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By Patsy R. Brumfield/NEMS Daily Journal
UPDATE 7:36 P.M. – Judge Pounds says jury note indicates they want to go home and resume deliberations Friday morning. That's what he's going to do.
Proceedings will begin at 9 a.m. He cautions them not to begin deliberations until he speaks with them then.
• • •
UPDATE: 6:41 P.M. – No verdict yet. Jury out about 2 hours.
• • •
BOONEVILLE – Becky Jones' fate is in the hands of 12 people after nearly 90 minutes of closing arguments by the state and defense.
Both sides gave emotional speeches to the jury.
Defense attorney Rob Laher repeatedly told the jury not to let his client be railroaded – "She told you the truth. What she said is consistent every time."
Assistant DA Kimmie Kitchens said Jones murdered her mother, and at the end of her closing played part of victim Jane Jones' call to 911 for help.
The jury went to consider its verdict at 4:24 p.m.
Jones, 49, stands accused in the May 11, 2010, shooting death of 66-year-old Jane Jones at the older woman's 439 Highway 4 East home in Prentiss County.
Laher of Tupelo insists it was a terrible accident when Becky Jones' 38-caliber pistol discharged as the two women wrestled for the gun the week after Mother's Day.
• • •
(Below is a running account from the Prentiss County courtroom. Please excuse the typos and glitches likely as I type rapidly.)
Circuit Judge Jim Seth Pounds is presiding. This is Jones' second trial – the first ended in a mistrial last October after she was discovered comatose in an Alabama hospital after a mysterious overnight health problem in her home.
Prosecutors are Kimmie Kitchens and Josh Wise.
• • •
2:30 P.M. – Judge back to go over instructions (points of law) jury will consider for its verdict.
First, he talks without detail about court's instructions. Refers to People's instructions, those are from the DA's Office. Defense instructions.
State has file another instruction. will be Court's 4.5 instruction.
Attorneys respond from Pounds' questions about reminders as they wrap up closing arguments.
2:45 – Jury invited back. Couple of dozen spectators in the audience.
JUDGE – Tells jury they've heard all testimony and evidence. Will instruct them soon about how to reach their verdict. Sworn duty to follow the law. You determine the facts in this case… to reach a just verdict. You are the sole judge of the facts in this case. Arguments are not evidence.
(He walks them through all their choices for a verdict.) Choices are: not guilty or guilty of murder, culpable negligent manslaughter or heat-of-passion manslaughter. Jury must be unanimous
Closing arguments – 40 minutes each side. This order: State 20, Defense 40, State 20.
JOSH WISE – Each of you said you could sit in judgment of your fellow man. State has met its burden of proof. It is not even close. (He goes through testimony of deputy Johnson.) Did she find defendant giving her mother any help? No. She was talking on the phone to her boyfriend. Deputy found Jones shot twice. Begging for her life. Saw no evidence of a struggle inside the home or on the defendant. Officer Reagan – investigator – conducted tests, collected evidence. You saw photos of the scene. No evidence of a struggle. Gun found exactly where the defendant was sitting, on the couch. Gun, two shots fired. The hammer was fully cocked back. All the way back. The gun does not cock itself. Reagan says no evidence of a struggle. Defendant did absolutely nothing to get her mother help.
She left her mother to die, and that's exactly what happened. Not normal. Anyone normal does not murder their mother.
Robinson, firearms examiner, tested bullets and found that gun was greater away than contact but less than 9 inches. McMaster said other injury was less than 2 feet away. Pressure to fire the weapon. Sheriff Tolar took defendant's statement next morning. She said she went to see her mother to "get some things off her chest." Admitted her gun, her bullets, in her custody after the two shots fired. Also told him she saw blood and, then left the scene. Didn't call for help. No evidence of a struggle – look at the booking photo. When Tolar told her about death of her mother, not the first tear. No remorse.
Jimmy Hicks said defendant got mad about talking of selling property and the women argued about it. He said she told him she killed her mother. Didn't say it was an accident or a struggle. She said I killed my mother. She still blamed her mother for her problems. Talks about medical examiner, declared it homicide. Betty Robinson about plans to sell the property. Didn't happen because Jane died. Info about Becky's loss of custody of her child.
Sheriff's Dept. obtained the exact evidence to prove who was there. Jane said my daughter is trying to kill me, she has shot me twice and she's coming bak to kill me. You could hear the fear in her voice. How chilling it was. You heard her.
Defendant's case: Testimony from Brooke Creech, said she told mother about property. Who has the property now? Brooke. Billy Martin said he didn't know what happened in that home – no evidence of a struggle. Larry Putman, Becky's husband, said she and Jane still had problems. Continuous. Said his wife had a bad temper. He was not credible. Linda Oakley – no knowledge of what happened. David Whitehead – gunshot residue expert … just shows person was in the environment of a shot gun. Of course Jane Jones had it – she was shot twice.
Then from Becky Jones. Still blaming her mother for her problems. Admitted gun in her possession before and after shots fired. Did nothing to help her mother. Physical evidence – one photo taken last year and GSR test showing environment. No evidence of a struggle because there wasn't one. No proof there was one. State has met its burden. State asks you (he's holding up photos of defendant and victim.) request to return a guilty verdict of murder. It cannot be anything else. Not a one-shot accident, it's a two-shot murder. 3:25 p.m.
A lot of us here the morning when this first started. Head talk about what was about to go on. Told you – circuit clerk said, this is Prentiss County. You can't get railroaded in Prentiss County. Becky told the truth. Prosecutors say this is more about what she didn't do than what she did – didn't cry, didn't scream. What did we find in that room? What does the evidence show? 911 call, shots were fired, Becky is crazy, drug addict. We find Ms. Jones near front door, Becky outside. Clear walkway to Ms. Jones, says doesn't see signs of a struggle. Becky told her outside, a struggle over a gun. Didn't say over a recliner or nicknacks. Since we don't see anything on the ground and don't have things turned over … easier to say there's no struggle. Fact was, there were things on the floor. Nothing to be knocked over.
What signs of what happened. Reagan said didn't see signs of struggle. What did we see? We knew she had told them what happened. Said mother saw gun and we struggled over it. Two shots. One, we were standing up. What she said today and day after this happened. What found? Broke glass in the door. Not another hole in the house. That's consistent with what she said. Because it's Becky and didn't cry, it's nothing. Becky said second shot happened when they went to the ground. Was there a bullet hole somewhere near the ground? Yes, there was. Later, Reagan said he saw it. We told you about it, he didn't. What does that mean. Second shot was low to the ground. Becky said we were on the ground struggling when second shot went off. Is that an overturned ash tray or something else? No, it's physical evidence that is consistent with what she told them at the time. Evidence consistent with the truth.
Do we want to consider that? She told them that. But she didn't cry. Instead of looking at what happened, they looked at what didn't happen.
Then, 911 call. Think about this …Look at transcript. Is Becky still there? Yes. Who told you that? Becky told you that. Who was there when Johnson got there? Becky was there before Johnson got there. Know this, she told you the absolute truth. She told you about why she left… being there when call was made, says she's telling you the truth. Plenty of witnesses said what she was doing there. She had planned this trip for a while, coming to meet people. Simply, she wanted to talk to mother, see how she was doing. They ere going to discuss some things but nothing more than that.
No signs of struggle? If I planned to shoot someone, I'd stand feet, yards away and shoot you. Physical evidence tells you shirt – 9 inches or closer. OK? That is a sign of a struggle. That is second shot. Exactly what she told you happened. Sorry I don't hae a shot of a turned over … what I know that is a sign of struggle. Hole in wall is a sign of a struggle. McMaster couldn't tell you if other wound was left or right. It goes this way across… consistent with reaching and pulling for a gun. That's the shot that went through the door. Consistent with a struggle.
Why didn't police talk about it? Because it doesn't fit … in nice orderly manner. Another sharp turn. If you don't condemn her because she didn't cry or things we think she should have done … because she's not normal a… everything there tells you she was telling the truth.
They tested this shirt. Showed how close. Tested hands, showed how close they were. All sides of Mrs. Jones hands. Said in general area. Not across the room. Consistent with what Becky told you. Problem is that the truth has sharp left and sharp rights on this situation. It does.
Rather than photograph furniture, wouldn't you believe fingerprints? Wouldn't you want to know Jane Jones' fingerprints were all over the gun? I would want to know that. I know it doesn't fit …but wouldn't you want to know. Could it be that she is telling us the truth? Instead of spending hours of digging through records of 25 years ago … can you not take 5 minutes and drive out there, take a photo or look onthe wall. Is her life or freedom not worth that? Just to see? Is it not worth checking court records .. how about this. Please check for fingerprints. FEDEX, gone to Jackson. Could that not be just as important? Especially, when everything else is checking out. Nothing wrong with what she says. She's telling the truth.
Becky says she came back, concerned. Gave a statement. Nobody to talk to. Told you the same exact story today as what she said then. It was the truth. When you have evidence that she was going to have a party, people expecting her. This is a case about a struggle between two women. Had been going on along time. Both had problems with each other, started when the sister died. Becky wanted her mother's love. Jane wanted the daughter who had passed.
Heard testimony about how much better Becky's life was when she left for Alabama. She was told to wash her hands of her mother. As long as she did that, things were OK. She still wanted her love. She even thought her daughter Brooke back. She wanted Jane to come to the party. Not someone who intended to kill somebody. Wanted to be with her mother.
Court instructions about different options you have. I suggest that most important one is: Told about reasonable doubt. She's presumed to be innocent, even now. Can you say on your oath …. have reasonable doubt, find her not guilty. Remember who told you the truth, point by point about what happened. She hasn't changed her story – I wasn't there. There's reasonable doubt. Reason you have that law to make sure we don't make a mistake. We know mistakes happen. You get railroaded. That's when mistakes happen.
