Rumors of Amanda Watkins' Freedom Continue

Has Colbert County Judge Jackie Hatcher released Amanda Duboise Watkins? As the judge who sentenced Watkins, Hatcher could free Watkins with the stroke of a pen, but why would she?

We've received several e-mails that state Watkins is free and that the freedom was courtesy of Judge Hatcher, but we've seen no news sources which verify this. In fact, the following remains posted by the DOC:

Click to Enlarge

If it should be true, we would speculate a health matter made Watkins a liability for the state; however, it's hard to believe Watkins' freedom could be kept out of the mainstream press. It's also hard to believe she could have been released without the knowledge of the DOC, but stranger things have happened.

To be continued...

*****

We have a correction on our blog concerning Lyndsey Brooke Grindol. Her military service was indeed in Alabama, and not out of state as reported. We'll have a more in depth report later this month.



Shoalanda

What's Up With Amanda Watkins?

A reader informed us that Amanda Duboise Watkins had been released from the Franklin County jail where she was serving her prison sentence for Second Degree Rape. Upon checking with our sources, we find that she's still serving her sentence and will not EOS until July 12, 2016.

Was it mistaken identity? We're going to guess that Amanda is a trusty at the jail and allowed out to do errands for the staff. Is this punishment? We're going to say yes. Amanda spends every night behind bars and is separated from her parents and siblings...not to mention the stares we're sure she's subjected to whenever she ventures out.

That's our opinion. What if it isn't yours? If Amanda Watkins, Don Siegelman, or Joe Bleaux from Kokomo is serving a prison sentence in a county jail, any Alabama taxpayer has the right to complain. The Franklin County Jail is under the oversight of the Franklin County Commission. Anyone may write or call the commission/commissioners about any jail policy that may be considered sketchy, profligate, or dubious.

*****

Not up to date on Amanda's story? Read it here: Amanda Duboise



Shoalanda

Which is Worse? A Broken Arm or Duct Tape?

Grindol

We've often spoken of the inequities of our judicial system. It's been our observation that bail is often much higher in Franklin County...if it's available at all. A reader contacted us about this disparity, but we have no answer for it. Is one county wrong and the other county right? We'll let you judge.

Remember Lyndsey Brooke Grindol who allegedly broke her young daughter's arm? Her bail was set at $5,000.00. That essentially means she could pay a bondsman $500.00 plus a fee, around $35.00, and be free until her trial or plea. We have no idea of her financial situation, but in a pinch of that nature, most of us could come up with five C notes. According to our sources at the Lauderdale Detention Center, Grindol has done just that.

Last week, four Franklin County residents were arrested for child abuse; namely they tied up a two year-old girl and duct taped her mouth for a period of at least three hours. Their bonds? From the Franklin County Times:

For their felony charges, Jannis Strawbridge, Larry Strawbridge and Adam Porter remain in custody at the Franklin County Jail on bonds of $100,000 each. Etta Porter is in custody on a $2,500 bond for her misdemeanor charge of endangering the welfare of a child.

- See more at: http://www.franklincountytimes.com/2013/10/04/four-arrested-on-child-abuse-charges/#sthash.xPuAsCq4.dpuf

For their felony charges, Jannis Strawbridge, Larry Strawbridge and Adam Porter remain in custody at the Franklin County Jail on bonds of $100,000 each.
Etta Porter is in custody on a $2,500 bond for her misdemeanor charge of endangering the welfare of a child.
- See more at: http://www.franklincountytimes.com/2013/10/04/four-arrested-on-child-abuse-charges/#sthash.xPuAsCq4.dpuf

The Franklin Four should not be as apt to make bond as Grindol; however, Jannis Strawbridge and Adam Porter have posted bail, while Larry Strawbridge and Etta Porter remain incarcerated. Etta Porter's only crime? She failed to call police after finding her daughter tied up by one of the other three.

*****

It seems that DHR has not been able to determine the father of Lyndsey Grindol's daughter.  Grindol has reportedly told authorities that the child was conceived during a party involving group sex with six national guard members. Grindol was a member of the guard in another state before moving to the Shoals.

How times change. Parties once involved "Pin the Tail on the Donkey," now it's "Pin the Paternity on the Patsy."



