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Goldfinger Murder Suspect Seeks To Be Sprung From Custody.

Los Angeles —Friday, August 29, 2008 there will be a federal court status conference on the pending charge against James Michael Fayed for operating his business without a license. Federal prosecutors said that Fayed was operating a Ponzi scheme and that the LAPD believes he orchestrated the horrible slashing and stabbing murder of his wife, Pamela Fayed in a Century City parking garage last month. Fayed’s attorney Mark Werksman has filed notices of appeal to challenge the rulings made so far in the case. The primary issue now is the custody status of Fayed who is currently being held without bond. Werksman has filed a new motion to get Fayed released on a bail amount similar to what’s expected for a low-grade federal felony. I can’t predict the outcome of the motion but I suspect that a new federal indictment is in the works for additional charges and of course there is that strong possibility that the currently stalled LAPD murder investigation may yet yield state charges agai...

Wyoming Hunter Arrested At A Denver Hotel Over Cased Rifle

Denver, CO--I don’t give a rat’s ass that Democratic Party politicians are in town for their convention. American’s lives and rights should take prescience over politics. It’s not so in Denver when a Wyoming businessman and hunter checked into The Grand Hyatt hotel with two rifles and two handguns in luggage he brought to town for some gunsmith work for a hunting trip. Joseph Calanchini was arrested and the hotel was evacuated by candy-assded Denver police. Calanchini told police he was in Denver on business and that he brought the guns to be repaired at a local gun shop for an upcoming hunting safari trip in Limpopo Basin, South Africa on August 28. He told police that he had just picked up his rifles from the Sportsman's Warehouse and had them in a locked gun case when he checked in at the Grand Hyatt. The clerk checking him in noticed the rifle case and called security. Calanchini, who sells drilling tools across Colorado and Wyoming, says he is a frequent guest at the Grand ...

It’s Time For Some Entertainment On Crimefile!

I’ve been a fan of Crystal Gayle for 30 years. I first saw her in person at a front table in Dale Niedermaier’s, Park West Theater in Chicago in early October of 1979. (Thanks Dale!) She was as good as it could get for me. Then one Saturday morning I met this great lady in the Phoenix, Arizona, KTVK-TV newsroom in early 1998. I spent about 20 minutes chatting with her trying to keep my composure. I’m sure this old investigator came off sounding like a nervous Porky Pig. I told her my very favorite song she ever sang was Someday Soon. When Crysral left I held the car door for her and her sister, Peggy. I watched her as she took her really long hair and carefully wrapped it around her hand so it would not get caught on anything as she got in the car. The songbird also gave me two tickets to see her at the ASU Sundome in Sun City. The second song in her show that night was Someday Soon. She rocked. I saw her afterwards and got to thank her and got a hug. What a gal! Here is ...

Our Technology Deprived Courts Are Wasting Billions

Los Angeles, CA .-- Have you hired a lawyer recently? Do have a divorce, civil or criminal matter pending in the courts? How much is your lawyer charging you an hour? Did you know a serious portion of your legal fees are to pay your lawyer for simply sitting in big city traffic gridlock? Judges and bureaucrats gave us “neighborhood” courts claiming it’s for the convenience of the community. Most Americans manage to stay out of the courts and just don’t need that kind of convenience. The truth is this was more about judges and bureaucrats who don’t like to commute and politically corrupt land deals than convenience. Sound city planning would dictate that land is bought where it’s the cheapest and courthouse and jail structures be built there in one location. Offices for prosecutors, public defenders and all the additional court support can all do their job in a large super-courthouse. Lots of parking is needed so cheap land is necessary. As new buildings are needed, the parking l...

What Else Does Mike Kurdenok know about Stacy Peterson?

