Recusals?/A Great Man?

Paperwork has been filed for a new trial in the Chris Martin case; the request was based on a connection between Judge Jackie Hatcher and the family of victim Thomas Grant Campbell. We fervently believe Chris deserves a new trial; however, we consider it doubtful Hatcher will admit she should have recused herself.

If Hatcher refuses to order a new trial, there will be more appeals. All the while Chris Martin sits in jail. Yet we call our justice system the best in the world.

*****

A Great Man?

* He served his country in the military.
* He took care of his family, especially his widowed father. 
* He was always there for those who worked for him, helping in any way he could.
* He gave generously to others, even paying mortgages when homeowners were faced with eviction.
* He stood up for what he thought was right.
* He lost his life to a man of questionable mental state who later committed suicide.
* At his funeral, thousands of admirers came to pass by his bier.

Who was this great man?

John Dillinger 

*****

The above anecdote illustrates that even those who make grave mistakes in life can be described in glowing terms. Simply because a man does good, that does not mean he's incapable of evil.

We've received a letter from a friend of Lexington baseball coach Cole Mitchell. We're attempting to verify a few points, but expect to post it within a few days.

Drains on Humanity Part II: Thomas Grant Campbell

Grant Campbell joined the Marine Corps at the age of 20 in 2006. Officially called Thomas Grant Campbell II (his family seemingly didn't know this was an incorrect form of naming and he should have been dubbed a Junior), he was called Grant. We're told those who make high enough on the admission exams may enter the Marines as a corporal, possibly making sergeant within three more years. For whatever reason, Grant was still a corporal when he left the service five years later...or more accurately was thrown out after his court martial on theft charges. 

Grant served two tours in combat zones and saw action. None of this was anything he volunteered for, and when he returned from his second tour in the Middle East, he contacted medical personnel about his mental problems which included depression. Physicians diagnosed the young Marine with both depression and PTSD. 

Here, we're leaving documented evidence and entering into the world of educated guess. Physicians know if it walks and talks like a duck, it's probably a duck. We're sure Marine doctors treated more than their share of military personnel with PTSD. Therefore, we're speculating they might not have considered a diagnosis of schizophrenia, quite common in individuals in their mid 20s who suddenly begin to have irrational thoughts. Think "Tony Smith" in Part I of this series. Was this Grant's real problem? It would seem likely from his later behavior, and simply having schizophrenia doesn't rule out the possibility of also having PTSD.

Back to documented evidence... Grant was now stationed at Camp Lejuene in North Carolina, a huge facility used for joint maritime training, meaning it housed thousands of items of modern tactical gear. It may have been impossible to keep track of all the expensive military equipment present at the camp, but in 2011 the NCIS was called in to help stem a rash of thefts of high-dollar military tactical gear.

Grant's name came up early in the investigation and agents tailored a sting operation set to capture the Marine gone bad. In short order, Grant made at least two sales to an undercover agent, from which he netted $1,400.00. Grant was arrested and court martialed. His attorney asked for leniency, but a Marine court stated Grant Campbell deserved none. Even though he had asked for a simple discharge, Grant was given a dishonorable heave-ho, the equivalent of a civilian felony conviction.

Grant returned home to Colbert County in 2011 and lived there until his death in 2013. His only jobs were at businesses owned by his family, and he often worked in some sort of restaurant support job. Several co-workers who had known Grant before he left for the Marines were disturbed by the change in the young man who now became easily upset and made inappropriate comments to women who frequented the Campbell businesses.  

Grant racked up some minor arrests and one not so minor; he was awaiting trial on a meth possession charge in Madison County at the time of his death in November 2013. Still on psych meds, Campbell abused alcohol and was well over the legal limit on the night of his death. His obituary enumerated his medals and other military awards, but all were of the participation variety with the exception of a sharp-shooter badge earned via talent, not good or exceptional behavior. 

We have no doubt that both the military and family failed Thomas Grant Campbell. We also have no doubt that at the time of his death, Grant was a drain on humanity and was about to take that which he could never give back.

*****

We'll be publishing a blog on Grant Campbell's death at a later date using information taken from the Chris Martin trial transcript to which we've just now obtained access.

Drains on Humanity Part I: "Tony Smith"

A story that ended ten years ago:

Many years ago, we and a sorority sister finished our lunch at Trowbridge's and turned north to visit a new antique store on Court Walk. A man turned the corner heading south and spotted us. He immediately blocked our way and spoke, calling our friend by name. We could tell our friend was none too delighted to see the man, whom she didn't introduce. She began to edge around him.

From the other direction, a woman appeared, and the man whom we'll call "Tony Smith" introduced her as his wife. He then asked our friend her name, even though he had personally addressed her more than once in our short conversation. This presented us with an opportunity to escape, much to the relief of my friend. She explained that she knew the man slightly and that over the years since school he had become more and more bizarre, always steering the conversation to sexual subjects.

