Killer Hershel Dale Graham Dead at 60

 

From a 2019 blog:

1. In November 2011, Graham shot an unarmed man on property belonging to Graham's father.

2. Graham was eventually indicted for Felony Murder; in 2015, a jury convicted him of First Degree Manslaughter with enhanced sentencing due to the use of a gun.

3. While Graham could have been sentenced to up to 20 years, the morbidly obese Red Bay man was sentenced to only two actual years to serve.

4. Once in prison, Graham never left the infirmary due to his many alleged medical conditions. 

5. The ADOC suggested sending Graham home to die, and a Franklin County judge approved the move with the condition if Graham didn't die within a set time frame, he would return to prison to finish the eight months remaining on his sentence.

6. Graham returned to Red Bay in August 2016. Supposedly under intense supervision, he began to roam Franklin County freely. It's now almost 2020, and the murderer of David Andrasik is still very much alive and still very much free.

Graham, who reportedly died earlier today, lived slightly over six years after being sent home to die. Was justice served?

Whatever justice Red Bay's answer to Vladimir Putin may have earned, we have no doubt that he's now receiving it.

Victim David Andrasik

Medical Furloughs for Prisoners in the News Again - Think Hershel Graham!

ProPublica is an organization that investigates abuses of power. Its latest research delves into county sheriffs who release violent inmates in order to save money on medical expenses: Release of Violent Offenders.

County sheriffs are not the only ones participating in this behavior. The Alabama Department of Corrections also releases prisoners on compassionate medical furlough, ostensibly to go home to die. Only sometimes the prisoners don't die.

Meet Hershel Dale Graham:

1. In November 2011, Graham shot an unarmed man on property belonging to Graham's father.

2. Graham was eventually indicted for Felony Murder; in 2015, a jury convicted him of First Degree Manslaughter with enhanced sentencing due to the use of a gun.

3. While Graham could have been sentenced to up to 20 years, the morbidly obese Red Bay man was sentenced to only two actual years to serve.

4. Once in prison, Graham never left the infirmary due to his many alleged medical conditions. 

5. The ADOC suggested sending Graham home to die, and a Franklin County judge approved the move with the condition if Graham didn't die within a set time frame, he would return to prison to finish the eight months remaining on his sentence.

6. Graham returned to Red Bay in August 2016. Supposedly under intense supervision, he began to roam Franklin County freely. It's now almost 2020, and the murderer of David Andrasik is still very much alive and still very much free.

Apparently it's not only school systems that pass the trash, but county and state corrections as well.

Washington State Inmate Found Too Fat To Hang; He At Least Died In Prison

How Many Prisoners on Medical Leave Has the DOC Lost?

For any who may not know, the Alabama Department of Corrections usually lets dying prisoners go home. That's if a judge approves and the prisoner has a home to which to go. 

Two local prisoners who come to mind are the late Oliver Brazelle and the late Mr. Neler Keeton (note that we used a title of respect for only one of the two). A third who received such a furlough was Hershel Dale Graham, the killer of young husband and father David Andrasik.

The morbidly obese Graham never left the Kilby Receiving medical unit during his relatively short stay in prison. After several months, he was granted permission to come home to die...on the condition that if his health improved, he would be returned to the regular prison system. 

Now, no one knows where Hershel Graham is. He was originally assigned to his father's care; however, when Graham's father died, Hershel began to float from address to address in Alabama and Mississippi. Oh, someone out there may actually know where he is, but the Department of Corrections and the Franklin County Probation Office deny any knowledge of his current whereabouts.

Is anyone actively looking for Graham? He's obviously able to make it on his own and should be returned to prison. Does anyone besides David's family care that this murderer is roaming around out there in the wilds of western Alabama/eastern Mississippi?

Your tax dollars at work...

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A recent letter to the TD advocated 20 year term limits for the U.S. Congress. The writer suggested that it be on the "next ballot." Sorry, but it would take a Constitutional Amendment to bring that to pass. We will give the writer credit for realizing that that such limits shouldn't be two years or six years.  

Yet we do have a method of imposing term limits. It's called defeat at the polls; we strongly suggest that Mo Brooks is most in need of replacing.