Coal City, IL —Just before Stacy Peterson disappeared according to what Mike Kurdenok, 38 told police is that he had drinks with Stacy Peterson one night after school. He claimed that Stacy wanted to slip away before her husband; Drew Peterson woke up in the morning. It seems that’s precisely what she may have done. The fact that Kurdenok was out socializing with a married woman is not so unusual until the married woman disappears. Then it paints a very troubling picture. Kurdenok also told police that he gave Stacy advice so she could avoid being found. Coincidences like that make wonderful circumstantial evidence for criminal trials. Another part of Kurdenok's story that troubles me is that there was never once a mention of Stacy's children. I would hope any woman planning to run away from her husband would show some concern for her own small children. Any police investigator worth his salt would have asked Kurdenok for permission to search his cars along with that Baylin...

BREAKING NEWS Drew Peterson Search Warrant Shows New Evidence That Stacy Peterson Planned to hide out!

***Exclusive***Bolingbrook, IL-- Within a few days of the disappearance of Stacy Peterson police located a male subject who claimed that Stacy Peterson told him on October 27, 2007 that she planned to hide From her husband Drew Peterson . The search warrant was turned over just today to Peterson’s lawyer Joel Brodsky in discovery material. The name was redacted by Joel Brodsky until such time as he can interview this witness. This excerpt was found on page 10 of the 12 page affidavit. The big question I have is why was this kept secret for nearly a year? This seems to suggest that Stacy Peterson may well be alive somewhere. There are two ways to look at this statement that was made long before this became a high profile story. The story must be true and Stacy wanted to disappear. Or the witness made this up and then we have to determine a motive for telling such a lie to police. Is this witness a new suspect? There are many more questions than answers here. The excerpt of the search ...

Goldfinger Murder Suspect Demands Return of Some Seized Assets From The Government

Los Angeles-- The government seized considerable assets from murder suspect, James Fayed in connection with his Indictment for operating without a license. Those assets are considered by prosecutors as ill-gotten gains and also evidence of the crime for which Fayed is charged. As always, defense lawyers in similar cases try to get either a portion or all of the assets returned to their client. Often those assets contain the defense attorney’s only hope of being paid to defend their clients. So what may be a very protracted fight has begun with a motion to regain money claimed to be needed for the defense to protect potential defense evidence. Additionally there is a list of subpoena witnesses and a proposed court order to release funds that has yet to be signed. Prosecutors will have to respond and undertake a serious fight to keep all assets locked up. I fully expect the prosecutor’s argue that the money belongs to investors who were hoodwinked into Fayed’s unlicensed and illegal...

Suspect Arrested In Savage Murder of Chicago Cop And Friend

Chicago-- It was a reprehensible crime committed against off duty Bomb & Arson detective Robert Soto and his friend Kathryn Romberg , a supervisor for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. They were sitting in Soto’s SUV when they were selected by a thug for a robbery, double murder. The crime happened outside Romberg’s apartment building located in the 3000 block of West Franklin Blvd. Soto was able to use his cell phone to call for help and alert police to the crime and offenders before he died from his wounds. Ex-convict, Jason Austin , 26, of the 500 block of North Le Claire has been charged with first-degree murder and armed robbery, Police Supt. Jody Weis announced at a news conference on Monday. Austin has five prior convictions, including drug possession and battery. Here is a video report from CLTV :

Goldfinger Murder Suspect To Be Arraigned In Federal Court On Monday

Los Angeles—James Fayed is suspected of having his own wife, Pamela Fayed murdered during an acrimonious divorce. Pamela Fayed was assisting the FBI who was investigating Fayed’s gold trading, Ponzi scheme businesses. That was until she was horrifically stabbed and slashed to death in a Century City parking structure. Monday, Aug 18, Fayed is expected to enter a formal plea to the Indictment charging him with operating without a required license. This is also the time that a trial judge will be assigned and a schedule of discovery matters will start. A pre-trial court date will be given and an actual trial date will be projected. Soon we can expect to see a flurry of defense motions designed to get the indictment tossed. Since Fayed is in custody, I doubt that he will waive time under speedy trial rules and force the government to try him expeditiously. It’s too early to tell exactly what defenses may be raised. However, I have my own expectations. I would not be surprised to ...

