Thomas Leggs Faces Judge Kathlene Beckstead Today

Jennifer Foxwell went to bed last night with mixed feeling, wondering and questioning whether she should go to Court today and face Thomas Leggs.

As most of you know, Leggs has been charged with the murder of 11 year old Sarah Foxwell.

Jennifer got up this morning, got dressed for Court, got half way to the Court House and decided she just couldn't handle the pressure. Representing the Family was Tracey Powell and her Step Father Fred Shores.

As we entered the Court, I was asked not to sit in the front row and or behind Thomas Leggs, I wonder why!

The honorable Judge Kathlene Beckstead entered the Court Room as Thomas Leggs came in completely shackled. Chains around his waist and chains around his feet. For what its worth, the man has gained a good 50 pounds while in Jail and I'm not exaggerating one bit.

His Public Defender Katie O'Donnell started discussing the status conference and the fact that she had only received some of the state's material last evening. She understood that this was an ongoing investigation and went on the record stating "we have no problem with the way the state has handled things so far." Ruark stated they would provide additional information immediately.

Judge Beckstead informed O'Donnell that she would be presiding over this death penalty case and not Judge Davis. From this point forward this is my case. Beckstead stated for the next 45 days the case will be in Wicomico County's jurisdiction.

At that point O'Donnell served Ruark, (right in front of the Judge) a "Suggestion For Removal" (just as I stated earlier, change of venue) and Judge Beckstead wasn't too happy at that point and quite frankly I can't blame her. O'Donnell should have made such a request immediately after she walked into the Court Room.

Judge Beckstead stated, well, Wicomico County no longer has any say in this case at this point and time. "Council has declined Wicomico County's invitation."

O'Donnell stated, "we've been filing for discovery information for months and onths and months."

Judge Long will now reside over this case from this point forward. He will decide where the case will go, (what County) from here on out.

There was no other Press in the Court Room and it was clear that WBOC had seen my 1:00 Post and raced to the Court House. By the time they had arrived we were already leaving the Court House but they wanted to have an interview with Tracey Powell and her Step Father. Tracey declined going on camera. Mind you, I'm not knocking WBOC. I respect the fact that they took the time to be there.

I will be providing another Post right after this one about Sarah Foxwell's Birthday Party and you're ALL invited.

BREAKING/TIME NEWS

Owner of BreakTime Billiards, Pat Scott, was in a serious boating accident early this morning.

Pat charters "BreakTime Charters" and left early this morning with several passengers on board in Deal Island. As you can see above, he hit the rocks pretty darned hard, so much so the boat settled on top of the rocks.

The Coast Guard came in and took away 2 injured passengers. We have not gained the information as to their condition and or Pat's. The boat is a 1986 33' Trojan Express Cruiser that was recently completely reconditioned.

Thomas Leggs Faces Davis Ruark & Co. At 1:00 Today

As we speak, Thomas Leggs is facing the Foxwell Family for the very first time in Court today. The word on the street is that his attorneys want a change of venue to have their case tried outside of Wicomico County.

I will be in the Court Room and will return with an update just as soon as humanly possible.

Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Press Release

During the month of April the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office issued 284 traffic warnings, 108 traffic citations, served 75 warrants and arrested 88 persons on various criminal charges.

The Sheriff’s Office served 806 summonses and 48 Ex-Partes.

Kagan Was ‘Not Sympathetic’ As Law Clerk To Gun-Rights Argument

May 13 (Bloomberg) -- Elena Kagan said as a U.S. Supreme Court law clerk in 1987 that she was “not sympathetic” toward a man who contended that his constitutional rights were violated when he was convicted for carrying an unlicensed pistol.

Kagan, whom President Barack Obama nominated to the high court this week, made the comment to Justice Thurgood Marshall, urging him in a one-paragraph memo to vote against hearing the District of Columbia man’s appeal.

The man’s “sole contention is that the District of Columbia’s firearms statutes violate his constitutional right to ‘keep and bear arms,’” Kagan wrote. “I’m not sympathetic.”

Kagan, currently the U.S. solicitor general, has made few public remarks about the Constitution’s Second Amendment. The Supreme Court in 2008 ruled, in a case that overturned the District of Columbia’s handgun ban, that the Constitution protects individual gun rights.