She really told the truth. When you don't try to show …when more concerned your story being right than with somebody who may have told you the truth, that's when mistakes happen. More concerned… she didn't act like I thought she should have. When don't look to see .. think about it. shots up and shot down. What should I be looking for. Should be GSR on both hands. Fingerprints on the gun? …. uh, that's when mistakes happen.
Appreciate your service this week. Rather than think about what she didn't do, look at what she said. Then, I'll tell you to look back at her statement … 911 tape. Consistent. Gun … shells. Did she want to murderher mother? No. If she had, she had 3 more shots. She could have shot her any time she wanted to. She didn't want to, not hurt her mother. Look at the statement. Had gun with her. Everybody knew she carried a gun all the time. That's consistent. Talked to her mother, picks gun up and keys – her mother comes after her. That's consistent with what she said, consistent with their relationship. Struggles. One shot standing … consistent with somebody struggling for a gun. She told you the truth aboutthat. On the ground, the gun fires again. Bullet hole off floor. Shirt, residue on both hands. Consistent. Everything she told you happened.
She said she panicked. Threw the gun down. Is that what a cold blooded murder does? No. That's shock. That's what they do. She leaves, 30 seconds realizes didn't do anything wrong. Is that what murderer do? No. Consistent with what she told you. She didn't murder her mother. No intentions to kill her mother. You will see what she told you is true. And you won't make a mistake.
I hope today as you consider …someone who has told you the truth and can withstand the prosecutor coming after her – everything bad she's every done in her life. Let's talk about everything bad you ever did. What kind of person are you. Do dope? You're a horrible mother? You don't do right? Think about that. How would it be? What could you do to show they were wrong? Only one thing: Tell the truth. Exactly what she told them. Evidence everything she said is backed up. When someone continues to tell you the truth … you can say, she was telling the truth. It's a beautiful thing. Because this system will work and it can, and youcan make it work. You can vote, to throw the switch on this train and based on hunches and stop the train.
Don't let someone get railroaded in your county, especially somebody who's telling the truth. She had no intention to hurt her mother. Judge will give you the law to say what's going on here. You've got the power to say no one wanted to investigate this case … nobody considered that she was innocent… that's Becky Jones, use to be crazy, a drug addict. Nobody wanted to think about that maybe she was telling the truth. Today is the day .. to say I beieved you… can't get railroaded in Prentiss County.
Sad as I am about Mrs. Jones' passing … before I let someone who told me the truth.. and I have a reasonable doubt .. I have a doubt here… I'm not saying who's right or wrong… I'm saying I hae a doubt and she may be innocent. Before you allow the train to keep on going .. folks you … no one else has thought her worthy. You are her last chance because she did tell you the truth. I ask you to vote not guilty. 4:02
KITCHENS – Somethings about trains, they leave tracks. Defendant left behind bullets, gun, mother's blood. Left her mother lying on the ground dying as she rolled right on out the door. We have a murder weapon in this case – her name is Rebecca Jones. This gun did not pull its own trigger. This gun didn't pull the second time. This gun didn't cock itself the third time. Rebeca Jones did.
Is this an accident? This isn't self defense, not manslaughter. This is murder,cold blooded murder. State brought to you 10 witnesses. Seven of them told you something happened May 11, 2010. They saw scene, defendant or victim. State's witnesses.
All they said, every last one of them, there was no struggle. If no struggle, think about this… no struggle, there's no accident. If there's no struggle, there's no self-defense. I'lls ay it again. No struggle, no accident. No struggle, no self-defense.
Let's look at what witnesses said. What Becky Jones told you – showed her this picture. Sitting on this couch and mother in this chair, maybe a little closer. This is taken minutes after the murder. If we had a struggle, how is all this in place. Struggling over their life., Somebody was leaving and somebody wasn't. This is where Becky Jones said it happened… right here. All three investigators .. said no evidence of a struggle at the scene.
Picture right next to the chair where Jane Jones is sitting. Look like a struggle to y'all? This is defendant after the struggle. Wish my hair looked like that after a struggle. Clothes fine. Makeup fine. Hair fine. No blood on her shirt. Rolling around … (pulls shirt out of envelope)… why no blood on Becky Jones? Struggle for life? Really?
Also heard from Felicia Robinson – that this gun, shoot if this way.. 15 pounds of pressure to pull it. (She pulls it.) If pull hammer back, it takes 5 pounds. It did not go off by accident, she said. What happened … she had her hands up like this. That's how it happened. Blocking a bullet coming when her daughter had gun pointed at her.
Judge read instructions – use your good common sense. Accidentally killed your mother. Surely you have some emotion. In self-defense, surely you have some emotion. If you murder your mother, you don't. Why? Because you want her dead. McMaster said this wasn't an accident, nothing in autopsy. Death at the hands of another.
Hamlin testified (911 operator) no other call came in that day, only from Jane herself. She told you .. I am dying. In your last moment on this earth, are you going to tell the truth? Fixing to meet your maker? Are you going to tell the truth?
My daughter shot me two times. She's crazy. Person sitting here (Becky) – is she going to tell the truth? Defendant called several witnesses … obvious they would say anything at all to get her found not guilty. Said one thing, then said something different to try to help the defendant. Luckily we had transcript from before… she's not this wonderful person they try to paint her out to be.
Brooke Creech … even she had ot admit that Jane is her babysitter. Do you leave your baby with someone who is horrible? Like Brooke said her grandmother was? Do you choose to live with someone who is horrible, like Brooke said of jane? Brooke was willing to say anything to save her mother. Defendant did nothing to save her mother.
No call to 911. Didn't try to help her. Didn't go to the neighbor. She nothing.
If your head tells you this doesn't add up to struggle or accident, and if your heart tells you id=t doesn't add up – gun goes off two times and cocks third time. You don't run out the door without helping your mother. When hearts and heads align with investigation … you get a picture of the defendant shooting two times and killed her mother.
One more time: She got her mother first, then told you – I didn't know she was shot. Why had second shot. Then, she said, after second shot – I still didn't now I had shot her – that's why gun was cocked third time. She said, then I saw blood and she ran out the door.
That's why no other shots. She knew she had done it. She knew she had shot her mother. I feel guilty every day … why? Because she is guilty of murdering her mother. Came into her mother's home, shot her, she walked out the door and her mother never did. (PLAYS 911 TAPE) KITCHENS SITS DOWN. (We hear Jane Jones say daughter shot her twice in stomach and arm. Says daughter has left house. Please hurry, please hurry. (KITCHENS STOPS TAPE.)
JUDGE – Now, I will allow 12 of you go to the jury room. Cites two alternates. Asks them to stay around in courtroom while others retire to the jury room. 4:24 p.m.
Three things on record: defense instruction on accident. defense asked for two manslaughter instructions. defense also asked for self-defense instruction. I agreed.
Exhibits to go to jury room. In recess awaiting jury verdict.
• • •
BOONEVILLE – Questions remain about whether Becky Jones' jury will consider new charges of culpable negligent manslaughter or heat-of-passion manslaughter, Judge Jim Seth Pounds said to attorneys after the jury left the murder trial for lunch near noon.
Jones took the stand on her own defense and proved a sympathetic witness, better than several others who testified on her behalf.
"I did not kill my mother," she insisted repeatedly. "I feel guilty – I feel guilty every day because it was my gun."
She insisted that her mother, Jane Jones, attacked her when Becky Jones reached for her car keys to leave Jane Jones' home in 2010. In reaching for the keys, Becky Jones said she moved her 38-caliber pistol into view from her purse.
"We struggled … we were wrestling over the gun," she told the jury, saying the gun went off twice.
Jones, 49, stands accused in the May 11, 2010, shooting death of 66-year-old Jane Jones at the older woman's 439 Highway 4 East home in Prentiss County.
Defense attorney Rob Laher of Tupelo insists it was a terrible accident when
• • •
(Below is a running account from the Prentiss County courtroom. Please excuse the typos and glitches likely as I type rapidly.)
Circuit Judge Jim Seth Pounds is presiding. This is Jones' second trial – the first ended in a mistrial last October after she was discovered comatose in an Alabama hospital after a mysterious overnight health problem in her home.
Prosecutors are Kimmie Kitchens and Josh Wise.
(KITCHENS – Shows her photo of living room. Said mother on couch?) No, I was on couch. (Mother?) In recliner. (Closest to couch?) Yes. (You said your mother came from her and tried to take the gun from you?) Yes. (How?) Chair was further back this way. This was closer to the couch. (Now, this is your guN?) Yes, (Your bullets?) Yes. (You put gun into your purse to go into house?) No, when left Alabama.
(Shows her statement from 5/12/2010, day after happened?) Yes. (I didn't lock door, that's why I stuck it in my purse… says.) I believed it was already in my purse. That day, said stuck it in purse. (Gun in your hand?) Yes. (Two shots went off?) I did not shoot my om. (Shots) Yes. In both of our hands. Her hands were on the gun too. (Statement … says I ealized at that point I hd the gun in my hand?) That was after the shooting. I didn't hear you say that.
(After..?) She let go of it. I put it on the couch. I had backed up and threw it on couch. (You realize y… you didn't realize she had been shot after first one?) No, she kept fighting me. (Second shot.) There was. (Then reaLIZED she'd been hit?) No, she kept fighting me. (After second, not first shot …when you realized?) I didn't know she'd been hit. (Ma'am, did she not go down and you saw blood?) We were both on floor. I got up. No. she didb't get up. I saw blood on the floor. By then she was on the floor and talking to 911, saying I had shot her. She said help me. (Last conversation she ever had?) Far as I know.
After I tried to get on phone to tell them that wasn't … (Where other phone?) Laying there, tried to mash buttons, couldn't get anybody on line. (What about your cell phones?) I don't know why I had two in my hands. (Call 911 on them?) She did. I could have. I was in shock, I wasn't thinking … (Not about your mom? Called your boyfriend.) I did call him. (Not 911?) They had already been called. She already called them. (You chose to call boyfriend?) She had called. JUDGE – ANSWER. I called him.
