Police are trying to trace the next-of-kin of a 47-year-old man whose body was recovered from a city centre river…. From BBC News. Full story

This site may contain information about: free city. The blog is also related to: fat city.

The Labour Party calls on First Minister Alex Salmond to shelve his plans for a referendum and concentrate on fighting the recession…. From BBC News. Full story

This site may contain information about: global recession. The blog is also related to: 2004 recession.

Argh, my stomach is burning for some reason, but that has nothing to do with the title. I stayed at home today and had a perfect time checking the news and…

This morning was the first time I read about the British man that had hacked in to Pentagon between 2001 and 2002. They had now decided that they would send him to the US to be judged. That’s far away from home, isn’t it?

I feel compassion for the guy, really. The article told clearly that he  had Aspergers syndrome. The reason he hacked several US databases was that he was searching for proof on UFOs. That interests me as well, but if I was him I wouldn’t have done that. But what he must be going through right now… it must be pure overkill. I wouldn’t be able to handle the fact that I would be sent overseas to be judged and probably spend 70 years in prison. That would be such a waste for a smart guy like him, he could actually help the US government to make their databases more secure.

Having Aspergers and being in prison doesn’t go hand in hand. The feeling of being stuck somewhere, with awful and really social people… please, I know it’s hard to understand. Give this guy another chance, will you?

He was just playing with a hobbies he were interested in, hacking and UFOs. If drawing was illegal, I would probably spend a lifetime in prison! I don’t really think he wanted to hurt anyone with them. I think it would be entirely different if you would be searching for secret information to be able to hurt thousands!

I know my post right now is very objective. I’m sorry for that. But that is what I right now feel. Please, USA, Britain, I hope you’re doing the right thing. Don’t waste a life of someone that perhaps didn’t understand the seriousness of his deeds.

By Andrea McCallum

AN EX-CONFECTIONARY worker who demanded sex from a 12-year-old girl and performed a sex act on her has been jailed.

Stewart McArthur, 46, forced the girl onto a bed before committing indecency and a serious sexual assault.

The events only came to light after the victim’s mother found notes suggesting her daughter was contemplating suicide following the abuse.

Yesterday (Monday) at the High Court in Livingston, perverted McArthur was jailed for six years and was put on the sex offenders register for life.

Lord Bracadale said the incidents had been a “gross breach of trust”.

He said: “You have pled guilty to two very serious charges of a sexual nature in relation to a 12-year-old girl over a period of a year of frequently engaging with her in various lewd and libidinous practices.

“This was a gross breach of trust and has clearly had a profound effect on the girl.

“Clearly a custodial sentence is the only appropriate sentence. I accept that you have shown genuine shame and that you have admitted your involvement from an early stage.

“I consider that taking the two charges together the appropriate custodial sentence will be nine years in prison.”

Due to McArthur’s early plea his sentence was reduced to six years.

McArthur had previously admitted using lewd, indecent and libidinous practices towards the girl on various occasions during November 2002 and November 2003.

The charges included handling her breasts, kissing her on the mouth and body and inducing her to handle his private parts.

The court had previously heard that the 12-year-old girl had contemplated suicide because of the abuse and feeling like there was nothing to live for.

In 1997 McArthur was fined £400 for two indecent assaults.

See more of our pictures at our Flickr site and videos at our dedicated channel,  Deadline TV.

ANGRY residents are complaining about a patch of land which has been left derelict for more than 20 years. Families on Meadow Street, Milton, near Stoke, claim it is an eyesore and are tired of the land being used as a dumping ground and car park.
The land is owned by Stoke City Council but employees from nearby businesses and residents from other areas are using it as a car park.
One resident, Harold Heath (pictured), 79, said: “The land is full of pot holes and overgrown trees. In the summer it becomes a dust bowl and in the winter it becomes a sludge pit. It just makes the street look so untidy, something needs to be done.”
Originally there were eight cottages on the land but they were demolished in 1986. Since then the land has been neglected despite numerous applications for planning permission.
The latest application has been submitted by Milton Free Baptist Church on Millrise Road to build a new church.
Pastor David Moore said: “The church would provide a great service to this community and would allow local groups to meet. It would also provide much easier access to disabled people compared to the premises we have now.”
The plans are backed by people desperate to see the land put to good use, but the Highways Agency is concerned about traffic congestion.
Councillor Joanne Powell-Beckett said: ” I agree that the land should be tidied up because it does look a mess, but I think that the church is not the right thing. Meadow Street is already congested and I think that by adding a church this will only create more traffic.”
The council is yet to make a final decision on the application.

