Archive for homicide

Repeal background checks, watch gun homicides increase: They did in Missouri.

gun background checks

Daniel Webster, the Director Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Policy and Research, did his homework, and the results confirm what our common sense would also tell us: If you repeal background checks, then criminals have an easier time acquiring guns… and have an easier time using them to kill people.

Via Think Progress:

Webster found evidence that the expiration of the law resulted in a sharp, roughly 25 percent spike in the homicide rate in Missouridespite the fact that gun violence was declining nationally and regionally. [...]

Normally it’s very hard to ascribe changes in homicide rates to any one particular factor, but Webster and his co-workers found strong evidence to support the idea that the repeal of the permit-to-purchase law was the cause. [...]

90 percent of states allow private sales to take place without background checks, suggesting that if Webster’s research is right, it’s possible that we might be able to reduce national homicides by nearly 25 percent if there were universal, federally mandated background checks. That would translate, given the 11,000 annual gun homicides in the United States, to 2,750 lives saved per year.

Why is this so difficult for people like the NRA’s Wayne LaPierre to grasp? Oh wait. It isn’t. They just don’t care because profits and (rapidly diminishing) power are their priority, not saving lives.

gun nra background checks

Via .ecobumperstickers.com

Via .ecobumperstickers.com

Video- Trayvon Martin At 7-11, minutes before being shot to death

Yeah, stoned out of his mind and looking to cause problems. Dumbasses. h/t TP, my rant about how this whole thing is being handled here.

VIDEO: Trayvon Martin killer George Zimmerman in court

Here’s what I could grab so far:

Paddy posted the photo of George Zimmerman’s head wound here.

:

SANFORD, Florida —George Zimmerman surprised a Florida court today by taking the stand and apologizing to the parents of Trayvon Martin, who were sitting in the courtroom during Zimmerman’s bond hearing. “I am sorry for the loss of your son. I did not know how old he was. I thought he was a little bit older than I was,” Zimmerman said addressing Martin’s family directly. George Zimmerman can be released on $150,000 bail as he awaits trial for the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, a judge ruled Friday during a hearing that saw Zimmerman apologize to Martin’s parents for the teenager’s death.

:

Accused Murderer, George Zimmerman’s wife Shellie Zimmerman is questioned about her husband’s criminal history during the bond hearing for her husband.

Meet Judge Number 3 in the Trayvon Martin case

Circuit Judge Kenneth R. Lester, Jr.; Source: Florida Court Administration via Bloomberg

Via Newser:

Judge No. 3 is Kenneth Lester Jr., and he will preside at Zimmerman’s bond hearing Friday morning. Lester has the reputation as being tough but fair in the courtroom. “He basically told me it should not be hard to make the right decision if you follow the law,” his daughter tells the Sentinel.

Actually, it should not be hard to follow the law, period. I’m talking to you, George Zimmerman.

Lester has been a judge for 15 years. The reason he’s Judge No. 3 is that Judge No. 2, Circuit Judge John Galluzzo, had to say no because he once practiced law with Mark O’Mara, Zimmerman’s lawyer. And Mark O’Mara is also the godfather of one of Galluzzo’s kids.

Lester will preside at Zimmerman’s bond hearing this Friday.

As the Stomach Turns continues, via The Orlando Sentinel:

He is popular with attorneys and has a reputation for doing things quickly.

Orlando attorney Wayne Klinkbeil was an assistant public defender assigned to Lester’s courtroom when the judge first took the bench in 1997. Lester, he said, is a very good judge.

He is consistent, a tough sentencer, Klinkbeil said, “very in control of his courtroom, very straightforward with expectations.” [...]

The judge has a great deal of experience with criminal trials, including high-profile cases. He gave Michael Reynolds two death sentences plus a life prison sentence for beating and stabbing a Geneva couple and their 11-year-old child to death in 1998.

Lester sentenced ax murderer and handyman John Michael Buzia to death in the slaying of a 71-year-old Oviedo man.

