden is certainly making himself and his ideas for change available to the citizens of Lauderdale County. Holden, while maintaining a full-time teaching position, has been regularly visiting each corner of the county, getting to know the electorate and, more importantly, letting them get to know him. So far he is officially unopposed in his quest for a seat on the Board. Holden is certainly on the right track, and we wish him the best. You can follow Chad on Facebook.

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Apparently One Luv, the Florence shop that recently added sex toys to its line of novelties, has already discontinued the risque merchandise, or would that be risky? TK the AG has tentacles in every county and isn't afraid to use his power whether it be to thwart the sale of illicit lingerie or command county registrars to scour voting rolls for the stray convicted felon. Ah, attention to detail...too bad it doesn't extend to his ethics.

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Happy birthday tomorrow to one of our favorite EMTs, Donna Cain. Hope you have a good one, Donna!

Shoalanda

Mignon Willis for Cherokee Water Board?

According to sources in Cherokee, the office of town clerk Melinda Malone was closed today, preventing anyone from placing items on the agenda of tomorrow night's council meeting. It's been further reported that at least four council members intend to install former mayor Mignon Willis on the town's water board. What political power Willis would gain by a seat on the board is lost on us, but it will be interesting to see if our tipsters are correct.

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One Luv--that's the name of the new Florence business located on West Mobile Street. Currently being touted as a sex shop, the boutique has a MySpace page listing 3,100 friends (we will presume most are UNA students) and a varied inventory similar to that found in many local tobacco shops. Therefore, we doubt the paraphernalia sales are illegal in themselves; however, their site also touts a new "adult novelty" section. This may attract the interest of Alabama Attorney General Troy King, who apparently doesn't have enough to do since he's added every imaginable crime to the state's list of moral turpitudes.

We also doubt that, in the current economy, the store will fare well enough to last long after the first unofficial visit from city or county authorities. Look for One Luv's inventory to promptly head next door to Larry's Pawn Shop...


Shoalanda

Is Lt. Zachary W. Mullins a Sex Offender?

As we bring you this cautionary tale, we will immediately answer the question posed in today's topic; yes, Zachary Mullins, if guilty of the charges brought against him, is a sex offender and a fugitive from justice. Is the law under which he was indicted fair? Yes, as fair as such laws can be when arbitrary rules and regulations are enforced--that includes the 30 day ruling concerning the Alabama Putative Father Registry.

For those who may not be aware, second degree rape, termed statutory rape in some states, simply decrees that any sexual intercourse involving a person not yet old enough to give legal consent or too mentally impaired to give such consent, is second degree rape. In Alabama, the legal age of consent is 16, and the offender in the first scenario must be at least two years older than the victim. A man who has reached the age of 18 is definitely two years older than his 15 year-old victim.

Mullins is the son of Michael A. and Angela R. Mullins of Garrison Road in Hartselle. He's a graduate of Danville High School and Auburn University. Currently, he's serving as a Second Lieutenant in the US Air Force at Vandenberg in California, where he lives with his wife Paulette, the daughter of Deborah Baker of Swansboro, Alabama. That is, he lived there with his wife until Alabama Attorney General Troy King had Mullins arrested earlier this week, after a Morgan County Grand Jury indicted him of multiple sex crimes. Specifically, the grand jury indicted the Air Force Officer on two counts of having sex with the 15 year-old while he was 18 years of age and one count involving a sexual encounter with the same victim after Mullins had attained the age of 19. Mullins is currently in a Santa Barbara County jail awaiting extradition.

Perhaps the most disturbing element in this indictment is the fact that Mullins was not the lone target of the grand jury. Jessica Heather DeFoor (pictured), now 34, a former second grade teacher from Decatur in Morgan County, was also indicted for related crimes. While AG King refuses to comment further on the connection between DeFoor and Mullins, DeFoor, who at the time taught at Neel Elementary School in Danville, is charged with enticing the young woman for immoral purposes. Sources who are familiar with the indictment have stated that DeFoor provided Mullins and an unnamed youth with access to a bedroom in her home and alcohol with which to seduce the young woman. If this can be proved, the charges against Mullins may be later upgraded to First Degree Rape.