Hershel Dale Graham - A Menace to Society

Hershel Dale Graham was given a health leave (compassionate leave) from prison. He was dying, barely alive. Now he's a pall bearer:

We have no doubt that God can take care of Graham and do it in whatever way He chooses. Yet most murderers face more than a few months in a prison infirmary. Some who were actually defending themselves face decades in hard confinement. 

A Man on a Walker is a Pall Bearer?

This is our justice system. If we don't squawk about it, who will?

Election Post Mortem/Hershel Graham

Round One is over, and was it ever interesting!

First up, Lexington: Sandra Burroughs Killen’s opponent garnered 23 votes. Apparently the incumbent had been mayor in name only since no one else would accept the job. Once Sandra gets Lexington straightened out, we’re hoping she’ll next take on the Florence-Lauderdale Tourism Board.

Sheffield District Two: Sebastian Devaughn received zero votes. That’s right. She didn’t even vote for herself. We don’t believe Ms. Devaughn is registered to vote, and obviously everyone else smelled a rat with her campaign.

Florence: The mayor’s race was a shocker. We had privately predicted a runoff between Haddock and Goode. We’ll be addressing this race later. District Six? Another shocker…not so much that Andy Betterton won as that 85 year-old autocrat Bob Hill came in second. District One? Dave Smith presented with many more votes that we ever imagined he would. Prince is writing his blog as we write ours…and foaming a little at the mouth.

Rogersville: The beleaguered Hagood not only received an almost minuscule portion of the votes, he can’t even get the TD to spell his name correctly.

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With eight months left to go on his two year sentence, Hershel Graham has returned to his late father’s home in Red Bay. He is ostensibly under house arrest while on furlough to die ala Oliver Brazelle, so if any of our readers see him at the Russellville Walmart or any of his other favorite haunts, please let us know.

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Anyone have any idea why this man never got ahead in the world?

Franklin County "Why?"/Shorty's Victims

It’s time for the Franklin County edition of “Why?” 

* Why was Hershel Dale Graham physically able to make the trip from Montgomery to attend his father’s funeral…and back again, yet is too ill to be placed in the Hamilton Center for the Aged and Infirm? While housed in the Kilby Prison infirmary, Graham is able to remain in bed all day and enjoy air conditioning in the summer. It may not be home, but it’s more than most receive in the Alabama Prison System.

* Why is former Vina teacher/coach Sonny DeWayne Tibbs not on the Alabama sex offender registry? Tibbs accepted a plea deal that required him to serve 60 days (Yes, you read that right, only 60 days) in jail and then register as an Alabama sex offender when he had completed his sentence—served entirely on weekends, no less.

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Speaking of plea deals, remember Shaun Shapley? He’s the Lexington man who murdered his younger stepdaughter during a rape attempt and accepted a plea of 25 years, then attempted to appeal the very deal he had signed off on.

During the course of the investigation, it came to light that Shapley was the father of his older stepdaughter’s two children. Really nice guy, huh? It seems his stepdaughter regularly takes the two children south to see Shapley in prison.

Just how does that work? “C’mon, kids, it’s time to get ready to visit your granddad, who’s actually just your step-granddad, but is biologically your father…you know, the one who killed my sister…that’s your aunt if you’re confused by the whole thing.”

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Speaking of that Lauderdale County town, Lexington High grad Corey “Shorty” Davis is currently under indictment for three rape/kidnappings in the Chisholm Road area north of Florence. Authorities have suggested the tree trimmer may have more victims, whom he lured to Lauderdale County from more distant areas.

The three current cases should be enough to put Shorty (wonder if he pronounces it “Shawty?”) away for a long time, but if there are other victims out there, please come forward. If guilty, this man doesn’t deserve to see the light of day again.

Our Bad Boys Being Even Badder

We had only this week been asked a question about Jerry Don Crowden, currently doing 20 years in a state department of corrections facility, when we saw this:

Jerry Benjamin Crowden

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A reader has informed us that Lexie Graham of Red Bay passed away last week. Mr. Graham was for years the bankroll behind his son Hershel Dale Graham's legal battle to remain free. If any are wondering, no, Hershel isn't dead yet, even though his legal dream team had secured Judge Terry Dempsey's permission for him to spend his "last days" in Red Bay with this father.