Shoalanda

ir felony charges, Jannis Strawbridge, Larry Strawbridge and Adam Porter remain in custody at the Franklin County Jail on bonds of $100,000 each.
Etta Porter is in custody on a $2,500 bond for her misdemeanor charge of endangering the welfare of a child.
- See more at: http://www.franklincountytimes.com/2013/10/04/four-arrested-on-child-abuse-charges/#sthash.xPuAsCq4.dpuf

For their felony charges, Jannis Strawbridge, Larry Strawbridge and Adam Porter remain in custody at the Franklin County Jail on bonds of $100,000 each.
Etta Porter is in custody on a $2,500 bond for her misdemeanor charge of endangering the welfare of a child.
- See more at: http://www.franklincountytimes.com/2013/10/04/four-arrested-on-child-abuse-charges/#sthash.xPuAsCq4.dpuf

For their felony charges, Jannis Strawbridge, Larry Strawbridge and Adam Porter remain in custody at the Franklin County Jail on bonds of $100,000 each.
Etta Porter is in custody on a $2,500 bond for her misdemeanor charge of endangering the welfare of a child.
- See more at: http://www.franklincountytimes.com/2013/10/04/four-arrested-on-child-abuse-charges/#sthash.xPuAsCq4.dpuf

For their felony charges, Jannis Strawbridge, Larry Strawbridge and Adam Porter remain in custody at the Franklin County Jail on bonds of $100,000 each.
Etta Porter is in custody on a $2,500 bond for her misdemeanor charge of endangering the welfare of a child.
- See more at: http://www.franklincountytimes.com/2013/10/04/four-arrested-on-child-abuse-charges/#sthash.xPuAsCq4.dpuf

For their felony charges, Jannis Strawbridge, Larry Strawbridge and Adam Porter remain in custody at the Franklin County Jail on bonds of $100,000 each.
Etta Porter is in custody on a $2,500 bond for her misdemeanor charge of endangering the welfare of a child.
- See more at: http://www.franklincountytimes.com/2013/10/04/four-arrested-on-child-abuse-charges/#sthash.xPuAsCq4.dpuf

For their felony charges, Jannis Strawbridge, Larry Strawbridge and Adam Porter remain in custody at the Franklin County Jail on bonds of $100,000 each.
Etta Porter is in custody on a $2,500 bond for her misdemeanor charge of endangering the welfare of a child.
- See more at: http://www.franklincountytimes.com/2013/10/04/four-arrested-on-child-abuse-charges/#sthash.xPuAsCq4.dpuf

Introducing "Dewey the Dip"

Our friend O.B. has written an excellent blog on the animal control situation in Lauderdale County and Florence. Read it here.

It hasn't been that long since County Commission Chair Dewey Mitchell had some interesting comments concerning the old shelter. From the May 6th TD:

Commission Chairman Dewey Mitchell said one of the first things that needs to be done is to learn the ownership structure of the current animal shelter. “If it’s 50-50, which I have always been told it was, we need to look at liquidating those assets and putting that toward the expense of a new facility,” Mitchell said.

So it's 80/20 when paying out, but 50/50 when taking in. Nice deal if you can get it...

*****

Speaking of nice deals, do you ever compare bail amounts for various crimes? Just as sentences seem to vary among the counties, so do bonds for serious crimes. Tomorrow we'll take a look at two cases of child abuse and let you the reader decide if something is wrong with the picture.



Shoalanda

"No Local Children Were Involved"

If you've read the news in the past two days, you know that David Erick Gray has had new arrests. The Killen man now holds the record for the largest collection of child pornography in Alabama history. So, what are people saying?

Yes, we're seeing "Let God judge since no one was hurt physically." Really? We haven't seen any of Gray's collection, nor do we want to, but all these children were hurt psychologically if not physically.

Authorities have made the standard statement that no locals were in the photos. That's good, but is it really that much better that these used and abused children were from Lower Slobovia? We think not. For those who say a few photos don't hurt, think again.

*****

While on the subject of children, a reader sent us this:

The Lauderdale County Head Start program is set to be closed Oct. 11 due to this shutdown of government. School board will vote on this tomorrow. We will all be terminated at that time and roughly 300 families will lose these services. Very sad day for this community.

