A.I. & Oliver Brazelle

AI, the common abbreviation for Artificial Intelligence, has been around for a long time, but a particular version of AI veritably stormed onto the scene about 15 years ago with Sony’s introduction of AIBO, short for Artificial Intelligence (Ro)Bot. Did AIBO look like Robbie, flailing its claw hands in the air and screaming “Danger, Will Robinson?” No, it looked like a puppy. Why? Puppies sell. Everyone loves a puppy. Who could resist it? Sony was no marketing fool.

So we now have Oliver Brazelle, an 81 year-old man, who is again in the public eye. He’s small, soft-spoken, and smiling. He’s your father or your grandfather or maybe even your great-grandfather. Who wouldn’t want to come to his aid if he were stranded in a snow bank looking totally helpless?

But Brazelle wasn’t helpless for all those years he sexually molested young males in his care. No, it was the young men who looked up to him who were helpless. It was the young men who were reportedly intimidated by his assertions that no one would believe them. Oliver stated at his sentencing that the Devil made him do it. Just what convicted criminal could not say the same thing?

So should we put those thoughts aside and allow the one-time youth and music minister to have a great degree of freedom even while he’s ostensibly serving a two year sentence, a very lenient sentence for which his attorney Ralph Holt plea bargained? When does justice end and revenge begin?

If Brazelle had been convicted 30 years ago, we know that no one would have even suggested a type of commutation of his sentence. But he’s 81 and is apparently costing the state a lot of money to house, or at least was. No, as of this month, it seems Brazelle is in Lauderdale Community Corrections where he pays a weekly fee to enjoy whatever freedom he may.

From PNS: Oliver Brazelle

Yet the PNS article is correct that sex offenders are barred from community corrections. The plea called for Brazelle to register as a sex offender, and he is indeed listed as being barred from any such community programs according to his DOC listing.

So why is he in this program? Many murderers and drug traffickers (think Wes Akin) are barred from community corrections. Will they be next?

We may need to clarify that last paragraph. We think many who are barred from community programs would do well there, but it’s not our call. If it were our call, someone with a great deal of potential who had once had a problem with drugs would certainly be eligible for one chance at a community program. Yes, one chance and one chance only. No, we don’t think sex offenders deserve that chance…not even 81 year-old Oliver Brazelle.

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We understand that Lauren N. Columbia, recently arrested in the death of a second child born dead due to drug addiction, was given youthful offender status in her first case. Having such, Columbia’s records are sealed, at least from the public. Her first charge can be used against her in her newest case. What happens to a youthful offender? From Huntsville defense attorney Andrew Segal:

If a person is adjudged a youthful offender and the charge is a felony, the court can:
• Suspend the imposition or execution of sentence with or without probation
• Place the defendant on probation for a period up to three years
• Impose a fine for the offense with or without probation or commitment
• Commit the defendant to the custody of the Board of Corrections

Our take? Those acquainted with Columbia and the father of her two children tell us Lauren’s father promptly bailed out his daughter and secured a private attorney for her. We have to ask why he didn’t insist on her going to rehab? Now the young Florence woman may be going somewhere much less desirable than an inpatient rehab clinic.


Editor’s note: While we don’t totally agree with how the law on chemical endangerment of a child is now being used, we have addressed Lauren Columbia’s actions not simply due to the request of several regular readers, but also due to this being her second charge on the same offense.

Shoalanda

Racism/Confidentiality/Sex Abuse

So Hillary Clinton and Jesse Jackson and who knows who else are upset that the State of Alabama is closing some of its underused Driver License offices? It doesn't matter that anyone needing a picture ID to vote (or for anything else) can get one free at the county courthouse. Why muddle a good rant with facts?

When Shoalanda was in college about 90 years ago, one professor who hailed from the wilds of the great prairie states would often regale students with how far one had to travel to reach the county seat in her home state. This prof also fervently lobbied for Alabama and other fairly populous states to combine counties in order to save money. The rationale being that 30 miles to the courthouse might be a lot in a wagon, but 50 or 60 miles in a motorized vehicle was a mere Sunday drive.

We think she failed to take into consideration the level of laziness of modern man; just imagine how that need for immediate gratification has grown with the advent of the Internet. We want it now, but of course we don't want to pay for it.

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So the Secret Service uses national security data for its own amusement? So do some local police we hear. How about local employers? Send us any horror stories you may have.

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Oliver Brazelle has begun a two-year prison sentence. Is is enough? A reader just sent us some interesting thoughts on judging. We all judge or attempt to. We aren't privy to Brazelle's health status, but we imagine he will be sent to the Hamilton facility for the aged and infirm. We usually read what a “piece of cake” that is. Really?

We're of mixed feelings about Brazelle, but our sympathies lie with his victims. They have a lifetime sentence to deal with what he did to them.