Hershel does remain in the Kilby Prison Infirmary idling away his hours in bed while his victim David Andrasik remains dead. Hershel is scheduled to be released on probation next February; however, now that his father is gone, will he have a home?

Hershel Dale Graham

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Here's a bad boy we've never mentioned before: Jimmy Clyde Brown. Why mention him now? As with most career criminals, Brown's legal trespasses over the years have not only mounted up, they've escalated. Brown's most recent victim was a woman who had the incredibly bad judgment to date him...and almost wound up dead for her lapse in taste. Ladies, beware; his next girlfriend might not leave the relationship still breathing.

Jimmy Clyde Brown

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Last, we have Justin Matthew Green, currently serving a 12 month community corrections sentence in the death of his toddler daughter. For those who think 24 months in prison is far too light a sentence for a man who killed his daughter in an auto accident, how do you feel about only one year in "community corrections" for a man who was responsible for his daughter's death by strangulation?

The last time we checked in on Green, he had just become a father again last December, and all was bliss in his relationship with the new baby mama, Alas, it seems the young lady in question finally wised up; now she refers to Green as the "sperm donor," a very apt title.

Think this woman who considered Green and their relationship the exception to the rule is stuck with him for the next 21 years? Think again. When the daughter has her first child at the age of 25 or 30, hopefully in the state of matrimony with a loving husband, guess whom this unfortunate woman will probably have to confront. How about even when the daughter is 50 and has a sudden illness? Yes, this misguided young woman will be forced to see Green then as well...assuming he even bothers to show up.

Justin Matthew Green

This young woman, who so diligently defended Green when he was under indictment, is now posting articles about sociopaths on her FB page. We hope every woman reading this considers a man's criminal history before entering into a relationship with him, but we're not betting the fireworks show on it.

Still in Prison? Hershel Graham & Mitchell Terry

Hershel Dale Graham, 52, remains in prison, even after a Franklin County judge ruled that the supposedly dying man could return home. Oh, and if it isn't self-evident, he hasn't died yet either. So, why is he still in the Kilby Infirmary, where he's been since entering the system in February 2015?

There have been rumors that Graham's father is afraid of the rotund retired wrestler and won't provide a home for him. Or it may simply be that left to a diet of prison food, Graham has lost enough of his girth that he's no longer in danger of dying from his alleged health problems.

Hershel Graham's release date, assuming he isn't allowed to come home on medical leave, is February 11, 2017. Two years for taking the life of a young husband and father; not much is it? If Graham's father doesn't take in the Red Bay shooter, sources say his mother in Mississippi will give the twice married felon a home. Graham has yet to pay any compensation to the family of his victim David Andrasik.

Hershel Graham

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Remember the North Florence Bedroom Intruder? If you don't, here's some background:

North Florence Bedroom Intruder

Mitchell Blake Terry is currently serving two concurrent 30 year terms for burglary and sex abuse. The Florence man had been out of prison only seven months when he began his North Florence burglary spree. Terry had been released on parole in 2011 after serving over two-thirds of his 2009 Lauderdale County sentence for burglary, theft, and escape. 

Terry, 35, is now housed at the Bullock Correctional Facility. He will be eligible for parole consideration in October 2022. His end of sentence date is September 2042.

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One of our blogs on Mitchell Terry includes a sketch of a UNA kidnapping suspect. No one has ever been charged in that crime; however, our sources tell us a strong suspect was eventually identified, but there has never been enough evidence to convict the Florence man. If you have any information about this crime, please call Florence detectives at 256-760-6500. Your tip could be what's needed to get this man off the street for a long time

Muscle Shoals to Become Johnny Depp-Produced Series

"Sir Richard Branson, Jason Felts and Justin Berfield’s Virgin Produced is joining forces with Emmy Award and Golden Globe Award-nominated executive producers Joshua D. Maurer and Alixandre Witlin’s City Entertainment (“Georgia O’Keeffe,” “And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself”) and Johnny Depp and Christi Dembrowski’s Infinitum Nihil to produce a new drama series inspired by the award winning-documentary feature Muscle Shoals. Greg Camalier, who directed and produced the documentary, will also produce the television adaption. Virgin Produced Executive Vice President of Production Rene Rigal brought the project into the company and will be overseeing with Infinitum Nihil’s Bobby DeLeon."