As a nominee to be solicitor general last year, Kagan told lawmakers that she accepted that 5-4 decision in District of Columbia v. Heller as a precedent of the court.

GO HERE to read more.

Salisbury Police Department Press Releases

On May 12, 2010 at approximately 10:40 am, Officers of the Salisbury Police arrested the below listed suspect on an outstanding arrest warrant charging the suspect with an armed robbery that occurred on May 6, 2010. The below listed suspect is the second of two suspects that have been charged with this robbery. On May 6, it was reported to the Salisbury Police that an adult male victim had been robbed of U.S. Currency at gunpoint during a meeting with two suspects in the parking lot near the Giant Food Store on South Salisbury Boulevard. Utilizing witness information, Detectives of the Salisbury Police were able to identify the suspects and obtain the arrest warrants.

ARRESTED: Gary Cook Lewis, 33 years of age
Salisbury, Maryland
CHARGES: First degree assault
Second degree assault
Handgun on person
Handgun in a vehicle
Use of a handgun in a violent felony crime
DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking
CC # 201000018066

On May 12, 2010 at approximately 5:55 am, Officers of the Salisbury Police responded to the Shore Stop store on Eastern Shore Drive for the report of a fight in the parking lot. Upon arrival the officers found that several juveniles were in an altercation following an argument. The below listed juvenile was identified as the aggressor in the argument and altercation.

ARRESTED: Juvenile, 16 years of age
Salisbury, Maryland
CHARGES: Second degree assault
DISPOSITION: Released to guardian
CC # 201000018938

FBI Raids Homes, Gas Station In Times Sq. Probe

Multiple searches across the Northeast target potential cash connections

BOSTON - FBI agents have executed search warrants at multiple locations in the Northeast in connection with the failed Times Square car bombing.

NBC's Pete Williams reported that the agents involved in the raids are pursuing potential cash connections with the bomb plot.

Williams said they are investigating currency exchangers who may have facilitated transactions for the alleged bomber, Faisal Shahzad, a Pakistan-born U.S. citizen.

GO HERE to read more.

For Lawmakers, Easing Joblessness Isn't Job #1

Despite unemployment, jobs aren't front and center in national discussion

With 290,000 new jobs created last month, the economic recovery can no longer be described as jobless. Yet more than 15 million Americans still don't have jobs. How do you send a "we care" message under these circumstances? From Capitol Hill to the White House, nobody in either party is doing very well at it.


President Obama's visit to a Buffalo factory this week, one of his occasional high-visibility dips into the jobs issue, is striking because jobs are so seldom front and center in the national discussion these days. The word "jobs" hasn't appeared in the title of a weekly presidential address since last Dec. 5. Out of a dozen new laws in "featured legislation" on the White House homepage, there's only one jobs bill (two if you count a "Cash for Clunkers" extension from last August). Events and blogposts by Vice President Joe Biden or White House staff do not count. Only the president can stamp an issue "priority," and that hasn't happened since he signed the stimulus bill 15 months ago

GO HERE to read more.

Teen Saves Teacher

The following stories have been hand-selected by the Assignment Desk at News4:

TEEN SAVES TEACHER It took 20 seconds and six hard Heimlich maneuvers for Storm Rundman to save his teacher's life. Moments earlier, as Rundman and his fellow students took a test, Stafford Senior High School Spanish teacher Myriam Lorenzo sat at her desk to eat lunch. She took a bite of a chicken sandwich and something stuck in her throat. "It was a hard moment to describe," she said. "I knew I was in trouble. I thought I had to get out of the classroom." Rundman, a 17-year-old junior, noticed something was wrong. (Fredericksburg.com)

POLICE UNDERSTAFFED Understaffing in the Prince George's County Police Department is preventing the department from providing improved service, according to Police Chief Roberto Hylton. Despite hiring more than 1,000 new recruits over the past eight years, the county police department remains more than 300 officers below what staff levels should be, Hylton reported at a County Council hearing May 3. (Gazette)

GO HERE to read more.

What You Won't See In The MSM

Today's Survey Question

Do You Believe Obama Is A U.S. Born Citizen?

