Big Fail for Lawrence County DA/VOCAL Vigil

D.A. Errek P. Jett

From all reports, the case against Charles Moore is a slam dunk. The same reports have stated the prosecution has made every effort to ensure any appeals will be limited if/when Moore should be convicted of the murders of Bailey and Betty Nichols.

Yet today a judge in the case sanctioned D.A. Errek P. Jett for failing to provide the defense team with information relating to a second suspect in the double murder. The defense at worst would have used the second suspect as a red herring; the evidence against Sheffield businessman Moore is so overwhelming that only a miracle could prevent a conviction.

While an appeal is automatic in a Capital Murder case, the prosecution has now given Moore's attorneys grounds for an appeals court ordered second trial. Lawrence County taxpayers should be upset...very upset.

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From D.K.:

On Friday night, the local VOCAL chapter, in partnership with Safeplace and Rape Response, will host a Celebration of Life, which will kickoff the National Crime Victims Rights Week, April 21-27. The event will be Friday beginning at 5:00 p.m. in the gym at First United Methodist Church on Tuscaloosa Street in Florence. At 7:30 p.m. the event will shift across the street to Wilson Park for a balloon release and candlelight vigil.

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Equivocal words? Several sources have been criticized for not calling ricin, a deadly poison in gas form or if otherwise inhaled, by its name. In other words, the material sent to several federal officials was nothing short of ricin and should be identified as such.

So...down with equivocal words in the news. How about "undocumented immigrant" goes next?



Shoalanda

The Angel Gieske Comedy Show - Part II

Gieske's Impersonation Was Exposed on the Stand

As one side in the court case took care to refer to Angel Gieske as "Doctor," the opposing side took equal care to address her as "Ms." Gieske contended she didn't know why a university she claimed as an alma mater would deny her. The attorney who cross-examined Gieske then began a second assault.

Geiske admitted she has absolutely no counseling certification in either Alabama or Tennessee (Gieske is certified in Tennessee to teach in public schools...and to drive a vehicle). The Lawrence County woman, who claimed a PhD from 2003, had been disciplined by the Tennessee Department of Health and Board of Psychologists for practicing counseling without a license in 2005. Was she now committing the same fraud in Alabama?

Gieske answered that at that time she worked for Family System Services. Gieske further stated that the company presented her as a psychologist rather than a behavioral analyst; thus the reprimand. She indicated she was unaware of the misnomer used by the company, but felt she should take responsibility for it.

Now, this is interesting. Gieske comes across as rather noble in this statement, but is it true? We don't know how long this "misrepresentation" continued or how much Angel Gieske may have known of it. What we do know is that Gieske avoided more serious legal problems by paying a $9,050.00 fine.

That would be the point noble stopped for many of us. If we work for a company that describes us as something we aren't, are we willing to take responsibility to the point of paying a 9K fine? Between the fine and the 24 or so 3K a course classes Gieske claims she has taken for a PhD, this woman seems to have a great deal of money to throw around.

Further, after being reprimanded in Tennessee where she is not allowed to work as either a psychologist of a behavioral analyst, we would expect Gieske to have her degrees and transcripts readily available to any who questioned her in Alabama. Such was not the case.

Gieske was questioned for hours on various topics in this particular case. Charges have been filed here in Alabama, but as far as we know, she still works with DHR as a contract employee in charge of drug testing. This imbroglio is ongoing, and we'll continue to have updates.

Editor's note: The graphic used to illustrate an impostor in today's blog is a stock image. We are in no way maligning the kitty's character by actually comparing him to Angel Gieske.

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Will we the taxpayers ultimately foot the bill if DHR is made to repay any salary it's paid Angel Gieske for work performed using its vendor number? Yes. Obviously if Medicaid does decide to recoup its payments to DHR, the Department of Human Resources will be required to repay the federal agency and use money from the state's general fund to do so. The fact that this is ongoing is particularly troublesome. Every Alabama taxpayer should demand answers.

Shoalanda

The Angela Gieske Comedy Show - Part I

 Can You Spot the Imposter?

Angel Gieske of Rascaltown, Tennessee, sat in the witness box. Testifying in a custody case, Gieske was obviously expecting some tough questions from the other side. What she didn't expect were the questions concerning her qualifications.

