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Forensic Friday
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WVLK 590 AM |
| Officer Don's Crime Prevention Tip |
Crime Prevention Tips for Seniors
Crime prevention is everyone's responsibility. Seniors can and should learn how to protect themselves from crime by following these simple, common-sense suggestions:
At home. . . .
Always keep your doors and windows locked;
Keep your home well-lit at night;
Install a peephole in your front door so you can see callers before you open the door;
Never let a stranger in your home or to use your telephone;
Always ask for proper identification from deliverymen. If they are legit, they won't mind;
Never give out information over the telephone indicating you are alone or that you won't be home at a certain time.
Children of Seniors: Share these tips with your parents -- they may not have internet access.
More Senior Crime Prevention Tips Next Week. |
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TOP STORIES
Criminal Justice News & Views
"A Message From Ray the D.A." to be a weekly feature on WKYT.com web channel. Up-to-date criminal justice news and views will now be available to many more crimefighters.
Death Penalty News
Capital Punishment Saves Lives (excerpted from Boston Globe article by Jeff Jacoby).
Cops & Robbers News From Across America
Criminal justice news and trends from around the country.
Crime Task Force News
Cease-Fire Project - a success story. 98% conviction rate for armed and dangerous criminals in Lexington.
Meet Lexington's Felony Prosecutors
Andrea Mattingly Williams focuses on cases involving financial crimes.
Last on American D.A. - LIVE
The case of Dennis Rader, the BTK (Bind them, Torture them, Kill them) serial killer, is discussed.
Death Row Inmate of the Week
This killer, along with another, executed a teenage female and two male victims and then attempted to dispose of their bodies by throwing them off of a bridge.
Law Breaker of the Week
UPDATE -- Repeat offender sentenced to 25 years. He earned it!
Immigration Update
More states taking immigration enforcement into their own hands.
Information Center
Want to know what cases were Indicted, Dismissed, or Transferred Back To District Court by the Grand Jury and what cases are set for trial? Check it out here.
Last Week's Circuit Court Sentencings
Who went to prison and who was probated. |
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Criminal Justice News & Views |
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"A Message From Ray The D.A." To Be A Weekly Feature On WKYT.com Web Channel
Up-to-date criminal justice news and views will now be available to many more crimefighters.
Starting this week, our weekly criminal justice newsletter, "A Message from Ray the D.A.," will be a regular feature on WKYT.com, Channel 27's "web channel."
Our crimefighting philosophy is simple:
The primary purpose of government (including courts) is the safety of its citizens.
It is also important to communicate our philosophy. And we do:
www.LexingtonProsecutor.com, our office website, was created to communicate our philosophy and provide criminal justice news from a prosecutor's perspective.
"A Message from Ray the D.A.," our weekly office enewsletter, not only shares our philosophy and cops and robbers news, but also provides an information center for the most current information about:
All of that information will now be available at WKYT.com web channel. WKYT.com will permit us to share criminal justice news from a prosecutor's perspective with a larger audience of crimefighters. |
| Death Penalty News |
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Capital Punishment Saves Lives
Excerpted from Boston Globe article by Jeff Jacoby.
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Jeff Jacoby |
Between 1965 and 1980 there was practically no death penalty in the United States. For 10 of those 16 years - 1967-1976 - there was NO death penalty: a national moratorium while the United States Supreme Court determined whether our constitution permitted it.
The Question: Did that moratorium save innocent lives or cost more innocent lives?
What do the statistics show?: They clearly show that as executions become more numerous, murders decline.
- Between 1965 and 1980, annual murders in the United States skyrocketed, rising from 9,960 to 23,040.
- The murder rate - homicides per 100,000 persons - doubled from 5.1 to 10.2.
- From 1995 to 2000 executions averaged 71 per year, and the murder rate dropped from 10.2 per 100,000 in 1980 to 5.7 in 1999, a 44% reduction.
- The murder rate is at its lowest rate since 1966.
Murder rates fell in almost every state in the 1990's. But they fell the most in the states that use capital punishment.
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The New York Experience
New York provides a dramatic example: In the 25 years from 1940 to 1965, there were 12,652 homicides in New York. During that time, New York regularly executed murderers. By contrast, during the 25 years from 1965 to 1991 there were no executions at all and New York's murders quadrupled to 51,638. |
It seems irrefutably clear, that when murderers are executed, innocent lives are saved. And when executions are stopped, innocent lives are lost.