He also likes to play Beatles tunes on the piano. Let’s hope “Happiness is a Warm Gun” isn’t one of them.

_______________________________

Our fundraiser is still going, and we’re giving away the second t shirt tomorrow. Here’s how to donate:

Donate to The Political Carnival using WePay

PLEASE NOTE: TO USE PAYPAL, CLICK ON CHIP-IN WIDGET

If you need a snail mail addy, feel free to email thepoliticalcarnival@gmail.com.

In addition, if anyone wants to sponsor us for three months with an ad in the sidebar, please email Paddy. Since it’s an election year, any ad will be getting increased views.

BONUS! We’re doing something special this time around and giving away two of our brand spankin’ new TPC t-shirts to random donors! We’ll draw names out of the proverbial hat and let you know. (You can’t even buy these yet.)

So, to be the one of the first IN THE WORLD to sport your Political Carnival t-shirt, drop a little coinage in the kitty!

Please never forget that we truly appreciate you guys with or without the donations. Every single day.

VIDEO: Trayvon Martin’s killer, George Zimmerman, makes first court appearance; probable cause affidavit released

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Via my Twitter pal Jamil Smith (one of Melissa Harris-Perry’s producers):

I once had a hairline fracture when I broke my nose in a car accident, so “hairline,” in fact, that the doctor thought it was “an old break.” It took weeks and weeks for the bruising and swelling to subside.

Here’s the headline from WKMG in Orlando:

Prosecutors: George Zimmerman profiled Trayvon Martin

And there’s this from The Orlando Sentinel from the probable cause affidavit:

...“Zimmerman confronted Martin,” an apparent contradiction of Zimmerman’s version of the events that led to the shooting.

The document says Trayvon’s mother identified the screams for help heard in a 911 call as those of her son. It also reveals that investigators interviewed a “friend” of Trayvon’s who was talking to him in the leadup to the shooting.

Based on the description, it appears the friend was the girl described by Martin family attorneys as his girlfriend.

“During this time, Martin was on the phone with a friend and described to her what was happening,” the affidavit said. “The witness advised that Martin was scared because he was being followed through the complex by an unknown male and didn’t know why.”

Martin tried to run home, the affidavit says, but was followed by Zimmerman. “Zimmerman got out of his vehicle and followed Martin.”

The affidavit goes on to say that “Zimmerman disregarded the police dispatcher” who told him to stop, and “continued to follow Martin who was trying to return to his home.”

Zimmerman, the affidavit says, “confronted Martin and a struggle ensued.”

Donate to The Political Carnival using WePay

Now, if you’ll bear with us, we’re having a very necessary fundraiser; please help TPC continue to do what we do:

If we are one thing here at TPC, it’s being up front. We need to raise funds so we don’t have to worry about expenses for the next three months, both for site upkeep and our own mounting bills.

You can donate at any time by using the PayPal donate buttons in the sidebar (now with requested WePay!), or if you need a snail mail addy, feel free to email thepolicalcarnival@gmail.com.

In addition, if anyone wants to sponsor us for three months with an ad in the sidebar, please email Paddy. Since it’s an election year, any ad will be getting increased views.

BONUS! We’re doing something special this time around and giving away three of our brand spankin’ new TPC t-shirts to random donors! We’ll draw names out of the proverbial hat and let you know once the fundraiser is over. (You can’t even buy these yet.)

So, to be the first IN THE WORLD to sport your Political Carnival t-shirt, drop a little coinage in the kitty!

Remember, without donations, we have no Political Carnival. We have no way to fight for you, for our principles, or just to make you laugh from time to time.

Please never forget that we truly appreciate you guys with or without the donations. Every single day.

UPDATE: Prosecutor Angela Corey makes announcement in Trayvon Martin case + PhotOH! 2nd degree murder charging document

Via a Think Progress tweet:

Official tells AP: Trayvon Martin’s killer to be charged with 2nd-degree murder; is in custody

Special Prosecutor Corey, who did a great job of calmly and matter-of-factly answering all questions, said she’s known where Zimmerman was for three weeks. Here are my live tweets:

Corey just spoke to Trayvon’s parents

We prosecute on facts and Fla law.