We've previously mentioned that Gieske doesn't list her credentials on LinkedIn or ZoomInfo or any other site that we've searched. Besides calling herself a Behavior Analyst, she also claims a doctorate in her application to work for DHR as an independent contractor. Gieske has worked or is working in Lauderdale, Colbert, Franklin, Walker, and Limestone Counties, receiving a salary from DHR, which in turn is reimbursed from the state's general fund--in plainer words, taxpayer money.

Furthermore, Gieske is listed as an Alabama Professional Rehabilitative Service Provider, meaning she can offer services via the State Department of Mental Health, Department of Children's Affairs, and Department of Youth Services, as well as DHR. So what education did she claim under oath when asked?

Angel Gieske stated under oath that she has a bachelor's degree in education from Union University in Jackson, Tennessee. No mention is made of any master's work, but she further claims a doctorate from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale where current graduate courses are $938.00 per credit hour for out of state students. If Geiske did enroll in any of these classes, her tuition would have been the equivalent of almost 3K per course--pretty steep for a school teacher. She related that she took some courses on campus, and others online, beginning in 2000. She stated her doctorate, finished in 2003, was in "Rehabilitation Behavioral Analysis and Therapy." Again, please note these statements were made under oath.

Now perhaps some of us or our friends have requested a transcript from some school only to be told on the first attempt that it doesn't exist. If this was Gieske's only problem with documenting her PhD we would not be that concerned. It's just that's not the only problem.

Southern Illinois University in Carbondale does not offer any online courses. Nor does the university offer "Rehabilitation Behavioral Analysis and Therapy" at the doctorate level. Nor does the university list Gieske as an alumna.

Tomorrow we'll look at Angel Gieske's problems in the State of Tennessee--where she does have a valid driver's license. Ba da Boom!



Shoalanda

Those Darn False Positive Drug Tests--Not Too Angelic

We've discussed false positive drug tests before--the kind caused by antibiotics and similar drugs or food. That's not what we're blogging about today. No, we're talking about those tests that come back as positive, but are immediately redone at another facility only to come back negative.

Well, someone used a cheap drug test, you say. Actually almost all drug tests on the market are extremely reliable. Some test for a basic ten drugs, while others have a larger range, but there's little difference in accuracy. Here's the basic ten-panel:

• Amphetamines (including Methamphetamine)
• Barbiturates
• Benzodiazepines
• Cannabinoids (THC)
• Cocaine
• Methadone
• Methaqualone
• Opiates (Codeine, Morphine, Heroin, Oxycodone, Hydrocodone, etc.)
• Phencyclidine (PCP)
• Propoxyphene

And they can be manipulated, you add. Yes, but they're manipulated to show a false negative, not a false positive. Hmmmm, but didn't you mention administering tests without adequate hand washing? Yes, that can result in a false positive for cocaine, but it's still rare. It won't result in a false positive for benzodiazepines or other substances usually tested for.

No matter what brand test, no matter the circumstances, it's extremely unusual for drug tests to produce a false positive for most substances. Oh, dear, you say. That would mean someone would have to intentionally falsify the results. Not a pretty picture, is it?

Why would someone do that? Perhaps someone has read...or been told...that testing should produce a certain number of positive results. Or perhaps the tester just doesn't like someone. Perhaps the tester has mental problems. Perhaps...well, you fill in the blank with whatever other reason you can come up with. No matter the reason, it would still qualify as sick. The damage a deliberate misreading could do to an individual couldn't be quantified. We're not talking about losing a job, but losing custody of a child.

Well, thank goodness that can't happen in North Alabama. Local DHR offices use only the most qualified contract employees. Really?

Tomorrow: The Angel Gieske Comedy Show (No angel, and no doctor either)



Shoalanda

Charles Moore Trial--Long Time Coming

The Charles Moore trial is the third local murder trial this month. Unlike the Leeth and Andrasik families who waited 17 months for some semblance of justice in the murders of their respective daughter and husband, the family of Bailey and Betty Nichols has been waiting over three years. The trial is also different since Moore is charged in a capital case, as well as the fact a defense attorney left the case, causing an extended delay.

D.K. has been present in the newly remodeled Lawrence County courtroom where the trial will now be entering its second week. Jury selection required three days in itself. It has been one of the most tedious trials in the area in years. The prosecution has stated there will absolutely no minor errors that could lead to any reversals on appeal. If convicted of Capital Murder, Moore will be entitled to an automatic appeal.

The trial was also interrupted abruptly on Thursday afternoon when the judge dismissed early due to possible bad weather. The prosecution now plans to call witnesses through Tuesday, probably into Wednesday. This promises to be the longest murder trial in recent history for Lawrence County.