Unless you were chosen to serve as a juror, most people don’t know what jury trials are really about.  Sure, court room dramas are nice, but movies seldom explain the process.  Here are a few points about one of your most important consitutional rights. 

 The number of jurors: Depending on what court you are being tried, the number of jurors will vary.  The district court requires a unanimous decision by 6 jurors.  The superior court requires a unanimous decision by 12 jurors.  In short, the superior court requires twice as many jurors to return a verdict.  One reason for this difference is that the penalties are much more severe in superior court.  The stakes being higher, the amount of jurors are also higher. 

 Alternates: Most judges will sit more jurors than is required.  In both the district court and the superior court it is very common for the judge to impanel more jurors than required.  Judges will sit alternate jurors in case people have emergencies that arise.  If a judge empanels the minimum amount of jurors and a juror is unable to perform his or her duties, then the judge will most likley have to declare a mistrial.  To avoid this problem, judges will sit additional jurors. 

 Impaneling a jury:  The amount of time it takes to impanel a jury can very significantly.  Essentially, the court wants to impanel an impartial jury and for certain cases this can be difficult.  If you have jury duty, I am sure this isn’t something that you want to hear.  Cases that particularly take a long time to impanel a jury are cases involving sex offenses.  It can take days if not weeks to impanel a jury for a child molestation or rape case.  So if you are serving jury duty and find yourself as a potential jury in a sex offense case prepare for a long process. 

 Decision: As I have mentioned before, a jury decision in Massachusetts needs to be unanimous.  This means that the entire jury needs to agree with the decision of guilty or not guilty.  As you can imagine, this can make for long jury deliberations. 

 This post gives you a little background on jury trials.  Jury trials are complicated and it is never a good idea to represent yourself in a trial.  In the end, it is important to remember that it is not a perfect system.  However, it is bar far the best one ever created.

 Interested twitter followers please visit- twitter: http://twitter.com/AttorneyChan

 Interested in becoming a Facebook fan please visit http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Boston-MA/Law-offices-of-Attorney-Jason-Chan/101494423854?ref=sgm

 For more information:

 About the Massachusetts Jury System

http://www.mass.gov/courts/jury/introduc.htm

 Preparing for a jury trial

http://articles.directorym.com/Preparing_for_a_Jury_Trial_Agawam_MA-r935226-Agawam_MA.html

Glossary of trial terms

http://guides.gottrouble.com/Glossary_of_Jury_Trial_Terms_Massachusetts-r1204930-Massachusetts.html

Defense of Massachusetts Jury Service System

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1289579/defense_of_massachusetts_jury_service.html?cat=17

Anatomy of a jury trial

http://www.america.gov/media/pdf/ejs/0709.pdf#popup

Vanishing Civil Jury Trials

http://legaltalknetwork.com/podcasts/boston-bar/2009/04/the-vanishing-civil-jury-trial/

Fifa have refused the Football Association of Ireland’s request for a replay of France’s World Cup play-off win over the Republic of Ireland…. From BBC News. Full story

This site may contain information about: world cup fantasy football. The blog is also related to: soccer prediction.