Author's Note: Death penalty convictions typically undergo years and years of appeals. So painstaking is the super-due process given to death sentences, that for all the recent hype about innocent inmates on death rows, there is not a single proven case in modern times of an innocent person being executed in the United States. |
| Cops & Robbers News From Across America |
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Some Facts About First Time Drunk Driving Offenders
 Studies show that one DUI arrest is made for every 88 instances of driving under the influence.
1st offenders' Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) is usually between 0.16 and 0.18.
80% of 1st offenders were found to be either problem drinkers or alcoholics.
50-75% of people whose license has been suspended continue to drive anyway.
Editor's Comment: Some very sobering facts about drinking and driving.
Meth Pours Into U.S. From Mexico
 Mexican drug gangs produce 80% of the meth consumed in the United States. The effective crack-down on domestic meth labs has created opportunities for the Mexican drug cartels to fill the void and produce meth in what are called "super-labs." Border officials have seized millions of dollars worth of the illegal drug in 2008 already.
Editor's Comment: The Mexicans can't get all the blame. Americans who insist on being drug addicts are the real problem. It's the old supply and demand principal.
Justifiable Homicides Triple In Memphis
 In 2007 in Memphis, there were 32 homicides which were classified as justifiable homicides, triple the number from 2006. In Tennessee a death is ruled a justifiable homicide if someone is protecting themselves or someone else from harm. Memphis D.A. Bill Gibbons said, "There is a presumption, like in a home break-in, that your life is in danger."
Editor's Comment: No matter how many times editorial writers condemn people who legally possess firearms, folks will defend themselves.
Crime Is Up In Charlotte, N.C. - Residents Demand Action
 In the first three months of 2008, compared to 2007, Robberies in Charlotte, North Carolina increased 15%, Aggravated Assaults jumped 17%, and Home Burglaries increased nearly 18%. "We want to feel safe when we are walking to restaurants, or working in our yards, or heading to the park, and now we don't," said residents as they marched on city hall to demand action.
Editor's Comment: Just check out the next story. If the government can't or won't do its job (protect the public from crime), then people will invariably handle it themselves. This is more a failure of government than anything else.
Applications For Concealed Handgun Permits Jump 38% In Charlotte
 Charlotte, North Carolina residents are arming themselves for protection. There has been a 38% spike in the applications for concealed carry permits in Charlotte compared to the same time last year. Experts say people turn to guns when they have a fear of real or perceived crime and have lost confidence in the police. One applicant said, "I don't want to shoot anyone, but I do want to be able to protect myself."
Editor's Comment: What does anyone expect? People want to feel safe and they look to the government to do that. If their government fails, people will not hesitate to not only arm themselves for protection, but vote for new leaders - and they should.
Hit & Run Now A Felony In Kentucky If It Results In A Death Or Serious Injury
 As of July 15, 2008, a new law will make it a felony for a driver to leave the scene of an accident that involves a death or serious injury. Kentucky, Utah and Montana were the only states where it was a misdemeanor.
Editor's Comment: This law should have been passed years ago.
As Food Prices Rise, Prison Inmates' Menu Options Reduced
 As global food prices soar, prisons are trimming some of the extras from their menus. Some have eliminated jelly from peanut butter sandwiches. Coffee and desserts could soon disappear. "There's no real health value in coffee," officials in Wisconsin said. A sheriff said, "Why should they get dessert? I don't get dessert most of the time."
Editor's Comment: What do they call it? "3 hots and a cot." Maybe it will be just "3 meals and a bunk, cut the frills," like the rest of us who are paying the tab for their room and board.
"Stop Snitching" Movement Affects Ability To Prosecute Cases
 The phrase "Stop-Snitching" started spreading a few years ago when Denver Nuggets' basketball player Carmelo Anthony urged people to stop cooperating with police on a DVD. Without witnesses, police can't solve many homicide, gang and drug cases. In too many cases across the country, witnesses are reluctant to provide information to law enforcement for fear of retaliation.