Salisbury Police Officer Asks Citizen To Break The Law

Joe,

OK you're gonna love this one. Our 19 year old son was in the WaWa store in Salisbury yesterday evening. He wears a straight blade knife in a sheath on the outside of his clothing. It is worn like this so that he will be in compliance with the law. If it were covered it would be considered a concealed deadly weapon. While in the store he noticed two SPD officers. Our son had nothing to hide. He was waiting for his food. He noticed one of the officers look right at the knife he was wearing on his side. When our son walked out of the store and got into his car he was approached by one of the Officers known as "Iggy". The officer told him that he couldn't carry the knife outside his clothing like that. When our son asked him why, the officer stated that it might offend or frighten someone.

Here's the best part.....The officer then told him he would have to cover it up! What?!?! Cover it up?!?! This officer had just instructed a law abiding citizen to .....BREAK THE LAW! That's right! He instructed a citizen who had broken no law by having the knife out in the open to conceal it thereby committing a crime! It was obvious that there was no intent by our son to injure anyone as he was right at the counter waiting for his food to be finished. Therefore NO VIOLATION!

Our son drove away in awe! You see he has friends in law enforcement and family members with previous law enforcement experience. He was told specifically what the law was and KNEW he wasn't breaking it. I wonder if this officer knows that there is no law prohibiting a law abiding citizen from carrying a long gun (rifle or shotgun) slung on your shoulder down the street. Would he arrest someone for that?

I was amazed! Iggy. A word of advice. Check your weapons laws. Discuss them openly with your squad and become familiar with them. Then check the 2nd amendment. If there is no law prohibiting an action then there can be no violation.

Wicomico County Schools Go Commercial Banking

Isn't it great when your child comes home and presents documents like the ones above. You know, guess what Parents, we did something without your knowledge but we're letting you know after the fact.

First of all, (Wicomico County BOE) NO BANK is my friend! Banks love you to death while you're depositing money so they can make money off your money. But when times get tight/rough, they'll drop that alleged friendship so fast you'll never see straight ever again.

In fact, I have several friends who own multiple rental properties around the county and are seeing very hard times right now. They have been doing everything possible to stay afloat and the Banks are misleading them in every way possible. If some of my friends weren't as smart as they are, they would have politely turned things over to the Banks believing they'd have no recourse but after all is said and done and the Banks get what they wanted, the bills would be coming in and your Banker would simply tell you, it is what it is. They'd be done with you anyway, your credit would be shot and they have no interest in you at that point. What are you going to do, sue them for misleading you after you're completely broke!

All the Banks are concerned about is milking you for every red cent they can, even if it means misleading their customers. Fortunately for me, I owe nothing on the properties I own. Well, excluding taxes, that is. ;-)

My relationship with my Bank is very simple. Do not solicit me for anything other than what I direct them to do. In the mean time, there's something to be said about the old time farmer who would bury his money, pay cash for everything they purchase and stay clear of the Green Giant who wants you to finance everything in effort to make more money off of you.

Americans are so brainwashed into believing if the payment is small enough, you can afford to buy it. Sorry, I'm old school. If you can't pay cash for it you shouldn't buy it. Rather than disagreeing with me, know that my way is the right way and your way is simply a way of life today. In order to beat the system, you must start making one and a half times payment on everything you possibly can. Buy down your mortgage and get out of debt as quickly as you can.

Sure, these are hard times but the more you watch City, County, State and Federal government out there financing buildings they shouldn't own in the first place, the more you accept these scams. In fact, let's simply take a look at the Town of Delmar as a perfect example. Last year they purchased the old Bank of Delmarva building. They didn't finance the purchase, they paid cash for the building. No monthly payments, just pure equity. While I don't believe government should own buildings and property, my hat is tipped to the Town of Delmar for being smart enough to pay cash for something. Oh, their Bond Ratings will also be incredible, should the Town ever NEED to borrow for something in difficult times, unlike Salisbury.

One thing is for sure Folks. the Bank above isn't TEACHING children the RIGHT way to do things. At 9 years old the School is allowing this kind of crap? My guess is, if they tried doing this to High School Students it would include a Credit Card Application to boot. Maybe the should bring in Pee Wee Herman too. After all, he seems like a "FRIEND" to all children too, right?