LINK

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A critic has just admonished us for denouncing the release of Hershel Graham, a man who has shot two men in his life, one of whom died. Yet he feels Tommy Arthur (whom we facetiously mentioned in a comment) should remain on death row for having shot four individuals in his life, two of whom died. Is killing for money worse than simply killing for pleasure? Who decides these things?

Who says John Wesley Akin should spend at least 15 years in prison for selling a certain amount of heroin, but it's all right to let Graham go relatively free? Now that Akin has detoxed, is he any kind of
threat? Isn't Graham with his neuroses much more of a danger to society? All it takes is a gun and the ability to use one hand to fire it in order to kill someone.

What about the youth who gave his friend the N-Bomb? Once he has been treated for his addictions, will he be a threat to society? He didn't force any drugs on anyone. He had no intent to kill, yet he may do a mandatory 15 years along with Wes Akin. Where is the justice?

If we're judging on the threat of violence, pray tell why Neler Keeton is still incarcerated? He shot a man who had struck him with a rebar and got 20 years. Have you seen a photo of him recently? Shoalanda herself could take Mr. Keeton in a fight.

And of course, George “Old School” Rhodes did only 5 years for murder—now where is he? In jail again for assault. He doesn't exactly look like the Terminator either, does he? Who's to say Graham won't re-offend, even while on house arrest?

Shoalanda

Hershel Dale Graham--Now Our Problem

Since 2008, the state of Alabama has allowed some prisoners to return home under house arrest if they are dying...as in soon. Those convicted of Capital Murder and Rape are excluded from this program.

How about Manslaughter? They can qualify. Hershel Dale Graham, 52, has apparently qualified for this program after serving a little more than four months, all but a few days in the air conditioned Kilby Infirmary.

Authorities at Kilby say death is fast approaching Graham, a man who used a wheel chair at his trial, but miraculously managed to visit Walmart sans wheelchair or cane while awaiting an appeal of his sentence.

Now, Graham will live in Red Bay with his father and be on the Medicaid roll—your tax dollars at work. Theoretically he can leave his home for medical visits, worship services, and in some cases grocery shopping. We're guessing he will shop at Walmart where he can also browse their other wonderful upscale selections of merchandise to make life easier for the lallygagger.

How soon will Graham die? Morbid question, isn't it? What if he doesn't pass to his reward in the next 20 months? We assume he will then be on straight probation for the remainder of his sentence (five years).

During this time, he will have to walk the straight and narrow or be forced to do the actual 14 years. Will he? He must see himself as a master manipulator, but it's not just the hills that have eyes. Red Bay will be watching for him to make a misstep.

David Andrasik's family deserved better. Unfortunately, Judge Terry Dempsey failed to give it to them. Many thanks to DA Joey Rushing for diligently pursuing the case against Graham who murdered the husband/father in cold blood.

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So the town of Russellville shot flocks of Canada geese before the Jam on Sloss Lake? It's the Franklin County way, now isn't it? We often hear it said that many in Franklin still live in the 19th Century. We're not so sure they're even that advanced...

Shoalanda

Alabama Injustice/Sonny Tibbs

Tomorrow would have been David Andrasik's birthday. Tomorrow his killer will wake up in the Kilby Infirmary--yes, Hershel Graham is back in the prison medical unit.

What of Jason Green? He's at Kilby being processed. He has a 19 year sentence for shooting Shay Ledlow while Graham has only two years to actually serve. Why the difference?

Only two logical...and legal...reasons come to mind. Green was also under indictment for several other crimes of theft, and Graham ostensibly has such bad health the state doesn't want to foot his medical bills.

Is this justice? No. There can never be justice in such crimes.

We're left to ponder just how long Graham can play the system. Does he have health issues? Yes. He is a retired wrestler, so we assume he has some residual damage from that. He's also morbidly obese through every fault of his own.

How is life in prison different from Graham's life at home in Red Bay? Much less food and he probably doesn't get to choose the television programs he watches. Other than that? Nothing is different for this epitome of couch potato. Not much punishment for taking the life of a young husband and father, is it?

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Now let's look at Sonny Tibbs. He was sentenced in Franklin County for a sex crime and given only 60 actual days to serve. Hmmmm, he's also a retired wrestler. Interesting.