Indeed, it's extremely sad. We don't usually comment on national issues, but we hope each of us will contact our federal representatives and make it clear that we want this nonsense stopped.



Shoalanda

"Trail of Tears: The Real Story"

TRAIL OF TEARS MOTORCYCLE RIDE
THE REAL STORY
By Bill Cason, Ride Leader & Originator

 
In 1994 I started the Trail of Tears Motorcycle Ride. Jerry Davis formed a Trail of
Tears committee. He chose each person that he wanted on the committee. He did
not own a motorcycle, nor did he know how to ride one. From then on, I made all
decisions and handled all matters concerning the motorcycle ride because it
belonged to me. I personally drew by hand the first flyer advertising the ride.

The goal of the committee was to recognize a trail that had been lost in history and
to get a resolution passed in Alabama proclaiming it as an official trail. That goal
has long since been accomplished with the resolution being passed, by putting a
historical marker in Waterloo, AL and Chattanooga, TN, trailblazer signs on both
sides of the highway from Chattanooga to Waterloo, and an $18,000 retaining wall
to keep the land from eroding where the marker was placed in Waterloo.

After the 2005 Trail of Tears ride, it was realized that merchandise sales (which
funded 0ative American scholarships, Historical Markers, Trailblazer signs, portajohns,
police escorts, road barricades, and other expenses) were way down due to
the fact that the town of Waterloo was allowing too many other vendors to sell Trail
of Tears shirts (including Waterloo’s own shirt booth). Mayor McIntyre was asked
to limit those types of vendors and replace them with others (this would not reduce
the amount of vendor fees that he took in—yes, Waterloo kept all money from
vendor fees while we paid for the powwow, escorts, and porta-johns). The mayor
agreed to do something about the situation, but put his decision off until we mailed
out the 2006 Ride Flyers all over the country. He then refused to limit those types of
vendors, so our board of directors voted by majority vote (including Jerry Davis
and Rod Wheeler) to move the event to McFarland Park in Florence. Jerry vowed
that if I took the ride into McFarland Park, he would follow me. I decided that the
ride would end in McFarland also. The next day and after the wheels were in
motion to make the change, Jerry Davis, Patricia Young, and Rod Wheeler changed
their minds and joined forces with Mayor McIntyre (Politics). Someone started the
rumor that Florence had been trying to take over the event for years, but the Board
had never in 13 years been approached by anyone about moving it to Florence—it
was strictly a TOT board decision.

At our August, 2006 board meeting Jerry and Patricia brought a group of nonboard
members. As we tried to have a meeting, Jerry and Patricia started yelling at
our President, so the meeting had to be adjourned. They insisted that we were
illegal because no amendments had been filed at the courthouse since our
incorporation. Ms. Young was our so-called executive secretary at that time and
everyone assumed she was fulfilling her duties by filing all amendments in
Huntsville where our headquarters was located and where she resides. The first
amendment upon our incorporation was that we would not have members—only a
board of directors to handle the event.

Thinking that Davis, Young, and Wheeler would be removed from the board
because of their disloyalty, they went to Waterloo during the Trail of Tears event
and sold memberships. In October, they held an illegal meeting with these new
members and supposedly voted the other 7 of us off the board. None of the original
members listed on the Articles of Incorporation were invited to the meeting except
for Davis and Young.

A lot of illegal things ensued due to our then TOT lawyer advising both groups to do
different things. Some of the details of their lawsuit against us and our countersuit
against them cannot be discussed at this time. Basically they want my motorcycle
ride or to stop me from bringing it into Alabama if they can’t have it. They also
want a domain name that also belongs to me and they have accused me of taking the
Harley Davidson dealership sponsors away from them. The dealerships sponsored
me and Ken Markham because they know us and what we stand for. We gave the
other group the old TOT logo, and the organization name, and left $10,000 in the
bank account (all money is accounted for by audit). We wanted nothing else to do
with those types of people. We are suing them for slandering our good names and
for the cost of all litigation. We are also asking them to cease and desist putting out
false information and to select a different date if they plan to start a motorcycle ride
in the future. The only ride that left Chattanooga this year was the Trail of Tears
Remembrance Ride led by me. A defense fund has been established to raise money
for our legal fees so that our money for scholarships will not be affected. Please visit
our web site at www.trailoftears-remembrance.org. All donations will be greatly
appreciated.