We look out for victim and the accused

Quest for truth, right thing for right reason. Try in court of law, not media

Zimmerman in custody, charged w/ 2nd degree murder

Will not say where Zimmerman is for his safety

He turned himself in, then was arrested

Bond hearing will be held

We will not comment on facts of the case

All murders are homicides, but not all homicides are murders

Zimmerman may have retained new counsel in past couple of hours

Zimmerman is in Florida (he’s in Tallahassee, per HLN) … will be taken for appearance in front of judge at proper time

We work tirelessly for justice for victim

We did not talk to Zimmerman, and we won’t without counsel

So much info got released on this case that shouldn’t have been released

IF Stand Your Ground becomes an issue, we’ll fight it

Seminole Cty is venue, but may be tried elsewhere

Hope publicity doesn’t stop us from finding fair impartial jury… Leaks “regrettable”

We have numerous cases where immediate arrests were not made

Meeting with Trayvon’s parents, 1st time, we prayed, talked about IF no charges, how we could help

Donate to The Political Carnival using WePay

Now, if you’ll bear with us, we’re having a very necessary fundraiser; please help TPC continue to do what we do:

If we are one thing here at TPC, it’s being up front. We need to raise funds so we don’t have to worry about expenses for the next three months, both for site upkeep and our own mounting bills.

You can donate at any time by using the PayPal donate buttons in the sidebar (now with requested WePay!), or if you need a snail mail addy, feel free to email thepolicalcarnival@gmail.com.

In addition, if anyone wants to sponsor us for three months with an ad in the sidebar, please email Paddy. Since it’s an election year, any ad will be getting increased views.

BONUS! We’re doing something special this time around and giving away three of our brand spankin’ new TPC t-shirts to random donors! We’ll draw names out of the proverbial hat and let you know once the fundraiser is over. (You can’t even buy these yet.)

So, to be the first IN THE WORLD to sport your Political Carnival t-shirt, drop a little coinage in the kitty!

Remember, without donations, we have no Political Carnival. We have no way to fight for you, for our principles, or just to make you laugh from time to time.

Please never forget that we truly appreciate you guys with or without the donations. Every single day.

BREAKING: George Zimmerman has been taken into custody; will be charged with second degree murder

MSNBC is reporting that George Zimmerman, the man who shot and killed Trayvon Martin, is in police custody. That’s all there is for now. More details as they come in.

Florida Special Prosecutor Angela Corey will hold a press conference at 6 pm EDT.

UPDATE, via email alert:

  Official tells AP: Trayvon Martin’s killer to be charged with 2nd-degree murder; is in custody

 

Donate to The Political Carnival using WePay

Now, if you’ll bear with us, we’re having a very necessary fundraiser; please help TPC continue to do what we do:

If we are one thing here at TPC, it’s being up front. We need to raise funds so we don’t have to worry about expenses for the next three months, both for site upkeep and our own mounting bills.

You can donate at any time by using the PayPal donate buttons in the sidebar (now with requested WePay!), or if you need a snail mail addy, feel free to email thepolicalcarnival@gmail.com.

In addition, if anyone wants to sponsor us for three months with an ad in the sidebar, please email Paddy. Since it’s an election year, any ad will be getting increased views.

BONUS! We’re doing something special this time around and giving away three of our brand spankin’ new TPC t-shirts to random donors! We’ll draw names out of the proverbial hat and let you know once the fundraiser is over. (You can’t even buy these yet.)

So, to be the first IN THE WORLD to sport your Political Carnival t-shirt, drop a little coinage in the kitty!

Remember, without donations, we have no Political Carnival. We have no way to fight for you, for our principles, or just to make you laugh from time to time.

Please never forget that we truly appreciate you guys with or without the donations. Every single day.