How is Tibbs serving his time? First, he's in Marion County, not Franklin. We have no idea how he managed that, but he did.

The real kicker? He's doing only weekends. Let's see how that would work: First he has a large meal with whatever family he has left and reports to jail early on Friday night, then off to a bunk to read or watch television if he prefers. Saturday? It must be excruciating to him depending on his cell mates and the menu of the day, but he is probably able to go outside to exercise or ask for Benadryl to induce sleep. Sunday morning would provide a worship service, probably two of them. Then another nap and it's time for him to go home. Now that's punishment.

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Our fellow blogger J. Redmon didn't believe America actually recorded Muskrat Love?





Shoalanda

Russellville Killers/Math Challenged at Arc?

If you missed it, Jason Dewayne Green was sentenced earlier today to 19 years for the shooting death of Shay Ledlow.

Green Cops a Plea

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Hershel Graham, the killer of Red Bay husband and father David Andrasik, has finally made it out of the Kilby Infirmary where he had been held for weeks. He is now in general receiving at Kilby and should be transferred to his permanent location soon.

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Arc and mental health programs? We support these tax-funded programs 100%, or at least usually do. We realize some funds from city, county, and state revenue are ear-marked and just can't be handed out in any direction. After all, the world also seems to need more plazas with fountains and bell towers (insert Charlie Whitman joke here.)

What would Arc do if funding is cut? We hope it doesn't have to find out, but we also have quite a bone to pick with Murray Townsend, state and local Arc board member. He recently stated:

The mental health funding rates have increased by 4 percent in the past 15 years, while in the same time period the rate of inflation has been 41 percent.

Really? 41%? Just how did you come up with that figure, Mr. Townsend? We're going to say that after checking, the highest rate mentioned by any watchdog site was 36%. That was somewhat higher than we had anticipated. So, Townsend just fudged by 5%? Or is Arc not getting enough bang for its buck. Plus, the 36% is an average that includes everything from a gallon of milk to a Cadillac to a McMansion. 

In other words, some items purchased by Arc might have even gone down in price over the last 15 years; in fact these staples would not be subject to the same inflation found in the automotive or construction world. Not only that, the rate of inflation also includes precious metals; we sincerely hope that Arc is not indulging in those purchases.

Here's a very thorough article that compares inflation between 1999 and 2009:

10 Years of Inflation

We have always supported Arc in the past (and still do--just not some of its leadership at this point), but somehow we're sure those Minnesota orphans are looking better by the moment to many. Much more attractive confabulation...

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It can be said that Percy Sledge put Muscle Shoals on the map...or not. No matter, no history of Shoals music is complete without several paragraphs related to Sledge and his greatest hit, "When a Man Loves a Woman." 

Don't miss our friend Dino's tribute to Sledge: Percy Sledge

Was his signature song one of the greatest love songs in history? Another friend is doing a guest blog on that, but in the mean time, here's one sent personally from Shoalanda:

Shoalanda

Are Rogersville & St. Florian Selling Alcohol Illeally?

Since the courts ruled the law under which these cities went wet was improperly worded, they could be. Sen. Paul Sanford of Huntsville has just introduced a bill to re-legalize these sales in which the wording is not suspect. No word on whether new wet/dry elections will be held, but most legal eagles are saying that will be a necessity to restore these sales legally.

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What happens the first Wednesday in November in even numbered years? New political campaigns begin to ramp up. We've begun to receive e-mails from some proposed 2016 candidates. We suggest the Lauderdale school board race will be one to watch locally.

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Our photo yesterday? Yes, it was John Dillenger acting palsy walsy with the Indiana district attorney who was about to prosecute him. The DA was not re-elected.

Yep, 2016 will be very interesting.

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Hershel Graham, convicted killer of David Andrasik, has been moved to the Kilby Infirmary. Guess there's no one around to take pics of him shopping at Walmart. So basically Graham may lie in bed all day--nice work if you can get it.



Shoalanda

Is "Training" a Bad Word?

A fellow blogger asked us to look closely at the filling of new position in the Florence School Board. The blogger felt there was a 99% chance the job would go to a woman. The position has been filled...and it went to a man. After reading the TD article on the new position, we have some questions, but not that many. Education today is not the one-room school house of 1915.