Editor's Comment: People who live in high crime neighborhoods are affected most by these threatening thugs. Those same neighborhoods suffer even more when the policy-makers decide to release convicts from prison. Where do they return? The high crime neighborhoods, of course. They don't go live in the neighborhoods where the governor, lawmakers, editorial writers, and law professors live. The safety of those neighborhoods should be considered too. |
| Crime Task Force News |
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Cease-Fire Project - A Success Story
98% conviction rate for armed and dangerous criminals in Lexington.
On June 22, 2001, the "Cease-Fire" Work Group convened for the first time and continues to meet on the first and third Fridays at the office of the Fayette Commonwealth's Attorney.
The Cease-Fire Team
The work group consists of representatives of the following local and federal agencies:
- Fayette Commonwealth's Attorney
- United States Attorney for the Eastern District of KY
- Fayette County Attorney
- Lexington Division of Police
- Fayette County Sheriff
- Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms Enforcement (ATF)
- Federal Bureau of Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE)
- Kentucky Department of Corrections, Office of Probation & Parole
Cease-Fire Seeks Toughest Penalties For Armed Criminals
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Cease-Fire Project attorneys Brad Bryant and Erin Hayne | These agencies meet and discuss whether to prosecute the gun cases on a state or federal level. They also share information on criminal activity involving guns and gangs. The gang aspect is relatively new and was incorporated into the Cease-Fire Project focus in 2007. In determining whether a case should be prosecuted under state or federal laws, the group considers various factors: the defendant's criminal history, and the number and types of weapons involved .
2001-2008 (through May) Activity
As of May of 2008, the Cease-Fire group has presented and discussed a total of 1,161 cases since its inception in 2001.
| Total Cease-Fire Cases since 6/01 |
1,161 |
| Conviction Rate (State & Federal) |
98% |
| Average Sentence |
4.87 years(includes 3 life sentences) |
2007 Cease-Fire Activity
In 2007, the group discussed a total of 103 defendants in Cease-Fire cases.
| Total Cease-Fire Cases |
103 |
| State Prosecutions |
68 |
| Federal Prosecutions |
35 |
| Conviction Rate (to date) |
100% |
| Average Sentence |
4.18 years |
Working Together Works
Cease-Fire is an outstanding example of what can be achieved by working together. The Cease-Fire Project has had several positive effects on the gun crimes in our area. The number of cases involving large amounts of drugs with guns has decreased dramatically because the word is out that those who are caught selling drugs with guns will be prosecuted to the maximum in whichever court can obtain the most severe penalty.
Gangs and Drugs, a New Focus of Cease-Fire
Additionally, the increased emphasis this year on gang awareness and prosecution has resulted in greater efforts to coordinate various law enforcement agencies to identify gang members, monitor gang activity, and prosecute more aggressively crimes committed by gang members. Thus, the Cease-Fire Project continues to be successful in protecting our community from gun crimes and gang activity. |
| Meet Lexington's Felony Prosecutors |
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Andrea Mattingly Williams |
Andrea Mattingly Williams is from Bardstown, Kentucky. She graduated from Centre College with a Bachelor of Arts in Government and a minor in History. She earned her law degree from the University of Kentucky College of Law.
Andrea joined the staff of the Fayette Commonwealth's Attorney's Office in May, 2005. Her primary focus is on cases involving financial crimes. |
| Last On American D.A. - LIVE |
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| Dennis Rader -- The BTK (Bind Them, Torture Them, Kill Them) Serial Killer
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Prosecutor Nola Foulston |
Serial Killer Dennis Rader | Remember Dennis Rader? He was the serial murderer who terrorized the residents of Wichita, Kansas for years. Investigators were able to match DNA evidence of the killer left at a crime scene by analyzing the DNA of a relative.
Prosecutor Nola Foulston was the guest on American D.A. - Live to discuss the prosecution of this high-profile case with Commonwealth's Attorney Ray Larson.
Click here to listen to the program (may take a few minutes to load).
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| Death Row Inmate Of The Week |
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What did this killer do to convince a jury to sentence him to death?
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Leif Halvorsen
29 at the time
Male, White | In Fayette County in 1983, Leif Halvorsen, along with Mitchell Willoughby, executed a teenage female and two male victims inside a home they were remodeling. These killers shot the female eight times in the back of the head. They shot the younger male five times -- in the back, testicles, right arm, left leg, and right temple. They shot the other male three times -- in the back, the chest, and in the back of his neck. They attempted to dispose of the bodies by throwing them from the Brooklyn Bridge In Jessamine County, Kentucky.