Since the original goals of the AL-TN Trail of Tears Corridor Assn. had been
fulfilled and after realizing that none of the changes we had voted on through the
years had happened, the 7 of us decided to form a new corporation, the Trail of
Tears Remembrance Assn., that would allow us to expand our scholarship program
and erect historical markers in other states. Thanks to monetary donations from
our many friends and our sponsors who believed in us and our cause, we were able
to make this happen.

We have been accused of trying to change history, but that is not true. That
particular trail that we marked goes from Chattanooga to Waterloo, but there are
many other trails, and we honor all Native Americans who walked on all of the
trails. It is not a reenactment. I have made many changes through the years that
were necessary due to the continued growth of the ride that most people don’t even
realize. The first ride was in October, 1994. I changed the month to September due
to weather and other activities happening in October. I looked at all biker events in
the Southeast and chose the 3rd Saturday in September because there were no
conflicts. Other stopping places in the past were Scottsboro, Stevenson, Rocket City
Harley Davidson in Huntsville, Walmart in Huntsville, and McFarland Park in
Florence. This is how the ride has changed and may continue to change as I try to
make the ride the best that it can be and for the safety of all participants.

I have been asked to address the problem in Madison. Here it is: In January, two
Alabama troopers and I visited the police chief in Madison and submitted my ride
permit application. The chief assured me that everything was in order and there
would be no problem. Eight months later I still did not have a permit. Madison
City Councilman Vannoy (Politics again) had issued himself a permit for another
ride. At this point, I met with representatives from Huntsville, AL and asked for
permission to bring my ride into the area around the new baseball stadium. They
assured me that it was a done deal and I went home feeling good about the plan.
The next thing I hear is that Huntsville did not have enough time to plan it before
the ride. I got the news from a person in Huntsville who had read it in the
newspaper. 0o one called me. Politics again. This is when I decided that we would
bypass Huntsville and Madison and ride straight to Florence. Most people can
make the ride without refueling. Then came the Deal. Alabama troopers contacted
me about stopping in Madison. I still did not have a permit, but they assured me
that it would be o.k. They also said that I would have to pick up Councilman
Vannoy’s VIP’s and insert them into my ride because his ride didn’t show up. They
were told that they would be required to stop in McFarland Park in Florence since
that is where my ride goes. They would have to remain there until my ride was
completely in the park before they could go on to Waterloo. That was the Deal. The
Alabama Troopers and the Florence Police did an excellent job. There is only one
guy in Huntsville who owes me an apology. He thought I didn’t have a ride, so I
hope that he was somewhere in town watching me lead the only Trail of Tears
Motorcycle Ride through Huntsville. He now realizes that someone he trusted
pulled a deal on him.

The Trail of Tears Remembrance Association will continue educating needy 0ative
Americans and other educational projects through the support of everyone who
rides with us and buys our official merchandise. From the proceeds of this year’s
ride, we hope to provide additional scholarships to the Eastern Band of the
Cherokee Nation, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and to Alabama.

The 2007 Trail of Tears Remembrance Ride was one of the best ever despite the
controversy. Thanks to everyone who rode with us from Chattanooga to Florence,
and also those who continued on to Okmulgee, OK where we presented a
scholarship check to the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. A special thanks also to Road
Rash Magazine for wanting to know the real story. Hope to see you all on the Trail next year.

*****

Thanks to a friend for sending us this article to publish. As with anything that makes even the smallest amount of money, the TOT has been commercialized. Much of the controversy has waned, but it's sad that something started for such a noble purpose faced, and still faces, petty bickering.



Shoalanda

Muscle Shoals Changes Name to "Lawsuit City"

Yes, a certain Colbert County town has again been named in a lawsuit. Muscle Shoals should be afraid...very afraid of a certain Tuscumbia attorney. Here for your reading pleasure is an excerpt:

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COLBERT COUNTY, ALABAMA

ALVIN BUTLER CHARD and

JOSEPH MOON, and JOSEPH MOON

AS FATHER AND NEXT BEST

FRIEND OF CHANDLER MOON,

age 13 years, a student in the Muscle

Shoals City School System

VS.

