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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Heller is absolutely right when he calls this press conference theatre! Rumors are afloat that this was an event orchestrated to hopefully generate not only a better outcome for the young suspect, but also to generate donations and grants for the church. Was the young man coaxed on what to say and when to cry? Hopefully the prosecutors will ask those questions.
Last edited by untanglingwebs on Sat Jan 05, 2013 7:14 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Fri Jan 04, 2013 2:04 pm |
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Dave Starr
F L I N T O I D
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quote:
untanglingwebs schreef:
quote:
Dave Starr schreef:
Has anyone looked at the titles of the various forums on that web site!!?!?!!???
AFRAID TO DAVE! VERY VERY AFRAID!
Try reading some of the posts. OMG!! |
_________________
I used to care, but I take a pill for that now.
Pushing buttons sure can be fun.
When a lion wants to go somewhere, he doesn’t worry about how many hyenas are in the way.
Paddle faster, I hear banjos. |
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Fri Jan 04, 2013 2:04 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Are these Pastors and the attorney perverting justice?
Andrew Heller made an excellent point about the absurdity of a 16 yr (or any age suspect) holding a press conference to admit their culpabllity in a potential crime with the police watching.
From Heller's comments:
But from a law and order perspective, this was a badly timed circus not an emotional flashpoint, and for the police chief to let it happen, standing by like the cops watching the Blues Brothers finish a concert before arresting them, is darned near unbelievable.
Sure, the kid gave his version of what he says happened. But police can't know for sure that's the truth. Their job is to investigate and arrest if warranted. The rest is up to the prosecutor's office and the courts.
Or it was before this, anyway. Now, well, let's just say that allowing any suspect to make his case in the theater of public opinion before questioning him sets a lousy precedent. If this is the direction we're going, we might want to change how cops recite the Miranda rights before arresting people: "You have the right to remain silent, the right to legal representation and the right to assemble the media in time for the 6 o'clock broadcast before we take you into custody."
Here's my worry: That this bit of theater is just as likely to harden viewpoints of Flint and its problems as it is to inspire toughs with guns to lay them down or turn them in, and Flint certainly doesn't need that
.
Maybe I watch too much tv but aren't attorneys supposed to prevent their clients from making incriminating comments. Will Leyton have a more difficult case now that police allowed this confession without their advising the young man of his rights. Will this confession even be allowed although there are other statements already made (hopefully). Or did the Police Chief allow this whole thing to be a royal F*** up.
And what are the motives of the two pastors involved? are they attempting to help the young man evade any criminal actions resulting from his involvement. Who bought the guns and why? Where they intended for further criminal acts. I am not convinced that the pastors assessment of the youth is an accurate one. Was it their intention to muddy up the judicial waters with this pre-emptive confession? Turn him in fine, but don't make it a media circus.
Just watch and at least one of these pastors will be writing anti-violence grants and soliciting donations. How do I know? Because, according to the community, this saga has been played out before. Do we really need to teach our youth to be con men and women?
But there are even more problems as I look at this issue. Young men everywhere in Flint are watching this saga play out. If these so-called leaders succeed in perverting justice, there will be a reaction. Justice cannot look like some players have more influence than others. Cry on cue, confess your crime publicly and beg others to give up their guns should not be the way to earn a pass on prosecution or even a slap on the wrist.
I would hate to be Leyton, as he has been placed in a difficult situation. Has the prosecution of this case been deliberately compromised. Were people promised money and other incentives to go along with the charade.
From what I hear the streets are not amused by these antics. |
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Sat Jan 05, 2013 2:40 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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quote:
untanglingwebs schreef:
Killing of Kaleb Maclin in Flint leaves mother mourning for both her sons, victim and suspect
By Bryn Mickle | bmickle1@mlive.com
on June 11, 2008 at 9:33 PM, updated June 11, 2008 at 10:01 PM
FLINT, Michigan — Leatha Maclin can barely bring herself to take even a sip of grape juice.
One son dead. The other in a detention center.
Sobbing in a church office this week, Maclin struggled to even acknowledge that her 16-year-old son could have wielded the knife that killed her other son.
"I can't live without both," said Maclin. "I've lost both my sons."