Both DeFoor and Mullins were indicted in July. DeFoor was arrested in August, but authorities were not able to track Mullins down until this month. He was arrested October 20th, and King expects extradition proceedings to begin by the end of the week. Mullins faces a possible 20 year prison sentence. DeFoor faces a sentence of up to 10 years.

Thanks to the Alabama tenure system, Jessica Heather DeFoor, who has been on leave since the charges were first brought to the attention of the police in 2007, is still drawing a state salary.


What's up with this: If you find working toward what you want too hard, you might want to try selling blue plastic bracelets at Q-Gas. It sounds like a great fundraising idea for a school trip, but to support a child?

Shoalanda

Troy King's Pioneer Effort in Uncharted Territory

Troy King is about to take the State of Alabama into what his office is calling uncharted territory. The Attorney General's office is referring to King's attempt to prosecute David Gabriel Watson for the murder of Tina Thomas Watson, his wife of eleven days. King's problem with such a prosecution is a little thing called double jeopardy. Gabe Watson has just been convicted in a Queensland, Australia, court of manslaughter in the death of his young bride, a woman whom he had just insured as the couple began their Australian dream honeymoon.

King's office is the first to admit the Alabama prosecution may be just a little iffy. Even if Watson plotted his bride's death in this state, the crime took place in Queensland, and Australian courts have already adjudicated the murder. Legal experts are already chiming in on King's "pioneer effort," but such actions are not all that pioneering for TK the AG.

Only last year, King attempted to bar the State of Maryland from releasing Arthur Bremer, the man convicted in the attempted assassination of then Alabama Gov. George Wallace. King's legal, or perhaps illegal, ploys failed to work against the system of another American state; we can hardly imagine what he hopes to accomplish by attempting to circumvent the legal ruling of a Queensland court.

Is Gabe Watson the proverbial piece of trash (if you prefer, you may insert an even less delicate word here)? Certainly. Does our Attorney General, no matter how loved by some in the Shoals, have any authority to re-prosecute Watson? We're sure King knows the answer to that question. We're also sure the fact that King has no aspirations for the 2010 governor's race does not preclude any such lofty goals in 2014.


Can't get enough TK the AG? Try these sites:
Official website of the Alabama Attorney General
TK on Facebook
TK on Twitter

Shoalanda

Updates and Lowdowns

Mail concerning our recent blog on Troy King was evenly divided. It seems Alabamians either love or hate TK the AG. We want to reiterate our statement that King has done many good things while in office. One communication we received perfectly illustrates this. Here is a brief, but telling, extract from the story from one reader:

You appear to have a personal intersection in something Troy King did, well, I do too. My sister was murdered and this man never gave up. I have met with him three times and in every instance he has promised to do something. For three years he wrote our family on the anniversary of her memorial and this past year announced that the cold case was going to be prosecuted and closed. I am happy to know that we are not the only ones. VOCAL gives the victims of crime a network to lean upon each other for support and prayer. I know from others in our victims network that Troy goes out of his way to meet, pray, console, keep in jail and keep alive the desire to find and prosecute the criminals who have harmed so many.

However, King has made ethical mistakes that many high school students would be wise enough to avoid. He has also repeatedly attempted to create and modify state law as well as enforce it; his burgeoning list of crimes of moral turpitude has kept many productive Alabama citizens from enjoying their political rights. We can only conclude that power does corrupt many individuals, and King is one who has fallen victim to it.

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Our humorous column two days ago on new bridal shop Cherry Tree Lane (Plain) also garnered many responses, all but two of them positive. The two critical e-mails came from the 23 year-old owner Whitney Hill and her mother. We wish Miss Hill the best in her new business endeavor, as well as highly commending her on entrepreneurship at such an early age. We still maintain the shop's remuddling removed a lovely, short-lived icon from the cityscape and, in doing so, robbed us of a thing of beauty. We do hope that any of our readers visiting downtown Florence will drop in and check out Miss Hill's business. All the best to her.


What's up with this: It seems one new local forum has gone private after three months. Considering the forum's content, we're sure it's a move of which the site's retail sponsors approve.