Remember a few.. Days ago when it was still all about being so skinny you could be tossed across the lawn with a funnel on your head like a lawn dart.. Or when your so skinny your arm could be used as a pool stick? Now, do you ever notice that now in music genre’s it used to be rap it really was.. But now it’s more metal.. You gotta look, the bigger guys and gals.. Not that you want to come up and just bang them but im saying.. Look at pop icons.. If you’re not stick skinny on stage then you’re torn up by the press.. OMFG SHE GAINED A POUND IS THE STAGE GONNA FALL OVER?! Well no, of course not, there is so much pressure on these people to perform it’s funny. But now as I go through these genre’s more and more.. Call me what you want but im a metal head, anyways, you look on the stage and you see these “fluffy”  guys on their and their just loving life, just doing what they want, when they want to, it’s about just making people go crazy and just love the tunes.. It’s not a beauty contest! It’s about the art. Personally you look at some of those guys up there, they put themselves through shit but they are there for the fun.. Im really glad 50 cent can bench 3 dudes and flatten a penny with his ass checks that’s really cool in all and i’m glad Oli Sykes can make a girl so excited she dumps the 2% fat special ordered not to hot not to cold mocha all over her, seriously dudes, props all around. I just really have to give it up I really have to give it up to people who can put themselves out there and say hey world I am who I am, fuck you, im about what I like to do, I look this way, maybe im not up to your “standards” but im doing what I wanna do. That takes talent, for that I take a bow to you all. Anyone who can get on camera and not be afraid to take off their shirt for kicks has greatness all over them for how judgmental this generation can be.

One of the first issues this administration faced when taking office was the closure of Gitmo, the prison that houses the terrorist that attacked NYC and those from Iraq and Afghanistan. He officially closed the prison but has yet to find a place to move them. Apparently he is trying to move them to a small farming town in Michigan. The township of Standish is against this and is calling for OUR help in preventing this to be done. As usual they aren’t being heard. This will not save jobs for the area. They too are calling for transparency from this administration and yet the plea goes unanswered. The citizens have spoken, they aren’t being heard..they seek our help, the nation..to help fight the “David and Goliath” fight..hear their pleas…Join Liz Cheney and help keep America safe….

A Berkshire council is calling for more volunteers to sit on education appeal panels for school places in the county…. From BBC News. Full story

This site may contain information about: degree. For a different topic see here. The blog is also related to: education jobs.

the prime of all vices of human nature…
hatred…of men, their past, present and future…

denying a man a chance to live for an error of yesterday…
though he has turned a new leaf and today wants to make hay

hatred for the religion of the man-next-door…
that makes you befriend the bloody gore…

hatred for the father that once denied a chocolate…
forgetting all the 1000’s of times when you were ill and he sat up late…

hatred for the principal that punished you for a mistake unfair…
forgoing all the great values and sciences that he taught with utmost care…

hatred for the little children in the street who spoil your midday nap…
regardless of the infinite sweet smiles that their innocence spread like sap…

hatred for the god of men who is harsh and unfair upon thee…
not withstanding the uncountable moments he gives that make you laugh with glee

hatred for the race of mankind that you seem to think is turning bad…
including those that helped him when the big rig hit your lad…

hatred…the enemy of love and peace…
dwells in our hearts when we lose belief and our faith begins to cease…

When i open my eyes…
I see you running away…

When i open my heart…
I know i will give you away…

When i open my soul…
i sense it all slipping away…

Why do they have to go away???
Why cant i make them stop and stay???

Why do i live as if there’s no day…
And why is it i who has to pay???

because its in my heart…
and because its a need to stay apart…

Its the wind out there…
That calls me to and so i must prepare…

Its time to leave again…
And so i must, even if i despair…

Walk walk and WALK i shall do…
One is what i was meant to be n never should i try to be two…

The rain keeps splashing my face with no mercy…
with leisure i walk because i have no urgency…

It hurts at heart to be alone all the while…
But i know its my fate there’s nothing that can change my file

The wisdom and knowledge,all virtues occult…
Are in vain with no-one to share this Sacred cult…

I weep in the dark but no ears hear me sob…
Its my smile,that someone has been able to rob…

Its always a fog that surronds my life…
I only wonder how much longer till i will collapse and finally die…

when will it all end???