(Call ambulance/) No. (police?) No already called. I didn't know she was dying. I knew she was shot. That's why I went back. (On phone with boyfriend?) Yes, in driveway. (Did you tell him you killed your mother?) I told him I felt guilty … I'm not going to call him a liar. (Tell him?) I did not say that. (Miscommunication when your mother said her daughter was trying to kill me?) That was a lie. (While she lay there … bleeding out… she was more worried about getting you in trouble than what was going to happen as far as dying?) That's what she died. (Hicks a liar?) I didn't call hij a liar. I told hi I wasn't guilty. I felt guilty, I still do beause it was my gun. Feel guilty every day because it was my gun. (Because you killed your mom>) No, I didn't kill my mom. (Did you hear the 911 tape?) I did. Iheard part of it that day, that's why I panicked and tried to get on the phone to say that's not what happened.
(Why you called your boyfriend? You needed help?) I don't know what you mean. I panicked. I didn't do anything wrong. (Mother was lying on the floor, she's the one who needed help?) She called 911. (You called?) I tried to get on 911. LAHER – OBJECT. JUDGE – ASKED AND ANSWERED. SHE DIDN'T CALL ANYBODY BUT HER BOYFRIEND. POINT'S MADE.
(Ms. Jones, did you have a gun permit?) No. Legal to carry it when it was in full sight. If I got stopped, it was in full sight. (Inside your purse?) It was lying on top of my purse. (In a hospital?) I did do that. (Permit to do that?) No.
JUDGE – To jury, I'm trying to plan ahead. Case isn't over yet. State has opportunity to call rebuttal. Give state a couple of minutes to decide if they want to do that. To jury, bear with us.
STATE FINALLY RESTS, KITCHENS SAYS. Jury exits 11:47
LAHER asks for acquittal. Judge denies motion.
JUDGE – Issue here. To Laher, are you seeking a manslaughter instructino for heat of passion of culpable negligent manslaughter. Fell like I will have answer after lunch break. JUDGE – Issue of whether court is obligated to give one, whether you ask for it or not. Mr. Laher, that is going to be your call. I've never seen any case in all my years where both instructions include culpable negligent manslaughter or heat of passion. We've got some refinements to do. That and form of the verdict – 3 or 4 options, or ask jury to tell us which manslaughter to find. Don't know, they may find murder. This is a little complicated.
• • •
BOONEVILLE – A weeping Becky Jones insisted she never intended to kill her mother.
"I loved my Mama," she said, "I always loved Mama."
Jones' testimony comes in the third day that she's on trial.
Jones, 49, stands accused in the May 11, 2010, shooting death of 66-year-old Jane Jones at the older woman's 439 Highway 4 East home in Prentiss County.
Defense attorney Rob Laher of Tupelo insists it was a terrible accident when Becky Jones' 38-caliber pistol discharged as the two women wrestled for the gun the week after Mother's Day.
• • •
(Below is a running account from the Prentiss County courtroom. Please excuse the typos and glitches likely as I type rapidly.)
Circuit Judge Jim Seth Pounds is presiding. This is Jones' second trial – the first ended in a mistrial last October after she was discovered comatose in an Alabama hospital after a mysterious overnight health problem in her home.
Prosecutors are Kimmie Kitchens and Josh Wise.
LAHER CALLS DAVID WHITEHEAD. Jury returns.
WHITEHEAD – Works at MS Crime Lab, From Tishomingo County. With lab since January 1994. Details educational, training, work background. Specializes in forensics trace evidence. Says it's like CSI you see on TV. Comparisons work. Gunshot residue and firearms evidence probably main work. Recent training on glass evidence.
10:15 – (Laher – shows him some exhibits.) Copies of my certified crime lab reports. My signature and person who did the work. (Wise asks to look at them.) (Laher – what is it?) D22 – report I issued on a kit from a Mary Jane Jones. (Know her, ever see her?) No. Received a … gunshot residue collection from Jane Jones. Samples from hands. Idea to determine if primer is on hands. Kit collected by officer and when I received it, I analyzed it on microscope. (What did you find?) These samples, particles of gunshot residue on all the samples from Mary Jane Jones. Back and palm of both hands.
(Gunshot residue … what does that mean?) We're looking for the primer components. … chemicals in gunpowder. Comes out end of barrel, but looking for small component of primer. When comes out barrel, solidifies when it hits the air. Another type report, not all particles will have all three elements … pieces will break off. If particles are round and contain lead-bearing animony… we don't classify as particles. Without chemical, we classify as "indicating".
Gas escapes the weapon when it is fired. Any opening in the weapon is where the primer can escape. Some comes out front. A plume of residue escapes without 2-3 feet of the discharge. From 3 feet out, depending on weapon … maybe 4 feet. (That's what you did in this case?) Examine the samples submitted to the Crime Lab … for presence of primer.
(Another examination?) Exhibit D23 – from Rebecca Jones. Particles positively on right palm and back of left hand. Indicative on right palm, back of left hand on left palm. No residue on back of right hand. No particles on back of right. But positive on right palm and back and palm of left hand.
(Another examination of Jane Jones?) Yes, another kit taken at scene. From the victim. (Medical intervention on her, no way of knowing?) No. (Were particles still present for second test?) Yes, one of the samples. That sample … Jane Jones.. positive right palm, indicative on left palm. Whoever took samples did a good job.
(Wise – Isn't purpose of the test, to determine if person near a fired gun?) Yes. (Does testing show exact distance person is from fired gun?) No. (Doesn't show if someone's hand was on a firearm when it was fired?) No. Puts person in the environment. Fired weapon, close to it or handled something. If handled, expect to find it on the palm. (Means in environment of gunshot?) Yes.
(Exhibits – it's the gun. Asks him to secure it.) He checks it. Says it's not loaded. (If you fired that gun today in the courtroom, would residue be found on you?) Yes, expect to find it? (On me?) Standing so close to me, yes … even court reporter. (Doesn't mean hand was on the gun, just in the environment?) Yes. (To be clear, residue doesn't mean evidence of a struggle?) No sir. (Not purpose of test?) No. (Purpose to test in environment of a discharged weapon?) Yes. Most important is about person who claims not to have fired a weapon but we find evidence of it on them.
(In this case, we know Jones was shot twice.) If gun was close range, she could have primer anywhere on her. (Two bullet wounds … found because she was in environment?) I would expect to find residue. (In this case, it means she was in the environment of a discharged gun?) BAsiclly all I can say.
(What about struggle?) Doesn't mean there wasn't a struggle. Only tells you person was within 2-3 feet of a weapon at the time it discharged. (If you fired weapon in the air and my hand was hidden, would you find it on me?) Probably not. (Holds hands behind his back?) Fired now, less residue on the hands. Palms are exposed, so possible to find some. (More likely both sides of hands on gun or close?) Yes.
JONES – Go by Becky. Lives Lexington, Ala., 9 years. Before, in Booneville. You're the defendant. Know what this is about.
(Laher – questions about what happened at your mom's house that day. Why coming to Mississippi?) Well, I had planned a jewelry party, that Saturday. REal excited about it for about three weeks. Going to go and had things to do that morning. Going to go to my Uncle Bill Arnold's house and meet Linda Oakley that afternoon or next morning. I had talked to Linda on Monday or Sunday. (When decided to see mother?) When got to Uncle Bill's house, decided to go. I love her, I usually came to see her when I came to Missisisppi.
(Long relationship with mom?) Yes, (Ups and downs?) We did. (Improved?) I thought it had, closer since the grandbaby had been born. Talked Brooke into letting her see the baby. (Sell some land?) Heard that. When mother and daddy got divorce, he gave me the land and gave mother an acre and the house. In 1989, I couldn't pay the taxes. she said if I put itin her name, she could. Agreement was later she would give it back to me, in 1989.
(In 1989? You?) I was working. I thought I was doing good. (Your problems?) I had had problems with drugs. You know, we both did drugs. (Problems hit land?) Yes, but more about couldn't pay taxes… 17 acres. Other land, father left me 57 acres plus a house. (Heard she would sell anything else?) Heard everything. I was concerned. She worshipped that house, lived there 40 years, she'd done a bunch of repairs and upgrades.
(Sell everything? Concern?) Yes, it was out of character for her. Worried about it. Talked with friends and others about it – best friend about it. Uncle Bill. Uncle Jim… several people. Asked them to please call her. She'd never talked about that. Worried about her.(Upset you that day?) She had been acting erratic for several months. I wanted to talk about several things. ("Off your chest?) Expression I used.
(Go by the house to see mother.) I always went back and checked on her, when I came to Mississippi. Didn't talk to her about a year. But when baby ws born, I wanted that relationship back … wanted her to be part of the baby's life. Talked to Brooke, wanted us to be a family again…. [she's a little emotional here]
(How'd it go?) At door, she hugged my neck. Like she was happy to see me. Showing me pictures of the grandbaby. Excited about the baby. WE came into the living room and sat down. She in recliner and I was on couch. We began talking.
(Gun?) It is my gun. Had it for 23 years, long time. (Mother had it?) I got a DUI one time and she took it away from me. She gave it back. (Something happened to you … fears?) I got broke in on twice. Freaked me out real bad. Had it for protection. I slept with it with my finger on the trigger. I'm still scared.
(You and mother were talking. Did conversation turn bad?) Well, we talked about Brooke. She wasn't happy with her and moved in with a guy. I told her Brooke was grown and she needed to let her be. She had jumped on Brooke's friend …. told her… OBJECTION – NOT HER PERSONAL KNOWLEDGE. JUDGE – SUSTAINED.
(What did your mother say, about land?) We talked about Laurie. I told mother you can't make girl move in two weeks time, Not enough to get trailer off the land. (How did that go?) Went into that she was going to sell it. I asked why. WEnt into long long story. I said you know it is mine, daddy gae it to me. She said it's My F'in land, I paid for it. I let it go, just like the will. (What about will?) She changed it all my life.