The KTLA-TV News War On Aging Continues

Los Angeles —Every TV or print news organization in America is fighting for survival as the readers and audience has evaporated. The only viewers or readers left are those older folks who have steadfastly shunned computers and the Internet. What’s interesting here is the once desired demographics of people between 18 and 35 have fled from TV news for good. These are the people that spend money to buy the products advertisers want to sell. Today the demographics watching have shifted to the oldsters. Today’s advertisers have shifted too, selling prescription drugs, reverse mortgages, denture adhesives and of course Viagra. Many older TV news viewers feel threatened as they watch the older trusted reporters and anchors disappearing from their positions. The push is on to hire youth in a desperate attempt to save money and lure younger viewers back to television. Along with the shift to youth they are short-staffing newsrooms everywhere. Soon they will lose the only viewers they h...

National Geographic Profiles Chicago Mob-Buster Bob Cooley

Chicago, IL.--Bob Cooley was the Chicago cop, turned crooked lawyer who later turned into a very effective government mob-buster. Cooley was never caught dirty by authorities in his own corruption activities. Instead Cooley simply walked into the Justice Department, confessed his crimes and offered to reel in some very ruthless mob figures. Cooley took down Chicago’s First Ward Regular Democratic Organization , corrupt judges, lawyers and the prolific mob hit man, Harry Aleman whose murder case he fixed himself as the defense lawyer for a mere $10,000.00. Cook County Circuit Court Judge Frank Wilson soon learned that his paid fix of the Aleman murder case was blown wide open. Judge Wilson shot himself in the head during a visit to Sun City Arizona. Soon crooked Chicago political types rode the express train to federal prison cells. Cooley was disbarred over his admitted involvement and has since written about his experiences. Cooley’s book, “ When Corruption was King ” has be...

Why I Never Mourned The Demise of Court TV

Court TV showed promise to open the veils of seeming secrecy of America’s courtrooms. Trials are public but seating is limited and the logistics of sitting in courtrooms is difficult or impossible for working Americans. Court TV was there to save the day, at least in the several states that allow for broadcasting of their proceedings. Most states and the federal courts have declined the idea of TV coverage. Court TV began with the gavel to gavel concept but that was not working because viewers became bored with most testimony. Court TV countered by turning the proceedings into pundit fueled gossip-fests. The liberal use of outspoken harpies to slant the video they did elect to show the public got out-of-control. Trials became sporting events even beyond Jerry Springer proportions. No better example of televised legal horror existed than the Scott Peterson Murder Trial . I’m convinced he was convicted not by a fair trial but by Court TV, aided by a very TV camera- happy defense la...

First Known Justifiable Shooting In Chicago Post SCOTUS’ Heller Case.

Chicago, IL —Four were wounded in the Hellfire unleashed in a Chicago jewelry store on the city’s South side. Three men entered, displayed handguns and announced the robbery. The store owner, Sergio Vazquez drew his own handgun and fought for his life. When the shootout was over, two robbers were hit by gunfire along with a store employee and a man sitting in a vehicle outside the store. One of the robbers is said to be in critical condition at this time. Police were interviewing witnesses and participants as well as reviewing surveillance video. Questions remaining is whether police will charge the store’s owner with Chicago’s unconstitutional law that bans handguns? Will the City of Chicago dare violate the Civil Rights of Sergio Vazqez to own a handgun? More here.

The Latest Legal Outrage In L.A.

They just don’t get it in Los Angeles . Giving aid and comfort to illegal aliens is a crime and now they are forcing private businesses to facilitate the transgressions by the border jumpers. The home improvement stores attract a labor pool of illegal Hispanic laborers who work in the sprawling cash underground. The invaders congregate in the parking lots, hawking for potential employers who will pay them for all manner of construction jobs. The illegal labor force has become a major nuisance to local residents who find the trespassers defecating in their yards and leaving mountains of trash. Rather than having the police enforce trespassing laws the L.A. City Council today have made it law that the large home improvement stores must build shelters with free drinking water and bathroom facilities for this unlawful activity.