What we did notice was the rescheduling of "Professional Development" days. Unless we're very mistaken, these days were called "In-Service Training" days until a relatively short time ago. Does renaming them make them more important?

Let's not forget the Kilby Laboratory School; it was once known universally as the Kilby Training School. We don't know about others, but we would much prefer to attend a school that trained teachers than one which used children as a type of laboratory rat.

Oh, well, our theory is that if you can't actually improve something, just rename it...

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Convicted killer Hershel Dale Graham has arrived at another Kilby...Kilby Prison. We know he and his attorneys are intent on having him serve his sentence at the Hamilton facility for the aged and infirm. It will be very interesting to see where he winds up...and if he can stay out of trouble.

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A quick show of hands: How many know who this gentleman is? Can most of you tell us what about this photo ruined the career of the gentleman in the double-breasted suit? It's a cautionary tale for some pols, but we're afraid too late for at least a few locals.



Shoalanda

Snow, If You Get My Drift...

Five inches in Lauderdale, six inches in Colbert/Franklin? Well, we did see a dead groundhog by the side of the road this weekend--obviously someone decided to take revenge.

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We understand a member of the Andrasik family contacted Tom Smith concerning his one-sided reporting on Hershel Graham's murder trial. Smith replied he hadn't been there, he was just reading a transcript. Funny transcript that didn't include the prosecution's case...

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Speaking of Graham:

We'll update his whereabouts from time to time.

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Are you a non-custodial parent with visitation problems? Whatever your situation, you should be very interested in this organization:

Alfra meeting Feb. 24 6-7 pm ALFRA ( ALABAMA FAMILY RIGHTS ASSOCIATION ) WILL BE SPEAKING ON CHILD CUSTODY REFORM ...

Huntsville Public Library

915 Monroe Street

Huntsville, AL 35801

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Today's blog title we took from a Mr. Moto book. A little bit of 21st Century trivia: A recent Jackie Kennedy bio relates that the son of Mr. Moto creator John P. Marquand took the future first lady's virginity in an elevator. Ahh, the romance of Camelot...

Shoalanda

Hershel Graham & Tom Smith

Today Hershel Dale Graham reports to jail, to be taken later to Kilby Prison for processing, and then to his final destination which he hopes to be the Hamilton unit for the aged and infirm. Wherever he goes it will be too good for him.

Before killing a young husband and father, Graham was known in the Golden, Mississippi/Red Bay, Alabama area as someone who had shot his stepfather, a man who beat a girlfriend and dared her to report it, someone who fed his dogs gunpowder to make them mean, one who prayed to Satan, and most tellingly someone who once said he wanted to drive down the streets of Red Bay killing the innocent.

Graham will probably come out of prison more healthy than he went in. He won't balk at the prison food, but it won't be enough for him, so he'll lose weight. He'll be forced to receive treatment for his health conditions. He'll also probably be near his parents who will visit him regularly.

David Andrasik's family also visits him regularly--in the cemetery. Life isn't fair, and neither is our justice system.

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Tom Smith?  Most of you know Tom Smith. He's called a senior writer at the TimesDaily. He covered Graham's trial and appeals. We don't know if Smith knows the Graham family or if he somehow identifies with Graham. We do know he has continually reported that witnesses said David shoved Graham.

Yes, three witnesses did testify to that "fact." They were Graham's father, son, and son's girlfriend. Three witnesses for the prosecution stated that David didn't touch Graham and that he had even tried to leave before being called back. These three were two neighbors of Graham and a Red Bay school teacher who was passing by and stopped at the scene of the altercation. Whom should we believe?

The Franklin County Times reported all these facts. Why didn't Tom Smith?

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We really like to learn new things, and yesterday we learned that if someone commits the crime of drug trafficking and then stays "clean" for eight months, he/she should get off totally free. Really?

We have no idea what Brady Ann Irons has told her friends and family about her arrest last year for drug trafficking, but she was indicted last month. The indictment was reported last week, so yes it is NEWS.