(You talked about land, let it go. Will, let it go? What else?) Talked about aunt and uncle Bill Arnold. (Aware of verbal attack on aunt?) OBJECTION – JUDGE – LAY PREDICATE
(Were you present when she threatned aunt?) No, she told me about it. I told her … my aunt had died in January. I was real close to my aunt. I regret telling her … but that's how I felt. (During this conversationk desire to hurt your mother?) no no no.
I had a wonderful life now. Everything had changed. It was a whole new way of life. I was happy. Wonderful man. Me and Brooke's relationship got much better. Got it back.
(Conversation, cause you to get angry and hurt her?) No (Shoot her?) No. (At some point, decided to go?) Yes,knew she was upset when I told her that … uh,.. I had talked to her brother Jimmy Hicks. Told her … doesn't want you go to back to his store. I don't blame him. She got angry and cussing. I said if you keep acting like that, you can't come to my party. I wanted her to come. She was so erratic, jumping on people. I couldn't have that at my party … invited nice people. I had stopped cussing like that. Changed my way of life. I was raised where that was OK… to say MF and the F Word… around all the time. It wadn't nothing. In alabama, it was love and happiness. It was different.
And when she … I told her that, I knew it was time to go. [ getting emotional] (WE've seen pictures …show them to you. Couch?) Yes. (Sitting on?) Yes. (Recliner?) She was sitting on. (Shows her pictures and points out furniture. When yuu decided to leave?) I got up and she was on the phone. I heard her say She ain't dropped that damn baby yet. When she got off, I got up, reached into my purse on coffee table… in plain view. Gun was right on top. Carried it in hundreds of time. REached for my gun with left hand. To get keys out. She said Give me That Damn Gun. She reached out her hand. She was pulling on gun. It went off. Didn't even know she was shot. She was fighting me like a bull. Standing up … so she pulled me down on top of her, wrestling in the floor. GShe turned gun around toward me… and I thought I was fixing to die … [crying] I said Mama don't, Mama don't. Struggled. Gun went off again.
All of a sudden, she quit. Had gun in my hand. Threw it on the couch. She called 911. (What then?) She got to the phone and called 911. Saying my daughter tried to kill me, she shot me … and … (Was she telling the truth?) NO NO I FREAKED OUT. THAT'S NOT TRUE. I COULDN'T BELIEVE SHE WAS SAYING THAT. I picked up the other phone to try to get it to come on and tell them that's not what happened. I couldn't get nobody on the phone. Found out later that two people couldn't get on both phones for the same person. She kept on talking to them and I freaked out. I ran out the door. My mind was racing. I wasn't thinking straight. Got in car and thought … you ain't done nothing wrong. I turned around and I called my husband … not married at the time. Tellig him what happened.
I got in the drive way and saw the police car pull in. She told me to put the phone down. She asked where gun was. I told her, said she was going to handcuff me. Another policemen. They putme in the car. Prayed, Lord, let her be OK. They brought her out. It freaked me out. I was in shock. It was in slow motion. Helicopter came and it was so loud and I was so freaked out. My mind was racing but I kept praying … Serenity prayer, Lord's Prayer… God, please let her be all right.
I was in shock. They diagnosed me with PTSD, I think I was in shock for a while. Cried all night when they told me the next day, I remember screaming. I don't know, I was still in shock and asked to go to the funeral. Asked for my uncle. Didn't see him for 4-5 weeks. I didn't understand that. [ crying].
We had so many ups and downs. She'd done a lot of things. I've done a lot of things. I was wrong. When I took those 12 steps, I admitted alot of things. (You weren't a fit person when you gave up your daughter?) No, had nervous breakdown, lost my job, lost my health. Prescritpion meds. Deserved to lose my child. Figured she was in a better place than with me.
(When you said She's done it to me Big Time… were you telling the truth?) She came at me and then she called the law and said I tried to kill her. That's how I felt – they believed her. I couldn't believe she had done that. (Did you tell the police the next day?) I told them that … (At scene?) She told me to put the phone down, to handcuff me/
(Let's talk about …) She took my child … felt like she took my land, daddy had give it to me. (Didn't make you want to hurt her?) No. I've got a good life i Alabama. .. way I felt, that when she called the law and they believed her and arrested me… they took my freedom … in jail for something I didn't do… they took my freedom. I was just so hurt. Felt responsible because it was my gun. Still feel responsible. Every day. Every day I feel guilty about that but I didn't kill my Mama. I loved my Mama. (Despite everything?) Despiute everything, always loved Mama.
(realize now … OBJECTION – LEADING … SUSTAINED)
• • •
BOONEVILLE – Defendant Becky Jones' husband and a female friend tried to paint a good picture of her life since she left Prentiss County, as Jones faces murder charges in her mother's death.
Larry Putman, her husband, said she was a good and compassionate person since she'd gotten away from drugs and alcohol.
Linda Oakley, an older woman, said she'd been ready to share recipes with Jones the day Jane Jones was shot to death not far from Oakley's home in 2010.
But persistent, aggressive questioning from Assistant DA Kimmie Kitchens seemed to get under their skin and put them on the defensive with sharp statements back at Kitchens.
Jones, 49, stands accused in the May 11, 2010, shooting death of 66-year-old Jane Jones at the older woman's 439 Highway 4 East home in Prentiss County.
Defense attorney Rob Laher of Tupelo insists it was a terrible accident when Becky Jones' 38-caliber pistol discharged as the two women wrestled for the gun the week after Mother's Day.
The trial began Tuesday in Booneville.
• • •
(Below is a running account from the Prentiss County courtroom. Please excuse the typos and glitches likely as I type rapidly.)
Circuit Judge Jim Seth Pounds is presiding. This is Jones' second trial – the first ended in a mistrial last October after she was discovered comatose in an Alabama hospital after a mysterious overnight health problem in her home.
Prosecutors are Kimmie Kitchens and Josh Wise. District Attorney Trent Kelly is seated in the audience.
9:06 A.M. – Judge enters courtroom. Says both sides worked late on jury instructions. Continue today to keep instructions from being too lengthy.
PUTMAN – From Lexington, Ala. Becky Jones is my wife. Known her about 15 years. (Laher asks him to recall May 11, 2010.) Becky had trip planned to Mississippi … to visit a friend, pick up some recipes, spent night with Uncle Bill … next day with daughter and granddaughter.
(Know she would see her mother?) Nope. (Aware of relationship with her?) Yes, known them both same amount of time. (Anything different about Becky this day? Her well-being?) Becky … well, passive tenderhearted compassionate person. Her life had become about helping others. Several in audience to attest to that. (How to help others?) I've been involved with AA about 20 years … I'm in recovery as alcoholic and drug addict. When first starting dated Becky, she loved people I hung around with – we had a lot of fun. Different for Becky… different kind of fun being clean and sober. She made a lot of friends.
(What about personal life? Dealing with people better?) We're involved with a lot of clean and sober friends. It affects your entire life, concept of fun changes. Don't think about drinking and drugging anymore. Think about helping others, lots of people out there in sad shape with alcohol and drug problems. KITCHENS OBJECTS – IRRELEVANT. JUDGE – WHAT ABOUT THIS IS RELEVANT? LAHER – RELEVANT TO HER.
(Laher – Let's focus on Becky. Relationship with her mother? Improved or same since you moved to Alabama?) … pause … Since I had known them, the relationship was always rocky. Crazy love-hate relationship. BEcky loved her mother, no matter what. Couldn't understand why mother never happy. During this time, I learned a lot of things being around family. Heard about Becky's sister… OBJECTION – SUSTAINED. JUDGE – JUST ANSWER THE QUESTION.
(Aware of en event in her past that seemed to cause problems with her mother?) Yes. (What was it?) When little sister gor ran over by the school bus. They were around 7 years old … OBJECTION – THIS HAPPENED 40-PLUS YEARS AGO. THIS IS OUTSIDE … JUDGE – SUSTAINED
(Aware of problems … did Becky try to involve Jane in life of her granddaughter?) Yes. (Becky try to reconcile things with Brooke?) Yes. (On day in question, knew Becky was gone to MS?) Yes. (To mother?) No. She always told me. (Your work?) Retired. Was a pipefitter and business at home.
(You ever witness any altercations between Becky and Jane?) Altercation, you mean touching? (No, verbal.) Yes, nothing that got real involved. Jane would restrain herself around me and other people. She had a Mr. Hyde … (Uncommon?) No, it was pretty common. (What about Mr Hyde personality?) Jekyll was good, Hyde was hidden in dark and comes out suddenly. (See that in Jane?) I saw some flashes of it. Like I said, around me and other people … (During relationship … ) She asked me, why doesn't my mother love me? I'd say, your mother loves you, baby. I can't hurt Becky.
(This has been difficult?) Yes … tough… I love her. I know what happened. 9:21
(Kitchens – you say defendant is an innocent party in this relationship?) … pause … (Sir, I'm asking you a question) I hear you, I'm thinkng about it. Innocent party – Becky wasn't an angel. (She's got a bad temper.) Jane Jones? (No sir, your wife.) No. (Remember this statement … your testimony …) In bond hearing? (Yes June 2010.) Was that it? (You tell me.
JUDGE – Make sure you don't talk over each other. Let other finish before you can talk.
(Are you Larry Putman?) That's me. (On direct examination by Mr. Laher… he asked about her temper? Your answer, a bad temper. See that?) I see it, but I didn't say that. I said a bad temper? (You said, a bad temper.) I see what it says.
(You're trying to make it out that defendant has changed her personality… no problems anymore?) No. (Is she still using drugs?) Only prescriptions. She has problems. (Hasn't she self-medicated?) What? (Pills not prescribed to her?) Only known her to take her prescribed drugs. That's what i'm saying. (You don't know if she's self-medicating?) She's not self-medicating. She has it over to the jail. (Be surprised if she admitted to self-medicating? Pills not prescribed to her. Would that surprise you?) Yeh, that would surprise me.