According to D.K., the Nichols family has wide support, and the courtroom has been packed each day. Our sympathies to the family in the loss of parents who only contributed to the community in a positive manner.

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Rumors are rife in Franklin County that members of the Hershel Graham family plan some sort of protest, perhaps violent in nature, during the May sentencing of Hershel for the shooting of David Andrasik. This from a family that had supporters from those who saw the murder as simply self-defense. Franklin County law enforcement is prepared to quickly quash any violent outbursts from the Grahams. David's family is hoping for a sentence of 20 years.

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Speaking of rumors, there's talk of a lawsuit against two or three local bloggers who have accused several individuals of sexual impropriety and criminal acts, among other things. We've heard this talk before, and have even been asked to participate; however, it seems now someone has actually put up the money for the suit. We look forward to whatever justice such a suit will bring.

Shoalanda

He Wants Back in Prison!

A reader forwarded the following ad to us. We're not sure why it was published under "Antiques," but we are sure whoever posted it must desperately want to return to prison. Bad marriage?

Click to Enlarge

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Florence, AL...Toni Hogue, a young mother with two young children, wanted to create an event to honor her husband; he’s been deployed overseas for quite a while. Her creative mind came up with “Catwalk for Warriors,” a Fashion Show with a valiant purpose! Join and support this event at Center Court in Regency Square Mall on Saturday, April 20^th from 2-4pm. Applaud Toni's efforts as the latest fashions by Impulse, Gap, Motherhood Maternity Sears, Dillard’s, The Shoe Dept are going down the runway! There will be lots of Door Prizes to win – including autographed merchandise donated by Kelly & Randy Owen (from the group Alabama), earrings from Little’s Jewelers, and a Grand Prize of one night’s stay at the Marriott Shoals Hotel & Spa with dinner for two at the 360 Grille! $5 raffle tickets are available at HoneyBaked Ham Cafe in the Mall and will be available the day of the show. You must be present to win a prize. All proceeds benefit the Wounded Warrior Project^®.

The Wounded Warrior Project^® is an organization whose broad appeal reaches across demographic, geographic, and political boundaries. They are an apolitical organization by design. For them, it’s not about the war; it’s about the warrior. They serve veterans and service members who incurred a physical or mental injury, illness, or wound, co-incident to their military service on or after September 11, 2001 and their families. With advancements in battlefield medicine and body armor, an unprecedented percentage of service members are surviving severe wounds or injuries.

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Tomorrow: An update on the Charles Moore Capital Murder trial.



Shoalanda

He Gets Rid of Bodies?

From the TimesDaily: (Ashley) Greenhill testified she called (Matthew) Fox, who had a reputation for being a “bad guy” and a “cleaner,” a slang term for someone who can dispose of a body.

While we would doubt Greenhill's word if she testified on the proverbial stack of Bibles, we have to say a few words about the above quote. Just how does one acquire a reputation for getting rid of bodies? Wouldn't actual bodies have to come into play?

The four defendants in the Amanda Taylor murder case may not all be sociopaths, as we believe Ron Wikkid Weems to be, but they all seemed to have been living in some delusional world of insane clowns, dragons, walking dead, and God only knows what else. The real world revolves around work. This seems to be something that eluded these four. After all, isn't it more fun to sleep all day and pretend you're James Bond by night?

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Is the Alabama Music Hall of Fame leaving the Shoals? (Please be kind enough to stifle that yawn.) After looking at photos of the last board meeting, we have an idea no one left at the not so venerable institution is taking anything too seriously there.

Ever been to a real board meeting? You know, one for a company that actually makes millions of dollars each year. Go a head and say, "It really doesn't matter these days, Shoalanda." It doesn't change the fact that board members of successful companies dress for success. Anyone see a Brooks Brothers suit anywhere within ten miles of that meeting? Or a clothes iron?

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Don't forget the Hot Wheelz Hotties poker run tomorrow. Max Russell and friends will be there starting at 11:00 a.m. at Stagger Lee's on Hwy. 20. The benefit will help raise money for cancer patient Steve Wildman Willis. Thanks to Lisa Steele Murr and Vickie Powers for organizing this run. Also thanks for the help of De Frevold, Judy Logan, and Liz & Angie of Stagger Lee's.

Our personal thanks to Lisa and Vickie for all the efforts they put forth in the community. We're proud to count you as friends!



Shoalanda