By the way, the Share Jar, that should be named PNC Interest instead. I mean, let's just tell them the truth! It should be three times taller too. Keep commercial businesses out of our Elementary Schools. Pee Wee Herman too.

Google Hides Obama's Social Security Number Story

Searches for WND report diverted to Kagan, oil, Tampa stories

Internet giant Google today was hushing up the new dispute over President Obama's strange Social Security number by diverting searches for news reports on the issue to unrelated stories about Elena Kagan, oil, Tampa and the Federal Reserve.

The actual story, posted on WND.com, explained how two private investigators – working independently – are asking why Obama is using a Social Security number set aside for applicants in Connecticut while there is no record he ever had a mailing address in the state.

Under a Google news search for "President Obama Social Security number," the top four results all quoted, "By Jerome R. Corsi Two private investigators working independently are asking why President Obama is using a Social Security number set aside for applicants…"

Is Google 'evil'? Read the arguments in Joseph Farah's "Stop the Presses!"

However, the first link is to Politico's story about "Gay rights central to Elena Kagan fight," the second links to Politico's "Senate clears measure to audit Federal Reserve" story, the third links to a Politico story about the GOP plans for a convention in Tampa in 2012, and the last links to a Politico story about "Oil executives play pass the buck."

Google spokesman Jake Hubert told WND that it appeared to be a "bug in the snippets."
He said the company was looking into it.

Source

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Could U.S. Learn From France’s Anti-terror Efforts?

French antiterrorist effort: Action, not defense
Europe's agencies favor human intelligence over technology

PARIS - The tip from Spain was only a vague warning. But it was enough for France's domestic intelligence agents to go to work, tapping phones, tailing suspects and squeezing informants. Before long, they rolled up a group of Muslim men in a provincial French town who, beneath a tranquil surface, were drawing up al-Qaeda-inspired plans to set off a bomb in the Paris subway.

The plot, described by a source with firsthand information, was one of 15 planned terrorist attacks by jihadist cells in France that have been thwarted in recent years, according to a count by the Central Directorate of Internal Intelligence (DCRI), France's main antiterrorism force. One was a bomb plot directed against the directorate's own headquarters.

The antiterrorism policing — it is a not a "war," specialists here emphasized — has been conducted for the most part in the dark, and in a style that sets France and other European countries apart from the United States. As U.S. officials seek to understand what may have led a Pakistani immigrant to try to blow up Times Square, and how he boarded an airplane at John F. Kennedy International Airport despite multiple computerized watch lists, Europe's specialists have pointed to their own approach as an example of how to proceed.

GO HERE to read more.

MARYLAND STATE POLICE CEREMONY TO HONOR FALLEN HEROES

(Pikesville, MD) -- Colonel Terrence B. Sheridan will tomorrow join the families, fellow troopers, and friends of the 40 men and one woman who have given their lives in the line of duty while serving as troopers with the Maryland State Police. The annual Maryland State Police Fallen Heroes Ceremony will be held in the memorial quadrangle in the headquarters complex at 11:00 a.m. on May 13, 2010.

The first member of the Maryland State Police to die in the line of duty was Officer John W. Jeffrey, who was killed in a motorcycle crash on July 5, 1921. The last members of the Department to make the ultimate sacrifice were Pilot Steven Bunker and flight paramedic Trooper First Class Mickey Lippy, who were killed in the crash of Trooper 2 on September 28, 2008.

WHAT: MARYLAND STATE POLICE FALLEN HEROES CEREMONY

WHEN: THURSDAY, MAY 13, 2010 11:00 A.M.

WHERE: MARYLAND STATE POLICE HEADQUARTERS
FALLEN HEROES MEMORIAL
1201 REISTERSTOWN ROAD
PIKESVILLE, MD 21208

Soldier-Citizens To The Rescue?

by Victor Davis Hanson
Tribune Media Services

Usually a handful of ex-soldiers seek political office every election cycle. But well over 20 Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans are running this fall for Congress alone. Almost all are riding a wave of public anger at incumbents over a profligate government and dishonest Wall Street — and a general feeling that the current Democratic remedy has proven as bad as, or worse than, the recent Republican disease.

The shenanigans of the previously Republican-controlled Congress — the "Culture of Corruption" — simply continued under the congressional Democrat majority, thanks to the likes of Chris Dodd, William Jefferson, Eric Massa, Charles Rangel and the late John Murtha.