CITY OF MUSCLE SHOALS

AND

MAYOR DAVID BRADFORD,

COUNCILMAN JOE PAMPINTO,

COUNCILMAN NEIL WILLIS,

COUNCILMAN JIM HOLLAND,

COUNCILMAN ALAN NOLES,

COUNCILMAN MIKE LOCKHART,

all being members of the City Council

of Muscle Shoals, Alabama

AND

LEON MADDEN, WES EMMONS,

RAY EGGLESTON, MIKE PRICE,

DONNA TIPPS, being members of the

Muscle Shoals Civil Service Board

PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDAMUS AND

REQUEST THAT THE CITY OF MUSCLE SHOALS

NOT INSPECT ANY PLUMBING AND GAS LINES

UNTIL THE CITY HAS HIRED A CODE ENFORCEMENT

INSPECTOR WITH THE PROPER CREDENTIALS

MANDAMUS ACTION TO FORCE CIVIL SERVICE

BOARD TO HIRE QUALIFIED APPLICANT

Comes now Alvin Butler Chard, Joseph Moon and Joseph Moon as next best

friend of Chandler Moon, a minor age 13 years, by and through their attorney of record,

William J. Underwood, and states unto the Court as follows:

COUNT I

HISTORY OF ACTION

That on or about the 22nd day of January, 2013, the Mayor of Muscle Shoals,

being David Bradford, filed online for the City of Muscle Shoals a request to hire a Code

Enforcement Plumbing Gas Inspector. Said job description, although perfunctory in

nature, required, at the least, that the hiree must possess a master's gas and plumbing

card. Also included in the qualifications was that the individual had to be certified by the

ICC or the ability to successfully complete ICC certification training within a required

time period. There is no question that even the attorney writing this lawsuit can pass an

ICC 48-hour course over the weekend. The ICC does not require any of the in-depth

experience, test and knowledge of a master gas and plumbing card holder.

Regardless of the specificity in Mayor Bradford's request that the hiree must

possess a master's gas and plumbing card, nine applicants for the job were submitted to

the Muscle Shoals Civil Service Board. There is no question that the applicant hired by

the Muscle Shoals Civil Service Board did not have a master's gas and plumbing card.

In 1957, under Acts 242, No. 1, et seq., the State of Alabama, under §34-37-6,

made it unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to contract, direct or superintend any

plumbing, gas fitting, or medical guage piping within any incorporated city or town or

county of this State, unless the person has first received a certificate of competency,

hereinafter referred to as the "certificate" that is in force and effect at the time the

plumbing, gas fitting, or medical guage piping is done, directed, or superintended. The

certificate of competency is also known as a master plumber and gas card. The City of

Muscle Shoals has well known about this law because, in September of 1982, the

Supreme Court of Alabama issued an opinion in State of Alabama, ex rel. Gene

Abemathy, which included the City of Muscle Shoals as a municipal corporation. That

case, at 428 So.2d 5, stated specifically and reiterated anyone who performs or does

contract, direct, or superintend on any plumbing within any incorporated city or town in

Colbert County must have a certificate of competency as a master gas or plumber. The

Act also contains, under §34-37-16 and §34-37-17, a penalty provision which states the

failure of anyone to abide by the Act for plumbers or gasfitters is guilty of a Class B

misdemeanor. This was passed by the Alabama Legislature in Act 87-812 in 1957.

The City of Muscle Shoals, at this time through the Board of Education, is

building a technical school which encompasses the public health and welfare to promote

the prosperity, improve the morals, order, comfort and convenience of the inhabitants of

the municipality, but also protects the lives of the minor children and young adults who

will be attending the technical center in Muscle Shoals.

The Plaintiffs in this action, jointly and severally, believe the following:

That the City of Muscle Shoals does not have one code enforcement plumbing gas

inspector who is a master gas and plumbing inspector. They further maintain the City of

Muscle Shoals is building the technical center, which is for the public health and welfare

of the students in the Muscle Shoals City School System which would include Chandler

Moon, who is currently a student in the 8th grade at Muscle Shoals Middle School. A

journeyman plumber or gas man is not qualified to inspect master gas and plumbing

installation in the new technical school.

*****

If we're ever arrested, we want Billy to be our attorney!



Shoalanda