(Day Jane Jones was killed, did you talk to defendant immediately after?) … pause… immediately after… please repeat question. (Did you talk to defendant right after the shooting?) Yes, I believe I did. (You know you did. She called you. There was 911 call by Jane Jones 2 minutes before defendant called you?) Yes, I remember exactly what was said. (Did she tell you she had shot her mother?) I don't think …. she said that.
(In call, she doesn't tell you she shot her mother?) Wasn't there a struggle? (Weren't you in Alabama?) JUDGE – ASKS HIM TO REMOVE GUM FROM MOUTH. PLEASE BE RESPONSIVE ABOUT WHAT YOU PERSONALLY KNOW. Putman – I'm trying to.
(When this happened, were you in Alabama?) Yes. (Took place in Booneville, MS?) Yes. (Phone call 2 minutes after, she didn't tell you she shot her mother?) Not sure. That's been three years ago. (Don't remember?) Like asking me what I ate. … couldn't do that.
(Did you call 911?) No, don't think so. (Is this funny to you?) No, is this irritating to you? (I'm not asking to think quick, just tell the truth.) What I'm trying to do. (You're under oath. Did she say she was going to mother's house?) No, not unusual. She'd call me from Uncle Bill. (Did she know mother was fixing to sell the land, before she left?) I think her and Brooke and Jim her uncle, others talked about Jane talking about selling out, you know. And, uh … (Who?) I think Jim, Brooke maybe. Had conversation with several people. I wasn't in the middle of all that. Pretty sure Jim knew about it. (Before she went to Mississippi? Defendant.) Yeh, they had been talking about it for a week or so.
(OK, so when Brooke said her conversation with mother that day wasn't first time?) OBJECTION – CAN'T TESTIFY ABOUT WHAT HE DOESN'T KNOW. (Planning to stay that night?) She usually stayed with Uncle Bill. She would tell me what she was going to do. I assumed she was going to spend the night. (You think that it was … she would spend the night and do something next day with her daughter and granddaughter?) That's what I thought. She'd always call and let me know.
(This property you're talking about … did you know what's now?) Far as I know, everything .. Brooke lives there. (Has land been sold?) No, Brooke lives there .. I don't know everything about this whole deal.
(Laher – Larry … know Becky was going to Mississippi?) Yes. (Assumed she'd spent night?) Yes. (Going to meet people here?) Yes. (Not trip just to see her mother?) No. (Becky has issues?) Yes, history. (Made progress with those issues?) Yes. OBJECTION – LEADING. JUDGE – DON'T LEAD WITNESS.
(You don't know everything about land?) No, Brooke still living in the house so I assume it hasn't been sold. (Know about …OBJECTION – SUSTAINED
OAKLEY – Lives since 1978 near Jane Jones' home. Just across the way. I can see it in winter. (Spoken to Becky about that day?) She'd called about jewelry party. Called me Monday before that Tuesday and I said we could have lunch. (Planning to see her Tuesday?) Yes. To give her recipes, I'm a good cook. Planned that. (Aware that Becky had a troubled life?) Yes. (Know where she was living?) Across way in a mobile home. (Alabama or Mississippi?) Oh, she was living in Alabama. Got help in Alabama. Had lived in mobile home across the road. We were friends.
(Alabama?) She became a totally different person. Helping people, in AA almost every day, in church. OBJECTION – WHAT SHE KNOWS. JUDGE – LAY PROPER QUESTIONS
(Laher – Did you see her after she moved?) Yes, calm person. Didn't act like she was on drugs. Play with my children. (Aware of relationship with her mother?) Yes. (Talked to Jane about it?) Jane would come over to Becky's and whole neighborhood could hear her rant and rave – call her terrible names. Heard her say the wrong daughter got runover. It was a horrible situation …why she wanted to move away and become a better person. (Questions about Becky to see you?) No, I had already cooked some things and put in the freezer for her to taste. I warned her about putting money into a jewelry party – I had already lost money in it.
(Defendant didn't use illegal drugs in Alabama?) Yes. (Surprised to know she has said she took prescription meds not prescribed to her?) Well, she didn't abuse anything after she went to Alabama. I don't have any idea. I don't know anything about it. She didn't act like she was using it. (Surprise to you?) I only know to say the truth. (Did the defendant blame her mother for all her problems?) No, she really didn't. She never spoke ill will of her mother. I know her mother started her on drugs, I saw that. (Blame her mother?) I blame my mother and father for way I grew up. (You shot your father and mother?) No. I don't know she killed her mother. JUDGE – MA'AM, JUST ANSWER QUESTIONS.
(Kitchens – did she blame her mother for all her problems?) Blamed her for getting her on drugs. (For losing land or job?) Don't know. (Blame her for anything else?) I don't know. (You and Becky are good friends?) Yes, I tried to help her. (Good enough that you have communicated a lot while she's been awaiting trial.) I have, letters, cards. (Did she write to you?) Maybe once a week or so. (Kitchens shows her letter?) Yes.
(Asks her to read letter…. she did it to me again, big time. Blaming her mother?) You… that's out of context. I didn't take it that way. I knew their relationshp. (Did she say that?) Yes, also to say she was fixing to leave to come to my house.
• • •
BOONEVILLE – Becky Jones' story of her mother's fatal shooting may be all she's got to save herself from life in prison.
Whether she'll testify today isn't known, but a few trial watchers predict she must.
Jones, 49, stands accused in the May 11, 2010, shooting death of 66-year-old Jane Jones at the older woman's 439 Highway 4 East home in Prentiss County.
Defense attorney Rob Laher of Tupelo insists it was a terrible accident when Becky Jones' 38-caliber pistol discharged as the two women wrestled for the gun the week after Mother's Day.
"My daughter shot me," Jane Jones was heard via a 911 recording to the county emergency dispatcher. "Please send help."
She died a short time later as she was brought by ambulance to North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo with clean-through gunshots to her abdomen and right arm/shoulder area.
State prosecutors Kimmie Kitchens and Josh Wise rested their case at mid-afternoon after testimony from an NMMC surgeon, firearms marker expert and a forensic pathologist.
Earlier in the day, Judge Jim Seth Pounds threatened Laher with a contempt of court citation after the attorney's aggressively repetitive questioning of the crime scene's lead investigator, Deputy Roy Reagan.
When the defense got its turn, Becky Jones' daughter, Brooke Creech, spent much of her time on the stand arguing with prosecutors and denying she could remember much of what she'd said in sworn statements three years ago.
The state claims Jones killed her mother after years of personal conflict. When Becky Jones abused drugs years ago, Jane Jones got custody of Creech and control over property Becky Jones continued to consider hers.
This is Jones' second trial on the murder charge. Last October, Judge Pounds declared a mistrial after Jones was hospitalized when she was discovered unconscious in her Alabama home.
On cross-examination, Creech couldn't remember her cell phone numbers or her conversations with her mother the day "of the incident." She claimed that earlier when her grandmother found out Creech was pregnant, she threw her to the floor, kicked her in the stomach and said she didn't care if the baby died.
She also claimed to have discovered a bullet hole in the wall of her grandmother's house – a hole Laher got into hot water when he questioned Reagan about.
Creech said that after her mother was attacked and held at gunpoint years before, she always carried a pistol, even into the hospital when Creech had her baby.
On the trial's first day, Laher told the jury that Jane Jones lunged at her daughter when she removed the pistol from her purse as she looked for her car keys.


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Track Hindprints are about 1 1/4" (30 mm) long when heel shows, with 5 toes; foreprints smaller and rounder, with 4 toes showing. Trail of hopping animal has hindprints in front of foreprints.
Cliff Chipmunk Tamias dorsalis
eNature Quicklinks
WildlifeGuides: Nature in North America
LocalNature: Your neck of the woods
©2007 eNature.com

subset: commoncrawl


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By Gene Phelps/NEMS Daily Journal
It's a good thing Pontotoc already knows how to play without standout midfielder Fredy Gutierrez.
The talented senior, who received a red card and was ejected in the first half of Tuesday's win against Florence, will have to sit out the first half of today's MHSAA Class 4A state championship soccer match against West Lauderdale.
"I was very proud of the way we stepped up with Fredy out (against Florence)," Pontotoc coach Michael Loden said. "They responded well and they will respond again."
Gutierrez will be eligible to play in the second half.
Today's match is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. at Clinton High School's football stadium. In another title match featuring a Northeast Mississippi team, Oxford plays Pearl at 7:30 for 5A boys honors.
South Pontotoc's Lady Cougars, making their first trip to the title game, kick off the day at 9:30 a.m. in the 1A-2A-3A championship against Hattiesburg's Sacred Heart.
Tristan Kitchens scored two goals, including the game-winner in 75th minute, to lead South Pontotoc (14-4) to its 4-3 semifinals win against Clarkdale.
Loden's Warriors (18-3-1) beat Florence 3-1 behind the strength of two second-half goals by Brayden Timmons and the defensive play of keeper Daniel Harrell. Rafael Vidana, who leads the team with 26 goals, was held scoreless.
"It's been a total team effort," Loden said. "We've had different people step up at times. They all know and accept their roles."
special season
Loden knew it could be a special season early when his team dropped a 2-0 decision to defending 5A state champion Starkville. He had three of his starters miss the game to run cross country.
In the season's third game, Pontotoc went to Tupelo and beat the 6A Golden Wave 2-1.
"We set our sights high," said Loden, who has directed Pontotoc to its first championship match. "We knew we could play with people after the Starkville game. To beat Tupelo on their field gave us a boost."
Pontotoc lost to state finalist Corinth in the state semifinals last season.
"West Lauderdale's a good team," Loden said. "They beat Newton County (1-0 in the semifinals) and Newton beat Bay High, a team everybody thought would be playing for the championship, in the first round.
"The Florence coach thought we matched up evenly with West Lauderdale. He thinks we've got a shot. We're looking forward to it.
"This has been our goal all along."