Halvorsen was sentenced to Death on September 15, 1983. He has been on Death Row for 25 years and his appeal process isn't even half-way completed.
That's what he did. He sentenced himself to death.
From "ALIVE - Voices From Inside" inmate penpal website:
Hello, my name is Leif C. Halvorsen. I am on death row in Kentucky. I am 47 years old and been on death row since 1983. I still have five more appellate steps to go in a nine stage appeal process. Much of the delay in my case has been due to political and governmental interference.
I am looking to write to someone with understanding, to share in some human compassion, and to offer support and friendship.
I am the father of two daughters and a grandfather of five grandchildren. I am third generation Norwegian/Irish/American. I am college educated, lacking only one year to obtain my Bachelors Degree in Sociology. Other education is a technical degree in Sheet metal Arts, and an Associate Degree in Hotel/Restaurant Management. And the common non-traditional education in the hard knocks of life. I am easy going, open minded and enjoy sharing in a variety of subjects. I enjoy Scandinavian/Germanic Mythology and Folklore; sports of various kind, and current events. I like a variety of music, reading (mostly non-fiction) and feeble attempts at water-coloring. I enjoy sharing different points of view and differing of opinion but hate to argue. I try to enjoy life as much as possible in the midst of adversity. I believe in the moderate exercise of the mind, body and spirit as a path to a higher state of human evolution. I believe in making reparation. |
| Law Breaker Of The Week |
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UPDATE -- Repeat Offender Sentenced To 25 Years. He Earned It!
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Christopher A. Brown |
Remember last week's Law Breaker, Christopher Brown? He was the repeat offender who broke into lots of cars in the parking lots of health clubs. He had 10 prior felony convictions and 11 prior misdemeanor convictions. The prosecutor recommended a 13-year sentence. The judge probated the sentence for 5 years and let him out on the street.
As it usually happens with repeat offenders, he was caught by the police again doing the same thing, breaking into cars and using stolen credit cards. This time, Circuit Judge James Ishmael sent Mr. Brown to prison for 12 years.
Next came a motion to revoke his previously probated 13-year sentence. This time Circuit Judge Pamela Goodwine revoked his probated sentence and sent him to prison to serve the 13-year sentence after he completed serving his 12-year sentence, for a total of a 25-year sentence.
Why must he serve his 12-year and 13-year sentences consecutively? Because he committed the last series of break-ins while he was on probation for a previous crime. The law requires that they be served consecutively. And, besides, he earned it. |
| Immigration Update |
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| More States Taking Immigration Enforcement Into Their Own Hands
 South Carolina - A law passed by the State Senate would require employers to verify the workers' immigration status through a federal electronic database, a new state paper-based system, or a state-issued ID.
Under the legislation, employers who knowingly break the law could be fined up to $2,500 for each illegal immigrant on the payroll for a 1st offense, $5,000 for a 2nd offense, and $10,000 for a 3rd offense. An employer could be sentenced to up to 5 years in prison for helping a worker fake documents.
Critics predict the legislation will lead employers to shy away from hiring illegal immigrants.
 Rhode Island - The illegal immigration question is playing a role in Rhode Island politics. House lawmakers approved a bill (53-17) to require private employers to e-verify the citizenship of new hires. The proposal now goes to the state Senate.