Smile my baby smile…

For just a lil more while…

So that my courage i can compile…

To once and for all, close my file…

I was down and i was out…

I prayed sometimes quietly,sometimes aloud…

I asked Her to show me a way out…

So i could stop crying and smile for a lil while…

She listened to me and gave me an angel…

But forgot the contitons to mention…

That it was being given to me…

Out of sheer pity…

and would soon be taken away…

When i would begin to smile again…

I cried and rejoiced with wonder…

and marvelled at Her mercy…

Not knowin the plight that awaited me…

Time passed and so did a lot of joy…

I lived again and learned love too…

And then came an ill fated day…

When i woke up one night late…

To realize the dream had just ended…

Evrythin i knew and loved…

Was gone in an instant…

And all that was left…

Was a sea of darkness and emptiness…

I begged and i implored…

I asked for the mercy of our Mother…

But “no” she said…

Thats all you deserve…

Loneliness and emptiness…

Pain and sorrow…

Take it and move on…

I wanna show you who is strong…

And so i trudge along dis boulevard…

Not knowing wad i do…

Not knowin where it leads…

All i know is all my wishes and all my needs…

Will remain wad they r…just a distant dream…

nail me just like you nailed him...

not the only way you can pray...

A Prayer

Why has He made it hard to love me????
Why does anybody never even try???

Is it the way i live or the way i talk???
or is it my face or the way i walk…

Why doesnt anybody wanna come close???
why do you always wanna gimme a bitter dose???

Is there something missing in me right now???
or was it since birth and i been walking with it in tow???

Tired i am of laughin crying and talking to myself…
gimme some time…do gimme a break…gimme a face…

How long do i walk a tunnel with a shimmer of light at the end…
that doesnt come any nearer no matter how much i walk or fatigue fend…

Its been a long time since i was a small child…
since i laughed and ran and done something wild…

Endurance runs in my blood by now…
But am tired sick of this never ending row

Pride is filled in my heart till the brim…
Neither plead nor beg i shall even though the light continues to dim…

I am tired…i am enslaved…
but proud is this moron…even though he is flayed…

goodbye o world o world of god…
full of hatred and thriving on my blood…

goodbye o world o world of liars…
promising to love and fulfill all desires…

goodbye to all those moochers that say…
“need” is my virtue…give me my share…

goodbye to the pain of the day…
and goodbye to the nights that slay…(me)

goodbye to those promises unfulfilled…
and goodbye to the world i couldnt build…

for years and years i thought and i thought…
till tonight for them i fought…

not any more do i wish to change…
not any more is happiness in my range…

yes i spoke of self belief, strength and rebuilding…
but i am only a promising politician no good at executing…

goodbye to all those who destroy under the pretext of virtue…
i declare my death and my no confidence for you…

goodbye to all those that say the connection between love and reason is completely absurd…
goodbye o world…coz the atlas in me…has FINALLY shrugged…

A council is urging motorists not to park on pavements while picking up school children…. From BBC News. Full story

This site may contain information about: highschool. The blog is also related to: schools.

The parents of a British man who went missing during a trip to Costa Rica appeal for help in tracing him…. From BBC News. Full story

This site may contain information about: holiday airport. For a different topic see sentence using. The blog is also related to: flight asia.

Ten to fifteen years ago, GPS was pretty much an unknown to the public.  Now GPS technology is used in cars for directions, cell phones to find the closest café and in the criminal justice system. 

It is more common today to see GPS monitoring as part of a person’s criminal disposition.  Many times attorneys will use it as a last bargaining chip to keep their clients out of committed time.  This post is not to consider the pros and cons of the GPS monitoring, but to dissect what the GPS is really all about. 

If you are pleading out to a charge that requires you to be monitored by GPS what does that really mean?  Well first, the purpose of the GPS is to track and monitor the movements of the probationer.  The GPS itself operates on inclusion and exclusion zones. 