Maclin's 16-year-old son, Damarcus, is charged with open murder in the weekend slaying of his 21-year-old brother, Kaleb.
The pair were apparently arguing over an iPod and a cellphone Saturday night in the family's Lapeer Road apartment when Damarcus allegedly stabbed Kaleb in the chest with a kitchen knife.
Damarcus' pastor said the teen told him he didn't mean to do it and only wanted to scare his brother with the knife.
"He loved his brother," said Rev. R. Sherman McCathern, who met with Damarcus at the Regional Detention Center on Tuesday. "He has a lot of remorse."
The brothers had only been home a short time after work Saturday night when the argument began, said McCathern.
Their mother, who is partially deaf, was home at the time but didn't realize what happened until she turned around and saw Kaleb bleeding. She has had little to eat or drink since.
Damarcus ran from the apartment but later surrendered to police after calling McCathern shortly after the stabbing to pick him up.
"He kept asking to go to the hospital to see his brother," said McCathern.
A longtime friend of Kaleb Maclin's said the brothers sometimes had a rocky relationship.
"But at the end of the day, they respected each other," said Delmar Harrison, 23, of Flint. "I'm still in disbelief."
Harrison and others who knew Kaleb marveled at his sense of community service and pride in a job well done.
He mowed grass for people at no charge, picked up the city and talked of one day becoming mayor.
His aunt, Sheila Maclin, said Kaleb did something that his mother and her siblings had not done.
"He was the first in the family to graduate high school on time," said Sheila Maclin.
One of Kaleb's teachers at Northern High School said he came into the ninth-grade with a bad attitude, but worked hard to turn his demeanor and his life around.
He was determined to make a bright future for himself. He even dressed the part, wearing a tie to school every day, said teacher Shirley Barnett.
"He was our special student," Barnett said. "He had a way about himself and a good heart."
His family took pride six years ago when Kaleb was chosen to help carry the Olympic torch in Michigan for the 2002 Winter Olympics. He was nominated for the duty through the Bridges of the Future program, family members said.
"He was proud to represent Michigan," said Sheila Maclin. "He wanted to be in Olympics."
Kaleb also looked out for his brother, family members said.
Using money from his job at Sears, Kaleb had recently bought Damarcus a new pair of dress pants to interview at a nearby Taco Bell. He got the job.
Damarcus, a sophomore at Central High School, had problems in school but was turning things around, McCathern said,
The boys' mother said she just wants Damarcus to be sent home.
"He didn't mean it," said Leatha Maclin.
For now, Damarcus is being held in the Regional Detention Center and is charged as an adult with his brother's slaying.
Genesee County Prosecutor David S. Leyton has called the case tragic but said this week that the "grievous" facts led to the decision to charge Damarcus as an adult.
Leyton on Wednesday declined further comment.
But Sheila Maclin believes Damarcus would be better served with his mother.
"He doesn't need a bar over his face. He needs help," said Sheila Maclin.
McCathern hopes the case will lead to a renewed emphasis on stopping youth violence and plans to discuss the matter with Flint Mayor Don Williamson.
"The church just can't continue to bury children. We have to teach them how to live," said McCathern. "Enough is enough."
Funeral services for Maclin are set for noon Saturday at Joy Tabernacle, 731 E. Hamilton Ave., Flint. A viewing will be Friday from 2-6 p.m. at Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home.
THIS YOUNG MAN KILLED HIS BROTHER AND SERVED LESS THAN 2 YEARS. HIS LAWYER WAS ALSO GLENN COTTON AND THIS YOUNG MAN ALSO SURRENDERED TO MCCATHERN. THE PLEA DEAL REDUCED THE CRIME FROM OPEN MURDER TO HOMICIDE/ MANSLAUGHTER SHORT FORM
736955
SID Number: 2621777M
Name: DAMARCUS DEMETRUIS MACLIN
Racial Identification: Black
Gender: Male
Hair: Black
Eyes: Green
Height: 5' 7"
Weight: 158 lbs.