Mayhem Retold In A San Diego Courtroom Of Shelly Mailil's Horror Fest

VISTA, Calif. –-Shelley Malil , 43, was ordered by a San Diego judge held on a $10 million bail in connection with the maniacal stabbing and slashing attack of his estranged girlfriend, Kendra Beebe, 35 in San Marcos last weekend. Malil was identified by Bebee and some neighbors who intervened possibly saving her life. Beebe is reportedly in critical condition with both lungs punctured, disfiguring facial slashes among the over 20 knife wounds she received. So far, Malil is facing life in prison. I can’t even imagine Malil’s criminal defense strategy here. Insanity no longer works in our courts and diminished capacity won’t buy much either. I don’t see prosecutors offering anything in the way of a plea deal in a case of this kind. The promising acting career and good life of a young man seems tragically over. The life of a pretty and young mother of two children has also been forever changed. My question here is how could this mad act been prevented? What warning signs were...

J-Fed Earned Some Serious Credibility With Chicago Cops.

Chicago, IL —It was October 8th 2005 when Chicago police officer Michael Mette of the Fillmore District was attacked by a Dubuque college student, 20-year-old Jake Gothard while attending a birthday celebration at his brother’s home. Before it was over this week, officer Mette was arrested, prosecuted, convicted and now faces a mandatory five-year Iowa prison term. Iowa justice is beyond strange because at a Dubuque County Court bench trial the judge, Judge Monica Ackley found that Chicago Police Officer Mette "was not the initial aggressor of this incident," Jake Gothard was. Astonishingly, Judge Ackley ruled that Mette was guilty, because even after Gothard struck him three times, Mette should have just ignored it and retreated. Officer Mette's infamous felony crime was to punch the 6 foot, 2 inch tall Gothard once in self-defense knocking him out. Gothard has demonstrated his inability to hold his liquor landing on local court dockets on a regular basis. Mette...

Spector Retrial And Those Past Bad Acts As “Evidence”

Los Angeles, CA —Legendary records producer, Phil Spector faces a fall re-trial for an allegation of Murder in connection with the death of the troubled and drug-addicted Lana Clarkson . The first trial ended in a hung jury. California has a law that acts as a trial crutch for prosecutors who can’t win a case on real evidence. Section 1101(b) allows the use alleged prior bad acts even in the absence of a civil or criminal court finding of guilty or awarding of civil damages. The idea behind 1101(b) is to prejudice juries with unrelated and unproven allegations so that scorn and emotion will convict when real evidence is insufficient. Spector has had run-ins with old girlfriends who claim today Spector threatened them with guns. Most of the accusers continued to sleep with and or work for Spector after those claimed assaults. This evidence cuts both ways for Spector. Not one of these accusers have ever suffered injuries or death. This is solid evidence that Spector would not ha...

Caylee Anthony Is Still Missing But This Is Not News

Orange County, FL —Three year-old Caylee Anthony is still missing. Speculation and gossip is beyond out-of-control as news organizations battle for anything at all to hook viewers and readers. The 22 year-old mother, Casey Anthony sits in jail held ostensibly because she can’t or won’t say how her daughter disappeared. The latest twist is Casey’s refusal to allow her parents to visit her. Every conversation of every visit is shared with the entire world. Anyone in their right mind would skip those visits! Then there are those nut jobs that don’t have a life, who have interject themselves into this case in Internet chat rooms and such. They demand nothing less that water boarding of the young mother and seem so concerned about the well being of Caylee Anthony. They are as sickening as any lynch mob. The crap being called news or breaking news about this case is anything but news. It's easy to understand why print and TV news can no longer hold their audience.