The person being monitored has to wear a transmitter that will allow the person to be seen wherever he or she goes.  The person who is wearing the transmitter must also carry a phone with them all the time.  If the person walks into or near an exclusionary zone, he or she will receive a phone call to leave right away.  If the person doesn’t leave after the phone call warning or doesn’t pick up the phone, the police will be called. 

The length of time that a person is to be monitored is to be decided by the judge.  The cost of this device is $9.45 a day or around $300 a month.  This fee can be waived by the judge.  The inclusion and exclusion zones are also usually decided by the judge.  For example, the usual exclusionary zones for sex offenders are playgrounds, schools and daycare centers.  The exclusionary zones can also be more tailored to the particular case, such as the victim’s home, work or school. 

Some things to keep in mind are that the GPS monitoring is mandatory for most sex offenses.  In order to get on a GPS there needs to be a unit available and a time to hook the person up.  The hook-ups are scheduled through the Commissioner of Probation (OCP).  If a person is custody and the judge won’t release them until they have a GPS, it may take a little while to find an available unit and to schedule a day for OCP to come hook up the unit. 

 GPS monitoring is becoming more common in Massachusetts and in different states.  The process that I have discussed in this post is not a universal procedure.  It is important for you to find out the protocol in the county that will be doing the monitoring. 

 Interested twitter followers please visit- twitter: http://twitter.com/AttorneyChan

 Interested in becoming a Facebook fan please visit http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Boston-MA/Law-offices-of-Attorney-Jason-Chan/101494423854?ref=sgm

For more information about GPS, visit:

More States Move to use GPS Tracking of Sex Offenders

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,196455,00.html

 Attorney Dan Schulman’s blog about GPS

http://gpsevidence.blogspot.com/2009/09/voluntary-gps-tracking-for-impulsive.html

 William Saletan-Why GPS tracking is good news for inmates

http://www.slate.com/id/2118117/

Is GPS monitoring the better way?

http://sentencing.typepad.com/sentencing_law_and_policy/2006/11/is_gps_tracking.html

The family of a British man who went missing during a trip to Costa Rica appeal for help with tracing him…. From BBC News. Full story

This site may contain information about: cheap flight tickets. For a different topic see various types of watches. The blog is also related to: airline airport.

You may have read the article in the Christian Chronicle or seen on national news about the typhoons in the Philippines.  They need help.

We (our congregation) have been supporting a family and work in the Philippines for about 5 years.  The Limbawan family had a daughter and son-in-law who worshipped with us before moving to California.  We met Brother and Sister Limbawan when they visited their family in NJ.  Brother Adrian Limbawan died unexpectedly soon after we began supporting the work but his widow, Elvira, has continued working faithfully under the oversight of the leaders in the local churches and school.

We will be taking up a Special Contribution next Sunday, November 15th, during our weekly assembly and sending the funds to Sister Lambawan in the Philippines.  We sent one check as soon as we received a plea for help from her.

Here is her letter:

Dear Brethren

A blessed day, hoping and praying you are all in the best of health.

I am appealing to you with help or assistance since you have known of what had happened to us about the devastation of typhoon Ondey, especially Peping, in which we suffered flash floods and landslides as you have seen on CNN Television.  This typhoon Peping caused much damage in Pasgasinan, Lleses  Region, La Union, and most of our brethren so with us, ricefields, houses and families.  Our congregation is Rabon Church of Crist, this is our place of work wherein my late husband Adrian Limbawan had his fulltime mission work of Pangasinan, that I am continuing the work of the Lord’s with the coordination of our church leaders and preachers of Pangasinan since we since we have been working with them when Adrian Limbawan was still here with us.  He passed away five years ago and thank God the Lord’s work that he had left off is being blessed by God.

My Family and I live here in Baguio, that as of this time we are isolated, our roads coming up to Baguio were all closed because of big landslides and falling rocks and these are the Kennon Road, Marces highway, and Maguilian road.

In the name of the Lord, please consider my appeal in behalf of our brethren and us, that your prayers and comforting words, and financial help will lift us in this in dire need.