*****

Shoalanda

How to Report (More) Sexual Abuse

Since our blogs on former youth minister Oliver Brazelle, we've received several comments that cannot be published due to names of possible victims being included in the posts. If there are other victims of Brazelle or any other alleged predator, they should report the crime now.

Anyone abused sexually as a child, no matter how long ago, should report the crime to the police of the city in which the abuse occurred or to the county's district attorney's office. There are no time limits on reporting sexual crimes in Alabama.

We hope that any predator gets what's coming to him...or her.



Shoalanda

Streaming of Screaming for Florence Tourism Board

We've just concluded a series of three blogs that made reference to the Florence-Lauderdale Tourism Board. So, while we're on the subject...

It seems that future meetings are scheduled to be streamed online to those who may want to watch the proceedings. We feel this is a prudent move by the board. Many who cannot attend may now watch from their home or office in order to get an inside look at just how hard these individuals work. Is that the only reason to start streaming these meetings?

Sadly, the answer to that question is "no." It seems that one member screams at other members. He screams a lot and no one has so far been able to stop him. Is streaming the answer? We don't know, but we do look forward to the first meeting to be streamed live.

*****

A youth minister sexually abuses his charges. A tenured girl's basketball coach touches his students inappropriately. A trusted family friend has sex with an 11 year old. How often do these horrible events occur? Unfortunately, they occur much too often in the Shoals and everywhere.

Now that one victim of Oliver Brazelle has come forward in Lauderdale County, we hope at least some of his Colbert victims will bring charges as well. If any of his victims are reading this, please at least think about coming forward now. The more charges, the more likely a judge is to deny him bail as a flight risk. It's never too late...



Shoalanda

Seduction at Six Flags?

We'll continue with our series on Dick Jordan tomorrow...

Chaperon: One who watches others, usually young people, to ensure they come to no harm. That's what Oliver Brazelle called himself on several outings his various youth choirs took out of town. How did that work?

From a Pen-N-Sword profile of Brazelle: He took one youth choir on summer tours, visiting many major US cities and traveling to Europe in 1986. (You may read the entire profile here: Oliver Brazelle.)

From a Quad-Cities Daily article: (The victim) stated the abuse began in July of 1995 at a Holiday Inn in (censored). He advised that it was a trip to Six Flags and Brazelle got a room for just the two of them. (The victim) stated that Brazelle treated him like a chaperon to help watch the other kids. (The victim) was still 12 years old. (You may read the entire arrest report here: Warrant of Arrest.)

Parents trusted Brazelle. How sad. Brazelle allegedly lived a lie; he married, had a family, purported to follow God. Yet Brazelle was a pedophile of the worst order. How many lives did he impact for the worse? Were some totally ruined because of his actions, or only partially ruined?

Parents: Trust only those closest to you. Tell your children what sexual abuse is. Now's the time to discuss it with them. Don't wait until the next Oliver Brazelle comes along.



Shoalanda

Is Oliver Brazelle Guilty?

Ten Colbert County youths (or former youths) wouldn't testify in 2012 against Methodist youth minister Oliver Brazelle, but now a man allegedly seduced in Lauderdale County has told his story. That's a lot of smoke.

Brazelle is now 79. It's likely if he goes to prison, he will die there. Should he? Here's a brief bio from PNS:

Oliver Brazelle

Unfortunately for Brazelle, we feel that if convicted, he should serve every day of the maximum sentence, at least 20 years. In all likelihood, he would die in prison. A sad ending for a man who did so much good in life, but also created a living hell for so many innocent young men.



Shoalanda

Why a Grand Jury & Why a Plea Agreement?

In the 21st Century, grand juries are unique to the United States, and only about half the states employ them in their judicial system. In Alabama, the prevailing theory is to let a grand jury make the decision of who is indicted and for what. It may be an old system, but it does provide some checks and balances for criminal prosecution.

One reader was particularly concerned with the Jerry Ivy murder. It will be up to a grand jury to decide if shooter Junior Clemmons is indicted for Capital or Felony Murder. Since Ivy was in a vehicle when he was shot, it would seem that this case qualifies as a capital crime.

Another reader was also concerned about plea agreements. We've been astounded at some pleas offered in the Shoals area, but in many cases, they are a prudent choice. If a member of your family is killed, you want to see the perpetrator punished. If a case goes to jury trial, the defendant may walk. It comes down to taking a chance on the killer going free or agreeing to a sure 25 year sentence with no chance of parole.

Currently, Junior Clemmons remains incarcerated in the Florence Detention Center. One of our readers who knew both Clemmons and his victim is preparing some information for us, and we'll  publish it as soon as possible.

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Pen-N-Sword has published a bio of former youth minister Oliver Brazelle. He's truly a man of many accomplishments, and it's sad that his legacy has been marred by these accusations. It's even more sad that the lives of several young Sheffield men may have been horribly hurt by someone they and their families trusted.

Oliver Brazelle

Shoalanda