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An Island of Hope for Coral Reefs
Posted On January 8, 2013 by Carmen Yeung
I'm accustomed to getting bad news about the state of the world's coral reefs, but this week there's some good news for a change.
Scientists have just released findings from their research in American Samoa on especially tough species of corals that are adapting to warming waters and may be resisting climate change.
In a new paper published by Ocean Conservancy board member Dr. Stephen Palumbi and other scientists in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, the scientists found that some reef-building corals are resistant to the stress of warmer waters that cause coral bleaching.
While studying corals in American Samoa, researchers found heat-resistant corals can survive damaging temperature increases by switching on a set of 60 genes before the stress has occurred. Heat-sensitive corals switch these genes on after stress has already occurred. This means that some corals have the ability to withstand future increase in ocean temperature.
DNA sequencing can offer broad insights into the differences that may allow some organisms to persist longer amid future changes to global climate.


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GIVE ME A BREAK !!!!!!!! iN Fact when we Win the game, I want ALL Giant fans to blow their car horns !!!
I had to..
You know what aftyer that comment, we should have our buses ride around the stadium blowing their horns on the way in and out of that ramshackle excuse for a Stadium
I thought the 49er fan base was by the far the worst of all the 1's the Giants faced last year. Thats right worse then the EAGLES


text:
Enable I Long-term Follow-up Study
- Full Text View
- Tabular View
- No Study Results Posted
- Disclaimer
- How to Read a Study Record
This is a prospective, non-randomized, multi-center, non-interventional post-market study. The study is a post-market long-term follow-up study based on the same cohort of patients (148 patients) enrolled in a previous investigational study from March 2007 to December 2009 (ATS 3f Enable™ Aortic Bioprosthesis Model 6000, number S2005) involving 10 European sites. Patient follow-up will take place on a yearly basis up to 10 years after the implant/enrollment. Medtronic ATS Inc. retains the right to terminate this study at any time after the 5 year followup.
The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the Medtronic ATS Enable Aortic Bioprosthesis during long-term follow-up.
As this is an observational study, safety and efficacy data will be summarized and described. There is no statistically powered study hypothesis.
Aortic Valve Stenosis
Aortic Valve Insufficiency
Device: Aortic Valve Replacement
|Study Type:
|Study Design:
|Observational Model: Cohort
Time Perspective: Prospective
|Official Title:
|Enable I Long-term Follow-up Study
- Long-term safety and effectiveness [ Time Frame: 10 years after implant ]The primary objectives are to evaluate long-term safety and effectiveness of the Medtronic ATS Enable™ Aortic Bioprosthesis. Migration will be determined via echocardiographic assessment. Serious Adverse Events (SAE), Serious Adverse Device Effects (SADE), Adverse Device Effects (ADE) and Unanticipated Adverse Device Effects (UADE) will be reviewed by the Safety team and properly reported to Ethics Committees (EC) and Competent Authorities (CA) and Field Assurance if necessary/applicable.
|Study Start Date:
|August 2012
|Estimated Study Completion Date:
|April 2020
|Estimated Primary Completion Date:
|April 2020 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure)
Device: Aortic Valve Replacement
|Ages Eligible for Study:
|18 Years and older (Adult, Senior)
|Sexes Eligible for Study:
|Accepts Healthy Volunteers:
|Sampling Method:
|Non-Probability Sample
Inclusion Criteria:
- Patients who were enrolled and implanted for the ATS 3f Enable™ Aortic Bioprosthesis Model 6000, number S2005
- Patient willing to sign the new Data Release form (DRF) or Patient Informed Consent (PIC) for the post-market study (what is applicable for the study due to local requirements and regulations)
Exclusion Criteria:
- ATS 3f Enable™ Aortic Bioprosthesis Model 6000 was explanted
- Patient died
- Patient lost to follow-up
- Patient withdrew
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01636648
|Johann Wolfgang Goethe University
|Frankfurt, Germany, D-60590
|University Medical Center Freiburg
|Freiburg, Germany, 79106
|University Medical Center Kiel
|Kiel, Germany, 24105
|Jagellonian University, John Paul the II Hospital
|Kraków, Poland, 31-202
|Universitätsspital Basel
|Basel, Switzerland, CH-4031
|Inselspital Bern
|Bern, Switzerland, CH-3010
|Responsible Party:
|Medtronic Bakken Research Center
|ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
|NCT01636648 History of Changes
|Other Study ID Numbers:
|Study First Received:
|July 6, 2012
|Last Updated:
|October 10, 2016
Keywords provided by Medtronic Cardiovascular:
Aortic Valve Replacement
Aortic Valve Bioprosthesis
Additional relevant MeSH terms:
Aortic Valve Stenosis
Aortic Valve Insufficiency
Heart Valve Diseases
Heart Diseases
Cardiovascular Diseases
Ventricular Outflow Obstruction
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on April 28, 2017


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For season 3 of Real Housewives of Atlanta, NeNe decided to get a nose job. That was only one of the changes she made this season: her marital status, career, and friendships all changed, too. Personally, I don't think NeNe needed it. Both noses look good to me.
In the beginning of Real Housewives of Orange County, we met Jeana, who used humor as a defense mechanism and also took jabs from her husband and children. 5 seasons later, Jeana had separated from her husband and decided to leave the show. She then appeared on Thintervention and got her butt in gear. She appears healthier and happier than ever now.
Lynne joined Real Housewives of Orange County for season 4. Though she was a workout fanatic, she was apparently concerned enough about her face to get a face-lift in season 5. Though the face-lift looked good, the other castmates were surprised that she even got one, because they didn't feel she needed it. As far as face-lifts go, it actually didn't look too severe and gave her a nice lifted look (in my opinion). But, it was probably not the smartest financial decision, considering that the Curtins were in debt and losing their home.
For season 3 of Real Housewives of Atlanta, NeNe decided to get a nose job. That was only one of the changes she made this season: her marital status, career, and friendships all changed, too. Personally, I don't think NeNe needed it. Both noses look good to me.
Alex McCord's hair was... interesting in season 1 of Real Housewives of New York City. Her beauty didn't shine through in season 1, probably as a result of her messy blonde hair, which made her appear disheveled.
Fast forward to today: Alex has walked in a few fashion shows (conjuring up memories of her old modeling days) and is looking more more put-together and fabulous. I've heard it said that Alex is one of those people who looks even more amazing in person.
Ramona appeared on season 1 of Real Housewives of New York City with long blonde locks. Viewers were shocked to find out that she was in her 50s, because she appeared (in her words) "ageless."
For season 3, Ramona cut her hair as a part of her "renewal" process. She told everyone that she believed it made her look like Cameron Diaz. I know this is going to be an unpopular opinion, but I actually like the longer hair on her. I didn't think it looked stupid to have long hair at her age. I didn't know she was even in her 50s. To me, the short hair makes her look her age.
Caroline described herself as a "wash-and-go" girl in the first season of Real Housewives of New Jersey, but she's definitely stepped up her look since. Rumors are swirling that she had lap band surgery, just like her husband Albert did. She definitely looks thinner to me and she has a sexy new figure now. Her overall look is more attractive too; while she's always had gorgeous skin, she's amped up her hair and makeup as well.
Teresa decided to get breast implants on season 1 of Real Housewives of New Jersey. As Dina said, if anyone ever needed breast implants, it's Teresa. Afterwards, she definitely has a improved rack, but I think the more pressing issue would be to take care of the sun spots on her chest, rather then to plump up the breasts themselves.


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I made a mistake. Naga sadow defeated ludo kresh. Freedon nad was sadows pupil buried on dxxun
I made a mistake. Naga sadow defeated ludo kresh. Freedon nad was sadows pupil buried on dxxun
BAD Pts Need: R5-C7 lf leg (x2), , R4-P44 right leg BAD Pts Offered For Trade: PM me - I have lots of parts now including BG-J38!. New Kyle Katarn is also available.
Darth Vader is becoming the Mickey Mouse of Star Wars.
Kylo Ren - came from Space Brooklyn, although he moved to Space Williamsburg before it was trendy.
The use of a lightsaber does not make one a Jedi, it is the ability to not use it.
It looks like Black Sun crime organization gets attacked by Maul toward the end of the trailer. If I'm not mistaken those were Falleen gathered at the table. Could Xizor be making an appearance? That would be extremely unexpected to have ties to Shadows of the Empire.
Xizor had a problem with Darth Vader for killing his people. Maybe Maul did it, and Xizor blames all Sith.**
He did not know Vader was Anakin Skywalker, IIRC - just that Vader's mission was to bring Luke Skywalker alive to the Emperor.
Xizor set out to kill Luke Skywalker so that Vader would fail and the Emperor would eliminate him and Xizor would rise to power in the Empire.
**Xizor probably did not know that Emperor Palpatine was also Darth Sidious, and that the Empire's control was in the hands of the Sith.
IIRC, Xizor did not know that Luke Skywalker was Darth Vader's son, so his mission to possibly force Vader to kill Luke was also doomed to failure.
Vader would never kill Luke Skywalker (probably - it sure seemed like that was so in ESB and ROTJ. Vader wasn't "trying." That was his son!)
The lightsaber fights in the PT were mostly more flashy than in the OT because in the PT they really were trying to kill each other.
ANH could have been spiced up a bit if the saber fight were made today. Obi-Wan (Alec Guiness) was supposed to be about Qui-Gon's age in TPM when he fought Vader in ANH. Liam Neeson had better moves than Alec Guiness. Of course Vader was a robot by ANH (since just after ROTS) so Alec Guinees might have needed better moves if he were fighting a non-handicapped opponent.
BAD Pts Need: R5-C7 lf leg (x2), , R4-P44 right leg BAD Pts Offered For Trade: PM me - I have lots of parts now including BG-J38!. New Kyle Katarn is also available.
Funny thing is, Darth Maul is the Sith pretender.