Date of Birth: 07/12/1991 (21)
DAMARCUS DEMETRUIS MACLIN Image Date: 9/16/2009
MDOC STATUS
Current Status: Parolee Supervision Begin Date: 06/14/2011
Assigned Location: Genesee/Flint/Parole/REP Supervision Discharge Date: 06/14/2013
Security Level: Date Paroled: 06/14/2011
ALIASES MARKS, SCARS & TATTOOS
None
None
PRISON SENTENCES
ACTIVE
Sentence 1
Offense: Homicide - Manslaughter - Statutory Short Form Minimum Sentence: 3 years 0 months 0 days
MCL#: 750.321A Maximum Sentence: 15 years 0 months
Court File#: 08023953-FC-U Date of Offense: 06/07/2008
County:
Genesee Date of Sentence: 09/02/2009
Conviction Type: Plea
INACTIVE
None
PROBATION SENTENCES
ACTIVE
None
INACTIVE
None |
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Sat Jan 05, 2013 7:42 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Flint's battlefield: Please help us
By Bernie Eng | beng1@mlive.com
on January 06, 2013 at 6:00 AM, updated January 06, 2013 at 6:53 AM
The following is an opinion of The Flint Journal editorial board.
Three years, 189 homicides.
We need solutions.
It is the most important issue we face. This community’s survival depends on an end to the rampant violence in our streets.
We often catch flack for talking about this city's violent crime too much, but we argue that this community, state and country don't talk about it enough.
The massive loss of life here is devastating. Quiet makes it acceptable. Quiet lets it continue. Quiet means no one cares.
And right now it's way too quiet.
We can't help but wonder — what if this were a different community? What if we weren't a majority black city where the majority of homicide victims also are black?
Racism isn't just what people and society do. It's also what we don't do.
And, we know right now there just isn't enough being done. The number of dead prove it.
We acknowledge it is being talked about at some level and there have been attempts on several fronts to help:
Public safety is one of the top priorities of the city's state-appointed emergency management. Flint is the only back-to-back recipient in the nation of the SAFER grant for firefighters. Flint voters approved a 6-mill tax increase for public safety in November. The C.S. Mott Foundation renewed in December a $743,000 grant for Flint police. There is a dedicated increase in state police presence in the city. With state support the Flint City Lockup is open for business again. The list goes on.
These efforts are not enough.
These are not the huge interventions and intense help we need -- even our housing crisis is getting more tangible aide than the continuing killing spree with more than $30 million in Neighborhood Stabilization Program funds since 2009.
After years of too many candlelight vigils, too many devastated families, it is appalling that the killings are continuing — whether here or in Chicago or in Detroit.
Now is the time for solutions.
We’ve editorialized in favor of funding for more police. We’ve argued that the gun culture and proliferation of guns is the problem. We need more – and better – solutions.
This is a challenge to our community: What are we willing to do? What are we willing to sacrifice? What are your solutions?
Tell us your ideas. We can investigate them – studying their feasibility, success elsewhere and potential for being effective here.
Let’s solve this. Together. |
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Sun Jan 06, 2013 8:07 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Pastor: 16-year-old Shurkur Brown's charge of second degree murder 'harsh'
By David Harris | dharris5@mlive.com
on January 08, 2013 at 5:00 PM
FLINT, MI –
The pastor who helped a boy turn himself into police after the boy told him he accidentally shot his friend said he was "dumbfounded" by the second-degree murder charge handed down on Tuesday by the Genesee Prosecutor's Office.
Shukur Brown, 16, publicly said he accidentally shot and killed his friend, 15-year-old Gianni Herron, when they were playing with a gun they bought on the street earlier in the night around 3 a.m. on New Year's Day at a home on Chevrolet Avenue.
Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton said Shukur "illegally possessed a short-barreled shotgun" and "willfully disregarded the life and general safety of the victim."
Pastor Robert McCathern of Joy Tabernacle Church called the charge "harsh." He thought there were other ways to deal with the matter.
"We don't look at helping a child or treating a child, but punishing a child," said McCathern. "(Our society) can no longer see the value of intervention. All we can think of is punishment."
McCathern said there is no doubt in his mind that it was an accident. He said the focus should be on the gun and how easily it was obtained.
"No one is saying where did he get this gun? How did this child get the gun?" McCathern said.
Shukur was also charged with possession of a short barreled shotgun, possession of marijuana with intent to deliver and felony firearm.
The second degree murder charge is punishable by up to life in prison
.
Family for Shukur and Gianni could not immediately be reached for comment.