Shoalanda

Shoals Defense Attorneys Have to Love Troy King

We'll be the first to say that Troy King has many good points; we're just not sure his merits outweigh his faults. Certainly we're thankful to the Alabama Attorney General (pictured with his assistant) for stepping in when local District Attorneys drop the ball, or at least refuse to catch it, as with Chris Connolly in the Keith McGuire rape case. We also had serious doubts that a Federal investigation of King would continue after Republican Alice Martin left office. Apparently the probe is not only continuing, it's heating up.

If Troy King is guilty of all the charges the Federal government seeks to bring against him, we hope he is promptly removed from office. If he is innocent in some trumped-up witch hunt, we hope he will be able to prove both his good intentions and legal basis for any actions that have been questioned. The problem is King is using our money to defend himself against these charges.

It has not been that long ago that Troy King set a cap of $45.00 an hour for court-appointed defense attorneys. Many in the Shoals area, as well as across the state, voiced their shock at the rate, a rate well below that of other states. Now, King has retained the Birmingham firm of Bradley, Arant, Boult, and Cummings to assist in his defense. The high profile firm, formerly known as Bradley, Arant, Rose, & White, has been dubbed by many as "Brashly Arrogant." Indeed, at $300.00 an hour, a certain amount of brashness is to be expected.

In case you missed that amount in the previous paragraph, that was $300.00 an hour of taxpayer's money King will be paying these hotshot lawyers to defend him against ethics violations. If you don't have a calculator handy, that amounts to $255.00 an hour more than King has previously stated defense attorneys are worth.

It's entirely possible Troy King will have left office before the probe is concluded. If King should choose to run again before the probe has ended, we hope everyone will remember his $300.00 an hour legal counsel as they mark their ballots.


What's up with this: Check out TKtheAG on Twitter. We thought it was a well done spoof at first, but several in the know assure us it's real.

Shoalanda

TaTa, Alice; Hello, Joyce?

On January 15, we (along with a myriad of others) speculated that Barack Obama would soon seek a replacement for Florence's Alice Martin (pictured), the Federal Prosecutor in the Northern District of Alabama, an area consisting of 31 counties. Now, the names of two individuals have been placed into consideration for the position.

Leading the list is Joyce Vance, currently a US attorney from Birmingham. Should Vance receive the appointment, we should all be interested in how this would affect the ongoing investigation of Troy King, as well as Florence's Roger Lovelace, the subject of an FBI investigation that has dragged on for years.

Vance is the daughter-in-law of the late Federal Judge Robert Smith Vance Sr who was murdered in 1989. While at his Mt. Brook home, Vance opened a package containing a nail-bomb disguised as a Christmas present. He died immediately and his wife Helen was seriously injured.

However, the most intriguing family connection is Joyce's husband, Robert Smith Vance Jr. While a Circuit Judge in Jefferson County, Vance became so exasperated with Alabama felon voting laws that on August 23, 2006, he ordered voting rights restored to all former felons. Vance later did not contest the order being overruled--on the condition the Alabama Legislature defined the term moral turpitude. We're still waiting.

Alabama is now only one of four states that do not automatically restore political rights after a first time felon has completed his sentence. Unfortunately, Alabama Attorney General Troy King, who was seeking his first elected term at that time, has increased the definition of moral turpitude crimes to a proverbial laundry list. After the 2006 election, King instructed each county registrar to purge the voting lists of any former felons who had registered during this period.

We're hoping Joyce Vance becomes the next Federal Prosecutor for Northern Alabama. We're hoping Mrs. Vance restores honor and dignity, not only to the office she will hold, but to all Alabamians who deserve it. We're hoping for a better Alabama. Join us in this hope; help us make it a reality.


How do you count success: Do you count it by the number of pieces of paper and plaques that hang on your walls or do you count it by the difference you have made in this life? We try for the latter.

Prosecutorial Misconduct - Even in the Shoals

Most of us have heard the term prosecutorial misconduct even if we tend to consider it just typical defense attorney rhetoric; however, this past week the term has been featured in almost any newspaper we peruse. From former Governor Don Siegelman's accusations of misconduct leading to his felony conviction to accounts of the first murder trial of Decatur's Daniel Wade Moore, we've seen how pervasive such accusations have become. Perhaps like sexual child molestation, the term has not become more ubiquitous, but only the reporting of such.