1) He could never go about in PUBLIC with Sith tattoos like Palpatine let him do himself up in. Or were they "witch tattoos?" Or did the witches wear Sith tattoos - probably the latter. To show their allegiance to the Dark Side.
a) some of the public liked Palpatine as the great, kind, nice guy, preserver of the Republic he pretended to be while putting his clone troopers everywhere for "defense" - and then occupation.
b) some of the public liked Count Dooku - the Separatist hero and leader in their fight for free trade and independence of a stagnant and corrupt Senate.
c) No one knew these two more powerful figures were Sith Lords with lightning and all these powers.
d) Maul was just an assassin with martial arts skills and rudimentary Force attacks, just like Ventress, and just like Savage Opress was supposed to be, save for that Ventress used him like a tool to strike at Dooku.
(e) the other baddies were hired hands (loyalists or mercenaries or profiteers) - Grievous, Durge, Zam, Aurra, Bane, most of the Separatists, Xizor, Jabba the Hutt, etc.)
Sidious just let Maul call himself a Darth even while he figured he might convert Dooku, and then later, Anakin.
Dooku (Darth Tyranus) was the most dangerous of them all.
Personally, I think Maul will have his but handed to him if he goes after Dooku for all of the above. Maul just looks more frightening. Dooku proved himself against Savage Opress for one - though Maul will have a better chance than his brother.
I don't know when Vader messed things up with Xizor. I always had the impression it was after he wore the armor, and Xizor did not know Vader was once Anakin Skywalker.
Xizor knew Vader was a Sith Lord though. That's why he wanted the Emperor to destroy Vader. However, I'm not sure if Xizor knew the Emperor Palpatine was also Darth Sidiuos- the Sith Master?
BAD Pts Need: R5-C7 lf leg (x2), , R4-P44 right leg BAD Pts Offered For Trade: PM me - I have lots of parts now including BG-J38!. New Kyle Katarn is also available.
Xizor knew Vader was Anakin. It's in the prologue of SOTE. When he knew is up in the air though.
Nowhere in your incoherent ramblings did you come anywhere close to the answer. Thanks to you, everyone in this room is now stupider having heard you. I award you no points and may God have mercy on your soul. -Billy Madison-
In the continuity of the films/series, it seems that Maul really was a Sith apprentice. He wasn't as powerful as Sidious, and Sidious only used him as a tool. Darth Plagueis complicates it by saying that Maul was never truly a Sith at all, with Plagueis being the master and Sidious the apprentice. But I doubt that they'll bring that up in the show. They say they'll show more sides of his character, like his cunning and his intelligence, which I think will do the character good.
Got a question for Hasbro? Ask it here!
My Photos and Reviews: SSG Toy Guide
My Star Wars Fan Film: The Lazy Jedi
So if they're no longer Sith tattoos, why do the future Sith in Legacy all have them?
That's my jacket!
Got a question for Hasbro? Ask it here!
My Photos and Reviews: SSG Toy Guide
My Star Wars Fan Film: The Lazy Jedi


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This easy and simple concept, Done it thousand times before and now am getting problems...
Tutorial should have:
How to cap FPS,
Needs to be able to count fps so its printable to screen;
Should have delta time.
Cant find proper tutorial any suggestions.
Edited by BaneTrapper, 25 August 2012 - 10:47 AM.


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Ben Johnson, The White House Watch
Historians agree empires and presidencies die from imperial overreach. Now Barack Obama's closest allies in the Democratic Party, the far-Left, and the media are encouraging him to take actions that will lead inexorably to his impeachment. The president's hubris and lawlessness seem destined to collide with Washington's tense polemical atmosphere in a showdown that will put his presidency on the chopping block.
The leaders of the House Democratic Caucus this week urged the president to usurp Congressional authority and order the government to continue borrowing money, (mis)using the 14th Amendment. Caucus Chairman John Larson of Connecticut called the provision "the fail-safe option" to assure Republicans do not hold the American people hostage." Larson added House Democrats are "prepared to stand behind" Obama all the way.
Congressman James Clyburn of South Carolina played the race card in justifying his call for an executive power grab:
I was joking to my staff the other day: "Tell me the bill number for the Emancipation Proclamation." It was an executive order. We integrated the armed services by executive order. We integrated the public schools by executive order. Sometimes executives must order that things get done…If the president gets up to August 2 without a piece of legislation, he should not allow this country to go into default. He should sign an executive order invoking the 14th Amendment and send that to all the governmental agencies for us to continue to pay our bills.
This, Clyburn said, would "calm to the American people."
He added, almost as an afterthought, "discussion about the legality of that can continue."
Xavier Becerra, D-CA, went further. He said Obama had to raise the debt ceiling "just as the president took out Osama bin Laden in a way that some presidents wouldn't have done it." Thus, preserving big government spending from Republicans takes on the same moral urgency as saving America from al-Qaeda. Becerra sidestepped the legal issue altogether, saying, "The Republicans through their failure have given you license to do whatever it takes."
The press conference was the most assertive lobbying for this dangerous course of action, which is enjoying increasingly broad support in both houses of Congress. Earlier this week Connecticut's Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal, who defeated wrestling executive Linda McMahon in 2010, said the measure "might be something that arguably could be done in the face of genuine crisis, in the face of catastrophe."
Other prominent party leaders have lent their rhetorical support, however dissembling. Bill Clinton lied that, if were he ever faced with an imminent government shutdown, he would act unilaterally "without hesitation, and force the courts to stop me." (What was this, "Tweet to my 49-year-old self"?)
Ironically, as these Congressmen encouraged Obama to take unprecedented (and unconstitutional) power over the nation's purse, Democratic National Committee chair Debbie Wasserman-Schultz accused House Republicans of trying to impose a "dictatorship."
The Democrats' allies in the media have done their share to keep talk of this political crime alive….


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A Webster County man wanted for questioning on multiple crimes in the state was picked up by Chickasaw County law enforcement this afternoon.
John Curtis Williams, 27, is being transported to Calhoun County currently and will be questioned in the case of one burglary and two grand larceny charges, according to Sheriff Greg Pollan.
Pollan said Williams has a hold on him from the Mississippi Department of Corrections, in addition to being wanted by Webster and Yalobusha counties' law enforcement for various charges.
Pollan said he was spotted by police in a stolen pickup truck on Highway 15 near Houston.
Stephanie Rebman/NEMS Daily Journal


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- About Us
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Three-Month Retreat - Part 2 (42 days)
October 25 – December 6, 2014 (Saturday to Saturday)
Registration for this retreat is closed
Several spaces have just opened up!
All scholarship funds have been awarded.
This six-week partial of the three-month course is a special time for practice. Because of its extended length and ongoing guidance, it is an opportunity for students to deepen the powers of concentration, wisdom and compassion. Based on the meditation instructions of Mahasi Sayadaw and supplemented by a range of skillful means, this silent retreat will encourage a balanced attitude of relaxation and alertness, and the continuity of practice based on the Buddha's Four Foundations of Mindfulness.
Prerequisite is two retreats of a week or more with a recognized insight meditation teacher. Please document this experience, including teachers' names, dates and length of courses when registering. You will also need to submit a questionnaire when signing up – your course participation cannot be confirmed until this is received and approved.
Silence and renunciation are at the heart of any IMS retreat, and a sincere commitment to honoring them has a direct and profound bearing on our deepening in meditation. The teachers of this retreat request, for the sake of your practice and your fellow retreatants' practice, that you agree, on registering, to refrain from using cell phones and other communication devices, for the duration of the course. This includes phone calls, emails, texts and other internet use. (Please notify our Front Office if arrangements need to be made for messages to reach you 24/7 from dependent or fragile family members. You can reach our staff at 978-355-4378 or at email@example.com.)
To further protect your retreat time, please also make sure that you schedule any medical appointments, fill prescriptions, and take care of financial or other arrangements before your course gets underway.
Special fees and deadlines apply for cancellations or date changes. Up to August 31, 2014, $100; afterwards, $250. Please note that these amounts will apply for any date change within this three-month period.
Joseph Goldstein
Joseph Goldstein has taught Buddhist meditation worldwide since 1974. A co-founder and guiding teacher of IMS, he also helped envision and establish BCBS and IMS's Forest Refuge center. His books include Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Awakening, One Dharma, Insight Meditation and others.
Listen to one of Joseph's talks: Liberation Through Non-Clinging given at IMS on June 26, 2016 – 64 minutes, 42.5 MB (Download, Stream)
Rebecca Bradshaw
Rebecca Bradshaw is the guiding teacher of the Insight Meditation Center of Pioneer Valley, MA. She leads vipassana retreats, including Spanish language courses, emphasizing embodied clarity and kindness. She holds a Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology, and also serves as an IMS guiding teacher.
Listen to one of Rebecca's talks: Clinging and Non-Clinging given at IMS on November 7, 2014 – 62 minutes, 43 MB (Download, Stream)
Annie Nugent
Annie Nugent has practiced since 1979 and was an IMS Resident Teacher, 1999-2003. Her teaching style aims to reveal how all aspects of our lives can help us come to a clear and direct understanding of the Truth.
Listen to one of Annie's talks: Trust in the Unfolding Process of the Dharma given at IMS – 55 minutes, 23.2 MB (Download, Stream)
Greg Scharf
Greg Scharf has practiced with Western and Asian teachers in the Theravada tradition since 1992, and has been teaching residential retreats since 2007, including the annual Three-Month Retreat at IMS, where he is a core teacher.
Listen to one of Greg's talks: Renunciation given at IMS on April 8, 2011 – 54 minutes, 37.6 MB (Download, Stream)
Brian Lesage
Brian Lesage has studied in the Zen, Theravada and Tibetan schools of Buddhism since 1988. He has taught meditation across the US since 2000 and currently teaches in the vipassana tradition. He also has a private Somatic Experiencing® practice. Listen to one of Brian's talks: Faith given at IMS on September 15, 2012 – 53 minutes, 32.3 MB (Download, Stream)
Bonnie Duran
Bonnie Duran, DrPH, began Buddhist meditation practice 35 years ago. She enjoys teaching Spirit Rock's Dedicated Practitioners Program, short and long retreats, and holds a People of Color and Allies Sangha in Seattle, WA. She also directs the University of Washington's Center for Indigenous Health Research.