Over the next few years, we would hear Tony's name mentioned from time to time. His wife eventually left him and his children didn't speak to him. He couldn't hold a job because of complaints from women. His parents died, and siblings soon sought psychiatric treatment for him. Tony was diagnosed with a kind of schizophrenia and was on psych meds, but his condition only worsened as he aged. Finally a brother had him placed in a nursing home where he eventually died amid rumors a highly offended nurse may have hastened his demise with some extra tranquilization.

Some citizens are super productive; others are drains on society. Tony Smith was a drain on society whom you helped pay for. While there were rumors over the years that Tony had assaulted various women, as far as we know, he was never charged with these assaults and no woman ever came forward to declare she was anything more than highly morally offended. 

The same can't be said for a similar drain on society...Thomas Grant Campbell. 

*****

Speaking of drains on society, we saw earlier today that Brady Ann Irons has a new arrest after months of assumed sobriety. Will she now join her former partner in crime Wes Akin in the Alabama prison system? We're not holding our breath.

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.

*****

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?

*****

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.

*****

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.

*****

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

Segregation Returns to Florence?

It seems Tuskegee wants their students and fans separated from those of the University of North Alabama. We didn't realize that UNA had such a rough reputation. Let's hope Florence is extra nice to all Tuskegee visitors. That will teach them...

*****

We received a few private comments about Thomas Grant Campbell. We certainly do not mean to detract from the awards the ex-Marine won while in service to his country. Neither are we able to diagnose any mental issues, but such behavior swings reported both in and out of the military might indicate a bi-polar disorder or some other type of mental illness.

We will admit to being surprised that Chris Martin was indicted for anything more than Manslaughter. Colbert County can't get Ronald Weems indicted for Capital Murder, but its D.A. can get Mr. Martin indicted for Felony Murder? Another example of what's wrong with our justice system.



Shoalanda

Indicting That Ham Sandwich

It's an old joke that a competent district attorney can indict a ham sandwich. Obviously that's not always the case in the question of self defense. Colbert County's Bryce Graham did secure an indictment against James Christopher Martin in just four days. Is this odd? We've received some questions about the swift indictment in a case where the defendant will plead self-defense and defense of others.

The deceased was the son of a prominent Shoals restaurateur. A former Marine, Grant Campbell worked for a company his cousin owned. The shooter Martin also worked for ICS roofing. It's probably safe to assume that no matter the outcome of the legal charges, Martin won't be getting his job back.

What of Campbell's dishonorable discharge? We understand that AL.com has contacted some local news outlets in order to find out more. This is from Wikipedia:

A dishonorable discharge (DD) can only be handed down to an enlisted member by a general court-martial. Dishonorable discharges are handed down for what the military considers the most reprehensible conduct. This type of discharge may be rendered only by conviction at a general court-martial for serious offenses (e.g., desertion, sexual assault, murder, etc.) that call for dishonorable discharge as part of the sentence. With this characterization of service, all veterans' benefits are lost, regardless of any past honorable service, and this type of discharge is regarded as shameful in the military. In many states a dishonorable discharge is deemed the equivalent of a felony conviction, with attendant loss of civil rights.^[14] Additionally, US federal law prohibits ownership of firearms by those who have been dishonorably discharged^[15] per the Gun Control Act of 1968.

You can be sure that Tim Case will bring up Grant Campbell's past behavior. You can also be sure a jury will be duly influenced by the fact that Campbell was less than honorable in serving his country.



Shoalanda

Victims & Stolen M16s: It's Never All Black & White

A friend of ours recently questioned our referring to the two 17 year-old women involved in the Vina High School sex scandals as "victims." The word "victim" obviously has many connotations and certainly in legalese a victim might be one who intentionally made the wrong choices in order to promote an agenda but was deemed too young to be held responsible.

Do we personally call these two young women victims? We don't know their upbringing or in the case of Brian Keeton if any physical or chemical inducements were (allegedly) used. We're 99% sure from the details that have come to light so far that both these women need spankin' and the two coaches need divorcin'.

*****

Campbell's Madison Drug Bust

Now we come to a much more permanent type of  victim--a shooting/killing victim. For every victim who's murdered at random for money (think Mr. Elbert Farley in Tuscumbia), you have countless more who are murdered because of their choices and actions. That doesn't mean they should have been killed; it simply means if they had behaved in a rational, law abiding manner, they would not have been placed in a position to be murdered.

This latter group includes Thomas Grant Campbell. He's dead, so we don't know his side. We do know he willingly went to the Sheffield residence of Chris Martin. We do know that several local news agencies have pointed out that none of the three adults involved in the shooting have lived a completely law abiding life. Campbell's previous brushes with the law seems to have involved drugs and some (allegedly) stolen guns that precipitated his dishonorable discharge from the military.

This space is reserved for a sermon entitled "Life is Hard Enough without Drugs or Alcohol," but sadly such sermons never seem to reach their intended audience.



Shoalanda