Yesterday we published an account from one of Irons' theft victims. We had found it moving. Irons posted it was "ridiculous." No, Irons did not apologize, but not one of her supporters seemed to notice that. If she hasn't been arraigned, she will be shortly. Trafficking in any drug carries certain minimum requirements. She can't plead to a lesser charge, nor will she get good time or parole if convicted.

One of her supporters suggested we look at her Facebook page to see that she was reformed. We have no idea what that was supposed to prove, but we did look. What did we find?

Sorry, Wes. It seems you've been replaced since November. Don't worry too much; if she's convicted we're pretty sure the new boyfriend will soon find someone to replace her.

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Roger Bedford to run the AEA?  Now there's a scary thought.



Shoalanda

Hershel Dale Graham Will Now Go To Prison...

The Alabama Supreme Court has refused to hear Hershel Dale Graham's appeal in his Franklin County manslaughter conviction. This was the fourth and last appeal that Graham could have hoped for. Graham, now 51, will serve only two years in actual confinement, unless he's less than cooperative in prison--that's always a possibility. Graham is expected to appear before Judge Terry Dempsey one final time next week, after which he'll be taken into custody--over three years after he took the life of a young husband and father.

We previously reported that Graham had moved to Florence. This was in error; Graham's son is now living in Lauderdale County, while Graham himself continues to live in his father's home where the November 2011 Red Bay shooting took place.

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Christoper Martin, a man with no record of violence, got 20 years for shooting a man whom he had invited into his home. Neeler Keeton, a man with no record of violence, got 20 years for shooting a man who had struck him with rebar. Hershel Graham, with a juvenile record of violence, gets only two years for shooting a man whom he called back onto this property? Welcome to our justice system. Thanks again to Joey Rushing, Franklin County prosecutor, who fought to have Graham put away.

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Everyone knows what tomorrow is, right? So do you know who the "Ambassador of Romance" is? You don't? Well now you do...

Yes, the man's talents are endless.

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Several have chastised those who have taken on the mantle of skeptic concerning DreamVision; however, most of these individuals may not be aware of many similar, albeit on a lesser scale, schemes that have plagued the Shoals over the past 20-30 years.

If it really is in the works, we see the Chinese and Arabs are mentioned as the main backers. Arabs? The ones who won't rent hotel ballrooms to gay couples? That doesn't quite seem logical. That leaves the Chinese.

And we certainly had a wonderful experience with a Chinese businessman last year, didn't we? Zing Zang Zung still missing in action?



Shoalanda

Florence Tourism Board: Where Do Allegiances Lie?

It seems the Florence-Lauderdale Tourism Board has become a three against two proposition. Why and how? What do Alex Nelson, David Abramson, and David Muhlendorf have in common? Could it be a certain friend? It's possible.

Perhaps these three gentlemen have been misled by this friend or owe him in some way. There have been accusations of private meetings among these three members. We can be quite sure that the TimesDaily, for all its tunnel vision, takes that kind of behavior very seriously.

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If you've attempted to reach us on Facebook, only to be blocked for some reason, here's a personal page that you may use.

Shoalanda Hutton Speaks

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Hershel Dale Graham is reportedly now living in Florence--perhaps his father ran out of money for appeals and was no longer of use to him? He's pictured here at left as he exited his murder trial using a walker. At right he's pictured shopping in Walmart--wearing thong sandals, no less? Isn't he afraid of a fall since his balance is so precarious?

So far there's been no update on whether Graham will attempt any extraordinary appeal. Since we're told there is no more money available to him, we doubt that he will; however, it's looking like January before he will be forced to begin serving his sentence.

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Alternative Christmas music?





Shoalanda

Manslaughter in Chris Martin Trial: Right Verdict?

Campbell's Madison County Mug Shot

We haven't commented on the Chris Martin trial until now. The verdict came in today, and Chris has been found guilty of manslaughter. We feel this is the right verdict. Why?

Chris shot Campbell six times--that's a lot. We feel safe to state that Chris was also drinking and his thought processes were not what they should have been.

Why wasn't it murder? Grant Campbell had a .26 BAC reading. He may also have had other drugs in his system--he was awaiting trial in Madison County on three serious drug charges. Could he also have had some prescription drugs in his system that didn't mix well with alcohol? It's entirely possible. News reports indicated that Campbell had been dishonorably discharged from the military for theft. There were also numerous reports that he had been diagnosed with a "thought disorder" involving women. You'll notice that there were three couples at the party that night, but Campbell was alone.