Currently we have Siegelman and Huntsville businessman Alex Latifi hurling charges of prosecutorial misconduct against Florence's Alice Martin, while Martin investigates Alabama Attorney General Troy King for similar charges, while King investigates county family court judges including Lauderdale's Jimmy Sandlin (or not--depending on whom answers the phone in Montgomery). Is there an honest individual still out there or is our anthem now victory at any price?

Before we say such things only happen in other places, let's take a look at the Shoals. Our March 10, 2009, column concerned Lauderdale County's Judge Mike Jones. Jones recently recused himself in the Keith McGuire rape case on the grounds that he had worked in civic projects with the defendant's father, Lexington Mayor Bobby McGuire. Yet, only weeks later, Jones refused to recuse himself in the Allen Wilson assault trial. Wilson's attorney had twice asked for the jurist's recusal on the grounds that his client had been an avid supporter of former judicial candidate Alice Martin.

Jones has been no stranger to such controversy, once failing to declare a mistrial in the capital murder trial of Nathan Boyd. In October 2000, Boyd faced a possible death sentence for the murder of restaurant owner Danny Sledge. During his trial, Assistant District Attorney Doug Evans (pictured above) withheld information concerning the testimony of a prosecution witness. Both Boyd defense attorneys, Tim Case and Jean Darby, immediately requested a mistrial, but Judge Jones refused to consider that option and immediately ruled against them.

Three years later, Evans was again accused of prosecutorial misconduct, this time causing a mistrial in the capital murder trial of Donald Wayne Darling. Darling's story is the stuff of pulp fiction and deserving of a movie of the week. Here we will just say that at the time of Darling's first trial, now District Attorney Christopher Connolly called Evan's actions "outrageous prosecutorial conduct." Needless to say, Connolly refused to retain the assistant district attorney during his administration, but Doug Evans now works for District Attorney Joey Rushing in Franklin County.

After reading this, will any of us sleep more securely tonight. I somehow doubt it.

Central Coach Greg Brewer Revisited

According to the latest reports, Central High School Coach Gregory Brewer's case was not dismissed. Lauderdale County Circuit Judge Jimmy Sandlin deferred Brewer's sentencing until the former coach/math teacher formally resigned and returned his teaching license to the State Board of Education.

This may sound good on the surface, but taxpayers are still providing Brewer with an income through June 10--all this while he's working another job. While it will be on Brewer's Alabama record that he forfeited his license because of nefarious activities, he may still apply to other states that perform less than thorough background checks.

What else could Judge Jimmy Sandlin have done? The maximum sentence for contributing to the sexual delinquency of a minor is one year in jail and a $2,500.00 fine. Most accused of this type of crime do not receive a maximum sentence, but most are not teachers who have sexually kissed a twelve year-old student. If Judge Sandlin was not sickened and appalled by Brewer's behavior he should have been. It seems that Sandlin's campaign promises of saving local marriages have morphed into a soft on sex crimes approach.

On that note, for those who have asked about reporting local judges to Troy King in light of his new investigation into family courts: Yes, even if you and your family are no longer in the system, you need to report any suspicious or unethical behavior by any family judge with whom you've been involved.

For those who are mainly concerned about our tax dollars being used to support friends of various jurists, please continue to report this behavior to King's office, as well as filing complaints with the Alabama Ethics Commission. If we do not hold our elected officials accountable, we can never expect ethical government.


What's up with this: It seems more than physical characteristics run in some families; we've learned that a certain indicted rapist is not the first in his family to be arrested for a sex crime.

FBI & Troy King to Investigate Local Family Courts

The following e-mail was forwarded to me from an extremely reliable source. It originated with a long-time critic of family courts/law in Alabama:


According to my sources, the FBI has finally agreed this morning to began an in depth investigation of the Jefferson County Domestic Relations Court and it's practices of NOT following the law and procedure as it relates to Divorce and Child Custody. Also, the Attorney General has sent us a letter promising to investigate Jefferson County, but more importantly do a broader state wide investigation on divorce cases and corruption of judges and lawyers.
I cannot name those involved nor can I comment on the details. I will post them as I that arrives, but you can also start focusing on the news every night.