Looking forward to hearing from you brethren, God bless us all.

In His Service

Sis. Elvira

If you would like to contribute, leave a comment or email me and I will give you info and we can include your donation in the check we will send the following week.  All checks should be made to “Echo Lake Church of Christ.”

If you prefer paypal, I can help you with that.

MTV is reporting that women beater Chris Brown has released a statement about how he feels about Rhianna’s revelations about the specifics of her beating she received from him, and in a nutshell he expresses that he wishes that they remain private.

I bet he does, because they are reprehensible….

Chris Brown's Handiwork on Rhianna...No Excuses..

Here is a quote from the statement on MTV.com…

…”While I respect Rihanna’s right to discuss the specific events of February 8, I maintain my position that all of the details should remain a private matter between us,” he said in the statement. “I do appreciate her support and wish her the best. I am extremely sorry for what I did, and I accept accountability for my actions. At this point, I am taking the proper steps to learn about me and grow from my mistakes. I only hope that others in similar situations can learn from our experience as well. Abuse of any kind is always wrong. The rest I leave it to God.”

Chris Brown contacted MTV on Friday morning to issue this statement in the wake of the huge amount of publicity that Rhianna’s  ”Good Morning America” interview with Diane Sawyer, as well as the 20/20 interview tonight,he had better make a pre-emptive proactive gesture.

I  just suggest that he never claims to be confused about what he did to her that night, or that he blacked out from shock, and thus does not remember beating her.That’s not a good look, man.

Just be embarrassed, apologize, seek some help, and do not ever do it to another woman again.

The excuses are hurting you, but this statement is a step in the right direction.

Here is a link to the full article on the MTV.com website….

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1625767/20091106/story.jhtml

We write checks all the time. Most people will at least write one check a month. Thankfully for debit cards you are less likely to see someone pull out a check book at a store. However, writing checks is still a big part of paying bills for most people. Passing a bad check, could land you in jail.

If you write a check and there are insufficient funds in your checking account, you could be charged with larceny by check. Essentially, the prosecution needs to prove that:

• you wrote the check

• got something in return for writing that check

• knew that you didn’t have enough funds in your account

• wrote the check with the intent to defraud someone

With the economy as bad as it is, a lot of people are struggling to pay their bills. As a result, people’s bank accounts are dwindling and this could lead to more checks being bounced. When you bounce a check, it is pretty easy for the prosecution to prove that you wrote a check and got something in return. After all, most of us write checks to pay bills or in exchange for something.

It is much more difficult for the prosecution to prove that you knew that you didn’t have enough funds in your account, or had the intent to defraud. The prosecutor can’t look into your brain and see what your intent was, so they will have to rely on other evidence. One of the most common ways for the prosecution to try to prove that you knew there was insufficient funds and had the intent to defraud, is to look at the account. For example, if you wrote a check for $5,000 and your account usually has $5,000 or more, then it won’t help the prosecutor’s case much. On the other hand, if you write a check for $5,000 and your account never had more than $10 in the account, then that will be a problem for you.

Most people who bounce a check will never be charged with anything. Times are difficult making bad checks more common. In the end, to avoid any possible problems check you account status and make sure checks clear.

Interested twitter followers please visit- twitter: http://twitter.com/AttorneyChan

Interested in becoming a Facebook fan please visit http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Boston-MA/Law-offices-of-Attorney-Jason-Chan/101494423854?ref=sgm

For more information about this post:

MA General Laws Chapter 266: Section 37. Fraudulent checks, etc.; drawing or uttering http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/266-37.htm

Jury Instructions on Larceny by check http://www.mass.gov/courts/courtsandjudges/courts/districtcourt/jury-instructions/criminal/pdf/8460-larceny-by-check.pdf

News day report on larceny by check scam http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/cops-elmont-man-charged-with-attempted-larceny-1.1429338

Berkley man faces larceny by check charge http://www.wickedlocal.com/berkley/news/x1564860184/Berkley-man-faces-list-of-charges-in-alleged-check-scheme