We're sure the jury took all this into consideration. Since Martin used a gun, he faces a possible 20 year sentence.

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We notice Tom Smith of the TimesDaily has done his usual story on Hershel Graham--three witnesses said David Andrasik pushed Graham. Since all three of these witnesses were related to Graham, why doesn't Smith report that three other witnesses (one a Red Bay teacher who was just passing by) not related to the rotund retired wrestler stated that David was called back when he attempted to leave and that Graham's use of a gun was totally unprovoked?

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We wish to thank a Sheffield Utilities employee for responding to comments from a Sheffield reader. If any Sheffield customers witness non-functioning street lights, please call 256-389-2000, then select Engineering & Operations to report the problem.

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We recently linked a news report on the newest arrest for Quittney Nichols. One of our readers suggested she start a band called Quittney & the Repeaters. They could book UNA frat parties and football games.

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A reader also asked about the geographic locations of our current blogging team. We have four bloggers: three who live in Lauderdale County and one who lives in Colbert. We welcome comments from Colbert, Franklin, and other surrounding areas.



Shoalanda

The Mystery of the Muscle Shoals Press Box/Local Justice?

Segregated?

Two days ago our blog mentioned the press box at Muscle Shoals High School. For some time we had heard some odd things about how things worked in the press box there, so we asked a reader to comment. His comments didn’t pertain exactly to the intent of our query, but they were well worth publishing. Note to those who disagree with anything published here: If you look closely at punctuation, spacing, font color, etc., you can determine which words are ours and which words come from readers. Your comments are always welcome in rebuttal.

One reader in particular was extremely articulate; however, he also was in error. We made no ad hominem attack on him. Pointing out that we were not guilty of slander even if we had been guilty of libel is not an ad hominem attack.

Examples of an ad hominem attack:

What do you know, you didn’t graduate from Harvard.

Why should I believe you; your mother is Russian​.

No one should listen to you since you were raised on the wrong side of the tracks.

Believe a Pastaferian? No way!

Now, for this misguided young man’s second concern: How are we investigating reports of some possibly odd goings on at Muscle Shoals ball games? He will be glad to know that a friend has informed us that press for opposing teams are banned from the press box, not by Muscle Shoals High School, but by ComCast Cable which broadcasts the games. (You see how that works, B? Our readers who asked now know that it's not a school edict--complete exoneration.)

Can they do this? Sure...unless you know something we don’t. The Muscle Shoals School Board has signed a contract with the cable company, and we’re sure they’re required to abide by any rules that ComCast deems necessary for whatever reasons.

What about Deshler, Sheffield, Florence, etc., sportscasters having to sit outside in the cold? We suggest that Deshler and Florence negotiate their own contracts with ComCast and make Muscle Shoals press sit outside in the cold when visiting. Sheffield? Uh, no, you just may be forced to have the cheerleaders print derisive banners to wave at football games in Muscle Shoals. (Since we have to ‘splain these comments to some readers, that was directed at the quality of the football team and in no way related to race, sex, or ice cream flavor preference.)

Now a word to all students: If you don’t want to learn, just drop out. If you do want to improve yourself and get a better job when the time comes, we suggest you learn as much as you can and present yourself in your best light. Think others don’t notice? Think again. Your best friend may think your vulgar comments are funny, the clerk at the corner market may think you’re cute when you misuse and mispronounce words, but the human resource manager? He/She will hardly be able to wait until you leave the office to toss your application...and snicker as it falls into file 13.

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This man shot his victim, 30 years his junior who had hit him with a rebar, and was given a sentence of 20 years in prison--where he's been sitting for the past seven years.

This man, who with three family members at his side shot his victim, a man who had no weapon and who had been called back onto his property, was sentenced to two years in prison. Three years after his victim's death, he's done no prison time.

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Both men committed a crime--the crime of manslaughter according to the courts. Both used a gun to shoot their victims and could have been sentenced to a maximum of 20 years. Yet only Neler Keeton who had no criminal record received the maximum. Hershel Graham who had as a teenager shot and wounded his stepfather received only two years to serve.

What's wrong with this picture?

Shoalanda