Under the Rhode Island plan, any employer with three or more workers would have to confirm, through an online government database, whether the new hire is authorized to work in the United States. The verification takes only seconds. Employers that refuse could face fines up to $5,000 every 30 days. |
| Information Center |
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To see the latest Grand Jury returns, including Indictments, Dismissals, and cases Returned to District Court, click on the dates below:
The Fayette Commonwealth's Attorney's Office Criminal Trial Schedule is updated each Monday. To see our trial schedule, click here. |
| Fayette Circuit Court Sentencings
Friday, May 2, 2008 |
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| 3rd Division- Judge James Ishmael | |
| ALVAREZ, Eduardo Lizardo
Age: 24 |
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| ILLEGAL ALIEN. Sentenced to 4 years in prison for the prosecution's amended charge of 1st degree Assault EED and 12 months in jail for the prosecution's amended charge of Attempted Intimidating a Witness, for a total of 4 years in prison. Sent to prison. IMMIGRATION, CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT (ICE) notified. | |
| HAYGOOD, Don Rodricka
Age: 48 |
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| Sentenced to 6 months in jail for Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon, serve 6 weekends in jail, probated 2 years. | |
| ROGERS, Joshua Kane
Age: 30 |
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| Sentenced to 5 years in prison for the prosecution's amended charge of Criminal Attempt 1st degree Robbery. Sent to prison. | |
| STEVENSON, Gladys
Age: 51 |
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| Sentenced to 5 years in prison for the prosecution's amended charge of Possession of Controlled Substance and status as a Persistent Felony Offender, 12 months in jail each for Possession of Marijuana and Use/Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, to run concurrently for a total of 5 years. Sent to prison. | |
| 4th Division - Judge Pamela Goodwine | |
| LANE, Lewis Edward
Age: 40 |
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| Sentenced to 1 year in prison for Flagrant Non Support, probated 3 years or until child support and arrearage paid. | |
| SULLIVAN, Donale J.
Age: 30 |
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| REPEAT OFFENDER. Sentenced to 5 years in prison for Flagrant Non Support and status as a Persistent Felony Offender, probated 5 years or until arrearage is paid. | |
| 7th Division - Judge Sheila R. Isaac | |
| HOUSER, Joshua Michael
Age: 25 |
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| Sentenced to 3 years in prison for 2nd degree Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument, 1 year in prison for 2nd degree Criminal Possession of Forged Instrument, for a total of 3 years in prison. Sent to prison. | |
| MADISON, Steven Matthew
Age: 23 |
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| Sentenced to 5 years in prison for Convicted Felon in Possession of a Handgun. Sent to prison. | |
| SORRELL, Evan Lewis
Age: 19 |
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| Sentenced to 3 years in prison for Trafficking in a Controlled Substance w/in 1,000 Yards of School. Sent to Prison. | |
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| 8th Division - Judge Thomas L. Clark | |
| ARZETA, Lucino Flores
Age: 30 |
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| ILLEGAL ALIEN. Sentenced to 1 year in prison for the prosecution's amended charge of 1st degree Possession of a Controlled Substance, 1 year in prison for 2nd degree Criminal Possession of Forged Instrument and 12 months in jail for the prosecution's amended charge of 3rd degree Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument, to run consecutively for a total of 2 years in prison, probated 3 years. IMMIGRATION, CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT (ICE) notified. | |
| HENSON, Richard Edward
Age: 41 |
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| Sentenced to 2 years in prison for Theft by Unlawful Taking >$300, probated 4 years. | |
| MURPHY, Peggy Dean
Age: 46 |
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| Sentenced to 12 months in jail for the prosecution's amended charge of Use/Possession of Drug Paraphernalia 1st Offense, probated 2 years. | |
| RODRIGUEZ, Miguel Rios
Age: 49 |
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| ILLEGAL ALIEN. Sentenced to 1 year in prison for 1st degree Wanton Endangerment, 4 days in jail and 45 day license suspension for Operating Motor Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol/Drugs, probated 3 years. IMMIGRATION, CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT (ICE) notified. | |
| 9th Division - Judge Kimberly Bunnell | |
| EDWARDS, Melvin Jr.
Age: 27 |
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| Sentenced to 4 years in prison for the prosecution's amended charge of 1st degree Possession of a Controlled Substance, 12 months in jail for the prosecution's amended charge of Attempted Tampering With Physical Evidence, to run concurrently for a total of 4 years. Sent to prison. | |
| ROBERTSON, Dennis D.
Age: 30 |
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| Sentenced to 12 months in jail for the prosecution's amended charge of Attempted Possession of a Controlled Substance 1st Offense and 90 days in jail for Possession of Marijuana to run concurrently for a total of 12 months in jail, probated 2 years. | |
| ROSEBUD, Ronald Antonio
Age: 33 |
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| Sentenced to 5 years in prison for 1st degree Criminal Mischief and status as a Persistent Felony Offender, 12 months in jail for the prosecution's amended charge of Attempted 1st degree Trespassing, 12 months in jail for each count of 4th degree Assault Domestic Violence and 2nd degree Stalking, to run concurrently for a total of 5 years in prison, probated 5 years with a 10 year restraining order. | |
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