Furthermore, we need everyone who has been affected by Domestic Relations (Divorce) court and believe laws, procedure and corruption affected your case to CALL the AG's Office NOW. It is very important that complaint's be made NOW. Now is the time to send letters and make calls to express your outrage at the lack of justice in your case. We have just cleared a major milestone with the FBI. On another note several Federal Lawsuits and civil suits have been filed against the judges and the State of Alabama in regards to the above info. Stay tuned to your news. I wish I could be more specific, but my info is limited, and is done this way for a reason.


In other words, even if you have already filed an ethics complaint against a local family court judge, now is the time to act further. Call, write, or preferably both, the office of Alabama Attorney General Troy King. Make your voice heard.

http://www.ago.state.al.us/contact.cfm

Corruption veiled in smiles and pseudo-wisdom is still corruption. Let's make sure it stops now.


What's up with this: It seem Shoals defense attorney Jeff Austin has filed so many motions in the Keith McGuire rape case that he's raised the ire of Franklin County Circuit Court Judge Terry Dempsey. I think that's how overkill got its name.

Florence's Alice Martin

If any wondered whom indicted Lauderdale County teacher Allen Wilson favored over Mike Jones in a previous campaign for Circuit Court judge, it was Alice Martin of Florence, now a U.S. Attorney. Obviously Martin lost, but only technically. The position of attorney in the Federal courts has brought Martin fame as well as infamy.

Originally from Huntsville, the former Registered Nurse changed her career path early on, deciding law much more to her liking than medicine. The Republican attorney moved to Florence after wedding Florence industrialist Louis Martin II. After setting up practice in the Shoals, she rapidly advanced to Florence Municipal judge before being appointed to the Lauderdale County Circuit judgeship, a position she lost two years later to Democrat Mike Jones.

As the Bush administration wound down, we blogged that Alice Martin was hurriedly putting the finishing touches on several cases, including one against former FloGas manager Roger D. Lovelace. Her position was and is none too secure under a Democratic president who had campaigned on the theme of cleaning house.

Perhaps President Obama has other more pressing considerations than to cull less than desirable Federal attorneys, or could it be that Martin is now attempting to make her continued presence more desirable to a Democratic Chief Executive? It's been reported that Martin's investigation into Republican Attorney General Troy King is indeed an attempt to make nice with her new top boss.

Even if true, an investigation into the long rumored corruption of this office is welcome on many fronts. Perhaps the Shoals will not have Alice Martin's return to look forward to after all.

What's up with this: Speaking of Martin Industries, as badly as the City of Florence needs space, failing to buy the old Martin headquarters on Tennessee Street seems a real blunder. Now Shoals residents will have the distinct displeasure of seeing it become even seedier in the days to come.

Marcel Black and Your Phone Bill

Do you live in a rural area? Do you have land line telephone service? Then Marcel Black has something for you: A probable increase in your monthly telephone bill.

Currently, AT&T is the largest provider of telephone services in the State of Alabama. One would assume that this mega-company is doing well, considering that designation; however, they feel they could do even better if the state would completely deregulate telephone service.

Sen. Rodger Smitherman of Birmingham and Rep. Marcel Black of Tuscumbia recently introduced a bill that would indeed remove every vestige of regulation for telephone companies. Both Smitherman and Black are members of the Commerce, Utilities, and Transportation Committee, an entity of wide influence in Alabama business.

The bill passed the committee on a voice vote and is now before the Senate. Interestingly, Alabama Attorney General Troy King, usually a staunch proponent of such deregulation, opposes this bill on the basis of what it is apt to do in the rural sector.

One has to wonder what's in it for Marcel Black, he who has already voted himself a 62% raise and redecorated his office at taxpayer expense.


What's up with this: Rep. Tammy Irons of Lauderdale County is one of six state legislators who have not made public their stance on the Compassionate Care Bill. Whether she is for or against this bill, surely there can be no reason for keeping her opinion under wraps until the actual vote.