Reform candidate Barack Obama has run up more debt in 15 months than unpopular spendthrift George W. Bush did in eight years. Obama once talked of a new unity, but he has polarized America far more rapidly than did the cowboy-sounding "decider" Bush.

In other words, the public is desperate for civic-minded leaders who are untainted by Washington, but who have a proven record of competent service on behalf of the nation. If they are poor or haven't held office before — apparently so much the better.

The current combat-veteran candidates certainly aren't the usual state legislators or congressional aides ready for career advancement. Neither are they anti-war liberals who flash their national-security credentials, nor one-issue hawks who want more defense spending. They don't claim that their combat experience guarantees good governance per se — not after the examples of Murtha or disgraced Republican Duke Cunningham. And they aren't retired generals used to deference and the spotlight.

So other than a shared furor at out-of-control spending, government takeovers and corruption, the twenty-something soldier-citizen candidates are an odd bunch. Some are officers; others are enlisted men. A surprising number were wounded in combat.

GO HERE to read more.

Puerto Rico's New Birth Certificate Law Will Impact Delaware Residents

Changes to Begin July 1

Dover -- The Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) wants to alert all drivers that the government of Puerto Rico has enacted a new law (Law 191 of 2009) aimed at strengthening the issuance and usage of birth certificates to combat fraud and protect the identity and credit of all people born in Puerto Rico.

Under the new law, all Puerto Rico birth certificates issued before July 1, 2010, will be invalidated so that new, more secure certificates can be issued. After July 1, the Puerto Rico Health Department's Vital Statistics Record Office will begin issuing new birth certificates incorporating technology to limit the possibility of document forgery. Until that date, all Puerto Rico birth certificates will remain valid.

Known as the "Law Prohibiting Public and Private Entities from Retaining, Storing, or Holding Certified Copies of Birth Certificates" the changes will impact all Puerto Rican natives across the United States, not just in Delaware. Once this new law goes into effect the Delaware DMV will not accept Puerto Rico birth certificates issued before July 1, 2010 as valid forms of identification for the purposes of obtaining a driver license and/or identification card.
The new law was based on collaboration with the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to address the fraudulent use of Puerto Rico-issued birth certificates to unlawfully obtain U.S. passports, Social Security benefits, and other federal services.

According to the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration (PRFAA) it is important to understand that there is no need to rush out and get a new birth certificate on July 1. It is suggested that only individuals who have a specific need for their birth certificate for official purposes need request a new birth certificate right away.

Those who were born in Puerto Rico and now reside in the United States will be able to request and receive their new birth certificates through the mail.

For more details visit Puerto Rico Certificates Law 191 of 2009 Fact Sheet

Voters Chop The Pork Pushers

The landscape for earmarkers in Congress has changed dramatically this election cycle.

Appropriators from both parties have become the hunted, losing primary races to challengers more hawkish about reforming the provisions lawmakers insert in spending bills to steer money to specific projects in their districts or states.

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) was derisively dubbed “Earmark Queen” by GOP gubernatorial primary winner Gov. Rick Perry’s supporters. Sen. Bob Bennett (R-Utah) was ousted last weekend by two earmark hawks. And Rep. Alan Mollohan (D-W.Va.), the chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and Science, lost to a conservative Democrat who questioned the propriety and impact of Mollohan’s earmarks.

“There are still a few Republicans who don’t get it, but voters have caught on that earmarks lead to wasteful spending and debt,” said Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.), a staunch earmark opponent. “People used to think that ‘bringing home the bacon’ would ensure reelection, but not anymore. Americans have seen how earmarks are used to bribe members into voting for bailouts, takeovers and huge spending bills.”

Sen. Arlen Specter (D-Pa.) could be the next appropriator to go. His opponent in next week’s primary, Rep. Joe Sestak (D), has called for replacing the earmark process, dominated by senior appropriators, with a competitive grant process overseen by a new commission. The debate over earmark reform will only intensify in the general election, with the GOP candidate likely to be former Club for Growth President Pat Toomey.

“Big spenders are dropping like flies,” a senior Republican aide said.

It is clear that the anti-earmark movement has many hurdles to clear, but it has made progress over the last couple of years.

More here