McCathern said not one, but two families are grieving.
"One family is searching for monies to bury their child and at the same time, another family is searching for monies for a lawyer," he said.
According to his obituary, Gianni's funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home. |
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Tue Jan 08, 2013 5:55 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Come Heller high water: Grandstanding pastor has put the focus on the wrong teen
By Andrew Heller | Flint Journal
on January 09, 2013 at 10:30 AM, updated January 09, 2013 at 10:32 AM
Come Heller high water …
• I was astonished last week at the self-serving press conference – set up by a pastor and enabled by Flint's police chief - held by the Flint kid arrested last week in connection with the shotgun slaying of his best friend on New Year’s Day. This week I’m astonished at the pastor who says he’s “dumbfounded” that the prosecutor will seek second degree murder charges against the teen.
Pastor Robert McCathern of Joy Tabernacle Church called it "harsh." Wrong. Harsh is being killed with a blast from a sawed-off shotgun. Harsh is being the parents of a child who is never coming back. Someone needs to talk with Pastor McCathern. He’s way off base here. This is not the time to be focusing on the person who was still alive after the shooting. This is the time to be focusing on the person who died.
• He's right about one thing, though. We should worry about the gun and how easily it was obtained. But that doesn’t mean the crime should go unpunished. Flint’s culture of guns isn’t going to go away by excusing away gun crimes, accidental or not. This isn’t a “there, there” moment. The law doesn’t work that way, nor should it. |
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Wed Jan 09, 2013 6:12 pm |
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Dave Starr
F L I N T O I D
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Homicide number 4 already.
Flint police: One man shot to death in homicide on Sterling Street
David Harris | dharris5@mlive.com By David Harris | dharris5@mlive.com
on January 10, 2013 at 5:25 AM, updated January 10, 2013 at 5:26 AM
Print
Email
flintpolicesignmarch25.jpg File Photo
FLINT, MI -- Police are investigating a homicide that left one man shot to death, according to a press release.
Police were called around 12:40 a.m. to the 3600 block of Sterling Street near Sonny Avenue for a shooting. Officers found a man unresponsive with gunshot wounds.
He was pronounced dead on scene. Police have no suspects.
Anyone with information is asked to call Flint police at 810-237-6801 or CRIMESTOPPERS at 1-800-422-JAIL. |
_________________
I used to care, but I take a pill for that now.
Pushing buttons sure can be fun.
When a lion wants to go somewhere, he doesn’t worry about how many hyenas are in the way.
Paddle faster, I hear banjos. |
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Thu Jan 10, 2013 8:33 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Shukur Brown, in court, charged in friend's shooting death
Posted: Jan 09, 2013 6:13 PM EST Updated: Jan 09, 2013 6:35 PM EST
By Lori Dougovito - bio | email
FLINT (WJRT) -
(01/09/13) - The Flint teenager, charged in the New Year's Day shooting death of his friend, made his first appearance in court Wednesday.
Shukur Brown, 16, was handcuffed and had to be told to speak up a number of times as he fought back tears.
The attorney who stood by him when he confessed last week, during a news conference called by Flint pastors, was not present.
Attorney Donald Shaw stood in Wednesday afternoon as Brown was formally charged with second degree murder as well as gun and drug charges.
At that news conference last week, Brown said he accidentally shot 15-year-old Gianni Herron.
Brown's mother said they were playing around with the weapon in the basement of the home where Gianni was shot, Brown's aunt's home.
When getting a warrant signed for the charges, Flint Police indicated it was a short barreled shotgun and that Gianni had been hit in the chest.
"Under Michigan law, you don't have to have had the intention, but you have to have been acting in a willful and wonton manner," says Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton.
"Guns don't just go off," Leyton says. "We have a real problem with guns in this city and until people get serious about illegal guns, we're not going to be able to solve the violence problem."
Brown told 68th District Court Judge Herman Marable he'd been expelled from Flint Northern High School this school year.
He's been held without bond.
Pastor Robert McCathern with Flint's Joy Tabernacle Church, who organized Brown's press conference last week, says he thinks the charges are very serious and severe.
Brown is a kid, he says, and we can't lose that fact in the face of our fear. |
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Thu Jan 10, 2013 9:51 am |
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