Listen to one of Bonnie's talks: Mana (Conceit) and Skillful Means given at IMS on September 15, 2012 – 53 minutes, 32.3 MB (Download, Stream)
Oren J. Sofer
Oren J. Sofer has practiced Buddhist meditation since 1997. He holds a degree in Comparative Religion from Columbia University, is a Somatic Experiencing practitioner for healing trauma, and a graduate of the IMS/Spirit Rock Teacher Training Program.
Deepen tranquility, wisdom and compassion
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I am MOM Video
BOB Video
Born in San Luis Obispo, California in 1994, BOB has since revolutionized the way gear is carried by bike, and raised the performance and feature expectations for jogging strollers.
BOB's products have enabled cyclists to challenge the limits of where a tourist can ride, and inspired families to stroll where there is no pavement. BOB all started with the need for a versatile, light weight rig for transporting 'stuff' on a bike: tools, camping gear, groceries, etc. They took a decrepit beach cruiser bicycle and created a single wheel trailer out of the frame. BOB was born. Then came the kids... and with them, an unforeseen inspiration to build the best looking, best performing, highest quality jogging stroller in the world.
As Dads, BOB's engineers struggled with the aesthetic of the father pushing a flowery print, polka dot stroller. The BOB Sport Utility Stroller was born. Their kids were key participants in the product development process. They squeaked, burped, cried, hurled, scratched, tipped and clawed at the prototypes we gave them to use. Talk to your Pediatrician about the virtues of suspension.BOB's strollers resulted from a desire to produce a product that would perform with a quality and coolness previously unknown to stroller users. If comfort, style, and a plush ride are important to you and your kids, the BOB Sport Utility Stroller is the best there is. Why dare give your kids anything less? From the Ironman to the Revolution series to the versatile trailers, BOB proves to be at the top of their industry.


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This time I am in argument with my mother over "under god" being in the pledge and how we are disrespectful to our country for not saying it. I am going insane with people confusing patriotism with…Continue
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Oh cute! I love your new avatar picture!
How are you and your beautiful family doing?
Atheist Andrea, love your photos. Your children, with beautiful blue eyes next to your brown ones look so happy and healthy. I suspect the handsome man completes the family album. Thank you for your kind words. We shall have a great time discovering living.
Hey! I sure miss seeing your sweet comments on this site. It is sorely missed. I hope your new year has been a good one.
How's it going? Just seeing how things are going with you!
Have a nice week.
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Did you know that Grant County's Chapter of the American Red Cross needs volunteers?
Did you know that Horse Heritage Days had nearly as many teams as the Kentucky State Fair?
Did you know who died in our community last week or who was arrested for breaking the law this week?
Did you know which students were named star students and who got married or celebrated an anniversary or the birth of a new baby?
If you see me driving around Grant County, there is a 95 percent chance I'm singing in my car.
If you see me leaving the Grant County News office, there's probably a 75 percent chance I'm whistling a song that's stuck in my head.
But there is always a 100 percent chance that I've always got music on my mind.
Music is something that I am passionate about. I love getting the chance to hear new music. It's not that I'm just hearing a new song, but I get someone else's perspective on life.
The date has been set for the last "Feed the People" charity dinner. I'll refresh your memory as to what has happened so far.
The Free Kitchen, located in downtown Dry Ridge and easily recognizable by the FREE LUNCH sign on the sidewalk, feeds our community's hungry every weekday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
It is a simple process. Anyone needing a meal goes inside and immediately begins filling their tray. There are no questions, forms or strings attached.
Being a first-time parent has been a learning experience throughout my son's first two years of his young life.
From thinking he was never going to crawl to trying feverishly to catch up to him as he ran around the house, it's been amazing seeing how he has grown.
Nothing puts a brighter smile on my face then coming home from working and hearing those precious two words, "Hi, daddy!"
On the other side, I sure all parents know that not every moment of your child's life is bliss.
Sometimes, you get frustrated.
Last week, I was in the guidance counselor's office at Grant County High School listening to Jodi Mulligan and Amy Caudill talk about Mulligan's recent home renovations.
After a while, I asked, "Is this what adults talk about?"
Because I'm 24 years old, lived in my apartment for about a year and haven't done anything to decorate.
I mean, I have bills, work 50 hours a week and have to cook and clean for myself, but I never thought about "growing up."
How interesting… When I was young, to hear a speech by the President of the United States was a good thing. And, because I was and am an American; to listen to the President was a given. He is, after all, the elected leader of our country, indeed the embodiment of our country.
However, apparently my views are old, antiquated and, well in some views, apparently un-American.
Just when the weight of the world nearly embeds me into the suffocating depths of dust, something comes along and gives me strength to stand up again.
Into my office comes Kayla Eversole.
I met Kayla earlier in the summer. This young lady was with her mother, or possibly young grandmother, at the front desk. I initiated a conversation. Usually these conversations begin with me saying something like, "Hey, why aren't you in school?"
The restless night of sleep the night before.
The nervous butterflies in my stomach.
The dread of getting up before the sun.
No matter what year it was, those feelings always seemed to go through me when it was time to go back to school.
I did not hate school.
In fact, I liked it quite a bit.
I think it was that sense of the unknown, not knowing what the teachers would be like, who would be in your classes and if you would survive another year.
Summer in Kentucky means it is hot, sticky and humid. I'm not particularly fond of either of the three but this summer is different.
Experts say you can blame it on El Nino, or a period of warm seas that lasts for about three months.
I'm mad at that El Nino because it's his fault the tomatoes were late getting ripe.
When my car started to shiver, I knew I was in trouble.
I don't have a good history with cars, blowing transmissions in my previous two cars. This time, I was heading south on U.S. 25 and felt the car shake. I was hoping that I could get the car back to Dry Ridge, but halfway up a hill, it stopped and I blocked the entire lane.
In these situations, a person can learn a lot about themselves and about the people around them.
Dear Kentucky State Trooper; this column allows Ken Stone one of the following: free roll through stop sign; speeding up to 40 miles over the limit; or one free hand gesturing road rage incident involving others lack of ability to merge.
I'm hoping that the trooper will only read the paragraph above, say, "OK" and send me on my way. Let me explain why I should receive the above, and possibly you too.
Ferris Bueller said, "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."
I've seen that come true this summer. The only way I can think to write my last column is to stop, look around and share a few 'snapshots' from my internship with you.
My first week as an intern I was assigned an economy story. Jamie told me to see what I could get out of locals dealing with the economy and how it's affecting them personally.
Some people simply amaze me.
People who drive 20 miles under the speed limit while traffic backs up for miles.
Celebrities who believe their political opinion means more than anyone else who has a vote.
Parents who do not care to pay enough attention to their kids and their safety.
The list of my pet peeves is endless.
However, two weeks ago I witnessed acts of kindness all over Grant County that amazed me in a positive way more than anything I've seen in awhile.
When people seek to exploit economic, social, or other ills for purely political purposes the result is inevitably a skewed, oversimplified analysis of the problem, its causes and potential solutions. Such was the case with a recent column that contemptuously mocked the efforts of conservatives – republicans, democrats, and independents alike – to stem the rapidly rising tide of government intervention, control and spending.
Grant County lost two lovely ladies last week.
Miss Della Jones and Mrs. Geneva (Mam-maw) Hutchison were a lot a like.
Miss Della, Grant County's oldest resident at 106, was a joy to be around. She had the most beautiful smile that managed to light up her dark eyes. She was soft spoken and genteel, but when she did speak, her words carried a lot of wisdom and thought.
I first met Miss Della when she turned 100. That interview was one I'll never forget because she was such a character. I spent an enjoyable afternoon talking with her about her life.
I usually do not answer a squeaky wheel, but when one complains about a "ludicrous mix of disinformation, misinformation" and then uses the press to mislead the public, I just can't help but to get out the can of oil. Bill Adkins' rants about the Tea Party in last week's Grant County News and like any good liberal, he uses smoke screens in the form of attacks on the previous administration to hide the devastating policies of the current liberal administration.
On April 15, 2009 I, unintentionally, attended a Tea Party event at the Grant County Courthouse
'Unintentionally' because it was held on the same day as the circuit court met (and that was probably why others happened to attend) I simply walked into it. I was offended by the lack of fact in the fiction presented by the speakers. It was dishonest and shameful.
I listened to such a ludicrous mix of disinformation, misinformation and, well, lies, that when asked if anyone else wanted to speak, I was inspired to raise my hand.
There's been a lot of hype about tea parties lately and I just want to give my opinion on the whole thing.
I have been researching the economy's problems and solutions, listening to political voices and talking to family and friends. I don't watch hours of CNN or talk shows every day but I do stay up on current affairs in the news, catch the occasional O'Reilly on TV and listen to Bill Cunningham on radio. I consider myself an informed citizen, which I find rare these days.
Luck would have it that I have been fortunate enough to see two of my best friends fall in love.
My freshman year at Presbyterian College, Jay Wilson and Marianne Shaddrix met each other. Jay was a fraternity brother of mine and we went through the trials and tribulations of pledgeship together.
Jay and Marianne started dating each other and there was always something about them. It seemed like such a perfect match. I can't imagine two better people and I'm glad they found each other.
Unaware that the ghost of Mrs. Hogan was jumping angrily around them, ghost shotgun in hand, screaming "boo" and "get off my porch," 29 guests dined oblivious to the rain under the protection of the double porch at the back of the historic Hogan House.
The guests were momentarily oblivious to the beautiful surroundings while they consumed, with passion, the finest salmon that mankind could offer or Larry Spear's ¾ inch smoked Bruce's pork chops.
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